Probolinggo

Understand

This port city has an extensive fishing industry and is the nearest town of any size to Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park. Since the National Park can be visited as a day trip from here, this tends to be the main draw for visitors since there is little else of interest.

Getting there

By bus To get to Probolinggo from Surabaya, take a Damri shuttle bus from the Juanda International Airport in Surabaya to the Bungurasih bus terminal (also called Purabaya) in the city. Then take an express Patas air-conditioned bus for the 2- to 3-hr journey from Surabaya to Probolinggo (about Rp30,000). Alternatively, you can get a train to Probolinggo station from Surabaya Gubeng. This is a comfortable air conditioned ride, taking around 2 hours. Buses from Malang take around 2 hours. Be sure to go all the way to the main 1 Bayuangga Bus Terminal, 6 km south-west of the centre, instead of getting dropped off at some travel agent (who will pay the driver a commission). Purchase any tickets directly at the bus terminal (or inside the bus after it leaves), as the local travel agents are notoriously mercenary and will happily charge you multiples of the real price and/or issue fake return tickets. Minibuses to Cemoro Lawang, the nearest settlement to Mount Bromo leave from outside the terminal and take about an hour and a half. They have 15 seats and leave when they are full. Rp500,000 for the whole minibus (Rp35,000 per person).

By train 2 Probolinggo Train Station is located in the city center. The building is a Dutch colonial architecture heritage. There are trains from/to Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Banyuwangi, and more. A local bemo from the Train Station to the Bus Station (or opposite) will cost you approximately Rp4,000 per person.

Getting around

By minibus You may get public transport from Bayuangga Bus Terminal.

Angkot (Angkutan Kota) Serving the city of Probolinggo. The routes are:

Trayek Lyn A Terminal Bus - HOS Cokroaminoto - Slamet Riyadi - Kademangan Trayek Lyn D Terminal Bus - Hayam Wuruk - Subterminal Wilayah Utara Trayek Lyn F Terminal Bus - Dr Sutomo - Ahmad Yani - Subterminal Wilayah Utara Trayek Lyn G Terminal Bus - DI Panjaitan - Ahmad Yani - Randu Pangger Trayek Lyn H Terminal Bus - Slamet Riyadi - HOS Cokroaminoto - DI Panjaitan - KH Mansyur - Dringu (via Jl. Semeru) Trayek Lyn J Terminal Bus - Slamet Riyadi - Wachid Hasyim - KH Hasan Genggong - Dringu (via Ketapang) Trayek Lyn K Terminal Bus - Dr Sutomo - Gatot Subroto - HOS Cokroaminoto - Sunan Ampel - Jorongan

MPU (Mobil Penumpang Umum) Serving from the downtown to rural areas and neighbouring cities. The routes are:

Probolinggo - Ketapang - Tongas - Nguling - Grati - Rejoso - Pasuruan Probolinggo - Ketapang - Tongas - Lumbang - Sukapura Probolinggo - Laweyan - Sumberasih - Patalan Probolinggo - Laweyan - Sumberasih - Patalan - Sukapura - Cemorolawang (to Mount Bromo) Probolinggo - Leces - Ranuyoso - Klakah - Kedungjajang - Wonorejo Probolinggo - Gending - Pajarakan - Kraksaan Probolinggo - Gending - Pajarakan - Condong - Krucil - Bremi (to Mount Argopuro)

See

1 Candi Jabung (Jabung Temple) (5km east of the village of Kraksaan). A restored Buddhist temple which dates from 1354 and which is mentioned as one of the places visited by mighty King Hayam Wuruk in 1359. 2 Museum Probolinggo, Jl. Suroyo No. 25, Kanigaran. Historical tourist attractions that store relics of Probolinggo's past such as artifacts, Probolinggo banknotes, replica statues, heirlooms to some photos of Probolinggo in the past. (updated Oct 2022) 3 Bentar Beach (Pantai Bentar), Jalur Pantura Mayangan, Karang Anyar, Curahsawo, Gending. Popular beach backed by mangrove forest known for its long wooden pier & migrating whale sharks. (updated Oct 2022) 4 Beejay Bakau Resort (BJBR). is an eco-tourism spot in the city of Probolinggo, reside at bay and in a mangrove forest. (updated Dec 2024)

Do

Rafting at Pekalen River The location is about one hour drive from Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park where the Pekalen river cuts the town. Up to grade 3+, you will encounter many bat caves along its cliff and some small waterfalls. Most operators ask you to choose one of the 2 sections that take 1.5-2.5 hours but you can have both if you ask. Each section has its own unique scenery and challenge that will make your white water rafting experience in any case unforgettable. All fares include safety equipment, transport to the start and from the finish line, as well as food and beverages.

Noars rafting, Adityawarman 70, 2nd floor, Surabaya, ☏ +62 31 567 4090, [email protected]. (updated Oct 2022) Songa adventure, ☏ +62 81 7585 446, +62 81 515 512 808, +62 81 357 225 708, [email protected]. Lower Pekalen, 1.5 to 2 hours: Rp 279,000/person. Upper Pekalen, 2 to 2.5 hours: Rp 319,000/person. All prices minimum of 5 person. (updated Jul 2018)

Boating to Gili Ketapang Island An island with white sand beaches. You may do snorkeling and water activities like jet skiing and banana boats in 1 Gili Ketapang.

Kerapan Sapi races

Cattle races in watery agricultural areas are carried out post-harvest. The Kerapan Sapi Brujul, the tradition of Probolinggo City has been designated as an intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia. You have to go to 2 Lapangan Kerapan Sapi Brujul to watch the race.

Buy

Food souvenirs Anggur Prabu Bestari, local grape. Krupuk ikan jenggelek, fish cracker. Sirup pokak, herbal drink.

Eat

Probolinggo is famous for sweet, green mangoes, known as mangga manalagi. Some people also call them mangga arumanis. Because these types of mango still have green skin even when mature, you need to press them softly and smell them to determine their ripeness. You might want to only eat half of these mangoes because they're large with high fibre content.

Budget 1 Ketan Kratok Ex. Bioskop Garuda, Jl. Dr. Sutomo, Tisnonegaran, Kanigaran. From 06:30. Serves a local breakfast snack of Probolinggo called ketan kratok. (updated Oct 2022) 2 Rumah Makan Sari Laut CJDW, Jl. Raya Panglima Sudirman No.341, Jati, Mayangan, ☏ +62 852 049 38661. 16:30-01:00. Serves seafood. Try the crab dish. (updated Oct 2022) 3 Soto Pak Koya, Jl. Mayjend Sutoyo No.10, Kraksaan, ☏ +62 852 573 66585. Daily 06:00-21:00. A typical Probolinggo soto ayam kampung (free-ranged chicken soto) called soto Kraksaan. From Rp15,000. 4 Bakso Eddy. Indonesian meatballs (updated Dec 2024) 5 Warpang Bu Khasanah. East Javanese specialities, kupang (small clams) and lontong balap. (updated Dec 2024) 6 Rawon Pecel Jumaro (Rawon Stasiun). Near Probolinggo station, only serves in the morning. East Javanese specialities: rawon (black beef soup) and pecel (peanut sauce salad). (updated Dec 2024) 7 Warung Bu Lely. Fried ducks, chicken, and pigeons. (updated Dec 2024) 8 Gado-Gado Merpati. Gado-gado (salad with peanut sauce). Small place, may consider take away. (updated Dec 2024)

Mid-range 9 D'Bell Pepper. Cafe and restaurant serving wide range of cuisine. (updated Dec 2024) 10 Sumber Hidup. One of the oldest still-running restaurant in town, well known for its Chinese food. (updated Dec 2024) 11 Sari Kuring. Indonesian-Sundanese cuisine. (updated Dec 2024)

Splurge

Drink & nightlife

1 Simposium. Locals' choice of coffee shop for working from cafe (updated Dec 2024) 2 Vegan Way (Aishi). Vegan baverages and ice cream. (updated Dec 2024) 3 Pesenkopi Plus. Wide and modern coffee shop. Packed at certain times. Might not suitable for working from cafe, but perfect for hang out. (updated Dec 2024)

Sleep

For people to see sunrise at Mount Bromo, it is better to sleep at nearest Bromo area, although you have to spend more money or you will late of sunrise moment.

Within the city of Probolinggo 1 Bromo Permai II, Jl. Panglima Sudirman 237, ☏ +62 335 422256. Very popular with budget travellers heading to Bromo-Semeru. Has a range of accommodation but all of it is clean, if basic. From about Rp90,000. 2 Bromo Sunrise Homestay, Jl. Raya Bromo Triwung Kidul (1 km to the south from Probolinggo Terminal), ☏ +62 813 368 04697, [email protected]. Check-in: 10.00 WIB, check-out: 12.00 WIB. A cheap, comfortable homestay. Simple bed and breakfast near public transport going to Bromo. from Rp50,000 (dormitory room). (updated Oct 2022) 3 Hotel Suroyo RedPartner (Hotel Tampiarto Plaza), Jl Suroyo 15. Mid range hotel with a nice pool and 24hr restaurant. From Rp200,000. (updated Oct 2022)

Go next

Yang Highland Wildlife Sanctuary Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park. Minibuses to Cemoro Lawang leave from outside the Bus Terminal. Banyuwangi, the eastern gateway to the Ijen Plateau, as well as ferries to Bali. Bondowoso, the western gateway to the Ijen Plateau.