• Get around
• See
• Do
• Buy
• Eat
• Drink
• Sleep
• Get out

Balikpapan is a city in East Kalimantan.

Balikpapan is a major headquarters for international oil companies operating out of eastern Kalimantan. Surprisingly, it's a relatively clean, small city, with clear blue skies, not much nightlife, and not too much traffic.

The people there are a mix, with lots of Javanese due to transmigration, lots of people from Sulawesi, and of course, the locals. The people are quiet and polite, and the pace is slow and relaxed.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Most people arrive by air. Balikpapan's Sepinggan Airport (Template:IATA) has frequent flights from Jakarta, as well as commercial services from Surabaya, Banjarmasin and Makassar. There is also an international flight from Singapore operated by SilkAir a few times a week.

The airport is located on the coast just outside of the city. Airport taxis operate from the terminal; there is a fixed fare depending on the destination.

[edit] By car

Balikpapan can be accessed from Samarinda, Bontang And Banjarmasin by land trough 2 bus terminal From Samarinda, Bontang by Terminal Batu Ampar, and From Banjarmasin from the other terminal in the Batu Ampar District.

[edit] By ferry

Semayang's seaport that serves cruises from Makassar, Pare Pare, Tarakan, Surabaya, and other eastern parts of Indonesia. This port is one of the busiest ports in Indonesia and the main gateway to Borneo, serving cargo ships not only from Indonesia and South East Asia.

[edit] Get around

[edit] See

Plaza Balikpapan: This is the most popular shopping mall in Balikpapan. Located at the centre of the city and it is a must visit for visitors.

Dapur Bunda: A new beach located further off Klandasan. It offers a nice view of sunset.

Crocodile farm.

Lamaru beach

Manggar beach

Shopping: A market where the handicrafts are sold.

Balikpapan has a beautiful beach such as manggar, lamru located just outside the city, with entry only Rp. 3000,- you can enjoy all day sun bathe, if you into crocs, there is a crocodile farm, near the manggar beach.

[edit] Do

On Merdeka(Independent) square you can play soccer and do other sports. Check out the beach in balikpapan. See one of the nice local markets.

Local tour operators arrange river safaris on the Mahakam River and orangutan tours.

• Borneo Discovery Tours, [1]. Tel. +62-542-5661696, +62-85752128886

• Borneo Discovery Tours, [2]. Tel. +62-542-5661696, +62-8135361221

[edit] Buy

Amplang/Kuku Macan. It is somekind of chips made from fish.

[edit] Eat

• Pacifica food court in Balikpapan Plaza Mall has good food and a lot of choice.
• Bondi Restaurant is a big restaurant on the main drag with a very nice selection of seafood.
• Segeri
• Tip-Top
• Kepiting Kenari, a very giant fresh crab cooked with some option of sauce (black pepper; sweet n sour; oyster sauce; boiled etc.). Located on Iswahyudi street, 10 minutes from Airport Sepingkan.
• KFC is here, in the main mall. One of the only fast food franchises (no McD).
• Tambora di Jl jend sudirman Crabs Crabs

[edit] Drink

• Color Beat Pub
• Borneo Pub
• Red Color Pub
• Ramaro Pub

[edit] Sleep

There are a number of star rated hotels poised on the hills and at the beach that are perfectly adequate.

Be warned: Balikpapan suffers from frequent blackouts, averaging two or three times a week for four to eight hours each time. Unless you like sweltering in tropical heat in utter darkness, make sure your accommodation has a generator.

• Novotel

• Dusit Hotel/ Le Grandeur

• Bahana Surya / Blue Sky Hotel probably the best place in town. With a nice swimming pool (external entry 30.000 IDR per person)

• Hotel Benakutai

• Grand Senyiur Hotel

• Hotel Nuansa Indah

• Hotel Bahtera from 400.000 IDR

• Hotel Murni a cheap option

• Town House Bukit Damai Indah, 0542-8879 650

• City hotel

[edit] Get out