Balikpapan is a city of 850,000 people (2019) in East Kalimantan. It serves as headquarters for international oil companies, mining companies and related support industries operating in (and out of) eastern Kalimantan. It is a relatively clean city, with clear blue skies, but not much by way of nightlife. The population is 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.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
The city is the financial centre of Kalimantan and one of three gateways to the new capital of Indonesia that is being built. Balikpapan began as a fishing village built by Buginese people in the 19th century. The first oil drilling began in Balikpapan in 1897. Many multi-national companies came to Balikpapan to invest in the oil industry. This resulted in the economic boom of Balikpapan and attracted many migrants and expatriates. Balikpapan oil refinery is on the shore of Balikpapan Bay and covers an area of 2.5 km2 (0.97 sq mi). Balikpapan has a tropical rainforest climate as there is no real dry season in Balikpapan. The city sees an average of 2,400 mm (94 in) of rain per year.
Traffic does not yet inhibit travel within the city but is increasing by the day as relatively high living standards help to support a sea of small motorcycles. Some taxi companies operates in Balikpapan. It is advisable to call for their call centre, tell your location and wait the call centre arrange their unit to pick you up. It is uncommon to wait for empty taxis on the street because they usually stop and wait for orders from their call centre. List of taxi companies and their call centre number: City Taxi (☏ +62 542 743417 or ☏ +62 542 8520001) Mawar (☏ +62 542 873145) Kalung Mas (☏ +62 542 762222) Globalindo Taxi (☏ +62 542 878787) Public transportation in Balikpapan consists o…
1 Bukit Bangkirai (58 km north-west of Balikpapan), ☏ +62 542 736-066. The main attraction is the Canopy Bridge, which is famous in East Borneo. It was built for the biological study of the ecosystem in the canopy of the tropical rainforest. It is now popular for the public to view the beauty of the rainforest from 30 m (90 ft) above the ground. It's also a very nice place to enjoy nature or to camp and watch the stars. Entrance Rp 22,000 domestic or foreigner, Canopy domestic Rp 25,000, Canopy foreigner Rp 75,000. (updated Jul 2024) 2 Monpera Beach (Pantai Monpera). 3 Kelama beach (Pantai Kelama) (road entrance next to Rumah Sakit Bhayangkara Balikpapan (hospital)). Relatively clean.
On Merdeka (Independence) Square you can play soccer and other sports. Local tour operators arrange river safaris on the Mahakam River and orangutan tours. Kalimantan Tour Guide, ☏ +62 821 5197 2860, nilawarti@gmail.com. Mahakam river trip Rp 7,000,000, Samarinda city tour 2 days Rp 3,650,000. (updated Jul 2024) Borneo Eco Adventure, Pakumpayan 26, RT.03 Angkinang, Hulu Sungai Selatan, ☏ +62 511-5911-738, +62 821-1009-4658 (mobile), info@borneo-ecoadventure.com.
A local delicacy is Amplang/Kuku Macan, a kind of chips made from fish. Pacifica Food Court in Balikpapan Plaza Mall has good food and a lot of choice. Also, a crab dish is very common in Balikpapan and you must try it. 1 Bondy Restaurant. A big restaurant on the main drag with a very nice selection of seafood. 2 Dandito, Jl. Marsma R. Iswahyudi No.70, Gn. Bahagia, South Balikpapan, ☏ +62 811 532 368. 09:00-20:00. Crab specialist restaurant. It also serves kepiting soka (soft-shell crab dish). 3 Kepiting Kenari, Jalan Iswahyudi (10 minutes from Sepinggan Airport). A very giant fresh crab cooked with some options of sauce (black pepper, sweet and sour, oyster sauce, boiled, etc.).
Color Beat Pub (Blue Sky Hotel) Borneo Bar (Le Grandeur Hotel) Borneo Sports Fishing Club (prev. Sid's Bar) at Jl Sudirman 24, Gunung Bahagia. Bar with sea views. Rende Vu (Novotel Hotel) Red Square (Sagita Hotel) Lamaru Pub (Hotel Grand Senyiur) SQ (Adhika Bahtera Hotel) Nakhoda (Adikha Bahtera Hotel) Suzannas Liquor Store- you can buy alcohol by the case to drink at home.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Aug, Balikpapan typically sees ~29°C daytime highs and 27 rainy days.
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