Balikpapan is a city 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 small 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.
- (BOS) Orangutan Sancuary and Eco lodge. See rescued orangutans and sun bears in their natural habitat. Just roaming around for the day or stay at the eco lodge for a few nights and experience the wildlife in the jungle. You can also do a 2-week or 4-week volunteering course, where you can help out with the animals. It is about a 1-hour journey by car from the city centre and if you stay the night or volunteer you will need outdoor equipment such as walking boots, spare clothes, insect repellent, etc.
- Crocodile Farm.
- Pantai Menpora.
- Bukit Bangkirai, +62 542 736-066. The main attraction is the Canopy Bridge, which is famous in East Borneo. It was built for 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.
(BOS) Orangutan Sancuary and Eco lodge. See rescued orangutans and sun bears in their natural habitat. Just roaming around for the day or stay at the eco lodge for a few nights and experience the wildlife in the jungle. You can also do a 2-week or 4-week volunteering course, where you can help out with the animals. It is about a 1-hour journey by car from the city centre and if you stay the night or volunteer you will need outdoor equipment such as walking boots, spare clothes, insect repellent, etc.
Crocodile Farm.
Pantai Menpora.
Bukit Bangkirai, +62 542 736-066. The main attraction is the Canopy Bridge, which is famous in East Borneo. It was built for 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.
- On Merdeka (Independence) Square you can play soccer and other sports.
- Local tour operators arrange river safaris on the Mahakam River and orangutan tours.
- There are beautiful beaches, such as Manggar and Lamaru located just outside the city, and Kemala Beach further off Klandasan with nice views of the sunset.
Visit one of the nice local markets.
- Plaza Balikpapan. This is the most popular shopping mall. Located at the centre of the city and it is a must visit for visitors. A good western supermarket can be found on the ground floor.
- Kebun Sayur Traditional Market Center. Stones, gems, jewelry and diamonds of various types and price. Borneo is acknowledged as a rich island, not just with oil and coal, but with beautiful gems.
Plaza Balikpapan. This is the most popular shopping mall. Located at the centre of the city and it is a must visit for visitors. A good western supermarket can be found on the ground floor.
Kebun Sayur Traditional Market Center. Stones, gems, jewelry and diamonds of various types and price. Borneo is acknowledged as a rich island, not just with oil and coal, but with beautiful gems.
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.
- Segeri
- Tip-Top
- Beach House Restaurant - Batakan/Manggar
- Batakan Beach Cafe
- Lia's Bar and restaurant - Batakan Kecil
- Yuli's Cafe (bar and restaurant) - Batakan Kecil
- Palm Court Restaurant - Batakan
- Dapeen Cafe - kelandasan
- Ocean's Seafood Restaurant - Klandasan
- Bondy Restaurant. A big restaurant on the main drag with a very nice selection of seafood.
- Kepiting Kenari, Jalan Iswahyudi (10 minutes from Sepinggan Airport. A very giant fresh crab cooked with some option of sauce (black pepper, sweet and sour, oyster sauce, boiled, etc.)
- Dandito, Jln Jend. Sudirman (above airport. Crab specialist restaurant.
- Kepiting Tambora, Jalan Jendral Sudirman. Crab specialist restaurant.
- Pondok Nelayan Seafood Rest., Jend. Sudirman Street No. 561 (Stal Kuda, +62 542-5660066. Su–F 10AM-10PM, Sa 10AM-11PM. Originates from Pontianak's (West Kalimantan) well-known seafood restaurant.
- To eat local. These food stalls are situated right on the water front. Found on the beach side of Pasar Klandasan. About 200 meters west of the Masjid At Taqwa and 800 meters east of Plaza Balikpapan. There is also a couple of simple food stalls on the old wooden jetty. Its has a close to "local" with a good vibe feel about it.
Bondy Restaurant. A big restaurant on the main drag with a very nice selection of seafood.
Kepiting Kenari, Jalan Iswahyudi (10 minutes from Sepinggan Airport. A very giant fresh crab cooked with some option of sauce (black pepper, sweet and sour, oyster sauce, boiled, etc.)
Dandito, Jln Jend. Sudirman (above airport. Crab specialist restaurant.
Kepiting Tambora, Jalan Jendral Sudirman. Crab specialist restaurant.
Pondok Nelayan Seafood Rest., Jend. Sudirman Street No. 561 (Stal Kuda, +62 542-5660066. Su–F 10AM-10PM, Sa 10AM-11PM. Originates from Pontianak's (West Kalimantan) well-known seafood restaurant.
- 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.
- France Consular Agency, c/o Total Final Elf E&P, Jl. Gunung Bugis, +62 542 533-999.
- Philippines Honorary Consulate, Jl. Projakal 157, Klandasan Ulu, +62 542 25-687.
France Consular Agency, c/o Total Final Elf E&P, Jl. Gunung Bugis, +62 542 533-999.
Philippines Honorary Consulate, Jl. Projakal 157, Klandasan Ulu, +62 542 25-687.