Essentials
- City
- Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
- Population
- Approx. 730,000
- Internet Speed
- 30-50 Mbps average (Telkomsel 5G/IndiHome fiber)
- Currency & Banking
- Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). 1 USD ≈ 15,700 IDR
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled water (Aqua 600ml ≈ 5,000 IDR)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F (European standard)
- SIM Card
- Telkomsel (e.g., 25GB for 100,000 IDR at Klandasan store)
- Banking for Expats
- Mandiri, BNI, or Wise/Revolut for ATM withdrawals
- Accommodation
- Hotels and Guesthouses (RedDoorz, OYO, Pentacity apartments)
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, widely via QRIS (Gopay/OVO) and cards in malls
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb at Balikpapan Superblock (BSB) ≈ 500,000 IDR/night
- Budget Accommodation
- Whiz Prime Hotel Balikpapan (≈ 350,000 IDR/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Klandasan or Sudirman (Coastal views and markets)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Balikpapan Superblock (BSB) / Damai (Near malls and fiber internet)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Cre8 Balikpapan at Pentacity Mall (≈ 150,000 IDR/day)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Yellow Duck Coffee on Jl. Sudirman (Quiet, good Wi-Fi, ≈ 40k IDR coffee)
- Networking Events
- HIPMI (Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association) local meetups
- Social Events for Expats
- The Banua Patra Club (Expat social hub for oil/mining workers)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Gojek or Grab (Standard car starts at 15,000 IDR)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Local rental via 'Sewa Motor Balikpapan' (≈ 75,000 IDR/day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Manggar Segarasari Beach (Entry: 15,000 IDR)
- Top Regional Airline
- Garuda Indonesia / Citilink
- Top International Airline
- Singapore Airlines (Scoot) via SAMS Sepinggan (BPN)
- Highway Access
- Balikpapan-Samarinda (Balsam) Toll Road
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Arrival at SAMS Sepinggan International Airport; no trains yet
- Public Transport Passes
- Angkot (Blue/Yellow local minivans) ≈ 5,000 IDR/ride
- Regional Travel
- Speedboat from Kampung Baru to Penajam (≈ 30,000 IDR)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Siloam Hospitals Balikpapan (Jl. MT Haryono)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Namaste Yoga Studio at Ruko Little China BSB
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Celebrity Fitness at Pentacity Mall (≈ 600,000 IDR/month)
- Laundry Services
- Daily Laundry Klandasan (≈ 10,000 IDR/kg for wash/dry)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- GoFood (Gojek) or GrabFood
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Kepiting Dandito (Chili Crab) ≈ 350,000 IDR for two
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Loving Hut Balikpapan (Jl. Indrakila)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Roti Mantau Strudel at Blue Sky Hotel (≈ 15,000 IDR/piece)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Pasar Klandasan (Fresh local produce/seafood)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Tokopedia or Shopee Indonesia
- Grocery Delivery
- Hypermart via GrabMart or HappyFresh
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Ruko Bandar area (Oceanfront pubs/restaurants)
- Local Brewery
- Bintang/Anker available at high-end hotels (No local microbreweries)
- Wine Bars
- The Tavern at Gran Senyiur Hotel
- Street Food Stalls
- Melawai Street (Coastal food stalls, Salome from 5,000 IDR)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Bondy Grill & Seafood (Western-influenced BBQ)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Monpera (Monumen Perjuangan Rakyat) oceanfront park
- Museums & Art Venues
- Dahor Heritage Museum (Historical oil industry houses)
- Historical Sites
- Australian War Memorial (WWII sites at Klandasan)
- Religious Sites
- Islamic Center Balikpapan (Masjid At-Taqwa)
- Annual Events
- Balikpapan City Anniversary (February/March)
- Cultural Districts
- Kampung Atas Air (Village over water in Margasari)
- Theater Venues
- BSB Cinema XXI for movies
- Local Markets
- Kebun Sayur Plaza (Famous for gemstones/traditional beads)
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic bands at Hitam Manis Cafe
- Street Art
- Murals around the Kampung Pelangi (Rainbow Village)
- Cooking Classes
- Available via Blue Sky Hotel culinary programs
- Art Galleries
- Dekranasda Balikpapan (Local crafts showroom)
- Historic Buildings
- Pertamina wooden heritage houses in Gunung Melati
- Local Heritage
- The 'Beruang Madu' (Sun Bear) mascot of the city
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Batu Ampar Sun Bear Education Center (KWPLH)
- National Parks Nearby
- Bukit Bangkirai (Canopy bridge, 1.5 hours away, 30k IDR entry)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Lapangan Merdeka loop (Free, popular on Sundays)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Gunung Dubs (Sunset view over the Pertamina refinery)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Wain River Protected Forest (Hutan Lindung Sungai Wain)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Lamaru Beach (Designated camping areas)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- JNE or J&T (Klandasan Branch)
- Tech Repair Services
- iBox for Apple or E-Walk IT shops
- Table Tennis Spots
- PTM (Persatuan Tenis Meja) Community Center Margomulyo
- Language Classes
- LIA Balikpapan (Indonesian/English courses)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Balikpapan Public Library (Perpustakaan Kota)
- Community Centers
- DOME (Balikpapan Sport and Convention Center)
- Gaming Lounges
- Game-Inn at Ruko BSB
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Strictly illegal in Indonesia; only arcade centers like Timezone
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 18,000,000 IDR per m² (e.g., 30 m² ≈ 540M IDR)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 12,000,000 IDR per m² (e.g., 30 m² ≈ 360M IDR)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 17,000,000 IDR per m² (e.g., 50 m² ≈ 850M IDR)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 11,000,000 IDR per m² (e.g., 50 m² ≈ 550M IDR)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 16,000,000 IDR per m² (e.g., 80 m² ≈ 1.28B IDR)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 10,000,000 IDR per m² (e.g., 80 m² ≈ 800M IDR)
- Corporate Tax
- 22% (Standard Indonesian rate)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for residents, 20% for non-residents
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for tax residents (183+ days)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% (over 5 billion IDR annual income)
- VAT
- 11% (PPN)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applies to foreign entities 50%+ owned by residents
- Property Tax
- PBB (Annual Land and Building Tax) ≈ 0.1-0.2%
- Property Transaction Tax
- BPHTB 5% (Buyer) and PPh 2.5% (Seller)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- E-Busines/Remote Worker Visa (E33G) allows legal remote work