Essentials
- Cashless Friendly
- Partially; large malls and restaurants accept cards, but QRIS (e-wallets) is preferred for small vendors
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Traveloka; 1-bedroom apartments for $400 - $700 per month
- Budget Accommodation
- Highlander Hostel or Whiz Prime Hotel Hasanuddin (approx. $15 - $25/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Losari Beach area (Pantai Losari) for proximity to landmarks and seafood
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Panakkukang or Pettarani area for proximity to modern offices, malls, and better Wi-Fi
- City
- Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
- Population
- 1,500,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 35-50 Mbps (Fiber available in most central areas)
- Currency & Banking
- Indonesian Rupiah (IDR); 1 USD ≈ 15,700 IDR, 1 EUR ≈ 17,000 IDR
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled water (Aqua or Le Minerale) for drinking and brushing teeth
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C and F sockets (European standard)
- SIM Card
- Telkomsel (best coverage) or XL Axiata; 25GB data for approx. 100,000 IDR ($6.40)
- Banking for Expats
- Common banks include BCA, Mandiri, and BNI; Wise and Revolut work at most ATMs
- Accommodation
- Luxury hotels, serviced apartments, and guesthouses (Kost)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- DILo Makassar (Digital Innovation Lounge) at Jl. Andi Pangeran Pettarani ($5/day)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Kopi Teori (Jl. Beruang) or Mark Trees Cafe (Jl. Gunung Batu Putih) with stable Wi-Fi and power outlets
- Networking Events
- Startup Makassar meetups and events hosted by Kalla Group at Nipah Mall
- Social Events for Expats
- Makassar Expat Community on Facebook; occasional mixers at The Rinra Hotel bar
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Gojek or Grab; very reliable for both cars and motorbikes
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Daily rentals usually available through hostels (approx. 75,000 IDR/$4.80 per day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Akkarena Beach (15 mins from center) or Tanjung Bira (5 hours drive for white sand)
- Top Regional Airline
- Garuda Indonesia or Citilink
- Top International Airline
- AirAsia (direct flights to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore)
- Highway Access
- Tol Reformasi connects the Sultan Hasanuddin Airport to the city center and the port
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Makassar-Parepare Railway (New hub at Maros Station); Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport (UPG)
- Public Transport Passes
- Teman Bus (Trans Mamminasata); uses e-money cards like BCA Flazz or Mandiri e-money
- Regional Travel
- Ferries (Pelni) from Soekarno-Hatta Port to other islands; buses to Toraja from Daya Terminal
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Siloam Hospitals Makassar (Jl. Metro Tanjung Bunga); international standards
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Rumah Yoga Makassar or celebrity fitness centers in malls like Nipah Mall
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Urban Gym or Fit Hub Makassar (approx. 350,000 IDR/$22 per month)
- Laundry Services
- Local 'Laundry Kiloan' services charge approx. 8,000 IDR ($0.50) per KG
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- GoFood (Gojek) or GrabFood
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Coto Makassar (beef soup) or Ikan Bakar (grilled fish) at Jl. Datumuseng
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Fortunate Coffee or various 'Warung' that serve Gado-Gado and Tempe
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pisang Epe (grilled banana) stalls along Pantai Losari
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Pasar Terong for fresh produce or Pasar Butung for cheap textiles
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Tokopedia and Shopee Indonesia
- Grocery Delivery
- GrabMart or Sayurbox
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Zona Cafe or The Liquid Cafe for live music and drinks
- Local Brewery
- Bintang Beer is the local standard; found at licensed bars like On-Off
- Wine Bars
- The Society at Melia Makassar (rooftop bar with curated wine list)
- Street Food Stalls
- Kanre Kare food court area near Karebosi Link
- Popular International Cuisine
- Fat Dragon (Chinese), Gastros (Western/Fusion) at Nipah Mall
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Fort Rotterdam (17th-century Dutch fort) and the 99 Domes Mosque
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museum La Galigo located inside Fort Rotterdam
- Historical Sites
- Tomb of Sultan Hasanuddin and the Balla Lompoa Museum
- Religious Sites
- Masjid Raya Makassar and the Vihara Girinaga
- Annual Events
- F8 Makassar (Food, Flower, Fashion, Fiction, Fonts, Fan, Flora, Fine Art Festival) in August
- Cultural Districts
- Somba Opu for gold jewelry, silk, and traditional souvenirs
- Theater Venues
- Societeit de Harmonie center for local performing arts
- Local Markets
- Pasar Senggol (night market) for cheap street food and clothes
- Music Scene
- Live jazz and pop bands at many cafes around Panakkukang
- Street Art
- Murals around the older buildings in the port area and nearby alleyways in the city center
- Cooking Classes
- Informal classes at local 'Lembaga Kursus' or select hotels like Claro Makassar
- Art Galleries
- Rumah Budaya Rumata’ (Art and culture space by director Riri Riza)
- Historic Buildings
- Mandala Monument representing the liberation of West Irian
- Local Heritage
- Phinisi Schooner ships built in the region; Bugis-Makassar seafaring culture
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Ramang-Ramang Karst Village (tropical limestone landscapes), 1 hour from the city
- National Parks Nearby
- Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park (known for butterflies and waterfalls)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Car-Free Day on Sunday mornings at Jl. Jendral Sudirman
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Sunset views from the Losari Beach waterfront or rooftop bars
- Birdwatching Locations
- Lakkang Island in the Tallo River delta
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Camping areas in the Malino Highlands (approx. 2.5 hours away)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- JNE, J&T Express, and Pos Indonesia
- Tech Repair Services
- Various shops in MTC Karebosi or Makassar Town Square
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local sports clubs like PTM Phinisi
- Language Classes
- LIA Makassar for Indonesian and English courses
- Libraries & Study Spots
- South Sulawesi Provincial Library (Perpustakaan Wilayah) at Jl. Sultan Alauddin
- Community Centers
- Gedung Kesenian Makassar
- Gaming Lounges
- Warkop (Warung Kopi) with Wi-Fi serve as informal gaming lounges
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal and non-existent; Indonesia has strict anti-gambling laws
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 18,000,000 IDR per m² (e.g., 30 m² = 540,000,000 IDR / $34,400)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 12,000,000 IDR per m² (e.g., 30 m² = 360,000,000 IDR / $22,900)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 16,500,000 IDR per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 825,000,000 IDR / $52,500)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 10,000,000 IDR per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 500,000,000 IDR / $31,800)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 15,000,000 IDR per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 1,200,000,000 IDR / $76,400)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 9,000,000 IDR per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 720,000,000 IDR / $45,800)
- Corporate Tax
- 22% standard rate
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for residents, 20% for non-residents (may be reduced by tax treaties)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for tax residents (over 183 days)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% (for income over 5 billion IDR)
- VAT
- 11%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to Indonesian tax residents
- Property Tax
- Yes, PBB (Land and Building Tax) calculated annually based on assessed value
- Property Transaction Tax
- 5% BPHTB (Buyer's tax) and 2.5% PPh (Seller's capital gains tax)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Remote Worker Visa (E33G) allows for tax-free income if derived from outside Indonesia for up to 1 year