Things to Do in Balikpapan

Central city park with fountains, shaded seating, and a paved walking path. A gathering spot for locals in evenings and weekends. The park has free wi-fi, street food stalls close by, and often hosts impromptu community events or live music on weeken

🕐 Open 24 hours

💡 Come at sunset to see families out for a stroll and the fountain lights come on. Grab a bowl of soto banjar from the cart across the road for an authentic and cheap meal.

Walk the wooden boardwalk through dense mangrove forest along the Mandau River. The walkway loops for about 1.5 km, with lookout towers to spot proboscis monkeys and birdlife. Entry is free, though a small donation is appreciated to support maintenan

🕐 6:00 am - 6:00 pm daily

💡 Go early before 8 am when it's cooler and the monkeys are most active. Bring your own water; there are no stalls along the boardwalk.

Small municipal museum housed in a former Dutch colonial building. Exhibits cover the city's history from oil boom beginnings to the present, including photographs, traditional Dayak artefacts, and oil industry memorabilia. Modest but tidy with infor

🕐 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Monday to Friday, closed weekends and public holidays

💡 Ask the guard at the entrance to switch on the video room — they screen a short documentary on Balikpapan's founding. Plan 45 minutes max. Donation box at the exit.

Long sandy beach facing the Makassar Strait, popular for evening walks, jogging, and watching container ships. The shoreline is backed by a promenade with a few warungs (food stalls) selling grilled fish and cold drinks. The water is not for swimming

🕐 Open 24 hours

💡 Head to the south end of the beach where the crowds thin out. A plate of ikan bakar with sambal from the warung opposite the water tower is a local favourite, costing under 20k rupiah.

Simple waterfall dropping about 20 metres into a natural pool in the hills above the city. Accessible via a 15-minute walk from the road through rubber plantations. The pool is shallow enough for a dip but watch for slippery rocks. No facilities exce

🕐 6:00 am - 5:00 pm daily

💡 Best after a day of rain when the flow is strong. Wear sandals with grip — the path gets muddy. No entrance fee, but locals may ask for a 5k parking fee if you bring a scooter. Bring insect repellent.