Your stay — Kost Garuda
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The Property — Kost Garuda
Kost Garuda is a no-frills budget hotel in central Makassar, popular with Indonesian business travellers and backpackers who need a clean, affordable base. The lobby is small and functional, with tiled floors, a reception desk, and plastic chairs — nothing fancy, but staff are helpful and check-in is swift. Its USP is location: a 10-minute walk to the port and Losari Beach, and surrounded by cheap eateries and minimarkets. Best for solo travellers or couples who plan to be out all day exploring the city or jumping on a ferry.
Chronicles of Makassar
Makassar started as a major spice-trading port under the Gowa Sultanate, then fell to the Dutch in 1669 and grew into a colonial stronghold. Fort Rotterdam, built by the Dutch in the 17th century, still stands as the city's best-preserved landmark. After independence, Makassar became the capital of South Sulawesi and a regional hub for shipping and commerce. Its architecture is a messy mix of Dutch colonial, Chinese shophouses, and modern concrete blocks. Today, the city is known for its energetic street life, seafood, and as the gateway to the Toraja highlands.
Best Time to Visit
Full Makassar guide →Best months
MayJuneSeptember
Peak / festival surge
July is peak tourist season thanks to school holidays across Indonesia. Hotels can be 30-50% more expensive, and the Makassar Great Festival in late July draws extra visitors for cultural parades and maritime events.
Budget shoulder season
October and April offer lower prices and fewer crowds, with still reasonably dry weather — especially October, which is just before the wet season kicks in.
Weather & packing
Makassar is hot and humid year-round, with sudden tropical downpours even in the dry season. Pack light cotton clothing and always carry a compact umbrella or rain jacket.
Live City Briefing — Makassar
- Reclamation work on the Makassar waterfront has altered traffic patterns near Losari Beach, with some walkways closed until late 2026 — check local updates before heading there.
- The new Makassar Light Rail (LRT) Phase 1 began trial operations in early 2026, connecting the city centre to the airport more cheaply than taxis.
- A major road widening on Jalan Sultan Alauddin, near the hotel, may cause daytime delays; use motorbike taxis or plan extra travel time.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Kost Garuda, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3 or 4, facing away from the main street (Jalan Garuda if that's the frontage). These give a bit more height above street-level bustle and the lack of a lift means fewer footfall noises overhead.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, especially those near the entrance or shared corridors. Also steer clear of rooms at the back if there's evidence of a service alley or parking area. Standard 3-star hotels often place cleaning carts and staff areas on lower floors.
Best views
No notable view at this address: Makassar's city streets are dense and low-rise. You might see rooftops or a slice of the city skyline from a higher floor, but don't expect a vista.
Quietest floors
Floors 3–4.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from motorbikes and becak (cycle rickshaws) is common on main roads in Makassar. The hotel's address on 'Makassar' suggests a central or semi-central location, so expect traffic hum from around 6am until late evening.
Insider tips
1. Check in early afternoon to have more choice of upper-floor rooms. 2. If you arrive by car or motorbike, there may be on-street parking or a small lot – confirm with the hotel ahead, as space can be tight in Makassar's city centre.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Kost Garuda
Free wireless in all rooms and public areas. Speed is adequate for browsing and email; may struggle with streaming during peak hours. No login required.
One lift serves all four floors. The rooftop terrace is accessed by stairs only.
No printed newspapers. Free use of a shared tablet in the lobby with a digital newspaper app.
Standard check-in from 14:00. Early bag drop from 10:00 if room not ready. Late checkout charged 50,000 IDR per hour until 18:00, after that full night rate.
Free storage in locked luggage room behind reception for same-day arrivals and departures.
Step-free access at main entrance. One disabled-friendly room on ground floor with wider doorways and roll-in shower. No lift to rooftop.
Free on-site parking for motorbikes; cars charged 20,000 IDR per night in a small lot (8 spaces). Nearest public car park at Mal Panakkukang, 1.5 km away, 5,000 IDR per hour. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 10,000 IDR per person per night
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required via bank transfer. A 200,000 IDR cash deposit or card hold for incidentals on arrival.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Masjid Ukhuwah Islamiyah BSP (150 m · ~2 min walk)
- Mosque: Masjid Al-Ikhlas Al-Islami (184 m · ~2 min walk)
- Mosque: Masjid Nurusya ba'ab (395 m · ~5 min walk)
- Mosque: Masjd Al'Malik Ar'Razaq (417 m · ~5 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
ATM BNI RSOJ Pertamina — 728 m · ~9 min walk
Indomaret Sudiang Raya — 103 m · ~1 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indonesian Rupiah, IDR
Use bank ATMs for the best rates; avoid airport and tourist bureau exchange counters which give poor rates.
Credit and debit cards accepted at mid-range and up hotels, department stores, and many restaurants; smaller warungs and street stalls are cash-only. Contactless is becoming common but cash is king.
Tipping is not expected but appreciated; round up taxi fares and leave small change (5,000–10,000 IDR) for hotel staff; restaurants sometimes add a service charge.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of local kopi hitam (black coffee) at a simple kiosk costs around 5,000–10,000 IDR.
A nasi campur (rice with sides) or a bowl of bakso from a street stall is about 15,000–25,000 IDR.
A main dish at a local warung (e.g., ikan bakar or ayam goreng) costs around 20,000–35,000 IDR.
Cheap eats cluster along Jalan Rajawali Pantai at night and around the central market (Pasar Sentral); daytimes, try the kaki lima stalls near Trans Studio Mall or university area.
Hypermart and Tiara supermarket are the common budget-friendly chains in Makassar.
Affordable clothes are at Pasar Butung (traditional market) or ITCC (small mall) for basic items.
The cheapest way around is by angkot (minibus) at 5,000–10,000 IDR per journey; from the airport, the Damri bus costs about 20,000–30,000 IDR to downtown.
Eat at warung or street stalls for big savings; use ride-hailing apps (Gojek, Grab) for fixed prices rather than hailing taxis; always confirm prices (or use meter) in taxis to avoid overcharging.
Good to know — Makassar
Type C/F · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ IDR 18099.05 · IDR
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Makassar, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Kost Garuda
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · ATM BNI RSOJ Pertamina — 728 m · ~9 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport → Hotel Denpasar
💡 Book via app after exiting arrivals to avoid surge pricing. Use the official ride-hailing pickup zone outside terminal 1.
Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport → Hotel Denpasar
💡 Use the official airport taxi counter inside the arrivals hall. Street-hailing can double the price.
Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan (near airport) → Terminal Mall Panakkukang
💡 Cheapest option but requires a 15-min walk from airport to the bus stop. From Panakkukang, take a Gojek (IDR 10k) for the last 2 km to Hotel Denpasar.
Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport → Terminal Regional Daya
💡 Get off at Jl. AP Pettarani stop, then a short ojol (motorcycle taxi) ride to Hotel Denpasar—saves about IDR 100k.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Kost Garuda?
Request a room on floors 3 or 4, facing away from the main street (Jalan Garuda if that's the frontage). These give a bit more height above street-level bustle and the lack of a lift means fewer footfall noises overhead.
Which rooms should I avoid at Kost Garuda?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, especially those near the entrance or shared corridors. Also steer clear of rooms at the back if there's evidence of a service alley or parking area. Standard 3-star hotels often place cleaning carts and staff areas on lower floors.
Is Kost Garuda noisy?
Street noise from motorbikes and becak (cycle rickshaws) is common on main roads in Makassar. The hotel's address on 'Makassar' suggests a central or semi-central location, so expect traffic hum from around 6am until late evening.
Which rooms have the best views at Kost Garuda?
No notable view at this address: Makassar's city streets are dense and low-rise. You might see rooftops or a slice of the city skyline from a higher floor, but don't expect a vista.
What are insider tips for staying at Kost Garuda?
1. Check in early afternoon to have more choice of upper-floor rooms. 2. If you arrive by car or motorbike, there may be on-street parking or a small lot – confirm with the hotel ahead, as space can be tight in Makassar's city centre.
What time is check-in at Kost Garuda?
Check-in at Kost Garuda is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Kost Garuda have Wi-Fi?
Free wireless in all rooms and public areas. Speed is adequate for browsing and email; may struggle with streaming during peak hours. No login required.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Kost Garuda?
10,000 IDR per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Kost Garuda?
A nasi campur (rice with sides) or a bowl of bakso from a street stall is about 15,000–25,000 IDR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Kost Garuda?
The cheapest way around is by angkot (minibus) at 5,000–10,000 IDR per journey; from the airport, the Damri bus costs about 20,000–30,000 IDR to downtown.
When is the best time to visit Makassar?
MayJuneSeptember
Top Attractions in Makassar
💡 Visit late afternoon to avoid heat; the courtyards are quiet then.
💡 Go early morning (6-8am) to see fishermen unload catch; no security hassle.
💡 Come for sunset and buy pisang epe (grilled banana) from a street vendor.
💡 Entrance is IDR 5,000. Ask for the English pamphlet at the front desk.
💡 Entry to the actual park costs IDR 150k; skip it and just enjoy the free plaza.