🇮🇩 Samarinda, Indonesia
Ganesa Backpaker
📍 Jalan Wiraswasta gg. haji mustam 1, Samarinda, 75123
Your stay — Ganesa Backpaker
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Samarinda.
The Property — Ganesa Backpaker
A no-frills backpacker spot a short walk from the Mahakam River, Ganesa Backpaker feels like a clean, sociable dormitory block. The lobby is functional: a few sofas, a noticeboard with tour leaflets, and a reception desk where staff can point you to the cheapest warung nearby. It’s fine for solo travellers or small groups who just need a bed and breakfast before heading out to the river markets or Pampang village.
Chronicles of Samarinda
Samarinda grew from a small Kutai settlement into East Kalimantan’s main river port after the Dutch established a coal trading post in the 1840s. The discovery of oil and timber in the 20th century turned it into a boomtown, and today it’s a busy administrative and commercial hub, not a tourist draw. Its architecture is a jumble of late-colonial shop-houses, concrete high-rises, and floating houses on the Mahakam. The city’s identity is shaped by its river life and the mixed Dayak, Malay, and Bugis communities who still trade along the waterfront.
Best Time to Visit
Full Samarinda guide →Best months
July and August: the driest period, with less rain and lower humidity, making walking tours of the old port area bearable. Crowds are moderate as local schools are on holiday.
Peak / festival surge
August is busiest because of the long national holiday break around Indonesian Independence Day (17 August). Hotel prices can double at 3-star properties, and the riverfront gets packed with families and festival activities.
Budget shoulder season
May and September offer good discounts (20–30% off peak rates), still-dry weather, and far fewer visitors. The city is quieter, and you can book last-minute.
Weather & packing
Even in the drier months, Samarinda is hot and humid (28–32°C daily) with sudden tropical downpours possible. Pack a lightweight rain jacket, quick-dry clothing, and waterproof sandals—don’t bring leather shoes.
Live City Briefing — Samarinda
- The Samarinda City Transport Agency has shifted the main bus stop for routes to downtown and the river terminal to Jalan Bhayangkara, about 400m from Ganesa Backpaker—check signage carefully.
- A new night market, Pasar Malam Segiri, opened in June 2025 on Jalan Segiri, offering grilled fish and sate—try the pepes ikan patin.
- The Mahakam River water level is currently low due to drier weather, meaning boat services to Tenggarong may run on shorter schedules—confirm departure times at the terminal the day before.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Ganesa Backpaker, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd floor or above) facing away from Jalan Wiraswasta. The hotel has no lift, so higher floors are quieter but need stairs. The rear side typically overlooks the local housing area, reducing traffic rumble.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those near the front entrance or the small gang (GG Haji Mustam 1) side. These catch street noise, motorbikes, and early-morning foot traffic. Also skip rooms near the staircase on lower floors, as guests coming and go will be heard.
Best views
The best view is from rooms at the rear side of the hotel on upper floors, overlooking the kampung-style residential area and possibly some greenery. The front views are just the busy Jalan Wiraswasta and the gang.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest, as they are above street-level noise and away from the reception area. The building is likely 3-4 storeys based on the no-lift setup.
🔊 Noise notes
Jalan Wiraswasta is a main-ish local road in Samarinda with motorbikes and small trucks passing from early morning until late evening. The GG Haji Mustam 1 lane is narrow and used by motorbikes and pedestrians—can be loud at peak times. No bar or nightclub on-site, but local warungs nearby may have music or chatter until 10pm.
Insider tips
1) Park your motorbike or car on the GG Haji Mustam side, not the main road—safer and less dust. 2) Check in after 2pm to allow the cleaner to finish; the hotel is small and they may be slow if you arrive early. 3) The best value is to bring earplugs—this is a 3-star backpacker place, so expect some noise even in the quiet rooms.
- 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 — Ganesa Backpaker
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; sufficient for browsing and messaging, not reliable for streaming. One device per room; no login needed.
No lift; all rooms on ground and first floor via stairs.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 08:00 without fee. Late check-out until 12:00 costs 50% of nightly rate; after 12:00 charged full night.
Free luggage storage at reception; available during opening hours (07:00–22:00).
No step-free entrance; main door has a single step. No wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is 200m away on Jalan Pahlawan (IDR 5,000/hour). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full payment required at booking; no incidental hold at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Masjid Al-Mukarromah (193 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Gereja Toraja Jemaat Bukit Zaitun (390 m · ~5 min walk)
- Mosque: Masjid al-Ikhlas (500 m · ~6 min walk)
- Mosque: Masjid Nurul Falah (519 m · ~6 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Plaza Mulia — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Taman Samarendah — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Museum Samarinda — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
ATM BCA Indomaret Siradj Salman — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Apotek T3 — 869 m · ~11 min walk
Alfimart — 285 m · ~4 min walk
Halte Lembuswana — 2.7 km · ~34 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indonesian Rupiah, IDR
Use bank ATMs (especially Mandiri, BCA, BRI) for the best rates; avoid money changers at airports and tourist-heavy spots as they offer poor rates and commissions.
Cards are accepted at larger hotels, supermarkets, and mid-range restaurants in Samarinda; street food, warung, and many taxis require cash.
Tipping is not expected, but rounding up fares (to the nearest 5,000–10,000 IDR) is fine for taxis; restaurant bills already include service charge, so no extra tip needed.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Kopi tubruk (strong local coffee) from a street stall or warung costs around 5,000–8,000 IDR.
Nasi campur (rice with side dishes) or mie ayam (chicken noodles) at a local warung costs 15,000–25,000 IDR.
A main course of soto banjar (local soup) or fried rice at a simple restaurant cost 20,000–30,000 IDR.
Kawasan Harmain Street (Pahlawan area) and the night market near Mesjid Raya are typical evening cheap-eats hubs.
Super Indo and Hypermart are the budget supermarket chains in central Samarinda.
Pasar Pagi (Morning Market) and along Jalan Pahlawan for affordable clothing, especially local batik and casual wear.
Angkot (shared minibus) costs about 3,000–5,000 IDR per ride; from the airport, take Damri bus (around 25,000 IDR) to the city centre rather than taxis.
Eat at warung or street stalls, not hotels or malls, for meals half the price. Use local angkot for short trips instead of taxis or ride-hailing apps. Buy bottled water and snacks from minimarkets like Alfamart or Indomaret, not convenience stores in tourist zones.
Good to know — Samarinda
Type C/F · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ IDR 17905.3 · IDR
Emergency Contacts
SamarindaWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Samarinda, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Ganesa Backpaker
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · ATM BCA Indomaret Siradj Salman — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk — pharmacy · Apotek T3 — 869 m · ~11 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Aji Pangeran Tumenggung Pranoto Airport (AAP) → Hotel Crystal (Jalan Bung Tomo)
💡 Ignore touts inside the terminal. Walk to the official AP I counter just past baggage claim. The fare is fixed—no haggling. For a cheaper ride, step outside the airport gate and flag a passing 'angkot' (public minibus) to Loa Janan, then switch to another angkot toward the city centre; total cost under 15,000 IDR but expect 60–90 minutes.
Anywhere in Samarinda (including Hotel Crystal gate) → Anywhere in Samarinda (airport, mall, port)
💡 Gojek is more available than Grab in Samarinda. For the airport, book a 'GoCar' and the app shows the fare—drivers often ask for extra cash at the gate; refuse politely. If your phone signal is weak, use the hotel's WiFi to book.
Terminal Sungai Dama → Jalan Bung Tomo (near Hotel Crystal)
💡 Yellow angkot route runs along Jalan Bung Tomo. Wave it down, don't expect stops. Hand your fare to the driver through passengers—they pass it forward. The ride is cramped but safe. Great for short hops; avoid during rain as windows stay open.
Aji Pangeran Tumenggung Pranoto Airport (AAP) → Samarinda Central Bus Terminal (Terminal Sungai Dama)
💡 Damri drops you at the bus terminal, not the hotel. From Terminal Sungai Dama, take an angkot (yellow route) to Jalan Bung Tomo—tell the driver 'Hotel Crystal'. Last angkot leaves around 21:00. Have small change ready.
About Samarinda
Wikipedia ↗Borneo Football Club Samarinda, commonly known as Borneo Samarinda or also Borneo, is an Indonesian professional football club based in Samarinda, East Kalimantan. The club currently competes in Super League. The club's nickname is Pesut Etam (Our Dolphins). Borneo Samarinda has won one Liga 2 leagu...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Ganesa Backpaker?
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd floor or above) facing away from Jalan Wiraswasta. The hotel has no lift, so higher floors are quieter but need stairs. The rear side typically overlooks the local housing area, reducing traffic rumble.
Which rooms should I avoid at Ganesa Backpaker?
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those near the front entrance or the small gang (GG Haji Mustam 1) side. These catch street noise, motorbikes, and early-morning foot traffic. Also skip rooms near the staircase on lower floors, as guests coming and go will be heard.
Is Ganesa Backpaker noisy?
Jalan Wiraswasta is a main-ish local road in Samarinda with motorbikes and small trucks passing from early morning until late evening. The GG Haji Mustam 1 lane is narrow and used by motorbikes and pedestrians—can be loud at peak times. No bar or nightclub on-site, but local warungs nearby may have music or chatter until 10pm.
Which rooms have the best views at Ganesa Backpaker?
The best view is from rooms at the rear side of the hotel on upper floors, overlooking the kampung-style residential area and possibly some greenery. The front views are just the busy Jalan Wiraswasta and the gang.
What are insider tips for staying at Ganesa Backpaker?
1) Park your motorbike or car on the GG Haji Mustam side, not the main road—safer and less dust. 2) Check in after 2pm to allow the cleaner to finish; the hotel is small and they may be slow if you arrive early. 3) The best value is to bring earplugs—this is a 3-star backpacker place, so expect some noise even in the quiet rooms.
What time is check-in at Ganesa Backpaker?
Check-in at Ganesa Backpaker is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Ganesa Backpaker have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; sufficient for browsing and messaging, not reliable for streaming. One device per room; no login needed.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Ganesa Backpaker?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Ganesa Backpaker?
Nasi campur (rice with side dishes) or mie ayam (chicken noodles) at a local warung costs 15,000–25,000 IDR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Ganesa Backpaker?
Angkot (shared minibus) costs about 3,000–5,000 IDR per ride; from the airport, take Damri bus (around 25,000 IDR) to the city centre rather than taxis.
When is the best time to visit Samarinda?
July and August: the driest period, with less rain and lower humidity, making walking tours of the old port area bearable. Crowds are moderate as local schools are on holiday.
Top Attractions in Samarinda
💡 Visit on a Sunday morning when local musicians often busk near the fountain. Avoid midday heat; shade is limited.
💡 Go early morning (6-7am) to see the floating fruit sellers. Bring water and sun protection; no shade for long stretches.
💡 Try the pisang goreng (fried banana) from the stall near the main entrance. Arrive by 7am to see the market at its most active. Watch for uneven floors and wet patches.
💡 Go at sunset for the view from the minaret. Wear a headscarf and long sleeves; modest clothing is required. Bring ID for the elevator to the top.
💡 It takes about 45 minutes to see everything. Ask the guard to turn on the lights in the less-visited rooms. Closed for lunch 12-1pm.