Banjarmasin City Guide
Image by Mahfud651 via wikipedia

Indonesia

Banjarmasin City Guide

South Kalimantan

Banjarmasin is the capital of South Kalimantan, Indonesia. It is known for its many rivers and waterways that shape daily life, including markets and transport. The city offers a unique local culture and traditional floating markets, providing a less touristy experience.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Good
7

Local dishes include Soto Banjar, Nasi Itik Gambut, and Ketupat Kandangan. Some Chinese and Western options exist. Vegetarian and vegan choices are limited. Late-night street food is available.

Local Dishes:
Soto Banjar, Nasi Itik Gambut, Ketupat Kandangan
International Cuisine:
Chinese, Western
🌙
Nightlife
Poor
3

Nightlife is quiet and mostly cafes or local eateries. Alcohol is limited in some areas.

Coffee Culture
Good
6

A developing coffee scene with local cafes and some specialty shops.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tipping is optional; rounding up fares for taxis is common. Restaurants may include service charges.

Top Attractions
Floating Market (Pasar Terapung)
Cultural
Traditional market on the river where sellers use boats.
Siring Pierre Tendean
Nature
Riverfront promenade popular for walking and running.
Masjid Raya Sabilal Muhtadin
Cultural
Large mosque with unique architecture.
Pulau Kembang
Nature
Monkey island near the city, accessible by boat.
Lok Baintan Floating Market
Cultural
Another famous floating market near Banjarmasin.
SIM Cards

SIM cards from Telkomsel, XL Axiata, and Indosat Ooredoo are available at the airport and provider stores. ID registration is required.

Available at:
Telkomsel store
XL Axiata store
Indosat Ooredoo store
Recommended Apps
Gojek(Transport)
Grab(Transport)
Traveloka(Travel)
WhatsApp(Communication)
Google Maps(Navigation)
Halodoc(Health)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Limited
5

Cleanliness is uneven; some parts are cleaner than others, with limited waste management.

24/7 Services
Limited
4

Some 24/7 minimarts and late-night street food stalls. Few 24/7 pharmacies or clinics.

Groceries
Hypermart
Giant

Supermarkets like Hypermart and Giant sell international products. Traditional markets offer fresh local produce and close by afternoon. Bargaining is common in markets.

Cashless Payments
Cash preferred

Card payments are accepted in supermarkets and some restaurants, but cash remains common in markets and small shops.

ATMs

ATMs are common in commercial areas and near banks like Bank Mandiri, BCA, and BRI. Fees may apply for international cards.

Schools
Local only

Most local schools teach in Indonesian. Information on English or international schools is limited.

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Not Available
Work-Friendly Cafés
Limited
Lucky You Coffee
Cafe with Wi-Fi and seating suitable for work.
Roots Coffee
Popular spot with good coffee and work space.
Alternatives:
Perpustakaan Daerah Kalimantan Selatan
Public library offering quiet space and Wi-Fi.
Hotel lobbies
Quiet spots with Wi-Fi, good for remote work.
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
2

Few digital nomads and limited community or meetups. Not a major hub.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Good
6

Parks and riverside areas offer green space for walking and relaxation.

Running
Good
6

Running is popular along Siring Pierre Tendean promenade; areas are generally safe and moderately clean.

Gyms
Available

Gyms and fitness centers are available but limited in number.

Available Gyms:
Gold's Gym (to verify)
Local fitness centers
Tennis
Limited
4

Tennis courts are available at sports complexes and clubs.

Padel
Poor
0

No known padel courts in Banjarmasin.

Yoga
Poor
3

Some yoga studios exist but English-speaking instructors may be rare.

Martial Arts
Poor
3

Traditional martial arts like Pencak Silat are practiced locally; info on other styles is limited.

Skiing
Poor
0

No skiing options in Banjarmasin or Indonesia.

Water Sports
Limited
5

Water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding can be done on local rivers with guides.

Surfing
Poor
0

Surfing is not available inland on the river delta.

Diving
Poor
0

No diving or snorkeling in the river delta area.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Good
6

Hospitals like RSUD Ulin Banjarmasin provide care but English is limited. Private facilities offer better quality. Pharmacies operate mostly during business hours; some are open late.

Hospitals:
RSUD Ulin Banjarmasin
Pharmacies:
Apotek Kimia Farma
Apotek K-24
Tap Water Safety
Not recommended

Tap water is not safe to drink. Use bottled water or filters.

Common Scams
Taxi scams with unmetered fares, Inflated prices for tourists, Pickpocketing in crowded areas

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Limited
5

Family attractions include the floating market and local parks. Dedicated kid facilities are limited.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Poor
3

Low LGBTQ+ acceptance and limited protections; conservative social norms.

Pet Friendly
Limited
4

Pet policies vary; vet services exist but few pet-friendly spots.

Communities
General Indonesia travel groups (Online)

Quick Facts

Population
662,230
Power Reliability
Good
7/10

Power is generally reliable with occasional short outages, especially during heavy rain.

Languages
Indonesian(100%)
English(10%)
Emergency
110
Police
118
Ambulance
113
Fire Department

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
1
🏔️
Earthquake
Moderate Risk
5

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Heavy rain and flooding
November, December, January, February, March, April
Wet season brings heavy rains and possible flooding.
Haze from forest fires
June, July, August, September, October
Smoke can reduce air quality during dry season.

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