Balikpapan
Balikpapan is an oil port and the main air gateway to east Borneo, with city beaches, a mangrove center and the Samboja Lestari orangutan project outside town.
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Balikpapan is a port city on the east coast of Borneo, in East Kalimantan province, Indonesia. Oil and gas have long shaped its economy, and Sepinggan airport makes it the main air gateway to eastern Borneo. Travelers often use it as a base for trips inland and along the coast, or as a way into the new capital, Nusantara, under construction in the same province.
The city itself has waterfront beaches and a mangrove center that shows the coastal forest up close. The best-known wildlife stop is the Samboja Lestari orangutan project, a rehabilitation center outside the city where orangutans are cared for. Allow a day or two for the city, and more if you add the orangutan project, which is outside town. Travel in the drier months if you can.
Balikpapan in five
- Use Balikpapan as the Borneo gatewayFlights link the city with Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar and other hubs, and onward flights and roads fan out to the rest of East Kalimantan. Book a buffer if you connect to a remote trip.Kalimantan
- Visit the mangrove center for an easy half dayThe Balikpapan mangrove center has boardwalks and nature walks close to the city. Go in the morning for cooler air and birdlife, and ask about water levels before you arrive.
- Book Samboja Lestari in advanceThe Samboja Lestari reforestation and orangutan project lies outside the city, and visits usually need advance booking through the operator. Confirm opening rules, tour options and transport before you go.
- Allow a day for the new capital areaNusantara, Indonesia's new capital, lies roughly 2 to 3 hours away by road. Visit only if you are curious about the project, and expect construction zones and limited services.
- Plan Tanjung Puting from the other side of BorneoTanjung Puting National Park is in Central Kalimantan, reached via Pangkalan Bun, not by road from here. Fly between regions and avoid long overland jumps.Tanjung Puting National Park
Things to do in Balikpapan
See all attractions in Balikpapan
Need to know
- Airport
- Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman (BPN), about 25–35 min from the center
- Getting there
- Flights from Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar and other hubs
- Getting around
- Ride-hailing, taxis and rented cars; distances are long
- Best base
- Central Balikpapan near the waterfront
- Time needed
- 1–2 days; add 2–3 for Samboja Lestari and day trips
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°ShowersJanuaryRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 313 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- FebruaryRain23 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°ShowersFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 245 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- MarchRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°ShowersMarchRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 344 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- AprilRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°ShowersAprilRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 296 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- MayRain29 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°ShowersMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 316 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- JuneRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°DrierJuneRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 314 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
- JulyRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°DrierJulyRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 230 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
- AugustRain24 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Dry, haze riskAugustRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 224 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, haze risk
- SeptemberRain23 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Dry, haze riskSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 245 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, haze risk
- OctoberRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°ShowersOctoberRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 247 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- NovemberRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°WetNovemberRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 305 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- DecemberRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°WetDecemberRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 289 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
Average daily high and low in Balikpapan, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Balikpapan
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
23
- Feels like
- 27°
- Humidity
- 94%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 99%
Balikpapan
04:41 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today30°24°99%Tuesday: Rain. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Wed31°25°91%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 91%.
- Thu30°25°98%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Fri30°24°96%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Sat30°24°96%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Sun30°25°96%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 96%.
Updated 04:30 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 18,144 IDR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Samboja Lestariabout 1.5–2 hours by carA reforestation and orangutan project; booking is usually required.
- Balikpapan Mangrove Centerabout 20–30 min by carBoardwalks and wildlife near the city.
- Nusantaraabout 2–3 hours by carIndonesia's planned new capital, with construction and monuments.
Before you go to Balikpapan
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Plan around Balikpapan
Borneo's Indonesian provinces
Read the guideTanjung PutingOrangutan boats in Central Kalimantan
Read the guideMakassarA common flight connection city
Read the guideEast JavaSurabaya's flights and Bromo trips
Read the guideGetting around IndonesiaFlights, ferries and long roads
Read the guideAll of IndonesiaEntry rules, money and islands
Read the guideBalikpapan FAQ
Is Balikpapan worth visiting?
As a gateway, yes. It is a working port, not a sightseeing city, but it gives easy access to mangroves and the orangutan project at Samboja Lestari. Give it one or two days, then move on.
How do you get to Balikpapan?
By air, with direct flights from Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar and several other hubs. The airport is a short drive from the center. Roads connect to other East Kalimantan cities, but distances are long.
Can you see orangutans near Balikpapan?
At Samboja Lestari, which rehabilitates orangutans and sun bears, reached in 1.5 to 2 hours by road. It usually needs a booking in advance. For wild orangutans on boat trips, plan Tanjung Puting instead.
What is the best time to visit Balikpapan?
The drier months, about July to September, are easier for outdoor plans, though haze from fires can occur in some years. Showers are possible year-round, so pack a rain layer.
Is Balikpapan safe?
Generally yes. Use ride-hailing at night, keep valuables out of sight and follow local advice on beaches and remote roads. Carry insurance that covers medical care on Borneo.