Explore Samarinda

Best Time to Visit Samarinda ☀️🌿

The best time to visit Samarinda is during the dry season, from May to October. The weather is more predictable, making it ideal for exploring the Mahakam River, waterfalls, and national parks.

The rainy season (November to April) brings heavy rainfall, which can lead to flooding in some areas, especially near the river. However, the rain usually comes in short bursts rather than all day long.

For cultural experiences, visit during local festivals like:

• Erau Festival (in Tenggarong, near Samarinda) – A grand cultural celebration of the Kutai Kartanegara kingdom, usually held in July.

How to Get to Samarinda ✈️🚗🚢

By Air (Fastest & Easiest Option)

Samarinda is served by Aji Pangeran Tumenggung (APT) Pranoto Airport (AAP), located about 30 km from the city center.

Direct flights to Samarinda are available from:

• Jakarta (CGK) – ~2.5 hours
• Surabaya (SUB) – ~2 hours
• Balikpapan (BPN) – ~45 minutes
• Makassar (UPG) – ~1.5 hours

✈️ If no direct flights are available, you can fly to Balikpapan's Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan Airport (BPN) and take a land transfer (about 2.5–3 hours) to Samarinda.

By Land 🚗 (From Balikpapan to Samarinda)

• Private Car/Rental – A comfortable 2.5-hour drive via the Balikpapan-Samarinda Toll Road.
• Shuttle/Travel Minibus – Many shuttle services operate between Balikpapan and Samarinda (~IDR 150,000–200,000 / $10–15).
• Public Bus – A cheaper but slower option (~3-4 hours).

By River 🚢 (Mahakam River Route)

For a more adventurous and scenic journey, you can travel by boat or ferry along the Mahakam River from towns like:

• Tenggarong (~1 hour by speedboat)
• Melak (West Kutai) (~12-15 hours by boat)

This is not the fastest way, but it’s a great way to experience Samarinda’s river culture.

Top Attractions in Samarinda 🌿🏞️

1. Mahakam River – The lifeline of Samarinda, perfect for river cruises, fishing, and spotting traditional floating houses.
2. Pampang Cultural Village – A must-visit for Dayak culture, where you can see traditional longhouses, dances, and tattooed elders.
3. Islamic Center Mosque – One of Indonesia’s largest mosques, featuring stunning architecture and a scenic riverside view.
4. Tanah Merah Waterfall – A peaceful natural escape with clear waters and lush greenery.
5. Bukit Bengkirai (Bengkirai Hill) – Famous for its Canopy Bridge, a suspension bridge high above the tropical rainforest.
6. Tenggarong – A historic town near Samarinda, home to Kutai Kartanegara Palace and the Mulawarman Museum.
7. Wehea Rainforest – A conservation area where you can spot orangutans, clouded leopards, and hornbills.
8. Lamin Etam Ambors – A replica of a traditional Dayak longhouse, showcasing local arts, crafts, and history.
9. Jongkang Village – A scenic riverside village where you can experience local life and see wooden boat-making traditions.
10. Teluk Lerong Garden – A relaxing riverside park with stunning sunset views and a great spot for evening walks.

Activities to Do in Samarinda 🚀

✅ Take a Mahakam River Cruise – Enjoy a sunset boat tour or a multi-day cruise to explore Dayak villages.
✅ Visit Pampang Cultural Village (Sunday Only) – Watch the Dayak Kenyah perform traditional dances.
✅ Hike to Bukit Bengkirai & Walk on the Canopy Bridge – Experience the rainforest from 30 meters above the ground.
✅ Explore Tenggarong & Kutai Kingdom Sites – Learn about Indonesia’s oldest Hindu kingdom at the Mulawarman Museum.
✅ Spot Wildlife in Wehea Rainforest – A paradise for nature lovers and wildlife photographers.
✅ Swim at Tanah Merah Waterfall – Relax in the cool water and enjoy the forest atmosphere.
✅ Try Samarinda's Famous Handwoven Sarongs (Sarung Samarinda) – Shop for authentic woven fabrics.
✅ Food Tour – Try Soto Banjar, Amplang (fish crackers), and Gance Ruan (spicy fish dish).
✅ Relax at Teluk Lerong Garden – Enjoy riverside sunset views and local street food.

Best Accommodation in Samarinda 🏨

Luxury Hotels (4-5 Star) 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

• HARRIS Hotel Samarinda – Modern hotel with a pool, gym, and river views.
• Swiss-Belhotel Borneo Samarinda – Riverside hotel with a great location and top-notch service.
• Aston Samarinda Hotel & Convention Center – Best for business travelers and comfort seekers.

Mid-Range Hotels (3-4 Star) 🏨

• Midtown Hotel Samarinda – Stylish and centrally located.
• Hotel Bumi Senyiur – Classic hotel with elegant decor and good service.
• Horison Samarinda – Great for budget-friendly comfort and business stays.

Budget Hotels & Guesthouses 💰

• Ibis Samarinda – Reliable, clean, and well-located.
• RedDoorz & OYO Hotels – Plenty of affordable choices across the city.
• Guesthouses in Tenggarong – For a more local experience, try homestays near Mahakam River.

Food & Restaurants in Samarinda 🍽️🌶️

Samarinda is famous for its fresh seafood, traditional Dayak dishes, and Banjar-influenced cuisine. Here are some must-try foods and the best places to eat:

Must-Try Dishes 🍛

✅ Amplang – Crunchy fish crackers, a perfect souvenir snack.
✅ Gance Ruan – Spicy grilled fish dish with Dayak-style sambal.
✅ Nasi Kuning Samarinda – Yellow rice served with chicken, egg, and sambal.
✅ Soto Banjar – A rich, slightly sweet chicken soup with rice cakes.
✅ Ayam Cincane – Grilled chicken with spicy red sauce, a Samarinda specialty.
✅ Pepes Patin – Catfish wrapped in banana leaves and steamed with local spices.
✅ Udang Galah Bakar – Grilled giant river prawns, often served with sweet soy sauce & sambal.
✅ Sambal Raja – A mix of eggplants, salted fish, and chili sambal.

Best Restaurants in Samarinda 🍽️

🏆 1. RM Tepian Mahakam – Riverside dining spot for grilled seafood and Indonesian specialties.
🏆 2. Pondok Borneo – Famous for Udang Galah Bakar (grilled giant prawns) and fresh fish dishes.
🏆 3. Dandito Restaurant – A top spot for crabs and seafood with spicy sauce.
🏆 4. Rumah Makan Selera Kita – Great place for Ayam Cincane and Gance Ruan.
🏆 5. Soto Banjar Bang Amat – The best place to try authentic Soto Banjar in Samarinda.
🏆 6. Ayam Geprek Pak Gembus – For spicy smashed fried chicken lovers.
🏆 7. Kedai Kopi Samarinda – A must-visit for local coffee and traditional snacks.
🏆 8. Raja Iga Samarinda – Best for grilled ribs (iga bakar) and Indonesian BBQ dishes.
🏆 9. Café Chocolate & Coffee – Cozy café with local and Western-style coffee & desserts.
🏆 10. Kampung Nasi Kuning – A local gem for Nasi Kuning (yellow rice dish).

Local Culture & Traditions in Samarinda 🎭🏕️

Samarinda is deeply rooted in Dayak culture, the Mahakam River lifestyle, and the Kutai Kingdom’s heritage.

1. Dayak Culture 🏹✨

• Samarinda is home to Dayak Kenyah, Dayak Bahau, and Dayak Benuaq ethnic groups.
• The Dayak people are known for their longhouses (Lamin), tattoos, and intricate beadwork.
• Traditional dances like Hudoq (masked dance) and Enggang (hornbill dance) are performed at cultural festivals.

📍 Where to Experience:

• Pampang Cultural Village (only on Sundays!) – Watch traditional Dayak dance performances.
• Lamin Etam Ambors – A replica Dayak longhouse showcasing artifacts & crafts.
• Wehea Rainforest – Visit a Dayak village deep in the forest and see sustainable tribal life.

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