Banjarmasin, Indonesia: travel guide
The City of Rivers — a sprawling city known for floating markets, riverside dwellings, and as a gateway to Borneo interior.
- Country
- Indonesia
- Currency
- IDR
- Time zone
- Asia/Makassar
- Nearest airport
- BDJ
Top places to visit in Banjarmasin
Floating Market Lok Baintan
Market · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h
One of Indonesia's last surviving traditional floating markets — dozens of wooden jukung (canoes) loaded with vegetables, tropical fruit, spices, and local snacks converge on the river before dawn and trade until 09:00. Accessed by klotok…
Martapura Diamond Town
Market · 4.4 rating · about 2 h
The gemstone capital of Indonesia — workshops and market stalls display rough and polished diamonds, sapphires, and garnets mined from the Kalimantan hinterland. Visitors can watch diamond-cutting artisans and buy certified stones at the…
Masjid Raya Sabilal Muhtadin
Mosque · 4.8 rating · about 0.8 h
The grand provincial mosque of South Kalimantan, a modern landmark on the riverside.
Menara Pandang Banjarmasin
Viewpoint · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h
Riverside observation tower with panoramic views over the Martapura river and the Siring waterfront.
Masjid Sultan Suriansyah
Mosque · 4.8 rating · about 0.7 h
The oldest mosque in South Kalimantan (~1526), with distinctive tiered Banjar architecture.
Museum Wasaka
Museum · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · entry IDR 5,000
Independence-struggle museum in a traditional Banjar bubungan-tinggi house by the Martapura river.
Klenteng Soetji Nurani
Temple · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h
Century-old Chinese temple near the riverfront, one of Banjarmasin's cultural-heritage sites.
Pasar Terapung Kuin (Kuin Floating Market)
Market · about 1 h
The original Banjarmasin floating market at the confluence of the Barito and Kuin rivers, smaller and more local than Lok Baintan.
Things to do
- Lok Baintan Floating Market Dawn Boat Ride Outdoor · 3 h · from IDR 250,000 per person
- Barito River Pink Dolphin Watching Wildlife · 2.5 h · from IDR 300,000 per person
- Martapura Diamond Market & Gem-Polishing Workshop Cultural · 4 h · from IDR 200,000 per person
Where to stay in Banjarmasin
- City Center about IDR 1,500 per night
South Kalimantan city with accommodation
Hotels
- Mercure Banjarmasin 4-star · IDR 700,000 to IDR 1,800,000 per night
- Golden Tulip Galaxy Hotel Banjarmasin 4-star
- Harper Banjarmasin by Aston 4-star
- Hotel 88 Banjarmasin by WH 2-star · IDR 180,000 to IDR 320,000 per night
- Novotel Banjarmasin Airport 4-star
Where to eat
- Soto Banjar Hj Hamidah Banjarese, Indonesian · about IDR 28,000 per person
- Rumah Makan Pondok Sari Banjarese, Indonesian, Seafood · about IDR 95,000 per person
- Warung Nasi Kuning Martapura Banjarese, Indonesian · about IDR 20,000 per person
- Soto Banjar H. Anang Ayam Bapukah indonesian · about IDR 45,000 per person
- Soto Bang Amat indonesian · about IDR 45,000 per person
- Depot Sari Patin indonesian, seafood · about IDR 45,000 per person
Getting around
- Boat main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Ride Hail main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
Scooter rental damage claim
Martapura diamond market touts · Pasar Terapung floating market overpriced "private" tours · city-centre rental shops
Pre-existing damage is invoiced when you return the scooter — often Rp 2–5M.
How to avoid it: Video the scooter on pickup. Rent only via your hotel.