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Things to Do in Banjarmasin (2026)
Begin your visit with a dawn cruise along the Martapura River, where floating markets like Lok Baintan come alive between 5:30 and 8:00 AM. Hire a klotok, a traditional woodeβ¦ πΆ Start on the River
Begin your visit with a dawn cruise along the Martapura River, where floating markets like Lok Baintan come alive between 5:30 and 8:00 AM. Hire a klotok, a traditional wooden boat, from the Banjarmasin waterfront for around 250,000 to 400,000 rupiah per hour. You'll see vendors paddling wooden canoes piled with tropical fruit, and you can hop aboard to buy fresh rambutan or bananas directly from the sellers.
ποΈ Landmarks and History
Visit the Sabilal Muhtadin Grand Mosque on Jalan Jenderal Sudirman, the largest mosque in South Kalimantan, with its striking green dome and riverside location. Nearby, the Wasaka Museum on Jalan Hasan Basri displays Banjar royal heirlooms, traditional weapons, and dioramas of local history. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated, and the museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
π Taste Local Flavors
Sample soto Banjar, a fragrant chicken soup with rice cakes and boiled eggs, at the legendary Soto Banjar Bang Amat on Jalan Kolonel Sugiono, open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. For a sweet treat, try apam barabai, a soft pancake served with palm sugar syrup, from street stalls near the floating market. Don't miss the chance to sip on kelapa muda, young coconut water, sold fresh along the riverbanks.
πΏ Nature and Wildlife
Take a day trip to the Pulau Kaget Nature Reserve, a protected island on the Barito River where you can spot proboscis monkeys in their natural habitat. Boat tours from Banjarmasin cost around 500,000 rupiah for a group and last three to four hours, best done in the early morning or late afternoon. Alternatively, visit the Banjarmasin Orchid Garden on Jalan A. Yani, which showcases hundreds of local orchid species, open daily from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
ποΈ Markets and Souvenirs
Explore the Pasar Terapung Muara Kuin floating market, which operates from dawn until around 9:00 AM, where you can buy fresh produce and traditional cakes from boats. For handicrafts, head to Pasar Seni Hasan Basri, a craft market selling woven purun bags, diamond jewelry, and carved wooden souvenirs. Bargaining is expected, so start at half the quoted price and negotiate politely.
π€ Getting Around
The most efficient way to navigate Banjarmasin's waterways is by kelotok, which you can charter for a full day for about 600,000 rupiah, including fuel and a guide. For land travel, use ride-hailing apps like Gojek or Grab, which are widely available and cost around 10,000 to 20,000 rupiah for short trips within the city. Avoid driving yourself because traffic is chaotic and parking is scarce near the river.
π Evening River Cruises
As the sun sets, join a dinner cruise along the Martapura River, where you can enjoy grilled fish and satay while watching the city lights reflect on the water. Several operators depart from the Banjarmasin waterfront at around 6:00 PM, with prices starting at 150,000 rupiah per person for a two-hour trip. Book ahead during weekends, as these cruises are popular with both locals and tourists.
honestly the wasaka museum is worth more time than people give it, the keris collection alone is insane and the dioramas actually explain why banjarmasin was such a big trading hub. i went on a tuesday morning and had the place almost to myself, so you can take your time without feeling rushed. pair it with a walk along jalan hasan basri after, the old dutch buildings are crumbling but photogenic.
one thing nobody mentions: the diamond trade. banjarmasin is the gateway to the cempaka mines, and you can watch cutters work in small workshops near pasar seni. not for buying unless you know stones, but fascinating to see. ask around for "batu cempaka" and someone will point you to a back alley spot. also, the sabilal muhtadin mosque lets you climb the minaret on fridays after prayer, best view of the whole river maze.
solid writeup, the floating market timing is spot on. one thing i'd add: skip the klotok for the return trip and take a regular river taxi instead, they're like 5k rupiah and you get a totally different vibe with locals commuting, school kids in uniforms, the whole thing. feels way more real than the tourist boats.
also if you're around on a sunday morning, check out the siring riverfront on jalan panglima batara, there's a little morning market that pops up with street food you wont find elsewhere. i had this grilled fish wrapped in banana leaf with a spicy sambal that still haunts me. cheaper than the tourist stalls too.
for the orchid garden, dont bother with the main entrance path, walk around the back where the nurseries are, you'll see the real collection and the caretaker might even let you peek at the breeding area if you're chill about it. just dont touch anything, theyre protective of the rare ones.
the river cruise tip is spot on but honestly the best part is stopping at lok baintan around 6am when the sun hits the water. i got there late once around 8 and most sellers were already packing up, so dont sleep in. also try the soto banjar at bang amat but go for the one with extra ketupat, they dont skimp on the broth there.
for the orchid garden, if you're not into flowers it might feel like a quick stop, but the shade is a lifesaver after the morning heat. grab a kelapa muda from a stall right outside the entrance, way cheaper than the ones near the river.
one thing the guide misses: the evening cruises can get rowdy with karaoke on weekends, so if you want a quiet ride, book a weekday. i did a friday once and it was chill, but saturday was a party boat.
3 Days in Banjarmasin: Itinerary 2026
Start your first day at the floating market of Lok Baintan, which operates from dawn until around 9 AM. Take a traditional klotok boat from the pier near Siring Banjarmasin at 5:3β¦ πΊοΈ Day 1 Morning
Start your first day at the floating market of Lok Baintan, which operates from dawn until around 9 AM. Take a traditional klotok boat from the pier near Siring Banjarmasin at 5:30 AM; the ride takes about 30 minutes. After the market, head back to the city center for a late breakfast at Soto Banjar Bang Amat (Jl. Jenderal Sudirman No. 1), open from 7 AM to 11 AM.
ποΈ Day 1 Afternoon
Spend the afternoon exploring the historic center around Jalan Lambung Mangkurat. Visit the Museum Wasaka (Jl. Hasan Basri, open 8 AM to 4 PM, closed Mondays) to learn about the local Banjar culture and history. Then walk to the iconic Masjid Sultan Suriansyah, the oldest mosque in South Kalimantan, just 10 minutes away by car.
π Day 1 Evening
In the evening, enjoy a sunset river cruise along the Martapura River, departing from the Siring Banjarmasin pier at 5 PM. The cruise lasts about two hours and costs around 100,000 IDR per person. End your day with dinner at Rumah Makan Apung Rahmat (Jl. S. Parman No. 88), a floating restaurant serving fresh river fish, open until 10 PM.
ποΈ Day 2 Morning
On day two, head south to the village of Pulau Kaget to see the proboscis monkeys in their natural habitat. Hire a speedboat from Banjarmasin's Banjar Raya harbor; the trip takes about 45 minutes and costs around 300,000 IDR for the boat. Arrive by 7 AM for the best chance to spot the monkeys, then return to the city for a late breakfast.
π Day 2 Afternoon
After returning, explore the traditional market of Pasar Terapung Siring, which is lively from noon to 2 PM. Sample local snacks like apam barabai and ketupat kandangan from the vendors. For lunch, try the famous soto banjar at Soto Banjar H. M. Idris (Jl. Veteran No. 12), a family-run spot open from 10 AM to 3 PM.
π Day 2 Evening
In the evening, catch a cultural performance at the Banjarmasin Cultural Park (Jl. A. Yani Km 4.5), where traditional dances are held every Saturday at 7 PM. The entrance fee is 20,000 IDR. After the show, stroll along the riverside promenade at Kembang Island, a small park accessible by a short boat ride from the mainland.
πΆ Day 3 Morning
On your final day, take a morning trip to the floating village of Kuin, located just 15 minutes by boat from the city center. Explore the stilt houses and observe the daily life of the river community. You can hire a boat at the Kuin pier for about 50,000 IDR per hour.
ποΈ Day 3 Afternoon
Spend your last afternoon shopping for souvenirs at Pasar Cempaka Besar (Jl. Cempaka Besar), known for its local handicrafts and gemstones. The market is open from 8 AM to 5 PM, and you can bargain for prices. For a final meal, try the grilled fish at Rumah Makan Lais (Jl. Ahmad Yani Km 6), a local favorite open until 9 PM.
The floating market tip about bringing small bills is spot on, I learned that the hard way. One thing I'd add for day 1: skip the Soto Banjar Bang Amat if it's crowded and walk a bit further to Jl. Pangeran Antasari, there's a warung that only does soto until it runs out around 9 AM, usually by 10 it's gone. Same recipe family, but the broth is richer because they make smaller batches.
For day 2, the proboscis monkey trip is worth it but don't expect a zoo experience. You'll see them lounging in trees, not swinging around, so bring binoculars if you have them. The speedboat captain will wait for you to take photos, but they won't chase the monkeys, so patience is key.
Day 3, if you're at Pasar Cempaka Besar and want something more unique than gemstones, look for the intan laki sellers, the black diamonds from the local rivers. They're not polished like regular diamonds, but locals swear they bring luck, and you can get small ones for 50k to 100k if you haggle well. Just make sure you're buying from the older vendors near the back, the front stalls tend to overcharge tourists.
solid itinerary honestly, but i'd tweak day 1. lok baintan is great but if u want the real chaotic vibe, go on a sunday when more sellers show up. also, bring small bills (5k and 10k notes) for the floating market, vendors rarely have change for 50k.
for day 2, skip pasar terapung siring in the afternoon, it's dead by then tbh. instead hit it right after the monkey trip around 9-10 AM when the boats are still stocking up. the ketupat kandangan there is way better than what u get at the stalls later.
one thing u missed: try es kelapa muda at the riverside near siring banjarmasin around sunset, it's like 15k and hits different after a hot day. also on day 3, the kuin village boat ride is fine but u can actually walk across the wooden bridge at kampung biru if u want a free view of the stilt houses. saves u 50k.
honestly the itinerary's pretty well paced, but day 2 morning feels rushed. the proboscis monkeys are cool, but the real highlight is the boat ride itself, you'll pass these tiny floating houses with kids waving and old women washing clothes. dont just stare at the monkeys, ask the captain to slow down near the stilt villages on the way back.
also for day 3, skip the gemstones if u dont know ur stones. instead hit the sasirangan batik stalls along jalan a.yani, the hand-stamped ones are way cheaper than the silk stuff downtown