Attractions in Borneo/Kalimantan
River odysseys and ancient rainforests home to the orangutan 🦧🌿
Showing 45 attractions · Sorted by importance
Derawan Islands
📍 Berau
🏔 Scenic ViewA stunning archipelago offering families crystal-clear waters for snorkeling with sea turtles and swimming in a stingless jellyfish lake on Kakaban Island.
Equator Monument
📍 Pontianak
🏛 LandmarkA historic landmark marking the precise location of the Earth's equator, allowing visitors to stand in both hemispheres simultaneously.
Kakaban Island
📍 Berau Regency
⛱ BeachA unique island destination featuring a prehistoric mangrove-fringed lagoon filled with four species of non-stinging jellyfish.
Lok Baintan Floating Market
📍 Banjarmasin
🏘 Town / VillageA historic cultural site where local traders gather on the Martapura River in traditional wooden boats to sell colorful fruits, vegetables, and regional snacks.
Mahakam River
📍 Samarinda
🏔 Scenic ViewThe largest river in East Kalimantan, famous for scenic boat cruises where lucky visitors can spot the rare Irrawaddy freshwater dolphin.
Maratua Island
📍 Berau Regency
⛱ BeachKnown as the 'Caribbean of Indonesia,' this horseshoe-shaped island offers expansive blue lagoons and spectacular coastal views perfect for families.
Museum Lambung Mangkurat
📍 Banjarbaru
🖼 Art GalleryFeaturing distinctive traditional Banjar architecture, this museum preserves the artistic heritage, textiles, and historical artifacts of South Kalimantan.
Museum Mulawarman
📍 Tenggarong
🏰 CastleThe former palace of the Kutai Kartanegara Sultanate houses royal regalia and historical artifacts in a grand colonial-style building.
Pampang Cultural Village
📍 Samarinda
🏘 Town / VillageAn authentic Dayak Kenyah village where families can witness traditional dance performances and explore intricately carved wooden longhouses.
Samarinda Islamic Center Mosque
📍 Samarinda
🏛 LandmarkOne of Southeast Asia's largest mosques, featuring seven minarets and a massive central dome overlooking the Mahakam River.
Tanjung Puting National Park
📍 Pangkalan Bun
🐄 FarmA premier rural river experience where visitors live on traditional klotok boats while observing orangutans in their natural habitat.
Balikpapan Botanical Garden
📍 Balikpapan
🌿 GardenThe first botanical garden in Kalimantan, this vast conservation area features educational forest trails and a massive collection of native dipterocarp trees.
Bukit Bangkirai (Bangkirai Hill)
📍 Samboja
🧗 AdventureA premier nature adventure destination featuring a 64-meter long canopy bridge suspended 30 meters high among ancient tropical hardwood trees.
Camp Leakey
📍 Pangkalan Bun
🏛 LandmarkA world-famous orangutan research landmark within Tanjung Puting National Park where visitors can observe primates in their natural habitat.
Caribbean Island Waterpark
📍 Balikpapan
🌊 Water ParkOne of the largest water parks in Kalimantan, featuring a Caribbean pirate theme with extensive slides and a wave pool.
Cross Borneo Trek
📍 Putussibau
🥾 Hiking & CyclingApproximately 150km (walking portion) extremely challenging expedition-style trek. Requires 14 to 20 days depending on river conditions. High elevation variance through the Muller Mountain Range. No equipment rentals available; travelers must hire local guides and porters in Putussibau (West Kalimantan) or Long Apari (East Kalimantan).
Pemandian Air Panas Tanuhi
📍 Loksado
♨ Hot Spring40-45°C natural sulfur water, featuring three outdoor pools including a large swimming area and smaller soaking tubs, located at the base of the Meratus Mountains, public facility with changing rooms and basic infrastructure
Banua Botanical Garden
📍 Banjarbaru
🌿 GardenA sprawling garden showcasing thematic collections of medicinal plants and a large, popular green hedge labyrinth perfect for family exploration.
Bukit Kelam Monolith Trail
📍 Sintang
🥾 Hiking & Cycling3km challenging vertical hike to the summit of the world's second-largest monolith. Duration 4 to 6 hours with 900m elevation gain. The route features steep stairs and a via ferrata section. No equipment rentals available; local guides at the park entrance are recommended.
Danau Sentarum National Park
📍 Putussibau
🌲 NatureA spectacular seasonal wetland system that transforms from a vast lake to a dry creek bed depending on the time of year.
Gunung Bukit Raya Summit Trek
📍 Tumbang Habangoi
🥾 Hiking & Cycling60km round trip expert-level mountain trek. Typical duration is 7 to 10 days with approximately 2,100m elevation gain. As one of Indonesia's 'Seven Summits,' it involves dense jungle navigation and multiple river crossings. Self-supported or guided via local outfits like IndoClimb (indoclimb.com).
Gunung Palung National Park
📍 Ketapang
🌲 NatureRenowned for its incredible biodiversity across varied habitats, from mangrove swamps to montane forests, making it a paradise for nature lovers.
Kutai National Park
📍 Bontang
🌲 NatureA diverse protected area offering guided treks through ironwood forests to observe wild orangutans and a variety of tropical bird species.
Pasir Panjang Beach
📍 Singkawang
⛱ BeachA beautiful coastal stretch in West Kalimantan characterized by its clean white sand, unique rock formations, and scenic views of the Natuna Sea.
Samboja Lestari Wildlife Sanctuary
📍 Balikpapan
🦁 ZooAn eco-friendly sanctuary offering families the chance to see rehabilitated orangutans and sun bears in a lush, reforested environment.
Amanah Borneo Park
📍 Banjarbaru
🎢 Theme ParkA comprehensive outdoor theme park and educational farm offering adventure rides, fruit picking, and an orchid garden.
Aquaboom Waterpark
📍 Balikpapan
🌊 Water ParkA unique rooftop water park located atop a major shopping mall, offering high-altitude slides and modern aquatic facilities.
Istana Kadriyah
📍 Pontianak
🏰 CastleA grand wooden palace built in 1771, showcasing the traditional Malay architecture and royal heritage of the Pontianak Sultanate.
Loksado
📍 Kandangan
🏔 Scenic ViewA scenic highland region in the Meratus Mountains where families can experience the unique adventure of traditional bamboo rafting down the Amandit River.
Loksado Bamboo Rafting
📍 Loksado
🧗 AdventureA unique rural adventure featuring traditional bamboo rafts steered by Dayak guides through the scenic rivers of the Meratus Mountains.
Loksado Highland Scenic Drive
📍 Banjarmasin
🚗 Road TripApprox 170km (4-5 hours), paved and winding mountain road. This route climbs from the flat river plains of Banjarmasin into the lush Meratus Mountains. Highlights include the gemstone markets of Martapura, the diamond mines of Cempaka, and the dramatic rainforest scenery ending in the riverside village of Loksado.
Manggar Segara Sari Beach
📍 Balikpapan
⛱ BeachThe most popular public beach in East Kalimantan, featuring a wide sandy shoreline, calm waves, and shaded areas under pine trees.
Museum Kayu Tuah Himba
📍 Tenggarong
🔬 ScienceDiscover the diverse timber species and natural forest history of Kalimantan through displays of massive logs and rare wood carvings.
Museum Negeri Kalimantan Barat
📍 Pontianak
🏛 LandmarkThis cultural landmark features an extensive collection of traditional Dayak masks, intricate wood carvings, and indigenous textiles from across the province.
Paradis-Q Waterpark
📍 Pontianak
🌊 Water ParkPart of the Qubu Resort, this large-scale water park offers a wide variety of slides and leisure pools in a resort setting.
Pemandian Air Panas Hantakan
📍 Barabai
♨ Hot SpringNaturally heated clear mineral water pools, public outdoor facility located near the Pagat tourist area, known for its relaxing atmosphere and natural jungle surroundings with several concrete soaking basins
Pemandian Air Panas Sajau
📍 Tanjung Selor
♨ Hot Spring50-70°C geothermal source temperature, tiered sulfur-rich pools designed for therapeutic soaking, set within a natural forest environment in the Bulungan regency, primary destination for mineral bath therapy
Pontianak to Singkawang Coastal Road
📍 Pontianak
🚗 Road TripApprox 150km (3-4 hours), paved road. This popular coastal touring route follows the West Kalimantan shoreline along the South China Sea. Highlights include the Equator Monument in Pontianak, the long stretches of Pasir Panjang Beach, and the unique cultural fusion of Singkawang, known as the 'City of a Thousand Temples.'
Pulau Kumala
📍 Tenggarong
🎢 Theme ParkA river island amusement park on the Mahakam River featuring a sky tower, carousel, and traditional Kutai cultural monuments.
Sangalaki Island Turtle Conservation
📍 Derawan Islands
🌲 NatureA world-renowned conservation center where international visitors can observe sea turtle nesting and the release of hatchlings into the Celebes Sea.
Sebangau National Park
📍 Palangkaraya
🌲 NatureA vast peat swamp forest ecosystem known for its unique black-water rivers and as a critical habitat for one of the largest wild orangutan populations.
Taman Wisata Alam Bukit Tangkiling
📍 Palangkaraya
🧗 AdventureA nature-based outdoor center offering scenic trekking trails across granite outcrops with panoramic views over the vast Kalimantan peat swamp forests.