Skip to content
Voykit
Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. How we verify
Source checked
A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked
Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated
Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Back to Kandangan

In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.

Voykit pocket guide · Indonesia

Kandangan

Use Kandangan as a transit hub for Loksado and Nagara: one night is enough, or pass through in a day.

Kandangan is the capital of Hulu Sungai Selatan regency in South Kalimantan, and the main gateway to the Dayak villages of Loksado and the wetlands of Nagara. The town itself is small and walkable, with a lively market and a few local dishes. Most travellers use it as a base for one night before heading into the hills or the swamps.

UbudAmbarawaAmbonAmedAmlapuraAmpanaAmuntaiAnyerApo KayanAsmatAtambuaBajawaBalikpapanBanda AcehKandangan1,000 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Indonesia
Best months
Apr–Oct
Avoid
Nov–Mar (rainy season)
Stay
1 night

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
IDR
Money
Rupiah (Rp) in small notes for warungs, parking, offerings and drivers; large cards are common in tourist restaurants but not everywhere.
Daily spend
Budget Rp150,000–250,000 excl. bed · Mid Rp250,000–400,000 excl. bed · High Rp400,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
Telkomsel, XL and Indosat sell tourist SIMs at airports; foreign phones must be IMEI-registered if staying over 90 days — check.
Emergency
Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 112
Plugs
Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · European round pins.
Tipping
Warung: Nothing.; Restaurants: Often 10% service + tax on the bill; nothing more needed.; Drivers and guides: Rp50,000–100,000 a day.; Spa: Rp20,000–50,000.
Water
Not drinkable from the tap; refill stations common in Bali.
Toilets
Western in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.

Get in

By air

BDJ · Syamsudin Noor International Airport (Banjarmasin)
About 2.5–3 h by minivan or car; check road conditions in the wet season.

Typical fares

Minivan Banjarmasin → Kandangan
about Rp50,000–80,000, 2.5–3 h (check)
Ojeg within town
Rp10,000–20,000 per ride (negotiate)
Becak short ride
Rp10,000–15,000 (negotiate)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get around

The centre is walkable. For longer trips use ojeg (motorbike taxi) or becak (pedicab); negotiate the fare before riding. Minivans (yellow plates) run along the main highway to Banjarmasin and Tanjung.

See and do

Known for

  • Gateway to Loksado and Nagara
  • Ketupat Kandangan
  • Dodol and lamang cakes
  • Main market

Day trips

WhereHowTime
LoksadoOjeg or hired car, about 1–1.5 hAbout 1.5–2 h
NagaraMinivan or ojeg, about 30–45 minAbout 1 h
BanjarmasinMinivan, about 2.5–3 hAbout 3–3.5 h
AmuntaiMinivan, about 1.5–2 hAbout 2–2.5 h

Sleep

City centre near the market
Walking distance to food stalls and ojeg/becak stands; basic losmen and homestays.
Along the main highway (Jalan A. Yani)
Easier for minivan pick-ups; more noise but more options.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
Please reduce the speedTolong jangan terlalu lajutoh-long jang-an ter-lah-loo la-joo
How much?Berapa?buh-rah-pah
Left (to stop the minivan)Kirikee-ree
Thank youTerima kasihtuh-ree-mah kah-seeh
Where is the market?Di mana pasar?dee mah-nah pah-sar

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

  • Greeting: Light handshake then hand to chest; smile; avoid: Firm grips
  • Left hand: Give and receive with the right; avoid: Passing anything with the left
  • Temples: Sarong and sash; step around offerings; avoid: Standing higher than priests
  • Keeping calm: Patience; indirect requests; avoid: Anger in public
  • Pointing: Thumb; avoid: Index finger

Scams and watch-outs

  • Minivan drivers may speed; say 'tolong jangan terlalu laju' to ask them to slow down.
  • Ojeg and becak drivers rarely speak English; have a map or destination name ready.
  • The rainy season (Nov–Mar) can make roads to Loksado and Nagara muddy or impassable — check local conditions.
  • ATMs are limited; bring enough cash from Banjarmasin.

Kandangan is generally safe, but watch for speeding minivans and negotiate fares clearly. The main risks are road conditions in the wet season and limited English.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Kandangan yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Gateway to Loksado and Nagara
  • Ketupat Kandangan
  • Dodol and lamang cakes
  • Main market

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Kandangan

Ke alamat ini, tolong

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

  • Police110
  • Fire and ambulance112

Most embassies are in Jakarta; the nearest consulate for many countries is in Surabaya or Bali.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/kandangan). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.