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Voykit pocket guide · Indonesia
Kendari
Use Kendari as a transit hub for Wakatobi and Southeast Sulawesi, not a destination: one night is enough to see the bay and eat seafood.
Kendari is the capital of Southeast Sulawesi and the main gateway to the Wakatobi islands. The city itself has a relaxed bayfront, a few malls and good seafood, but most travellers use it as a one-night stop before or after diving trips. The real draw is the surrounding region: Wakatobi's reefs, the Banda Sea and traditional villages.
- Country
- Indonesia
- Best months
- Apr–Nov
- Avoid
- Dec–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 Rp200,000–350,000 excl. bed · Mid Rp350,000–600,000 excl. bed · High Rp600,000+ 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 118/119 · General emergency 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.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Nasi goreng or mie goreng at a warung | Rp15,000–25,000 |
| Ikan bakar (grilled fish) with rice and sambal | Rp30,000–50,000 |
| Bottle of Bintang beer | Rp25,000–40,000 |
| 5 km (3.1 mi) taxi ride3.1 mi (5 km) taxi ride | Rp50,000–80,000 |
| Local bus (bemo) ride | Rp5,000–10,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- KDI · Haluoleo Airport
- 26 km (16 mi) from the city; direct flights from Makassar, Jakarta, Surabaya and regional airports.16 mi (26 km) from the city; direct flights from Makassar, Jakarta, Surabaya and regional airports.
Typical fares
- Haluoleo Airport → city centre, taxi
- about Rp150,000, 30–40 min (check)
- Taxi city centre → Mandonga Mall
- Rp20,000–30,000
- Flight Kendari → Makassar
- about Rp400,000–700,000, 1 h (check)
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
Taxis and ride-hailing (Gojek, Grab) are the main options; the airport is 30–40 min from the centre by car. Bemos (minibuses) run along main roads but are not tourist-friendly.
See and do
Known for
- Gateway to Wakatobi
- Kendari Bay
- Seafood (ikan bakar, coto)
- Haluoleo Airport
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Wakatobi Islands | Flight from Haluoleo Airport to Wangi-Wangi (about 1 h) or ferry from Wanci port in Kendari (check schedules) | About 1.5–2 h (flight) or 4–6 h (ferry) |
| Bau-Bau | Bus or shared taxi, about 4–5 h | About 5–6 h |
Sleep
- City centre (Jl. Edi Sabara / By Pass)
- Closest to restaurants and the bay; most hotels are here.
- Near Haluoleo Airport
- Convenient for early departures; limited dining options.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Halohah-loh |
| Thank you | Terima kasihtuh-ree-mah kah-seeh |
| How much? | Berapa?buh-rah-pah |
| Where is the toilet? | Di mana toilet?dee mah-nah toy-let |
| I want to go to... | Saya mau ke...sah-yah mah-oo kuh... |
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
- Rainy season (Dec–Mar) can disrupt flights and ferry schedules to Wakatobi.
- ATMs are available in the city centre but not at the airport.
- Mosquitoes are present year-round; bring repellent.
Kendari is generally safe for travellers. Petty crime is rare; take usual precautions at night. The main risks are traffic (scooters) and heat.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Kendari yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Gateway to Wakatobi
- Kendari Bay
- Seafood (ikan bakar, coto)
- Haluoleo Airport
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Kendari, revision 4944819 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4944819
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Kendari
Ke alamat ini, tolong
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
The US, UK, Australia and most other countries have embassies in Jakarta; consulates in Makassar. Check your country's nearest representation.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/kendari). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.