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
Martapura
Half a day is enough: visit the gemstone market and eat traditional cakes, then return to Banjarmasin or Banjarbaru for the night.
Martapura is South Kalimantan's gemstone town, 1 hour from Banjarmasin and 15 minutes from Banjarbaru. The main draw is the Cahaya Bumi Selamat shopping centre for diamonds and other stones, plus the morning market for traditional cakes. The town has a strong Islamic character. Most travellers visit as a half-day trip from Banjarmasin.
- Country
- Indonesia
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- Avoid
- Nov–Mar (rainy season)
- Stay
- 0 nights
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 Rp250,000–500,000 excl. bed · High Rp500,000+ 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 |
|---|---|
| Orange minivan Banjarmasin–Martapura | Rp30,000 |
| Becak short ride | Rp10,000–20,000 |
| Traditional cake at market | Rp5,000–15,000 |
| Nasi goreng at warung | Rp15,000–25,000 |
| Bottle of water | Rp5,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- BDJ · Syamsudin Noor Airport
- About 30 min by car; shared taxi or ride-hail available
Typical fares
- Orange minivan Banjarmasin–Martapura
- about Rp30,000, about 1 h (check)
- Becak around market
- Rp10,000–20,000, 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
Green angkot minivans run from Martapura to Liang Anggang via Banjarbaru; flag them anywhere on the route. Becak (pedicabs) are good for short trips around the market — negotiate the fare first.
See and do
Known for
- Gemstones and diamonds
- Cahaya Bumi Selamat shopping centre
- Traditional cakes at the main market
- Islamic culture
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Banjarmasin | Orange minivan (taksi antarkota), about 1 h | About 1 h |
| Banjarbaru | Green angkot, about 15 min | About 20 min |
Sleep
- Martapura town centre
- Near the market and gemstone centre; limited options, mostly budget hotels.
- Banjarbaru
- 15 min away, more accommodation choices and closer to the airport.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| How much? | Berapa?buh-rah-pah |
| Too expensive | Mahalmah-hahl |
| Stop here | Berhenti di sinibuh-ren-tee dee see-nee |
| Thank you | Terima kasihtuh-ree-mah kah-seeh |
| Gemstone | Batu permatabah-too per-mah-tah |
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
- Becak drivers rarely speak English; agree on the price before riding.
- Angkot drivers expect exact change and don't speak English.
- Gemstone quality varies widely; buy from reputable shops inside Cahaya Bumi Selamat.
- Rainy season (Nov–Mar) can make roads muddy and slow travel.
Martapura is safe for tourists. Petty theft is rare; watch your belongings at the market. Traffic is chaotic — be careful crossing streets.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Martapura yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Gemstones and diamonds
- Cahaya Bumi Selamat shopping centre
- Traditional cakes at the main market
- Islamic culture
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: Martapura, revision 4699246 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4699246
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/martapura). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.