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Voykit pocket guide · Indonesia
Nunukan
Spend a day in Nunukan, catch the 09:00 or 14:00 ferry to Tawau (RM41, 1 h) and visit Batu Lamampu beach or Kayan Mentarang park.
Nunukan is a border town on Sebatik Island, East Kalimantan. It is a transit hub to Tawau, Malaysia, with a small selection of beaches, a national park nearby and cheap mikrolet transport. One full day covers the ferry, a beach or park visit, and a quick town stroll.
- Country
- Indonesia
- Best months
- May–Oct
- Avoid
- Nov–Apr (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 Rp30,000–45,000 excl. bed · Mid Rp45,000–70,000 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 · General 112 · Ambulance 118
- 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 |
|---|---|
| Ferry ticket (Nunukan ↔ Tawau) | RM41 (~Rp350,000) |
| Port tax | Rp8,000 |
| Mikrolet ride | Rp3,000 |
| Coffee at local cafe | Rp10,000–15,000 |
| Meal (rice & fish) | Rp15,000–30,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- NUN · Nunukan Airport
- Domestic flights to Balikpapan and Tarakan; check schedule
Typical fares
- Nunukan → Tawau ferry
- RM41 (~Rp350,000), 1 h, departures 09:00 & 14:00RM41 (~Rp350,000), 1 h, departures 9:00 AM & 2:00 PM
- Mikrolet intra‑town
- Rp3,000 per ride
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
Mikrolet minibuses cost Rp3,000 and stop anywhere; walk to nearby beaches (8 km (5 mi)) or park (≈30 km (19 mi)).Mikrolet minibuses cost Rp3,000 and stop anywhere; walk to nearby beaches (5 mi (8 km)) or park (≈19 mi (30 km)).
See and do
Known for
- Tawau ferry link
- Batu Lamampu beach
- Kayan Mentarang National Park
- Enching beach
- Binusan waterfall
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tarakan | Ferry from Nunukan port, about 1 h | ≈2 h round‑trip |
Sleep
- Lenflin Hotel
- Central town, close to port
- Hotel Idabus
- Jl Pelabuhan Baru, near ferry terminal
- Hotel Nunukan
- Jalan Jend. A. Yani, basic rooms
- Neo Fortuna
- South of central park, new
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Maafmaaf |
| Thank you | Terima kasihtərima kasih |
| How much is it? | Berapa harganya?bərapa harganya? |
| Where is the ferry terminal? | Di mana terminal feri?di mana terminal feri? |
| Can I pay by card? | Bisa pakai kartu?bisa pakai kartu? |
| Where is the toilet? | Di mana toilet?di mana toilet? |
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
- Visa‑on‑arrival not available; obtain visa beforehand.
- Port tax Rp8,000 per person is collected before ferry departure.
- Ferry schedule: two daily departures at 09:00 and 14:00; check for changes.
Nunukan is generally safe for day visitors; watch for petty theft near the port and keep travel documents for border checks.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Nunukan yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Tawau ferry link
- Batu Lamampu beach
- Kayan Mentarang National Park
- Enching beach
- Binusan waterfall
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Nunukan: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Nunukan, revision 5047773 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5047773
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/nunukan). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.