Major city · Indonesia
Kotabaru
Fly into Gusti Syamsir Alam (KBU) from Banjarmasin or Balikpapan, see Temuluang cave (access: check), sleep one night; Kotabaru is a one-night stop, not a base.
Kotabaru sits on Pulau Laut, the largest outlying island off South Kalimantan. The known sight is the Temuluang stalactite cave, and accommodation is thin, so most travellers treat it as a one-night stop reached by plane from Banjarmasin or Balikpapan, or by bus from Banjarmasin. Confirm cave access and transport locally before you commit.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IDR
- Best months
- check — no reliable seasonal data for Kotabaru; Pulau Laut is wet most of the year
- avoid check — heavy rain is possible in any month
- Airport
- KBU
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
- Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
- Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kotabaru110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kotabaru, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Rupiah (Rp) in small notes for warungs, parking, offerings and drivers; large cards are common in tourist restaurants but not everywhere.Indonesia-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckTelkomsel, XL and Indosat sell tourist SIMs at airports; foreign phones must be IMEI-registered if staying over 90 days — check.Indonesia-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations common in Bali.Indonesia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Often 10% service + tax on the bill; nothing more needed.Indonesia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Indonesia-wide
- SafetyLow street-crime risk; the real issues are rough roads, seasonal cave access and thin medical cover on Pulau Laut…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.Indonesia-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 112 General · 118 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysBali shuts completely for Nyepi; government offices close Friday midday for prayer; Lebaran slows the country for two weeks.Indonesia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportKBU Gusti Syamsir Alam Airport (Flights from Banjarmasin and Balikpapan).
- Getting aroundLocal transport on Pulau Laut is limited and not documented in reliable sources: ask your guesthouse about motorbike or car hire…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedGuesthouse room, a night, per roomRp120,000
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse room, a night, per roomRp180,000
- High-end bedGuesthouse room, a night, per roomRp250,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget Rp150,000 · Mid Rp250,000 · High Rp400,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- KBU Gusti Syamsir Alam Airport (Flights from Banjarmasin and Balikpapan)
Weather and climate
Kotabaru: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
20 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
21 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Local transport on Pulau Laut is limited and not documented in reliable sources: ask your guesthouse about motorbike or car hire, and treat any cave access as check with the local tourism office.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: check
Bus from Kotabaru, or fly KBU–Banjarmasin; route and times check
Long trip either way; if you go, plan to stay overnight rather than return the same day.
Door to door: check
Flight from KBU; schedule check
Useful onward link to East Kalimantan when seats are available.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Local guesthouses
Basic rooms, limited amenities; book ahead
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Rp 150,000–250,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rp 250,000–400,000 excl. bed
- High
- Rp 400,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse room1 × 1 night × Rp120,000 | Rp120,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × Rp150,000 | Rp150,000 |
| Return flight KBU–Banjarmasin1 × Rp800,000 · 2026 estimate; check the airline schedule. | Rp800,000 |
| Motorbike rental, one day1 × Rp50,000 · 2026 estimate; check availability and licence rules. | Rp50,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Rp112,000 |
| Trip total≈ Rp1,232,000 per person per day, bed included | Rp1,232,000≈ US$80 |
2026 estimate; basic fan room, check availability ahead.
2026 estimate in rupiah; every figure is check — confirm locally, as Kotabaru has few published prices. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Meal at warung | Rp 20,000–35,000 |
| Bottle of water (500 ml) | Rp 2,000–4,000 |
| Motorbike fuel (per litre) | Rp 10,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Check flight schedules; small airport may have limited seats.
- Cave access may be seasonal; verify opening dates with local tourism office.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- General
- 112
- Ambulance
- 118
Pocket card
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KotabaruKotabaru
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ke alamat ini, tolongTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- General112
- Ambulance118
Embassy
US Consulate in Jakarta; nearest Indonesian embassy for other nationals.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- KBU → Banjarmasin (flight): ≈ Rp 800,000–1,600,000 round‑trip (check)
- Motorbike rental per day: ≈ Rp 50,000
Say or show
- Maaf — Excuse me / Sorry (ma-fah)
- Terima kasih — Thank you (tuh-ree-mah kah-see)
- Berapa harganya? — How much is this? (buh-rah-pah har-gah-nyah)
- Di mana kamar kecil? — Where is the bathroom? (dee mah-nah kah-mar kuh-cheel)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kotabaru. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: check — no reliable seasonal data for Kotabaru; Pulau Laut is wet most of the year · avoid check — heavy rain is possible in any month · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Kotabaru
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