Major city · Indonesia
Tarakan
Spend 1–2 days in Tarakan: enough for a quick border‑cross visit to Tawau or a day trip to Derawan, then fly out.
Tarakan is a small island city in North Kalimantan, mainly a transport hub and visa‑free border crossing to Malaysia. Its attractions are limited, so a short stay (1‑2 days) covers the main sights and a day‑trip to nearby islands.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IDR
- Best months
- May–Oct (drier season)
- avoid Nov–Apr (rainier)
- Airport
- TRK
- 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
Emergency numbers for Tarakan110 ▾
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 Tarakan, 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
- SafetyTarakan is generally safe for tourists; petty theft is occasional, so keep valuables secure and avoid isolated streets after dark.
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 · 113 fire · 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.
- AirportTRK Juwata International Airport.
- Getting aroundMotorbike taxis are common; short distances walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeLocal coffeeRp5,000–8,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Motorbike taxi (short ride)Rp5,000–10,000
- Budget bedHostel dormitory bed, a night, per personRp35,000
- Mid-range bedDouble room (2 persons), a night, per roomRp350,000
- High-end bedDouble room (2 persons), a night, per roomRp450,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget Rp70,000 · Mid Rp120,000 · High Rp200,000
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
- TRK Juwata International Airport
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C) low), wettest Jan (15 rain days), driest May (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tarakan: 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
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 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
Motorbike taxis are common; short distances walkable. Airport shuttle minibuses cost around Rp20,000. Ferries to Nunukan/Tawau run a few times daily.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Derawan Islands
goDoor to door: ≈4 h total each way
Ferry from Tarakan port to Nunukan (≈1 h), then speedboat to Derawan (≈2 h)
Snorkeling and beach day; check boat availability early.
Tawau (Sabah, Malaysia)
goDoor to door: ≈5 h total
Daily ferry from Tarakan to Tawau (≈4 h, RM130–140)
Visa‑free for short stays; bring passport and cash for port fees.
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.
Swiss‑Belhotel Tarakan
Rp330,000–450,000 per night; central, business‑oriented
Tarakan Plaza Hotel
from Rp280,000 per night; renovated, older style
Samkho Hotel
≈ Rp270,000 per night; basic but cheap
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
- Rp70,000–120,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rp120,000–200,000 excl. bed
- High
- Rp200,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostel dormitory bed2 × 3 nights × Rp50,000 | Rp300,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × Rp120,000 | Rp720,000 |
| Airport shuttle minibus (one way)2 × Rp20,000 | Rp40,000 |
| Ferry Tarakan‑Nunukan2 × Rp40,000 | Rp80,000 |
| Trip total≈ Rp190,000 per person per day, bed included | Rp1,140,000≈ US$70 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Local coffee | Rp5,000–8,000 |
| Nasi Sop Buntut (airport restaurant) | Rp30,000–45,000 |
| Motorbike taxi (short ride) | Rp5,000–10,000 |
| Ferry ticket (Tarakan‑Nunukan)check | RM40 (~Rp600,000) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ferry departures often wait for full load, causing delays; check schedule in advance.
- Border crossing paperwork can be lengthy during peak travel days.
- Limited nightlife; plan meals before late hours.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 113
- Ambulance
- 118
Pocket card
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TarakanTarakan
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire113
- Ambulance118
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Juwata Airport → city centre (taxi): ≈ Rp20,000–30,000
- Ferry Tarakan → Nunukan: RM40 (~Rp600,000) one way
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 Tarakan. 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: May–Oct (drier season) · avoid Nov–Apr (rainier) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport‑to‑hotel shuttle contracts for TRK.
- Motorbike‑rental guide for short stays.
- Ferry‑schedule alerts for Nunukan‑Derawan trips.
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Tarakan
- secondaryWikivoyage: Tarakan, revision 5257709 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Tarakan
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