Samarinda is a buzzing city set on the Mahakam River. Visit one of the largest mosques in Southeast Asia, make a splash at family-friendly water parks and chase waterfalls. The city is a gateway to the island of Borneo, where you can swim in jewel-toned bays, explore verdant rainforests and spot rare animals like clouded leopards, proboscis monkeys and orangutans.
Things to do in Samarinda
Islamic Centre Mosque towers over Samarinda and is one of the largest in Southeast Asia. It’s set on the Mahakam River and topped with seven minarets and an enormous central dome. Admire the mosque from the street or take off your shoes to enter the main prayer hall.
Samarinda offers great family-friendly attractions, including several water parks. Make a splash in the pools, speed down water slides and enjoy ice cream in the sunshine. Alternatively, escape the city and visit Tanah Merah Waterfall. The waterfall cascades 15 metres down a jungle-covered cliff and into an emerald-green pool.
Tepian Mahakam Park stretches along the Mahakam River and is a great place to stroll and watch the sunset. Food stalls dot the riverwalk and will tempt you with local specialties like “ayam geprek” crispy fried chicken, ramen noodle bowls and “bakso bakar” grilled meatballs. Quench your thirst with a fresh-squeezed juice or smoothie made with tropical fruit.
Board a boat and enjoy a scenic tour along the Mahakam River. As you cruise along the river, there’s a chance to spot monitor lizards, proboscis monkeys and other animals. Some tours stop at small riverside villages where you can get a glimpse of life in rural Borneo.
Getting around Samarinda
Taxis are a fast and affordable way to get around Samarinda, while buses run between Samarinda and Balikpapan in two hours. Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan Airport is a two-hour drive away.