Balikpapan Holiday Packages

Holidays To Balikpapan

When you think of Indonesia, places like Bali, Sumatra and Java usually come to mind. But did you know part of the island of Borneo is Indonesian?

And on the Indonesian side is a sleepy little coastal town called Balikpapan. Well, it’s not really sleepy, but some postcards might make it look that way. In reality, this place is one of the country’s fastest-growing cities and is also home to an important animal sanctuary dedicated to the island’s local inhabitants. Check out these great Balikpapan holiday packages and book one as soon as possible.

Things to Do in Balikpapan

We hope you planned and packed for outdoor activities, because during your Balikpapan holidays you’ll be out in Mother Nature herself. Get familiar with two of Borneo’s most famous residents—the orangutan and sun bear—at the Orangutan Sanctuary and Eco Lodge. Most of the animals have been rescued from less-than-stellar situations and given a second chance to live freely in their natural habitat. (Separately, of course—these two species have yet to integrate in a friendly manner.) If you really want to get acquainted with the wild, you can stay at the sanctuary overnight and even volunteer there. Why not give back to our fellow mammals?

Continue your adventure in the animal kingdom with a visit to the Teritip Crocodile Farm. Six acres of land is home to over 3,000 of these dinosaur lookalikes, all vying for the best piece of chicken. If you’ve got a big enough set of stones, you can feed the animals yourself. Hey, what’s a Balikpapan holiday without tossing raw chicken into the bone-crushing jaws of a modern-day dino? But it’s not just crocs that call this place home there’s also elephants, turtles and monkeys hanging around.

Shopping, Dining & Nightlife

This may be a small town on the coast of Borneo, but that doesn’t mean there’s a shortage of places to shop. The Plaza Balikpapan in the city centre is the mall in town and has almost everything you’d find back home. If you want to explore other shopping areas, snag one of Wotif’s awesome Balikpapan car rental options and head over to the Balikpapan Super Block. There’s everything from chain department stores to movie theatres at this place!

When you get hungry—and believe us, you will—make your way over to Klandasan Market and search through some of the freshest local products you can find. If you’re feeling adventurous during your travels, grab a durian fruit and see if you can get one down without passing out. The aroma is interesting, but you’ll go home with a good story. And let’s not forget about the crocodile satay. You know when people say stuff tastes like chicken, but usually they’re blowing smoke? This stuff actually tastes like chicken.

So there goes the sun…now what do you do? Well, if you’re looking to party, head down to any of the beaches in town and dance the night away. Some of the hotels that come with our Balikpapan packages are located on the sand and have great bars and all-night discos, so you won’t have a problem doing the twist. There’s also great nightlife options in the city centre that serve up forms of entertainment you didn’t know existed.

What’s Next

The island of Borneo is divided up into three countries, and you should at least visit one! Browse through our fantastic Balikpapan deals and book one today so you can be gone tomorrow. And don’t forget to check out our wonderful Bali holiday packages in case you want to spend a day or two on the “Island of Gods”.