Balikpapan has a tropical rainforest climate as there is no real dry season in Balikpapan. The city sees an average of 2,400 mm (94 in) of rain per year. Balikpapan generally shows little variation in weather throughout the course of the year. The city does not have significantly wetter and drier periods of the year and average temperatures are nearly identical throughout the course of the year, averaging about 26 to 27 °C throughout the year.

• -1.268333116.8944441 Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman International Airport (BPN  ^IATA formerly Sepinggan Airport). It has frequent flights from Jakarta, and commercial services from Surabaya, Banjarmasin, Tarakan, Palu, Makassar, Yogyakarta, Semarang, Denpasar, Manado and numerous smaller airports in Kalimantan. Scoot offers flight from Singapore. The airport is on the coast of the city, around 8 km away from the city centre. Airport taxis operate from the terminal; there is a fixed fare depending on the destination (starting from Rp 70,000, as of March 2016). You may be offered an unofficial fare outside the main exit if you walk to the left past the official taxi ranks; while some of these drivers may offer a slightly cheaper fare, many will quote an inflated price when they see a foreigner, so make sure you've asked the official fare to your destination in the taxi booth if you intend to bargain with them.  
• Susi Air, ☏ +62 811 211 3080. Service from local destinations across Kalimantan. 

Despite the numerous signs which you'll see after leaving the baggage claim area, as of March 2016 there's no airport bus service to Balikpapan; the buses mentioned on these signs are going to Samarinda (Rp 30,000, every 30 min at Jun 2024).

The angkot route 7 is passing in front of the airport to Terminal Damai (also named Bus Terminal Permai), Rp 8,000, about a 20-min drive.

Balikpapan can be reached from Samarinda, Bontang and Banjarmasin by land through 2 bus terminals. From Samarinda and Bontang by Terminal Batu Ampar, and from Banjarmasin at the other terminal in the Batu Ampar District.

Semayang's seaport that serves cruises from Makassar, Pare Pare, Tarakan, Surabaya, and other eastern parts of Indonesia. This port is the second busiest port in East Kalimantan, serving passenger Pelni ferries.

Get to the terminal with minibus #6 (dark blue) which plies the coastal road. The No 3 (light Blue) will also take you to and from. Cost Rp 5000 (September 2019).

Some taxi companies operates in Balikpapan. It is advisable to call for their call centre, tell your location and wait the call centre arrange their unit to pick you up. It is uncommon to wait for empty taxis on the street because they usually stop and wait for orders from their call centre.

List of taxi companies and their call centre number:

• City Taxi (☏ +62 542 743417 or ☏ +62 542 8520001)
• Mawar (☏ +62 542 873145)
• Kalung Mas (☏ +62 542 762222)
• Globalindo Taxi (☏ +62 542 878787)

Public transportation in Balikpapan consists of small minibus named angkutan kota or angkot for short. Locals often call angkot as taxi and metered taxi as taxi argo. There's no public bus inside the city. Minibuses serves public transport between points. Although there are dedicated routes, they often deroute due to passenger's request. They also sometimes don't serve the whole route.

The color of the minibuses determines their routes. Common routes are as follows:

• White top/Orange bottom (Route 1): between Kampung Baru Ujung and Terminal Batu Ampar
• White top/Light Green bottom (Route 2A): between Terminal Damai and Terminal Batu Ampar through Ring Road (possible deroute to Balikpapan Baru housing and or Damai III area)
• White top/Gray bottom (Route 2B): between Balikpapan Baru and Jalan A Yani through Jalan AMD
• White top/Light Blue bottom (Route 3): between Terminal Batu Ampar and Pelabuhan Semayang through Klandasan. This No 3 bus will take you to and from the Pelabuhan Semayang Ferry Terminal (from outside the terminal) to Balikpapan Plaza via Jalan Jenderal Sudirman Road (along the waterfront). This same No 3 Bus will also go from the Balikpapan Plaza to the Bus Terminal Angkutan Kota Batu Ampar along Jalan (Jenderal) Almad Yani and Jalan Soekarno Hatta going pass the Rapak Plaza and the Bus Terminal Palau Indah Jaya. Cost 5000 Rp (September 2019).
• White top/Yellow bottom (Route 5): between Kampung Baru Ujung and Terminal Damai through A. Yani. It will take you from Balikpapan Plaza to Baru Tengah (Maps me, the village on the water) at Jalan Letjan Suprapto. Cost is Rp 5000 (September 2019). Route Kp.Baru - Kb.Sayur - Kr.Anyar - Rapak - Gn.Sari - Ps.Baru - Ter.Damai - P.P.
• White top/Dark Blue bottom (Route 6): between Kampung Baru Ujung and Terminal Damai through Pelabuhan Semayang. Route Kp.Baru - Kr.Anyar - Pelabuhan - Klandasan - Ps.Baru - Ter.Damai - P.P. Rp 7,000 (Jul 2024).
• White top/Green bottom (Route 7): between Terminal Damai and Gunung Tembak via sepinggan (airport), batakan, manggar. Rp 8,000 (Jul 2024).
• White top/Light Yellow bottom (Route 9): between Terminal Batu Ampar and KM 24 to Samarinda

• -1.025187116.8649371 Bukit Bangkirai (58 km north-west of Balikpapan), ☏ +62 542 736-066. The main attraction is the Canopy Bridge, which is famous in East Borneo. It was built for the biological study of the ecosystem in the canopy of the tropical rainforest. It is now popular for the public to view the beauty of the rainforest from 30 m (90 ft) above the ground. It's also a very nice place to enjoy nature or to camp and watch the stars. Entrance Rp 22,000 domestic or foreigner, Canopy domestic Rp 25,000, Canopy foreigner Rp 75,000. (updated Jul 2024)
• -1.28015116.821682 Monpera Beach (Pantai Monpera). 
• -1.2805116.819213 Kelama beach (Pantai Kelama) (road entrance next to Rumah Sakit Bhayangkara Balikpapan (hospital)). Relatively clean. Free except for vehicles. (updated Jul 2024)
• -1.27637116.807724 Melawai Beach (Pantai Melawai). This may be a beach where you're bobbing around in the water and a plastic bag floats by. But anyway, it's a good one from which to watch sunsets and harbor traffic. Free. (updated Jul 2024)
• -1.262688116.9135625 Sepinggan Beach (Pantai Sepinggan). Near airport north-east side, brownish water and very littered. Free. (updated Jul 2024)
• Balikpapan Botanical Garden (Kebun Raya Sungai Wain), Jalan Soekarno Hatta Km. 15, Karang Joang (north of city, 45- to 60-min drive), ☏ +62 822-2533-3318. 08:00-16:00. Grab-gokek bike Rp 65-70k, car Rp 110-220k. ~45-min drive depending on your exact source location in city. No public transport or angkot. Price foreigner Rp 30k, domestic Rp 15k, children Rp 12k. Cash only. (updated Jul 2024)
• Hutan Lindung Sungai Wain, Karang Joang (North of city. 45-60 min drive. Next to botanical garden.). Grab-gojek bike Rp 60-80k, car Rp 100-250k. ~45-min drive depending on your exact source location in city. No public transport or angkot. (updated Jul 2024)

• -1.051312116.9893126 (BOS) Orangutan Sanctuary and Eco Samboja Lodge, Handil Street Km 44. See rescued orangutans and sun bear in their natural habitat. Just roaming around for the day or staying at the eco-lodge for a few nights and experiencing the wildlife in the jungle. You can also do a 2-week or 4-week volunteering course, where you can help out with the animals. It is about a 1-hour journey by car from the city centre and if you stay the night or volunteer you will need outdoor equipment such as walking boots, spare clothes, and insect repellent. See also Sleep section. Day visit 4h Indonesian Rp 500,000, foreigner Rp 600,000, Afternoon visit + Sungai hitam 6h Rp 970,000. (updated Jul 2024)
• -1.109812116.9039377 KWPLH Balikpapan, Jl. Soekarno-Hatta Km. 23, No. 185 RT. 42, Karang Joang, North Balikpapan, ☏ +62 811 537 8169. 08:30-17:00. Watching conservation the icon of Balikpapan, sun bear or locals called beruang madu. Donation foreign visitors range Rp 50,000-100,000. (updated Jul 2024)
• -1.170438117.0050638 Teritip Crocodile Farm, Jl. Mulawarman No.64, Teritip, East Balikpapan (30 km from Balikpapan near Manggar Beach). May have closed. (updated Jul 2024)
• Penangkaran buaya balikpapan, Teritip, Balikpapan Timur, ☏ +62. 8:00-18:00. another crocodiles farm. Entrance Rp 30,000. (updated Jul 2024)

• -1.27683116.833879 Taman Bekapai, Jl. Jenderal Sudirman, Klandasan Ulu. City plaza with busy fountain at night. (updated Oct 2020)
• -1.2384116.815110 Kawasan Kampung Atas Air, Jl. Sepaku No.Kelurahan, Baru Tengah. One of those floating villages along with a bunch of interconnected docks from which you can watch the refinery belch a fireball into the sky. Also here is a fish market. (updated Oct 2020)
• -1.21271116.8145611 Jembatan Ulin Panjang. Boardwalk through a mangrove habitat and out into the bay. Watch out for slippery surfaces on rainy days. (updated Oct 2020)

• -1.235187116.8240621 Kebun Sayur Traditional Market Center. Stones, gems, jewellery and diamonds of various types and price. Borneo is acknowledged as a rich island, not just with oil and coal, but with beautiful gems. 

• -1.278872116.838762 Plaza Balikpapan. This is the most popular shopping mall. Located at the centre of the city and it is a must visit for visitors. A good western supermarket can be found on the ground floor.  
• -1.272937116.8594373 E-Walk, Gn. Bahagia, Balikpapan Selatan, ☏ +62 542 7213999. 10:00-22:00. (updated Nov 2022)
• -1.274062116.8576874 Pentacity, Balikpapan Superblock, Gunung Bahagia, Balikpapan Selatan, ☏ +62 542 8520555. 10:00-22:00. Retail stores, casual eateries, a cinema, and so on. (updated Nov 2022)
• -1.2419116.87335 Living plaza, Jl. MT Haryono, Gn. Bahagia, Kecamatan Balikpapan Selatan, ☏ +62 542 8703170. 10:00-22:00. Big modern mall, food court, cinema, kid zone, arcade, Informa, Ace Hardware... (updated Jul 2024)

Balikpapan is famous for its kepiting (crab)-based food.

• Abon kepiting, crab meat floss.
• Amplang kepiting, crab cracker.
• Rempeyek kepiting, crab cracker.

• Hotel Bahtera (Hotel Menara Bahtera), Jl. Gajah Mada, Klandasan Ilir, Kec. Balikpapan Kota, ☏ +62 (0542) 738000. (updated Jul 2024)
• Hotel Benakutai (Hotel The New Benakutai), Jl. Ahmad Yani No.31, RW.33, Klandasan Ilir, Kec. Balikpapan Kota, ☏ +62 021 29706666. (updated Jul 2024)
• -1.277062116.8321881 City Hotel (City Hotel Balikpapan), Jl. Jenderal Sudirman No.45, Damai, ☏ +62 0821-5511-2398. From Rp 320,000. (updated Jul 2024)
• -1.260563116.8843122 Hotel Haai, Sepinggan by pass (3 min from airport (10 min to city)), ☏ +62 542 766-309. The only "back to nature" hotel in Balikpapan, cottage/bungalow style rooms with private garages. from Rp280,000. 
• Hotel Murni (Hotel Murni Penginapan), Sumber Rejo, Balikpapan Tengah. A cheap option. (updated Jul 2024)

• Town House, Bukit Damai Indah, ☏ +62 542-8879 650. 
• -1.274313116.8373123 Aiqo Hotel, Jl. Apt Pranoto No.9, ☏ +62 542 750-288, +62 542 750336, +62 542 750267. Within 5 minutes walk of Balikpapan Plaza, 15 minutes drive from the Sepinggan airport. Clean and comfy. From Rp228,000. 
• -1.271937116.8280634 Sentosa76 Guest House, Jalan Ataka Raya no 60, Pasir Ridke, ☏ +62 853 3279 3118. simple and double room. Private bathroom, Ac and wifi. Rp200,000 single, sea view Rp 275,000. (updated Jul 2024)
• -1.276063116.8375635 Hotel Citra Nusantara, Jalan Gajahmada 76 (from the pedestrian overpass at the Balikpapan Plaza (Junction of Jalan Jenderal Ahmad Yani and Jalan Jenderal Sudirman), walk one block north, turn left, walk about 50 m, the hotel is on your right), ☏ +62 542 425366. Free tea and coffee. Wifi is good if you are in a good location. Price (September 2019) starts at Rp150,000, (very basic), then Rp175,000 (basic) and Rp200,000 for a double bed with aircon. 
• -1.262313116.8595626 MaxOne Balikpapan, Jl. MT Haryono No.2, Damai, ☏ +62 542 8526888. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. A 3-star hotel with an outdoor pool. From Rp 500,000. (updated Jul 2024)

• -1.25963116.910787 Homy stay, Jl. Sepinggan Baru, RT.24/RW.No 72, Sepinggan, Kecamatan Balikpapan Selatan (30min walk east from airport with some parts without pedestrian path, angkot/bemo route 7 to ter. damai), ☏ +62 857-0585-5017. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. double room (ground floor or upper), aircon, wifi, tv, power plugs (1 near bed, 1 near tv), coat rack, trashbin, small window. private bathroom, soap, shampoo, towel (ask), western toilet+toilet gun, small mirror, no toilet paper, no hot water, no sink. Staff with limited english. Nearby food stalls in small streets or on bigger Jalan Marsma R. Iswahyudi. Nearby post office and Pantai AURI Sepinggan (beach, lot of litter). room single or double Rp 200,000 or Rp 250,000 (walk-in), Rp 100,000-300,000 (online). (updated Jun 2024)

• -1.273218116.8332338 Gran Senyiur Hotel, ☏ +62 542 820211. The first 5-star hotel in town, owned by local people. From Rp618,800.  
• -1.275749116.834869 Novotel Balikpapan, JL Brigjen Ery Suparjan No 2, ☏ +62 542 820820. From Rp671,501. (updated Jun 2018)
• -1.275749116.8348610 Blue Sky Hotel, Jl. Letjen Suprapto No.1, Marga Sari, ☏ +62 542 735844. One of the better places in town. With a nice swimming pool (external entry Rp 30,000 per person). From Rp600,952. (updated Nov 2022)

• Samboja Lodge, Balikpapan-Handil Street Km 44 Samboja,
Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan (1h car from airport), ☏ +62 0811 5440 505, sambojalodge@orangutan.or.id. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 11:00. Double room Rp 1,800,000-3,100,000 (standard to king). Day visit 4h Indonesian Rp 500,000, foreigner Rp 600,000, Afternoon visit + Sungai hitam 6h Rp 970,000. (updated Jul 2024)

• France Consular Agency, c/o Total Final Elf E&P, Jl. Gunung Bugis, ☏ +62 542 533-999. 
• Philippines Honorary Consulate, Jl. Projakal 157, Klandasan Ulu, ☏ +62 542 25-687.