Makassar Indonesia – Your Quick Travel Guide

In a nutshell

Once an import port of Dutch Spice Trade, the city has evolved with its past. Now a bustling city of the cusp of modernisation, the city is one that is ripe for exploring. The traveller in search of an authentic, unadulterated experience of Indonesia will find gold here.

Why go to Makassar

There isn’t an especially long list of things to do in Makassar. Rather than being something that stands against the busy city, it a rather positive thing. Popular destinations like Bali, Lombok and Java fall victim to crowds of tourists looking to have an authentic experience. Unfortunately, as the popularity of these places increase, an authentic experience becomes more and more elusive. In Makassar, the odds of you seeing another tourist are better than your odds of one day meeting the billionaire, genius, philanthropist, Elon Musk. As such, Makassar is able to provide you with an experience so pure and real that you’ll find yourself stimulated and enriched just from walking down the street, having broken conversations and playing charades with the locals as you try to find your way to a coffee shop.

Fort Rotterdam was once a prominent trading outpost for the Dutch. Now however, seeing as the world is attempting to move away from its colonial ways, it is just a great tourist attraction. Stories of the past come rushing back as you walk through the hallways. This is a must-see while in Makassar.

There are a good few museums dotted around the city that provide great opportunities to learn deeply about the local culture, the local people, and their history. La Galigo Museum is second to only the Fort and its attached museum.

You’ll no doubt find your way to Losari Beach while in Makassar. Come the evening time, it is the place to be. The stretch of beach is characterised by big lights, a blur of people and a humming of footsteps and laughter. It is really much more of a boardwalk than a beach as you can’t actually get to the beach – It’s best that you know that now!

When to go to Makassar

It is unusual to have such a definitive answer to this question as there are many factors that affect your decision on when to go. However, in this rare case the decision has largely been made for you. Come between the months of June and September and you will not only be treated to more moderate temperatures, but will also enjoy sunny skies as the amount of rainfall is vastly diminished around this time of year.

Where to stay in Makassar

Being far less touristy than more popular places in Indonesia, the accommodation in Makassar is cheap. You can grab your own room with an en suite bathroom and all the good stuff – coffee, Wi-Fi, and TV – for less than 8,000 IDR. In what world?! Check out Discovery homestay for deals like this.

If you spend a little more you can spend the night with air-conditioning, brightly coloured walls, and supremely well-decorated rooms in a trendy spot that is just a few minutes’ walk away from Losari Beach. Hotel Agung Makassar is rated highly by guests the world over and is our pick for a low to mid-range property. Rooms cost less than 200,000 IDR for the night.

For just 900,000 IDR you can afford what should really cost a whole lot more. The Aston Makassar Hotel is a four star establishment that will have you revelling in the premier quality and service. With rooms that have luxury weaved into every material, they are superb. The view from the rooms above level 10 are much the same. If you’re into fancy things and being spoiled, you’ll love this. If you aren’t into it, you soon will be.

There are a handful of quite remarkable hotels in Makassar. Leading the pack, for us, was the Swiss-Belhotel Makassar. While a night like this doesn’t come cheap, it is unlikely that you will soon have an experience like this. There is this rooftop infinity pool that overlooks the city and the bay. Read this prior sentence repeatedly until you are sufficiently motivated to search this hotel and then book your stay. This time you next week you could be waking up to eat at the buffet, go for a massage, read a book, go for another massage, swim in the rooftop infinity pool and then kick back in your astounding room. After that you’ll have to part ways with a good deal of money – something like 2,700,000 IDR.

Where and what to eat in Makassar

Makassar is somewhat of a culinary hub in Indonesia. The city is famed for its traditional dishes that aren’t available anywhere else in the country. You have to try Coto Makassar – a soup containing meat and offal, served with rice cake wrapped in banana leaves. Also try out Nasi Kuning because it’s incredible.

A great place for some tasty food after sunset is Losari Beach. Seafood? Lae Lae is the best restaurant in town for this. It’s simple, cheap and always packed with customers. Enough said.

There is a good deal of international cuisine in the city too. There are also some fast food places like McDonald’s and KFC for when you’re in a bit of rush and feel like something you know and trust.

Coffee lovers will find themselves well at home here. The local coffee scene is big, like very big. Check our Toraja Coffee if you want a well-priced, but well-prepared cup o’ Joe.

How to get around in Makassar

Being the big city that it is, options for transport in and around the city are numerous. For a budget friendly and fun experience, we like to make use of the becaks (motorcycles with side cars). If you choose not to, they will take your ‘no’ as an invitation to continue badgering you until you say yes. This is just the way of the world here. Becaks are certainly the most convenient mode of transport for when you’re just skipping over to a restaurant or to the next spot you want to visit. Rates for a trip usually start at around 5,000 IDR.

Pete-Pete’s are another option before you. They are like small blue minibuses that traverse every street in and around the town. They are cheaper than becaks, but are less convenient. Fares are usually pretty standard. A single, short trip shouldn’t cost you more than 5,000 IDR. The main terminal for the minibuses is at the old Makassar Mall.

Sometimes the heat on your neck and the weight of your bag on your shoulders can get a little too much. In times like this, taxis can provide the relief that you need. While the fares are significantly higher than either of the previous options (around 18,000 IDR for a 2km ride), the level of comfort offered quickly justifies the price tag. Taxis are also your best bet when you need to get to or from the airport in the middle of the night.

How to get to and from Makassar

By air

Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport is the biggest airport in Sulawesi. Much like the airport in Manado (in the north of Sulawesi), there are flights that connect Makassar to many popular destinations within Indonesia. Some of these destinations include Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Denpassar, Palu and Balikpapan. There are also daily flights from international destinations like Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

One of the most reputable airlines that covers these routes is Lion Air. Coming in from Bali, you should expect to pay around 500, 000 IDR, which seems pretty reasonable considering the time and effort saved. The airport is a few kilometres outside of town, so you’ll need to budget for another 70,000 IDR to get you into town and to your accommodation.

By boat

Beyond short, comfortable flights that will have you arriving in Makassar before you’ve properly gotten into your book, your only other option is a ferry to the island which, in happenstance, will allow you much time to get through your book.

These ferries are called Pelni ships. They run to and from all over places in Indonesia. Some destinations include Balikapapan, a host of destinations in Surabaya, and places even as far as Marapokot. Fares are dependent on what route you take, so check their website to see what you will end up paying for your trip across to Sulawesi.

Is Makassar a safe place to visit?

Much like the busy city of Manado, big cities can invite a certain level of anonymity that can entice certain unkind acts like pickpocketing and tourist haggling. In bigger cities where locals can have a more unfavourable attitude toward tourists, you need to be more defensive of yourself, your intents, and your possessions than you usually would be. While you are not in any form of danger, being more assertive and deliberate will help ensure that silly things don’t stand the chance to ruin your trip.