Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
While almost completely untouristed, Kandangan is one of the more attractive towns in
Kalimantan: tidy and well planned, with two interesting budget hotels, a bustling market
(with a huge new building under construction) and numerous restaurants. It is also the
gateway to lovely Loksado. This is a perfect place to chill out and meet locals, particularly
for budget travellers, but reserve ahead as rooms are few.
Sleeping & Eating
HOTEL
Wisma Duta $
( 21073; Jl Permuda 9; r fan/air-con 90,000/ 100,000Rp; )
Charm at last: a conver-
ted country home with the feel of a Chinese temple makes this unassuming hotel a rare
and welcome find. Rattan walls are a nice touch.
Hotel Mutia $
( 21270; Jl Suprapto; r incl breakfast 175,000-250,000Rp; )
Formerly a private
home, this interesting wooden building has large public spaces and basic box rooms.
The Kandangan bus terminal doubles as a food court, and is lined with enough warungs to
keep you well fed for days. ATM nearby.
HOTEL
Getting There and Around
Colts run frequently to/from Banjarmasin's Km6 terminal (40,000Rp, 4½ hours) until
midafternoon. Buses for Balikpapan and Samarinda (125,000Rp to 165,000Rp, 14 hours)
leave 10 times per day from Kandangan terminal. Pick-up trucks located on Muara Bilui
will take you to Loksado (50,000Rp, 1½ hours). Becak will run you around town for
20,000Rp per half hour.
Negara
Northwest of Kandangan, the riverside town of Negara is the gateway to a vast wetland
ranch where water buffalo swim from their elevated corrals at sunrise in search of grazing
areas and are herded back at dusk by cowboys in canoes - an interesting sight if you're
there in late afternoon. The town is a memorable sight too, with its huge mosque and bril-
