Hostels in Kalimantan 
Looking for the best hostels in Kalimantan? You are in the right place!
On this page, we have listed every city in Kalimantan with backpacker hostels and budget-friendly stays. Hostelz.com makes it easy to find your ideal Kalimantan hostel by comparing prices across major booking platforms. Save money while backpacking Kalimantan and sleep comfortably on a budget.
All Backpacker Hostels in Kalimantan
We have got you covered with a complete list of every hostel in Kalimantan, across 5 cities! Not all cities have hostels, but many offer alternative budget options like guesthouses and affordable hotels. Use our filters to quickly find cities with hostels or other budget accommodations to simplify your trip planning.
All Kalimantan hostels on a map
Alright, you are more the visual type? Planning your trip with a map is always handy.
Therefore, this map shows you all cities with hostels in Kalimantan. It will help you to plan your trip. Just zoom in the map and click your destination for more details. Just so you know: If we do not have a hostel in a city, it is likely that there is no hostel in that city.
Our handwritten guide on Backpacking Kalimantan
Kalimantan, Indonesia, the jungle-clad Borneo region, is a dream come true for nature and adventure lovers. As it housing some of the world's most exotic and rare species, the tropical rain forests of Kalimantan region offer visitors a memorable experience. Its close proximity to the equator makes Kalimantan one of the hottest and humid destinations throughout the year. The city of Pontianak lies directly over the equator line and has become a spot frequented by travelers in the recent years.
One of the best diving sites in the world, Derawan Island, is located off the coast of the mainland of Indonesian Borneo. Even today, Blue Trigger on the island remains one of the popular dive spots. The modern city of Balikpapan can be used as your base to explore Kalimantan. Located in the eastern part of the region, it's a fabulous spot to arrange day trips to more rural areas of Borneo. In Banjarmasin, you can explore the waterways. Hop on a small canoe and you will experience the authentic local culture and traditions of Southern Kalimantan. Here, you can also witness the impeccable Islamic architecture by visiting the Masjid Raya Sabilal Muhtadin in the centre of the town.
For wildlife enthusiasts, Kutai National Park and Tanjung Puting National Park are two of the must-see places. Maratua Island is another sought-after island that lies in the Derawan Archipelago. Popular for its lakes, such as Tanah Bamban Lake and Hajj Buang Lake, Maratua does not have any hostels, but you can stay at a local-run homestay. As the island is gifted with clear blue waters, it's one of the best places for snorkeling and other water sports. Kakaban Island is one of the most popular attractions in Kalimantan. Known for its majestic lake that sits in the centre of the island, you can swim with jellyfish here, as the species are not poisonous. After you are done with your adventures in Kalimantan, consider moving to either Malaysian Borneo or Brunei to experience the diversity the region offers.
There are many Kalimantan, Indonesia hostels in the region now catering to budget backpackers, but you should expect basic facilities in these properties. Instead of Kalimantan, Indonesia hostels, budget travelers can opt for homestays to experience the local atmosphere. However, in hostels in Kalimantan, Indonesia, you have the opportunity to team up with other travelers, which will make your Kalimantan adventures more enjoyable.
Handwritten by local expert for Kalimantan hostels Zin
Travel Tips for Kalimantan - from the Community
Hey fam! Here are a few more tips from the community, from them to you, and you to them. This space is dedicated for travellers to share their best tips on backpacking Kalimantan. Have a closer look - the Hostelz community share real hidden gems, insider knowledge and overall impressions of Kalimantan. Everyone is welcome to add something useful, funny, unexpected and the "absolutely necessary to know before you go" - share, share and then share a little more!
FAQ on Hostels in Kalimantan
There is a lot of travel planning to do. So let us help you once again by putting together the frequently asked questions:
Finding Hostels and Prices
What hostel booking sites are best to use?
There is several hostel booking sites, such as Hostelworld.com, Hostelsclub.com and Booking.com. While every platform has its pros and cons, there is a universal truth you as a traveler should be aware of: Not a single booking site can always offer the best prices.
This is where Hostelz.com comes in. You can compare all major booking portals with one click.
For you as a traveler, Hostelz.com is the best booking site to actually save money.
How much are hostels in Kalimantan?
Prices always vary, depending on various factors. Weekends tend to be more expensive, same goes for special holidays. Please also take into account local vaction time.
You can search for exacty hostel prices in Kalimantan here on Hostelz.com. Pick your destination and pick a date. The system will track down the prices to give an idea of what budget and prices you can expect.
When to book hostels?
If you want to stay at the best hostels, it is a good idea to have your hostel booked around 1 month before you travel. For the regular hostels, booking one week before should be okay. Yet again, this always depends.
We dedicated a full article to the topic of when to book hostels.
Safety and Packing
Are hostels in Kalimantan safe?
Generally speaking, hostels are as safe as you make them. We highly recommend always to bring your own padlock, using the lockers and taking care of your belongings. Make sure you pick a safe hostel, offering lockers and a safe location. Please always pay attention to the reviews; they can give you a great insight on what to expect and safety tips.
What to pack when staying in hostels?
There is a few basics you should always pack when staying in hostels.
There is more actually. We wrote a complete guide with more details. Read our full hostel packing list.