Makassar

Cost of Living in Makassar

Makassar is one of the more affordable large cities in Indonesia. Your biggest expense is rent: a furnished studio or one-bedroom apartment in the central Panakkukang or CBD area runs IDR 3,500,000-6,000,000 per month (roughly $215-370 USD). Move to the quieter residential districts of Tamalanrea or Rappocini and you can find similar rooms for IDR 2,000,000-3,500,000 ($120-215). Monthly groceries from local wet markets and supermarkets (Hero, Transmart) cost around IDR 800,000-1,200,000 ($50-75). Eating out is very cheap: a bowl of Coto Makassar at a local warung costs IDR 20,000-35,000 ($1.25-2.20), and a full meal at a mid-range restaurant runs IDR 80,000-150,000 ($5-9) for two. A hot-desk at a coworking space such as Regus Graha Pena starts at IDR 250,000/day ($15) or around IDR 1,090,000/month ($67). Local transport via Grab or Gojek for daily rides adds up to roughly IDR 400,000-600,000/month ($25-37). Utilities including electricity and water for an apartment average IDR 1,500,000 ($92) per month. A realistic monthly total for a comfortable solo nomad life is IDR 7,000,000-12,000,000 ($430-740 USD), with most people landing around $550-650 all-in.

Where to Work

Makassar's coworking scene is growing but still modest compared to Bali or Jakarta. Regus at Graha Pena (Jl. Urip Sumoharjo, 5th floor) is the most professional option, with stable fiber internet, meeting rooms, and flexible daily or monthly passes. Kemae Creative Hub in Rappocini offers a very affordable drop-in rate of IDR 20,000/hour with fiber WiFi, coffee, and a relaxed creative atmosphere. Several newer spaces including Coffice in Mangkura, Heroes Center in Tidung, and GENG WORK in Tamalanrea provide alternatives, though not all maintain consistent hours. Cafe-work culture is genuinely popular in Makassar. KOZI Coffee on Jl. Andi Mappanyukki, Anomali Coffee on Jl. Ratulangi, and Noice Coffee Roaster are all known for solid WiFi, power outlets at most seats, and tolerant staff. The honest caveat on WiFi: average city-wide speeds are around 10 Mbps, noticeably slower than Bali or Jakarta. Dedicated coworking spaces with fiber connections are more reliable than cafes. Mobile data via Telkomsel or Indosat 4G is a strong backup and widely available.

Getting Around

Makassar is not a walkable city in any meaningful sense. The streets are wide and traffic is heavy, with no functional public bus network for daily commuting. Your primary tools are Grab and Gojek, both of which are active and reliable throughout the city. A typical ride across town costs IDR 15,000-35,000 ($1-2). Pete-pete (minivans) are the traditional public option but routes are hard to decode without local knowledge. Renting a scooter is possible through local rental shops for IDR 80,000-120,000/day ($5-7.50) and gives you the most freedom, though traffic can be chaotic. Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport (UPG) sits about 19 km from the city center, a 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic. An official airport taxi to the center costs around IDR 130,000-175,000 ($8-11), or you can take a Grab from just outside the terminal for slightly less.

Visas and Staying Long-Term

Citizens of most Western countries, including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and the EU, receive a Visa on Arrival (VoA) valid for 30 days on arrival at Sultan Hasanuddin Airport. You can extend it once at the local immigration office (Kantor Imigrasi) for another 30 days, giving 60 days total at a cost of IDR 500,000 ($31). Indonesia does not have a dedicated digital nomad visa, but the B211A social-cultural visa is the closest equivalent: it grants 60 days on entry, extendable up to 180 days total, and costs approximately IDR 2,000,000-2,500,000 ($120-155) in government fees, with most nomads using a local agent. You must apply for the B211A before arriving. Always confirm current requirements with the official Indonesian immigration website (imigrasi.go.id) before traveling.

Best Time to Visit

Makassar sits in a distinct climate zone: the dry season runs from June through September, when rainfall is minimal, skies are clearer, and the heat stays around 28-30°C (82-86°F). This is the optimal window for remote work: humidity is lower, power outages from storms are rare, and the city is at its most livable. October is a short transition month that still holds well. The wet season runs November through April and peaks in January and February with near-daily heavy rain and up to 600 mm of precipitation in a month. Working is still possible during the wet season as most spots are air-conditioned, but flooding can disrupt transport and power supply. If you are planning a first visit, July through September is the sweet spot.

Pros and Cons

• Very low cost of living: you can live comfortably well under $700/month
• Exceptional local food scene, especially seafood and Coto Makassar
• A genuine Indonesian city with little tourist infrastructure, meaning authentic daily life
• Gateway to outstanding nature: Taka Bonerate reef, Toraja highlands, and Maluku are all reachable from here
• Grab and Gojek are reliable and cheap for getting around
• Growing coworking scene with affordable drop-in options

• Internet speeds average around 10 Mbps, far below most Southeast Asian nomad hubs
• Very limited English outside of hotels and upscale restaurants
• Not walkable and traffic congestion is a daily reality
• Tiny international nomad community: you will mostly be building local connections
• High humidity makes it physically uncomfortable outside, especially November through April
• Nightlife and international dining options are limited compared to Bali or Jakarta

Who Makassar Is Best For

Makassar suits nomads who want to stretch their budget as far as possible and are not dependent on fast fiber internet for video-heavy work. If you find standard Southeast Asia circuits (Bali, Chiang Mai, Ho Chi Minh City) overrun and prefer somewhere that feels genuinely unscripted, this city delivers. It is a strong fit for food writers, travel photographers, or anyone using eastern Indonesia as a base for diving or cultural exploration in the surrounding region. You will do well here if you speak some Bahasa Indonesia or are learning it, since daily life depends on it.

Skip Makassar if reliable high-speed internet is non-negotiable for your work, if you need a large expat community or English-speaking professional network, or if you want easy access to international flights and amenities. Nomads who need frequent video calls, large file uploads, or cloud-heavy workflows will find the average connectivity frustrating. Solo women travelers should be aware that safety perceptions in the city are mixed at night, so standard urban precautions apply more firmly here than in more tourist-oriented Indonesian cities.