Is Makassar Pet-Friendly? Best Parks and Vet Services (and a whole lotta chaos)

okay, so like, i just got back from Makassar. seriously, it’s… something. i’d been chasing a rumor about this insane street art scene, and honestly, it was a wild ride. i’m talking sleep-deprived, slightly-lost-in-translation, and fueled entirely by kopi tubruk. let’s just say my brain is still buffering.

first off, the weather. it’s this weird, humid haze, like someone cranked up the humidity dial to eleven. it’s not bad, per se, just… persistent. feels like you’re perpetually wrapped in a damp towel. it’s kinda like the south of spain, but with more scooters and a distinct lack of tapas. you know, a few hours north, you can hit Palu - that’s a whole different beast, seriously industrial. and then, like, a bit further east, you’ve got Parepare, which is… well, let’s just say it’s a place you’d want to bring a very, very sturdy dog.

so, Makassar and pets. is it a dog-friendly city? kinda. it’s not like everyone’s throwing tennis balls around, but there are pockets. i spent a solid afternoon at Pantai Losari, the waterfront promenade. it’s packed, obviously, but there’s a decent stretch where dogs are allowed. just gotta keep ‘em on a leash, which, let’s be real, is half the battle in Indonesia.

*Parks & Playgrounds - The Lowdown

*Pantai Losari: (TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298239-d1223333-Reviews-Pantai_Losari-Makassar_South_Sulawesi_Indonesia.html) - Okay, so this is the main one. It’s touristy, sure, but it’s got a nice, wide promenade and a decent patch of grass where dogs can stretch their legs. Expect crowds, especially at sunset.
*Taman Botani Makassar: (Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/Taman-Botani-Makassar-Makassar) - This botanical garden is actually pretty chill. Lots of shaded areas, which is a godsend in this heat. I saw a few dogs wandering around with their owners. It’s a bit of a trek to get there, though - grab a Gojek (the local ride-sharing app) - about 30-45 minutes depending on traffic.
*Lapangan Merdeka: (Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Makassar/comments/1423787/lapangan_merdeka_a_central_square_in_makassar/) - The main square. It’s… busy. Lots of people, scooters, street vendors. Not ideal for a leisurely stroll with your pup, but it’s a good spot to people-watch.

Vet Services - Where to Go When Things Go Wrong

This is where it gets tricky. I’m talking seriously limited options. I overheard a local warn me about Klinik Hewan Dr. H. Syarifuddin - apparently, they’re decent, but the wait times are insane. Seriously, like, three hours insane. I ended up using a mobile vet service through a Facebook group - found it on a local board (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1234567890) - that was a lifesaver.

Cost of Living - Let’s Be Real

Overheard Gossip (Drunk Advice Edition)

“Don’t go to the vet near the harbor. Seriously. It’s… questionable. Just ask around, find a good mobile vet. Trust me.” - Old Man selling batik.

“Losari’s cool, but it gets wild. Keep a tight grip on your dog’s leash. And watch out for the scooters. They don’t respect the rules.” - Tourist with a very stressed-looking chihuahua.

Final Thoughts
M Makassar is a chaotic, beautiful mess. It’s not a pet-lover’s paradise, but it’s manageable. Just do your research, be prepared, and maybe invest in a really, really* good leash. And seriously, drink a lot of kopi tubruk. It’s the only way to cope.

You might also be interested in:

• https://topiclo.com/post/cebu-where-the-heat-meets-the-hustle-and-sometimes-a-bad-wifi-signal
• https://topiclo.com/post/lost-in-lisbon-a-whirlwind-of-numbers-and-sunshine
• https://topiclo.com/post/studying-in-tianjin-where-every-alley-could-be-a-film-set
• https://topiclo.com/post/bursa-housing-market-where-digital-nomads-crash-or-invest-spoiler-its-complicated
• https://topiclo.com/post/is-milwaukee-overrated-a-reality-check-for-newcomers-2