Enjoy Jakarta

WHY GO

Jakarta is the capital city of Republic Indonesia. As a home for almost 12 million citizens, Jakarta is the largest and busiest city in the archipelago where national government’s offices seated and all business activities centered. Located in the northwest of Java island, the city is full of shimmering lights of modern skyscrapers that stood perfectly with the elegance of Indonesian traditional and national history.

As a melting pot of culture from many parts of Indonesian archipelago, Jakarta definitely has something for everyone. From wide-range shopping experience, energetic nightlife, international concerts, miscellaneous culinary selection from all over the archipelago and the world, as well as its unique culture, Jakarta is truly a capital of diversity.

Semanggi Interchange (www.instagram.com/magnificentjakarta)

PLACES TO VISIT

National Monument

The 132 meters high monument is Jakarta’s icon. The monument is a symbol of independence and the fights Indonesian has fought to achieve freedom. The flame on top of the monument is covered with 50 kg of gold as a symbol of national prosperity. National Monument or “Monas” in local tongue, is more than just a statue as many facilities have been added, including sports courts, fountain and street food vendors. Monas is among top destinations for Jakartans and people who live outside the city for jogging, taking photos or seeing the city from up above.

Monas ((www.instagram.com/magnificentjakarta)

Thousand Islands

For you who are looking for a beach time but don’t have enough time to travel far, visit the Thousands Island. Administratively, these cluster islands is still part of Jakarta where you can also find luxurious resorts and restaurants like in the mainland. Just few hours sailing from north Jakarta, you will be immediately enamored by thousands of secluded beach with a breathtaking view scattered everywhere. The best way to enjoy the islands is taking a speedboat tour so you can move from one island to another to experience all the best sightseeing this place has offer in a short time.

Thousand Island (www.indonesia-tourism.com)

Kota Tua

Kota tua or translated as the Old-Town square is an area where you can find lines of Victorian-style buildings, legacy of the Dutch colonial period while you learning more about complicated history of Jakarta. There are also vintage cafes nearby for afternoon tea or coffee. At night, the area will become more energetic as street-performers, peddlers, and people gather in every corner. Be sure to visit the Jakarta History Museum, Museum Bank Indonesia, Museum of Fine Art and Ceramics and the Museum Wayang (shadow puppet) that is located just five-minute walk from the old-town square.

Fatahillah Museum in Kota Tua District (www.zonasultra.com)

Menteng Flea Market

Menteng Flea Market is one of Jakarta’s most well-loved alternative shopping streets specializing in antiques, handmade crafts and arts. Bookworms would also enjoy hunting for rare literary here. Since prices here aren’t fixed, you’ll be able to haggle for the best bargains. If you don’t have plan to purchase anything, strolling around in this open-air market is also a joy. Even famous people such as British-musician Mick Jagger, American-actor Sharon Stone and former US president Bill Clinton have visited this place.

Menteng Flea Market (www.livingnomads.com)

Jakarta Nightlife

As a city that never sleeps, Jakarta’s night club are among the most wild in the world. If you are enjoy dancing the night away until morning light, Jakarta’s nightlife has it all. You can find any type of night club start from huge and dark venue dedicated to crazy bass beat or more intimate venue where the vibe is more to mingling as well as dancing. Whatever your style, Jakarta’s nightlife suits all. Among top name nightclubs for an unforgettable night in Jakarta are Dragonfly, X2, Immigrant lounge & club, Colosseum and Blowfish.

Jakarta Nightlife (www.discoveryourindonesia.com)

GETTING AROUND

Getting around Jakarta can be tricky thanks to our legendary traffic, but no worries there is a variety of ways to travel in the city. No matter what your personal needs, you can find the perfect ride to navigate the Big Durian.

·        Airport Transport

There are many transportation options available from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to the city center and vice versa. Recommended option is to take connecting train SHIA Express Railway Line. The train is expected to take 55 minutes journey from the CGK airport to the city center. There will be 125 services per day scheduled in every 15 minutes. For cheapest option is take 'Damri' airport bus that links Soekarno-Hatta International airport to several locations. If you are not in a rush, order a taxicab to get to the city center.

·        Motorcycle Taxi

Unlike many other countries, using Ojek or Motorcycle Taxi is widely used in Jakarta due to it’s efficiency to face worst traffic although it’s not legalized as public transportation. You can install Go-Jek or Grab apps to avoid bargaining price with independent ojek driver.

·        Trans Jakarta Bus

Trans Jakarta is a Bus Rapid Transit system which is managed by Jakarta’s administration. It was designed to provide the citizen with a comfortable, affordable, and timely public transportation.

The ticket fare is a flat rate of Rp 2.000  at peak hours (5 AM to 7 PM) and Rp 3.500 at all other times. Trans Jakarta bus operates along 210,31 km, with 12 primary corridor routes and 10 cross corridor routes equipped with more than 200 shelters spread in every corner of the city.

·        Jakarta Explorer Bus

The Jakarta Explorer bus a new service from Trans Jakarta provided by Jakarta government for everyone who wants to explore a few of main attractions in the city. These buses are more known as ‘Mpok Siti’ translated as Miss Siti. You can wait these double-decker bus at certain bus stops which are located in Central Jakarta. There are currently 28 buses operating from Monday to Sunday with waiting time approximately 20 minutes between busses. It is a free ride bus tour where passengers may board or step out of the bus at any of the designated stops.

·         Commuter Line

Another cheapest option to strolling around the city is using the Commuter Line. With 6 major lines, 72 stations, and operates along 184 km, Commuter Line serve 886 trips with 76 train set per day. Commuter Line is operate since 4 AM and finish it’s operation by midnight. Commuter Line fares is based on the distance travel. For the first 25 km is Rp. 3000 and for the next 10 km additional fee is Rp. 1000. For more information you can install KRL Access apps in your phone.

·        MRT

MRT is the latest infrastructure improvements by Jakarta Government that hope will help the city to ease traffic. The first phrase serve 15.7 kilometer route from South Jakarta’s downtown to Hotel Indonesia roundabout in Central Jakarta. The distance will take only 30 minutes where normally it took almost 2 hours to get to the city center by car from the South.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The best time to visit Jakarta is during the "dry" seasons from May to October. Unlike any other countries in the continent, you will not experience weather variations in Jakarta. Average daily temperatures are usually between 29°C and 35°C. To get the best prices on plane tickets and hotels, the months of April-May-October-November are the most interesting.

USEFUL PHRASES

Impress the locals and learn how to say a few words of Bahasa with our selection of simple vocabulary.

• you can say “Apa Kabar”  to open an conversation as it means how are you in English.
• You can say “Bisa Bahasa Inggris?”  when you meet people to ask if they are able to speak English, not many Jakartans speak English as it is not the main language of the country.
• Use word “Bang” to call a man or “Mpok” to a woman. As the word translated as brother and sister in English.