A melting pot of different cultures, Jakarta is the capital city of Indonesia. Being the capital city, it is a focal centre where many political, economic and cultural issues are taken care of. Come to Jakarta and you will be awe-struck by the gleaming skyscrapers, crazy traffic, upbeat markets, luxury shopping malls and fast-paced life. The city stands tall with its history of colonial times and the present of an independent lifestyle. It is a safe city to travel in and you will find locals very hospitable.
Best Time To Visit
May to October is considered the best time to visit Jakarta when the temperature is tolerable. Jakarta International Jazz Festival, Chinese New Year and Hammersonic are popular festivals you can look for before planning your trip here. For best
Jakarta hotel deals visit Goibibo.
Places to Visit
The
National Monument at Merdeka Square is one of the iconic landmarks of the city. Some of the prominent places to visit in the city are Presidential Palace,
Istiqlal Mosque, Museum Nasional, Jakarta Cathedral, Museum Bahari, Wayang Puppet Museum and more. For kids entertainment, Dunia Fantasi,
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah Park, Ragunan Zoo and Ancol Dreamland are popular places to visit. Taman Mini Indonesia Indah Park is indeed an exceptional place that hosts Chinese temple, traditional houses and recreational activities. While South Jakarta is a happening place with a buzzing nightlife and luxury malls, the old town of Kota Tua is a reminiscence of the colonial times. Kelapa Island, Ancol Beach are great spots for snorkelling and other water-based activities. While you are there, do not forget to take a ferry ride to the Thousand Islands and enjoy the beautiful sunset. Jalan Surabaya, Tanah Abang Market, Plaza Indonesia and Mall of Indonesia are some known places where you can shop souvenirs such as Wayang Golek puppets and miniature wooden figurines.
Food and Restaurants
Jakarta is a foodie’s heaven. As the place is inhabited by diverse cultural people, you will find all types of culinary art here. Nasi Goreng, Satay, Nasi Padang, Ikan Bakar, Bubur Ayam and Bihun Bebek are popular traditional dishes you must try when you visit Jakarta. If you have an appetite to handle local food, then Otak-Otak, Bakpao, Kerak Telor, Satay, Soto Mie, Es Campur are some dishes to try. Equinox, Dragonfly, Kafe Pisa and BART are some of the popular bars and clubs to enjoy the nightlife. Cafe Batavia, The Duck King, Mamma Rosy and Marco Padang Grill are also known restaurants whose menu range from Italian to Indonesian.
Transportation
Air travel is one of the best travel options to reach the city.
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) is the main airport in the city that receives many international and domestic flights throughout the day. Major air links that operate the route between India and Jakarta are
Malindo Air,
Thai Airways,
Singapore Airlines and
Malaysian Airlines. Cheap flight tickets from here to other popular cities can be booked online on Goibibo. Also, flight status & other details related to
international flight booking & air tickets can be easily accessed on it. So for the cheapest air tickets, it is recommended to book flights online. For getting to the city from the airport, Soekarno-Hatta Airport Train is a perfect choice. Long-distance railways continue to connect Jakarta to its neighbouring cities since the colonial era.
Jakarta is also known for its traffic at peak time, so getting around the city with public transportation is one of the best options. Popular taxi services from Blue Bird and Express and app-based cabs such as GoJek, Uber, Grab are very convenient options to get around. Kopajas, Ojek, Angkots, Bajajs are some local transport systems. TransJakarta is the public bus transit system that runs along specific lanes and is mostly used by the locals. E-tickets are issued to use the BRT and can be issued from TransJakarta shelters, supermarkets, banks and gas stations. To ease the situation of traffic in Big Durian, Jakarta MRT has started by the government.