Serviced Apartments in Jakarta

Facts About Jakarta

Jakarta is officially called the Special Capital Region of Jakarta and is the capital of Indonesia. Here are some interesting facts about Jakarta: 

• Jakarta is the second most populated urban area after the city of Tokyo. 
• It is called the Big Durian after the native fruit found in the region. 
• Jakarta is one of the oldest cities that have been continuously inhabited in Southeast Asia and was set up in the 4th century as Sunda Kelapa, a trading port for the Sunda Empire.
• It was once the de facto capital for the Dutch East Indies and called Batavia. Jakarta was a city within West Java till the year 1960 when the official status became a province with special capital region administrative distinction. 
• Jakarta is an alpha world city and the ASEAN Secretariat city while also housing leading institutions like the Indonesia Stock Exchange, Bank of Indonesia and corporate headquarters of global entities and Indonesian entities. 
• Jakarta is one of the swiftest sinking capitals across the globe. 

The GRP PPP was estimated at $483.4 billion for Jakarta in the year 2017. It is the biggest economic hub in Indonesia and headquarters for leading local and international corporations alike. 

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is the key airport catering to the entire Greater Jakarta zone while the HLP (Halim Perdanakusuma Airport offers low-cost and private domestic flights. Other airports within the Jakarta Metropolitan Area include the airfield at Pulau Panjang which is a part of the Thousand Island archipelago and also the Pondok Cabe Airport. 

Cost of Living in Jakarta

Restaurant meals cost around Rp 20,000-300,000 on average. One-way public transportation tickets cost approximately Rp 3,500-6,000 while monthly passes come for anywhere around Rp 200,000. Utility costs hover around 1,559,112.65 Rp every month on average. Average housing rentals vary between Rp 2,500,000 to Rp 32,000,000 approximately. 

Tips for Visiting Jakarta

Here are some useful tips that will help you when you decide on visiting Jakarta: 

• Huge rainfall is expected from January to May and October to December. January is the wettest month of the year and flooding is widespread as well, cutting off central city access at times. Do not visit during these times. 
• Always remain alert about your surroundings, do not carry large amounts and keep ID copies and travel documents at your accommodation. Do not hang backpacks or bags over the back of a chair in any public place. 
• English is mostly a second language in Jakarta although not everyone will be conversant with the same. Keep this in mind. 
• Haggling and bargaining in traditional markets and tourist sites is a normal affair. Keep countering prices with something lower and hopefully you will find a reasonable midpoint. 
• When taking taxis, always keep IDR 2,000/5,000 or 10,000 notes for paying fares and tolls. Pay fare without haggling about tips. Round off money to the nearest IDR 2,000/5,000 and pay the total sum. 
• Make sure that you are buying fresh fruit and clean it thoroughly, no matter where you purchase it form. 
• Do not forget your sunscreen, sunglasses and hats to beat the heat. 

Things to Do in Jakarta

There are numerous fun things to do in Jakarta. Here’s taking a look at some of them: 

Q1. What are popular things to do in Jakarta? 

Popular things to do in Jakarta include visiting the Museum Nasional, Merdeka Square, Museum Layang-Layang, Museum MACAN, Thousand Islands and Old Town. 

Q2. What are some free things to do in Jakarta? 

Free things to do in Jakarta include exploring the Kota Tua or Old Town, Suropati Park, Kalijodo, Chinatown, National Gallery and more. 

Q3. Does Jakarta have many romantic attractions? 

Romantic attractions in Jakarta include Pulau Bidadari, Kota Tua, Lara Djonggrang Restaurant, Dragonfly Club, Tanjung Lesung Beach, Alam Kotok Island resort and Ancol Beach. 

Q4. What are family-friendly things to do in Jakarta? 

Jakarta offers several family-friendly things to do including the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Dunia Fantasi, Kota Tua, Ocean EcoPark, Bandar Djakarta, Ganara Art Studio and Public Open Spaces for Children. 

Q5. What are unusual things to do in Jakarta? 

Unusual things to do in Jakarta include Go-Karting, experiencing the DUFAN or Fantasy World Theme Park, water parks and VIP Cinemas for watching movies. 

Places to Visit in Jakarta

Some of the best places to visit in Jakarta include the following: 

• The National Monument – The National Monument is a key attraction in Jakarta, going up to 132 meters and paying tribute to the Independence struggle. You can enjoy views from the ground or climb to the top for a picturesque landscape peek into the city and its surroundings. The monument lights up spectacularly at night. 

• Istiqlal Mosque – Istiqlal Mosque is the biggest mosque in Southeast Asia that was built in 1978. The mosque can accommodate 200,000 people and has an elegantly designed courtyard with special marble and minarets. The interiors come with Islamic designs and the unique architecture is a major draw for tourists. 

• Merdeka Square – Merdeka Square covers 1 kilometer and is dotted with water features, footpaths and wooded zones. It is a great tourist landmark and walking trail alike. 

• Thousand Islands – Take a much-needed break from the hectic and buzzing lifestyle in Jakarta by heading to Thousand Islands on the northern coastline of the city. They will help you embrace natural beauty with several fabulous restaurants and secluded beaches with gorgeous views. 

• Taman Mini Indonesia Park – Cultural tours can be enlivening at the Taman Mini Indonesia Park. This park covers a whopping 250 acres while being dotted with traditions and heritage that distinguish Indonesia from the rest. You will find numerous themed pavilions along with miniatures of the Indonesian archipelago along with an IMAX cinema. The park is a fantastic family-friendly outing in Jakarta. 
• National Museum of Indonesia – The National Museum of Indonesia lies close to Merdeka Square and is a top attraction for visitors. The museum showcases a vast collection of artifacts that offer a wonderful perspective relating to Indonesia’s cultural heritage and historical traditions. The Hindu-Buddhist artwork here is stunning and you will love paying a visit to the treasure room that has delightful gold artifacts. The collection of prehistoric treasures and ancient ceramics is another major attraction along with the gargantuan weapon collection too. 

Places to Eat in Jakarta

Some of the best places to eat in Jakarta include Arrack & Spice, Union Brasserie, Bakery & Bar, Mr. Fox, Blue Terrace, Loewy, Nusa, Crystal Jade Palace, Plan B Spanish Resto and Three Buns. 

Street Food in Jakarta

Street food in Jakarta comprises of the five national items, namely Gado-Gado, Nasi Goreng, Rendang, Sate and Soto. Other picks include Bubur Ayam, Martabak, Ikan Bakar, Nasi Padang and Ketoprak. 

Shopping in Jakarta

Shopping in Jakarta is incomplete without checking out the various malls all around. Jakarta had the biggest shopping mall floor area in a single city as of the year 2015. It has several shopping malls including the Grand Indonesia, Plaza Indonesia, Pacific Place, Senayan City, Plaza Senayan, Mall Taman Anggrek, Lippo Mall Kemang Village, Senayan City and Pondok Indah Mall among others.

Other top shopping centers include the Japanese Sogo, Seibu at the Grand Indonesia Shopping Town and Galeries Lafayette at the Pacific Place. The Satrio-Casablanca shopping zone also has top picks like the Mal Ambassador, Kuningan City, Lotte Shopping Avenue and Kota Kasablanka.

You will find numerous malls at West Jakarta’s Puri Indah and Grogol along with several traditional markets including Tanah Abang, Blok M, Senen, Pasar Mayestik, Pasar Baru, Jatinegara, Cempaka Mas, Mangga Dua and Glodok. 

Transportation in Jakarta

Jakarta offers various transportation systems, winning the Global Sustainable Transport Award (STA) for its integrated public transportation system in 2021. Buses ply throughout the city and also surrounding zones within Greater Jakarta and cities across the Java island. The largest terminal is the Pulo Gebang Bus Terminal, the biggest such terminal in all of Southeast Asia. Long distance trains operate form Pasar Senen and Gambir. High-speed railways will also link Jakarta to Bandung and Surabaya in the future. 

Rapid transit in the Greater Jakarta zone includes TransJakarta rapid transit buses, Jakarta LRT, Greater Jakarta Commuter Rail, Jakarta MRT and the Soekarno-Hatta Airport Rail Link. The Greater Jakarta LRT should also start functioning in the near future. Private bus networks include Mayasari Bakti, Kopaja, PPD and MetroMini.

The Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is the key airport catering to the entire Greater Jakarta zone while the HLP or Halim Perdanakusuma Airport houses both low-cost and private domestic flight facilities. Other airports in the metropolitan area of Jakarta include the Pulau Panjang area which is a part of the Thousand Islands archipelago and also the Pondok Cabe Airport. 

Weather in Jakarta

Jakarta has hot and humid climates throughout the year. The best time to visit is between early June and early October.