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When I found out that I have an opportunity to go to Jakarta on a business trip, to be honest, I wasn’t really excited. Like many others, Jakarta was one of the unlikeliest cities I would have visited on my own! Only that I was looking forward to extending my stay in Indonesia and head to Bali (That didn’t work out though, but that’s a story for another day!).
Since my visit to Jakarta was confirmed, I wanted to make the most of my brief two weeks stint here. And, my colleagues living in the city came to my rescue by guiding me on what to do in Jakarta! Thanks to them, I found out that it has good nightlife, lively pubs, cool cafes, and popular Karaoke Culture. And also, it features massive malls, the likes of which I have never seen before! From culinary experiences, luxury movie watching, spas, live bands, sky bars to karaoke – the capital city of Indonesia kept me occupied for the whole time I was there!
Additional Read: Curious to know more about some lesser-known facts about Jakarta before visiting? Check out 10 things you probably didn’t know about Jakarta.
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What to do in Jakarta for 4 days
Here is a 4 Day itinerary on things to do in Jakarta to make the best of your limited time. A mix of sightseeing places followed by food, entertainment, and luxury. Although this post goes on about points of interest in Jakarta with an itinerary for 4 days, there’s enough mentioned here to accommodate for a week. So, if you have the time or planning on extending your stay, and looking for recommendations on things to do in Jakarta, you’ve come to the right place. Also, if you’d like to go on a guided tour in Jakarta, then you might want to check out this local Customised Guided Tour in Jakarta.
Essentially, Jakarta is a huge metropolis, with 9 million people living there, and an additional 2 million commuting to Jakarta every day. So, it wouldn’t come as a surprise that traffic could get a little overboard at times! And, it only makes sense that you stay in close proximity to whatever your reason was to arrive in Jakarta. And also stay off the road during peak hours!
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of planning the itinerary, let’s get our accommodation sorted out first:
Where to Stay in Jakarta
Did I mention the infamous traffic jams in Jakarta? Traveling in the evenings especially can be a nightmare, no doubt! So stay in a good and convenient location, to make the best of your limited time.
Here are the recommendations by The Roving Heart sorted by prices. You can book the following hotels from Booking.com
Less Than $50 Accommodations
Wonderloft Hostel – One of the highly-rated hostels to stay in Jakarta, and of course pocket-friendly too. It’s close to Old town and museums. Also in close proximity to public transportation (Transjakarta bus & trains). Check the latest prices of Wonderloft Hostel here.
Bed and Breakfast Tomang – If you’d prefer living a more local pace of life, then look no further than Bed and Breakfast Tomang. It’s at an easily accessible location – a 10-minute walk from Central Park, and Taman Anggrek shopping malls. Check the latest prices of Bed and Breakfast Tomang now.
Harris Vertu Hotel Harmoni Jakarta – One of the best things about Jakarta is that luxury comes at an affordable price. HARRIS Vertu, a 4-star hotel, just 15 mins away from National Museum Jakarta comes at a very reasonable price. Check the latest prices of HARRIS Vertu Hotel Harmoni now.
Less Than $200 Accommodations
YELLO Hotel Harmoni– A quirkily decorated hotel with modern art is surely going to appeal to your senses. Located close to the main train station in Jakarta, is popular among solo travelers as well. Check the latest prices of YELLO Hotel Harmoni now!
Grand Mercure Jakarta Kemayoran -It’s one of the top-rated hotels in Jakarta in mid-range. It hosts a year-round outdoor pool and spa center. Also, it offers free shuttle services to malls, Shopping Center and even Ancol Dreamland. Check the latest prices of Grand Mercure Jakarta Kemayoran now.
Over $200 accommodations
Raffles Jakarta – It’s conveniently located in the Central Business District of Jakarta. Amazing interiors, great food, and facilities make it one of the best hotels in Jakarta. It also provides a unique art experience as its linked to an art gallery, museum, and theatre complex. If you’d like to splurge on accommodation and have a luxurious and indulgent stay, then you have come to the right place. Check the latest prices of Raffles Jakarta now.
Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta – An all-suite luxury hotel, with its relaxed glamour, makes for an indulgent stay right in the heart of Jakarta. It’s a 15-minute drive to Grand Indonesia Mall. Check the latest prices of YELLO Hotel Harmoni now!
Check out Booking.com to book accommodations while in Jakarta.
Jakarta 4 Day Itinerary Summary
Here’s a gist of the Jakarta itinerary for 4 days. In case you’ve additional days, I’ve got you covered as well. You can thank me later!
Day 1: Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Kite Museum, Grand Indonesia Mall, Skye Bar
Day 2: Jakarta Chinatown, National History Museum, Monumen Nasional, Spa, Central Park, Sky Rink, Karaoke.
Day 3: Watermbom Jakarta, Evening at PIK
Day 4: Ancol Dreamland
More days: Kepulauan Seribu (Thousand Islands), Bandung, Bogor
Day 1
Let’s start day one by heading to East & South Jakarta. It’s going to be a long day today, so brace yourself!
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah
If you’d like to delve right into the cultural diversity of Indonesia, then Taman Mini Indonesia Indah would be a good choice. You can find museums, water park, bird park, flower garden, and more here. It also hosts an artificial lake representing an archipelago of Indonesia, which can be viewed from a cable car. Don’t miss out on Bali, Papua, and East & West Java Pavillions. Also, catch the Komodo Dragon at the reptile park and watch IMAX 3D movie on destination Indonesia. It provides a great idea of what Indonesia has to offer. There’s more than enough to do here for a whole day! This is definitely one of the key points of interest in Jakarta.
Getting there: The easiest way to reach Taman Mini Indonesia Indah [Kota Jakarta Timur, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta] would be through a car. If that’s not viable, then hop on to a TransJakarta bus which has accessibility to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah. (You might have to change the bus near Monas Monument).
Timings: All days 7 AM – 10 PM
Find the entrance fee to access different parts of the park here.
Kite Museum
If you plan to leave Taman Mini Indonesia Indah after lunch, then you squeeze in a visit to the Kite Museum (locally known as Layang Layang Museum). Kite flying, these days are mostly found on the beach, but it was an important tradition in Indonesia once. If you’re a curious cat and would like to learn the history of kites, then you might fancy visiting this Museum. It’s a private museum in a traditional Javanese house hosting kites of all sizes from 2 cm to some as big as a small car. It starts with a 10-15 minute video introduction about kites and followed with a private guided tour and kite making activity, all included in the entrance fees.
Apart from the Kite Museum, you can find other museums too in Jakarta like the National History Museum, Textile Museum, Bank Indonesia Museum, Maritime Museum, and so on.
Getting there: The easiest option is to take a cab from the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah to the Kite Museum [Museum Layang Layang Indonesia JI. H. Kamang No. 38 Pondok Labu, Jakarta 12450].
Timings: All days 9 AM – 4 PM (around)
Entrance Fee: Rp.15.000 ($1)
Grand Indonesia Mall
If you are staying in Central Jakarta, when you’ve time to spare, check out Grand Indonesia Mall [Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10310]. Mall culture is very prevalent in Jakarta. Although I don’t fancy visiting malls or even urge anyone to visit malls, Grand Indonesia Mall is worth a visit once. It’s one of the largest malls in Jakarta. And there are so many massive ones in Jakarta. You can find anything from local goods to high-end designer stores, rooftop bars, multi-cuisine restaurants, and so on here. Maybe drop by at a Batik store when you are around. It’s a method of dying fabrics indigenous to Indonesia and is quite fascinating!
Skye Bar
If you’d like to go for a couple of drinks or experience the nightlife of Jakarta, then head to Skye Bar [BCA Tower Lt. 56, Jl. M.H. Thamrin Menteng, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10350] located on the 56th Floor rooftop of BCA tower of Grand Indonesia. It’s one of the iconic landmarks of Jakarta, and one of the top rooftop bars in the city. Preferable to visit during the night for the gorgeous lit up views. The VIP seats cost about 1 million Rupiah ($75) which offers the best views in the bar. Also, keep in mind to dress smartly as they follow a strict dress code policy (especially after 4 pm). There have been many instances of guests being sent back for not adhering to the dress code.
Day 2
- Today, we explore Jakarta Chinatown followed by the National History Museum in Central Jakarta and pamper ourselves with some wellness treats, and foodie delights.
Jakarta Chinatown (Glodok)
Let’s start day two by visiting the biggest Chinatown in Indonesia and a melting pot of culture. You’ll find several 17th-century old temples here. And of course, it’s a good place to find Chinese cuisine. And as a bonus, Glodok [Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11120] is one of the biggest centers for electronics in Jakarta. You can Go on a Guided Jakarta Chinatown Discovery tour here.
Also close to Chinatown, you can find Kota Tua, Jakarta’s Old Town. So, if time permits, explore the Old Town and Sunda Kelapa Harbour as well (Early mornings or evenings would be good here). You can find many old sailing boats here in the harbor which brings goods from the archipelago of Indonesia. Worth a visit and definitely include this in your things to do in Jakarta.
National History Museum, Jakarta
If you’d like to dive more into the history of Jakarta, the National History Museum in Central Jakarta would be a great place to start. It provides comprehensive information on Indonesia’s Prehistory, Archaeology, Ethnography, Numismatics-Heraldic, Geography, and Historical Relics.
Timings: 8:30 AM – 4 PM all week except for Mondays and holidays.
Entrance Fee: Rp.10.000 (Less than $1)
Getting there: You can get there by the TransJakarta bus, and stop at Monas Terminal. The National History Museum [Kota Jakarta Timur, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta] is just 200m away.
Monumen Nasional (abbreviated as Monas)
Located 400 m away from the National History Museum, Monas, the national monument of Jakarta is the pride of Jakarta built to commemorate the struggle for independence in Indonesia. It has an observation deck 115 m above the ground which can be accessed through a lift. This can be another point of interest as well when you are around.
Timings: 8 AM – 3 PM. Open on all days except for Mondays.
Entrance Fee: Rp.5.000. Pay additional Rp. 10.000 to access the top of the monument. The monument is also accessible during nighttime between 7 PM to 10 PM on Tuesdays to Fridays, and 7 PM – 12 PM on Saturday and Sunday since April 2016.
Cheesecake at Cikini
If you’re fond of cheesecakes, then try out a cheesecake at AlmondTree Cakes Cikini [Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10330]. This was indeed the best cheesecake I ever had. It’s oh so yummy, soft and melted in my mouth. If you feel you don’t have much time to spare, then you can use the GO-JEK app to deliver food right to your hotel!
Relaxing Aromatherapy Massage
If you’d like to pamper yourself, then you’re in luck. There’s a day spa just 5 min away from AlmondTree Cheesecake. When I was researching for message centers in the city, I found plenty of them but a lot of them looked sketchy at best for me. So, thought of sticking to a good day spa center even if it was a little expensive.
That’s when I stumbled onto Martha Tilaar Salon day spa [Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta Cikini Menteng Jakarta Pusat DKI Jakarta] and it fit the bill. It’s a popular chain in Jakarta offering rejuvenating day spas. They have a comprehensive list of body massages that you can choose from. Better to make a reservation at least a few days in advance as they are usually fully booked (Found out the hard way, sigh!). Prices start from about 350,000 Rupiah ($26) per person.
Central Park
Located in Tanjung Duren area, Central Park Mall [Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11410] has everything under one roof. Although I’m not a fan of malls, I don’t mind spending hours of time here – be it shopping, restaurant hopping, listening to live bands in the evenings or watching a movie. Mall culture is very prevalent in Jakarta – you’ll see!
Dharma Kitchen
There are a few Dharma Kitchen outlets in Jakarta, and there’s one located right in Central Park. Dharma Kitchen serves vegetarian food, but deceivingly so. Every dish here is the imitation of the famous Indonesian non-vegetarian dishes like Beef Rendang, Nasi Goreng, Nasi Sapo Ayam, and so on. Jakartans love non-vegetarian food so much that even if they are eating vegetarian food, they want to make it seem otherwise! Apparently, they substitute the non-vegetarian items with mushroom, tofu, and soya, and so on. Fascinating, isn’t it?
Try it out and let me know how if you can tell the difference, will you?
Dessert hopping
If you have a sweet tooth, I have just what you need right in Central Park! Hop on, and let’s go on a dessert crawl. Start with frozen yogurt at Llaollao. Next hop on to Taiyaki and relish on a Japanese fish-shaped cake. It comes in different flavors and I personally liked rum and cinnamon. If you want to try Kopi Luwak dubbed as the most expensive coffee in the world – it’s available in the mall too. If you’d like to have fresh juice, then try out avocado juice which is readily available in most of the restaurants and juice shops.
Did you know? Kopi Luwak coffee comes from the poop of an Indonesian cat-like animal called Civet. In short, civet eats and digests the coffee beans. The feces of civet is then collected, finished and sold. And there you have Kopi Luwak – the most expensive coffee in the world!
If are craving Indonesian food, then check out some authentic local food to try in Jakarta.
Central Park has lots of events happening throughout the year. I was in Jakarta during Christmas time, and the entire mall was decked up in lights and it was nice to watch! Also, I happened to witness a concert right inside Central mall apparently, by a popular singer in the country!
Watch a movie at CGV blitz
If you’d like to experience luxury movie watching, then CGV Blitz in Central Park Mall would be your best bet. Along with regular and gold class, CGV Blitz offers velvet class – a luxurious bed setting for watching movies at your own comfort in style. It costs about Rp.220.000 ($18) for 2 people, which is fairly priced for the luxurious and indulgent movie experience. I liked it so much, that I ended up going there twice in the same week!
The only problem is there’s no solo seat (or bed) here. It only comes in pairs!
Apart from Central Park, you can find CGV Blitz in Grand Indonesia mall and a host of other locations as well.
Sky Rink Jakarta
If you’d like to try to ice skate or watch people skate, then head to Taman Anggrek Mall [ Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11440 ] just opposite to Central Park. Sky Rink Jakarta at the mall, is usually crowded over weekends or during school holidays. Weekdays are less crowded and cheaper as well. The package comes for two hours, and you can hire a tutor as well if you aren’t confident in ice skating. Apart from the ice skating rink, the mall has good restaurants to eat as well.
Tip: Carry socks along with you when you’re going here so as to avoid buying low-quality socks here.
Timings: 9.30 AM to 9.30 PM
Price: Weekdays – Rp.65.000. Weekend – Rp.85.000. The package is for two hours (overtime charges -Rp.9.000).
Karaoke night in Jakarta
Another thing I found out about Jakarta is that the locals are crazy about Karaoke. And they have private karaoke as well. Something I have never seen before. And it’s particularly enjoyable with a group of friends or family. K-POP STAR Family KTV [Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11470] is one of the top-rated Karaoke bars in Jakarta. And the best part is it’s just around 500 m away from Central Park Mall. Which is amazing, considering that you don’t have bare the horrible traffic of Jakarta (At least for a little while). Expect delicious food, good ambiance and some amazing music choices here.
Other alternatives for Karaoke include Beyond Bar & KTV [Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12160] and Masterpiece Family Karaoke [Kota Jakarta Timur, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 13440], which are some of the popular Karaoke bars in the city.
Day 3
If you are into water rides, I have the perfect one for you. And end our day by going on a gastronomical adventure, of course.
Watermbom Jakarta
Watermbom Jakarta [Kota Jkt Utara, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 14470, Indonesia], is one of the top rated water park in Jakarta featuring winding slides and pools. And an ideal place to beat the humid Indonesian weather with friends and family. If you’re looking for extreme adventure, then this may not be the right place for you. Besides they don’t have too many rides either. And the food isn’t worth it for the price. If you’re planning to go, then spend time here from 8 AM – 12 PM here, and head out of the park for lunch.
Evening at PIK (Pantai Indah Kapuk), Jakarta
Around 12 km from the airport lies Pantai Indah Kapuk [Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12230] filled with imperial style buildings, themed restaurants with lip-smacking food. Each restaurant is themed and unique in its own way. It’s hard to pick a favorite because there are so many. I LOVED this area and I could picture myself spending the evening here with my friends every week while having delicious dishes. Make sure you have ample of time to spend in PIK. You won’t regret it.
Day Four – What to do in Jakarta
For our last day in Jakarta, let’s head to Ancol Dreamland, a resort destination located along Jakarta’s waterfront in Ancol Kelurahan, Pademangan, Indonesia.
Ancol Dreamland
Ancol Dreamland is a 552-acre recreational area featuring hotels, cottages, beaches, a theme park, sea aquarium, golf course, and marina.
There are many things to do in Ancol Dreamland, Jakarta.
Dunia Fantasi (Fantasy World)
Jakarta’s own theme park, Dunia Fantasi, hosts 40+ rides. The park is divided into seven different sections – Jakarta, Indonesia, Asia, Africa, Europe, America, and Legendary Fantasy (Fantasy Hikayat) region featuring ancient Egypt and ancient Greece.
Entrance Fee: Rp.195.000 weekdays, Rp.270.000 weekends.
Atlantis Water Adventure
Atlantis Water Adventure is a water park featuring wave pools and a floating playground. It’s themed based on the underwater world of Atlantis.
Ancol Dreamland also hosts Sea World Ancol (Oceanarium), Ocean Dream Samudra (4D theatre, an aquarium, and animal shows), Jaya Bowling (first and largest bowling center in Indonesia), Executive Golf Fun (golf course), and an Ocean Eco Park!
Now, you might be thinking that a day might not be sufficient to cover Ancol Dreamland. And you are absolutely right! Choose what you’d like to do and plan accordingly.
There are not many nice outdoor spaces in Jakarta, so you’ll find a lot of locals here Ancol Dreamland who come here to spend a day with family.
At the end of the day, head to Ancol Beach. Ancol Beach city is a lifestyle entertainment center in Ancol, Jakarta. And the closest beach in Jakarta. It’s a nice place to chill out with friends and family. Although, be warned that the beach is dirty. And it’s better to visit the beach at dusk when it looks its best all lit up! And enjoy candlelight dinner at one of the restaurants by the beach while treating yourself with good views!
Information about Ancol Dreamland
Getting there: Taman Impian Jaya Ancol aka Ancol Dreamland [Kota Jkt Utara, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 14430] is easily accessible by car, motorcycle, electric train, or TransJakarta busway.
Timings: 2 PM – 9 PM from Monday to Saturday, 10 AM – 9 PM on Sunday
Entrance Fee: You will be charged Rp.25.000 per person just to enter the park. If you need parking, then shell out an additional Rp.20.000 for parking for the whole day. You still have to pay separately to access the attractions. Unless you pay Rp.250.000 to access all the rides here.
Is it worth it? In my time at Ancol Dreamland, I honestly didn’t enjoy much. The rides looked decent, nothing great, and the beach was too dirty. It has got mixed reviews, and I would instead suggest you visit Waterbom Jakarta for water rides.
Things to do in Jakarta if you’ve got more than 4 days
Even though this post on things to do in Jakarta for 4 days, it can be easily accommodated for a week!
There are 40+ islands around Jakarta. So, if you are in for more time, then you can head out on an island hopping tour around these idyllic islands.
Kepulauan Seribu (Thousand Islands)
If you have a couple of more days to spare, then head to Thousand islands, locally known as Kepulauan Seribu [Bandung City, West Java, Indonesia] for a quick island getaway from the populous city. It’s a few hours away from mainland Jakarta. And, makes for a good weekend trip. I wouldn’t suggest diving here, as it’s not great. Enjoy the beach, and explore the islands.
Bandung
Other options would be to head to Bandung [Bandung City, West Java, Indonesia] (a city of volcanoes and tea plantations). You’ll find many shuttle buses between Jakarta to Bandung (144 km distance) from different pickup points in Jakarta. From Gambir, the main intercity train station in Jakarta, you’ll find frequent connections to Bandung, Yogyakarta, Semarang, and Surabaya as well.
Bogor
You can head to Bogor [Kota Bogor, West Java, Indonesia] as well (scenic alternative to Jakarta). It’s also a popular shopping destination.
Pulau Macan
Just 2 hours away by speedboat from the bustling metropolis of Jakarta, you can find an idyllic island Pulau Macan – also known as Tiger island.
Alternatively, check out here if you have more spare time on your hand. Or some more places to visit in Jakarta here.
Food to try in Jakarta
Jakarta is totally a foodie paradise! Here are some food recommendations by The Roving Heart.
Travel Food Tip: It can get a bit difficult to find vegetarian dishes in Jakarta, but it’s possible. Sometimes even if the dishes are vegetarian, they add toppings like shrimp paste or fish sauce to their dishes. So, be clear that you are looking for vegetarian dishes.
Vegetarian dishes recommendations: Nasi Goreng (Fried Rice), Asinan Jakarta (Jakarta’s version of Korean Kimchi), Pisang Goreng (Fried Banana), Gado Gado (Mix Salad).
Desserts recommendations: Martabak Manis (Sweet-stuffed pancake), Pisang ijo Pemuda (banana ice cream), Es Campur (Mixed Ice dessert).
Drinks recommendations: Kopi Luwak (Civet Coffee), Bir Pletok (herbal drink, no alcohol), Fresh Avacado juice.
Common Phrases in Bahasa
I like picking up local language phrases when I’m in a new territory, and this always warms me up to local people and fetches some brownie points. It either brings a smile to their faces, or they laugh and correct my mistake. Here are some common phrases in Bahasa (local language of Indonesia) for your reference.
- Salamat Datang: Welcome, Salamat Pagi: Good Morning, Salamat Malam: Good night.
- Terima Kasih: Thank you.
- Sama Sama: Welcome.
- Iya/ Tidak: Yes/No
- Apa kabar: How are you? Kabar baik: I’m good.
- Kiri: Left, Kanan: Right, Lurus: Straight, Belakang: Behind
- Satu: One, Dua: Two, Tiga: Three, Empat: Four, Lima: Five
- Enam: Six, Tujuh: Seven, Delapan: Eight, Sembilan: Nine, Sepuluh: Ten
- Goreng: Fried, Nasi: Rice, Pisang: Banana, Mie: Noodle
- Susu: Milk, Kopi: Coffee, Teh: Tea
Indonesia Visa
All visitors to Indonesia must hold a passport valid for 6 months, and a valid return ticket. The immigration officer at the port of entry may request additional documents like proof of accommodation, and proof of finances. More than 140 countries are exempt from visa and enter Indonesia visa-free for a period of 30 days which is amazing if you ask me. More on the visa policy of Indonesia here.
Reaching Jakarta
If you are traveling internationally, you’re probably arriving at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, about 25km west of the city. From Jakarta international airport, you can take either a taxi or Damri bus to the city.
The most reliable options for taxi include – Blue Bird (Blue), Silver Bird (Black) Taxiku (Yellow), Gamya Taxi (Green) and Express (White). It might cost anywhere between $15 – $30 for a ride to Central Jakarta. And anywhere between 40 minutes to 2 hours depending on the traffic.
Damri bus is the cheapest option to travel from the airport to Jakarta city. Take a Damri bus from the airport to Gambir train station. It costs about Rp.40.000 per person. From Gambir train station, take public transport to your respective destination.
Travel Tip: If you are traveling in a group of two or more people, taxis are more feasible, convenient, and faster.
Getting Around Jakarta
- Taxi: There are majorly two types of Taxi service in Jakarta – Blue Bird taxi (Blue in color) for cheaper rides, and Silver Bird Taxi (black in color) for expensive rides. It’s quite easy to find a taxi in Jakarta, just wave away! Else, you can even install an app for the same. Blue Bird costs about Rp.20.000 to Rp.50.000 for short distances and Rp. 10.000 to Rp. 250.000 for longer distances. You can also opt for rides on Uber or Grab. More on it here.
- Bus: TransJakarta (with elevated platforms) has good connections throughout Jakarta. Most of the popular tourist attractions have easy and regular connectivity.
- Train: It’s quite convenient and budget-friendly to travel by train as well if you avoid peak hours.
- Go-JEK: If you are traveling solo, and wouldn’t mind hopping onto a bike and zipping around Jakarta, then this could be a faster way to get around the city. Go-JEK even delivers food around the city. And they provide you with a helmet as well for the ride.
- Tuk-Tuk: For short distances, you can also opt for Tuk-Tuk.
Tips while traveling in Jakarta
- Jakarta has a very extensive smoking culture. You’ll find people smoking everywhere here, even inside office spaces. So, unless it’s mentioned that it’s a non-smoking area, it’s probably a smoking area! So, keep this in mind while booking hotels, or restaurants, or so on. More on it here.
- There’s insane traffic in the city, especially in the evenings. It’s better to avoid 4 PM – 8 PM on the road. So, stay off the road during peak hours, and make sure you’ve enough buffer time to reach your destination.
- Jakarta is humid almost throughout the year. So, carry light clothes, (and a light jacket, just in case).
- Keep an eye on your belongings when traveling on public transport or when in crowded areas to avoid pickpocketing.
Final Thoughts
Would I visit Jakarta on my own as a destination? Probably not. It has way too much traffic, and there’s isn’t much appealing to an adventurer or nature lover like me. However, I wanted to make the best use of my business trip to Jakarta and ended up finding many interesting things to do in Jakarta in the limited time that I had. Would I visit Jakarta again as a destination for travel? Probably not! I may visit Jakarta the next time as a transit, before moving on to the heavenly islands of Indonesia.
So, did you get a fair idea of what to do in Jakarta for 4 days?
Is there anything you’d like to add to the list? Let me know in the comments below.
Comments
2 CommentsTonkin-Travel Vietnam
Jun 20, 2018In my opinion, Jakarta seems to be the most boring capital city in Southeast Asia. It’s not worth exploring, just a stop for transit before the whole trip to discover some amazing islands in Indonesia. Anyway, thanks for your sharing!
Raksha Rao
Jun 20, 2018Haha. I agree with you. I was in Jakarta on a business trip and probably wouldn’t have chosen it as a destination if I was traveling on my own. I wanted to make the best use of my time there, so ended up finding some interesting things to do! So, thought of helping people out who are in a similar predicament of finding themselves in Jakarta 🙂