Bali is Not the Only City in Indonesia Worth a Visit, Here are the 10 Best Places to Visit in Jakarta (2020)!

Jakarta is the capital and the largest city of Indonesia. It is located in the Java coast which is counted among the world's most popular island areas. Jakarta is also the hub of economy, culture and politics in Indonesia. Although we all have heard about Bali but somehow Jakarta is not much talked about but Jakarta also has a lot of things to offer as it is a modern city with all the amenities. You can go to Bali for a peaceful vacation but if you are looking for fun and adventure then you should plan a vacation in Jakarta. Places like Monas, The Merdeka Palace, The National Museum, Isitqlal Mosque. etc. are great places to see when you visit Jakarta Pusat or the Central Jakarta.

You will also find great shopping malls and high-end hotels in the heart of Central Jakarta where you can enjoy 24 hours of complete fun. You can also visit the Ancol Dreamland and great eating joints in the North Jakarta, not to mention the great Thousand Islands which is one of the favourite spots in Jakarta.

You can reach Jakarta by air - it has two airports, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang and Halim Perdanakusuma Airport for domestic flights. Jakarta is well connected by land to the major cities and has great public transport system for you to comfortably venture within Jakarta. If you like to spend more time on water, then you can travel via sea through the Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta.

Although you can easily rent a car to travel within Jakarta but you will have to face a lot of traffic jams. Therefore, make an itinerary before travelling to Jakarta and try to book a hotel near to the spots you wish to see to avoid getting stuck in traffic and ruining your vacation.

Betawi people are a community of mixed descent from different races and ethnic groups and have been living in Jakarta since the 18th century, you can also call them the indigenous people of Jakarta. The Betawi people are very outspoken and fun people and follow different arts, music and traditions. They mostly follow Sunni Islam although some of them follow Christianity as well.

Their culture is very unique and is influenced by Portuguese and Chinese culture which is visible in their music and dance. Their unique language is a blend of Sundanese, Javanese, Chinese, Indian, Arab and Dutch words and is known as Betawi Malay. It is based on the dialect from the northern coast of Java.

They have a distinct martial art which has gained attention through the popularity of Silat films. The Betawi people were initially known as thugs and bandits which has changed since many people are visiting Jakarta and have come to know about their culture closely. You can visit the Betawi Cultural Village which is established in 289 hectares at Setu Babakan and see the well retained, original Betawi culture in detail. One can enjoy cultural performances held every Sunday between 2 to 4 p.m. and take dance training session from them. One can also witness their special Betawi Cultural Festival like the wedding ceremonies, circumcision ceremonies, etc. as well as go fishing and enjoy the local cuisine from various stalls and restaurant. If you want to experience the true Jakarta then you should learn the Betawi culture and enjoy to its fullest.

You can get an Indonesian Visa on arrival but for that you need to fulfill certain requirements like:

1. Indian passport having at least 6 months validity upon arrival in the country
2. Two blank pages in the passport
3. A confirmed return or one-way ticket as well as a ticket issued for travelling to other countries after visiting Indonesia
4. Deposit of Rs.2,517 as a requisite fee

Procedure of availing Indonesia Visa on Arrival (VoA):

1. Indian travellers are given a Passenger Arrival card during the flight or you can obtain one at the airport upon arrival
2. It needs to be filled before passing the Customs Passport Control
3. Payment of the requisite fee
4. An entry stamp on the passport is made after the payment
5. Getting the counterfoil visa
6. Go through the Immigration checkpoint for an official entry permission into Indonesia

If the Indian nationals wish to extend the period of their stay they can do it for 60 days but they must apply for another type of visa as the Visa on Arrival is only valid for 30 days and it can't be converted into other type of visa once you have entered into Indonesia.

The National Monument (MONAS) is one of the most visited spots in Jakarta. It is 132-meter-high and was built to pay respect to the struggle of Independence. It also has a viewing deck of 115m above the ground level and can accommodate up to 50 people. You can visit the deck at night and see it decorated with lights.

You will see a lot of locals wandering around MONAS and enjoying their evening. One of the main attractions of the monument is the Hall of Independence which can be reached through a spiral staircase, you can see various symbols of Independence and a gold coated map of the Indonesian archipelago on the Northern wall of the Hall and the original text of the Proclamation of Independence is displayed on the western part of the hall.

You can also see the National History Museum is situated in the hall right below the Monument which shows 51 dioramas depicting scenes from Indonesian history. If you are a history buff you will love to visit the place and learn all about Indonesia.

The National Monument of Indonesia is situated at the Merdeka Square in Central Jakarta and can be reached through public transport like the Trans Jakarta rapid bus transit service. You can also take the train from Gondangia or Juanda train stations. Taking the free double-decker tour bus is also a good idea to see the places around the monument. The entry free to the monument is Rs.70.

Another great place to see in Jakarta is the Wayang Museum. The traditional puppets in Indonesia are called Wayang and are precious in Indonesian tradition. You will love the place as it takes you through the time and helps you to learn how these spectacular puppets are made. It is situated in the old town of Jakarta. You will also be able to fearsome masks, wooden puppets and enjoy a puppet show every Sunday around 10 a.m. Some of the puppets in the museum are made of leather or wood and are in a good condition.

This museum has a large collection of puppets from Indonesia as well as from other countries. The building of this great museum was earlier an Old Dutch Church which was built in 1640 and was demolished during an earthquake in 1808. It was reconstructed in 1912 and was used as a warehouse belonging to Geo Wehry & Co. but in December 1939 it was turned into a museum. Visiting the Wayang Museum is a great idea specially if you are travelling with kids. They will love to see dolls from Thailand, Suriname, China, Vietnam, India and Colombia which will give them a chance to learn a lot about various cultures.

You can reach the museum by the Trans Jakarta bus to the Kota Tua Shelter and then walk for 300 meters to reach there. The entry fee to the museum is Rs.5,000 for adults and Rs.2,000 for kids.

The Istiqlal Mosque is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia and is one of the grandest places to visit in Jakarta. It was built in 1978 and can hold 2,00,000 people at a time. The mosque has a beautiful courtyard which is decorated with designer marble and minarets. The inside is decorated with Islamic designs and is a wonder to watch.

The Istiqlal Mosque is situated at Jalan Taman Wijaya Kusuma in Central Jakarta at the north eastern corner of the Merdeka Square. Its 45m dome and tall minarets are a sight to watch. It was designed by Frederic Silaban who was a Christian architect from North Sumatra. The meaning of the word Istiqlal means Independence which makes it an important monument in Jakarta.

You can reach the mosque through train which will take you to its nearest Gambir Station and from there you can take a local taxi or walk to the mosque. Visiting the mosque is free and is open 24 hours.

The famous Thousand Islands is situated in the Bay of Jakarta, it an archipelago of islands. The Thousand Islands is a cluster of about 100 islands and is a part of the province of DKI. It is stretched for about 45 km from Jakarta's harbours into the Java Sea and the capital of the Island is on Pramuka Island which is known for its schools, houses and medical facilities. The other islands are made of two heritage sites associated with the VOC and the Dutch colonial empire and it is mostly privately owned islands. People here usually support themselves through fishing. If you want to find the beauty of Bali without travelling all the way to Bali you can go to the Thousand Islands and enjoy a tropical vacation here. You will enjoy diving in its great blue waters and relax on the beautiful beaches and take in the warmth of the sun.

Reaching the Thousand Islands is fairly easy. You can take the slow ferry from Kali Adem which is a port in Muara Angke or take a taxi from the city centre to Kota Tua to take the ferry. The best way to visit the island is to take the ferry to Harapan/Kelapa Island and from there you can visit other smaller islands for a peaceful getaway. If you like to camp you can stay on the Island overnight or find a good hotel on the larger islands.

Another great island to see while you are visiting the Thousand Island is the Pulau Cina Island. This is a small island with only a handful of people living there. Their main source of earning is by providing basic meals and drinks to the tourists. If you like the idea of spending time on a secluded island, Pulau Cina is a great place to be. You can read a good book in a hammock or sit under green trees; you can also try kayaking while you are there or take memorable pictures to share with your family and friends. You get to eat great local food there like noodles, rice, fresh vegetables and eggs or even fresh fish if you are lucky. It is advised to carry a medical kit, sun screen, mosquito repellent, wet gear, a change of clothes and some munches with water and appropriate footwear while visiting these islands.

Ancol Dreamland perfectly fits its name as it is a tourism resort situated on the Jakarta Bay, it has great amusement parks and is a fun place to visit with your friends and family, especially kids. You will need more than a day to completely enjoy this dreamland if you want to experience all the thriller rides offered in the Fantasy World here. It also has an international championship golf course, a hotel resort and Ocean Dream Samudra which is a theme park featuring a dolphin show, an aquarium and a bird park.

The famous Fantasy world also known as Dufan offers 27 rides for adrenaline pumpers and kids love to visit the Ice Age Arctic Adventure which is a seven-minute indoor water ride, the adults can enjoy the top spin Tornado ride which is a 360-degree loop Halilintar roller coaster.

The Atlantis Water Adventure park offers eight kid friendly water pools and an adventure playground or if you like to enjoy a few peaceful moments you can stroll in the Eco park and enjoy cycling or boat cruise in the Ancol Lake. One of the kids’ favourite is the bee farm which shows the process of honey harvesting. Overall it is a fun place to be and your kids will remember through their lifetime.

You can't skip the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah if you are in East Jakarta, it is a beautiful miniature park and gives you an opportunity to experience the day to day life of Indonesia. You will see a collection of Indonesian architecture, clothes, dances and traditions and can enjoy the cable cars, Keong Emas Imax cinema and other fun activities here.

It is made over an area of 250 acres and is best described as a smaller version of Indonesia. You will be able to witness various regional pavilions, museums, houses of worship and markets here and visit the man-made island which replicates the theme of Indonesia's archipelagos.

You can reach TMII via bus to Simpang Mabes Hankam Bus Station and walk to reach here. It is open every day between 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. but the museum closes at 4 p.m. The entry fee to the TMII is Rs.15,000 and it does not cover the transportation inside the place or entry to the museums or parts inside.

Jakarta Chinatown is known as ‘Glodok’ by locals and is an important historical site in Jakarta. The best part about the place is the Chinese food offered here. You can also buy traditional Chinese herbal remedies, electronics and visit great Chinese temples.

If you like to visit historical places you will love the Glodok. You will get to see 17th century temples and visit traditional family run shops and restaurants here. One of the major sites to visit here is the Pusat Glodok also known as the 'Glodok Centre'. You will feel yourself as a part of one of the Kung-fu movies you have seen in your childhood, if you visit the place around the Lunar New Year you will get to witness the famous Chinese lanterns floating in the air and creating a magical scene.

If you are into gadgets you will find great deals on mobile phones and laptops. You will also like the Pancoran, a small shopping centre to buy souvenirs for your friends and a visit to the Chinese massage parlour can be one of the best experiences of Glodok.

Jakarta Cathedral is another grand place to visit once you are in Jakarta, it was built in 1901 and is decorated with Roman decorations and white spires. You will see a touch of European style in the interiors of the Cathedral. It is situated in the Central Jakarta near the Merdeka Square and In Front of the Istiqlal Mosque.

One of the best things to see in the Cathedral is the pipe organ made by George Verschuere of Tongeren, Belgium built in 1988. It reflects the Gothic style and leaves you in amazement.

This cathedral was initially built in 1810 but was destroyed in a fire in 1890. It was again reconstructed in 1901. The neo Gothic architecture will delight you and the calm environment of the cathedral will put you at ease. The entry to the cathedral is free of cost and is open 24 hours for visitors.

Jakarta is a fun place to be but the noise and pollution can get to you after a while. To unwind, you can visit the Taman Suropati, a city park located in the neighbourhood of Menteng. You will find love birds walking hand in hand and people practising Yoga, kids playing soccer and families enjoying a picnic in this beautiful park. You can enjoy live musicians on Sundays and meet lovely people here.

Initially this was a hilly area which was turned into a park. Don't forget to carry a camera to take memorable pictures with your family while you are at the park. You will also see a small business area near the park where you can shop for small knick-knacks. Taman Suropati is a great place to be with your friends and people of all ages.

Ragunan Zoo is a must-see place in South Jakarta in Pasar Minggu. It is stretched across 147 hectares of land and is one of the most favourite places to visit, especially for animal lovers. You will find 2,000 specimens here and around 50,000 trees make the environment here cool and comfortable. You are sure to find the most amazing creatures here in Ragunan Zoo. Some of them are not found anywhere else in the world.

If you are travelling with kids, Ragunan Zoo should be on the top of your list in Jakarta. You can enjoy horseback riding, elephant riding for some extra cost and vehicle parking is also available with an extra cost although the entry fee is Rs.4,000 for adults and Rs.3,000 for kids. You can reach the zoo via a local bus or a train to Tanjung Barat Station. It is about a 40 min walk from the station, and you can always take a local taxi to reach the zoo once you get off at the train station. Since the zoo is spread across 147 hectares you should have a whole day at hand to see it completely and also wear good shoes and comfortable clothes. The weather in Jakarta is usually warm therefore carry a hat and water with you at all times.