Jakarta, Indonesia: A Travel Guide To Southeast Asia’s Underrated Capital

Jakarta, Indonesia — Jakarta, officially the Special Region of Jakarta, is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. It is a melting pot of different cultures and serves as a gateway to major tourist destinations in the country such as Bali and Yogyakarta. It is often overlooked as a tourist destination when compared to other Southeast Asian capitals such as Bangkok and Singapore. But if you explore a little more, you’ll be surprised with how much the city has to offer.

The best satai I’ve tasted came from a sidewalk stall.

Jakarta Overview

I did not intend to fall in love with Jakarta at all. It was merely a gateway for a vacation to Yogyakarta, a more popular destination on the island of Java, and a place to attend a festival where one of my all-time favorite musicians, Lorde, has performed. Sure, it’s not the most efficiently engineered city, the traffic is bad, and it doesn’t have as many tourist attractions as another Southeast Asian metropolis. But what Jakarta has is a soul. The city has the most welcoming and friendliest locals, amazing food, hidden vinyl stores, and some of the best music festivals and coffee in the region. To say the least, Jakarta has captured my heart and soul and I keep coming back for more.

• Geography: Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia, located in the island of Java near the equator. It’s one of the largest cities in the world in terms of population and land area so expect it to be very busy. It’s divided into five main regions: North, East, West, South, and Central Jakarta.
• Culture: Although a melting pot of different cultures, Jakarta is a Muslim majority region just like the rest of Java Island and locals adhere to customs and traditions rooted in Islam.
• Language: Most Indonesians speak Bahasa Indonesia, their national language, and some regional languages such as Javanese and Balinese. Most locals speak and understand basic English, enough for a foreigner to do a transaction (not on the same level as Philippines but certainly has a better grasp of the language than Thailand).
• Flights: Most major cities in the world has connecting or direct flights to Jakarta. If you can’t find a direct flight then the best route is through Singapore, approximately an hour and a half flight to Jakarta. The city also serves as a gateway to Yogyakarta.
• Transportation: You can go around the city by bus, train, motorcycle, taxi, or grab (which includes car or motorcycle). I personally use grab because it’s convenient and cheaper compared to prices in other Southeast Asian cities.
• Activities & Attractions: The most popular attraction in the city is the National Monument, a 132 meters tower that symbolizes the independence of Indonesia. There are several museums and squares around the area that you can visit. A most precious discovery through a local friend are the vinyl shops scattered around the city. One of the best music festivals in the region is We The Fest which happens every July. If you love music festivals, make sure to coincide it with your trip — they stage amazing local and international artists. Since I first attended We The Fest, it has been a yearly tradition of mine.
• Food: In my opinion, Indonesian food is one of the best in Southeast Asia. It’s through visiting Jakarta that I discovered how much I love spicy food. Their coffee and iced tea are also worth checking. Also, it helps if you have a local friend who can bring you to the places where locals eat.
• Hotel & Accommodation: Lots of cheap to luxury accommodations in the area. Use booking sites such as Agoda or Airbnb. I never experienced a fully-booked season in Jakarta but to be safe, always have at least a couple of weeks’ allowance to book.
• Tourists & Locals: Minimal foreigners since Jakarta is not really a major tourist destination.
• Cellular Network: I always buy an international SIM (Travel SIM PH) from the Philippines and test on the day before my departure. If not, you can buy at stalls before the airport arrival exit. I personally use Telkomsel.

Best Time To Visit Jakarta

• Peak Season: June to October, dry and clear weather. These are the best months to go around the city and do tours.
• Off-Peak Season: From November to May, wet and rainy season. During Ramadan, a Muslim tradition, the city is less busy but it means some establishments are closed.

Jakarta Map & Location

Where To Eat & Drink In Jakarta

There are countless places where you can eat and won’t get disappointed. It’s one of the things that I appreciate about Jakarta, whether it’s a stall by the street or a more fancy restaurant, you’re sure to get your money’s worth. Also, try the yogurt drinks at the convenience stores, they’re really good. Check out some places below.

★★★★★ Bebek Bengil
Order the crispy duck right away. It comes with rice, sides, and very delicious sambal (chili sauce or puree). It’s a little pricey (around 500 to 600 PHP or 10 to 12 USD) but the serving is generous and the quality is good. A must-try.

★★★★★ Sate Khas Senayan
Lots of choices from different regions of Indonesia. From appetizers to the main course to desserts, everything tastes good. Another must-try.

★★★★★ Mie Aceh
Forgive me for not recalling the exact name of the establishment but the only thing I remember that my friend mentioned is “Mie Aceh”, it’s somewhere in South Jakarta (if I remember correctly), and it tasted really good. Mie Aceh is the boss level of mies.

★★★☆☆ McDonald’s
McDonald’s is McDonald’s, but I included it on this list just to mention that instead of ketchup, they will serve hot sauce as a condiment.

★★★★☆ KOI Thé
If you’re from the Philippines, the land of eternal diabetic milk tea, KOI Thé is a breath of fresh air. The sugar is less without compromising the flavor. They also have outlets in Singapore.

★★★★☆ Acaraki Jamu
Jamu, a traditional herbal drink, is not for everyone. But if you are adventurous, then this is something you need to try. It’s located in Kota Tua and has a nice and modern ambiance.

★★★★☆ Filosofi Kopi
A coffee shop inspired by the light-hearted hit Indonesian film of the same name. My friend brought me here since he works at the production company that made the movie. Indonesian coffee never disappoints.

★★★★☆ Cafe Batavia
Located at the very heart of Dutch Colonialism, Cafe Batavia offers traditional Asian food to Western dishes and of course, coffee.

★★★★★ Street Food
Street food is on the list because Indonesian street food is something that any adventurer must try. When I say street food, I meant the variety of desserts and snacks they sell at stalls to a full meal such as sate (satai) or noodles. To put things into perspective, the best sate I’ve tasted came from a sidewalk stall.

Meal Type	Average Spend Per Person
Café, Snack	USD 1 to 3
Fast Food, Casual Dining	USD 3 to 6
Premium Casual, Fine Dining, Buffet	USD 8 to 40
Beer Per Bottle	USD 2 to 6
Cocktail Per Serving	USD 6 to 9
Wine Per Glass	USD 10 to 15
Spirit Per Bottle	USD 30 to 50

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Flight To Jakarta

Soekarno–Hatta International Airport (CGK) is the major port for all Jakarta-bound flights. The direct flight from Metro Manila is around four hours. A roundtrip flight costs around PHP 10,000 to 20,000 (USD 200 to 400) depending on the airline you choose. I personally like Philippine Airlines because they have morning and evening flights plus the food is included in your fare whereas Cebu Pacific only has evening flights. Take note of the one-hour time difference, the Philippines is an hour ahead. Check Google Flights for your preferred schedule and airline. See estimated flight hours below.

Point Of Origin	Estimated Flight Hours
Manila, Philippines	4 Hours, Direct / Nonstop
Singapore, Singapore	2 Hours, Direct / Nonstop
Dubai, UAE	8 Hours, Direct / Nonstop
London, UK	18 Hours, Connecting / With Layover
New York, USA	24 Hours, Connecting / With Layover
Los Angeles, USA	23 Hours, Connecting / With Layover
Sydney, Australia	12 Hours, Connecting / With Layover

Where To Stay In Jakarta

I visited Indonesia several times and I always use either Agoda or Airbnb to book a place. The price is fairly reasonable, ranging from PHP 1,000 to 10,000 or USD 20 to 200 a night. The key here is to understand what you’re looking for; Is it proximity to the places you want to visit? Are you looking for comfort? Is it the quality of amenities? Do you want free breakfast? Whatever it is that you are looking for, you’ll never run out of options. Jakarta is a major city with cheap to luxury accommodations scattered all around the region. Check out some recommended accommodations below.

★★★★★ Citadines Rasuna (Check Rates)
Great amenities, clean and modern rooms, and great buffet breakfast. One of the best places I’ve stayed in Jakarta.

★★★★☆ G7 Hotel (Check Rates)
Value for money. Neat rooms at an affordable rate and a nice buffet breakfast.

★★★★★ Grand Mercure Jakarta Kemayoran (Check Rates)
Nice place to stay if you are attending a music festival at Jakarta International Expo or JIExpo (walking distance).

★★★★☆ Holiday Inn Jakarta Kemayoran (Check Rates)
Another good place to stay if you are attending a music festival at Jakarta International Expo or JIExpo (walking distance).

★★★☆☆ Nam Centre Kemayoran (Check Rates)
Budget accommodation if you are attending a music festival at Jakarta International Expo or JIExpo. The buffet breakfast is surprisingly good for the cost.

Classification	Price Range Per Night
Budget Accommodation	USD 10 to 20
Mid Range Accommodation	USD 40 to 100
Luxury Accommodation	USD 100 to 200

Things To Do & Places To Visit

If you’re in Jakarta just to check out the major attractions, then a couple of days would be enough (I like to chill, appreciate things slowly, and take things at my own pace so probably around 3 to 4 days). If you are uncertain about how to do tours on your own, it helps to check and book organized tours on platforms such as Klook (use this link to get a discount when you sign-up).

Kota Tua Jakarta (Jakarta Old Town)

Kota Tua was the old headquarters of the Dutch East India Company back in the 17th century so it’s no surprise that the buildings in the area have Dutch-style architecture. There are several museums that you can check such as Jakarta History Museum and Wayang Museum. Cafe Batavia and Acaraki Jamu are also within the square. A couple of blocks from the square is Jembatan Kota Intan, a Dutch colonial bridge, one of the historical landmarks in the area. In the morning, the place is a little cooler and there are fewer people. In the afternoon, the place will be swarming with tourists. Lots of street foods stalls around the square are open until midnight.

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Glodok Chinatown

Half a kilometer from Kota Tua is Glodok Chinatown. It’s a very busy market with lots of places to buy street food. One landmark worth visiting is Vihara Dharma Bhakti, the oldest Chinese temple in Jakarta.

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Monumen Nasional (National Monument)

The National Monument or Monas is without a doubt, the most iconic landmark in Jakarta. It’s quite a magnificent building, towering in Jakarta’s urban skyline. It’s located at the center of Merdeka Square, a spacious park where tourists often stroll or have a picnic. Other places to visit near the park are Merdeka Palace and the National Gallery of Indonesia.

Museum Nasional (National Museum of Indonesia)

Next to the National Monument is the National Museum. The museum has interesting collections such as prehistoric human fossils, stone sculptures, and Chinese ceramics (the only collection where taking pictures is not allowed). This is a must-visit for individuals who love history and archaeology.

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Jakarta Cathedral

The Jakarta Cathedral is another landmark near Monas and just across the Istiqlal Mosque. It’s built with neo-gothic style with three towering spires that seem to match the minaret of Istiqlal Mosque. For someone who lives in the Philippines, a catholic cathedral is not something new but it’s quite interesting to see one in a predominantly Muslim location such as Jakarta.

Istiqlal Mosque

Istiqlal Mosque, another landmark near the National Monument, is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia. I briefly checked it up close then left because I wanted to take a photograph from afar so I went to the bridge at the back along Jalan Perwira. I felt like I was at the right place, at the right time. It was sunset and I was able to get a satisfying shot of the minaret (the tower).

Shopping Malls

If you’re from the Philippines, the kingdom of traffic-inducing shopping malls, this might not be something new. I went to Grand Indonesia Mall and it’s quite a relaxing stroll with a variety of establishments to shop and eat (this is where I get my dose of KOI Thé milk tea). It’s near the National Monument, Bebek Bengil, and Sate Khas Senayan so it’s a good place to cool down after some tiring activities.

Music Festivals

Some of the big festivals are Djakarta Warehouse Project and We The Fest. Djakarta Warehouse Project happens around November or December and has staged some of music’s biggest EDM artists such as Zedd, Martin Garrix, and Calvin Harris. We The Fest has staged international artists such as Lorde, Troye Sivan, Cashmere Cat, Jai Wolf, & Joji. I also discovered amazing local artists such as Fourtwnty who became staples in my playlists. I’m a regular attendee of We The Fest because it’s more my genre (alternative-pop). It’s scheduled every July so it coincides perfectly with the start of peak or dry season. Another festival I attended is the Synchronize Festival which features diverse genres of local artists.

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Nightlife

There are lots of amazing clubs and bars around Jakarta such as Dragonfly, Blowfish, Skye, and Colosseum. But be prepared to shell out some coins because the Indonesian government puts high taxes on alcohol.

Itinerary & Budget

This is just a sample itinerary and budget. Change things up based on your travel style.

Itinerary For Jakarta

For such a big city, I would say two to three days would be enough if you want to visit the major attractions, give or take a few hours a day in traffic. Try to wear comfortable clothes and footwear because the temperature can get high (30+°C).

Day	Activities
Day 1: Arrival	Flight to Jakarta
	Shopping at Grand Indonesia Mall
	Dinner at Sate Khas Senayan
Day 2: Jakarta Old Town	Visit Kota Tua Jakarta
	Jakarta History Museum
	Wayang Museum
	Try Jamu at Acaraki Jamu
	Lunch at Cafe Batavia
	Visit Glodok Chinatown
	Vihara Dharma Bhakti
Day 3: Merdeka Square	Visit Merdeka Square
	National Museum
	National Gallery of Indonesia
	Merdeka Palace
	National Monument
	Istiqlal Mosque
	Jakarta Cathedral
	Dinner at Bebek Bengil

Budget For Jakarta

The estimates below are in American Dollars, Philippine Peso, and Indonesian Rupiah, and the exchange rates are based on the closing rates at the time of posting. To convert to your home currency, visit this site. The airfare cost is assuming that you are flying Manila-Jakarta-Manila, the accommodation cost if you are booking a mid-range hotel, and the transportation, if you’ll use GrabCar to go around the city.

To maximize your airfare cost, I highly recommend connecting your vacation to Yogyakarta or Bali.

3-Day Budget	USD	PHP	IDR
Airfare	200	10,000	3,000,000
Accommodation	150	7,500	2,250,000
Food, Drinks, & Alcohol	60	3,000	900,000
Entrance & Activity Fees	10	500	150,000
Transportation	20	1,000	300,000
Tour Guide & Vehicle Rental	0	0	0
Random Costs & Souvenirs	60	3,000	900,000
Total	500	25,000	7,500,000

Final Thoughts

Jakarta is one of the most underrated metropolises in Southeast Asia. It’s soulful, hip, and devoid of the pretense you feel when you visit a perfectly built capital. All it requires is a little research and you’ll find yourself getting charmed by the city.

★★★★★ Food
Nothing but love.

★★★☆☆ Culture
Not a major cultural destination but if you know where to look, there are bits and pieces around the city that will pique your interest.

☆☆☆☆☆ Nature
No.

☆☆☆☆☆ Beach, Underwater, & Surfing
No.

★★★★★ Nightlife
Indonesians know how to party but drinks are pretty expensive because of the high tax on alcohol.

★☆☆☆☆ Relaxation
Jakarta is a hustle-and-bustle kind of destination. Not a place to do some relaxation.

★★★★☆ Activities
Lots of things to visit or do such as malling and shopping, food tours, museums, coffee shops, and of course, music festivals.

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