Top 10 Things to Do in Jakarta, Indonesia and Why

Established in the 4^th century, Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia is the commercial, political and cultural center of the country. It is also the country’s most populous city and included in the list of the world’s largest cities.

Serving as the gateway to few of the major tourist destinations in the country such as Yogyakarta and Bali, Jakarta itself offers a variety of attractions for travelers worldwide. Let us have a glimpse of the top things to do in the city of Jakarta to add up to your itinerary.

1. Wakeboarding

For wakeboarding junkies, this first on our list is one of the must-dos if you travel in Jakarta. Located inside the Ancol Dreamland, Epic Cable Park offers a variety of fun and exciting sports that are open to everyone who is looking for some action while in the city.

One of the most popular water activities they offer is wakeboarding where you can experience an adrenaline rush while gliding across the water. Need not to worry if you haven’t tried the sport yet because they also give easy-to-learn instructions for beginners.

2. Visit Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park

With an area of about 250 acres, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park ) is one of the most-visited tourist destinations in the city of Jakarta. This huge miniature park will give you a glimpse of Indonesia’s diverse archipelago including their rich cultural heritage and customs. All small versions of the Indonesian islands are exhibited, as well as the cultural items and landmarks in the country.

You can tour the whole park in a day or two, and there are accommodations available for those who decide to stay overnight.

3. Join Master Bootcamp

For fitness buffs, you can experience a total body workout along with other fitness enthusiasts in an outdoor setting by joining Master Bootcamp. This outdoor group exercise class conducts weekly Saturday morning session where all those who are bored with indoor exercise are welcome.The boot camp employs Do-It-Yourself fitness equipment and experienced trainers that are willing to share health and fitness information to all interested locals and tourists. Its base camp is located at Gelora Bung Karno() a gated area where vehicles are not allowed within the area so you can ensure your safety.

4. Coffee Hopping

Coffee hopping is also one of the best things to do in Jakarta. The city has numerous cafes with different themes and concepts that everyone can enjoy. One of the favorite cafes to visit is the Anomali Coffe Shop. They serve a variety of Indonesian single origin coffees that are popular for both locals and tourists.  It is a perfect place to enjoy a cup of coffee while chatting with friends or getting some works done.

Besides promoting local Indonesian coffees, they also offer advanced espresso training for aspiring baristas and to anyone who’s interested.

5. Thousand Islands Hopping

Located in the north of Jakarta’s coast, Pulau Seribu or Thousand Islands is a chain of around 110 islets that can be reached by 1-2 hours of travel from the city center. Some of the islands are developed for tourism and are perfect for different types of water activities such as snorkeling, fishing, and diving. They also offer various facilities for tourists who wants to stay for a day or more including cabin houses, restaurants, and cottages.

6. Dine With The City’s Skyline View

Situated on the 56^th floor of the Menara BCA building, Skye is one of the rooftop bars and restaurants in Jakarta that offers a great view of Jakarta’s skyline to all their guests. It has been a favorite place for locals and tourists who want to unwind after a long day. Aside from the venue’s great scenery especially at night, one of the reasons why people keep coming back is their great selection of mouthwatering food and drinks they serve.

7. Pangrango National Park Hiking

Centered in two volcanoes, Pangrango National Park has been the center of important biological and conservation research in Indonesia over the last century. From Jakarta, you can reach the campground for about 3 hours and can hike up to the park for another 5 hours. Just make sure that you are physically fit to do the hike. With its lush green forest and beautiful waterfall, the location is perfect for those who are looking for a refreshment getaway.

8. Jakarta Hidden Tours

Joining the Jakarta Hidden Tours for me is one of the most interesting things to do when you travel in Jakarta. Instead of visiting famous attractions and entertainment venues in the city, Jakarta Hidden Tours will bring you to the places in the city that you probably would not see. With the help of the volunteer guides, the tour will let you feel and experience how less fortunate people make their living, a sight that you won’t be able to witness by just booking any commercial tour. The price to join the tour might be pretty high, but half of your fee will be donated to the people you visit, so it’s all worth the cost. Joining this tour will probably become of the best experience in your lifetime.

9. Ride A Bike During Car Free Day

To help reduce the pollution, Jakarta made the Sundays from 6 AM to 11 AM a Car-Free Day. If you happen to be in the city during that day of the week, you are free to join this well-loved tradition in the city. For few hours, you can get to join thousands of locals and tourists strolling, biking, running, and enjoying street foods in the city’s wide streets.

10. Enjoy the City’s Nightlife

Also tagged as a ‘city that never sleeps’ like New York, Jakarta has an abundant nightlife and entertainment. With nightclubs everywhere, bar hopping and partying is one of the things that locals and tourists enjoy the most while on the city. For party goers, Jakarta will give you a partying experience like never before.

But just a heads up, partying in the city is a bit expensive as entrance fees in popular clubs cost as high as $20, and taxi fares for a 15-minute ride are up to $5 so checking your budget first before heading out to a party is a must.

Check out for the top Nightlife in Jakarta.

With numerous attractions and activities tourists can enjoy in Jakarta, there are no questions why the city became one of the popular tourism hubs in the Indonesia.

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