Indonesia’s capital city, was established in the 4th century as Sunda Kelapa, and it eventually became a major trading port. After the Dutch colonial invasion, it became known as Batavia, the capital city of the Dutch East Indies. It was renamed Jakarta, a few years before gaining its independence from Dutch Imperialism during World War II. Jakarta now boasts a diverse population over 10 million people. It is a vibrant city replete with activities for every type of tourist like backpacking singles, families, honeymooning couples and the business traveler.

Like in any major city, the accommodations in Jakarta run the gamut, from modestly priced inns to more expensive five star hotels. Determining where you should stay depends largely on your budget, and needs.

Backpackers and budget travelers may opt to stay in one of the hostels or guest inns in the Jalan Jaksa district, a short street offering several low budget entertainment and accommodations. Jalan Jaksa is conveniently located in central Jakarta about a mile and a half from the national museum and a couple of blocks from the train station. Most accommodations in this area are priced below $40 a night.

If you desire more family friendly or luxurious accommodations, Jakarta offers several mid priced and upscale hotels. Whether you are a traveler on a budget, or a traveler willing to splurge, you can easily find accommodations ranging from approximately $35 a night to over $100 a night. Some of the well known brand hotels include the Ritz Carlton, J.W. Marriott, and the Four Seasons Hotel.

No matter what pleases your palette, from Asian and American to European and Mexican, Jakarta offers an assortment of places to eat, including local street vendors dishing up authentic Indonesian food and an array of restaurants serving international cuisine.

Now that you have settled with your place to stay and eat, here are the city’s best attractions that shouldn’t be missed while visiting.

Ancol, a combination of resorts and residential areas, is one of Jakarta’s premier attractions. A tourists’ haven, Ancol is comprised of 5 beaches, an 18 hole golf course, a theme park, a water recreation park, an oceanarium (an aquarium in the ocean), the marina, an artists’ market and 30 retail shops, all conveniently located in one multifaceted tourist compound.

Another popular tourist attraction is the Ragunan Zoo. A natural habit to more than 550 animals and plants, the Ragunan Zoo is actually a tropical forest located in the beautiful, suburban area of south Jakarta. Here you’ll get to see the Sumatran tiger, the dwarf buffalo, the Komodo dragon and bird of paradise exhibits as they are all animals facing extinction in the wild.

If you want to experience Indonesian art at its best, be sure to check out Taman Ismail Marzuki, a fine arts complex named after a prominent Indonesian musician, Ismail Marzuki. This cultural center houses the Jakarta Institute for the Arts, Jakarta, Planetarium, two art galleries, a Cineplex, an indoor and outdoor theater, and exhibition halls.

But no vacation to Jakarta is complete without visiting, Monas, Indonesia’s national museum. Established in 1960, it is a 137 meter, marble, obelisk with a gold- plated bronze, cup-shaped, flaming, torch resting at its apex. This monument is a tribute to Indonesia’s struggle to gain independence.

So if you’re convinced, you may also want to plan your visit to coincide with one of Jakarta’s several art or cultural fairs such as the Jakarta International Film Festival (JiFFest), held in December; Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival, Jakarta Fashion Week, and Flona Jakarta.

Images by flydime, guerinjeanmarc (1 + 2), frostnova, soschilds (1 + 2), scaredykat, best_photo.

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