Jakarta Indonesia – Top 10 Most Thrilling Activities

Even if you are only in town for a short time you will still find a huge range of activities in Jakarta which will keep you occupied all day long, ranging from walking tours around the capital to day trips out to stunning islands that lie just off the coast.

1. The Thousand Islands

Many visitors to Jakarta don’t realize that it is actually located close to the coast and if you want to get out of the crush of the city for the day then you can head for a day trip to the glorious Thousand Islands. Once there you will find a selection of dainty islands which make the perfect place to explore and you can charter a boat that will let you island hop at your leisure. Once you get down to the docks you can bargain with the boat drivers but you should expect to pay IDR1,000,000 for a lengthy excursion that takes you out and stops off to let you go swimming and snorkelling off the islands. If you choose a short trip then the price comes down significantly. As a rule of thumb haggling is common place and you can expect around a 30% discount on the quoted price.

2. Kota Tua

One of the best activities in Jakarta in our opinion is the chance to walk around Kota Tua which is the name for the old Dutch quarter that was built during the colonial period. There is no need to set up for a guided tour as such as the area is fairly compact and we found that we could walk around here easily and check out all the sights on foot. We also loved the town square in the centre of this district and it makes a great place to stop off for a drink or a bite to eat as you are walking around. We also checked out a few of the local museums in the area as we walked around so we recommend you spend at least a full afternoon or morning here.

3. Jakarta Fair

If you are in town at the right time then make sure you come to Jakarta Fair which is one of the main events in the calendar of the city. The fair usually takes place in the middle of the year around May or June and you can catch a huge number of cultural events here such as musical performances and art shows. There are also food stalls here where you can sample some of the best street food in Jakarta and there are rides for younger children making it perfect if you are traveling with a family. At the end of the fair there is a large fireworks show to mark the occasion.

4. Ancol Beach

If you want to get out of the centre of Jakarta but you also don’t want to venture too far then head for Ancol Beach which is also part of Ancol Jakarta Bay City. Here you will find a long expanse of beach which is open to the public and which will let you take in the sea views across the bay. One thing we experienced here was the fact that although this is listed as a public beach some areas require you to pay a fee to enter and you also have to pay for any items you use to rent such as beach chairs. The views and the chance to relax on the sand more than make up for it however.

5. Dunia Fantasi

If you are looking for something a little fun to do in Jakarta then you may want to head to Dunia Fantasi which is a theme park which is meant to be one of the top activities in the city. Here you will find a range of rides and activities and there are a range of attractions such as twister rides, slides, a Ferris wheel and flume rides that will help you make a splash. If you are a fan of Star Wars then there is a special themed section that you can enjoy and you can also visit the onsite theater which has a range of dance shows and performances throughout the day.

6. Jalan Surabaya

If you like antiques then make sure you go for a self-guided walking tour along one of the most famous streets in Jakarta which is Jalan Surabaya. This street is known for its flea market and antique shops and you can dig for buried treasure here and check out a whole range of local arts and crafts at the same time. It is common place to haggle here although we found that some of the antiques may not be as old as advertised, although as long as you buy items you personally like then there shouldn’t be a problem about their exact origins.

7. Music Festivals

We were surprised to find out that Jakarta is famous for its music festivals and no matter what kind of music you like, you are sure to find something that suits in this city. Indonesians are big fans of heavy metal and one of the main musical events held here annually is Hammersonic which usually runs in April. If you like jazz then you will also be in luck as you can visit the Jakarta International Jazz Festival in March and it is a good idea to check out the local listings when you are in town to see what’s on.

8. Taman Suropati

Jakarta is not a city that has lot of green spaces and it is difficult to do activities such as go trekking or hiking in the surrounding areas. If you want a slice of greenery in Jakarta then you should come for a walk in Taman Suropati which is located around a scenic square. We really liked spending the afternoon here as the square backs on to some villas which would have been built in the 1920s and on the day we were there we were also lucky enough to check out a small local art market which sets up several times a week.

9. Sunda Kelapa Port

Make sure that you don’t miss a trip to Sunda Kelapa Port when you are in Jakarta as this was one of the highlights of our trip to the city. The port is located a little way out of town but it is well worth making the effort to come here as you can check out how Jakarta would have looked in the days of old and walk around the docks and look at the old wooden schooners that still bob serenely on the water.

10. Atlantis Water Adventure

If you head down to the beach at Ancol then you can check out Atlantis Water Adventure which is one of the main activities in Jakarta if you want to go swimming. The water park is known for being separated into eight fun zones which all have a different theme and you can also find activities here such as a surf section with a wave pool as well as various slides and pools which will appeal to all visitors regardless of your age.