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I’m in Jakarta, Where do I Go Next?

I’m in Jakarta, Where do I Go Next?
Jakarta © Dolan Dolen

Many people arrive in Jakarta without a clear plan of where they will go in Java. But with a bit of research, you can plan an orderly escape from Jakarta and really enjoy all that Java has to offer. 

The following is a snapshot of places to consider visiting straight from Jakarta.

 

Bogor

The peaceful gardens in Bogor are a fantastic relief. Image: Travel Fish
The peaceful gardens in Bogor are a fantastic relief. Image: Travel Fish

 

Bogor is only a 90-minute train ride from Jakarta and is one of the most popular first stops for people leaving Jakarta and a great stop it is too. At the heart of Bogor is the fabulous botanical garden which covers a staggering 80 hectares. Visitors can spend hours wandering through the maze of pathways and encounter serenity.

 

Ujung Genteng

Ujung Genteng is a place for relaxation. Image: Travel Fish
Ujung Genteng is a place for relaxation. Image: Travel Fish

 

Ujung Genteng is one of those beachside destinations that is both stunning and off the beaten track, meaning accommodation is usually of the hut variety and food very local. But this is what makes Ujung Genteng such a fantasatic spot to unwind from the hustle and bustle of Jakarta. Be prepared for a long day of travel to get here.

 

Bandung

Bandung’s volcano, Tangkuban Parahu. Image: Travel Fish
Bandung’s volcano, Tangkuban Parahu. Image: Travel Fish

 

Bandung is another massive Indonesian city and is located a mere three hours from Jakarta. Find a hotel away from train station to avoid the worst of the traffic snarls. The best thing to do while in town is to visit a couple of volcanoes, Tangkuban Parahu and Kawah Putih, as well as taking a walk through the forested valley in Dago.

 

Garut

Climb a volcano or three around Garut. Image: Travel Fish
Climb a volcano or three around Garut. Image: Travel Fish

 

If you’re into thermal springs, volcanoes and other quirks of geology, Garut is a great place to make your first destination when leaving Jakarta. Most people stay in the town of Cipanas — a town famed for its hot spring water. This hot water is piped into almost every hotel in the area so that you can soak in a scalding hot bath and soothe your aching muscles. This is particularly appealing if you’ve just done some climbing around the nearby Gunung Papandayan or pottered around the geothermal region of Kawah Sikidang.

 

Pangandaran

Pangandaran beach is worth a visit. Image: Travel Fish
Pangandaran beach is worth a visit. Image: Travel Fish

 

Many people skip all the above-mentioned towns and head on a nine-hour journey to Pangandaran, a southern beach resort popular with the people of West Java. It’s a fantastic location for a spot of surfing, a few beers, some food at one of the beach cafes and a hike through the monkey-infested national park.

 

Batu Karas

There’s a great beach in Batu Karas. Image: Travel Fish
There’s a great beach in Batu Karas. Image: Travel Fish

 

Batu Karas is a little-known spot an extra hour away from Pangandaran. It’s arguably a better place to learn to surf than Pangandaran and certainly has a more Western vibe than its nearby cousin. The town of Batu Karas is nowhere near as busy or crowded as Pangandaran. Whichever you choose, Batu Karas and Pangandaran are great first destinations on your trip across Java.

 

Yogyakarta

Plenty of great things to see in Yogyakarta. Image: Travel Fish
Plenty of great things to see in Yogyakarta. Image: Travel Fish

 

Of course Yogyakarta will be a city visited by almost every trans-Java traveller, but we reckon it’s best to do this after visiting one of the above-mentioned towns or cities first. Beaches, volcanoes, botanical gardens, hot springs and forest walks await and only add a few days to your journey — and these attractions end up being what many consider to be their favourite experiences in Java.


Source : Travel Fish

Indah Gilang Pusparani

Indah is a researcher at Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Penelitian dan Pengembangan Daerah Kota Cirebon (Regional Development Planning and Research Agency of Cirebon Municipality). She covers More international relations, tourism, and startups in Southeast Asia region and beyond. Indah graduated from MSc Development Administration and Planning from University College London, United Kingdom in 2015. She finished bachelor degree from International Relations from University of Indonesia in 2014, with two exchange programs in Political Science at National University of Singapore and New Media in Journalism at Ball State University, USA. She was awarded Diplomacy Award at Harvard World Model United Nations and named as Indonesian Gifted Researcher by Australian National University. She is Researcher at Regional Planning Board in Cirebon, West Java. She previously worked as Editor in Bening Communication, the Commonwealth Parliament Association UK, and diplomacy consulting firm Best Delegate LLC in USA. Less
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