Despite the government allowing homecoming during the Lebaran season this year, opting out of the annual rites is totally doable. There are many reasons not to leave the city; for example, you have a baby that is yet old enough to bring along on a long trip, or probably you have work you can’t leave behind.
If you leave around the nation’s capital, Jakarta, worry not. The homecoming season usually renders Jakarta quiet, thus making it more enjoyable. Here are ideas of places and activities for you to do and visit during these rare times. Plan ahead, do it one by one deep into the Ramadan month to comfortably enjoy Jakarta’s finest places.
Not hopping on the homecoming wagon? These ten places in Jabodetabek will always welcome you with open doors.
10 Places to Visit Around Jakarta during Eid Holiday
1. Sea World
If the idea of visiting the Ancol Beach or Dunia Fantasi no longer entertains you, Sea World can be an option. Here, you can witness the beauty of the underwater world without getting wet or having to dive. Walk along the ‘underwater’ tunnel and say hello to the many creatures you may see meddling around the glass. Watch sharks feasting during their mealtime while being fed by the miraculously frisky divers. Get your hands on the cute turtles while learning about the mystery of marine life. Follow ticket price updates and incredible attractions at Seaworld via Instagram @seaworld.ancol.
2. Jakarta Old Town
Vast and spacious. Jakarta Old Town is always fascinating to explore. Here, you can embark on a journey to the past and see heritage buildings from the Dutch colonial era, from BEOS (Jakarta Kota) Train Station, Toko Merah, Post Office Building, Kota Intan Bridge, VOC Shipyard, to Sunda Kelapa Harbor. You can also make stops at the many museums like Bank Mandiri Museum, Bank Indonesia Museum, Fatahillah Museum, Fine Arts and Ceramics Museum, Maritime Museum, and the newest one yet, the 3D Magic Art Museum.
Located inside the Kertaniaga 1 Building, near the south entrance, be amazed by this painting illusion museum collection. Inside, around 100 3-dimensional paintings are divided into seven themes, ranging from fauna, dinosaurs, and adventure to horror. Picture perfect!
You can also rent a bicycle and bike around the enormous front yard of the Fatahillah Museum, take pictures with the Street Art models, and indulge in the many delicacies of the old-school-themed Kafe Batavia.
3. Setu Babakan
Fresh air and Jakarta don’t seem to have been to go along well these days, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any. Setu Babakan, in the Jagakarsa area in South Jakarta, offers you a complete package where you can enjoy a breath of fresh air in a traditional Betawi village. We can watch children practice traditional Betawi dances and make arts and handicrafts every Sunday morning.
The stalls surrounding the lakeside also offer a variety of Betawi cuisines such as Laksa, Pecak Gurame, Gabus Pucung, Dodol Betawi, Kue Rangi, Kerak Telor, Kembang Goyang, and many more. Other activities you can do here include riding a dragon boat or paddling on a water duck boat around the lake, fishing, and batik-painting.
4. Schmutzer Primate Center
Located inside the Ragunan Zoo, this primate center is perfect for children to learn about various types of primates that are both endemic to Indonesia as well as from abroad. Among the primates in this care center are orangutans, gorillas, gibbons, slow lorises, chimpanzees, langurs, to proboscis monkeys. Visitors can walk along the bridge while watching these primates live like in their natural habitat. You can also find a spot to take selfies with statues of primates. Watch out for the crowds because this place is heavily popular among visitors.
5. Taman Suropati
What’s a better place to cool off than a park? Taman Suropati offers just this. Located in Central Jakarta, the melodious chirp of the pigeons among the lush greeneries and water fountain serve just like an oasis in the middle of the desert. Every Sunday afternoon, you will usually find orchestra musical groups practising in this park. In front of the park, you’ll be greeted by the Diponegoro Statue Park, with beautiful blooming flowers and fountains surrounding the statue of one of Indonesia’s national heroes and the exquisite St. Paul’s church in the background.
Save some of your energy to walk a little to the north, where lies the Situ Lembang Park. Here, you can relax and sit or jog around the lake or even fish.
6. MACAN Museum (Modern and Contemporary Art in Nusantara Museum)
Located right after the Kebon Jeruk toll exit, this museum houses paintings and contemporary items from Indonesia and abroad. Occasionally, the MACAN Museum also hosts exhibitions from world-renowned artists. Open from Tuesday to Sunday; you can check out this museum’s programs through their Instagram account @museummacan.
7. Thousand Islands
Being the capital of an archipelago, it’s no secret that besides the five cities of Jakarta, the capital is also home to a regency of 110 islands collectively named Thousand Islands Regency. Among these islands, you can find resort islands as well as village islands where you can mingle with the locals. Some islands can be reached in just 15 minutes by speedboat; some take up to 2 hours. Almost all islands have white sandy beaches where you can have fun playing water sports and beautiful underwater views that you can see while snorkeling or diving. Island hopping is also an option while you’re here.
Many tour operators serve this kind of island trip for those who want to stay on village islands like Pramuka Island, Tidung Island, Pari Island, or Kelapa Island. Meanwhile, if you're going to stay on a resort island, the islands to visit are Bidadari Island, Sepa Island, or Putri Island. Try to book in advance because Thousand Islands become a hotspot among Jakartans during the holidays.
8. Chinatown
Like many big cities around the world, Jakarta also has its own unique Chinatown. Located around Jl. Pancoran, West Jakarta, right across the Glodok Market, you can find stores selling traditional Chinese medicine along the road. The icon of Jakarta’s Chinatown has got to be Petak Sembilan Market, famous for its traditional cakes and Chinese nuanced trinkets like lanterns, cheongsam clothes, red angpao envelopes, basket cakes, bak pia, chocolate coins, and fortune cookies. Don’t forget to taste special Chinese delicacies like Hainan Rice, iced coffee, pi oh soup, and Shanghai rujak.
Chinatown Jakarta is also home to many temples and monasteries like Vihara Dharma Bakti, the oldest pagoda in Jakarta. Then there’s also Toasebio Temple, Dharma Sakti Temple, and Tan Seng Ong Temple. Besides those temples, you can also find the Santa Maria Catholic Church, constructed in a heavy Chinese style. These places of worship are always open, and you can visit and take pictures inside. But always be mindful of the congregates.
9. Thematic Markets
Besides the world-famous Tanah Abang Market, there are many unique thematic markets across the nation’s capital. For example, Rawabelong flower market in West Jakarta or Pramuka bird market in East Jakarta. In the Jatinegara area, East Jakarta alone, you can find four thematic markets: gemstones market, pet market, ornamental fish market, and flea market. In Kalibaru, North Jakarta, there is even a particular market for salted fish. Mingling with the crowds and seeing various unique things in these markets is an experience of its own.
10. Staycation
During the Lebaran holiday, many hotels offer discounted stay packages. If you’re looking for a new atmosphere by staying at a hotel, a staycation can be an option. Adjust the type of hotel with your budget and available facilities. The possibilities are endless, from capsule hotels, budget hotels, and sharia hotels to 5-star hotels that offer ample facilities.
With so many places and activities to pick from, you no longer have to worry about vacation during the Lebaran holiday when you can’t leave for homecoming. Traffic or no traffic, driving in Jakarta is always challenging.
If you’re looking to relax during the Lebaran holidays, why not rent a car from a professional car rental company like TRAC? With TRAC, you just need to sit back and let TRAC’s drivers do the driving. Equipped with defensive driving/riding certification, TRAC’s driver is ready to drive you anywhere you want to go. During this Covid-19 pandemic, TRAC implements a health and safety protocol to ensure the safety and well-being of the drivers and customers. Called the SMART Protocol, this protocol includes the following:
- Disinfecting all units before and after duty
- Providing hand sanitizer in all units on duty
- Social distancing in all units on duty
- Installation of fiber-made barrier between the driver and passengers
- All drivers on duty are required to undergo a series of health checks
- All drivers on duty are required to wear a mask and gloves
- Drivers are not allowed to make physical contact with passengers
For more information about TRAC’s car rental service, you can contact our Customer Assistance Center at 150009 or email at rco.nasional@trac.astra.co.id. Don’t forget to download the TRACtoGo application on Google Playstore and Apple App Store to make a booking. This application features many interesting offers ad lucrative deals that you can’t miss.
