Traveling in Jakarta

As Indonesia's capital and largest city, Jakarta rests on the northwest coast of the island of Java. It is the country's economic, cultural, and political center with plenty of opportunities for sightseeing, nightlife, shopping, and entertainment.
Neighborhoods & Around
Jakarta is divided into several districts, which include Central Jakarta, West Jakarta, South Jakarta, East Jakarta, North Jakarta, and Thousand Islands. Central Jakarta is the administrative and financial heart of the city as well as the location of the world's largest city square "Lapangan Merdeka," the presidential palace, Istiqal Mosque, Jakarta Cathedral, the National Museum of Indonesia, and the iconic Hotel Indonesia traffic circle (Bundaran HI) around which the top malls are located. West Jakarta is considered to be the old town area with Dutch colonial buildings, street food, craft vendors, a few museums, and Jakarta's Chinatown known as Glodok. South Jakarta encompasses upper-middle class and elite residences as well as businesses including shopping centers, restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, and boutique shops. East Jakarta is the industrial quarter, while North Jakarta is the harbor as well as the gateway to the final district - the Thousand Islands. Located right on the coast, North Jakarta is a destination known for its seafood and beachside entertainment, while the Thousand Islands just offshore includes islands that are a part of a Marine National Park as well as excellent diving sites. There are also several satellite cities important to the area such as Bogor, Tangerang, Bekasi, and Depok.
If you're not sure about accommodations, check out this guide to where to stay in Jakarta which covers plenty of good hotels. Or, check out our article on the best hostels in Jakarta.