Despite the chaos and congestion of Jakarta, there is a large array of venues and activities catering to children (or the kid in all of us). Decent amusement parks, nature preserves, zoos and other fun spots can be found all over the city, providing plenty of options if you bring the kids along.
 Ancol Dreamland
Right across from Jakarta Bay is this massive recreational complex open 24 hours which features the Fantasyland amusement park for those in search of excitement. The impressive SeaWorld oceanarium is also on site, providing an educational look at the regional marine life of Indonesia. There’s even the Ancol Water Park, if you want to cool off and play in the water.
 Jakarta Planetarium
Part space museum, part planetarium, this modern complex is a fun way to learn more about the universe through interesting exhibits, regularly scheduled educational programmes and other special events. The planetarium itself projects some amazing images from its telescopes two times a day, for those who want a close up look at the cosmos. Phone: +62 21 33 4720.
Ragunan Zoo
Just outside of Jakarta lies this fun and interesting zoo which emphasises the exotic creatures which live in Indonesia. Komodo dragons and Java tigers are just a couple of the amazing animals which are rarely seen outside of this region. Kids and adults alike will be impressed by the wildlife on display, especially the enormous Komodo dragons. Phone: +62 21 840 9214.
Cultural Activities
Indonesia’s capital has a vast array of cultural activities reflecting its long and colourful history as a trading port. From European colonisation to the rise of independence, there are some excellent museums, historic districts and performance venues which offer as much immersion in the city’s history as you like. Indonesia has a fascinating culture, and Jakarta is one of the best cities in the country to experience it.
Cultural Tours
A great way to get familiar with Jakarta is to join one of the city tours which stop at a handful of essential cultural and historic venues. Gray Line and the Indonesian Heritage Society are the two most popular operators, covering everything from the top museums to art galleries and public parks. Phone: +62 21 630 8105.
 Glodok (Chinatown)
The Chinese community makes up a large part of Jakarta’s demographics, and Chinatown is the best place to immerse yourself in their culture. Traditional shop houses, Buddhist temples, markets and hawkers fill the streets, which are always lively and bustling. The Glodok Market is a good place to shop for modern products, while the shopping bridge which connects Jalan Gajah and Jalan Hayam Wuruk is a great place to look for handicrafts and the like.
 Jalan Surabaya Flea Market
For a truly unique shopping experience, head to this big, popular flea market in the Mentang district. Everything under the sun is available here, from old relics and antiques to newly made handicrafts like batik cloth, wooden carvings and brass work.
Puppet Museum
Traditional wayang kulit and wayang golek puppetry is a classic Indonesian art form, and this museum is the best site in the country to learn more about this wonderful kind of entertainment. Thousands of traditional puppets are on display from Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries, and the museum hosts puppet shows regularly which are a real treat. The lovely 20th century Dutch church where the museum is located is also an attraction in itself. Phone: +62 21 692 9560.
Sunda Kelapa Harbour
Jakarta’s old harbour dates back to the 17th century and is one of the most picturesque parts of the city. The port still functions as a cargo ship stopover, with lovely Makassarese and Bugis trading ships providing a colourful background to the buzz of activity which permeates the waterfront. See the roots of Jakarta at work in this fascinating harbour. Phone: +62 21 691 9101.
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah
For those visitors with only a short time in Jakarta, a visit to this 120 hectare cultural complex presents all of Indonesia’s 27 provinces in one setting. Traditional architecture and artefacts from each province have been reproduced on a life-size scale, and a number of museums provide the background necessary to understand this incredibly diverse nation. At the heart of it all is a beautiful lake where you can relax between forays into different sections. Phone: +62 21 840 9270.
Dining & Shopping
The cuisine in Jakarta is representative of Indonesia as a whole. With more than 6,000 populated islands in the country’s archipelago, the nation’s food is as diverse as its population. As the capital, Jakarta has a staggering range of places to eat covering every budget and just about every style of food. Colonial powers such as the Portuguese, Dutch and English have all influenced the local cuisine, but the majority of dishes resemble those from neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore.
 Soy-based dishes using tofu and tempeh are very popular, but it’s the staple rice that keeps most of the city fed. Unlike most Western meals, dishes in Jakarta tend to be quite small. Meat and fish find their way into many of the curries and stir-fries, with fiery sambal sauce lending a touch of heat and flavour to just about everything. Coconut milk also plays a big role in many of the curries and tasty desserts.
 Most of the dining in Jakarta tends to happen along the streets, which are lined with small food stalls known as warungs and travelling snack vendors. Sampling a barbecued satay or Chinese soup known as bakso tok-tok is a great way to keep hunger at bay. There is, of course, a whole range of Western fast food joints, but if you want to immerse yourself in a sea of moderately-priced restaurants head to the downtown districts of Jalan Jenderal Sudirman, Jalan Jenderal Gatot Sobroto and others in the area.
Nearly all the smart cafés in these areas serve interesting menus featuring star dishes from Sumatra, Java and the smaller islands to the east. Visitors can spend as little as a dollar on a meal, or splash out for a real five-star dining experience at one of Jakarta’s swankier spots.
 Jakarta is both a buyer’s paradise and a bewildering nightmare due to the frenzied nature of commerce in this busy city and the way the shopping centres are spread out, making mall-hopping time-consuming. There are a number of massive air-conditioned malls such as Plaza Seneyan and Plaza Indonesia, where shoppers can find famous name brand stores. There are also hundreds of small, independent shops scattered across Jakarta selling locally-produced items such as batik, wood and bronze work.
If you want a more authentic shopping experience, then your best bet is to check out one of the traditional markets. For handicrafts and antiques, head to the flea market at Jalan Surabaya. This expansive and fascinating market in the Mentang district is fun, vibrant and offers just about every handicraft and art available in the city. The Cikini Traditional Market is another good spot for buying gold and trinkets. If all else fails, the endless Tanah Abang Market sells everything under the sun. Most private shops open from 08:00 to 17:00 on weekdays, closing around noon at weekends. The mega-malls stay open later.
Outdoor Activities
There isn’t a great deal of outdoor activity on offer in Jakarta, with most of the outdoor activities revolving around the sea and the beach. The northern part of the city is regarded as the place to go for recreation, particularly the Ancol Dreamland complex, which is a beach resort, amusement park, golf course, handicraft market and aquarium rolled into one. The Ancol Marina is the jumping off point for excursions to the Thousand Islands region in Jakarta Bay.
Ancol Marina
If you fancy a boat cruise around Jakarta Bay or farther out into the endless chain of tiny islands that make up the Indonesian archipelago, Ancol Marina is the place to start. Ferry rides around the bay depart frequently. Alternatively, boats can be chartered for the day for longer excursions.
 Snorkelling
The Thousand Islands area is the closest place to Jakarta to enjoy quality snorkelling or diving. Daytrips can be arranged by any of the tour shops at Ancol Marina, or you can even sleep on one of the islands and make an overnight trip of it. Kul Kul Kotok Island Resort, Sepa Island Resort and Pantara Island Resort are excellent destinations for enjoying the colourful coral gardens and sea life that fill the waters offshore from Jakarta.
Taman Impian Jaya Ancol (Ancol Dreamland)
When people in Jakarta think of recreation, they immediately refer to Ancol Dreamland, a massive complex next to Jakarta Bay. From amusement and water parks to a golf course and the neighbouring marina, there are days worth of fun to be had in this Jakarta recreation centre.
 Thousand Islands
The 120 islets that dot Jakarta Bay come in all shapes and sizes. Most are populated, but some are completely deserted. Among the most popular islands are Bibadari, Kelor, Putri and Onrust, where visitors can snorkel, swim or just lounge around in the sand.
 Water Sports
From Ancol Marina, visitors can take advantage of the massive marine sports centre which offers deep sea fishing excursions, scuba diving, snorkelling trips and other forms of watery recreation.
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