Jalan Jaksa (often abbreviated as “Jl. Jaksa”, literally means “Attorney Street”) rises to prominence as the integrated backpacker district in Jakarta. Since the late 1960s, the district has been designed as the main low-cost accommodation and nightlife entertainment area. Many tourists from multifarious countries prefer to sojourn in Jalan Jaksa because they can blend with local culture and feel the real atmosphere of Jakarta in comfortable and affordable way. Jalan Jaksa presents the unique mixture of local and international environment in downtown Jakarta.
Affordable accommodation is the key feature of Jalan Jaksa. A number of budget hotels and dorms are spread through the 400 meters of the street. The room rates are variably from IDR 75,000 to 150,000 (about US$ 7.9–US$ 15.8) per night. You can get special experience by staying in cheap lodging provided by local residents. Like all backpacker districts in world’s other big cities, Jalan Jaksa is the home of many restaurants, bars, and cafés as well as pavement food stalls. Beers and many kinds of drink are available in plenty spots around Jalan Jaksa. The restaurants and cafés serve you wide-ranging foods from conventional Western to Asian, but you can also try the delicate local cuisines such as fried rice, fried noodles, and satay in several eateries or sidewalk food stalls. Jalan Jaksa district also provides money changers, laundries, travel agents, internet cafés, and convenience stores. In addition, wireless internet connection is widely available in various hotels, restaurants, bars, and cafés throughout Jalan Jaksa.
Situated in the heart of Jakarta, Jalan Jaksa is a strategic dwelling for travelers. It is located just about 1.5 km southward the National Monument which is widely recognized as the landmark of Jakarta. In comparatively short distance from the National Monument, you can also visit the National Museum by taking a walk. Travelers can easily explore fascinating places in other parts of Jakarta as the northern part of Jalan Jaksa is relatively close to TransJakarta Bank Indonesia shelter, whereas the southern part is not far from TransJakarta Sarinah shelter. You can feel the ambience of colonial Jakarta in the old town quarter, see the cultural diversity of Indonesia at Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park (Taman Mini Indonesia Indah), look around the animals at Ragunan Zoo, spend leisure times at Ancol Bay City Recreational Park, and go to many other places by only taking TransJakarta bus. Moreover, Jalan Jaksa is also near to Gondangdia train station where you can start your journey to the hinterlands of Jakarta.
For travelers who like to shop, staying in Jalan Jaksa is a perfect choice as it is located near a number of shopping malls in Central Jakarta. Jalan Jaksa is reachable in walking distance from Sarinah Plaza, the very first modern shopping mall in Jakarta where you can purchase assorted Batik collections plus Indonesia’s distinctive artwork and souvenirs. You can also come to shopping malls surrounding the HI Roundabout (Bundaran HI), Plaza Indonesia—the home of luxurious international brands which is adjacent to eX Entertainment X’nter—and Grand Indonesia Shopping Town—the largest shopping and entertainment complex in downtown Jakarta. Jalan Jaksa is also not far from Tanah Abang Blok A Market, the largest wholesale shopping center in Jakarta.
Every year the government of Jakarta Special Capital Region conducts Jalan Jaksa Festival, a joyful celebration of Jakarta’s anniversary. Jalan Jaksa Festival is regularly held in the middle of the year as a sequential attraction within the anniversary of Jakarta.The street is closed for vehicles, so anyone could intermingle to enjoy street parades and live music. During the festival, visitors are entertained with various cultural arts of indigenous Betawi people such as ondel-ondel (giant mascot puppets), palang pintu (traditional martial art), gambang kromong (traditional music), tanjidor (traditional orchestra), and marawis (traditional percussion). In addition, there are also booths displaying local products and culinary bazaar in this annual event.
The cheapest way to get to Jalan Jaksa from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is by taking Damri bus to Gambir train station for IDR 20,000 (about US$ 2.1). Then you can continue by taking taxi, bajaj (three-wheel motorcycle), or ojek (motorcycle taxi) for approximately IDR 10,000 to IDR 15,000 (about US$ 1.1–US$ 1.6). Otherwise, you can take a walk from Gambir train station to Jalan Jaksa for roughly 1.5 km. If you are taking TransJakarta bus, hop off at Sarinah or Bank Indonesia shelter and take a promenade to Jalan Jaksa.
If you are traveling to Jakarta in limited budget, Jalan Jaksa is undoubtedly the most suitable place for you to rest upon. Get the nicest experience of low-cost traveling in Indonesia’s largest city by spending time in Jalan Jaksa.
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