The crowded Indonesian island offers the tourist, in addition to the hustle and bustle of the big cities, unique natural wonders and unforgettable experiences.
An island of over one hundred million inhabitants
According to Abbreviation Finder, Java is home to more people than any other island on earth. It is estimated that there are more than 120 million inhabitants in an area the size of Lapland. One square kilometer is inhabited on average by almost a thousand inhabitants.
About half of Indonesia’s island is quite mountainous, while rice farmers have adopted the second half. The most familiar landscape for the tourist is still probably a lively human bustle.
Big cities and natural wonders
Large and by many standards diverse Java can be roughly divided into three parts: western, central, and eastern.
The West is dominated by Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia and home to more than 10 million people. The national hustle and bustle is counterbalanced by national parks with moist rainforests in the northwest and mountains in the middle.
The center of central Java, in turn, is the former capital and cultural center of Yogyakarta. The world-famous shrines of Borobudur and Prambanan are also nearby.
To the east is the industrial city of Surabaya, Indonesia’s second largest population center. The tourist magnets of East Java include many volcanoes, of which Bromo is probably the most famous.
Security in Java
In much of Indonesia, the tourist succeeds in using traditional common sense, but it is still good to keep in mind that situations in the country can change quickly.
Terrorist attacks in the country in particular have received public attention and their threat should be taken into account. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are also not uncommon in Indonesia, which is in the ring of fire in the Pacific.
Especially when traveling outside major cities, you should dress and behave quite conservatively, as most of the inhabitants of the island of Java practice Islam.
Check the Travel Information before departure.
Avoid the rainy season
Java hardly enjoys seasonal variations, as the island is located almost at the equator. Temperatures are in the heat all year round and humidity remains high.
When heading to Java, you should avoid the rainy season, which takes place between about October and April.
FLIGHTS, ACCOMMODATION AND MOVEMENT IN JAVA
A long journey to Java
You cannot get to Indonesia from Finland by direct flight, but it is necessary to change the plane. In general, it is most convenient to do on the European side.
Travel prices vary by time. You can usually get to Jakarta for about 800-1200 euros.
Affordable housing
Overnight stays, among many other items of expenditure, are largely cheap throughout Indonesia. Larger population centers range from insignificant inns to five-star luxury reading rooms.
More expensive hotel rooms often do not cost more than a hundred euros. At its cheapest, you can get a roof over your head again for less than five euros.
Getting around takes time
If you travel in Indonesia and especially on the island of Java, you should fly even longer distances. While local airlines don’t have a very good reputation globally, at least Garuda takes you by bus or train more conveniently.
Due to mountainous landscapes, constant congestion, and poor roads, moving from one place to another can take an incomprehensible amount of time.
In larger cities, the most convenient means of transportation is a taxi. However, in case of scammers, it is always advisable to be vigilant and use only reliable taxi companies. Examples include Blue Bird and Silver Bird.
JAVA DESTINATIONS
Jakarta – a huge capital
Jakarta is startlingly hot, suffocatingly humid and under the influence of an almost 24-hour traffic jam. In a chaotic city of more than ten million inhabitants, it is still possible to enjoy oneself as well.
Jakarta is the best place to discover the local cuisine, there are numerous cheap and huge shopping malls and the nightlife is very hectic – especially considering that it is a Muslim-dominated city.
Bromo – a stopping volcano
Located in the eastern part of Java, just over a hundred kilometers from the city of Surabaya, Bromo is a still-operating volcano that rises to a height of more than two kilometers, and the surrounding national park is popular with tourists.
Especially in the vicinity of the volcano is worth heading to at sunrise. Sunbeams that turn reddish through orange to yellow reveal magnificent, mist-covered valleys as well as a spectacular mountain.
Many local travel agencies arrange trips to the volcano nearby. It is advisable to book warm clothing, as the temperature in the upper air is much cooler than in the lower regions.
Borobudur – a massive shrine
Located near Yogyakarta, Borodbur is the world’s largest temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Indonesia’s most popular attractions.
The monument, which is over a thousand years old, was built in its time for almost a hundred years. More than two million boulders were used as material.
The end result is impressive: the base of the monument is formed by a huge pyramid adorned with countless statues, tombstones and monuments.
