Jayapura

Jayapura is the capital and largest city in Papua, Indonesia. The city has also been known in the past as Hollandia (1910-1962), Kota Baru (1962-1963) and even Sukarnopura (1963-1968).

As the easternmost province (and provincial capital) of Indonesia, it is somewhat far from most of the nation's major cities and perhaps contributes to the less modern development of the town. However, with the recent government's intensification on developing the Papua province, this city is now thriving, welcoming businessmen to invest and tourists to explore the exotic province.

Jayapura Halal Travel Guide

Papua has always been considered the most adventurist part of Indonesia, in terms of development and tourism; a reputation that stems from the very far distance from other big cities in the nation. Jayapura began as a trading post nestled on a bay right at the center of New Guinea, further developed by the Dutch colonizers in the 1900s as a port of entry to plunder Eastern New Guinea, and gave the name Hollandia which means "the village of the Dutch".

The area houses the frontline of the United States Air Force on World War II by General Douglas MacArthur for the 1945 Philippine Conquest as well as to avoid Japan from taking over New Guinea and ultimately Australia to its south. After the war though, as the nation of Indonesia was then born and the Dutch refused to relinquish the land until a 1962 referendum supervised by the UN ultimately gave the land to Indonesia, giving the city another name called Sukarnopura for his contribution in freeing the land from the Dutch Indies colony.

The city name reverted back to Jayapura as it was before the colonization in 1968 and government transmigration further populate the area with residents, especially from Java. Jayapura is perhaps the most diverse city you can find in Papua. The traditional Papua races have blended in well with migrants from other parts of Indonesia.

Orientation

Jayapura City administratively actually includes a number of neighborhoods. The most populated areas are at the city proper and the Abepura neighborhood that is halfway between the airport and the city. Heavy traffic occasionally occurs as plenty of people would commute between the two areas.

Travel to Jayapura

Fly to Jayapura

• Sentani International Airport IATA Flight Code: DJJ Virtually every national carrier in Indonesia flies from either Jakarta, Denpasar, or Makassar. It also acts as a transit point for flying deeper into the smaller cities and various settlements in Papua. Flights from Jakarta take nearly 6 hours and many include a stopover in Makassar.

Do not miss the view when you are landing, as the curvy green hills bumps above the blue lake, a good first impression of Papua's unspoiled nature.

Rent a Car or Limousine in Jayapura

From the neighboring Papua New Guinea, you can travel for up to 2 hours from the border crossing at Skouw Checkpoint. While most countries are eligible for a visa waiver (See Indonesia#Get In for more details), an Indonesian visa can be arranged at the consulate in either Port Moresby or Vanimo and the last checkpoint before entering Indonesia. Public Motor Vehicles travel regularly between Vanimo and the Wutung border crossing. Once across the Indonesian border there are taxis into Jayapura.

The border town of Skouw itself is a tourist attraction as it contains markets and exotic ornaments that are from both Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Both Indonesian rupiah and Papua New Guinean kina currency are accepted.

How to get around in Jayapura

The public transport system consists of numerous minivans which have their destination route printed on the side. Each trip usually costs Rp 8,000 per person.

Dedicated drivers can be arranged through the Bel-Swiss hotel for around Rp 800,000 per day.

What to see in Jayapura

• General Macarthur Memorial A monument honoring the American general Douglas MacArthur that defended the Philippines, New Guinea, and Australia from Japan on World War II; Then-Hollandia was where the military airplanes and operations took off. Whilst the memorial itself is basic and the steepness of the terrain makes the site a spectacular vantage point. A number of old Dutch colonial houses can also be seen on the road up to the memorial.

• Hamadi Beach - A local harbor beach near the city. On the beach are four large artillery emplacements from the WWII. Further down the beach are the local fish markets. The beach itself is not very well-kept and covered in rubbish. However, at night a number of food stalls are set up and provides plenty of atmosphere.

• Base G Beach - A white sandy beach with pristine light blue waters overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Quiet and undisturbed, yet not so far from the downtown. The gazebos there are for rent though and preferable for a long rest in groups. Though entrance to the beach is free, beware of rip-offs from local residents.
• Lake Sentani A large freshwater lake surrounded by steep mountains. A small number of Halal restaurants and guesthouses are located on the edge of the lake.

• Jayapura City Hill - An equivalent to Seattle's Kerry Park or Los Angeles' Griffith Park and the park on the mountain has a wide and perfect view of the Jayapura city and the bay it nestles in.

The area around the governors residence consists of old Dutch colonial villas, some of which still have what look to be traditional-style gardens.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Jayapura

• Lake Sentani Festival - Every June, a portion of the lake (both the shore and the water) is used for a 4-day festivity that celebrates the indigenous yet diverse culture of Papua. The stage is lit with dances and traditional ceremonies, as crafts and local food & beverage favorites are on sale.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Jayapura

• Mal Jayapura - MJ | The largest in the metro area and the only mall in the downtown. Though its no different than any metropolitan shopping malls, this is the most chic place you can find to shop for everything you need.

• Saga Mall A basic mall at another neighborhood. Not as much anchor tenants as Mal Jayapura other than the first KFC in the city that made the local residents hyped.

A number of local craft stores in Hamadi sell Papuan wood carvings, bark paintings, and other artifacts.

Abepura markets are a large local market in Abepura (20 min drive from Jayapura). This market caters to local residents and as such does not stock tourist items.

Jayapura city markets seem to be open every night and sell a broad range of items. Although most are for local consumption, affordable clothes, accessories, DVDs, etc., can be found here. Local produce is also sold at these markets and makes for an interesting walk.

Halal Food & Restaurants

• Rumah Laut - An upmarket place, built on stilts above the waters of Jayapura Bay. Literally meaning "The Sea House" and the menu includes seafood in addition to the usual Indonesian classics.

The street food is plentiful and good. Different areas of the city have their own specialty. On the road from the Swiss Belhotel to the city are BBQ seafood stalls. The easternmost main street of the city has a large number of satay Chicken stalls (although satay stalls are pretty much everywhere) and on one of the crossroads between the two main streets are Noodles soup vendors. The most expensive street food will cost you less than Rp 80,000.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Jayapura

Jayapura - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Jayapura, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Jayapura. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Jayapura and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Jayapura. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Jayapura. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inJayapura: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Jayapura.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Jayapura: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Jayapura, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Jayapura.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Jayapura, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Jayapura, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Jayapura and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Jayapura, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Jayapura, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Jayapura without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Jayapura is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Jayapura.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Jayapura is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Jayapura, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Jayapura Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

• Aston Jayapura Hotel and Convention Center | A mid-range hotel, right at the heart of the downtown and a close walk to the large shops.

• Swiss Belhotel - The most luxurious option in Jayapura, as its hotel and swimmingpool overlooks the bay. The facilities are of high standard and more importantly for travelers with no Indonesian language skills, some of the front desk staff can speak English.

A number of other (and affordableer) hotels can be found in the city.

Travel Next

• Papua New Guinea is a 90-minutes ride to the east.
• Fly to Baliem Valley if you want to get to know more about the indigenous cultures and tribes of Papua.

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