Jayapura



Jayapura is the capital and largest city in Papua, with a population of 315,000 people in 2014. 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 country's major cities and perhaps contributes to the less modern development of the town. However, with the intensification of development in the Papua province, this city is growing, and attracting investment and tourism.

Understand
Papua has always been considered the most ignored 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 centre of New Guinea, further developed by the Dutch in the 1900s as a port of entry to explore 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 in World War II by General Douglas MacArthur for the 1945 Philippine Conquest and to prevent Japan from taking over New Guinea and Australia to its south. After the war though, after Indonesia gained its independence, the Dutch refused to relinquish the territory until a 1962 referendum supervised by the UN gave the territory to Indonesia. The city was renamed "Sukarnopura" for the Indonesian leader's contribution to freeing the land from the Dutch.

The city name reverted to Jayapura before the colonisation in 1968. The Indonesian government's transmigration policy has further populated the area with residents, especially from Java. Jayapura is perhaps the most diverse city you can find in Papua. The traditional Papuan races have blended in well with migrants from other parts of Indonesia.

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

By plane
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.

Get to/from the airport
There is a bus served by the state-owned, DAMRI. The fare is Rp50,000 to the downtown of Jayapura.

By car
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 for more details), an Indonesian visa can be arranged at the consulate in either Port Moresby or Vanimo, 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 is a tourist attraction as it contains markets and exotic ornaments that are from Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The Indonesian rupiah and Papua New Guinean kina currencies are accepted.

Get around
The public transport system consists of numerous minivans which have their destination route printed on the side. Each trip usually costs Rp6,000 per person.

Dedicated drivers can be arranged through the Swiss-Bel hotel for around Rp800,000 per day.

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

Buy
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 locals 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, cheap clothes, accessories, DVDs, etc., can be found here. Local produce is also sold at these markets and makes for an interesting walk.

Souvenirs

 * Noken bag. A UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage stuff. A knotted net or woven bag handmade from wood fibre or leaves by communities in Papua.
 * Sari buah merah. Pandanus conoideus juice. It is healthy natural medicinal drink.

Eat
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 noodle soup vendors. The most expensive street food will cost you less than Rp40,000.

Drink
Drinking in Jayapura is limited. Most restaurants will serve Bintang beer if you ask; however, it may not necessarily be cold. There are some bars and nightclubs in Entrop (5-min drive from the city), but they are not heavily frequented. The Swiss Belhotel bar is nice, but quiet.

Sleep
A number of hotels can be found in the city.

Consulates

 * 🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea

Go next

 * Papua New Guinea is a 90-minute ride to the east.
 * Fly to Baliem Valley if you want to get to know more about the indigenous cultures and tribes of Papua.
 * As a hub city, you may fly to some cities in Papua, Biak, Manokwari, Merauke, Sorong, and Timika.
 * Arso, the capital of Keerom Regency. 2 hr by land.
 * Sarmi, the city of the wave. 7 hr by land.