Think Twice Before Visiting Sunda Kelapa Port in Jakarta – Here’s Why

Today, I’m going to share my personal experience visiting Sunda Kelapa Port (Pelabuhan Sunda Kelapa) in Jakarta, Indonesia. While this place is often introduced as a “must-see spot” in guidebooks, I discovered it’s actually extremely unsuitable for tourism. Based on my actual visit, I’d like to share some important precautions for anyone considering going there.

What is Sunda Kelapa Port?

Located in northern Jakarta, Sunda Kelapa Port is described in many travel guides and websites as:

• A port with a long history dating back to the 12th century
• The main trading port of the former Sunda Kingdom
• A scenic spot where traditional sailing ships (Pinisi boats) can be seen
• A place to experience Indonesia’s maritime culture and trading history

Just hearing this, it sounds like one of Jakarta’s prime tourist attractions, doesn’t it? I too immediately added it to my visit list when planning my Indonesia trip. However, when I actually visited, I discovered it was a place with various challenges as a tourist spot.

The Harsh Reality: Poor Accessibility

My first impression was that access to Sunda Kelapa Port was much more difficult than I had imagined. I took a taxi from central Jakarta, and was surprised by the travel time. Due to chronic traffic congestion, it took more than twice as long as expected.

Even more problematic was what I encountered when we got close to the port. There was a gate on the road to the port, and beyond that point, general vehicles were prohibited. The taxi driver looked confused, as if wondering why anyone would want to go to such a place, and ultimately said he could only drop me off here.

I thought about walking to the port, but under the scorching sun, I didn’t even know how far I would need to walk to reach it. Considering the risk of heat stroke, it seemed dangerous to just start walking aimlessly. However, having come this far, I couldn’t turn back, so I decided to head toward the port anyway.

Disappointing Port Scenery

The port scenery I finally reached was, to be honest, disappointing. While there were indeed several sailing vessels docked, they lacked the exotic appeal of Maldivian dhonis or Omani dhows, and at first glance looked like ordinary large cargo ships. Besides that, there weren’t any particular points of interest. There were no historical buildings that evoked a sense of history; it just felt like a working commercial port.

There were few information boards or explanatory materials, making it difficult to understand the port’s historical significance. I saw everything within minutes and felt a sense of emptiness, thinking, “Did I come all this way just for this?”

Almost No Facilities for Tourists

Despite being promoted as a tourist destination, there were hardly any facilities for tourists. There were few benches or shaded areas to rest, and apart from Restaurant Marina Batavia, there were no cafes, food stalls, or souvenir shops. Finding a restroom was also a struggle.

Of course, there were no exhibitions to learn about the port’s history or culture, nor activities to interact with local people. There were truly few elements for tourists to enjoy.

Securing Transportation Back: The Greatest Challenge

I experienced the biggest struggle of this trip when trying to leave. How would I secure transportation back? Similar to my arrival, I opened the Gojek ride-hailing app on my smartphone, but couldn’t get any cars in this remote location. The app that normally secures a ride within seconds was completely non-functional here.

As I waited under the scorching sun, my energy was rapidly depleting, and I worried I might actually get heat stroke. There were no toilets, convenience stores, or even vending machines in sight, making it impossible to rehydrate properly. Eventually, after spending considerable time, I walked to a location with more traffic and finally managed to catch a taxi. During this time, I had to walk for more than ten minutes under the blazing sun and nearly collapsed. Fighting anxiety about potentially being stranded under Jakarta’s scorching sun was an unexpectedly harsh experience.

Reflections and Lessons

From this experience, I learned several important lessons about travel planning:

1. Don’t blindly trust information from guidebooks or websites

2. Gather the most current local information possible

3. Research access methods in detail beforehand

4. Plan including transportation back

5. Consider weather and temperature conditions when creating an itinerary

6. Check availability of hydration and rest areas

Especially in regions like Indonesia and Thailand where affordable ride-hailing apps are widely used, you gradually develop the impression that you can easily get back from anywhere during your travels. In reality, it’s important to remember that even in urban areas like Jakarta, your transportation options can suddenly vanish when you venture into industrial areas with few people.

Conclusion: Exercise Caution When Considering Sunda Kelapa Port as a Tourist Destination

In conclusion, I cannot recommend Sunda Kelapa Port for general tourists. If you have a special interest in history or ports, or if you deliberately want to experience a local atmosphere, it might be worth visiting with sufficient preparation and determination. However, for general tourism purposes, it may not be worth dedicating your time and effort to visit.

Travel can involve enjoying the gap between expectations and reality, but sometimes it’s a wise decision to choose “not to go.” I hope you’ll consider this experience when planning your Jakarta trip. The risk of heat stroke is really serious, so please take adequate precautions!