Jayapura

A Gate to the Adventurous Journey

Jayapura, located in East Papua, is the starting point for many travelers wanting to make the adventurous journey into the interior of Papua. Travelers come here for all kinds of adventures. This is where you can begin your trek into the remote Baliem Valley, or conduct sustainable crocodile conservation study for your thesis, or prepare to capture the magic of Lake Sentani and its culture on camera.

On a lush hill stands a red-and-white communication tower which is the best place to to view the town. While this may not be the most exciting activity to do in Papua, it’s a good way to get your bearings and discover just how large is this region. Jayapura is after all, only a gateway to your extraordinary journey into one of the largest islands on the planet.

 

Get Around

The town is small in size, so you can visit many places easily on foot. However, if you intend to visit Sentani and the beaches on the outskirts of town, it might be best to try public transport. The public transport terminal is there just across the post office. Angkot (public minibus) is convenient and quite economical. Chartered minibus (the taxi) is another option but requires bargaining skills. Again, be sure that to agree to a price before you depart.

Get There

As a capital city of a vast province, Jayapura is well connected to many large cities in Indonesia by air and by sea. If you are flying it is advisable to always double-check your flight details with your airline since there is a distressing tendency to overbook seats. All flights land and take off at Sentani Airport, located around 40 km (25 miles) from Jayapura.

Outside the airport, minibuses wait for passengers going to Jayapura. Prices vary widely so make sure you agree to a price before you get in. 

Pelni Liners Office is located on Jalan Halmahera No 1. Five different classes are available in the ship. Please check the officer for current price list.