Jogjakarta's Day Trips

Yogyakarta is an amazing city with a lot to see, but there are also a number of other astounding locations scattered throughout the area. Visitors may want to consider getting away from Yogyakarta for a day or two to check out some of the following:

Borobudur Temple – This is a frequent attraction destination for Yogyakarta visitors. It is known for being the largest Buddhist monument in existence today. It is located approximately forty minutes drive to the north of the city.

Ketep – This small town is located approximately forty minutes drive north of Yogyakarta , just to the east of Borobudur Temple (see above). Travelers who head to see the temple should drive over to this location to get the best view possible of the Mount Merapi.

Mount Merapi – This is a volcanic mountain located to the north of Yogyakarta . It has been known to erupt in small amounts so visitors should always ask locally before heading to this area. At the base of the mountain is the small town of Kaliurang.


Parangtritis Beach – Visitors interested in exploring the local beaches should head south to this one. But, they should be forewarned; this is a beach for seeing the water, not for swimming in it.

Other locations all through Java
( http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g2... )
and greater Indonesia ( http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g2... )
are also excellent for day trips.

Yogyakarta Public Transportation

Public transportation in Yogyakarta is one of the best methods of getting around the area. There are buses which, although sometimes crowded, are relatively easy to use for getting around. There are also trishaw carts and horse carts which tend to be inexpensive, a bit more comfortable than buses and have the added benefit of offering a unique travel experience for visitors from other parts of the world.
The trishaw and the horse cart options are both local forms of public transportation. The trishaw comes in different forms, including the three-wheel traditional cart known as the becak. The horse-cart is more like a carriage and tends to be a bit more comfortable, and slightly pricier than the trishaw. Each of these is inexpensive and prices can be negotiated with the drivers. The main difference between the two in terms of travel around the area is that the hose-cart is frequently set up on a standard route (similar to the modern bus system) while the trishaw will take travelers to their specified destination (similar to the modern taxi system).
Travelers interested in using the public bus system to get around the area should find that it is relatively convenient. Visitors should note that it is a crowded system which puts them at risk for travel safety concerns such as pick pocketing. The bus is basically safe but visitors should remain alert. See http://www.itisnet.com/english/asia/i... for bus contact information.

Yogyakarta Getting Around

You can explore Yogya on foot around the Malioboro area - which is the main shopping street. However, traffic is heavy with hundreds of bicycles, trishaws & cars. If you are staying for a few days, it is advisable to hire a car with a driver who can drive you anywhere in the city & to the historical sights. Car hire fees should include unlimited petrol & most hotel staff will be able to assist you.Almost Becaks (Trishaws)

Wherever you wander on foot in Jogja, you can be guaranteed to hear the familiar, "Becak, mister?" from one of the dozens of becak-drivers. A becak is, basically, a modified bicycle with a twin seat on the front, with the guy on the back. pedalling. Good if you want to experience a more open and leisurely view of the town, but not so good if you like to breathe in the copious amounts of pollution given off by other traffic.

Scooters have been found for hire for as little as Rp 18,000 ($2US) per day in the tourist-area of Jogja, around Prawirotaman, but you need to provide your own gas for these, and might be an idea to get them checked over at one of the many Honda service-centers dotted around the city, just to make sure you last the day on one of these. You often take your life in your own hands when you brave the traffic on the streets of Jogja!

Yogyakarta's Weather & When to Go

The temperature in Yogyakarta tends to be relatively moderate, although high levels of humidity can make the summers in the area seem quite hot. The average summer high temperature is in the nineties and the average humidity at that time is approximately seventy five percent. Humidity throughout the rest of the year varies between sixty five and eighty five percent. The average temperature throughout the year is a comfortable eighty degrees, with the average winter low being in the sixties.

Despite the fact that it is hotter in the area during the summer, many people travel to Yogyakarta at this time because it also marks the area’s dry season. Yogyakarta is a wet environment, with a rainy season which begins in September and continues through May. The heaviest monsoon rains generally last from January through April, with February being the rainiest month. The area has been known to experience horrifying tropical storms, so visitors should remain updated about current weather conditions in the days leading up to their trip.

Updated weather information for Yogyakarta , including short-term weather forecasts, can be located online through Yahoo! Weather ( http://weather.yahoo.com/climo/IDXX00... ),
MSN Weather ( http://weather.msn.com/local.aspx?wea... )
and Weather.com ( http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel... ).