Jayapura, the beating heart of life in West Papua, is equally as stunning as it is controversial. Surrounded by beautiful beaches, islands, and lakes, this would be the capital of an independent West Papua, but politics means it is not.

It is, though, the regional capital, full of fun things to do and most likely somewhere you will pass through if you visit the region. Therefore, we have put together a little Jayapura Guide for anyone interested in going there.

What the Jayapura?

Jayapura sits on the northern coast of Papua, Indonesia’s easternmost province. Founded as Hollandia by the Dutch in 1910, it has grown into a bustling city of roughly 300,000 people. It serves as the administrative, economic, and cultural centre of West Papua. The city is known for its tropical climate, with lush hillsides and nearby Sentani Lake offering stunning views.

The population is ethnically diverse, including indigenous Papuans, as well as migrants from other parts of Indonesia. Jayapura is a gateway to exploring the natural beauty of West Papua, from pristine beaches and offshore islands to the famous Cyclops Mountains.

Despite being under Indonesian control since the 1960s, Jayapura remains a focal point of Papuan identity and culture. Political tensions persist, but the city continues to develop slowly, balancing modernity and tradition.

What is there to do in Jayapura Guide

With its ethnically diverse nature, natural beauty, and central importance to Papuan culture, there are actually a whole heap of things to see and do in Jayapura.

With that in mind, we have put together our top ten must-do activities for when you visit the city.

Top 10 Things to do in Jayapura and Sentani

Teletubbies Hill (Bukit Teletubbies)

About 20 minutes’ drive south of Jayapura city center, near Heram village. Hike the rolling green hills for panoramic views of the city and coast. Great for photos and a peaceful walk.

Stilt Houses of Hamadi Village

Located in Hamadi Village, around 5 km from downtown Jayapura along the coast. Explore traditional Papuan stilt houses built over water, see unique architecture, and experience local fishing lifestyles.

Yotefa Beach

South of Jayapura city center, near Hamadi Village along the coastline. Relax on the beach, swim in calm waters, watch fishing boats, and try local food stalls nearby.

Asei Island

Accessible by a short boat ride from Hamadi Harbor or Yotefa Beach. Perfect for snorkeling, swimming, exploring island life, and enjoying fresh seafood.

Sentani Lake

About 20 km west of Jayapura near Sentani town and the airport. Take a boat tour, visit surrounding villages, watch traditional fishing, and hike nearby hills.

Pasar Hamadi (Hamadi Market)

Central Hamadi Village, just south of the city center. Browse fresh produce, Papuan crafts, street food, and soak up authentic local life.

Jayapura Harbour

On the coast near downtown Jayapura. Watch the busy fishing and trading port, traditional boats, and enjoy nearby seafood restaurants.

Koya Beach

About 10 km east of Jayapura city along the coast. Ideal for quiet beach walks, picnics, and seeing local fishing communities.

Youtefa Dam (Waduk Youtefa)

Around 5 km east of Jayapura city center. A peaceful reservoir with nice views and spots for quiet strolls.

Museum of Papua

Located at Jalan Merdeka No. 1, Jayapura city center. Learn about the history and culture of the Papuan people through well-curated exhibits.

Eating in Jayapura Guide

Like most cities in Indonesia, cuisine and business are dominated by (bad) Javanese food, true for both restaurants and street food. Unlike in Wamena though, there are actually a few Papuan restaurants here where you can get decent chicken and taro. For whatever reason though, and much like in Papua New Guinea, local restaurants tend to close early.

Being a slightly more developed, dare we say cosmopolitan city, there are more western influences here than in other parts of West Papua. This includes Burger King, the local fast food chain A&W, as well as legit resto-bars where you can chow down a steak washed down with a Long Island Iced Tea.

Top 5 Restaurants in Jayapura Guide

• Resto Saereri
  Jalan Trikora No. 7, Jayapura
  Known for authentic Papuan dishes like ayam bakar (grilled chicken) and taro, this place is a local favourite for traditional flavours.
• Kedai Mie & Seafood Mangga Dua
  Jalan Yos Sudarso No. 12, Jayapura
  Great for fresh seafood and Indonesian staples, popular with locals and visitors alike.
• Rumah Makan Papua Indah
  Jalan Merdeka, Jayapura
  Specialises in Papuan cuisine, offering dishes like sago, grilled fish, and jungle vegetables.
• Warung Kopi Papeda
  Jalan Trikora, Jayapura
  A simple spot where you can try traditional papeda (sago porridge) alongside kopi tubruk (local coffee).
• D’Kopi Resto & Lounge
  Jalan Percetakan Negara, Jayapura
  Upscale restaurant serving steaks, cocktails, and international dishes for those wanting something a bit more western-style but still good quality.

Street Food Jayapura

While the Jayapura street food scene is not the best in the world, nor even Indonesia, it is still pretty good overall. Like other Indonesian cities, tented street food stands as well as bike-pulled street food trailers start hitting the streets before the sun goes down. In that respect, street food is everywhere.

The main street food street can be found on and around Hamadi Market. You will find local favourites here like mie goreng, nasi goreng, fried chicken, as well as bakso (meatball soup), soto ayam (chicken soup), and pisang goreng (fried banana). You will also find slightly more international fare like dim sum and even slightly dodgy sushi rolls.

The Jayapura Nightlife Guide

Thankfully, unlike Wamena, Jayapura is not dry, although this can be both a blessing and a curse depending on the scenario. Jayapura itself has a dedicated bar street with well-run bars and karaoke spots, as well as some legit resto-bar joints.

Liquor and beer-wise, there are “stores,” although they mostly sell beer. I did manage to snag not just some vodka, but also a weird local fruity wine that was 20%. Apparently, one can also get PNG-style Paiawara, although I did not get to try it.

Sadly, much like in West Timor the Indonesian influence means that even fancy hotels tend to have beer and nothing else. On the flip side, there is a drunkenness problem with some Papuans, which can make downtown a bit dodgy at night.

Top 5 Bars in Jayapura Guide

• Hangover Bar
  Jalan Trikora, Jayapura
  The abolsute bomb with great steaks actually good music and even Long Island Iced Tea!!!!
• KTV D’Nita
  Jalan Yos Sudarso
  Popular karaoke bar with private rooms.
• Restobar Jayapura
  Jalan Percetakan Negara
  A place to grab a steak and a few drinks.
• Beer Garden Hamadi
  Near Hamadi Market
  Open-air bar popular with locals and tourists.
• Bebek Bar
  Jalan Merdeka
  Laid-back bar with local and imported beers.

Where to sleep in Jayapura

There are two main areas to stay when you come to Jayapura: in the city itself, which is about 45 minutes from the airport, or in the stunningly beautiful Sentani region, which is where the airport is. We personally do our first night in the city before finishing in Sentani.

Swiss-Bell Hotel

Located downtown with a great location and facilities including a decent restaurant and in-room massage. It sits directly on the sea with beautiful ocean views. It’s within walking distance of bars, restaurants, and karaoke spots.

Sunny Garden Lake Sentani Hotel

Just 10-15 minutes from the airport, this place is another gem. It has a beautiful pool and a simple bar that serves mostly beer. Breakfast is so-so, but it’s a great place to spend your last night.

Getting in and out of Jayapura Guide

Jayapura is the main entry point to West Papua and serves as a crucial transport hub for the region. The city’s Sentani Airport is where most visitors will arrive and depart. It has regular flights connecting to several key Indonesian cities like Jakarta, Makassar, and Biak. The flight from Jakarta takes around four hours, which makes Jayapura surprisingly accessible considering how remote West Papua feels on the map. Airlines like Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, and Sriwijaya operate here, though expect limited flight options compared to bigger cities.

For those looking to travel overland or by sea, options are a bit more limited but still possible. Jayapura sits close to the border with Papua New Guinea (PNG), and it is possible to cross over by land via the Skouw border post. This crossing point is mainly used for local trade and official business, but adventurous travelers sometimes make the journey with the right paperwork. The border is not heavily trafficked, and the infrastructure is basic, so prepare for a rough ride and bureaucratic hurdles.

There are no regular passenger ferries running from Jayapura to other parts of Indonesia or PNG, though local boats and small vessels do operate around the coastal islands, including trips to places like Asei Island. For anyone arriving or leaving by sea, this is mostly a local affair rather than an international travel option.

Overall, flying remains the most reliable and straightforward way to get in and out of Jayapura. The airport’s proximity to Sentani Lake and the city center makes it easy to start your West Papua adventure straight away.

Conclusion on Jayapura

While this is far from a city without problems—problems that should be acknowledged and understood—it is also probably one of the most beautiful capital cities on earth. Many merely use it as a jumping-off point, but there are plenty of things to do here in its own right.

And honestly, if you can’t have fun surrounded by paradise, then really, what hope is there for you?

And you can check it out on one of our West Papua Tours.

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