Morning

Early Breakfast: Get an early start thanks to The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Mega Kuningan’s Asia restaurant, which opens for breakfast at 6 a.m. The only thing holding you up may be your decision on what to eat — the buffet is one of Jakarta’s largest, and the international breakfast spread is particularly lavish.    

Symbol of Indonesia: In the center of Jakarta, in the middle of Merdeka Square, stands the city’s most iconic monument, a 422-foot marble obelisk symbolizing Indonesia’s strength and independence. On a clear day, take the lift to the top of the National Monument, also known as Monas, for a panoramic view of the skyscraper-studded city skyline. The monument’s grassy square is one of the world’s largest, and, in addition to fitness enthusiasts and kids flying kites, contains multiple historic statues and a fountain. 

The Architecture of Faith: Merdeka Square is surrounded by important government and cultural buildings. Don’t miss Istiqlal Mosque, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia with room for 120,000 worshippers. Its simple yet majestic prayer hall has a 148-foot grand dome supported by 12 dramatic columns. Adjacent to the mosque, you’ll find Jakarta Cathedral, a spectacular Roman Catholic church from 1901 built in the neo-gothic architectural style.

Midday

Essential Museum: The National Museum, on the west side of Merdeka Square, is a must-visit, widely regarded as the best museum in Indonesia, and one of the richest, most complete museum collections in Southeast Asia. Browse Hindu and Buddhist artifacts, bronze sculptures, archaeological and ethnological treasures, and ethnic costumes. Check to see if the Indonesian Heritage Society is offering one of their free English tours on the day you’re there. 

Afternoon

Lunch Like a Local: Jakarta’s massive Western-style malls are heaven for shopaholics, but they have another redeeming quality that makes them ideal for visitors: food courts full of reasonably priced local fare (and superb people-watching). Some savvy mall choices such as Lotte Shopping Avenue, Kuningan City Mall, and Kota Kasablanka are only minutes away from the hotel. Whichever you decide, the mall is the perfect place to try nasi goreng (fried rice topped with a fried egg) and Gado Gado (a salad of lightly cooked vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, potato, and tempeh served with a peanut sauce dressing). Take advantage of the hotel’s luxury shuttle service that will take you to any destinations within the Mega Kuningan area, including Lotte Shopping Avenue and Kuningan City Mall. 

Antique Alley: For actual shopping, leave behind the comfort zone of Jakarta’s Western-style malls for an unforgettable experience at Jalan Surabaya, an open-air market that’s been around for decades. From a lineup of stalls and shops, vendors hawk authentic antiques as well as jewelry, woodcarvings, figurines, furniture, and textiles. Haggling is expected, and most sellers speak enthusiastic English. 

Take a Break: Jalan Surabaya is home to Giyanti Coffee Roastery, one of Jakarta’s top cafés for its commitment to the craft of roasting coffee beans and its exceptional quality (everything is fresh and local). The hip vibe doesn’t hurt, either. Don’t forget the homemade apple pie, and a bag of java beans to bring home. 

Maritime Past: Head north to the old port, still referred to as Sunda Kelapa, the original name from when it was the premier port of the Hindu Sunda Kingdom of Pajajaran (669 to around 1579). It’s now just a minor port in Jakarta but has a very specialized role as the only place that accommodates pinisi. The traditional two-masted wooden sailing ships are incredibly photogenic and are used today for inter-island freight within the Indonesian archipelago.

Evening

A Dinner to Remember: If you have only one dinner in Jakarta, it must be at Skye Bar and Restaurant on the rooftop of the BCA Tower skyscraper. Start with a cocktail in the lounge on the terrace to soak up the city-lights views from 750 feet. Then move indoors behind floor-to-ceiling windows to savor the creative, international menu focused on Latin American cuisine with Middle Eastern and Asian influences. 

Dance All Night: Jakarta has a rollicking nightlife scene, and Dragonfly is the darling of the swanky Mega Kuningan business district. The décor is modern Asian at its finest — sleek, chic, and a touch over the top. The scene is social yet relaxed until after 10 p.m. when top local and international DJs take the stage and the entire place turns into a dance party.   

Morning

A Trip Back in Time: Jakarta’s original downtown, called Old Town, or Kota Tua, exists much as it did in the 17th century when it was Batavia, the capital of the Dutch East Indies and the center of the Asian spice trade. Start at Fatahillah Square, where street performers, peddlers, and food vendors make for a lively scene.  

Unexpected Gem: Old Town’s stately post office, a meticulously restored building from 1929 flanked by two mighty Dutch Navy cannons, has been reborn as a contemporary art gallery. You can still mail postcards from the first floor.  

Midday

Top Museums: There are several small, yet interesting, museums in Old Town, like the Puppet (or Wayang) Museum, which explains and displays traditional Indonesian shadow puppets. And the Museum Bank, tracing Indonesia’s financial history back a thousand years. The must-see is the Jakarta History Museum, offering a deep dive into the region’s Dutch colonial rule.   

Afternoon

Historic Lunch: Beautiful Café Batavia dates back to the 1830s, with tall windows overlooking Fatahillah Square. Period colonial-style furniture and traditional Dutch East India cuisine complete the historic vibe.  

Cultural Immersion: Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, a 250-acre cultural park on the outskirts of Jakarta, is worth the drive. A cable car takes you over the lake, looking down on the dozens of full-scale replicas of traditional Indonesian homes. Don’t miss the komodo dragon in the bird and reptile aviary.  

Evening

Innovative Dinner: The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Mega Kuningan’s fun-dining restaurant, Lobo, serves modern European-style cuisine which is by far one of the best in town. Each Michelin star-inspired a la carte dish is elevated by pairings from Lobo’s extensive wine cellar.

Sky-High Nightcap: Finish the evening 750 feet in the air, at the Skye Bar on the rooftop of the BCA Tower skyscraper. The city-light views are just as satisfying as the creative cocktails. 

Morning

Must-See Monuments: Start the day at Merdeka Square in the city core. You’ll find statues of Indonesian national heroes like Kartini and Diponegoro, and Arjuna, the protagonist from the ancient Indian epic the Mahabharata. In the center of the square stands the unmistakable National Monument, a 422-foot obelisk.

Landmark Mosque: Istiqlal Mosque is the largest in Southeast Asia. Non-Muslims are welcome, following a short briefing on Islam and the removal of their shoes. First lady Michelle Obama is among the many visitors who’ve gazed up at the 148-foot dome from the grand prayer hall.

Midday

The Elephant Building: The National Museum gets its nickname from the bronze elephant statue overseeing its entrance, a gift from the king of Thailand. Give yourself an hour or two to contemplate the many exotic artifacts in this splendid collection — considered Southeast Asia’s most complete. 

Afternoon

The Art of Batik: At the National Textile Museum, a 19th-century mansion across the Ciliwung River, you can try your hand at the art of Indonesian batik, an intricate fabric dyeing and design process that hails from the island of Java. Museum staff will guide you through the steps to create your own piece.  

Treasure Hunt: Head to the trendy Menteng district, where you’ll find what’s known as Antique Alley, a series of irresistible stalls and kiosks lining one side of Jalan Surabaya Street. This is your chance to haggle prices like a local.

Evening

Cultured Cuisine: Check with the concierge at The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Mega Kuningan for reservations at Sampan Matsuda Sentra. The brainchild of Indonesian dancer and choreographer Sampan Hismanto, the iconic restaurant fuses classic Indonesian cuisine with professional dance performances highlighting Javanese culture. 

Morning

Breakfast Like a Local: Jakarta is famous for its massive Western-style malls, not just for the shopping, but for the food. Visit the luxurious Pacific Place mall for breakfast at Paul, a delicious French bakery with a cozy, casual ambiance. 

Mall Culture: Shopping is like a national sport in Jakarta, and the hotel is surrounded by many shopping malls. Conveniently located within walking distance of the hotel, Lotte Shopping Avenue is one of the high-end malls in the area, with vast choices of branded stores, restaurants, and entertainment spots. The hotel’s shuttle service is available for drop-off at the mall. 

Midday

Urban Oasis: Suropati Park offers a welcome reprieve from the metropolitan bustle of Jakarta. Locals jog the path around the handsome park’s exterior and do yoga on its grassy interior. A half-dozen statues were added in the 1980s. Don’t miss the small garden across from the park containing Pangeran Diponegoro, an impressive statue worth a visit.   

Afternoon

Explore Chinatown: The district of Glodok is Jakarta’s Chinatown, a place that has been around since long before Indonesia existed as a nation. You’ll find Jin De Yuan Temple, the city’s oldest Chinese temple, built in 1650 and rebuilt in 1755. This is the neighborhood to try Jakarta’s famed street food. 

Get the Shot: Jakarta’s maritime past is alive and well at Sunda Kelapa harbor, a major port in its time, now dedicated to old schooners known as pinisi. These majestic sailboats once traveled as far as Vietnam. Now they’re used for inter-island transport within Indonesia, and epic Instagram photos.

Evening

Splurge Dinner: Go all out on your last night in Jakarta at Lobo, where you’ll enjoy things like caviar, Wagyu beef tenderloin and lobster. For a truly special evening, opt for the tasting menu, complete with wine pairings.