Finding the best souvenirs is always a challenge, especially if you are unable to speak the language. You may end up walking around for hours at a time and still miss the best places and souvenir shops.
We have created a list of top ten souvenirs to bring home to your family and friends from Jakarta. We hope that you can make use of this list or at the very least obtain such much needed resources or ideas from it.
Image credit: Spacebird DesignsBatik fabric is an excellent gift to take back home, as it really captures the true heart of the Indonesian culture. Batik has been practiced for years and it is part of an ancient tradition. Some of the best textiles and fabric pieces in the world are made out of batik, which is testament to just how magnificent these pieces really are.
Cloth is decorated in a very specific way with the use of art and dye. Some items, which you could bring home, could be a beautiful handpicked batik scarf, a lovely throw or a magnificent batik pillow case.
BEST GIFTS FOR
Your female friends and family members back home who appreciate unique designs and textiles.
PORTABLE LEVEL
Easy to manage
PRICE RANGE
Can expect to pay anything from a few dollars right up to thousands of dollars.
WHERE TO BUY
Image credit: Ashley RingroseArt is a huge part of the Indonesian culture and you will notice different forms of art all around Jakarta. Local carvings are a very thoughtful gift to bring home as you will literally be bringing home an authentic piece of Indonesian art.
A great suggestion for a gift is an authentic and unique mask, made entirely out of carved wood. You could also choose a unique piece which may represent something significant from the culture, an ornament of sorts which would look ideal in a home or garden.
There are many designs, shapes, sizes and various qualities to choose from. You can have quite an exciting time picking and choosing, while learning all about the culture and traditions.
BEST GIFTS FOR
Great gifts for all those people who are a bit “odd” or “different” who you may struggle to find gifts for. You could buy an ideal carving to use as an ornament or even for a desk. These make perfect gifts for your dad, uncle,brother and male co-workers.
PORTABLE LEVEL
Manageable to hard to manage.
PRICE RANGE
A wood mask is sold at the price of from $2 to $5.
WHERE TO BUY
Image credit: Kevin GessnerThe history of puppets in Indonesia dates back centuries ago. Puppets were used to tell stories, folk tales and ancient myths. It is interesting to know that there are actually two distinct categories of puppets in Indonesia, mainly wayang kulit and wayang golek. Wayang kulit puppets refer to either shadow or leather puppets whereas wayang golek refers to wooden puppets.
All puppets are beautifully handmade and each one represents a different character, animal, god and representation. You will even be able to find some traditional designs that have been recreated in the form of puppets many times over, for the last couple of hundred years.
BEST GIFTS FOR
These are fantastic gifts for all the children in your life of various ages – your own children, nieces, nephews and the children of your best friends.
PORTABLE LEVEL
Manageable
PRICE RANGE
From $10 up
WHERE TO BUY
Image credit: NinehouseGamelan is the traditional and cultural Indonesian music, which is played for ceremonies and formal occasions. The traditional ensemble of music in Indonesia consists of percussive instruments. These instruments include bamboo flutes, rebab, xylophones, metallophones and hand playing drums.
One of the best unique aspects about these instruments is that no two pieces are the same, which means that each gift is really a one of a kind. You could choose to purchase sets or individual items. If luggage space and budget are your concern, then just grab a bamboo flute.
BEST GIFTS FOR
These make beautiful gifts for any of your friends or family who are musical enthusiasts. Your teenage nephew or niece who plays an instrument, and a friend who sings in a choir or plays a musical instrument will appreciate it a lot.
PORTABLE LEVEL
Bamboo flutes are quite easy to manage.
PRICE RANGE
It costs you a few dollars to get a bamboo flute.
WHERE TO BUY
Image credit: Martijn NijenhuisBatik paintings carry a great sense of culture and tradition in Indonesia. All around Jakarta you may notice many different types of batik paintings ranging in sizes, colors, quality and designs. While many paintings can be extremely expensive you can also find smaller pieces which could serve as an ideal gift to take back home.
The painting process is very tricky as all the parts of the picture need to be waxed together and finished at the same time. Art lovers around the world truly appreciate the time, effort, energy and dedication which go into these paintings.
You know your people back home best, therefore it may be a good idea to really think carefully about the paintings they will like and appreciate. You can choose from landscapes, villages, tribes, animals and even mythical creatures.
BEST GIFTS FOR
Perfect gift to bring home for your parents or grandparents as it could make a great addition to their living room as a display piece on the wall.
PORTABLE LEVEL
From manageable to hard to manage.
PRICE RANGE
From around $25 all the way up, depending on the size and piece.
WHERE TO BUY
Image credit: fredenslundImagine buying a coffee enthusiast one of the most expensive coffees in the world as a gift. Now is your opportunity to do exactly that as the Kopi Luwak or Civet Coffee is literally one of the most expensive coffees that exist. It is very seldom produced adding to its desirability and exclusivity. One of the best aspects about this coffee is that it does not contain the bitterness that usually comes along with a quality coffee blend.
Kopi Luwak is made with part digested coffee cherries which are eaten and then excreted by the Asian palm civet. This form of processing is very unique to Indonesia and although it may sound not so appetizing, people will tell you just how unique and amazing the coffee tastes.
You can get different tastes, flavors and varieties. The labor process that goes into the production of this coffee is extremely long and intense.
BEST GIFT FOR
Due to the exclusivity of this gift and the price, it could be a perfect gift for a spouse back home or a parent. If you want to really spoil your best friend who loves coffee then this is the desirable way to do so.
PORTABLE LEVEL
Manageable
PRICE RANGE
Please note this is a higher end souvenir as it is literally the most expensive coffee in the world. You can expect to pay between $100 and $600 per pound.
WHERE TO BUY
Image credit: pengrajin_perak_jogjaSilver crafts and silver jewellery are a sought after commodity all over the world. Indonesian silver craft is absolutely beautiful as each piece is hand made from scratch. You can see the hours and hours spent and the extensive labor which goes into the creation of these one of a kind designs. Those choose to go with silver jewellery will be spoilt for choice between necklaces, earrings, pendants, and rings.
If you can’t travel all the way to Kotagede, “the city of silver”, to get your silver piece, then just buy it in Jakarta.
BEST GIFTS FOR
These gifts are ideal for all the beautiful and fashionable females in your life. Everyone from an aunt to a mother or daughter deserves a beautiful authentic silver craft piece brought back from your Jakarta trip.
PORTABLE LEVEL
Easy to manage
PRICE RANGE
Start from around $15 for a small simple design.
WHERE TO BUY
Sarinah department store (Jalan M. H. Thamrin No. 11, RT. 8 / RW. 4, Gondangdia, Menteng, RT.8/RW.4, Gondangdia, Menteng, Kota Jakarta Pusat, DKI Jakarta 10350, Indonesia)
Image credit: Primashinta CollectionsOne of the most portable and easy gifts to bring home from Jakarta is batik coasters. They can be used for decorative purposes or for everyday practical use. If you know someone who loves serving and collecting different teas then this is the ideal gift for them. Consider buying a few picked out batik coasters for that older female in your life who is always baking and inviting the family over for tea and biscuits.
BEST GIFTS FOR
Ideal for your grandmother, mother and aunts who love drinking and serving teas, these make the best coasters imaginable.
PORTABLE LEVEL
Easy to manage
PRICE RANGE
From around $20
WHERE TO BUY
Unique House (JL. Metro Pondok Indah Plaza I UA 40 Jakarta Selatan)
Image credit: cibuel_moyTraditional snacks are great presents to take back home, after all who doesn’t enjoy trying something new. You will have many options to choose from and it is highly suggested that you give them all a taste first before coming to your final conclusion.
Some of these traditional and delicious Indonesian snacks include geplak Betawi, seaweed dodol, Biji Ketapang cookie, Kembang goyang and powdered Bir Pletok. Each one is a unique and well-packaged gift which can be transported easily and will make it back home safely. You won’t want to leave Jakarta without at least buying a few of these scrumptious snacks.
BEST GIFTS FOR
Great gifts for everyone back home who love a good snack. Your relatives, friends, family, mothers, fathers and even children will love it.
PORTABLE LEVEL
Easy to manage
PRICE RANGE
From Rp 24,000 ($1.80) per pack
WHERE TO BUY
Jakarta’s Craft and Souvenirs Center (Jl. Dr. Satrio Jakarta)
Image credit: christina rutzFirstly it needs to be said from the start these pieces are very exclusive and can be expensive. They are absolutely beautiful and are made from all different elements. For someone really special in your life that is having a big birthday coming up you could consider seriously spoiling them with a beautiful mabe pearl necklace.
Some pieces of Indonesian jewelry are made out of ancient Chinese ceramic pieces that were brought into the country by Chinese traders. From opals, birth stones and silver you will be amazed at the beautiful collections of Indonesian jewelry.
BEST GIFTS FOR
These pieces make a beautiful present for someone special in your life that you really want to spoil – a parent or daughter or a big engagement party to go to then this could be the perfect gift.
PORTABLE LEVEL
Easy to manage
PRICE RANGE
From a couple of hundred dollars
WHERE TO BUY
