Situated in the southeast of East Java, Jember is a large town which makes for a good base to explore the nearby beaches and mountains. The town itself is fairly uninteresting, however.
The biggest draw to the city of Jember is its handicrafts stores and its markets. Crafts such as wood carving, metalworking, and basket weaving are all popular in the region and Jember is a major center for selling these wares.
If you’ve made it this far into East Java, checking out Jember’s surroundings is a must. There are numerous beaches to the south of the city along the Indian Ocean coastline. Papuma Beach is the most popular due to its white sands. The beach is around 30 minutes by public transport from Jember along with nearby Watu Ulo beach. Mountains with waterfalls can be found to the east and north of Jember.
Getting There & Away
Unfortunately, Jember doesn’t have an airport. The nearest major one is Ngurah Rai International Airport about 200kms away in Denpasar, Bali, from where it’s a bit of hassle getting over to Jember. The closest airport is in Malang - Abdulrahman Saleh Military Airport - 130kms to the west and receiving 90-minute flights from Jakarta. Buses run to Jember from here in around 4 hours.
Things to Do
Jember Attractions
- Jember markets
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There are several popular and bustling markets in jember, with handicrafts of all types on offer. prices here are much more reasonable than in the larger centers of west and central java.
Side trips from Jember
- Papuma Beach
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The main attraction in the area, popular for its white sands and fantastic sea views.
Events
- Jember Fashion Carnival
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A colorful, annual day event in jember which features a plethora of fashion designs in august.