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Kebumen is a regency and city in Central Java, Indonesia. It offers beautiful beaches, historic places, hills and caves. Kebumen has an ancient geological national geopark site that stretches from Karangsambung to Karangbolong.

Understand

History

The word Kebumen is taken from the name Kyai Pangeran Bumidirja. He was an Islamic scholar and nobleman from the Mataram sultanate. He was in exile in Panjer (today's Kebumen) and changed his name to Kyai Bumi. He settled in Panjer and established an Islamic school. People started calling the place Ki-Bumi-An which referred to the Islamic school. Later, it became simply Kebumen. During the Mataram sultanate Kebumen was used by the ruler, Sultan Agung, to provide logistical support in his attempt to conquer Batavia (today's Jakarta).

People

Kebumen regency has a population of about one million in an area of approximately 1,300km². Therefore, it is not densely populated. The majority are Javanese and are able to speak Javanese and Indonesian. English is not widely spoken. Many people use the Banyumas and Yogyakarta dialects of Javanese. Many people work in the agriculture or fishing sectors.

Climate

The lowest average annual temperature is 20.6°C, while the highest temperature is about 34°C.

Visitor information

  • 1 Kebumen Regency Tourism Office (Dinas Pariwisata dan Kebudayaan Kabupaten Kebumen), Jl Pahlawan 136, ☏ +62 287 381988. 07:00–16:00. (updated Jul 2016)

Get in

By plane

The closest airport is New Yogyakarta International Airport in Yogyakarta. From there, you can get to Kebumen by train from Yogyakarta station or Lempuyangan station, or by bus from Giwangan terminal.

By train

There are two main train stations:

  • 2 Kebumen Station, Jl Stasiun. On the east side of Kebumen. (updated Jul 2016)
  • 3 Gombong Station, Jl Stasiun II, Gombong. To the west of Kebumen town. (updated Jul 2016)

There are also two minor train stations:

  • 4 Karanganyar Station, Jl Stasiun, Karanganyar. (updated Jul 2016)
  • 5 Prembun Station, Jl Stasiun, Prembun. This station only serves the Prambanan Ekspres (Prameks) train that passes through Jogja and terminates at Solo's Balapan Station until July 2015. (updated Jul 2020)

By bus

There are two main bus terminals:

  • 6 Kebumen Bus Terminal, Jl Raya Alternatif Luar Kota. On the east side of town. (updated Jul 2016)
  • 7 Gombong Bus Terminal, Jl Tentara Pelajar, Semanding, Gombong. In the western part of Kebumen regency. (updated Jul 2016)

There is also one mini terminal that is used by Efisiensi Bus in 8 Wonosari Rest Area, Jl Nasional III (In front of Wonosari train station). (updated Jul 2016). The Efisiensi bus serves Cilacap, Purwokerto, Yogjakarta city, and New Yogyakarta International Airport.

By car

Get around

Map
Map of Kebumen

Kebumen is relatively small, travelling around town should not be too expensive. You could jog around it in about 40 minutes.

By trishaw

Traditional three-wheeled pedal-powered rickshaws known as becak can be found in most parts of Kebumen. Haggle furiously.

By minivan

  • Angkot — battered minibuses, derived from the words angkutan kota, or city transport have fixed routes but pick up and drop off anywhere along that route. Sometimes they can be crowded, but it's a great way to meet the locals. Costs Rp2,500 per passenger, paid when you alight.

By car

There are two taxi companies in Kebumen :

See

  • 1 Van Der Wijck Fort, Jl Sapta Marga, Gombong, ☏ +62 813 2714-6560. 08:00–. Built in 1818, it is named after the Dutch soldier Van Der Wijck. It was used by the Dutch during the Java War against Prince Diponegoro. However, it is unclear what the main function of the fort was, because there is some argument that it was used for logistics and military training. Now, there is a park and two swimming pools around the fort. Rp8,000. (updated Jul 2016)
  • 2 Horse racing, Tegalrejo, Desa Ambalresmi, Ambal. 10AM-4PM. Horse racing is held annually, three days after Idul Fitri for four days. Crowds of up to 4,000 people are expected. from Rp10,000. (updated Jul 2016)
  • 3 Roemah Martha Tilaar (Martha Tilaar's House), Jl Sempor Lama No.28, Wonokriyo, Gombong (Next to Gombong bus terminal), ☏ +62 287 473313, . Museum in a colonial-style building from 1920. It was Marta Tilaar's house. The home of a nationally-famous beautician. (updated Jul 2016)
  • 4 Tugu Lawet, Jl Pahlawan. The icon of Kebumen (updated Jul 2016)
  • 5 Alun-alun Kebumen, Jl Pahlawan, Bumirejo. The large grassed square found in the centre of all Javanese towns, the focus of local government and always popular for recreation. (updated Jul 2016)
  • 6 Taman Kota Jenderal HM Sarbini Kebumen, Jl Indrakila or Jl Ahmadyani. A new city park. (updated Jul 2016)

Do

Beaches

  • 1 Suwuk Beach (Pantai Suwuk), Tambakmulyo, Puring (Minibus from Kebumen bus terminal to Suwuk), ☏ +62 878 3793-8000. Suwuk beach is about 3km long. Swimming is forbidden because of strong current. It is surrounded by limestone hills. There is also small water park. Rp3,000 (adult), 2,000 (child). (updated Jul 2016)
  • 2 Karangbolong Beach (Pantai Karangbolong), Karangbolong, Buayan (Take a minibus to Gombong, then change to Karangbolong), ☏ +62 822 2060-2742. Next to Suwuk beach. There is small cave near the beach (hence the name: karang means coral, and bolong means hole). Similar to Suwuk beach, Karangbolong is surrounded by limestone hills. Rp3,000 (adult), 2,000 (child). (updated Jul 2016)
  • 3 Petanahan Beach (Pantai Petanahan), Karangrejo, Petanahan (Take a minibus to Petanahan from Kebumen bus terminal), ☏ +62 821-3355-29364. One of Kebumen's famous long beaches. Close to Suwuk beach. There are people who offer boat rides. It is forbidden to swim because of the strong current. Rp3,000 (adult), Rp2,000 (child). (updated Jul 2016)
  • 4 Logending Beach (Ayah Beach), Ayah (Take a minibus to Ayah from Gombong bus terminal), ☏ +62 853 8567-9445. 7AM-5PM. As well as the beach, there is also a mangrove forest. Boat rides available. Rp4,000 (adult), Rp2,000 (child). (updated Jul 2016)
  • 5 Menganti Beach (Pantai Menganti), Jl Pantai Menganti, Karangduwur, Ayah. A newly-developed destination in Kebumen. Not so many facilities but its natural beauty makes people call it the New Zealand of Kebumen. (updated Jul 2016)
  • Lampon Beach (Pasir Beach), Jl Ayah-Karangbolong, Pasir, Ayah, ☏ +62 82135517009. A new vacation spot on five different beaches: Pasir, Lampon, Tanjung Karang Penganten, Gebyuran and Surmanis. There are several caves, a waterfall and hills to camp on. Rp10,000. (updated Sep 2016)

Caves

  • 6 Jatijajar Cave, Jatijajar, Ayah (Take a minibus to Jatijajar from Gombong), ☏ +62 813 2764-2775. 8AM-6PM. Famous limestone cave discovered in 1802 by Jayamenawi, close to Logending beach. People can enter the cave to see the stalagmites and stalactites. It is 50 meters above sea level, with 250 meter in length. It is named Jatijajar because when it was discovered, there were two teak trees (jati) in a row (jajar). Inside the cave there are two natural springs, Sendang Kantil and Sendang Mawar. It is said that if you wash your face using water from Sendang Mawar, you will stay young. If you wash your face at Sendang Kantil, your dreams will come true. There are two more natural springs, but access is difficult. There is also a diorama of Lutung Kasarung, a story from Indonesian folklore. Rp7,000 (adult), Rp4,000 (child). (updated Jul 2016)
  • 7 Petruk Cave, Ayah, ☏ +62 823 2200-3444. Still natural (not crowded). You must be accompanied by an official guide. There is no lighting so bring a flashlight. The return journey into the cave can take up to two hours. Your feet will get wet because there is water on the cave floor. Inside the cave, there are various stalagmites and a waterfall. Rp7,500 (adult), Rp4,000 (child). (updated Jul 2016)

Dams

  • 8 Sempor Dam, Tunjungseto, Sempor (Take a minibus bound to Sempor from Gombong bus terminal), ☏ +62 821 3413-2112. An embankment dam on the Sempor River. It is used for irrigating paddy fields, flood control, and hydroelectric power generating 1MW of electricity. It was built in 1967, but was breached in the same year, causing a flood that killed a thousand people. It was rebuilt in 1978. It is possible to go fishing and to explore the dam by boat. Rp4,000 (adult), Rp2,000 (child). (updated Jul 2016)
  • 9 Wadaslintang Dam, Sendangdalem, Padureso, ☏ +62 813 2827-9525. Completed in 1988 after six years in the building, the dam is used to generate hydroelectric power. The dam is surrounded by many hills. Rp3,000 for adults, Rp2,000 for children. (updated Jul 2016)

Other

  • 10 Krakal Hot Spring, Krakal, Alian, ☏ +62 813 5954-1980. 7AM-5PM. A natural hot spring with water temperatures 39°C–42°C (86°F–104°F). There are VIP rooms for private use. Rp3,000 (adult), Rp2,000 (child), Rp7,500 (to bathe). (updated Jul 2016)
  • 11 Jembangan Wisata Alam, Jembangan, Poncowarno. 8AM-8PM. A lake and forest. To explore the lake, you can cross a bridge or take a boat. There is also a zoo, Jembangan Fantasy Zoo and a park for kids. Rp3,000 (lake), Rp5,000 (zoo), Rp15,000 (boat). (updated Jul 2016)
  • 12 Kedungdowo Adventure Park, Kedungdowo, Poncowarno, ☏ +62 812 2998-0074. 8AM-6PM. A nature park with outbound activities(e.g. flying fox). Close to Jembangan Wisata Alam. Rp20,000 (for the flying fox). (updated Jul 2016)
  • 13 Sawangan Adventure, Karangduwur, Ayah. A nature park organised by the local community, consisting of a beach and waterfall. There is also rappelling and a flying fox. (updated Jul 2016)

Buy

Traditional markets

The biggest traditional market is Pasar Tumenggungan. Second is Pasar Wonokriyo. There are also several small traditional markets, such as Pasar Selang and Pasar Wonosari.

Boutiques

There are a number of boutiques and newer outlets along Jl Pahlawan and Jl Ahmad Yani, in the middle part of the city. They're popular with monied youths and college students.

Shopping malls

  • Toserba Jadi Baru — the biggest mall in Kebumen
  • Rita Pasaraya — the first department store chain in Kebumen. There is located in Jl Pahlawan.
  • Affa Supermarket — the supermarket in the middle-east of Kebumen city.
  • Pusaka Indah Swalayan

Handicrafts

There are plenty of handicraft and souvenir stands in nearby Goa Jatijajar, a cave & resort-town just 33 km (21 mi) to the west.

Eat

  • Satay ambal is chicken satay, with tempeh as the main ingredient for the dipping sauce. It is the only satay in Indonesia with this kind of sauce. It tastes spicy, salty, and umami.
  • Lanthing is a traditional snack made from cassava. Its shape is like number such as 0 or 8. It tastes a little bit salty. However, recently there is a wide range variants of seasoning used in Lanthing including chicken onion, spicy and barbecue.

Drink

  • Kebumen Coffee: Coffee in Kebumen is grown near the shores which is only 5 meter above sea level. Both arabica and robusta are produced. There are two local coffee brands: kopi bubuk Cap Djempol and Yum Roasted Coffee. Both are available in market across Kebumen.

Sleep

There are wide range hotels in Kebumen. It is quite easy to find hotel along the Jalan National III and at the centre of Kebumen. The price starts from 40,000/night IDR to 600,000 IDR/night. Only a few hotel accepts credit card, therefore, it is better to contact the hotel first. In addition, it is also possible to book some hotels from mainstream web booking services.

Connect

Emergency

  • Ambulance: 118
  • Police: 110
    • 9 Kebumen Police, Jl. Tentara Pelajar No.39, Panjer, ☏ +62 287 383705. (updated Jul 2016)

Hospital

Go next

North

  • Karangsambung-Karangbolong Geopark on the southern slope of northern Kebumen highlands and just 20 km (12 mi) from town offers a cooler climate and springs in verdant pine forests. An ancient geological national geopark site. There are sea floor rocks that rise to the land.
  • Banjarnegara, the regency and sleepy small town near the Dieng Pleteau.

East

  • Purworejo, the regency and small town which borders the province of DIY.

South

  • Suwuk Beach, Suwuk beach is about 3km long. Swimming is forbidden because of strong current. It is surrounded by limestone hills. There is also small water park.
  • Karangbolong Beach, Next to Suwuk beach. There is small cave near the beach (hence the name: karang means coral, and bolong means hole). Similar to Suwuk beach, Karangbolong is surrounded by limestone hills.
  • Petanahan Beach, One of Kebumen's famous long beaches. Close to Suwuk beach. There are people who offer boat rides. It is forbidden to swim because of the strong current.
  • Logending Beach, As well as the beach, there is also a mangrove forest. Boat rides available.
  • Menganti Beach, A newly-developed destination in Kebumen. Not so many facilities but its natural beauty makes people call it the New Zealand of Kebumen.
  • Lampon Beach, A new vacation spot on five different beaches: Pasir, Lampon, Tanjung Karang Penganten, Gebyuran and Surmanis. There are several caves, a waterfall and hills to camp on.

West

  • Cilacap on the south coast is a growing industrial city, with oil refinery, power station and cement factory. The adventurous can hop off to the south coast beaches of West Java by taking a boat through the Segara Anakan bay.
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