Jembatan Api-Api: The Mangrove Forest to Visit in Kulon Progo Jogja

A bamboo bridge of Jembatan Api-Api in Kulon Progo Jogja
Welcome to Jembatan Api-Api.

I miss traveling. Are you feeling the same? I just looked at some old photos from my past trips and all good memories came back and warmed my heart. Oh, that was so nice! I miss exploring foods and places in Jogja. In my opinion, I really believe what makes a trip is awesome is not just adventures and new experiences it brought. The one we traveled with matters too.

What do you know about Jogja? Do you know that Jogja has a mangrove forest? Today let me take you to leave the center of Jogja to visit a mangrove forest that has been polished and becomes a tourist attraction in Kulon Progo, one of four regencies in Jogja.

A bamboo bridge next to black mangroves trees in Jembatan Api-Api the mangrove forest in Kulon Progo Jogja
Will you walk with me on this bamboo bridge?

Jembatan Api-Api or MJAA (Mangrove Jembatan Api-Api) is a mangrove forest tourist destination located in Jangkaran Temon Kulon Progo. This place is about 1 hour 14 minutes of driving from the center of Jogja. This place offers you the enjoyment of relaxing and walk on bamboo bridges while you are exploring the mangrove forest. I think it is pretty fun to have a walk there because they have some instagrammable sitting area and photo spots. Yet there’s a beach nearby to visit by walking through the bamboo bridges that led you to the beach. 

If you like to explore Jembatan Api-Api more, you can get yourself a tour by boat. This tour is so affordable! Its low-priced ticket is only IDR 5,000/person. Once you jump in and seat on the boat, they will take you around to see the mangrove forest and the outfall of the Bogowonto river. Along the way, you will pass many spots for photos and even 22 meters height twin towers that look like the Eiffel tower. They are made from bamboo! Wooo!   


A beautiful view of hills seen from the Bogowonto river in Kulon Progo Jogja
I like this view seen from the the boat in the Bogowonto river. Is that only me who wonder if there are alligators in big rivers?

a bridge and towers made from bamboo at Jembatan Api-Api in Kulon Progo Jogja
One of the area passed by the boat.
More water. I enjoyed the tour, for a moment I felt like I was a free-spirit adventurer!

Hold on! Before I go further, let me tell you that the name Api-Api from MJAA or Jembatan Api-Api is taken from the mangrove. The word ‘api-api’ is taken from the black mangrove that is called ‘api-api’. Its Latin name is Avicennia germinans.

A mangrove forest has more than mangroves of course. During my visit there, I saw some fishes swimming, groups of water snails, shrimps, and various crabs. You have no idea I was so excited about those animals! Hahaha… Maybe your mind shouted, “Why do you get excited over some swimming fishes?”  Hahaha… Well, it’s just me. I am excited about…almost anything! Yep!

A crab seen in the water near a mangrove tree in the mangrove forest of Jembatan Api-Api in Kulon Progo Jogja
Hello! I am the famous crab Eunike just mentioned! 
So, after being excited about seeing some animals, I kept on walking and passed some shrimps ponds only to find… tadaaaaa…a beach! This beach was like hiding itself behind Jembatan Api-Api to surprise us! A windy black-sand-beach called Pantai Congot (Congot Beach) that was facilitated with some gazebos for visitors who want to hide in a shadow while having a fresh coconut drink. Yes, you can have some coconut drinks because there are some coconut sellers near the gate of the beach.

During my visit to both Jembatan Api-Api and Pantai Congot, I didn’t see any foreign tourists. This could mean that this tourist attraction is not famous among foreign tourists. If you are a foreigner and you plan to visit this place, don’t get surprised if most visitors there are either local people or domestic tourists. If you’d like to mingle with local people, this could be the place for you!

Jembatan Api-Api in Kulon Progo is one of the famous tourist destinations among local people there. To enter the tourist attraction, you only need to pay IDR 4,000/person for its entrance ticket. They start to open from 7 am to 6 pm. 

Have you visited any mangrove forest? What do you like about it? Would you like to explore Kulon Progo and its tourist attractions while you are visiting Jogja? Please share your comment below.



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2 Comments

  1. I like places with little tourists!

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    Replies
    1. I like quiet places too!
      High five! :)
      But this place had less tourists because it wasn't on the weekend and I was not in a high season.

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