Meru Betiri National Park, National park in East Java, Indonesia
Meru Betiri is a national park in Jember and Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia, covering 52,626 hectares of tropical rainforest, mangroves, coastal forest, swamp, and reef. The elevation reaches 536 meters in some places, with terrain ranging from gentle hills to thick forest.
The forest was placed under protection by Dutch colonial authorities in 1931, when administrators recognized the importance of this area for rare animal species. The 1970s saw it designated as a wildlife reserve, and in 1997 the area gained its current status as a national park.
Along the southern boundary, traditional farmland meets the forest edge where people harvest mushrooms and cut banana stems during the cooler hours of the day. These village communities move at a slower pace, shaped by seasonal rains and the natural rhythms of the forest.
Visitors reach the grounds through roads from Banyuwangi or Jember, with the final stretches requiring an off-road vehicle. Entry costs domestic guests between 5,000 and 7,500 rupiah, while foreign travelers pay a higher rate.
Along the coast at Sukamade, sea turtles lay their eggs in the sand, and during nesting season you can often watch them crawl up the beach at night. About 500 plant species grow here that local people have traditionally used as remedies.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
