Its name is often said to be derived from the Sundanese words of "Cai" (or river) and "Rebon" (or "shrimp"). (Indeed the main production of the city is fishery including shrimps.) The alternative Javanese derivation is from "Caruban", meaning "mixture"--a reference to Cirebon's complex mix of Javanese, Malay, Sundanese, Chinese and Arabic cultural elements. While Indonesians from outside of Cirebon pronounce the name CHEE-reh-bon, locals say Cheer-BON. (Rolling the R's, of course.)
The city weather is hot and humid. Wear cotton clothes. You do not need long sleeves shirt, instead a T-shirt and knee-long trousers are comfortable. Some places like mosques (masjid) and temples require polite dress such as long trousers/skirts. Hot pants/mini skirts will attract people attention and might be considered impolite.
By rail from Jakarta (Gambir Station or Jatinegara Station) you can take the Cirebon Express for Rp 70,000 (business/no air conditioning) or Rp 95,000 (executive/airconditioned,tv). It takes about 3 hours and 15 minutes. A more expensive but still very cheap alternative is the Argo Jati train at Rp 120,000. The different between economy class train and business class train in Indonesia is,The business class train will only stop in one or two station during the journey to its final destination,while the economy class train will stop at almost all station it passed by.
By Bus From Jakarta:Plenty of Choices of bus company serving the route,the fare as per January 2011 Rp.35.000,(US$4-5) (economy) Rp.55000(US$6-7)(business)
The city is easy to reach from other places in java as it is lies in main road from Jakarta to other destination in Java and vice versa.
There are several ways of getting around the town of Cirebon.
By rented car - this is the most convenient way.
By 'Angkot' - this is the public van transport. However, they are not as comfortable as your own private car. Cost around Rp 3,000 for most journeys.
By 'Becak' - similar to a rickshaw. You hop on the 'wheeled chair' and the driver will cycle the becak around for you. It will cost you from Rp 5,000 to Rp 20,000. Prices are highly negotiable.
There are some taxis in Cirebon (the taxi driver informed me there's only 20 units of taxi in this city). The rate is on hourly basis, based on your negotiation skill, it should be around Rp. 75,000 per hour.
Have a visit to Keraton Kasepuhan and Keraton Kanoman (two main palace in Cirebon).Swiming in cold mountain water with hundreds of fish(Labaebarbus Dournensis)in Cibulan kuningan,(approx'30minutes from city centre). Pampering your self in local spa which the hot water is coming direct from nearby mountain(the location itself indeed at the foot of mountain Ciremai).You can also joint local people to swim in public hot spring water.Take a look of local daily life by getting arround the city with dokar(a two wheeled carriage drawn by a horse).
Local cuisines are: