Jakarta, The Big Durian

Jakarta is the capital and the main gateway to the Indonesian archipelago, a country composed of more than 13,000 islands with a population of over 180 million. Jakarta's nickname among expats is the Big Durian and like its fruit namesake it's a shock at first sight (and smell): a sweltering, steaming, heaving mass of millions of people packed into a vast urban sprawl. Located on the northern coast of West Java, it is the center of government, commerce and industry and as such has an extensive communications network with the rest of the country and the outside world. Jakarta certainly isn’t a primary tourist destination, but is one of Indonesia's designated tourist areas and parts of the old city Kota offer an interesting insight into the capital’s long history and there are a handful of good museums scattered about. If you want to get under the skin of Indonesia, a visit to this mammoth city is an absolute must. Jakarta is a city of contrasts, the traditional and the modern, the rich and the poor, the sacral and the worldly, often stand side by side in this bustling metropolis. Even its population, gathered from all those diverse ethnic and cultural groups which compose Indonesia, are constantly juxtaposed as an ever- present reminder of the national motto : Unity in Diversity. In recent years, Jakarta has expanded its facilities for visitors with luxury hotels, fine restaurants, exciting nightlife and modern shopping centers. Jakarta has preserved its past and is developing for the future. Skyscrapers in the center of the city are part of a new look. Modern luxury hotels today cater to the discriminating visitors. Transport within the city is plentiful. Jakarta is the center of the nation's industrial, political and cultural life. It is home to many of the country's finest research institutes, educational facilities, and cultural organizations. Jakarta is uniquely the seat of both the national as well as the regional government. The quality of life and the general welfare of its inhabitants have improved considerably with the city's fast pace of development. Jakarta is a Pandora’s box, filled with unexpected gems.

 

 

Some General Information

Country : Indonesia

Official Language : Bahasa Indonesia

Religion : Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism.

Currency : Indonesian Rupiah ( IDR )

Time Zone : + 7 hours GMT

Temperature : Jakarta happens to be one of the world's hottest and most humid capital cities. All through the year, the climate in Jakarta remains hot due to Indonesia's closeness to the equator. Plentiful sunny weather sees temperatures frequently top 30°C every single month. High humidity levels can make the weather and climate of Jakarta feel a little sticky, and so light, cotton clothing is essential, as is an adequately air-conditioned hotel room. Although it rains in Jakarta throughout the year, the long rainy season lasts from late October to early May. The rain in Jakarta falls in short, heavy spells. During the dry season of July to September, it rains only on some days.

Sightseeing : Jakarta is a huge city and there is lots to see and do. Visitors looking for a variety of cultural attractions in Jakarta will be not leave disappointed with so many options to choose from. Jakarta also offers numerous renowned heritage sites that Indonesia is famous for around the world. The National Museum, Monas, Kota, Presidential Palace, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Jakarta Arts Theatre, Puppet Museum, Ragunan Zoo, Jalan Surabaya, temples, mosques, cathedrals, markets.

 

Getting There

International and domestic flights operate from the modern, efficient Soekarno-Hatta International airport and only domestic flights are handled out of the little-used Halim airport.

Soekarno Hatta International Airport ( CGK )

All international and nearly all domestic flights land here 20 km to the northwest of the city. The airport code comes from Cengkareng, a district near the airport. The Soekarno Hatta airport has three terminals, further split up into sub terminals, which are really just halls in the same building. Jakarta International Airport has 150 check-in counters, 30 baggage carousels and 42 gates. Each sub-terminal has 25 check-in counters, 5 baggage carrousels and 7 gates. A free shuttle bus runs between the terminals but if you're in a hurry, it's better to take a taxi. ATMs and currency exchange services are available in the baggage claim hall, and Terminal D has a left luggage service. Exchange rates are not significantly worse than the centre of town and better than you will get from hotels. Bear in mind that you will need some cash and Jakarta is not a place where you can just stroll down to the nearest bank in town as it is pedestrian unfriendly. There are various food outlets in both terminals. There are numerous shops in Terminal 1. In Terminal 2, there are shops including duty-free, a gift shop, newsagents and bookshop. First aid facilities are available at the administrative offices. Terminal 2 also has a baby care room and prayer rooms. There are toilets and a lift for disabled passengers. Wheelchairs can also be provided on request, passengers requiring assistance should inform their airline prior to travel.

Address : Building 601, PO Box 1245 BUSH, Jakarta 19101, Indonesia

Telephone: (021) 550 5177 or 5189 or 5655 or 5671 or 5580 or 5596

Website: http://www.jakartaairportonline.com/

The older Halim Perdanakusuma Airport ( HLP), to the southeast of the city, is used by military, VIP flights, charter flights, helicopter leasing companies and private jets.

 

Tourist Information

Tourist Information Centers

1. The DKI Jakarta Tourist Information Centre
Address: Jl. KH.Abdul Rachim 2, Kuningan Barat, Jakarta
Phone: (62+21) 5209671, 5272420 

2. Jakarta City Government Tourist Office
(Dinas Pariwisata DKI Jakarta)
Jl. Kuningan Barat 2, Jakarta 12710
Phones: (62) (21) 5205455, 5209671, 5250738, 5251073, 5251369
Fax: (62) (21) 5209677, 5229136

3. Jakarta Theatre Building
Jl. MH. Thamrin 9, Jakarta 10340
Phones: (62) (21) 332067, 364093, 3154094

4. Jakarta International Airport Soekarno-Hatta
Cengkareng, Jakarta 19110, Indonesia
Phone: (62) (21) 5507088

 

Travel Tips

1. Patting someone on the head is not done among adults and should even be avoided with children. The head is sacred and should be respected.

2. Climbing over monuments or places of worship is considered highly disrespectful. Take off your shoes when entering a mosque or temple.

3. Be careful when crossing the roads. The traffic is usually very heavy and chaotic, and the vehicles generally do not stop at the zebra crossings. Crossing traffic by foot is incredibly daring and risky.

 

4. Everyone carries an ID card and the police don’t make an exception for you.  They often set up roadblocks and they will want to check your ID.  If you don’t have it on you, you will have to pay a small ‘fine’.  A photocopy will not be sufficient.  Bring a photocopy in your luggage in case the original gets stolen, but carry the original with you.  Don’t put it in your shirt pocket, find a safe place for it.