Making the most of Jakarta Java
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Cruise ships dock in Tanjung Priok, the port city for the Jakarta metropolis, where a group of musicians and dancers greet arrivals.
A new terminal building is being planned.
Allow around 45 Minutes for the ± 12 km journey between port/terminal and the town centre, depending on traffic. Shuttles are generally available. Taxis wait outside the port gates, normally a 20 minute walk from the dock.
Bring a printable map.
Jakarta is a city of contrasts. Its historic sights are particularly revealing in the oldest quarter. At Sunda Kelapa harbour, traditional Bugis schooners line the docks and continue to carry cargo much as they did during the Spice Trade. Busy streets still contain Dutch colonial warehouses and buildings, including the 18th century City Hall, now home to Jakarta Historical Museum. Chinatown is a lively commercial district where early 20th century shop houses sit alongside modern malls. Central Jakarta’s National Monument (Monas) is…
Getting around
Navigating Jakarta can be difficult. Its layout is chaotic and bewildering, traffic is unquestionably South-East Asia’s worst, and rush-hour jams reduce the city to a crawl. The existing railway system is also seriously inadequate.
Most visitors choose taxis, which are inexpensive and sometimes even quick. In a Jakartan taxi, keep doors locked and windows shut: bags and watches attract attention when traffic is stopped at a light or in a jam. Criminal groups often target passengers using cellular phones in these situations.
Expect to pay around 130 USD for a taxi all day.
Food and shopping
Markets sit alongside the malls. Mangga Dua, or Two Mangoes, has several exceptionally large shopping centres, including enormous Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua and gigantic WTC (Wholesale Trade Center) Mangga Dua. These vast indoor markets contain hundreds upon hundreds of wholesale-price shops, and bargaining is always possible there.
Eating with the hand instead of forks and spoons is common in Indonesia. Use four fingers to form a small rice ball, dip it in sauce and push it into your mouth with the thumb. The essential etiquette is to use only the right hand, since the left is used for cleaning in the bathroom. Do not put either hand into shared serving dishes: serve yourself with utensils using the left hand, then eat. Wash hands thoroughly before and after a meal. Hand-eating is frowned on in some…
Money
ATMs are common in all major Indonesian cities.
Use credit cards carefully: cloning and fraud are major concerns in Indonesia. Visa and Mastercard are broadly accepted, but American Express may cause problems. Smaller businesses commonly add a 2-5% surcharge over cash prices.
Staying connected
Indonesia’s sole official language is Indonesian, also called Bahasa Indonesia.
Internet prices vary widely and usually reflect quality, but expect around Rp 5,000 per hour. In large cities, some shopping malls, McDonald restaurants and Starbucks cafes provide free hotspots; some hotel lobbies do too.
For mobile-phone emergencies, call 112.