Travel to Jakarta with travel insurance from Essential Travel

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Information on Jakarta with travel insurance from Essential Travel

Travel to Jakarta

Java Island (Jakarta) , famous for its rich coffee and troubled past, is one of the most densely populated places on earth. Depending which way you look at it, Jakarta is either a congested and busy place or racey city full of character.

Getting there

Jakartas Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is 35kms west of the city centre, and services several international and domestic airlines. The island of Java has a good rail network, and ferries are also a popular way of getting around, with many services beginning and ending in Jakarta. Bus travel is popular, but inconvenient, as Jakartas main bus stations are all a long way from the city centre. Beware of congestion however, as there is simply no quick way to get across town.

Key Attractions

The most impressive of Jakartas monuments is the National Monument (Monas), which towers 132m above Merdeka Square, and is topped by a glittering flame. For most visitors, the area south of the monument in Merdeka Square holds the most interest. Jl Thamrin is the main shopping and luxury hotel thoroughfare, while to the east is the main restaurant area and hotels for the budget conscious. The old port of Sunda Kelapa shelters a multitude of magnificent Makassar schooners, providing one of the most spectacular sights in Jakarta.

For a glimpse of the old Dutch colonial influence find your way to the Old Batavia section of town, which contains a fortress on the waterfront.

Out and about

The village of Bogor was an important Dutch hill station, although urban sprawl has now made it an outer suburb of Jakarta. Bogors main attraction is its world-class botanical gardens, covering about 80 hectares.

Taman Mini Park, 18kms from the centre of Jakarta, draws its influence from all 27 provinces to represent the traditional cultures of Indonesia. The 100-hectare park, featuring museums, theatres, restaurants, an orchid garden and a bird park, is Jakartas most visited attraction.

Leisure options

Jakarta is not well set up for outdoor pursuits, and even the coast isnt particularly accessible. For outdoor activities, it’s best to head to the beaches of West Java or the inland mountains. Jakarta does, however, have many options for enjoying the nightlife, from lively dancing places to the bars and cafés of Jalan Jaksa and its vicinity. Even the rated hotels downtown are a great place to wine and dine, or just hang out.

Safety

As with all cities, crime is a factor, and care should be taken not to appear an easy target. Jakarta has become a high risk destination with the rise of Islamic fundamentalism against western targets. Keep an eye on your possessions, especially when using public transportation and in crowded areas such as markets. We strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance for you and your family before leaving home.

Weather

Jakarta’s climate it quite typical of equatorial regions, with heavy and often rainfall and high humidity in between. With temperatures averaging 23°C throughout the year.

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