Jakarta is Indonesia's capital city, situated on the northwest coast of the island of Java. Many travellers who take cheap flights to Jakarta will be bound for other parts of Indonesia, and will stick close to the Jalan Jaksa, the backpacker street, for the duration of their stay. Jakarta is not an immediate charmer - its nickname is the Big Durian after all, and one of the kindest meanings is that Jakarta is an acquired taste - but the city has more than enough to engage the visitor for a few days.
This 24-hour city is Indonesia in microcosm - a fusion of Javanese, Indian, Chinese, and Dutch cultures. To take the pulse of the historic city, start at Kota and weave your way through the throng to get to Taman Fatahillah. This square is home to Jakarta’s finest museums - the History Museum, Fine Arts Museum and Puppet Museum.
Merdeka Square is flanked by the important government buildings such as the Presidential Palace (Istana Merdeka) and the Supreme Court. In the centre stands Monas, the national monument. The column, topped by a golden flame, was conceived by Indonesia's first president Sukarno. A lift whizzes tourists to the top from where there are sumptuous views of Jakarta - smog permitting.
When you have had enough of museums, head to Sunda Kepala and watch some old-fashioned toil. The old harbour has been a gateway for traders and sailors since the 1500s.
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Jakarta's climate is hot and humid, year-round. Late October to the start of May is the rainy season, although rain falls year-round too. July to September is the dry season. Humidity levels are high, about 70 per cent year-round. Temperatures range between 25 and 34 degrees.
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Peak Season:
The dry season is high season. May through September is when most visitors arrive on cheap flights to Jakarta. There are other spikes in the travel season. These are the end of Ramadan, Christmas, and school holidays (mid-June to mid-July).
Off Season:
October through April is the low season. Jakarta is located at the mouth of the Ciliwung River and heavy rains cause flooding.
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From Soekarno Hatta International, there are a couple of options for getting downtown. The Damry Bus runs from 7am to 9pm. The cost is IDR 20,000 (about $2.50 AU).
There are official taxis at the airport. There's a small charge for using the airport taxis - between IDR 9,000 and IDR 11,000 ($1-$1.50) based on the destination. The taxi fares in Jakarta are divided into two types: IDR 5,000 with an additional cost of IDR 150/ 100m and IDR 6,000 with an additional cost of IDR 250/100m (60-70 cents). Ensure the meter is on before setting off.
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Forget about renting a car to get around Jakarta. The traffic is so busy and the taxis so reasonably priced that you won't need to think about driving. Choose licensed taxis, not unlicensed ones and make sure the meter is turned on to avoid any disagreements later on.
There are more than 20 bus companies in Jakarta, but buses are busy at all times of the day.
Bajaj are orange, motorised tricycles, akin to the Thai tuk-tuk, with space for two passengers. They're a popular choice in Jakarta, nimble enough to get through the heavy traffic. Motorcycle taxis are nimbler still. Again, set on a price before you set off.
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- A park with full-scale replicas of traditional Indonesian houses, a cable car and monorail might sound a little tacky, but visiting Taman Mini Indonesia Indah is a great way of getting a handle on the vast country of Indonesia. There are museums and a theatre, a lake with a miniature of Indonesia in the centre, gates and gardens, handicraft centre, fishing ponds, hostels and restaurants.
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