Passport and Visas
Citizens of 11 countries will get the VISA FREE to visit Indonesia : Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Hongkong, Macau, Malaysia, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, Thailand, The Philippines and Vietnam. Citizens of 52 countries will be offered the facility VISA ON ARRIVAL, they are : Afrika Selatan, Amerika Serikat, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgia, Belanda, Brasilia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Emirat arab, Estonia, Finlandia, Hongaria, India, Inggris, Irlandia, Islandia, Italia, Jepang, Jerman, Kamboja, Kanada, Korea Selatan, Kuwait, Laos, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Maladewa, Malta, Meksiko, Mesir, Monaco, Norwegia, Oman, Perancis, Polandia, Portugal, Qatar, Republik Rakyat China, Rusia, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, Spanyol, Suriname, Swedia, Swiss, Taiwan, Yunani. The procedure on the airport should not take more than 7 minutes. Indonesia will charge foreigners US$ 25 for a 30-day non renewable visa or US$ 10 for a 3-day visit upon arrival . Citizens of countries NOT on the "visa on arrival" or "visa free" lists will be required to apply for a visa before entering Indonesia.
Airport
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is located approximately 26 km west of the city, or about a 20-minute drive to the heart of the business district where many of the major hotels are located. International flights come in and out of Terminal 2, while local flights use either Terminal 1 or 2. Soekarno-Hatta is serviced by 32 major international airlines. Travelers departing from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport are required to pay an airport tax of Rp. 100,000. For domestic travel, the tax is Rp. 25,000 payable at the check-in counter at the airport.
Customs
Custom allows a maximum of one liter of alcoholic beverage, and 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco and reasonable amount of perfume per adult. There is no restriction on the import or export of foreign currencies, however the import or export of Indonesian currency is limited to Rp. 5 million.
Moving About
From Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, take a metered taxi located in front of the arrival terminal. An additional surcharge from the airport is Rp. 3,000, plus Rp. 8,000 for the tollroad. Within the city, standard taxis are easily gotten at hotels, major building or flagged down. Flagfall is Rp. 3,000 and Rp. 1,300 for each additional kilometer. The Damri airport bus departs every 30 minutes between 3 am and 10 pm. to Gambir Station and continues on to Blok M, Kemayoran and Rawamangun. It costs Rp. 15,000,- per person.
Health Matters
Jakarta is a tropical city, which should call for some precautions for newcomers. Bottled water, of which there are many quality brands, is highly recommended. Water from tap, even in the best of hotels, should not be use for drinking unless it is boiled for several minutes. Ice in drinks should not be a concern, because ice vendors in Jakarta operate under strict government guidelines. With hot tropical temperatures, sufficient liquid intake is extremely important to maintain good body balance. Care should be taken to avoid sunburn and exhaustion from too much exposure. Unless one is a "seasoned" traveler, it is best to eat at hotels or well-established restaurants. Traditional food stalls (warung) and street carts (kaki lima) are fun to experience, but should be avoided for those visiting the city for only a short time. International health certificates for smallpox, cholera and yellow fever are not required, except when arriving from infected areas.
Weather
Located in the tropical zone, Jakarta’s climate is hot and humid. The average temperatures range from 26ºCelcius at night and early morning to up to 30ºCelcius at noon. April to October is usually dry season in Jakarta, while November to March is wet season. However, even during dry season, one can expect occasional rains
Electricity
Outlets and voltage (220 volts). Small appliances such as hair dryers, irons, razors, etc. can be used in Indonesia. For those from other countries, adapters are required for electrical appliances. The frequency of electrical current in Indonesia is 50 Hz.
Video System
In Indonesia, the PAL-system is used for television broadcasts. This system is not compatible with the NTSC systems used in Europe and in many other countries. If you purchase a video cassette in Indonesia, ensure it is recorded in the appropriate system for your video playback machine.
Language & ethnic groups
Like the rest of Indonesia, the people of Jakarta speak the official language Bahasa Indonesia. However, Bahasa Indonesia in this city is heavily influenced by the dialect of Jakarta’s previously dominant ethnic group, Betawi. With rapid urbanization process in the city, the Betawi people have been pushed to Jakarta’s suburban areas. Current population of Jakarta consists of various ethnic groups from different parts of Indonesia, including Chinese, Arab and Indian descents in commercial areas.
Metric Measures
Indonesia follows the international metric system. Temperatures, rainfall measures, distance, weights, velocity are expressed in metric units. Distance is measured in kilometers.
| Measurement | Unit | Approximate Equivalent |
| Length | 1 kilometer | 0.6 mile |
| 1 mile | 1.6 kilometer |
| Capacity | 1 liter | 1.06 US quart |
| 1 US quart | 0.95 liter |
| Weight | 1 kilogram | 2.2 pounds |
| 1 pound | 0.45 kilogram |
| Mileage Conversion | 20 mph | 30 km/h |
| 30 mph | 50 km/h |
| 50 mph | 80 km/h |
Population
City of Jakarta about 7.544.242 people
Credit Cards
Most major credit cards are accepted, but visitors are always advised to check with the vendor before a purchase is made. Cash machines with 24 hour access are available in many convenient locations.
Tipping
Some properties and resort hotels include tips or gratuities with group tours to simplify bookkeeping. This will usually include gratuities for housekeeping, bell service and food service. If meals are included in the price, customary gratuity will be calculated at 10 percent. Visitors should be advised that the standard tip in most restaurants is 10 percent.
Food and Beverages
An extensive variety of cuisine is available representing the multicultural flavor of Jakarta. Alcoholic beverages in bottles are sold in special stores. However, alcoholic beverages including beer and wine may be purchased in restaurants, hotel lounges, taverns, and nightclubs, which can be recognized by the sign "Licensed Premises". Minors are not admitted into bars.
Newspapers
English daily: The Jakarta Post, The Indonesian Observer; Chinese daily: Harian Indonesia; some Indonesian dailies Kompas, Suara Pembaruan, Media Indonesia and Bisnis Indonesia.
Baggage Handling
Porter service is available at the Jakarta International Airport. Most properties with group tour business provide baggage handling services on arrival and departure. Rates and policies vary and should be confirmed with the supplier.
Important Telephone Numbers
| Information Jakarta Area | 108 |
| Information Long Distance Indonesia | 100 |
| Information International Calls | 102 |
| Long Distance Overseas | 101 |
| Long Distance Overseas (Jakarta only) | 104 |
| Telephone repair | 107 |
| Police | (62)(21) 5250110 |
| Ambulance | 118 |
| National SAR | (62)(21) 5502111 |
Transportation
Taxis in Indonesia are cheap and plentiful, and thankfully air conditioned, making them the best way to get around, especially in the cities. Make sure the driver knows where you're going before getting in, and make sure he uses the meter. If he refuse, just get another taxi, they're usually not hard to find.
| Blue Bird Taxi | (62)(21) 325607, 3143000 |
| Silver Bird | (62)(21) 7941234, 7981001 |
| Steady Safe | (62)(21) 3143333 |
| Express | (62)(21) 5709009, 5709010 |
| Gamya | (62)(21) 325607, 3143000 |
| Kosti Jaya | (62)(21) 7801333 |
| Royal City Taxi | (62)(21) 8500888 |
| Dian Taxi | (62)(21) 8507080, 4250505 |
Routes of "transjakarta" Busway
CORIDOR I : BLOK M - KOTA (Distance: 12.9 kms, Shelter: 20)>
Terminal Blok M - Sisingamangaraja - Jend Sudirman - MH Thamrin - Merdeka Barat - Majapahit - Gajah Mada / Hayam Wuruk - Pintu Besar Selatan - Taman Stasiun Kota.
CORIDOR II : PULO GADUNG - HARMONI (Distance: 14.3 kms, Shelter: 22)>
Terminal Pulo Gadung - Perintis Kemerdekaan - Letjend Suprapto - Senen Raya - Kwini - Abd Rahman Saleh - Pejambon - Merdeka Timur - Perwira - Veteran - Gajah Mada - HBC - Hayam Wuruk - Majapahit - Merdeka Barat - Merdeka Selatan - Prapatan - Kramat Bunder - Letjend Suprapto - Perintis Kemerdekaan - Terminal Pulo Gadung.
CORIDOR III : KALIDERES - HARMONI (Distance: 18.7 kms, Shelter: 11)>
Terminal Kalideres - Daan Mogot - Letjend S Parman - Tomang Raya - Kyai Caringin - Suryopranoto - Gajah Mada - HCB - Hayam Wuruk - Juanda - Pasar Bare - Veteran - Suryopranoto - Kyai Caringin - Tomang Raya - Letjend S Parman - Daan Mogot - Terminal Kalideres.
CORIDOR IV : PULO GADUNG - DUKUH ATAS (Distance: 11.85 kms, Shelter: 18)>
Pulo Gadung - Pemuda - Pramuka - Tambak - Sultan Agung - Galunggung- Dukuh Atas.
CORIDOR V : KAMPUNG MELAYU - ANCOl (Distance: 13.5 kms, Shelter: 21)>
Kampung Melayu - Jatinegara Barat / Jatinegara Timur - Matraman Raya - Salemba Raya - Kramat Raya - Gunung Sahari - Ancol
CORIDOR VI : RAGUNAN - KUNINGAN (Distance: 13.3 kms, Shelter: 19)>
Ragunan - Warung Buncit Raya - HR Rasuna Said - Latuharhari.
CORIDOR VII : KAMPUNG MELAYU - KAMPUNG RAMBUTAN (Distance: 12.8 kms, Shelter: 15)>
Kampung Melayu - Otto Iskandardinata - Letjend MT Haryono - Mayjend Sutoyo - Jalan Raya Bogor - Kampung Rambutan.
RRI Radio
RRI Radio is Indonesia's national radio station: dial 6.90 AM for commercial free, public radio with local programming morning (6 to 9), noon and afternoon (4 to 6). Only in Indonesia: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. "As It Happens", a national quirky look at day's news and then some, with international interviews. To contact the RRI.
