Notes

Westhill Consulting Travel and Tours Review: What to Know Before Traveling to Jakarta


Be cautious during the flood season
Aka “Banjir” which happens during December to April, particularly in lower parts of the city, flooding is pretty rampant. This happens more especially in areas nearby rivers. Westhill Consulting Travel and Tours

Public transit is untrustworthy and irregular
Buses and trains are not the best method to get around. Expats who live in Jakarta usually have drivers. Fortunately, taxis are common; but it could be problematic catching one during rush hour. Rush hour occurs during 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Watch out for taxi scams
There are a few different choices taxi companies Jakarta. It is typically best practice to stick with the higher end Silverbird taxi line (Mercedes Benz vehicles) to avoid being taken “the scenic route.” In this cases fraud always occurs.

Motorcycle taxis are not legal
But they do exist illegally. Maybe after you experience motorcycle taxi, you may tell yourself, never again. Definitely for the native Indonesian hitching a motorbike ride to work may be well and good but for the foreigner, it is a perfect way to be caught in scam.

Be watchful with your belongings
According to some reviews, common travelers had more problems in places like Barcelona than Jakarta. Resembling to any tourist destination just be conscious of your surroundings. And if you decide to make way to a more penurious area, or basically a busy mall, don’t carry a designer bag and wear a diamond necklace. No need to make yourself a major target.

On the whole, Jakarta is pretty safe
According to a blogger, she has never felt any imminent threat while living there. And it is not only her living in the city; she has a family, too.

Traffic is terrible
This is probably what you always see in reviews. I don’t think there could be any guide/overview of Jakarta without stating the horrific traffic. In fact, one of the biggest hazards may be crossing a busy intersection. Seemingly it makes Bangkok look like rush hour in the middle of Nebraska.

Warning! Don’t drink the tap water… period!
Even if there is a filter, like they have at many upscale hotels. Avoid it. This rule basically applies throughout Southeast Asia.