Arriving to Jakarta
Arriving to Jakarta, you will be entering Indonesia through the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport also known locally as “Cengkareng” (because of its location) provides you with a glimpse of what is to follow. That is to say the airport looks like a modern, international airport. However, with few exceptions, it is not as convenient and organized as it may appear or you may expect.
The International Arrival Hall is clean and pleasantly decorated with artifacts from around the archipelago. Upon disembarking you will proceed directly to immigration.
Visitors and tourists entering Indonesia need a valid passport, visa and a completed disembarkation card and customs declaration (given to you on the aircraft and filled out prior to arrival at the immigration desk) and onward/ return tickets to your next destination. Upon successful presentation of these item to the immigration official visitors will be granted access to the country for 30 days.
Some Asean countries are given a free visa upon arrival, all others will be required to obtain a visa in order to enter the country. Some nationalities may apply and pay for the visa upon arrival most, though, will need to apply, pay and obtain the visa prior to arriving to Indonesia. For more information on visa rules and requirements.
Once past Immigration you will find luggage carts available free of charge. The carts are not well maintained so be prepared. As you make your way to the luggage claim area you will pass restrooms, banks, duty free shops, moneychangers and ATMs etc. If you don't have any local currency now is the time to change a bit. (Unless the company car is picking you up, you will need it for the taxi ride into town). The rate may not be the best, but you at least won't be fumbling with your luggage while surrounded by a crowd hawking rides and whatnot.
Customs Formalities
Once you have claimed your luggage you proceed to Customs. Present your “Customs Declaration” to the attendant and place all carry on bags or parcels on the conveyor that passes through an X-ray machine. For the record you are allowed 1 liter of alcohol and up to 200 cigarettes (or 50 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco) duty free.
Computers, cameras, video cameras, cassette recorders and sports equipment are allowed provided that they are taken out of the country when you leave. Such items are supposed to be declared to Customs officials but this requirement is difficult to enforce and is often ignored by officials and visitors alike.
Prohibited items include: Firearms, narcotic drugs, Chinese medicines and anything with Chinese printing. Also films, video tapes and laser discs must be screened by the Board of Censors (but truth be told this is seldom - if ever - happens).
There is no restriction on the import or export of foreign currencies and travelers checks. However, importing or exporting Indonesian Rupiah in excess of 10 million is prohibited.
High Recommend hotels near Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta Airports/Cenkareng Airport
01. Sheraton Airport
02. Jakarta Airport
03. FM7 Hotel
Upmarket Hotels in Jakarta
01. Allson Residence Jakarta 4 star / 158 rooms
Rates: 1 Bdrm. Suite Rp 678,810 / 2 Bdrm. Suite Rp 811,910 (include breakfast)
The Allson Residence Jakarta is situated within the Mitra Oasis complex which itself is just minutes from The National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta. Offering full service, apartment style accommodation, each suite at the Allson Residence features a separate bedroom, living room, dining room, kitchen and maid's quarters. Suites start at a spacious 69 sq. metres making them an interesting choice for long staying visitors.
02. Hotel Borobudur Jakarta 5 star / 565 rooms
One of Jakarta's most prominent landmarks, the luxurious Hotel Borobudur Jakarta is set in 23 hectares of lush tropical gardens and parkland. With its central location, close to government offices and the central business district, shopping and tourist attractions the hotel is, quite literally, a quiet oasis in the heart of Jakarta.
03. Hotel Sahid Jaya Jakarta 5 star / 667 rooms / Rating: 7.0 (2 reviews)
Ideally situated along Jl. Sudirman in the centre of Jakarta's Golden Triangle, with easy access from either Jl. Sudirman or Jl. MH Thamrin the locally owned and managed Sahid Jakarta (one of several Sahid Hotels in Indonesia). The hotel's traditional decor and all the ammenities of an international hotel combined with friendly staff offers visitors a taste of Indonesian hospitality in the heart of Jakarta.
04. Le Meridien Hotel Jakarta 5 star / 346 rooms
Situated in the very heart of Jakarta's 'Golden Triangle' stands the elegant Le Méridien Jakarta. Offering 346 comfortably appointed guestrooms with airy, spacious bathrooms, the hotel exemplifies intimate luxury and personalised service. Le Méridien Jakarta features sleek and refreshing bars, delicious Lebanese and Japanese cuisine, and a world-class spa and wellness centre making it an ideal choice for business and leisure stays.
05. Millennium Hotel Sirih 4 star / 405 rooms
Conveniently located in the business district of Central Jakarta and within walking distance to many key government offices and only minutes from major office buildings keeping your travel time down to a minimum. Combining an extremely friendly and service motivated staff with guest rooms and suites that are quite spacious and comfortable. The attractive four-star Millennium Hotel Sirih Jakarta is well positioned to get the most out of any trip to Jakarta.
06. RedTop Hotel Jakarta 4 star / 390 rooms
Don't let the inconspicuous name deter you, the RedTop Hotel Jakarta is a surprisely nice hotel in the northern part of Central Jakarta - near Mangga Dua and all the commercial, trading & entertainment areas of Kota (Chinatown) as well as Government offices of Central Jakarta. Combining large, well appointed and comfortable rooms with a friendly professional staff the RedTop Hotel offers good value for money in an excellent location allowing guests to combine business with pleasure.
07. Alila Hotels and Resorts Jakarta 4 star / 182 rooms
Rates: Deluxe Room US$ 114.95 / Executive Room US$ 133.10 (include breakfast)
Ultra cool, ultra chic and a breath of fresh air on Jakarta's hotel scene, the Alila Hotels and Resorts Jakarta offers stylish accommodation for people who know what they want. The hotel's design and architecture reflect today's contemporary lifestyle with rooms that have broadband access and Buzz Cafe, the hotel's restaurant, serving fine food from an eclectic menu and there's a excellent gym with spa facilities.
08. Arcadia Hotel Jakarta 3 star / 93 rooms / Rating: 7.6 (6 reviews)
Rates: Standard Rp 423,500
Nicely located on Jl. Wahid Hasyim and close to the city's business, shopping and dining areas is The Arcadia - often touted as Jakarta's first "boutique hotel". Though the hotel has 'only' 93 rooms, rooms are smartly furnished and the hotel still has many of the facilities today's business and value conscious travelers require with very competitive rates. Special rate available
09. Aston Atrium Senen Hotel 4 star / 402 rooms / Rating: 7.4 (1 review)
Rates: Superior US$ 75.00 / Deluxe US$ 90.00 (include breakfast)
With its orgins in Hawaii, Aston Hotels & Resorts introduces the Aloha spirit of Hawaii to Jakarta at the Aston Atrium Senen Hotel & Convention Center. Formerly the Dai-Ichi Hotel, the Aston Atrium is situated in the Senen area of Central Jakarta just minutes from Jakarta's government offices, dining, shopping and entertaiment areas. The hotel offers comfortable, good-sized rooms together with a tradition of friendly service.
10. Aston Rasuna Hotel & Residence 4 star / 112 rooms / Rating: 8.4 (4 reviews)
Rates: Executive Suite US$ 72.00 / Superior Suite US$ 77.00 (include breakfast)
With its convenient and strategic location in the Taman Rasuna Complex along Jl. Rasuna Said, the Aston Rasuna Hotel and Residence offers quick and easy access throughout Jakarta's Central Business District. More a serviced apartment than hotel, guestrooms are larger than average and offer apartment style amenities that are ideal for long staying guests or travelers with families. Managed by Aston Hotels and Resorts, you can be assured of the highest standards of service and facilities all at rates that represent good value for money. Special rate available
11. Hotel Sari Pan Pacific Jakarta 4 star / 400 rooms
Rates: Standard US$ 96.80 / Deluxe US$ 112.53 (include breakfast)
Located along Jl. Thamrin, the most famous boulevard in Jakarta, is the venerable Sari Pan Pacific. Managed by Pan Pacific and offering 400 rooms and suites that provide the highest standard of accommodation and service. The hotel is ideally located for the businessman needing quick and easy access to government offices and the Central Business District (and leisure visitors will love the hotel's proximity to great shopping and dining - all within walking distance from the hotel).
12. Ibis Kemayoran Jakarta 3 star / 130 rooms / Rating: 6.9 (2 reviews)
Rates: Ibis Room Rp 345,000
Right in the heart of historic Jakarta, only 5 minutes driving distance from Jakarta Fair Ground, 25 minutes from Soekarno-Hatta Internatonal Airport, 10 minutes from Chinatown-Mangga Dua shopping area and 5 minutes from Gambir Railway station.
13. Ibis Tamarin Jakarta 3 star / 125 rooms / Rating: 7.2 (2 reviews)
Rates: Standard US$ 49.00 (include breakfast)
Very well placed in the centre of Jakarta, on Jl. Wahid Hasyim is the Ibis Tamarin. Offering clean, budget accommodation is the hallmark of Ibis Hotels and Ibis Tamarin is no exception putting you in the heart of Central Jakarta's exciting shopping and entertainment area and only minutes from the Presidential Palace, Monas and the central business district at a very reasonable rate.
Jalan Jaksa Budget Hotels Information
Jl. Jaksa is quite popular for its cheap but good hotels especially among backpackers. In the first part of two articles, The Jakarta Post reporter Lenah Susianty interviews visitors and also Nathanael Lawalata, the man who first developed a hotel for budget tourists, to gain insight on how the street earned international fame.
JAKARTA (JP): If you ask for Jl. Jaksa, taxi drivers will take you to Wisma Delima Youth Hostel, states a guide book published in the 1980s by The Lonely Planet.
Today Wisma Delima is not the only hotel located on the street which provides the cheapest accommodation for backpackers in the city. Many establishments have sprung up in the area joining in on the lucrative business. However, it is Wisma Delima which brought the narrow street to the attention of foreign backpackers and gave Jl. Jaksa a place in history.
Jl. Jaksa became a tourist center by serving International Youth Hostel Federation members. Indonesia is no longer a member of the Federation because the Federation rules that its members must be from the private circle, not the government.
The street was named Jl. Jaksa because it was where students of the Rechts Hogeschool (the Law College), which was located near the National Museum during colonial times, lived. Jaksa, listed in every guide book of Indonesia, means attorney.
01. Le Margot (021-3913830),
Le Margot (021-3913830), which resembles an actual hotel inside as well as outside. Rooms are about Rp. 150.000 and have a/c, tv, safety deposit box and hot water. The attached backpackers' restaurant is quite popular and bang in the middle of all the action on Jalan Jaksa.
02. Hotel Karya Bahana (021-3140484/3150519)
Hotel Karya Bahana (021-3140484/3150519) can be found on Jalan Jaksa No. 32. Its slogan reads ‘with Royal and Golden service' and although that might be slightly exaggerated, the hotel indeed has a friendly staff and not too bad rooms, with a/c, bathroom with bathtub, tv and minibar. Prices start at Rp. 170,000 and include breakfast.
03. Borneo hostel (021-3140095)
Borneo hostel (021-3140095) just west of Jalan Jaksa, on Jalan Kebon Sirih Barat No. 35. It has rooms starting from Rp. 50,000 with communal bathroom and fan, to air-conditioned rooms with bathroom for Rp. 135,000. The place has recently been redecorated and therefore spurs an un-Jaksa-like coziness. The best room is upstairs at the front where there's a cozy balcony and access to the flower filled rooftop terrace.
04. Bloemsteen Homestay (021-325389)
Bloemsteen Homestay (021-325389) and the next-door Kresna Homestay (021-325403), located in Gang 1, a small alley on the Eastern side of Jalan Jaksa. Although rooms are cramped and could use a good scrub, they are very affordable starting at Rp. 35,000, and the atmosphere is slightly less depressing than other places in the neighborhood.
