Jakarta Tourist Traps

General recommendation in Jakarta-
if sometimes in case of trouble:

Yes, in case of trouble in this big Megacity Jakarta

try to be calm!- and remember the oldie song ...."don´t worry , be happy..."

simply try to change your plan, if time needs it make a new, or better take a rest...

See the photo just seen an advice at an overpass in Jalan Thamrin in December 2007!

Go by meter. Probably always cheaper.
Why? Because you can newer know excactly how far it is. And to judge what is best you have to know. They would not suggest a fixed price if it is not higher than what they get by meter.

You can order Bluebird taxi from a counter on yhe right side just after imigration on Soekarno Hatta airport. They offer various standard of car transport from limo with fixed price to Bluebird by meter.
There is also a counter beside the taxi counter where you can book hotel.

It was not a serious a trap.. But actually they get surprised of being a tall black human hanging around in the city (which I am not tall, but comparing to them HEY! I am TALL)... most of Indonesian females stopped me and looked at me touched me in my face and hands like a sculpture... (wow!! black tall woman!! what a pretty worthy to stare on!!!) All the citizens there are such a small people... hardly you could figure out who is the father from the kid!!... They are really cute and friendly.. And, well educated people,, do not hesitate to talk to any body there in English...
Sometimes, people on the street or the sellers on the corners yelling at me (Hey Africa!!)

Unique Suggestions: Just contact the hotel costumer services they have much of attractive tours around the city and sometimes, around all Indonesia,,, do not miss the early morning bus tour... ;)

Fun Alternatives: It's extremely fun... you have to notice that Indonesia is so beautiful and precious to discover any spot in it.

When taking cabs, it's a common practise for the cab drivers not to return any change to you if the difference is small (less than US$1). However, some drivers may take advantage of tourists/foreigners by not returning any change at all irregardless of the amount.

Times like this, you must ask for it politely. The best way of course is to keep lots of small change if you plan to use the cab most of the time.

Might happen hat when you walk through Jakarta a student might come up and offer youi to show you the city - of course he's gonna ask for some money in the end !!!

Unique Suggestions: decide if you want this tour or not - can be quite interessting though !!!
or try to get rid of this person in a KIND way !!

Fun Alternatives: take an organised guided tour

Pay attention when you take a cab!
Some taxi drivers tend to use "shortcuts" which in the end take a lot longer than the main roads. Also pay attention to the price they want !

Fun Alternatives: I don't know any !!! Maybe take hotel shuttles or so ?!?!?!

Tourists should take note that the so-called free maps of Jakarta are not free ! Sarinah Shopping Centre sells the free maps of Jakarta, Surabaya and Bandung published by PT Indo Multi-Media, the publisher of Garuda Indonesia's official inflight magazine. Hotels and guesthouses do not stock the free maps of Jakarta. So, if you want to get around Jakarta alone with a reliable map, think twice. The most reliable free tourist map of Jakarta is actually on sale. Whether the sale is legal or clandestine, I cannot confirm.

Unique Suggestions: Avoid buying the free maps of Jakarta. Buy the Jakarta Travel Map published by Sirnabaya Mandirancan. It shows the futuristic Jakarta Monorail and Monas on its front cover. This map on sale shows all the building names and street names in great detail as well as Jakarta's intra-bus transport routes. It is the best travel map of Jakarta.

Fun Alternatives: Ask your Blue Bird Group taxi driver to bring you to your destination if you cannot find your destination on the maps of Jakarta !

Never entertain any watch enquirer at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, for they may just want to sell an expensive fake watch on their hands to you, or pressure you to give your watch to him for a better deal.

Unique Suggestions: Walk away from Indonesian guys that pose the watches to you.

Fun Alternatives: Find a transport to bring you to the city or roam the airport premises.