The U.S. and Canadian governments have recommended that their citizens defer all nonessential travel to Indonesia. The situation there became tense in the wake of the September 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S. and subsequent military actions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Since the October 2002 bombings in Bali, the August 2003 hotel bombing in Jakarta, the 2004 bombing of the Australian Embassy in Jakarta and the 2005 bombings in Bali, the situation has reached crisis level.
Visitors should exercise extreme caution in Jakarta. Steer clear of street demonstrations, which are less frequent than they were before the fall of Suharto's regime in 1998 and the elections in 1999. Foreign visitors are urged to keep a low profile and stay abreast of current conditions, which can change quickly.
Nonpolitical crimes such as purse snatching, pickpocketing and robbery are on the rise. Police action focused on petty crime is almost nonexistent, making it hardly worth reporting the incidents. Credit-card theft has become common. Shop employees have been known to hand customers someone else's credit card instead of their own after they have paid. Another sophisticated trick is to use the digital-camera feature on many cell phones to photograph your card number and signature. Do not let your credit card out of your sight.
Limit your nighttime travels and try to remain in well-populated areas. Avoid rough areas such as Tanah Abang, bus terminals and slums. Use a money belt or other device to carry your cash and credit cards. Leave valuables at home or in a hotel safe. When traveling in a car, keep your doors locked and the windows up. Avoid public buses and book taxis by phone. If you must hail a taxi on the street, try for a Blue Bird or an Express (white) taxi. Most travel is quite safe, but a good rule of thumb is that the more dilapidated the car, the greater the chance of an unpleasant surprise. Women should be wary of traveling alone in a taxi late at night—armed robberies do take place.
For the most part, building codes are not enforced. Don't assume the codes have been checked and be very aware of your surroundings.
For the latest information, contact your country's travel-advisory agency.
Tap water is not safe to drink: Stick with bottled water, which is widely available. If you're unsure about any water or ice that may be offered to you, give it a pass. (The water in pitchers in most hotel rooms is from a bottled source.) The sweet hot tea offered everywhere, from beauty salons to government offices, is usually safe because the water has been boiled. Sanitation is generally acceptable in most restaurants, but food from roadside stalls can cause troubles for some visitors. Avoid coming in contact with the water in rivers and canals: Local residents in some areas use them as open-air toilets. Disease is less of a danger in Jakarta than in rural areas of Indonesia, but travelers anywhere in the country should be up-to-date on major inoculations such as polio and tetanus. There is no malaria in Jakarta or surrounding regions, and the use of antimalarial drugs is generally discouraged. You should note that dengue fever is common in Jakarta and that there is no inoculation against it. Be aware of the symptoms (fever, red spots all over your body) and seek medical attention immediately if they appear. Before you depart, discuss the precautions you should follow with your doctor or a travel-medicine specialist.
Most five-star hotels have English-speaking doctors on call. There are also clinics that cater to foreigners visiting and living in Jakarta, including the 24-hour AEA International Clinic/SOS Medika (Jalan Puri Sakti 10, phone 750-5973, emergencies 750-6001). In an emergency, it might be faster to use your own transportation instead of waiting for the ambulance. Take along enough money to pay your way into the hospital: A credit-card down payment will usually suffice. Hospitals do not bill or file insurance claims for you, so get receipts for all services. For serious ailments and anything requiring surgery, you will be better off in a Singapore hospital: Most Indonesians who can afford it fly there for treatment.
For more information, contact your country's health-advisory agency.
Jakarta is not a particularly friendly place for the disabled traveler. Most larger hotels are wheelchair accessible because of ramps used for the luggage trolleys, and accessible toilet facilities can be found in luxury hotels and large shopping malls. Streets and sidewalks are difficult to navigate even for the able-bodied.
Do dress conservatively when visiting a mosque.
Don't over-react when strangers say "hello mister" to you for no reason.
Do learn your numbers in Indonesian—it is an easy language and will make your bargaining more fun, and Indonesians will appreciate the effort you've made.
Don't bargain for items with a marked price—do bargain for everything else.
