New Zealand is a long, narrow and relatively sparsely populated country.
06.10.2023 - 00:31 / lonelyplanet.com / Art
Jakarta is sometimes overlooked by visitors bound for Java's ancient ruins or the beaches of Bali. But skipping this vast, teeming city in the far west of Java means missing out on world-class food and coffee, a historic old quarter, thriving art galleries, some of the best shopping in Southeast Asia and a surprisingly exciting nightlife scene.
First-time visitors to Jakarta can be overwhelmed; roads are heavily congested and the many skyscrapers are often screened by a thick layer of smog. However, there's plenty to see and just offshore are pollution-free beaches and islands. Here’s everything you need to know when visiting Jakarta for the first time.
Jakarta is hot and humid all year round, but there are two distinct seasons: a dry season that runs from May to September and a wet season running from October to April. The best time to visit is from June to August, when it’s dry and the humidity drops to manageable levels.
It’s also perfectly possible to visit in the rainy season, as the daily downpours tend only to last for a couple of hours, although flooding can affect parts of the city. Avoid traveling to Jakarta close to or during Ramadan, when many businesses close and hotels are booked out.
Most people visit Jakarta as part of a longer trip to Indonesia , spending just a few days exploring the capital’s historic center and checking out the excellent restaurant and café scene. But don't overlook the splendid shopping in street markets and the many malls, as well as the many worthy museums and lively art galleries.
Spend four days here and you'll have time for an overnight visit to the beaches of the Thousand Islands, where locals head for weekend breaks. The closest strands are just a 30-minute boat ride from Jakarta's Ancol Marina.
About 35km west of the city, busy Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) is Jakarta’s principal airport, and all international and most domestic flights operate from here. Trains and buses link the airport to Jakarta or you can take a taxi.
Centrally located Stasiun Gambir is the main train station, with express services across Java operated by Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI). Trains are faster and more comfortable than buses, and sometimes cheaper. Passenger ships run by Pelni connect Jakarta with destinations across Indonesia.
With its expansive sprawl, Jakarta is not a walkable city and traffic jams are a way of life. The first line of Jakarta's evolving citywide MRT system runs south from Menteng incenterentre of the city. For destinations off the MRT line, visitors must depend on slow buses or taxis.
The most reliable taxi company is Bluebird or use Grab, the Southeast Asian version of Uber. Go-Jek is a motorcycle ride service that’s useful for navigating
New Zealand is a long, narrow and relatively sparsely populated country.
This series of articles about credit cards, points and miles, and budgeting for travel is brought to you in partnership with The Points Guy.
Britain’s original destination for a dirty weekend, Brighton has had a reputation for licentiousness since the Prince Regent (later King George IV) started bringing his mistress Maria Fitzherbert here in the late 18th century. The construction of his coastal party pad, Brighton Pavilion, sealed the deal — slowly transforming the sleepy fishing village of Brighthelmston into a fashionable destination for the Regency elite, as well as setting a deliriously high standard for subsequent society pleasure dens.
From the finding true local cuisine to discovering more about the history of the islands, here are the best ways to get under the skin of The Bahamas.
This as-told-to story is based on a conversation with Sarah Littauer, a 27-year-old photographer based in Australia. She shares what she's learned since moving to Perth, Australia in 2019. It's been edited for length and clarity.
It’s too modern. It’s too fashion-focused. It’s fast-paced, devoid of la dolce vita, it doesn’t feel Italian. Milan has had the same old criticisms levelled at it for decades, and for decades Italy’s business capital has shrugged them off. Because anyone who really knows the city knows it’s not like that at all. The difference between Milan and the rest of the country is that where most Italian cities put their heritage on blousy display, Milan stands back, willing you to discover hers gradually.
With the narrow spire of Tokyo’s Skytree in the distance, the view from Yokohama’s waterfront never seems to escape the clutches of its more prominent neighbour. Yet, Japan’s second-largest city is coming into its own as an artistic haven. This creativity is set to be showcased in style in March 2024, when the Yokohama Museum of Art reopens after a two-year renovation — just in time for the Yokohama Triennale, an art festival that turns the city into a creative stage every three years.
A handful of restaurant tables in New York just became even more coveted reservations. Tacking onto the 15 New York additions to the Michelin Guide announced in September, the Michelin Guide just added 11 more restaurants.
Greenland, the world’s largest island, is a country of wild extremes: uninhabitable wilderness at its core, and delightfully warm and charming people living in harmony with it. Climbers come to scale its spectacular sheer rock faces, scientists come to see what the melting ice can tell us of the planet’s future, and many visitors come away with a whole new perspective on life.
The largest country in Central America - dubbed the land of lakes and volcanoes - Nicaragua has retained its off-the-beaten-path feel, and much of it has been preserved rather than developed.
It will come as zero surprise that Las Vegas, Nevada, is considered the best party city in the US, according to a survey by U.S. News & World Report. What’s even less surprising is that Salt Lake City, Utah, did not make this top-10 list. Truth be told, it might not even crack the top 20. But it’s on the rise. With a boost from COVID and a number of other factors working in its favor, the Salt Lake City party scene is becoming a true nightlife ecosystem with its own unique style, sound and vibe. This is your guide to going out in the capital city of the Beehive State.
Guatemala is an incredibly diverse country that offers some of the best natural attractions and hiking in the region.