Explore Jakarta in 2-3 Days: Discover the Diverse Sides of This Vibrant City

The wealth gap is striking, and the streets are often marred by dirt and disorder. In the SCBD area, the scene transforms into that of a first-class city, with pristine and picturesque surroundings, and well-dressed pedestrians. However, once you step outside this zone, the landscape shifts dramatically to resemble a third-world country.

Jakarta’s road planning is haphazard, and the infrastructure leaves much to be desired. Coupled with abysmal driving habits, this results in chronic traffic congestion, though the awareness of right-of-way is somewhat better than in China.

There’s a pervasive sense that the administrative bodies lack initiative. It seems they may have thrown in the towel and decided to start afresh by building a new capital city.

Public transportation in Jakarta is woefully inadequate, and travel still heavily relies on taxis or ride-hailing services. With the constant traffic congestion, there are few viable alternatives.

Overall, Jakarta is not an inexpensive city. While it is slightly cheaper than Shanghai, the difference is minimal. You can find good value in beef and seafood, which are both reasonably priced and of high quality.

The number and quality of coffee shops in Jakarta far exceed expectations. It’s no wonder Indonesia performs so well in world coffee competitions. Under such intense competition, each coffee shop strives to stand out, creating a vibrant and dynamic coffee culture. As for taste, while Indonesian local beans are not my personal favorite, I made it a point to try as many as possible during my stay in Jakarta.

Stray cats roam the streets, but overall, there are no major safety concerns. I even ventured into the northern part of the old town during the day. In that area, the number of homeless people is noticeably higher, but they don’t appear to be threatening. However, observing some of their makeshift shelters, it’s clear that safety could be an issue at certain times.

Despite its flaws, Jakarta exudes the energy of a rising economy, and the overall vitality is quite impressive.