Solotraveler Tips: "15 Ways to Enjoy and Jump in Solitude at the Crowds of Jakarta and Indonesia!"

​Jakarta and Solotraveler are two words that might be contradictory. Jakarta as the capital of Indonesia is a big city with a bustle of 24-hour non-stop city life activities. While, Solotraveler is someone who travels and enjoys traveling alone to find identity, add insight and of course in this era want to fill their social media accounts with inspirational stories or instagrammable pictures that they gets during the trip.

But based on our experience accompanying many solotravelers, not all of them want to enjoy solitude in a quiet, beautiful and comfortable place or destination. Many are also curious and want to enjoy solitude in a destination or city full of the hustle and bustle of life activities. This type of solotraveler wants to add insight into the process of finding identity and actualizing oneself through travel stories and images in their Instagram account.

Once, a solo traveler we asked about the main reason for traveling alone to Indonesia. The answer is : "The experience gained during the trip will be used to step the work and business forward while enjoying solitude in all the atmosphere wherever it is".
Therefore, enjoying solitude while adding insight into life can not only be done in a quiet, beautiful and comfortable place. However, in a place or destination that is frenzied even though a solotraveler can enjoy it!

So, Here are 15 Tips if You want to Try a Solo Trip to Jakarta or Other Major Cities in Indonesia and Enjoy Jumping in Solitude Amidst the Hustle and Bustle of Life City :

​1. Customize your Clothes Modesty when Visiting a Special Place or Destination

Wherever we set foot in a place or city,; the norms, habits or customs must apply. Especially if a place is known to be very sacred or is a special destination such as an ancient place of worship, a place sanctified by local residents, a pilgrimage burial complex, a sacred museum or during traditional ceremonies. "Where the earth is based, there the sky is held up," the saying goes. Follow the rules of the game that apply in that place and enjoy the atmosphere. Even better if you can give donations perfunctory. But when to make a donation, you can ask your tour guide whether it is mandatory or not.

In terms of dress, maybe western culture puts forward freedom and human rights. But in eastern culture, it would be more ethical and wise if a traveler can adjust to local culture. There are several places that require special and complete clothing. There are also normal. Better to ask or find out about it. If things or norms have been followed and implemented, you can be guaranteed to enjoy it yourself in an atmosphere full of hustle and bustle.

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​2. Don't Forget your Camera to Capture Special Things that Happen.

​The opportunity may not come twice. Beautiful things, touching, inspiring, out of the ordinary; can add your insight when looking at life. Do not forget your camera and capture the moment. The smartphone camera will help in terms of speed and practicality. While a portable camera complete with all its features will make your collection of moments more beautiful. Just adjust where your interests and comfort. The photos or images that you get are guaranteed to be useful for future survival.

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​ 3. Thin Clothes and Sunblock when Tour at Dry Season

​Indonesia has two seasons, the dry season and the rainy season. The dry season usually occurs in March - August and the rainy season in September - February. In the dry season the weather can be quite hot and dry. The city of Jakarta and most other major cities in Indonesia such as Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Bali, Lombok and Medan during the dry season can sometimes experience more hot weather than usual. But that does not mean the atmosphere of the city can not be enjoyed. You can just adjust the condition by using thin clothing and absorbing sweat, use a protective skin sunblock and enough drinking water for freshness of the body. Especially if you plan to do a walking tour to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the big city, the tips above is highly recommended.

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​4. Keep Up and Learn these Magic Words: "Hai, Apa Kabar?" (Hi, How are you?), "Permisi" (Excuse me!), "Tolong" (Please! or Help), "Sampai Jumpa" (See you soon!), "Terima Kasih!" (Thank you!).

​There's a proverb generally accepted and popular in Indonesia: "do not know, then do not love." The population of Jakarta and Indonesia are famous for their hospitality. We as citizens are very open and proud if we can be close and acquainted with you as foreign tourists visiting Indonesia. Although many of us have understood or mastered in English, but the majority of native in Indonesia doesn't enough understand English conversation. We might say "Hello!", "Hi, sir!" Or "Hello Madam!" And doesn't know any more English vocabulary that will be used later. But if you want to say hello and ask something, we as natives will be very honored and certainly ready to help.

Use the magic words opening the initial conversation in Indonesian as follows:
"Hai, Apa Kabar?" (Hi, how are you?), "Permisi..." (excuse me), "Tolong" (help!), "Sampai Jumpa" (see you or goodbye), "Terima Kasih!" (thank you!). Furthermore, you will be able to develop our own intended conversation naturally and the atmosphere can be beautiful, comfortable and liquid.

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​​5. Choose a Hotel close to the Downtown Crowds.

​Maybe this advice applies to travelers in general. But if you are traveling solo in a big city and at the same time want to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city atmosphere, it would be better if the hotel or inn where you stay is close to the hustle of the city center. This is important to save your budget and time efficiency if you want to do your own walking tour. You only need to walk from where you stay to the center of the crowd. Big cities like Jakarta, which has a population of around 15 million people and a fairly high level of traffic congestion will require time if you want to explore the hustle and bustle of your hotel quite far away.

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6. Use Local Guide to visit Places which is Difficult to Reach, Please don't Force Yourself!

​Local guides or native residents of a city are more understanding in enjoying the atmosphere of the city than you who might be the first time visiting the city. Do not hesitate to ask for help or instructions from them. Especially if your goal plan is a place that seems difficult to reach or you think you need a guide to visit it. Don't force yourself to a place that you find difficult. Use local tour guides or help local natives that you trust. Consult with the guide in advance via whatsapp mobile about travel time, how to get to the destination and costs involved. You can see the tour guide recommendations that you trust via the Trip Advisor.com site or our service Hellonolan.com. Local guides on one hand will make you comfortable, efficient and happy in reaching these hard-to-reach destinations.

For an example, in Jakarta precisely in the area around Tanjung Priok there is a very old church site built by the Portuguese around the 17th Century. The church is still standing until now with a little renovation on the building. Its position is also in the middle of a crowd of residential houses and shipping sheds. Even though it is close to the center of Jakarta, special tricks are needed to achieve it due to high traffic and winding roads. But a local guide must have special tricks to achieve it easily and comfortably.

​In addition there is also an ancient megalithic site in the Mount Padang area of ​​Cianjur city which is quite far from Jakarta. However, a local guide or a local native can easily reach it from your location of stay because they are more familiar with the characteristics of the area.

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7. Just Talk Directly if You Need Something, We are very Friendly and Appreciate Friendship.

There's another proverb saying which was very popular in Indonesia and useful for us as travelers: "Embarrassed to ask, go astray on the road". Sometimes we as humans rely too much on our own minds and ego. We can be too confident in trying to reach our travel destination. Confidence is positive and good for us. But in exploring a place, it's better to have that confidence mix with the opinions of others who are more experienced or in control of the area. Only after that we decide how to do it next.

Residents of Jakarta and other big cities in Indonesia are very friendly and respectful friends. Just ask directly about something you want to know about how to get to a destination or whats needed there to the people you met. You can ask directly to hotel staff or the place where you stay, someone you meet on the street, store, mall or in public transportation. Don't forget to use magic words at point no.4 above. You will surely find new experiences and atmosphere that can be enjoyed and remembered. 

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8. Check and Find Out Recommended Areas to Visit while Try to Connect with the Locals.

Preparation was very important in terms to make explores. You can save your time and maximize the planned activities that will be carried out and know the conditions of the place you want to visit at this time. Monitor and find out the recommended places to visit when you traveling solo. You can use the Foursquare site or Trip Advisor to help find places you like wherever you are. After that, don't forget to try to blend in with the locals to add your travel experience.

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9. Browse first! Many Cheap and Comfortable Budget Lodgings in Jakarta and other Cities in Indonesia for Solotravelers.

​This one tip is also part of your preparation. Reduce your costs and use them as efficiently as possible. If you plan to stay at a budget hotel or lodging specifically for solotravelers or backpackers, these places are widely available in Jakarta and other major cities in Indonesia. Browse first on the internet, find a few and compare which ones are the best because there are so many budget hotels and inns available. As in Jakarta, you can browse for cheap hotels and inns on this page on our site (click here). Also in Jakarta, there are cheap and comfortable lodging specifically for solotravelers and backpackers such as Six Degrees or The Packer Lodge.

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​10. Find and Determine the Nearest Money Changer for You to Easily Prepare Local Currency Cash.

​In general, restaurants or food halls in Jakarta and Indonesia do not recognize cash tips for waiters or staff because their services are already counted at service charge item in your foods bill. But if you want to enjoy the city of Jakarta and other big cities by mingling with communication and exploration or asking for help from local residents, its fair enough to give a donation or cash tip as your gratitude. This is not somethings mandatory for you to do, but small cash rupiahs supply is very useful to anticipate the unexpected. You can exchange it at the nearest money changer or at the airport when you arrive in a city.

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Next ...! Here are 5 Other Tips that We Recommend and We Believe You May Understand in Describing Them... :) 

11. Enjoy the Beautiful Crowd at the Traditional Market apart from the Mall.

12. Look for a Café that Presents Live Music if You want to Enjoy Night Music in Jakarta, More Cozy and Definitely Memorable!

13. As Much as Possible Make a Short Friendship with Local Residents, if You want to Get New and Different Perspectives or Insights.

14. Enjoy Local Food & Drink, also Souvenirs for your Unforgettable Memories.
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15. Find out or Browse Interesting Event in a City being held when you Come to Visit.

​Thank you and enjoy your solo trip at Wonderful Indonesia, travelers! :)