About Bogor

Bogor, the rainy city or Kota Hujan as the locals say, is also a city that has held a World Record for the greatest number of thunderstorms in a year. True to its nickname, on average, Bogor receives 4000 mm of rain a year with over 200 mm falling in any one month, including May to August, although these months are usually the driest. Hence the first law of Bogor: always keep an umbrella handy wherever you go - rain may come at any time in the afternoon or evening during the dry season and all day long during the wet season. Fortunately, the mornings are usually clear blue and bright, as are most dry season evenings, enabling you to see colorful sunsets and fruit-bats flying away from Kebun Raya / Botanic Garden to start their nocturnal journey.

Bogor is located 60 km to the south of Jakarta (45 minutes on the Jagorawi toll road) and at 270 metres above sea level. Many people live in Bogor and commute to Jakarta every day by car, bus or the electric train service. It is cheap to get to the main markets, shopping centers and the central city area from almost anywhere in Bogor by public transportation. There are no timetables or regular stopping places except the main terminals. Just stand on the side of the road and ask the driver, when he stops, if he is going near your destination. Once you get to know the places you want to go, the system works well, but may be quite daunting for the newcomer. Public vehicles, except taxis, becaks (tricycle pedicaps) and delmans (horse-drawn buggies) are supposed to keep to certain routes. Payment is made to the driver or his attendant while in the vehicle or as you get out. Taxis (Bluebird group) are generally available in Bogor.

Travel advisory for Indonesia

Should you travel to Jakarta and you should use ONLY Silver Bird or Blue Bird taxis. The company has counters inside the arrival terminal at the airport. Do not accept the services of a tout. If you hail a taxi on your own, read the logo carefully to identify it as Blue Bird because many other taxis are also painted blue. Or you can take a damri special bus from airport directly to Bogor.

There is a hotel in the international terminal of the airport as well as a Sheraton a short ride away. The Sheraton has an office inside the international arrival area where you can arrange for shuttle bus service to the hotel.

For further information, please call me (heldi): 0251-7172019 (local).
From outside Indonesia, dial +62-251-7172019. At all other times,

E-mail: bogor@heldi.net