For your next trip to indonesia, you wonder if Jakarta is a safe city and if there are neighborhoods or areas to avoid.
Indeed, the capital of Indonesia has always had the reputation of being a chaotic and overcrowded metropolis. But is Jakarta a dangerous city?
We will discover below that while it is true that traveling to Jakarta involves risks, the city is not really dangerous. As in any large agglomeration, certain areas and situations require caution and vigilance.
This article will allow you to know the areas to avoid in Jakarta but also the best neighborhoods to stay. This is a guide to neighborhoods in Jakarta with Google Maps and tips for finding the best place to stay.
This is a summary of the data available on the Internet at the time of writing (forums, newspaper articles, rankings and statistics) and therefore does not contain any judgment or discriminatory remarks.
Is Jakarta a safe city?
To say whether Jakarta is a safe city, you have to compare its level of crime with that of other major cities in the world.
However, if we study the figures provided by the world ranking Numbeo.com, we see that Jakarta has a crime index of 52.52. This means that, unlike Denpasar, Jakarta is not a safe city because it is in the middle range.
In comparison on this ranking, Jakarta is more dangerous than Dallas, Cairo, Istanbul, , Bangkok ou Bombay.
This is confirmed on the Numbeo.com map below where Jakarta is not pinned in green or yellow but in orange:
Is Jakarta a dangerous city in 2024?
While Jakarta was listed among the 2019 safest cities in the world in 10 (see article on aseantoday.com), What about today ? Is Jakarta dangerous in 2024?
According to the various rankings of the most dangerous cities in the world in 2024, we see that Jakarta is not included (statista.com ou populationu.com).
So we can say that even though Jakarta is not 100% safe, it is not considered a dangerous city.
Indeed, like all big cities, Jakarta has its share of security problems. But they are more linked to petty crime and theft. Indeed, there are very few violent crimes in Jakarta.
However, Jakarta is a city where there is a proven terrorist risk. Here is what the site says France Diplomacy : « A number of terrorist acts have been committed, without foreign interests being particularly targeted so far. The approach of general elections in February 2024 could lead to an increase in political violence throughout Indonesia"
Is Jakarta safe for tourists?
Yes, tourists can travel to Jakarta without being in danger as they might be in a city in the Mexico orSouth Africa.
However, petty crime is still present at tourist sites and in highly frequented places such as markets and public transport. This is confirmed France Diplomacy which indicates :
« The level of security is generally satisfactory in Indonesia. However, we are witnessing an upsurge in petty crime (purse robbery) in tourist areas (Bali, Lombok, Jakarta, etc.), with a sharp increase in the number of offenses as major holidays approach (Day of year, Idul Fitri). Several cases of loss of consciousness have been reported after ingesting drinks offered by strangers. Once drugged, people are dispossessed of their property and wake up with no memory of their attackers. Cases of credit card fraud have been reported. It is advisable to show great caution when using this means of payment (do not take your eyes off your card).«
Another security problem in Jakarta is traffic congestion. Heavy traffic can prevent emergency services from reaching their destination quickly. This can be a significant problem in an emergency, as it can lead to delays in medical assistance or police response. However, the city has implemented several measures to address this issue, such as creating emergency vehicle lanes and improving the public transportation system.
Now let's see which neighborhoods and areas to avoid in Jakarta.
Map of Jakarta neighborhoods
Jakarta is a huge, sprawling city with a population of over 10 million. It consists of 5 main areas:
- Central Jakarta (Jakarta Pusat)
- West Jakarta (Jakarta Barat)
- South Jakarta (Jakarta Selatan)
- East Jakarta (Jakarta Timur)
- North Jakarta (Jakarta Utara)
Each of these areas has many neighborhoods, the list of which is too long to mention them all.
On the other hand, to help you identify neighborhoods to avoid in Jakarta, here is a map of the main districts of the city
Dangerous neighborhoods in Jakarta?
After much research on the internet and on the recommendations for travelers from many countries, I did not find any text mentioning dangerous neighborhoods in Jakarta.
While there are indeed poor, densely populated, poorly equipped neighborhoods to be avoided, especially at night, there is no truly dangerous neighborhood in Jakarta.
Areas to avoid in Jakarta for a tourist trip
Without being dangerous areas, the city of Jakarta has some less quiet and less interesting areas for tourists.
According to many forums and web articles, the main area to avoid in Jakarta is the area to the east of the city with Matraman (community conflicts) and Salemba (drug trafficking).
Another area to avoid in Jakarta: It is located in and around Kampung Ambon where there is a slum where you can feel insecure.
Neighborhoods to avoid in Jakarta
While it is important to know the areas to avoid in Jakarta, it is essential to note that the city is generally safe for tourists and expats.
However, according to many expat forums, some areas of Jakarta are considered less safe than others, especially at night.
Here is the list of these neighborhoods to avoid in Jakarta:
- Koja
- Cilincing
- The slums of Networking and the river Ciliwung
- joglo
- Drum
- Malay Village
- Cawang
- Jatinegara
Best areas to stay in Jakarta
Far from the areas to avoid in Jakarta, there are many very safe and friendly neighborhoods to stay. Among the best areas to stay in Jakarta, real estate agencies mainly cite:
- Kemang, nicknamed the “Bali of Jakarta”
- Kelapa Gading which is one of the most chic and expensive areas of Jakarta
- menteng
- The Golden Triangle made up of the neighborhoods of Sudirman, Gatot Subroto and Rasuna Said
- Kebayoran Lama
- Green Gem
- Senayan
- Cipete
- Beautiful Cottage
Best area in Jakarta for tourists
The best area of Jakarta for tourists is undoubtedly Menteng. Indeed, Menteng is a tourist district in central Jakarta, renowned for its colonial buildings and beautiful parks. See location of this neighborhood
Menteng tourist district of Jakarta
For those who want to visit Jakarta, Menteng is the district that houses the emblematic sites of the city: Presidential Palace, Taman Suropati Park, National Museum, Sukarno National Monument.
Another reason why Menteng is the best area in Jakarta for tourists is its proximity to other attractions like the National Monument, Old Town (kota), Textile Museum, Istiqlal Mosque and Jakarta Cathedral (10 minutes away road from Menteng).
Moreover, Menteng is well connected to other parts of the city by public transport.
It is also an ideal area if you want to go shopping. Indeed, there is the Grand Indonesia Mall, one of the largest shopping centers in Southeast Asia.
And this district is also a short distance from the famous shopping district of Jalan Thamrin, where tourists can buy souvenirs and traditional Indonesian handicrafts.
Finally, Menteng is also renowned for its nightlife, with cool bars and restaurants offering a wide variety of cuisines. From traditional nasi goreng to more refined Indonesian specialties, there is something for everyone in Menteng.
Where to stay in Jakarta?
If you want to stay in the tourist district of Menteng, the accommodation options are many and varied, ranging from luxury hotels to guesthouses.
Some of the most popular hotels in the area include the Shangri La Hotel Jakarta, Four Seasons Hotel and Hotel Alila Jakarta.
If you are looking for a more affordable option, I recommend this hotel at the best value for money: Ashley Wahid Hasyim Jakarta.
Indeed, it benefits from an ideal location for tourists: 400 meters from the Sarinah mall, the Tugu Tani Monument and very close to the Taman Menteng Park and the National Monument.
Where to stay in Jakarta to go to Yogyakarta?
If Jakarta is only a stage before going to Yogyakarta, I recommend that you stay in a cheap hotel near Gambir Station (the one that connects Jakarta to Yogyakarta and other cities in Indonesia): Konko Hostel Jakarta
Where to stay near Jakarta airport?
What if you need to spend only one night in Jakarta before joining Bali or another destination by plane, I recommend that you stay in a cheap hotel near the airport: Digital Airport Hotel
Indeed, this modern hotel is located in Jakarta International Airport and offers well-equipped capsule-shaped rooms.