Jakarta · 29°C · Overcast clouds · Rp 17,875 / USD

Practical Living

From navigating Jakarta traffic to finding the best hobbies and hidden gems, discover the everyday know-how that helps expats truly settle into city life.

Living in Jakarta becomes much easier once you know where to find reliable, practical information. Everyday routines may work differently from those in your home country, whether you are arranging internet access, buying groceries, travelling across the city or deciding how to spend your free time. This collection brings together straightforward advice for expatriates, international families and foreign professionals settling into life in the capital and elsewhere in Indonesia. You will find guidance on transportation in Jakarta, including taxis, ride-hailing services and public transport, as well as information about shopping centres, supermarkets, speciality food stores, personal services, home security and other details that can make daily life more manageable.

Making a home here is not only about handling practical necessities; it is also about finding activities, services and communities that help you enjoy your time in Indonesia. The articles below introduce hobbies in Jakarta and leisure activities for different interests and stages of life, from sports and fitness clubs, golf and scuba diving to spas, nightlife, books and fun activities for children. There is also practical advice on safety, communications, travel within Indonesia and services such as tailoring, beauty care, cleaning and catering. Some resources focus specifically on Jakarta, while others are useful throughout the country. Browse the collection to answer immediate questions, discover options you may not have considered and gain the local knowledge that often takes newcomers months to acquire.

Latest in Practical Living
Radio in Indonesia

Radio in Indonesia

Article Updated on June 17, 2026

A Brief History of Radio in Indonesia Radio broadcasting in Indonesia has a long history dating back to the Dutch colonial period. Some of the...

Fun with Indonesian Acronyms

Fun with Indonesian Acronyms

Article Updated on June 19, 2026

Some Indonesian, and some not. Just a few fun acronyms … to complement your Bahasa Indonesia learning! ABCD ABRI Bukan Cepak Doang (He’s not in...

Playing PoolBilliards in Jakarta

Playing Pool/Billiards in Jakarta

Article Updated on June 21, 2026

Pool and billiards remain popular throughout Jakarta, with venues ranging from dedicated billiard halls and sports lounges to entertainment complexes with professional-standard tables. Many venues...

Shopping in Jakarta

Shopping in Jakarta

Article Updated on June 22, 2026

One of the pleasant surprises for many newcomers to Indonesia is the variety of shopping opportunities available in Jakarta. From traditional markets and neighborhood specialty...

347-Recommended Publications

Recommended Publications

Article Updated on June 2, 2026

See Bookstores in Indonesia for information on where to order/purchase these books. Non-Fiction Books Stormy With a Chance of Fried Rice: Twelve Months in Jakarta...

https://www.casadomaine.co.id/floorplan

Peraturan Keamanan Rumah

Article Updated on June 17, 2026

Catatan Editor: Panduan ini dirancang untuk membantu keluarga dan staf rumah tangga memahami prosedur keamanan dasar di rumah. Setiap rumah memiliki kebutuhan yang berbeda, sehingga...

Softball in Jakarta

Softball in Jakarta

Article Updated on June 23, 2026

Softball continues to be an active sport in Jakarta, with opportunities for both expatriates and Indonesians to participate in recreational and competitive leagues. Historically, the...

Giving Back

Giving Back

Article Updated on June 7, 2026

Opportunities to Support Indonesian Social Welfare Efforts “I always saw my involvement with social welfare as a chance for me to give something back to...

Keeping in Touch Taking Emails a step further

Keeping in Touch: Taking Emails a step further

Article Updated on June 23, 2026

Living overseas is one of life’s great adventures. Whether you have relocated to Indonesia for work, retirement, business, or family reasons, living abroad offers opportunities...

Women Who Care Social Welfare Committee Volunteers in Indonesia

Women Who Care: Social Welfare Committee Volunteers in Indonesia

Article Updated on June 16, 2026

Upon arrival in Indonesia, many international residents are struck by the contrasts they encounter. Modern office towers, luxury shopping centers, and thriving business districts exist...

Organic Living in Jakarta, Indonesia

Organic Living in Jakarta, Indonesia

Article Updated on June 12, 2026

What is organic? Organic usually refers to all “naturally produced” foods or the product of organic farming. Organic food differs from conventionally produced food in...

Rainy Season Woes

Rainy Season Woes

Article Updated on July 26, 2026

Have you been through a rainy season in Jakarta? If so, you know the scenarios: flooded streets, traffic, honking horns, more traffic, leaking roofs, flooded...

Community Bulletin Boards

Community Bulletin Boards

Article Published on February 10, 2023

Long before we all had cell phones and long before the internet, expat community bulletin boards around Jakarta served a vital purpose in getting the...

Church Services in Surabaya

Church Services in Surabaya

Article Updated on May 16, 2026

Church service times and locations in Surabaya may occasionally change during major religious holidays or special events. Visitors are encouraged to confirm schedules directly with...

Religious Services in Foreign Languages

Religious Services in Foreign Languages

Article Updated on March 12, 2026

Many types of religious services are organised by the expatriate community and held in foreign languages — English, French, German, Korean, Japanese and others. If...

shopping galore in indonesia

Factory Outlet Shopping: Bargains Galore Across Indonesia

Article Updated on April 9, 2026

In many other countries, an outlet store is a location where the factory or brand owner sells their items to the public direct from the...

Church Services in Bali

Church Services in Bali

Article Updated on July 20, 2026

Although Bali is widely known for its Hindu culture and temples, the island is also home to a diverse Christian community. Both Indonesian Christians and...

Registration of Prepaid Hand Phone Cards

Registration of Prepaid Hand Phone Cards

Article Published on May 7, 2015

A government regulation that took effect on November 1, 2005 requires that all users of prepaid cards for hand phones (cell phones or mobile phones)...

Household Security Rules

Household Security Rules

Article Published on April 19, 2014

In Bahasa Indonesia In any large city there will always be criminals and thieves. Jakarta is no different and it is important to always be...

catholic mass

Catholic Mass in Jakarta

Article Updated on March 12, 2026

Jakarta is home to a substantial and diverse Catholic community, including a significant international population. Across the city there are regular Mass services held in...

Sailing the Seven Seas of the Indonesian Archipelago

Sailing the Seven Seas of the Indonesian Archipelago

Article Published on September 10, 2010

Exploring the Seven Seas of Eastern Indonesia, all around Komodo, right through the Banda Sea or all the islands of Raja Ampat! Indonesia is a...

The 10 Commandments for Expats

The 10 Commandments for Expats

Article Updated on June 20, 2026

Editor’s Note: This lighthearted piece has been shared among expatriate communities for many years and remains a favorite because its gentle humor captures many of...

A Comprehensive IndonesianEnglish Dictionary

A Comprehensive Indonesian-English Dictionary

Article Published on February 10, 2010

This second edition of A Comprehensive Indonesian-English Dictionary brings the highly successful first edition up to date with hundreds of new entries in business, law,...

Transnational Lives Expatriates in Indonesia

Transnational Lives: Expatriates in Indonesia

Article Updated on June 11, 2026

Editor’s Note: Transnational Lives: Expatriates in Indonesia was first published in 2007 and is based on research conducted among Jakarta’s expatriate community in the early...

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