Bogor is the 14th largest city in Indonesia, with a population of approximately 1.231 million (2023 census).
CIFOR-ICRAF (www.cifor-icraf.org) — formed by the 2022 merger of the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) — continues to bring foreign researchers to Bogor for short-term study, research projects and meetings, and remains one of the principal reasons an international community has long been established in the city.
Living in Bogor vs Jakarta
The temperatures are definitely cooler in Bogor than Jakarta, especially at elevated locations where you get a breeze. While living in Ciawi (South Bogor), we originally purchased two air conditioners, but never installed them. With clean air, even the warmest afternoon is tolerable.
There is heavy traffic on the main roads in Bogor, where there seems to be an angkot (public transport) for every family. There is serious congestion at the Ciawi toll road exit on those weekends when half of Jakarta tries to go to Puncak. From near the end of the toll road in Bogor, the commute to Jakarta takes approximately 90 minutes (leaving before 6 am or after 9 am). The return trip takes around 60 minutes (leaving before 4 pm). Several road-widening and one-way street conversion projects have been completed in recent years, though congestion on the main arterial roads remains a daily reality, particularly around the Ciawi and Baranangsiang areas.
For those commuting to Jakarta regularly, the KRL Commuterline train service is a practical and affordable alternative to driving. Bogor Station is the southern terminus of the main Jakarta-Bogor commuter rail line, with trains running frequently throughout the day. The journey to Manggarai or Sudirman in central Jakarta typically takes between 60 and 90 minutes depending on the time of day, and the fare is a fraction of the cost of a toll road commute. Many expats living in central Bogor find the KRL a far less stressful option than driving, particularly during peak hours.
There is a smaller expatriate community in Bogor than in Jakarta, centred around the international schools and CIFOR-ICRAF.
The dining scene in Bogor, while less varied than Jakarta or Bandung, has improved noticeably over the past decade. A growing number of cafes, mid-range restaurants and international food options have opened, particularly around the Taman Kencana and Sempur areas popular with the expat community.
A note on healthcare: Bogor has several hospitals and clinics that handle routine and emergency medical care, including RS Hermina Bogor, RS PMI Bogor and Siloam Hospitals Bogor. For specialist treatment, complex diagnostics or cardiac procedures, most expats travel to Jakarta. It is strongly advisable to hold comprehensive international health insurance that covers treatment at private hospitals in both cities.
Housing
There are well-regarded housing areas in both Ciawi and Bogor that have easy access to the toll road. Neighbourhoods preferred by expats include Lakeside, Taman Kencana, Villa Duta, Bogor Baru, Sempur, Sentul and Pakuan Hill Bogor (near Ekalokasari Mall). Further information is available on the CIFOR-ICRAF website (www.cifor-icraf.org).
Housing costs in Bogor are considerably lower than comparable properties in South Jakarta. A furnished house in a preferred expat neighbourhood such as Taman Kencana or Sempur typically rents in the range of IDR 15 to 40 million per month depending on size and condition, though prices vary and should be verified with a local agent. Sentul, further north toward the toll road, offers newer housing estates with larger plots at a range of price points. As with all rental arrangements in Indonesia, ensure your lease is properly documented and that your visa status permits you to enter into the rental agreement.
Schooling in Bogor
Bogor has a small but solid range of international and internationally-accredited schools. The three main options used by the expat community are listed below. All contact details and fee information should be confirmed directly with the school before making enrolment decisions, as these are updated regularly.
Intercultural School of Bogor
Jl. Papandayan No. 7 Bogor 16151 Jawa Barat Tel +62 (251) 832-4360 Mobile & WhatsApp +62 816 781 927 Email [email protected] Website www.isbogor.org Facebook page
The Intercultural School of Bogor (ISB) was originally founded in 1974 as the Bogor Expatriate School, making it one of the longest-established international schools in the region. Located in the leafy Taman Kencana neighbourhood of central Bogor, ISB caters to children from preschool age through to middle school (up to Grade 8, age 14). The school is currently a Candidate School for the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), meaning it is working toward full IB World School authorisation. For Grades 6 to 8, ISB offers the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC), and the school was the first in Indonesia to implement this programme.
ISB is a genuinely international community, with up to 20 nationalities represented in its classrooms, alongside a strong cohort of Indonesian students. The school’s colonial-style campus is surrounded by trees and garden, and has a reputation for personalised attention and a close-knit family atmosphere. The school is a non-profit organisation governed by a board drawn from the school community.
Sekolah Bogor Raya
Perumahan Danau Bogor Raya (Bogor Lakeside) Bogor 16143 West Java, Indonesia Tel. +62251 832-5523 (Admissions) Email [email protected] Website: www.sekolahbogorraya.com Facebook page | Instagram
Sekolah Bogor Raya (SBR) was founded in 1995 and has grown from a small school of 25 students to a campus of approximately 850 students today. Located within the Danau Bogor Raya residential complex near the main Bogor toll exit, SBR runs from Playgroup through to Senior High School (Grade 12) and is a multi-faith school welcoming students from many nationalities and backgrounds. A bus service is available to and from most locations.
SBR’s curriculum pathway has been developed to provide internationally recognised qualifications at every level. At the primary level, the school is authorised to offer the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). Secondary students progress through Cambridge Secondary 1 (Grades 6-8) and Cambridge IGCSE (Grades 9-10), before entering the IB Diploma Programme (DP) in Grades 11-12, for which the school has been authorised since the 2019-2020 academic year. A Global Assessment Certificate (GAC) pathway is also available as an alternative university preparation route. The school is also WASC accredited.
Students come primarily from the Bogor, Sentul and Cibubur areas, and the school community includes families from China, the Philippines, South Korea, France, the United States and India, among others. Tuition fees are considered affordable for an internationally-accredited school of this standing, and should be confirmed with the admissions office.
Sekolah Pelita Harapan
Sentul City Campus Jl. Babakan Madang Sentul City, Bogor 16810 Tel. (62-21) 8796 0234 WhatsApp (62) 877 7857-7711 Email [email protected] Website www.sph.edu Facebook page | YouTube | Twitter | Instagram
For over 30 years, Pelita Harapan schools have offered high quality Christian education in Indonesia. The Sentul City campus was founded in 1994 and is set across 10 hectares of spacious grounds in the hills south of Jakarta, offering an appealing environment for families seeking a school outside the city.
SPH Sentul City applies the full International Baccalaureate (IB) programme from Kindergarten through to Grade 12, and the campus is an authorised IB World School. The school is also a member of the Council of International Schools (CIS) and is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Its vision — True Knowledge, Faith in Christ and Godly Character — is central to all aspects of school life.
The Sentul City campus is one of five SPH campuses around Greater Jakarta, alongside Lippo Village, Lippo Cikarang, Kemang Village and Pluit Village. A distinctive feature of the Sentul City campus is the Pelita Harapan House (PHH), a boarding facility for students in Grades 7 to 12, with separate accommodation for girls and boys, dorm parents, a nurse, chaplain and academic tutors. The surrounding green environment and clean air make it a genuinely comfortable boarding option for families based elsewhere in Indonesia.
The language of instruction is English. Bahasa Indonesia and Mandarin are taught to all students. Tuition fees vary by campus and grade level and should be confirmed directly with the school’s admissions office, as these are updated annually.
Church Services in Bogor
Service times and locations for all congregations listed below should be confirmed directly before attending, as these details are subject to change.
International Church Bogor
The Center, Bellanova Mall, Sentul City Email [email protected] Website https://www.icbogor.com/ Facebook page
Worship Services: Sunday — 10:00am (English) Youth Services: Sunday — 11:30am
Bogor International Christian Fellowship
Gereja Baptis Pabaton Jl. Sawojajar 1 (near Bogor Permai Restaurant) Bogor, 16124 Tel. Gusti (0823-12990979) or Rosa (0813-80802909) Pastor Kian Holik
English services held Sundays at 3:00 pm.
Diocese of Bogor (Roman Catholic)
Susteran Gembala Baik — Convent of The Good Shepherd Sisters Jl. Raya Pajajaran No. 6 SMK Baranangsiang, Bogor Website www.keuskupanbogor.org Tel. (0251) 832-1270
English Mass Services on Saturdays at 5:30 pm. Newcomers are warmly invited to come and celebrate mass together.
Dining Out
Bogor has a number of local institutions that have stood the test of time and are well worth seeking out. Bogor Permai is one of the city’s most established dining and bakery destinations, known for its colonial-era atmosphere as much as its food. Roti Unyil Venus on Jalan Siliwangi is a Bogor institution — the finger-sized bread rolls have been drawing visitors from Jakarta for decades and make a fine gift to bring back to colleagues. Lasagna Gulung is a local favourite that has likewise attracted loyal visitors from well beyond the city.
The Taman Kencana and Sempur areas have seen the most growth in the dining scene in recent years, with a range of cafes and mid-range restaurants catering to both expat and Indonesian professional families. The food courts at Botani Square and Lippo Plaza Ekalokasari offer a wide range of Indonesian and Asian options at very reasonable prices.
Restaurant details and opening hours should always be confirmed locally before visiting, as the dining scene in Indonesian cities changes frequently.
Shopping in the Bogor Area
Malls in Bogor include Botani Square Mall (near the toll road), Lippo Plaza Keboen Raya (facing the entrance gate of the Bogor Botanical Gardens), and Lippo Plaza Ekalokasari Bogor (further south on Jalan Siliwangi), which has a Matahari Department Store, Foodmart grocery store, food court and six levels of shops. Trans Studio Mall Bogor on Jalan Sholeh Iskandar offers a further option for shopping, dining and entertainment in the city’s northern areas. For everyday grocery shopping, Ranch Market and Hero supermarkets serve the expat community alongside larger hypermarkets. Many expats in Bogor also make periodic trips to the larger malls in South Jakarta for specialty goods, international brands or IKEA furniture.
For those who prefer to shop closer to the source, there are organic vegetable farms in the Parung area south of Bogor that supply fresh produce:
PT Kebun Sayur Segar (Parung Organic Vegetable Farm)
Jl. Raya Parung No. 546, Parung, Bogor Tel. (0251) 619-915 www.parungfarm.com(Please verify current operating status and contact details before visiting.)
Recreation in the Bogor Area
One of the most famous attractions in Bogor is the Kebun Raya, the Bogor Botanical Gardens. Officially opened in 1817, the gardens offer wonderful walks and viewings of tropical foliage that are hard to match anywhere in the region. The Istana Bogor, or Bogor Palace, is located within the gardens in the northwestern corner, and white spotted deer can often be seen grazing around the palace grounds. The Kebun Raya has undergone significant improvements in recent years and now offers better visitor facilities than in the past. Entry fees and opening hours should be checked before visiting, as ticketing has moved toward an online booking system.
The Gong Factory and the Wayang Golek Museum draw visitors interested in the local Sundanese cultural traditions and are worth a visit for anyone curious about West Javanese heritage.
For leisure fishing, there is a well-loved spot in Bogor located in a valley with a view of Mt. Salak, where carp, catfish and other freshwater species can be caught. A restaurant on site serves Indonesian cuisine lesehan style. The destination is known as Fishing Valley — worth searching for current contact details locally.
The Sentul International Circuit offers motorsport events. The Jakarta Perkumpulan Equestrian Center in Sentul City offers horseback riding. Both are worth confirming for current schedules and public access before making a trip.
Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park is accessible from Bogor and is popular with expats for hiking and nature walks.
Cirata Lake offers fishing and is a pleasant day trip from the city.
The Graham Yallop Oval at Taman Olahraga Pancawati in Pancawati, Caringin, is available for cricket, rugby, AFL and camping. For current information on cricket activity in the Bogor area, a search on social media for Bogor cricket clubs is likely to yield the most up-to-date contacts.
Vila Botani offers outdoor and adventure vacations and is a destination for rustic corporate retreats — a chance to explore rainforest and village life within easy reach of the city. Contact details are best sourced locally or via a current web search.
The mountainous area of Puncak is nearby and is spectacular, but the traffic on weekends and public holidays is severe due to the influx of visitors from Jakarta. Plan accordingly.
Visas and Legal Residency
Expats living in Bogor will need the appropriate visa and residency permit for their circumstances, as they would anywhere in Indonesia. The most common arrangements for working expats are the KITAS (Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas, or limited stay permit) and its longer-term equivalent the KITAP. Indonesia has also introduced a Second Home Visa in recent years, aimed at longer-term residents and eligible retirees. Your employer, sponsor or a reputable local immigration agent will be able to guide you through the process relevant to your situation. For general guidance on visas and immigration in Indonesia, see the visa pages on this site.
Frequently Asked Questions: Living in Bogor
Is Bogor a good place for expats to live?
Bogor is a well-regarded choice for expats, particularly those working at CIFOR-ICRAF or seeking a cooler, quieter base within commuting distance of Jakarta. The city sits at a higher elevation than the capital, which keeps temperatures noticeably more comfortable year-round. Housing costs are significantly lower than in South Jakarta, and the expat community, while smaller, tends to be close-knit and welcoming.
How far is Bogor from Jakarta and how do people commute?
Bogor is approximately 60 kilometres south of central Jakarta via the Jagorawi toll road. By car the commute typically takes 60 to 90 minutes depending on departure time and traffic. The KRL Commuterline train from Bogor Station to central Jakarta is a popular alternative, with a similar journey time, frequent departures throughout the day, and a fare that is a fraction of the cost of driving.
What international schools are available in Bogor?
The main options for expat families are the Intercultural School of Bogor (IB Candidate School for PYP, located in Taman Kencana, catering to preschool through Grade 8), Sekolah Bogor Raya (IB PYP, Cambridge IGCSE and IB Diploma, in the Danau Bogor Raya estate, Playgroup to Grade 12), and Sekolah Pelita Harapan at Sentul City (full IB programme, Kindergarten to Grade 12, with a boarding option). Each school has a different curricular approach, faith orientation and fee structure.
What is the cost of living in Bogor compared to Jakarta?
Housing in Bogor is considerably more affordable than in comparable Jakarta neighbourhoods. Day-to-day costs for food, transport and household goods are similarly lower. Expats who need regular access to Jakarta’s international retail, dining and medical facilities should factor in the time and cost of periodic trips to the capital.
Is there good healthcare in Bogor?
Bogor has several well-regarded private hospitals including RS Hermina Bogor, RS PMI Bogor and Siloam Hospitals Bogor that handle routine and emergency care competently. For complex specialist treatment, most expats prefer to travel to Jakarta. Comprehensive international health insurance covering both cities is strongly recommended.
What are the best neighbourhoods in Bogor for expats?
The areas most popular with the expat community include Taman Kencana, Sempur, Villa Duta, Bogor Baru and Pakuan Hill within the city, and Sentul for those who prefer a newer estate environment with easy toll road access. Ciawi and the surrounding southern areas suit those looking for more space and cooler temperatures.
Our thanks to contributors Rederers, Karl Knapp and Brian O’Malie for sharing their knowledge of Bogor with the community.
