Dining area of Presidential Suite

Planning Your Trip

Indonesia’s capital city is home to almost 10 million people and is both a bustling, sprawling metropolis — it’s the country’s economic and political center — as well as its cultural hub with historic sites, museums and other attractions reflecting the city’s long history of Javanese, Malay, Chinese, Arab, Indian and European influences. Here is what to pack to make the most of your visit whether for business or pleasure.

Exterior
Exterior
Planning Your Trip
What to Pack

January through March is rainy season in Jakarta and monsoons are regular occurrences. Be sure to bring an umbrella and perhaps a rain jacket or poncho.

Business Travel

As a bustling global business center, Jakarta regularly hosts corporate visitors from around the globe, and The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place is conveniently just steps from the Indonesia Stock Exchange in the heart of the financial center.

  • Men should pack a sleek suit and plan to wear a tie for business meetings. Though with temperatures that regularly hover above 80 and with high humidity, it is recommended to wear breathable natural materials and a lightweight shirt.

  • Women should bring Western business attire like a skirt suit or pair of slacks and a blouse.

  • Small gifts are frequently given as a token of respect, so bring a few thoughtful souvenirs from your hometown to bestow upon your business associates.
Exploring the City

Whether taking a break between business meetings or traveling on holiday, there are many artistic, historic and cultural attractions to explore in Jakarta. Pack a few key items to enjoy everything the capital city has to offer.

  • From its equatorial perch, Jakarta sees high temperatures in the 80s and plentiful sunshine year-round. Bring a pair of sunglasses for touring and a wide-brimmed hat for particularly warm days.

  • Lightweight clothes are key both to mitigate the heat and to lessen the impact of the consistently high humidity. Focus on light layers in natural fibers like linen and cotton.

  • Bring a light layer like a cardigan or a scarf both to ward off the chill from air conditioning as well as — for women — to double as a head scarf should you decide to visit the modern Istiqlal Mosque, for example.
Evening Chic

Nightlife is thriving in Jakarta whether you’re looking for lingering conversation at a coffee shop, a formal dinner out or dancing and revelry at one of the many clubs. Whatever your plans, here’s what to bring.

  • For a more formal dinner, attire should more closely approximate what one might wear to a business meeting — for men, slacks and a collared shirt, and for women, a smart dress.

  • For social evenings at coffee shops, wear comfortable, relaxed clothes.

  • Many nightclubs have strict dress codes. For men, this means nice shoes and a polished-looking shirt (leave the tennis shoes or torn jeans at the hotel). For women, wear a skirt or dress and almost always sport a pair of high heels.
Valentine couple at Gazebo
Valentine couple at Gazebo
Planning Your Trip
What To Reserve

There is so much to see and do in Jakarta — modern architecture alongside historic cultural treasures; the country’s business center intermingles with world-class museums, dining and shopping. Before your visit, plan a few activities in advance to experience all the capital has to offer.

Massage table in the middle of a marble bathroom with a double vanity, glass-enclosed shower and large tub
Massage table in the middle of a marble bathroom with a double vanity, glass-enclosed shower and large tub
Planning Your Trip
Itineraries

Java is only the fourth largest island in Indonesia but houses more than half of the country’s population thanks to the presence of Jakarta, the archipelago’s enormous capital. Situated on Java’s northwest coast, Jakarta hums with 1,500 years’ worth of culture and tradition, well-preserved within its modern, skyscraper-studded skyline. Many treasures are to be found within this magnificent melting pot of a metropolis — from street food worth traveling for to unique museums to high-end shopping. Experience the best of everything with The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place as your luxe home base.