Things to do in Bogor: A Travel Guide
Downtown Bogor is bustling and the traffic is chaotic. But despite the city nuisances, there are simple gestures and amazing corners worth appreciating. The townspeople paint the city with genuine smiles and accommodating semblance. Historical and cultural monuments are preserved which give an interesting contrast with the city’s uncloaked terrain – modern and aged, opulent and indigent.
Yes, Bogor is a metropolis, but green areas still exist and are protected.
Since the Bogor seats on an elevated plain of Western Java, the city is noticeably cooler compared to the capital and any other lowland cities of Indonesia.
If you want to visit Bogor, this guide may help you.
How to Get There
From Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta Airport, you can take a Damri bus to Bogor. Travel time is 2 to 3 hours depending on traffic condition. The fare starts at IDR55,000.
You can also take a commuter train from Jakarta’s Kota, Gondangian, and Manggarai stations. These trains usually go crowded and securing a seat is by luck. A less crowded option is taking a Gondangian-Depok line and then transfer to another train bound for Bogor at Depok.
Economy and executive buses depart Lebak Bulus, Kampung Rambutan, and Kali Deres bus terminals of Jakarta. If you are coming from Bandung, Sukabumi, Purwokerto, and Yogyakarta, you can also hop on a bus.
If you have enough cash to shell out, you can take a taxi to your hotel in Bogor. This option, however, will cost much more and you will have to shoulder the toll fees as well.
Things to Do in Bogor
Kebun Raya Bogor (Bogor Botanical Gardens)
Bogor Botanical Garden is one of the greenest place within the city center. Aside from being a home of 15,000 species of flora, the garden is also a host to important monuments and structures such as the presidential palace called Istana Bogor. The garden, being established in 1817, is the oldest of its kind in Southeast Asia.
Taman Kencana Street
Taman Kencana is the gastronomic and entertainment center of Bogor. Fine and flashy cafe and restaurants dot the driveway serving every visitor their needs for food and leisure.
Taman Bunga Nusantara (Flower Garden)
Appreciate the beauty of the well-landscaped Taman Bunga Nusantara. The 14-hectare garden boast an overwhelming collection of stunning ornamental and flowering plants. Smaller specialty gardens will bring you to any parts of the world. Among them are: water garden, rose garden, French garden, the labyrinth, Bali garden, Mediterranean garden, palm garden, and even Japanese-inspired garden.
Some flowering shrubs are even contoured to look like animals to give a fascinating element to your photo shoots.
Kebun Raya Cibodas (Cibodas Botanical Garden)
Located on the slope of Mount Gede, the Cibodas Botanical Garden offers more interesting activities for nature lovers. This “biodiverse” park is a home to a variety of flora and fauna. It is also a host to important watersheds.
The Jungle Waterpark
The Jungle Waterpark is a theme park or resort that features a tower and racer slides, kiddie and wave pools, a giant aquarium, a bird park, and many more. The Jungle Waterpark could be a good choice for your family’s next summer getaway.
Suryakencana Street Food
If you are looking for authentic local eats in Bogor, then Suryakencana is a place to go. Local food vendors converge to give a unique culinary adventure. You can satisfy your cravings with variety of options available.
Puncak Pass
A trekking along Puncak Pass should not missed. You can experience the temperate clime and witness the art of Indonesia’s tea farming. To make the most of your trip, you can also move around using bicycle.
Mosque Atta’awun is also one of the places of interest in the area.
Shopping at Tajur
Before you go home, bring home some quality souvenirs from Tajur. Tajur sells shoes and bags that are no way inferior in terms of quality and durability.
Where to Stay
You can’t explore Bogor in a day. Spending a night or two will let experience the dawn chill, the awesome morning breeze, and the fascinating night out.
If you plan to stay for two or more days in Bogor, you can stay at R Hotel Rancamaya. Every suite feature a stunning balcony view of the greenest sections of Bogor and a panoramic view of the majestic Mount Gede. Every angle could be an awesome backdrop of your photo journey.
Each room is equipped with 5 star amenities.
You will probably spend longer than usual on that huge pool they have that stretches the entire length of their edifice.
A golf club and a tennis court is also available for enthusiasts.
For more accommodation options in Bogor, check out HotelsCombined.