Stay in Jakarta in December
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December in Jakarta means rain. This is deep wet season, with downpours on roughly 27 of the month's 31 days. The storms tend to be sudden afternoon events that roll in around 14:00, hammer the city for an hour or two, then clear by early evening. Streets in low-lying areas like the Kemang dip in South Jakarta and the narrow lanes of Kota Tua flood to ankle depth within minutes. The heat is steady and tropical. Humidity stays above 80%, the thick, soupy kind you feel on your arms the moment you step out of any air-conditioned space.
That said, December carries a festive energy the other wet months lack. Christmas is a national holiday in Indonesia, and Jakarta, home to the country's largest urban Christian community, celebrates with genuine scale. Jakarta Cathedral and Istiqlal Mosque stand across the street from each other in Gambir, connected by the Tunnel of Friendship pedestrian underpass. Both host events through the final week of the month. Istiqlal, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia with capacity for 200,000, opens to non-Muslim visitors and runs interfaith programming alongside the cathedral's Christmas services. New Year's Eve at Bundaran HI, the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Menteng, draws several hundred thousand people for fireworks and live performances. The final two weeks of December have an energy that January and February cannot match.
Indonesian school holidays run from mid-December through early January, and domestic tourism rises sharply. Ancol Dreamland on the waterfront and Taman Mini Indonesia Indah in East Jakarta fill with families from across Java. Hotel availability in central Thamrin tightens. Rates run well above the yearly average during the holiday window. Over in Kemang, the expatriate bar and restaurant strip along Jalan Kemang Raya fills up on weekend evenings, with December holiday menus and rooftop events that usually require booking ahead. The Glodok food stalls in West Jakarta's Chinatown stay open later through the holidays, and the covered lanes of Petak Sembilan around Vihara Dharma Bhakti temple smell of incense and frying sesame balls well past midnight.
Why visit in December
- Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations give December a festive atmosphere that the other wet-season months, January through March, completely lack.
- Morning hours before 11:00 are often partly sunny, giving a consistent window for outdoor sightseeing around Merdeka Square, the Kota Tua heritage loop, and the Sunda Kelapa harbor before storms build.
- Jakarta's large shopping malls run aggressive year-end sales through December, with discounts peaking in the final week along the Thamrin-Sudirman corridor.
- Late-season tropical fruits like rambutan and mangosteen reach peak ripeness at wet-season market stalls across the city, with prices at Pasar Mayestik and Pasar Santa dropping to their yearly lows.
Worth knowing
- Rain arrives almost daily, with the heaviest downpours concentrated in the second half of the month. Multiple rounds per day are common during the worst stretches.
- Flooding disrupts roads and underpasses in low-lying neighborhoods. Kampung Melayu along the Ciliwung River, the Manggarai underpass on Jalan Pramuka, sections of Jalan Kemang Raya in South Jakarta, and the coastal strip of Muara Baru in North Jakarta see repeat flooding events most Decembers. Jalan Letjen Suprapto near Cempaka Putih is another recurrent trouble spot.
- School holidays and year-end celebrations push hotel rates and crowd levels well above the yearly average, especially during the final 10 days.
- Jakarta's traffic, already the city's defining frustration, gets noticeably worse when wet roads meet holiday congestion and flooded underpasses. The Thamrin-Sudirman corridor, normally a 20-minute drive end to end, can take 90 minutes on a rainy December afternoon.
Best for
Think twice if
December falls in the thick of Jakarta's wet season, second only to January in total monthly rainfall. Most days start with partial cloud cover and warm, sticky air, the kind of humidity that clings to your skin before you have walked 50 meters from the hotel lobby. By early afternoon, storm clouds build over the Java Sea and push inland. The rain comes heavy but relatively brief. Most storms last 1-2 hours before clearing. You can hear them building, a low rumble over the rooftops around 13:00, and within 20 minutes the streets are running with water. Evenings stay warm and damp. Overnight the air cools barely enough to notice. Flooding is a real possibility after sustained multi-day rain, especially along the Ciliwung River through Kampung Melayu and Manggarai, across low-lying North Jakarta near Pluit and Muara Baru, and in the dip at Jalan Kemang Raya in South Jakarta.
Seasonal caution
- Flash flooding can turn roads into waist-deep channels within 30 minutes of sustained heavy rain. The most affected areas include riverside neighborhoods along the Ciliwung (Kampung Melayu, Manggarai, Bukit Duri) and Sunter rivers, the coastal strip near Pluit and Muara Baru in North Jakarta, the Kemang dip in South Jakarta, and underpasses at Jalan Pramuka and Jalan Letjen Suprapto near Cempaka Putih. Check local news or social media for banjir (flood) alerts before heading out each day.
- Lightning is frequent during December thunderstorms. Indonesia sits in one of the world's highest-density lightning belts. Avoid open fields including Merdeka Square's lawn, rooftops, and exposed areas when storms build between 14:00 and 18:00.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 30 | 24 | 331 |
| Feb | 30 | 24 | 292 |
| Mar | 31 | 24 | 279 |
| Apr | 32 | 24 | 205 |
| May | 32 | 24 | 190 |
| Jun | 31 | 24 | 166 |
| Jul | 32 | 23 | 102 |
| Aug | 33 | 23 | 99 |
| Sep | 33 | 24 | 133 |
| Oct | 33 | 24 | 177 |
| Nov | 32 | 24 | 246 |
| Dec | 31 | 24 | 269 |
Holidays and festivals in December
Public holidays
- Christmas Day(Hari Raya Natal)25 December 2026
Best things to do in December
New Year's Eve at Bundaran HI
eventJakarta's biggest public celebration centers on the Hotel Indonesia roundabout. Several hundred thousand people gather for live music, street food vendors, and a midnight fireworks display visible from across central Jakarta. The smell of satay smoke and clove cigarettes hangs over the whole scene.
December 31 only. Road closures and MRT extensions make this the centerpiece of the city's year-end celebrations.Booking tipNo ticket needed. Arrive by 20:00 for a decent position. MRT Bundaran HI station is the most practical transport in and out.
Christmas Eve at Jakarta Cathedral and Istiqlal Mosque
culturalThe neo-Gothic Jakarta Cathedral, built in 1901, holds its most attended service on December 24. The building's stained glass and candlelit interior are worth seeing regardless of faith. Istiqlal Mosque stands directly across Jalan Lapangan Banteng, connected by the Tunnel of Friendship underpass. The mosque, designed by Frederich Silaban and completed in 1978, often hosts interfaith events on the same evening. The parallel celebrations at two of Indonesia's most significant religious buildings, separated by one street, are particular to Jakarta's December.
December 24-25 only. The simultaneous events at these two buildings in Gambir represent Jakarta's interfaith identity at its most visible.Booking tipArrive by 20:00 for the midnight mass at the cathedral. The building fills to standing room. Non-Catholic visitors are welcome but should dress modestly. Istiqlal opens its doors for interfaith visitors the same evening.
Year-end shopping at Grand Indonesia and Plaza Indonesia
shoppingJakarta's flagship malls on Jalan Thamrin go all-out for December with elaborate Christmas decorations, live performances in the central atrium, and their deepest discounts of the year. Grand Indonesia's main hall typically features a 10-meter-plus Christmas tree. The air conditioning hits you like a wall after the humidity outside.
Year-end sales peak in the final two weeks of December. Discounts at many retailers reach 50-70%, and the seasonal decorations are temporary.Booking tipWeekday mornings before 11:00 are significantly less crowded. Weekends from mid-December onward are shoulder-to-shoulder.
Wet-season fruit tasting at Pasar Santa
foodPasar Santa in Kebayoran Baru combines a traditional wet market on the ground floor with hip food stalls upstairs. December brings peak-season rambutan, mangosteen, and duku at their lowest yearly prices. The covered market structure keeps you dry during downpours. The ground floor smells of fresh durian, wet cement, and frying shallots.
December marks the start of peak wet-season fruit availability in Java. Prices for tropical fruits drop to their annual lows.Booking tipArrive before 09:00 for the freshest selection. The upstairs food stalls open closer to 10:00.
Evening food crawl through Glodok
foodJakarta's Chinatown in West Jakarta fills with food stalls under covered walkways and awnings each evening. The narrow lanes of Petak Sembilan around Vihara Dharma Bhakti temple have the densest concentration. You will smell sesame oil and charcoal smoke before you see the stalls. Gang Gloria, a tight alley running south from Jalan Pancoran, packs in bakpao vendors, noodle carts, and fried-radish-cake sellers under corrugated tin roofing. December's year-end energy brings extra vendors and later hours.
Glodok's covered lanes are one of the most comfortable places to eat outdoors during wet season. Holiday preparations add seasonal items like kue keranjang and nian gao to the regular Chinese-Indonesian street food lineup.Booking tipGo after 17:00 when the full range of stalls opens. Start on Jalan Pancoran, then work your way into the smaller lanes around Gang Gloria. Weeknights are less chaotic than weekends.
Morning walk at Merdeka Square and Monas
sightseeingMerdeka Square, one of the largest public squares in the world at 75 hectares, sits at its greenest in December after months of wet-season rain. The National Monument (Monas) at its center, completed in 1975, offers city views from its observation deck on clear mornings. The surrounding lawn smells of fresh-cut grass and damp earth in the early hours.
December rain turns the square's lawns intensely green, a stark contrast to the dry-season brown of August and September. The 07:00-10:00 window before storms build is the best outdoor slot.Booking tipThe Monas observation deck has limited daily tickets. Arrive at the ticket counter by 08:00 on weekends to avoid a long queue.
Kota Tua heritage walk
sightseeingThe 2.5 km loop through Jakarta's colonial district starts at Bank Indonesia Museum on Jalan Pintu Besar Utara, crosses into Taman Fatahillah square past Museum Fatahillah and the Fine Art and Ceramics Museum, then heads north along Jalan Cengkeh to the wooden pinisi schooners at Sunda Kelapa harbor. The 17th-century Dutch warehouses along the harbor still smell of salt and old timber. Cafe Batavia, in an 1830s building on the northwest corner of the square, is the natural rain shelter when storms arrive early.
The morning dry window makes December viable for this walk if you start early. The green canal banks and wet cobblestones give Kota Tua a different look from its dusty dry-season appearance.Booking tipStart by 08:00 to fit the full loop before rain typically builds after 12:00. Museum Fatahillah opens at 09:00, so begin with the exterior walk and harbor, then double back for the museums.
Evening in Kemang
nightlifeJalan Kemang Raya and Jalan Kemang Selatan in South Jakarta run parallel for about 2 km, lined with rooftop bars, live-music spots, art galleries, and restaurants serving everything from Korean BBQ to Padang food to wood-fired pizza. The expatriate and young-professional crowd keeps things busy through December's holiday weekends. Worth noting, Kemang sits in a low-lying area that floods during heavy rain, sometimes knee-deep along the main road. Check conditions and take an ojek rather than walking if water is rising.
December holiday pop-up events, special menus, and year-end parties fill the Kemang strip. The bar scene peaks during the last two weeks of the year.Booking tipBook restaurant tables for December weekends by mid-month. Several Kemang venues convert to ticketed-entry parties for New Year's Eve, so confirm normal service before heading out on December 31.
What to eat in December
In season: fruit
Rambutan
Peak wet-season fruit in Java, sold from roadside carts and traditional markets across Jakarta. The hairy red exterior hides translucent sweet flesh. December through February is prime season, and prices drop to their yearly low.
Mangosteen (manggis)
Another wet-season star that reaches peak ripeness in December. The thick purple shell cracks open to reveal white segments with a sweet-tart flavor. Pasar Mayestik in Kebayoran Baru is a dependable source for quality fruit.
On menus now
Soto Betawi
Jakarta's own beef-and-offal soup in a rich coconut milk broth, thick enough to coat the spoon. This Betawi specialty is available year-round, but cool, damp December afternoons make it particularly satisfying. Soto Betawi stalls cluster along Jalan Sabang near Menteng and around Jalan Falatehan in Blok M.
What to drink
Wedang ronde
Warm ginger drink with glutinous rice balls and a peanut filling, sold from pushcarts in the evening hours. The sharp ginger warmth cuts through the damp December air. Street vendors along Jalan Jaksa serve it through the night.
Festival food
Nastar
Buttery pineapple-filled cookies that appear in every bakery and home kitchen from mid-December onward. These are Indonesia's signature Christmas and New Year cookie, sold in decorative tins at markets and malls throughout Jakarta.
Kue lapis legit
A thousand-layer spice cake with Dutch-Indonesian heritage, baked one thin layer at a time and flavored with cinnamon, clove, and cardamom. The warm spice scent fills bakeries along Jalan Sabang and in Glodok through December. Families exchange these as holiday gifts. A single cake takes 3-4 hours to bake properly.
Regular events in December
Christmas DayFree
National public holiday in Indonesia on December 25. Government offices, banks, and many shops close. Major malls remain open but typically close by 18:00 rather than their usual 22:00.
December 25Christmas Eve services at Jakarta CathedralFree
Multiple services run through December 24 at the neo-Gothic cathedral in Gambir, with the midnight mass drawing the largest crowd. Istiqlal Mosque across the street often organizes parking assistance for cathedral visitors as a gesture of interfaith cooperation. The Tunnel of Friendship pedestrian underpass between the two buildings stays open throughout the evening.
December 24New Year's Eve countdown at Bundaran HIFree
Jakarta's largest public New Year's celebration with live music stages, food stalls, and midnight fireworks at the Hotel Indonesia roundabout. Road closures in central Menteng begin around 18:00. The MRT provides extended service for the event.
December 31Best places this December
Kota Tua (Old Town)
historic districtThe historic Dutch colonial district in West Jakarta houses several museums in a compact area around Taman Fatahillah square. Museum Fatahillah sits on the south side of the square, the Fine Art and Ceramics Museum on the east. A 15-minute walk north along Jalan Cengkeh leads to the old Sunda Kelapa harbor, where wooden pinisi trading schooners still dock. Cafe Batavia, in an 1830s colonial building on the square's northwest corner, serves as the neighborhood's best rain shelter. The indoor museums make Kota Tua ideal for rainy-day exploration, though the open squares and canal-side walkways flood fast once storms hit.
Kota TuaIstiqlal Mosque
mosqueThe largest mosque in Southeast Asia, completed in 1978 and designed by Frederich Silaban. The main prayer hall holds up to 200,000 people across its multiple levels. Non-Muslim visitors are welcome throughout the day with modest dress covering shoulders and knees. Coverings are provided at the entrance. The mosque stands directly across Jalan Lapangan Banteng from Jakarta Cathedral, and the Tunnel of Friendship pedestrian underpass connects the two. December brings interfaith programming alongside the cathedral's Christmas Eve services. The cool marble interior offers relief from the humidity outside.
GambirNational Museum of Indonesia (Museum Nasional)
museumFounded in 1778, this is Southeast Asia's oldest museum. Its collection spans Indonesian archaeology, ethnography, and geography across two connected buildings. The newer wing has air conditioning, which matters when you are escaping December's thick humidity. Located on Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat near Merdeka Square.
GambirGrand Indonesia Mall
shopping mallJakarta's most prominent shopping mall on Jalan Thamrin, connected directly to the MRT Bundaran HI station. December transforms the central atrium into an elaborate Christmas display, typically anchored by a 10-meter-plus tree. The mall also serves as a practical refuge during afternoon storms, with restaurants, a cinema, and hundreds of shops across 8 floors. A sky bridge on the 2nd floor connects to Plaza Indonesia next door.
ThamrinGlodok (Chinatown)
neighborhoodJakarta's oldest Chinese district in West Jakarta, centered around Jalan Pancoran and the narrow lanes of Petak Sembilan. Gang Gloria, a tight alley running south from Jalan Pancoran, is the densest food-stall corridor, packed with bakpao vendors, noodle carts, and fried-radish-cake sellers under corrugated roofing. Vihara Dharma Bhakti temple anchors the cultural heart of the quarter. The covered walkways and awnings make Glodok one of the more rain-resistant eating spots in the city, and the December holiday season adds late-night vendors and seasonal Chinese-Indonesian sweets.
GlodokKemang
neighborhoodSouth Jakarta's expatriate and nightlife district stretches along Jalan Kemang Raya and Jalan Kemang Selatan for about 2 km. The strip mixes rooftop bars, live-music venues, art galleries like Dia.Lo.Gue, and restaurants spanning a dozen cuisines. December weekends bring holiday events and special menus. The neighborhood sits in a low-lying area that floods during sustained rain, so check banjir reports before heading out. Grab ojek is the practical transport option when water rises.
KemangRagunan Zoo
zooFounded in 1864, this 140-hectare zoo in South Jakarta is one of the oldest in Southeast Asia. December's school holidays bring special programming for children. The grounds turn lush green during wet season, and morning visits before 11:00 tend to avoid both the heaviest crowds and the rain.
Pasar Minggu
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Insider tips
Jakarta's shopping malls function as the city's living rooms during wet season. Grand Indonesia and Plaza Indonesia on Jalan Thamrin have the most elaborate Christmas decorations in December, and locals treat them as free entertainment. You can spend an entire rainy afternoon moving between the two without stepping outside, since a sky bridge connects them at the 2nd floor level.
Grab motorcycle taxis (ojek) navigate flooded streets far better than cars. If you see traffic locked up during a downpour, switch to an ojek. The driver provides a rain poncho. It is louder and wetter than a car, but you will arrive in 20 minutes instead of 90.
For New Year's Eve at Bundaran HI, enter from the south side near Jalan Sudirman rather than the north. The south approach is less congested because most people funnel in from Jalan Thamrin. MRT Dukuh Atas BNI station, one stop south of Bundaran HI, is a better exit point after midnight when the main station is overwhelmed.
The cheapest and freshest wet-season fruit is not at the tourist-facing supermarkets. Traditional markets like Pasar Mayestik in Kebayoran Baru and Pasar Santa sell rambutan and mangosteen at roughly one-third the price of the same fruit at Ranch Market or Farmers Market chains.
The most efficient Kota Tua walking route starts at Bank Indonesia Museum on Jalan Pintu Besar Utara, then south into Taman Fatahillah square for Museum Fatahillah and the Fine Art Museum, then a stop at Cafe Batavia on the northwest corner of the square (the building dates to the 1830s and makes a good rain-wait spot). From there, walk north along Jalan Cengkeh about 800 meters to Sunda Kelapa harbor, where the wooden pinisi schooners dock. The whole loop is roughly 2.5 km and fits inside the morning dry window.
Kemang in South Jakarta is where Jakarta's expat community eats and drinks. Jalan Kemang Raya and Jalan Kemang Selatan run parallel for about 2 km, lined with rooftop bars, live-music spots, and restaurants ranging from Korean BBQ to Padang food. December brings holiday pop-up events and special menus at most venues. Mind you, this neighborhood floods regularly during heavy rain. Check conditions before heading out, and budget extra for ojek surge pricing when water rises along the main road.
Avoid these mistakes
- Planning a full outdoor itinerary after 13:00. The afternoon rain in December is not a risk to manage. It is a near-certainty on most days. Schedule outdoor sightseeing for the morning window between 07:00 and 11:00, then move indoors after lunch.
- Underestimating Jakarta's flooding. It is tempting to wade through a flooded street that looks shallow, but floodwater in areas like Kampung Melayu and the Manggarai underpass often hides open drains, debris, and sudden depth changes. A street that looks ankle-deep can drop to waist-deep at a blocked intersection. Monitor real-time banjir reports on social media before heading into low-lying areas like Kemang, Kota Tua's canal-side lanes, or North Jakarta's coastal strip near Pluit.
- Booking a December 31 restaurant dinner without confirming they are not closed for a private event. Many popular restaurants in Kemang and SCBD host ticketed New Year's Eve parties that replace their normal menu and seating. Confirm availability by mid-December at the latest.
- Assuming Kota Tua is an all-day destination. The heritage district's open squares and low-lying lanes near the canal flood quickly once rain starts. Plan your Kota Tua walk for the 08:00-11:00 window, and have Cafe Batavia or the air-conditioned Bank Indonesia Museum as a fallback if clouds build early.
Practical tips for December
Book hotels in the Thamrin-Sudirman corridor at least 3 weeks ahead for the December 20 to January 2 window. Many restaurants in Menteng and along Jalan Kemang Raya run fixed-price menus for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve that require advance booking. The MRT runs extended hours on December 31, typically until 02:00, which is the most practical way home from the Bundaran HI celebrations. TransJakarta buses operate on holiday schedules December 25 and January 1, with reduced frequency on both days. If you plan day trips to Kepulauan Seribu (Thousand Islands), check sea conditions first. Boat services from Muara Angke port get cancelled when waves exceed 1.5 meters, which happens regularly during December storms. Download the Grab and Gojek apps before arrival. These ride-hailing services are essential during wet season, especially when flooding makes walking impractical in areas like Kemang and Kota Tua. Surge pricing on ride-hailing apps kicks in during heavy rain, so budget extra for afternoon transport. Dress modestly if visiting Istiqlal Mosque, which welcomes non-Muslim visitors but enforces a dress code covering shoulders and knees. Coverings are available at the entrance if needed. For Kota Tua sightseeing, the ground-floor lanes around Taman Fatahillah flood fast during downpours, so plan that walk for the 07:00-11:00 morning window and have a backup option like Cafe Batavia if rain comes early.
FAQ
Is December a good time to visit Jakarta?
December is a fair time to visit, not the best and not the worst. The wet season brings rain on most days, and flooding disrupts some neighborhoods periodically. But the Christmas and New Year celebrations add genuine energy that the other wet months lack, and mornings before 11:00 are often dry enough for sightseeing. If you can plan around the afternoon rain pattern, December works. If you want reliable outdoor weather, July through September is the dry season and a stronger choice.
Does it rain every day in Jakarta in December?
Close to it. Rain touches down on all but a handful of days in a typical December. The key detail is that the rain falls in concentrated afternoon bursts rather than all-day drizzle. Mornings often start partly cloudy or even sunny, giving you a 4-5 hour outdoor window before the storms build. The pattern is predictable enough to plan around, though multi-day stretches of heavier, more persistent rain do happen.
Is Jakarta safe for solo travelers in December?
Jakarta scores 5.2 out of 10 for solo-traveler safety (see the TTDI Solo-Safety Index). Standard precautions apply, especially in crowded areas during holiday events. Ride-hailing apps like Grab and Gojek are safer than flagging street taxis. The MRT and TransJakarta BRT system are well-monitored and practical for getting around. The main December-specific concern is the New Year's Eve crowd at Bundaran HI, where pickpocketing increases in the crush.
Is Jakarta family-friendly in December?
Jakarta scores 5.8 out of 10 for family friendliness (see the TTDI Family-Friendliness Index). December school holidays mean Taman Mini Indonesia Indah and Ragunan Zoo run special children's programming, and both handle families well. The main challenge is the rain. Indoor options like the National Museum on Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat and Jakarta's shopping malls keep children entertained between outdoor outings, but getting between them in flooded traffic tests everyone's patience.
What should I wear in Jakarta in December?
Lightweight, breathable clothing in quick-dry fabrics. Jakarta stays warm through December, so you will never need a sweater outdoors. But you will need a rain jacket for the daily afternoon storms, waterproof footwear for wet sidewalks, and a light long-sleeve layer for aggressively air-conditioned malls and restaurants. Cotton is a poor choice because it stays damp for hours in the humidity. Modest dress covering shoulders and knees is expected for mosque visits, including Istiqlal.
Things to Do in Jakarta in December
Free cancellation Active Volcano, Rice Field, Hot Spring, Fruit market, Tea Plantation with Lunch
Day trip: free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Private Car Charter in Bali with an English-speaking Driver
Day trip: free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Private Full-Day Guided Tour: Explore Jakarta’s Top Highlights
Day trip: free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Bali Jungle Swing Experience Full Activity
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Free cancellation Jakarta Half-Day Sightseeing Tour To Modern City and Old Town
Day trip: free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Jakarta Bogor Botanical Garden, Waterfall and Rice terrace, Lunch
Outdoor experience: free cancellation.
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