Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Bogor, Indonesia

All Topics about Bogor All Cities in Indonesia

1. Tamansari Waterpark Scam

Watch out for ticket scammers at Tamansari Waterpark. Always buy tickets from the official booth.

Official Booth: Always purchase tickets from the park's official booth to avoid overpriced or fake tickets.
Ticket Overprice: Be aware of ticket scammers who might offer discounted tickets but charge exorbitant prices later.
Counterfeit Tickets: Know that counterfeit tickets may not grant you entry to the waterpark.

Avoid vendors who offer overpriced goods or services near Bogor Palace. Prices should align with official signs.

Official Signs: Check the prices of goods and services at official signboards around Bogor Palace.
Overpricing: Be wary of vendors who charge more than the displayed prices for goods or services.
Aggressive Vendors: Deal only with vendors who are not pushy and respect your decision to negotiate or walk away.

Always use prepaid taxis or arrange transportation in advance when leaving Bogor train station to avoid overcharging.

Prepaid Taxi: Use a prepaid taxi from the designated counter at the train station.
Arrange Transportation: Contact your hotel or reliable transportation service for pre-arranged pickup.
Overcharging: Be cautious of taxi drivers who claim a higher fare than the actual rate.

Beware of counterfeit money transactions in Pasar Kenanga. Examine bills carefully and verify with a trusted local.

Examine Bills: Thoroughly check the authenticity of Indonesian Rupiah notes, especially larger denominations.
Verify with a Trusted Local: Ask a reputable local shopkeeper or vendor to verify any doubts about bill authenticity.
Counterfeit Detectors: Consider purchasing a counterfeit detector for added peace of mind when dealing with cash transactions.

Choose food stalls with a clean environment and proper hygiene practices to avoid food poisoning at Alun-Alun Bogor.

Clean Environment: Select food stalls that have a well-maintained and sanitary surrounding.
Proper Hygiene Practices: Observe if the vendor handles food properly, wears gloves, and uses clean utensils.
Crowd Popularity: Look for popular food stalls with many satisfied customers as a sign of good quality.

Decline offers from unofficial guides at Kebun Raya Botanical Garden. Ask for an official guide or use the mobile app.

Official Guide: Only accept guided tours from the park's official guide service.
Mobile App: Use the park's mobile app for a self-guided tour or audio guides to explore Kebun Raya independently.
Fake Guides: Be aware of unofficial guides who may charge exorbitant fees and offer misleading information.

Purchase authentic goods at trusted stores or directly from the manufacturer to avoid buying counterfeits in Pasar Sari Kencana.

Trusted Stores: Buy products from well-established and reputable shops in Pasar Sari Kencana.
Manufacturer Directly: Visit the manufacturer's authorized store or website to buy authentic goods directly.
Counterfeit Identification: Familiarize yourself with common signs of counterfeit goods, such as poor quality and missing logos.

Avoid paying excessive fees for entrance tickets at Kebun Raya. Always buy them from the official ticket booth.

Official Ticket Booth: Purchase tickets only from the park's official ticket booth to avoid paying more than the actual fee.
Excessive Fees: Be aware of ticket scammers who might offer discounted tickets but charge exorbitant prices later.
Counterfeit Tickets: Know that counterfeit tickets may not grant you entry to the botanical garden.

Compare prices across various accommodation platforms and negotiate deals to avoid overpricing scams.

Comparison Across Platforms: Research room rates on multiple booking websites before choosing an accommodation.
Negotiate Deals: Haggle with hotel managers or hostel owners for a better price, especially during off-peak seasons.
Scout Local Recommendations: Ask locals for affordable and good-quality accommodation options in Bogor.

Use official transport services or agree on a fare with local taxis to avoid overcharging when traveling to Tamansari Waterpark.

Official Transport Services: Book transportation through the waterpark's official service or a reputable travel agency.
Negotiate Fare with Local Taxis: Agree on the fare beforehand when using local taxis to avoid any unexpected charges later.
Avoid Street Hail: Do not hail street taxis as they may overcharge or provide unreliable service.

Find affordable food stalls near Bogor Palace or opt for street food vendors to avoid overpricing.

Affordable Food Stalls: Look for budget-friendly food stalls around the palace area.
Street Food Vendors: Choose street food vendors with good reviews and a clean environment.
Avoid Tourist Areas: Avoid restaurants near tourist attractions as they tend to overprice their meals.

Book tours only through established tour agencies or reputable local operators to avoid fraudulent activities.

Established Tour Agencies: Choose a tour agency with positive reviews and recommendations from other travelers.
Reputable Local Operators: Opt for local operators who have experience in providing tours around Bogor.
Avoid Street Solicitation: Do not accept offers from street vendors or tour guides as they may not be trustworthy.

Use prepaid taxis or arrange transportation in advance when arriving at Bogor train station to avoid overcharging.

Prepaid Taxis: Use a prepaid taxi from the designated counter at the train station.
Arrange Transportation: Contact your hotel or reliable transportation service for pre-arranged pickup.
Overcharging: Be cautious of taxi drivers who claim a higher fare than the actual rate.

Examine bills carefully and verify with a trusted local to avoid using counterfeit currency in Pasar Suryakencana.

Examine Bills: Thoroughly check the authenticity of Indonesian Rupiah notes, especially larger denominations.
Verify with a Trusted Local: Ask a reputable shopkeeper or vendor to verify any doubts about bill authenticity.
Counterfeit Detectors: Consider purchasing a counterfeit detector for added peace of mind when dealing with cash transactions.

Haggle for fair prices, be aware of pickpockets, and choose reputable vendors to avoid scams at the Bogor Night Market.

Fair Pricing: Negotiate prices with vendors to ensure you're getting a fair deal.
Avoid Pickpockets: Keep your belongings secure and be aware of any suspicious activity around you.
Reputable Vendors: Choose vendors with good reviews, a clean environment, and proper hygiene practices.