Visiting North Sulawesi in Indonesia is an exciting and unforgettable experience – the trip of a lifetime with phenomenal diving, stunning scenery, spectacular wildlife, and smiling friendly people wherever you go.

To assist in your travel preparation and stay at Murex Resorts we have put together a list of questions that we are frequently asked – if there is anything we have not included, just let us know!

Travel FAQ

Passports must have a minimum of 6 months validity and at least one empty pages

Visas, Passports & Entry to Indonesia

– Over 43 countries are eligible for a 30-day tourist visa on arrival – check with your embassy if your country is included.

– When you enter Indonesia, make sure that you have at least one clean page in your passport and your passport must have at least 6 months of validity remaining on it. You may also be required to show your ticket for onward travel leaving Indonesia.

– A visa on arrival currently costs IDR 500,000 (approx. USD $38 / €35) this can be paid in cash at the airport or by credit card.

– Visitors entering Indonesia are required to complete an online e-Customs Declaration Form upon arrival to help avoid long queues and delays exiting the terminal. You may complete this form and submit it before your arrival to save time at the airport. Should you complete the form in advance, it can only be submitted within 48 hours of your arrival in Indonesia.

– To access the e-Customs Declaration Form please visit the following link:

Official Website Direktorat Jenderal Bea dan Cukai

Airport

Our local airport is Manado International Airport (Airport Code: MDO) which is currently serviced four times per week (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays) direct from Singapore by Scoot Air, the regional carrier of Singapore Airlines. There are also several daily non-stop flights from Jakarta and services from Bali.

It is around 1 hour by car from the airport to Murex Manado or 1 hour by car followed by a 20-minute boat ride to Murex Bangka.

Baggage Allowances

If you are flying domestically before or after your stay, most airlines have a baggage allowance of 20kgs plus your carry-on bag. Some airlines allow an additional bag for dive gear. Excess baggage charges vary from airline to airline – check at the time of booking.

Climate

North Sulawesi has two seasons –one dry and one bringing more rain. The driest period is from the end of March until the end of November. The rain lowers the air temperature so this is a good time to visit for those who prefer cooler temperatures.

(Pool at Murex Manado) North Sulawesi enjoys a tropical climate

Currency

The currency in Indonesia is the Indonesian Rupiah – IDR. We can accept cash payments in IDR, USD and Euro. However, please be advised that foreign notes should be clean, new, and crisp. Indonesian banks and money exchangers will not accept old notes or notes which are damaged in any way. We also accept credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) please note there is a % fee for credit card payments in Indonesia.

There are also ATMs at Manado Airport and in Manado town center.

Hospitals

There are several hospitals in Manado, including Siloam Hospital which is an international hospital with English-speaking doctors.

Packing

Here is a list of items that we recommend packing for your trip to Murex Resorts:

• Sunscreen, factor 50 plus*
• Insect repellant*
• After-sun lotion*
• 2 pin plug adaptor*
• Dive book*
• Dive certifications
• Clothing – lightweight and light-colored long pants and sleeves for evenings
• Insurance documents
• Polarized sunglasses
• Any snacks or treats that you can’t survive without
• Rechargeable batteries and charger
• We have a small library selection of books in each resort – but you may want to bring something of your choosing

(*available in our gift shops – if you have specific needs, let us know prior to arrival and we can let you know if your item(s) are available)

Marine life ID books are available, or you may prefer to pack a favorite read from home

Souvenirs and Shopping

Our gift shops at Murex Manado and Murex Bangka have a small selection of locally crafted souvenirs including sarongs, jewelry and handicrafts. If you are taking a land tour during your stay there may be opportunities to make purchases and our guides will help with the bargaining! Manado has several large, modern shopping malls (with fixed prices) for those who enjoy shopping.

Medication

If you are taking medication regularly, we would recommend to bring enough for the whole trip, along with a doctor’s letter or prescription, especially if you are diving during this trip.

Religion

In North Sulawesi, the majority religion is Christian which is evidenced by churches on almost every street. Christianity in Indonesia is defined as being either Catholic or Protestant.

Telephone Communications

For international calls from Indonesia, dial (007) + (country code) + (phone number) on your mobile phones.

Time Zone

North Sulawesi is located in the Indonesian Central Time zone which is GMT+8 and known as WITA.

Vaccinations

Murex Resorts are located close to the equator in the tropics. It is generally humid and there are mosquitoes. There are cases of malaria and dengue fever in North Sulawesi, so we recommend you bring plenty of repellents and appropriate clothing. You may want to consult with your doctor before your trip for the most up-to-date advice on anti-malarial drugs, as well as other recommended vaccinations.

Resort FAQ

Electricity

Indonesia operates on a system of 220v/50Hz electrical outlets for 2 pin plugs. At Murex Bangka, electricity is available 24 hours a day (not including Air Conditioning). Additional power for Air Conditioning runs from 5pm – 7am. At Murex Mando, full power is available 24/7.

Dietary Requirements

We cater to a wide range of special dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, lactose intolerant, gluten-free, food allergies, and any personal preferences – please let us know in advance so we can be prepared on your arrival day.

Gift Shop

Both Murex Manado and Murex Bangka have small shops, which sell basic toiletries (shampoo and shower gel is provided in your room), snacks, souvenirs, and some dive accessories.

Internet Access

We offer free Wi-Fi at both resorts but please be aware that Wi-Fi in North Sulawesi can be much slower and less reliable than you may be used to at home.

Language

The official language of Indonesia is Bahasa Indonesian with most areas having a local dialect. Here in North Sulawesi, the dialect is “Manadonese”. Staff at Murex Resorts speak English and Indonesian. We also have staff who speak German and several other languages.

Souvenirs and Shopping

Our gift shops at Murex Manado and Murex Bangka have a small selection of locally crafted souvenirs including sarongs, jewelry and handicrafts. If you are taking a land tour during your stay there may be opportunities to make purchases and our guides will help with the bargaining! Manado has several large, modern shopping malls (with fixed prices) for those who enjoy shopping.

Tipping

While a tip is not expected, if you’d like to leave a gratuity for our staff we will provide you with an envelope which will be placed in the resort tip box. Tips are divided across all employees – because they all contribute to your stay in different ways. We ask that you refrain from tipping individual members of the team to avoid compromising them.

Water

Tap water in Indonesia is not drinkable – we provide unlimited drinking water and encourage you to drink plenty on a daily basis to avoid becoming dehydrated. This is especially important for divers.

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Contact Us:

Should you have any queries that remain unanswered, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our affable team at: reservations@murexresorts.com.

For a comprehensive understanding of our Murex rates, as well as details about our captivating “Passport to Paradise” package, we invite you to explore further on our official website.

Ready to embark on your unforgettable journey? Secure your Passport to paradise today by making a reservation through our user-friendly booking platform. Your experience at Murex Resorts awaits!