Travel Practicalities and North Sulawesi FAQ’s
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
Visa on Arrival
If you are eligible for an Indonesian Visa on Arrival (VoA), you can either obtain it upon arrival in Indonesia or apply for an Electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VOA) online before your trip.
Important: The e-VOA and All Indonesia Arrival Card are two separate requirements.
To apply for your e-VOA before travelling, use the official Indonesian Immigration website:
The e-VOA currently costs IDR 500,000 and provides a 30-day stay for eligible travellers. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date and you should have a return or onward ticket. Please check the official Immigration website for the latest eligibility requirements and visa information.
All Indonesia Arrival Card
In addition to your visa, all international passengers entering Indonesia must complete the All Indonesia arrival declaration before arrival.
The All Indonesia system is separate from the visa application. It combines the required arrival information for immigration, customs, health and quarantine into one declaration.
Complete your arrival declaration through the official All Indonesia website:
Complete your All Indonesia Arrival Card
When completing the form:
- Select Foreign Visitor.
- Enter your personal and passport information. You can also use the passport’s MRZ section to help enter your details.
- Verify your email address using the OTP sent to you.
- Complete your arrival and travel information.
- When asked for your destination in Indonesia, search for Murex. Our address details should then populate automatically.
- Submit the form and keep the confirmation available for your arrival.
We recommend completing your All Indonesia declaration before travelling to save time at the airport. The declaration can be completed within 3 days before your arrival in Indonesia.
Please note: Completing the All Indonesia Arrival Card does not replace your visa. If you require a Visa on Arrival, you must obtain your VoA on arrival or apply for an e-VOA separately through the official Indonesian e-Visa website.
Airport
Our local airport is Manado International Airport (Airport Code: MDC) which is currently serviced six times per week (every day except Sunday) 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)
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.
DIVING FAQ
Recompression Chamber
In the highly unlikely event of a decompression emergency, there is a recompression chamber for divers in Manado.
Water Temperature
North Sulawesi enjoys temperatures of 28 to 30 degrees Celsius (82 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit) year-round and a 3mm wetsuit is sufficient for most divers. There are occasional cooler thermoclines around October to December.
Dive Insurance
It is mandatory under Indonesian law for all divers (including those learning to dive) to have insurance that includes scuba diving. If you have a standard travel insurance policy in place, check that scuba diving is covered and to what extent. We recommend a policy that covers (as a minimum) recompression treatment, emergency evacuation, and repatriation.
Below are the details of two reputable dive insurers who can provide long and short term policies:
1. Dive Assure
Dive Assure offer single trip coverage plans and multi-trip/annual plans which give great savings for those who take more than 2 dive trips per year.
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- View general information about coverage provided by Dive Assure here.
- Sign up and register for dive insurance cover with Dive Assure here.
2. DAN (Divers Alert Network)
Divers Alert Network are market leaders in dive insurance and provide short term dive accident cover which is ideal for those embarking on a scuba diving holiday.
Bunaken Marine Park Fee
If you plan to dive in Bunaken National Marine Park, there is a required Bunaken Marine Park Tag Fee of IDR 150,000, plus a IDR 10,000 administration fee charged by the park authorities. The total amount is IDR 160,000.
For your convenience, Murex will purchase the tag on your behalf, and the amount will simply be added to your final bill at check-out.
Please note that this fee only applies to guests diving in Bunaken. If your dives are exclusively in Bangka or Lembeh, the Bunaken tag is not required and will not be charged.
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 never expected, if you’d like to show your appreciation for our team, envelopes are available at reception. Simply place your gratuity in the envelope and drop it in the tip box — cash or credit card both work. If you’d like to acknowledge a specific team member, write their name on the envelope and we’ll make sure they receive a larger share. We ask that you use the envelope system rather than tipping individuals directly, so every team member who contributed to your stay is recognized fairly.
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!
