FAQ Page
Check our FAQ list out or send an email to us for any question you might have about your holiday in North Sulawesi!
Via Singapore
The most direct way to reach Manado is via Singapore. Singapore Airlines offers reasonable rates from most European, North American and Asian cities. Singapore to Manado is on Scoot, Singapore Air’s regional wing, with two direct flights per week (Wednesday and Friday).
Flight time from Singapore to Manado is 3 hours and 20 minutes and many of the overnight flights from Europe and North American arrive early enough in Singapore to connect with the flight to Manado, with just a short transit (flights from Singapore to Manado depart at 9.25 in the morning).
If you’d prefer to break up the trip, you can stop over on the way or on the way back and take in the atmosphere of Singapore, this unique city-state. Singapore is efficient, clean and offers some excellent shopping and nightlife opportunities. For hotels in Singapore, ask for a “Singapore Stopover“, which is a special rates deal offered only by Singapore Air. Note that you must book your “Stopover” at the same time that you pay for your flights.
Important – this can also be a popular route and you should check with your booking agent about seat availability very early in your booking process, especially if you’re a group*. In high season the price of the seat can go up quite a bit and this is even more likely for last-minute bookers, so book early!
* Group Bookings: please note that Singapore Air sometimes charges a surcharge for groups of 9 persons or more, so it is adviseable to check on their current policy with your booking agent. If you are in doubt, it may be safer to split the booking into more than one group. Also, if you can’t get all the seats you need on the same flight, why not split your group and let some people have one night stopover in Singapore on the way to Manado and the rest have a night on the way back?
Via Jakarta and Denpasar/Bali
There are daily flights to Jakarta and Bali from many European and American cities. From there to Manado there are sometimes direct flights and sometimes a short stop is required, Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air and several other airlines connect Manado with those airports, please check with your booking agent about flight details and prices.
evisa.imigrasi.go.id is a government portal run by the Directorate General of Immigration Ministry of Law and Human Rights.
Visitor Visa is a single-entry visa which is valid for 30 days stay in Indonesia with the purpose of Tourism, Government Visit, Business Meeting, Goods Purchasing, or Transit only.
The validity period of Visitor Visa is different from the period of stay in Indonesia. The validity period of Visitor Visa is 90 days, as stated on Visitor Visa. If foreigners holding Visitor Visa come to Indonesia after the 90 days period, they must apply for a new Visitor Visa, visa on arrival at the airport, or other types of visas.
Holders of passports of these following countries are eligible to apply for Visitor Visa:
Albania
Andorra
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia Herzegovina
Brazil
Brunei Darussalam
Bulgaria
Cambodia
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Kuwait
Kazakhstan
Laos
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Maldives
Malta
Mexico
Monaco
Morocco
Myanmar
Netherland
New Zealand
Norway
Oman
Palestine
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Republic of Korea
Qatar
Romania
Russia
San Marino
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Seychelles
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Timor Leste
Tunisia
Turkiye
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States of America
Uzbekistan
Vatican
Vietnam
Holders of travel document other than passport (Laissez Passer, Titre de voyage, Travel Document, Document of Identity, Certificate of Identity, Alien Passport, Alien Travel Document, Emergency Travel Document, Emergency Passport; or Temporary Passport) are not eligible to apply Visitor Visa.
Foreigners holding Visitor Visa are allowed to land at:
Seaport Immigration Checkpoint:
Halim Perdana Kusuma, DKI Jakarta
Hang Nadim, Kepulauan Riau
Juanda, Jawa Timur
Kertajati, Jawa Barat
Kualanamu, Sumatera Utara
Minangkabau, Sumatera Barat
Ngurah Rai, Bali
Sam Ratulangi, Sulawesi Utara
Sentani, Papua
Soekarno Hatta, DKI Jakarta
Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman, KalimantanTimur
Sultan Hasanuddin, Sulawesi Selatan
Sultan Iskandar Muda , Aceh
Sultan Syarif Kasim II, Riau
Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta
Zainuddin Abdul Madjid, Nusa Tenggara Barat
Seaport Immigration Checkpoint:
Achmad Yani, Maluku Utara
Amamapare, Papua
Anggrek, Gorontalo
Bagan Siapi-Api, Riau
Bandar Bentan Telani Lagoi, Kepulauan Riau
Bandar Seri Udana Lobam, Kepulauan Riau
Bandar Sri Setia Raja, Riau
Batam Centre, Kepulauan Riau
Batu Ampar, Kepulauan Riau
Belakang Padang, Kepulauan Riau
Belawan, Sumatera Utara
Benete, Nusa Tenggara Barat
Benoa, Bali
Biak, Papua
Boom Baru, Sumatera Selatan
Celukan Bawang, Bali
Cirebon, Jawa Barat
Citra Tri Tunas, Kepulauan Riau
Ciwandan, Banten
Dumai, Riau
Dwi Kora, Kalimantan Barat
Gunung Sitoli, Sumatera Utara
Jambi, Jambi
Jayapura, Papua
Kabil, Kepulauan Riau
Kendari, Sulawesi Tenggara
Kota Baru, Kalimantan Selatan
Kuala Enok, Riau
Kuala Langsa, Aceh
Kuala Tanjung, Sumatera Utara
Kuala Tungkal, Jambi
Kumai, Kalimantan Tengah
Labuan Bajo, Nusa Tenggara Timur
Lauren Say, Nusa Tenggara Timur
Lembar, Nusa Tenggara Barat
Lhokseumawe, Aceh
Malahayati, Aceh
Malundung, Kalimantan Timur
Manado, Sulawesi Utara
Marina Ancol, DKI Jakarta
Marina Teluk Senimba, Kepulauan Riau
Merauke, Papua
Muara Sabak, Jambi
Nongsa Terminal Bahari, Kepulauan Riau
Nusantara, Sulawesi Utara
Nusantara Pare Pare, Sulawesi Selatan
Padang Bai, Bali
Panarukan, Jawa Timur
Pangkal Balam, Bangka Belitung
Panjang, Lampung
Pantoloan, Sulawesi Tengah
Pasuruan, Jawa Timur
Patimban, Jawa Barat
Probolinggo, Jawa Timur
Pulau Baai, Bengkulu
Sabang, Aceh
Samarinda, Kalimantan Timur
Sampit, Kalimantan Tengah
Samudera, Sulawesi Utara
Saumlaki, Maluku
Sekupang, Kepulauan Riau
Selat Lampa, Kepulauan Riau
Semayang, Kalimantan Timur
Siak Sri Indapura, Riau
Sibolga, Sumatera Utara
Sintete, Kalimantan Barat
Soekarno-Hatta, Sulawesi Selatan
Sorong , Papua
Sri Bayintan, Kepulauan Riau
Sri Bintan Pura, Kepulauan Riau
Sunda Kelapa, DKI Jakarta
Sungai Guntung, Riau
Tanjung Balai Karimun, Kepulauan Riau
Tanjung Emas, Jawa Tengah
Tanjung Gudang, Bangka Belitung
Tanjung Harapan, Riau
Tanjung Intan, Jawa Tengah
Tanjung Kalian, Bangka Belitung
Tanjung Pandan, Bangka Belitung
Tanjung Perak, Jawa Timur
Tanjung Priok, DKI Jakarta
Tanjung Uban, Kepulauan Riau
Tanjung Wangi, Jawa Timur
Tarempa, Kepulauan Riau
Teluk Bayur, Sumatera Barat
Teluk Nibung, Sumatera Utara
Tembilahan, Riau
Tenau, Nusa Tenggara Timur
Tri Sakti, Kalimantan Selatan
Tual, Maluku
Yos Sudarso, Maluku
Cross Border Post Immigration Checkpoint:
Aruk, Kalimantan Barat
Entikong, Kalimantan Barat
Mota’ain, Nusa Tenggara Timur
Motamasin, Nusa Tenggara Timur
Sota, Papua
Tunon Taka, Kalimantan Utara
Wini, Nusa Tenggara Timur
The Visitor Visa fee is IDR 500.000,00. Please note that every payment via Debit/Credit Card will incur additional fees according to the financial institution’s regulations.
Each traveler must hold a separate Visitor Visa, including infants and children (even if children/infants are included in their parent passports).
Foreigners who wish to enter Indonesia must hold a passport with an expiration date at least 6 (six) months from the date of arrival (In accordance with the article 22 (1) b Minister of Law and Human Rights Regulation Number 44 of 2015).
Once the Visitor Visa is processed, none of the information can be changed. The information on your Visitor Visa must be exactly the same as the information on your passport. Otherwise, your Visitor Visa will be invalid and there will be no refund. According to article 106 Minister of Law and Human Rights Regulation Number 44 of 2015, Immigration Officer at the ports of entry reserves the right to deny entry into Indonesia to a foreigner who provide incorrect information in the visa application.
The documents to request an Visitor Visa are as follows:
Full biodata page of passport with at least 6 months validity from the date of your arrival to Indonesia (format JPG/JPEG/PNG);
Passport size photograph (format JPG/JPEG/PNG);
Email address; and
A valid Mastercard, Visa, or JCB credit card.
Before submitting Visitor Visa, you must create an Account by “Main Page > Apply > Register” (please note that each visitor visa must be submitted by the respective account) and perform:
Fill in data and uploading documents;
Receive verification email; and
Activate the Account by clicking “activate” on the verification email which must be confirmed within one hour.
After logging in to your account, you can apply for Visitor Visa by clicking “Main Page > Apply” and then perform:
Data Filling:
1) Visa type,
2) Arrival information, and
3) Residence information in Indonesia;
Payment; and
Granting Visitor Visa.
After completing the “payment confirmation” page, you must proceed with the payment within 120 minutes. Otherwise, the system will not accept payment, and you will need to create a new request.
You can only make payment by Mastercard, Visa, and JCB credit card. The card is not required to be under your name. Kindly make sure that your card has a “3D Secure System” and is open to international transactions.
After completing the payment process, your Visitor Visa will be available in your Account. Immigration Officers at the ports of entry can verify your Visitor Visa in their system. However, you are advised to keep your Visitor Visa with you either as a softcopy (on tablet pc, smartphone etc.) or as a hardcopy in case of any failure in the system.
You only need to do the Account creation once. If you forgot your password you can select “Main Page > Forgot Password”.
Kindly inform the Visitor Visa Support Desk (livechat at www.imigrasi.go.id or sending email to [email protected] or [email protected]) should you encounter any suspended or unsuccessful transactions during the request procedure. Please do not create a new request or make a new payment unless otherwise advised. The Ministry will not be responsible for additional payments and no refund will be granted in case of such unfinished transactions.
There are numerous websites which claim to assist users in receiving Indonesian Visitor Visa in return for a service charge. These websites are not endorsed by or associated with the Indonesian government. Therefore, we cannot be held responsible for any misuse of information or failure of service on their side.
Please note that this information might not be updated, we always recommend to visit evisa.imigrasi.go.id for the most updated regulation.
For any further question, please contact the Indonesian Embassy in your country.
You can dive year-round in Lembeh if you are on the right boat. The sunniest season is April to October. That’s when the sunbathing is best, but you can also still get rain at any time of year. The nice thing about the rain is that it’s warm.
If you’re coming to visit the rainforest or go rafting, we actually prefer the rainy season (but again it is year-round) because that is when the forest and highlands are watered and are at their most lush.
In-Water Protection
Not too much thermal protection is required, however we suggest a 3mm or 5mm one-piece (or dive-skin for those who don’t get easily chilled) – make sure it’s full arms and legs, to protect against any stinging hydroids.
Land Clothing
It’s normally shorts and T-shirt by day (even if it rains, because it’s warm tropical rains) and at night in town the dress code is casual, nothing more than light trousers or jeans and a golf shirt is required. There is no need whatsoever for a sweatshirt.
1 USD is exchanged approx. to IDR 17.000 and 1 EUR approx. to IDR 20.000.
If paying in cash, payment should be made in Indonesian Rupiahs (IDR). Eco Divers accepts USD and EUR cash too, but will convert at the day’s Bank Indonesia exchange rate. Alternatively, payment can be made by Visa or Mastercard credit card, in IDR, converted at the day’s Bank Indonesia exchange rate.
Due to a recent change in Indonesian banking policy, you can no longer use traveler cheques in local shops, dive centers and resorts. These can now only be cashed in local banks by the owner of the cheque. (Please note that the only Traveler Cheques accepted by the local banks are American Express USD cheques.)
You can draw cash in IDR from the ATMs at the local banks using your PIN (personal identity number) and you can draw up to IDR 3,000,000 on Visa or Mastercard at the local banks but only before 2pm (you must present your passport with your credit card). Banks and ATMs offer a reasonable exchange rate.
At Eco Divers both the CEE 7 standards and Europlug fit into the socket.
CEE 7/4 (German “Schuko”; Type F), CEE 7/7, CEE 7/16 “Europlug” (Type C), CEE 7/17 (German/French) fit all in our socket, or generally almost any 2 pins plugs fits in (as usually they have flexible pins able to fit in sockets with holes with centres spaced at 19 mm.
The provided voltage in Indonesia is 220-240 V/50 Hz, please note that due mainly to the lack of electricity production, the voltage is not stable and power cut are very frequent, however at Eco DIvers a back up is done using generators.
Manado is the ideal base from which to explore North Sulawesi, an area of outstanding natural beauty. After diving, there are many additional activities for you to enjoy. White-water rafting, a relaxing visit to Kali Waterfalls or to a craft center. Perhaps a stimulating trek through a lush, primeval rainforest takes your interest or a trip to the paddy fields of Lake Tondano? Wander through the markets and absorb the exotic aromas of tropical fruits and spices. Arrangements can be made for your excursions to start from White Sands Lembeh, just ask to our reservation staff or at our office.
Lembeh is tropical and so malaria cannot be discounted. We suggest you follow your doctor’s advice regarding malaria tablets. Officially, North Sulawesi is non-malarial, but if the tablets don’t bother you too much it’s always best to err on the side of caution. We also recommend that you spray anti-mosquito spray onto your arms and legs before going out at night.
The odd case of dengue fever has been reported in North Sulawesi, though these tend to be in the villages where rubbish is sometimes not properly cleared.
There are plenty of chemists and dentists in North Sulawesi and the general hospital has a good recompression chamber. Manado is the regional capital of North Sulawesi and around 700,000 people live here, so facilities are generally available and are decent, if not fancy.