Banks: 08.00 to 14.00, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 08.00 to 14.00, Monday to Thursday; 08.00 to 11.00, Fridays; 08.00 to 13.00, Saturdays
Government Offices: 08.00 to 16.00, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 09.00 to 17.00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 09.00 to 20.00, Monday to Friday

While Sulawesi is relatively safe, it has also from time to time been affected by flare-ups of ethnic tension; visitors are encouraged to read up on the current situation as part of the steps for planning a trip. There is a heavy police and military presence to ensure tourists don’t get caught up in any local violence, but it pays to exercise caution.

Police: 110

230V AC, 50Hz; all plugs are round European two-pin types.

There are a number of tropical diseases that travellers should be vaccinated against before heading to Sulawesi. Shots for hepatitis A and B, tetanus, typhoid and diphtheria are highly suggested. Mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever are also common in many parts of Sulawesi, so consider taking malaria prophylaxis.

The tap water in Sulawesi is not considered safe to drink. Stick to bottled water for all your needs. Restaurants are not regulated by health codes, so avoid places that appear dirty. Don’t eat raw vegetables or unpeeled fruit in Sulawesi, and be sure that any seafood or meat has been thoroughly cooked. Pharmacies open 24 hours, are easy to find in the larger towns, and can provide you with medication for minor illnesses.

For serious medical problems, there are decent hospitals in Manado and Makassar that can treat basic emergencies. Manado has a decompression chamber for those who encounter problems when scuba diving. The cost of visiting a hospital in Sulawesi is very reasonable, but if you need an emergency evacuation it could become expensive. Travel insurance is useful for covering the costs of unexpected medical emergencies.

Manado Hospital: +62 431 853191
Emergency services: 118

Bahasa Indonesia is the official language spoken in Sulawesi though many older people can speak Dutch. There are more than 500 regional dialects in Indonesia, so it’s likely you’ll hear a range of languages. English and other major global languages are likely to be spoken in the tourism and travel industry.

Indonesia’s official currency is the rupiah (Rp). Notes come in denominations of Rp100,000, Rp50,000, Rp20,000, Rp10,000, Rp5,000, Rp1,000 and Rp500. Coins come in denominations of Rp1,000, Rp500, Rp100, Rp50 and Rp25.

Every visitor to Indonesia over the age of 18 is allowed to bring in: 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco, one litre of alcohol, a small amount of perfume and personal gifts not exceeding US$250 per person in value. Cameras and laptops should be declared to customs officials upon arrival.

The people of Sulawesi are very friendly towards most foreigners, and are generally tolerant of social mistakes. A few etiquette rules are universal throughout the region and easily remembered. You should remove your shoes before entering someone’s house or a religious structure. Dress conservatively when you go out in public, as much of Sulawesi is Muslim and locals will appreciate your efforts to respect their social rules. Skimpy clothes are okay for the beach, but not in town.

The head is the highest point of a person, and the feet the lowest. Never touch someone on his or her head or use your feet for anything other than walking. Public displays of affection are not acceptable, and you should exercise caution when speaking with or touching local women, especially if they appear to be Muslim. Pointing is also quite rude in Sulawesi, so try to use your entire hand to beckon someone. Remember that ethnic and religious tension is the main source of conflict and violence in Sulawesi and avoid any discussion about religion or politics.

All visitors to Sulawesi need a travel visa from Indonesia to enter the country. Tourist visas are available upon arrival in Indonesia, and are valid for stays of 30 days. There is a small fee for the tourist visa, but citizens of other ASEAN countries are exempt of this fee. Be sure your passport is valid for at least six months past the date when you plan to depart Indonesia.