This page is for our guests arriving in Medan, if you are travelling with us we recommend printing this page and keeping it with you.
There isn’t cellphone coverage in most places in the Banyaks, but in case of emergency the satellite phone number for the Sjalina is +881631636278 – if anyone at home needs to reach you urgently they can send a free message via http://messaging.iridium.com/ or call that number (expensive). If you need to get a local SIM card, the Telkomsel network has coverage at Bay of Plenty on occasion, or use your phone’s roaming.
Getting through customs in Medan can be slow. Being patient and having your documentation handy for checks will make your experience easier.
When you get off the plane, go to the Visa on Arrival counter before going through passport control, then go to the counter adjacent on the left to get your passport stamp. You’ll need 25 USD in cash for the visa on arrival, please ensure you are eligible, check this page for details.
When in the luggage hall to get your bags, do not accept any offers of assistance from anyone. If you have booked transfers to Sibolga, staff should be waiting outside the luggage hall in front of the main exit. The staff will easily recognise you with your boardbag, and will find you in the airport if you get delayed for any reason. They will take you to your hotel or domestic flight. Call Tom or Mick at the numbers below if you have problems.
The best way to get local currency is the ATM at the airport straight outside the main exit on the left (if you have a card that has the Cirrus or PLUS logos, and almost all do, or a Mastercard or Visa it will work). 1 USD roughly equals 8500 rupiah, or 100 000 rupiah equals about 11.60 USD. You won’t need that much local money, but it is handy to have for Medan departure tax (Rp 75,000), leaving tips for the boat staff and some lunch on Monday, a massage in Sibolga, beer etc. We recommend getting a couple of million when you arrive and then you have options.
If you are asked to indicate an address in Indonesia, use your hotel name or have the following details for Boraspati handy, and contact Tom at this address for any travel advice on your time in Indonesia:
PT. BORASPATI EXPRESS TOURS & TRAVEL SERVICE
No. 77, Jl. Dazam Raya – Medan 20112
North Sumatra – Indonesia
Phones: +62(0)61-4526802, 4158707, 4532958, 4532959
Facsimile: +62(0)61-4567906
Cellulars: +62811638661 +6281361632777
Mobile: +626177778661
email: niasurf@boraspati.com niasurf@travelmedan.com
Skippers Mick (Sjalina +6281397076554) and Nico (The Dream +6281388046085) will be with the boat in Sibolga – you can contact them at any time in the three days before departure if you have any issues.