Travel
Gorontalo can be reached directly by air from several cities in Indonesia, including Jakarta, Denpasar (Bali), Makassar and Manado.
Recommended Travel Route
Divers planning to visit Gorontalo will have the best connections and flight choices by arriving in Indonesia via Jakarta. Both Sriwijaya Air and Lion Air have daily flights connecting Gorontalo with Jakarta via Makassar (previously known as Ujung Pandang). This allows divers to take advantage of multiple, cheap flights from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore to Jakarta. Divers can also fly from Denpasar (Bali) to Gorontalo in one day. Wings Air, a subsidiary of Lion Air, now has daily flights from Manado that allows travelers to and from Gorontalo to connect with Silk Air from Singapore. Tickets can be purchased on-line from the Lion Air web site.
Please contact us for current domestic flight information.
Direct International Connections to Sulawesi
One solution for those wanting to dive in Gorontalo is the international connections to North Sulawesi via Manado. Silk Air, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, provides routine flights to Manado directly from Singapore. As of late February 2010, Air Asia no longer flies to Manado.
As mentioned above, Wings Air flies daily from Manado at 1825 hrs, allowing divers from Singapore to arrive in Gorontalo the same day. The plane leaves Gorontalo at 0530 hrs, allowing plenty of time to check-in to a returning flight to Singapore. Please check the Lion Air web site above for the current schedule. The overland route from Manado takes a full day whether by private transport or by bus.
Air Asia connects Kuala Lumpur with the brand new terminal at Makassar (Ujung Pandang) in South Sulawesi. Its evening arrival in Makassar requires travelers to stay overnight before boarding a flight the next day to Gorontalo. Air Asia's evening departure back to Kuala Lumpur allows plenty of time for travelers to connect from flights from Gorontalo. See Air Asia's web site for current information.
Indonesia's Visa Policy
In 2010, Indonesia is revising some of its visa procedures to make things easier. Please check with your travel agent at the time of booking. The following information comes from the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism "Diving Indonesia" printed in 2008:
All travelers to Indonesia must be in possession of a passport valid for at least six (6) months from the date of arrival and must have proof of onward or return passage (tickets).
Free 30-Day Visa on Arrival is for passport holders from Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia, Macau SAR, Morocco, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Visa on Arrival for USD25 for a 30-day stay is available for passport holders from Aljazair, Australia, Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Czechoslovakia (according to the Tourism Ministry), Cyprus, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Egypt, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Laos PDR, Latvia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Maldives, Mexico, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Rumania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, PRC China, Taiwan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and the USA.
This visa on arrival is not available at all entry points into Indonesia. But it is available at the Bali, Jakarta, and Manado airports.
Currency Exchange
Indonesian banks will only accept brand new, unfolded, stain-free US dollars (usually only $100 bills). Banks in Gorontalo do not accept Euro, so we cannot. Travelers are suggested to change money prior to arrival in Indonesia or at your arrival airport, since moneychangers are not readily available outside airports in Sulawesi. Travellers' cheques will receive a much less attractive rate than cash USD100 bills at an Indonesian bank. ATMs for cash withdrawals are readily available in Gorontalo and other locations in Sulawesi. Miguel's Diving can now accept Visa and MasterCard.
