Facilities in Sumatra

• Electricity: power cuts occur several times a week and a small torch is highly recommended for power cuts and for poorly lit areas, visiting caves for example, etc.
• Internet access / WIFI : there are a few internet cafes; prices and speeds vary, and by now almost every guesthouse/ hotel offers FREE WIFI
• Money/ATM: make sure in advance to arrive with enough cash. There are no ATM machines in Bukit Lawang and around but it is possible to change foreign money like Euro. There are plenty of cash points in Medan or Binjai where you can get money with credit cards or exchange foreign currencies into Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). The maximum amount you get from ATM machines is 2 Mio IDR, so you will have to make several transactions to get a higher amount. Due to frequent problems with ATM machines we recommend to take 2 -3 different credit cards with you.11km away from Bukit Lawang, in the village of Bohorok,there is one ATM. The ATM is owned by Bank Rakyat Indonesia and is on the Mastercard/ Cirrus network. Visa/PLUS cards will NOT work. If you have a Visa-family card, do not try to use it here. In this case you will need to take a longer journey possibly to Binjai, about 2 hours away. Note that the ATM in Bohorok is sometimes empty of money and there may be a day or two’s delay while it is reloaded.
• Generally it’s safer to bring plenty of money to Bukit Lawang rather than try to get more!( its also possible to do a bigger transaction to our bank acount together with the requested deposit payment; just contact us in this case; especially if you travel in bigger groups or as a family, you might not want to bring so much cash money with you)
• Money changer: there are a number of money changers who will change a variety of western and regional currencies to rupiah, rates are slightly lower than in Medan
• Post Office: like the ATM, this is in bohorok village. Here you can maybe send a post card home, but don’t send anything of value. Western Union transfers can be received here. Open Monday-Saturday.
• Mobile phone coverage: you can buy a tourist SIM card for your (unlocked) mobile phone on the Telkomsel network and enjoy cheap local calls as well as 3G mobile internet. Coverage locally is very good. If you stay longer than 30 days in the country, your electronic devices need to be registered within the indonesian customs ( IMEI registration ! )
• Market: there is one local market on Friday, from morning till around 3pm, located 2km in Gotong Royong. Popular with tourists, a variety of fruits, vegetables, spices, fish and clothes are sold. Another similar market on Sundays in Bohorok (11km away).
• Mosquito repellent, condoms, sanitary towels, toilet paper are available. Tampons are not available.
• Medicines: there are several local pharmacies, but do not stock a complete selection. Medical care is basic. For emergencies visit ‘Rumah Sakit Elizabeth’ in Medan, the best local hospital.