Meet the Team
Meet the Team

Preparing for the Mentawais

Macaronis Resort is located remotely, in a pristine tropical paradise with no access to shops or stores of any kind. Because of our remote location we recommend you pack accordingly, bringing along anything you may need while visiting. To assist you in packing for your trip, we have included a list of items you may find useful / important. Have fun packing!

A cell phone signal can be picked up from the resort (Telkom if buying an Indonesian Sim card).

The Resort Provides

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Purified Water
  • Soap and Shampoo
  • Pool Towels
  • Bath Towels
  • Free Wifi
  • Snorkeling Equipment
  • Learner Surf Boards
  • Kayaks, SUP Paddle Boards & Fishing Equipment

Available for Purchase & Hire

What to Pack

General Items

Passport (Must be valid for 6 months)
Cash (US $35 for Visa on Arrival – If planning on staying longer than 30 days)
Credit Card (Visa or Mastercard to pay your resort tab)
Indonesian Rupiah (To pay your resort tab, for Mentawai souvenirs, spending money in Padang and on Ferry)
Tropical Climate Clothing
Light Rain Jacket
Swim Wear, Hat & Sunglasses
Flip Flops / Thongs
Indonesian Power Adapter (2 Round Pins)
Camera, Cables, Chargers, USB Stick for photos
Laptop, ipad, or Phone & Cables (to access Wifi)
Pen, Pencil, Journal, etc.

Both Men and Women in Padang (for your social comfort)

Shirt to Cover Shoulders
Pants, Long Skirt or Shorts Below the Knee

Toiletries & Medical Supplies

All Toiletries
Mosquito Repellant
Zinc / Sunscreen / Sunblock
Aqua Ear or Other Treatment
Prescription Medicines
Anti-Inflammatory Pills
Antibiotics In Case of Infection
Motion Sickness Remedy
Pain Killers
Band Aids, Medical Tape & Gauze
Antiseptic Treatment
Antibiotic Cream or Powder
Aloe / Moisturizing Lotion
Women’s Hygiene Products & Medications

Surf Gear

Surf Boards
Fins + Spares / Fin Keys
Leash + Spares / Leash Ties
Tropical Wax / Wax Comb
Rash Guard / Surf Shirt / Wetty Top
Ear Plugs & Aqua Ear
Ding Repair Kit / Solar Resin
Vaseline for Rashes
Medical Treatment for Reef Cuts
Surf Hat
Surf Helmet
Reef Booties

For The Ferry

You will be crossing the Sumatran Strait on the Mentawai Fast Ferry (4.5 hours) to and from the Mentawai Islands. We recommend bringing some snacks, a book to read, ipod, although the journey is not that long, and there is plenty to see and movies on the big screen as well.

For the Ferry, The Following is Provided:

  • Bottled Water
  • Toilet Paper in toilets
  • Light Snack

Nice to Bring Along for the Ferry:

  • Book
  • ipod
  • Motion Sickness Remedy
  • Camera

At the Resort

Power Adapters & Electricity

The resort is run on two diesel generators night and day. Power is reliable at the resort, but will be turned off twice daily for about 15 minutes. The resort is set-up on a 220V system. Adapters for any non-Indonesian electronics will require a power adapter. The Indonesia plug has two round pins and adapters can be found often in airports and convenience stores in the cities. We recommend guests bringing sensitive electronics should also bring a surge protector in the case of a power spike. All guest rooms and the dining area have electrical outlets.

Access to Supplies

There is no outlet for supplies of any kind near Macaronis Resort. Most notably, there is no access to medical supplies and guests should come prepared with all medications that they may foresee to need. Tropical reef cuts from surfing must receive proper cleaning and can be prone to infection, so please keep this in mind when preparing for your trip.

Mosquitoes & Malaria

Malaria is a potentially fatal infection transmitted by mosquitoes that does exist in the tropical region on Sumatra, Indonesia. Depending on factors such as rainfall, mosquito breeding areas, primate population density and other factors the likelihood of encountering malaria varies. Since the construction of Macaronis Resort in 2004, no guest has ever contracted Malaria. We recommend all guests consult with their health professional before visiting Indonesia and Macaronis Resort. Whether or not you choose to take preventative medications, we recommend that all guests use repellents and clothing to minimize contact with mosquitoes.

Travelers’ Diarrhea or “Bali Belly”

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick while traveling in Indonesia:

  • Wash your hands often, especially before eating – always dry hands well.
  • Wash your hands after touching animals.
  • If soap and water aren’t available, use hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
  • Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth unless your hands are clean.
  • Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
  • If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.
  • Avoid drinking tap water, always drink & brush your teeth with bottled water.

The most common health problem for travelers in Indonesia is travelers’ diarrhea or “Bali belly.” This can be caused by bacteria in food or water, but quite often it can be caused by the sudden change in climate, diet, as well as new bacteria to the digestive system. Up to 50% of all travelers (not just those to Indonesia) experience some upset to their system in the early part of a trip. A few rushed trips to the toilet with no other symptoms should be no cause for alarm. Just be sure to drink plenty of clean water (air putih) and eat a light, bland diet until you get back to normal.

Drink lots of water in small quantities and take it easy for a while. This is your bodies way of getting rid of the new unfamiliar bacteria. White rice is a great option for meals.

Remedies to Consider Packing for Travelers’ Diarrhea

Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) or Electrolytes: Dissolved in water, this will help assist with re-hydrating, as diarrhea causes dehydration. Pocari Sweat, a commonly found sports drink in Indonesia, contains electrolytes.

Probiotics: These are hard to find in Indonesia, and may be worth bringing along from your home country. Probiotics come in many types and can assist in reconstituting your natural digestive bacteria, which is often deteriorated after a case of travelers diarrhea.

Charcoal Tablets: Charcoal tablets act as a sponge for toxins and can sometimes help eliminate the bacteria in the digestive track causing sickness. They are all natural and can be found Indonesia.

Taking medication that “plugs you up” can also be helpful for when on the go, like going on a plane, boat or long car ride.

Local Village Donations

Many guests ask what they can bring from home to donate to the local village of Silabu. Donations are optional, of course, and anything you bring will be greatly appreciated!

However, please note that when visiting the village, guests are asked not to donate items directly to the local villagers, especially the children. Although well-meaning, we notice that this created a culture where the local children expected gifts from every visitor, or began asking visitors for their own personal belongings. Instead, all donations will be collected by the Resort prior to your departure, and we will pass them onto the school on your behalf. From there they can be distributed to those in most need.

Donation Item Ideas: Medical Items, Sanitary/Toiltery Items, Books, Chalk, Pens, Pencils, Paper, Colouring Books, Clothing, Shoes, Hats, Toys, Balls, Bubbles, Skipping Rope, etc.