Planning to visit North Sulawesi? Then this article is for you.
I’m a native Indonesian and was born in North Sulawesi. I spent most of my younger years in Manado. So, who is better to tell you about this area than a local? (a.ka me!). I know everything about the people, the food, the culture, and the language.
I’ve done all my research about North Sulawesi to present you with this complete travel guide, so you can plan your trip better. I’ve also given budget tips so you can save money while enjoying the nature of North Sulawesi.
You can also use my Ultimate Travel Planner to organize your trip better. If you don’t have it yet, you can get it for FREE at the end of this article!
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Keep reading to learn more about traveling to North Sulawesi.
Getting to North Sulawesi
Traveling on a budget starts right from the beginning. When planning your trip, look for affordable flights to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi.
Here are a few options to reach North Sulawesi by plane:
- Fly from Jakarta: there are direct flights from Jakarta with Batik Air and Citilink and it costs around $150. The duration is 3,5 hours.
- Fly from Singapore: the Scoot airline flies twice a week (Monday and Wednesday) to Manado. The flight duration is almost 4 hours and the ticket costs around $170.
- Fly from Bali: there is a flight every day to Manado with Lion Air via Makassar. The price is around $140. The flight is quite short, almost 4 hours. But Lion Air is famous for delays and changing schedules. So you should plan carefully.
Exploring Manado and Beyond
Once you arrive in Manado, you’ll find a range of transportation options to explore the city and its surroundings. If it’s possible, you’d better arrange a pick-up transfer from the hotel. A few hotels in Manado can provide this for an extra fee.
I find it more convenient than bargaining with the local drivers outside the airport. Especially if your planes were delayed and you ended up arriving in Manado after midnight!
(Yes, it happened to us last time. Our flight from Bali got delayed for more than 2 hours. The supposed to be 4 hours journey ended up being 8 hours. Thanks to Lion Air)
Public Transportation in Manado
If everything goes well and you arrive at your hotel safely, one of the best ways to get around on a budget is by using local public transport. Hop on a colorful “Mikrolet” minibus or “Angkot” shared taxi to travel within the city. These options are not only affordable but also provide a glimpse into the daily lives of the locals.
The cons of taking Mikrolet: they drive slowly and it will take you a looooong time to arrive at your destination. And in the afternoon, it’s super hot. No air conditioner on this cheap transport. But hey, it’s a fun experience that you should definitely try!
The other way to navigate around the city of Manado is by taking an online taxi from apps like Gojek or In-drive. If you’ve been to Bali or Jakarta, you must be familiar with Gojek apps. If not, you can download it on Google Play Store and it’s similar to Uber. (We don’t have Uber anymore in Indonesia)
In contrast to Bali, renting a motorbike is not common in Manado. I haven’t seen any motorbike rentals around here. So, your best chance is only online Taxi. And if you want to explore the area further, you can rent a car.
Island Hopping on a Budget
Bunaken Island, renowned for its world-class diving spots, is a must-visit destination–especially if you’re a diver.
Right next to Bunaken, there is another island called Siladen which is famous for its white sandy beaches. A bit further out, there is a small island called Nain, and it’s a hidden paradise.
To save on transportation costs, you can consider joining a group tour that offers shared boat rides. There are some tours offering a day trip to 3 islands (Bunaken, Siladen, Nain) that you can join, normally on the weekend. The price ranges from IDR 150.000 to 250.000 per person.
You can also take a fast ferry from Manado Harbour to explore the northern islands of Sangihe Talaud. The ticket costs 350.000 rupiah per person for a VIP seat including a lunch box (normally rice and fried fish).
Budget-Friendly Stays in North Sulawesi
Simple Guesthouses
If you’re a traveler seeking an authentic experience on a budget, North Sulawesi offers some cozy guesthouses at affordable prices.
Here are some recommended Guesthouses and Homestays in North Sulawesi:
- Istanaku Guesthouse 2 – Manado
- Tangkoko Ranger Homestay – Bitung
- Novita Homestay – Bunaken
Best and Affordable Hotels in North Sulawesi
Finding a nice comfy and comfortable hotel in Manado isn’t easy. Hotel buildings in North Sulawesi look run-down, even if it was built several years ago.
The only hotel that could still maintain cleanliness (even if it’s already more than 15 years running) is Swiss-Belhotel Maleosan.
Recommended hotels around North Sulawesi:
- Aryaduta Manado: Best location
- Whiz Prime Hotel Megamas Manado: Small room but close to restaurants and mall.
- The Sentra Hotel Manado: A new hotel. I haven’t stayed here, but it looks good.
- Swiss-Belhotel Maleosan Manado: The cleanest hotel, although a bit outdated.
- Yama Resort Tondano: I haven’t been here, but my friends recommend this hotel for exploring Tomohon area.
- Fave Hotel Bitung: I also haven’t been here but the hotel looked decent as a stop to Lembeh islands.
- Leos Hotel: A decent hotel if you want to stay in Tomohon area.
Backpacker Hostels for the Adventurous
Sadly, there aren’t many hostels yet in North Sulawesi. In fact, I found only one in Manado.
Some people are complaining about the service and cleanliness, but if you’re traveling solo and looking for a short stop with a budget, this could be your option.
Green Hostel Manado – the only hostel in Manado City
However, if you’re traveling with a partner, you can get a room at almost the same price.
Budget-Friendly Hotels in Bunaken
If you’re planning to do diving or explore the Bunaken area, here are the best-recommended hotels with a friendly budget:
Food Culture in North Sulawesi
There was a saying that the people of Manado eat everything that is cooked with chili sauce (rica-rica).
Although I was raised with North Sulawesi Culinary (mom’s food was always the best!), I don’t fully agree with some of the food the people served at the table there. They eat animals like bats, rats, snakes, and even monkeys.
Yes, the people in North Sulawesi eat these animals! There is a famous market in Tomohon that sells all this meat. I’ve never been there, though.
But don’t worry! There are some delicious food that you can enjoy in North Sulawesi, without feeling guilty. So, keep reading!
Local Food in North Sulawesi
Expect to see a lot of meat and chili. The people here eat lots of meat, seafood, and they love spicy food!
People in North Sulawesi cannot enjoy their food without sambal or Dabu-Dabu. I used to be like that. I blame my mother and family, who have given me chili since I was 3 years old.
So, If you like spicy food–like reaaally spicy–you would love the food here in North Sulawesi!
What to Eat in North Sulawesi
Here are some of the local food that you can try on your visit to this part of Indonesia:
Must Try Local Food
- Tinutuan or Bubur Manado: a hearty bowl of rice porridge packed with cassava, corn, and spinach. It’s a typical Manadonese breakfast and it’s normally served with a spicy sauce.
- Ragey: big pork grilled satay, also served with spicy sauce.
- Ayam Woku Belanga: Manadonese chicken curry.
- Nasi Kuning khas Manado: Manadonese yellow rice which is served with tuna floss, beef, dried cassava, bihun, and boiled egg. As usual, it comes with a spicy sauce.
- Brenebon Soup: Red bean soup, often made with pork broth.
Popular Desserts in North Sulawesi
- Brenebon Ice: Not only in soup, but Manadonese also put red beans in crushed ice and served it with condensed milk on top.
- Klaapertaart: Cold sweet dish made of coconut with milk, butter, egg, and sometimes rum.
- Halua Kenari: Crunchy snack made of walnut and brown sugar.
Traditional Cakes to Try
North Sulawesi has many delicious traditional cakes that you could try if you’re adventurous. Panada is my favorite. You should also try Lalampa, Kue Gulung, Lampu-lampu, Cucur, and Apang Bakar.
Where to Eat in North Sulawesi
You can find a lot of places to eat in Manado city, from warungs to restaurants, and also big chains like Mcdonald’s and KFC. But if you travel outside of Manado, you probably won’t find many restaurants. There are mostly simple local eateries or Rumah Makan.
Recommended Restaurants in Manado
Budget-friendly Places to Eat
- Rumah Makan Hocky – Chinese Food
- Dabu-Dabu Lemong – Fresh Fish and Seafood
- Kelapa 17 Megamas – Best Pork Ribs
Recommended Cafe in Manado
- Kopi Parea
- Rumah Kopi Billy
- Anna Cafe & Bakery
- KeikClub
What to Do in North Sulawesi
Discover the Hidden Waterfalls
If you like visiting waterfalls, North Sulawesi has some that are worth visiting. Some are easy to reach, and some need a bit of hiking. Some of these waterfalls are free to enter, and some charge a small fee.
Bear in mind that these waterfalls have minimum to zero facilities: no food or drink stand, and no toilet. I do hope that the government improves the facilities here to make it more comfortable for visitors.
- Tekaan Telu Waterfall: Located in Tinoor village near Tomohon City, this waterfall is famous for its beauty. Going down to the waterfall is not easy, so be careful.
- Pinaras Waterfall: This free-to-enter waterfall is 52 meters high and it’s about one hour ride from Manado. You can swim here but still, be careful because the water is quite deep.
- Kima Atas Waterfall: The only waterfall in Manado City. It’s not that high, and the water is not so clear, but many people like to swim here.
- Kali Waterfall: You need to walk about 21 minutes to reach the waterfall, but it’s totally worth it. You will be charged a small entrance fee.
- Tunan Waterfall: Beautiful waterfall only 5-10 minutes walk from the parking lot.
- Tolei Waterfall: Located in Tumpaan village, about 41 km from Manado City.
Visit the Beautiful Lakes
Lake Linow in Tomohon
If you’re in the Tomohon area, you shouldn’t miss Linow Lake.
It’s a small volcanic lake with beautiful surroundings and it’s located not far from Tomohon City. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see the lake change its colors. Before I took this picture, the color of the lake was dark blue.
Entrance fee: 30.000 IDR per person.
You can exchange the ticket for a free coffee or tea.
Lake Tondano
This is the biggest lake in North Sulawesi. You can sit in some cafes or restaurants around the lake and enjoy the view.
Our favorite place in Lake Tondano is A’Laise Restaurant and Gallery.
Snorkel in Pristine Reefs
North Sulawesi is a haven for marine enthusiasts, and you don’t need to be a certified diver to explore its underwater wonders. Grab a snorkel and mask, and head to the Bunaken Marine Park or Lembeh Strait.
These protected areas are home to an incredible array of colorful coral reefs and diverse marine life.
You can join another group for a snorkeling trip to Bunaken or rent a private boat.
Take a day trip to Lihaga island
The beach on this island is the best I have ever seen in North Sulawesi. You can snorkel right from the beach, do kayaking, or just enjoy lounging under the sun.
There are some tours offering a day trip package to Lihaga island from Manado.
Note: there is one glamping resort on the island but it costs around $70 per night per person. Honestly, I think it’s overpriced. I would recommend you do a day trip if you’re traveling on a budget.
Hike the Volcanoes
North Sulawesi has some volcanoes for you to explore. Some are still active and I recommend you to take a guide if you plan to hike one of these volcanoes.
Volcanoes to check out in North Sulawesi:
- Mount Lokon in Tomohon
- Mount Soputan
- Mount Karangetang in Siau
- Mount Ambang
- Mount Awu
- Mount Mahawu
- Mount Klabat
- Mount Tangkoko
I hope this article helps you to plan your adventure travel to North Sulawesi better. I’m updating this article from time to time, so feel free to come back anytime.
As promised, you can grab my Ultimate Travel Planner below. TOTALLY FREE.
This helps me a lot when planning a trip to a new destination. I believe this could help you to organize your travel too!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I get to North Sulawesi?
The main gateway to North Sulawesi is Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado. Several airlines offer direct flights from major cities in Indonesia, as well as international connections from Singapore and other nearby countries.
What is the best time to visit North Sulawesi?
The best time to visit North Sulawesi is during the dry season, which typically runs from May to October. This period offers pleasant weather conditions for outdoor activities and excellent visibility for diving and snorkeling.
What are the must-visit dive sites in North Sulawesi?
North Sulawesi is renowned for its exceptional dive sites. Some must-visit locations include Bunaken Marine Park, with its vibrant coral walls and diverse marine life, Lembeh Strait, famous for its macro underwater photography opportunities, and Bangka Island, known for its pristine reefs and abundant marine biodiversity.
Is North Sulawesi safe for tourists?
North Sulawesi is generally considered safe for tourists. However, you should always exercise common safety precautions such as staying vigilant, securing your belongings, and following any local guidelines or advisories.
Are there any cultural festivals in North Sulawesi?
Yes, North Sulawesi hosts various cultural festivals throughout the year. One of the most interesting festivals is the International Flower Festival in Tomohon. There are also cultural events during major holidays such as Christmas and Easter.
What wildlife can be seen in North Sulawesi?
North Sulawesi is home to diverse wildlife. Visitors can spot unique species in Tangkoko Nature Reserve, such as black crested macaques, tarsiers, and hornbills. Marine enthusiasts can encounter sea turtles, various fish species, and even dugongs while diving or snorkeling in the region.
How many days should I plan for a visit to North Sulawesi?
The ideal duration for a visit to North Sulawesi depends on your interests and the activities you wish to experience. A well-rounded trip could range from 5 to 7 days, allowing you to explore the marine wonders, cultural sites, and natural attractions at a comfortable pace.
Is English widely spoken in North Sulawesi?
English is spoken to varying degrees in North Sulawesi, especially in tourist areas, hotels, and dive centers. While you may encounter some language barriers in more remote or rural areas, basic English communication is generally manageable.
What’s Next?
If you think this article is helpful, please leave a comment below! Or if you have any questions about traveling to North Sulawesi, feel free to ask in the comment below!
