'''Manado''' (also ''Menado'') is in the capital of North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Understand

The capital of the province, the former stronghold of the Dutch and the cultural center of the Minahasa people, for a long time Manado prospered through trade with the nearby Philippines and the spice trade with the rest of the world. Alas, the bombings of World War II and the suppression of a local insurgency in the 1950s flattened most of Manado's older buildings. While by Indonesian standards still relatively prosperous, most visitors will be rather less impressed and head straight to the islands and reefs of nearby Bunaken.

Get in

Manado is quite far from the rest of Indonesia and most visitors arrive by plane.

By plane

Manado's '''Sam Ratulangi Airport''' ({{IATA|MDC}}) An airy, modern facility last expanded in 2001. The airport fields some international flights to Singapore (Silk Air, 4x weekly, 3h), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Air Asia, 3x weekly, 4h), and Davao, Philippines (Wings Air, 1x weekly, 1h), with visa on arrival possible. There are also frequent flights to Jakarta (Batavia Air, Garuda, Lion Air 3h, 600,000+Rp) and Makassar (1.5h), as well as some flights to Balikpapan, Denpasar (Bali), Ternate (North Maluku) and Sorong (Papua). A taxi from the airport to central Manado takes about 30 minutes and costs Rp. 70,000 (bargaining may be necessary). There are also frequent mikrolets leaving from Terminal Paal costing 2,300 Rp that take about the same amount of time.

Departure tax from Manado is Rp. 75,000 (Rp.100.000 from 1st Nov 2007) for international flights and Rp. 30,000 for domestic flights. The terminal has an Internet cafe in the public area and the standard array of restaurants (KFC, Es Teler 77)and gift shops inside, but note that there is nothing once past immigration.

Get around

The main ways of getting around are ''ojek/ompreng'', moped taxis that can be a bit scary, or with Mikrolets (mikros), the blue mini buses that you jump on just standing by the street. They all have a certain route and within a day one should figure out how it works.

By taxi

There are several taxi operator here : Bluebird, Taxi Kokapura, Trust, Celebrity. The most reliable one is Bluebird, the blue taxi. It is the most trusted taxi operator in Jakarta and other cities in Indonesia. The Manado office phone number is (0431) 861234. If you're new to the town, use this taxi. Wybisana.

Even is meter taxi, you must beware as they will tend to making extra mile near the area that you intend to go, and making you paying extra according to meter. This is especially for taxi from hotel to airport, you may want to get a taxi from hotel by negotiating the price upfront.

By Angkot

Also known as mikrolets or bemos. Angkot is the typical Indonesia's cheapest way of transportation inside the city. Most of cities in Indonesia have this Angkot, as well as Manado. Angkot is a minibus of 8-10 passengers. The cost is very cheap, currently at Rp. 2,000 per trip.

By rental car

Many rental cars are available in Manado. The easiest way to hire a rental car is when you arrive at the Sam Ratulangi airport, Manado. Big rental car companies open some counters at the airport, however, some small or privately owned rental cars are also offering their services in the exit door of the airport. Small rental cars are usually cheaper, around Rp. 400,000 per day, already included driver and gasoline. Big companies will offer at higher rate.

By ojek

Ojek is motorcab taxi, it is also a typical cheap land transportation in Indonesian cities. In Manado, ojek rate is not fixed, depending on the distance and negotiation. For a very short distance (+/- 1 km.), it will be around Rp. 3,000.

See

  • '''Ban Hin Kiong'''. A 19th century Buddhist temple.
  • . Bukit Kasih

    Do

    Manado is famous throughout the region for its diving areas. Bunaken is one of the finest and maybe the most well-kept national marine park in Indonesia.
  • Tangkoko National Park. Home of tarsiers and macaques. The tarsiers can be viewed in the late afternoons when they are most active, from about 4-6pm. A guide must be hired at the park entrance and costs Rp85,000 per person. Included is the park entrance fee of Rp15,000. The national park is about 50km from Manado and is accessible by taking a bemo toward Bitung (Rp 10,000) and transferring to an open aired bemo along the way (ask the driver to drop you off at the transfer at the junction town along the way), also Rp10,000</do>

    Buy

    Currency conversion

  • '''Manado Inter Money Changer''', located in front of Bahu Mall, next to Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN), Jl. W. Monginsidi No:62 Bahu Link: III Manado, Ph: +62-431-866676 & +62-431-866677.
  • Eat

    Manadonese food is famous throughout Indonesia for two things: the Minahasa eat '''absolutely anything''', and the flavor of choice is '''very, very spicy'''. Sugar is used little if at all, with flavor added through lemon and herbs. Being Christian, the Minahasa also often marinate meat in alcohol and favor pork. More exotic protein options include cats, forest rats, fruit bats, and dogs, the last of which is the obligatory centerpiece of any wedding ceremony or Christmas feast. Classic dishes include:

  • ''ikan mas bakar rica'', grilled spicy fish cooked in traditional style, using a piece of coconut shell as a way of cooking. Grilled together with chilli, that poured in the fish while cooking.
  • ''ikan mas goreng'', fish fried till the soft bone is crunchy.
  • ''ayam rica-rica'', grilled chicken topped with a fiery red chili-and-onion paste
  • ''ikan woku'', fish simmered in herbs
  • ''babi tore'', fried pork until crunch with a lot of chilli
  • ''perkedel milu'', corn fritters
  • ''tinutuan'' (or ''bubur manado''), a goopy porridge of rice, pumpkin, noodles and random vegetables — doesn't look very attractive, but it can be tasty (and, for once, not spicy)
  • Dutch settlement here has also brought in a few surprising influences, notably:

  • ''breneibon'', a rich kidney bean soup
  • ''klappertart'', a Western-style coconut cake
  • Budget

  • '''Fresh grilled fish''' is served every morning in a small warung near the harbour dock to Bunaken. The place is very basic, but don't mind the look. Just ask around for warung ikan bakar and hope someone helps you.
  • Mid range

  • '''Bambuden Seafood Restaurant - Ikan Mas Khas Manado''', Jl. Pemuda No:2 Sario Manado, Ph: +62-431-852459 & +62-431-864096
  • '''Kawan Baru Restaurant and Cafe''', Mega Mas Boulevard, tel. +62-431-879490 +62-431-879491, [http://www.kawanbaru.com/]. Indonesian food.
  • '''Raja Sate BBQ & Asian Resto''', Jalan Boulevard (''near Mega Mall''), tel. +62-431-3327380 or +62-431-846679, [http://www.rajasate.com]. Asian cuisine, with an emphasis on satays and barbequed seafood.
  • '''Warong Rica Rica''', tel. +62-431-879490. A seafood restaurant located at Bahu Mall Bay street Cafe. Local seafood with panoramic sea views.
  • '''Pizza Hut''', tel. +62-431-842732, Mega Mall, good pizza.
  • '''Kafe Excelso''', [http://www.excelso.co.id]. Conveniently located in Mega Mall. Best place for coffee and light snacks.
  • Drink

    These two kind of drinks are made from Palm trees:
  • ''saguer'',
  • ''cap tikus''
  • Please Drink Responsibly, the locals have a bad habit of drinking IRRESPONSIBLY. Probably, the ONLY major crime problem in town is caused by drunkards.
  • Raja Oci. ln Sudirman no 85. 62431-863946. Seafood Restaurant with "Oci" as speciality fish

    Sleep

    Budget

  • '''Hotel Ahlan''', Jl. Sudirman. Stuffy, unappealing, dillapidated. Cheapest option on the menu is a double room w/out air-con and with stuffy shared mandi for 50,000 Rp.
  • Mid-range

  • '''Hotel Central''', Jl. Sam Ratulangi No. 33, tel. +62-431-851234. Opened in 2004, the sheen of newness is fading fast, but the rooms are clean and functional with air-con and hot water. Single rooms from Rp 195,000, including breakfast, then following by Deluxe Rp 215,000.
  • '''Hotel Minahasa''', Jl. Sam Ratulangi. A nice family-run place on Sam Ratulangi. They are used to tourists, as well as being the main place that academics in the area stay in, so you are apt to meet some one who could really fill you in on the local scene. The drawback is the monotonous breakfasts.
  • '''Villa Wantik''' [http://picasaweb.google.com/link2hamfa/VillaWantik See Location] Jl. Raya Manado - Tanawangko km. 21. email: vilawantik@gmail.com. Homestay with nice views.
  • Splurge

  • Hotel Gran Central Manado. l.Sudirman No.45, Manado. ocated in the centre of the city. +62 (431) 878888. the most strategies hotel in town, located in the centre of the city with 65 room price from Rp 350.000
  • '''Hotel Sedona''', 5-star resort. Strategically located within 20 minutes drive to Manado City, with each room features spectacular Sulawesi Sea Views. With its pristine white sand lagoon, the 24-hectare site is an adventure in itself. Here, you can hunker down into luxury, rest in uncompromised tranquility, and weave memories that will be hard to forget. Visit us at [http://www.sedonamanado.com/] Phone: +62-431-825888, Desa Tateli.
  • '''Hotel Santika Manado''', located in Tongkaina Village just across the Bunaken Sea Garden, +62-431-858222, [http://www.santika.com/]. Often cited as the only resort facing Bunaken island, offers a wide range of accommodation options ranging from deluxe, bungalow and suite, all over looking the beautiful sea.
  • '''Hotel Ritzy''', Central Manado, [http://www.ritzymanado.com/].
  • '''Grand Puri''', South Manado, [http://www.granpuri.com/]. Shabby, tired and out of the way.
  • '''Quality Hotel''', A short walk from the Mega Mall with restaurant and bar services, wonderful staff and rooms starting at USD$40 per night.
  • Tasik Ria Resort & Spa Manado. l. Raya Trans Sulawesi. 0 minutes drive south of Manado. 62-431-823444. ttp://www.tasikria.com/. 09-145 US$. Boutique resort with 34 rooms in a peaceful and scenic palm fringed backdrop, ideal for divers & non-divers, families and adventure seekers.

    Contact

    Consulates

  • Philippines Consulate General. l. Tikala Satu No. 12, Tikala Ares Lingkungan I. 62-431) 861-178, 862-181.

    Get out

  • Island Bunaken a diver's paradise. Many small bungallows are available in this small but beautiful island.
  • Tangkoko National Park Home of The Big-eyed Tarsius Monkey (The Smallest Monkey In The World).
  • Tomohon, a small city, surrounded by 3 active volcanoes: Mount Lokon, Mount Mahawu and Mount Masarang. Located around 25 minutes from Manado, Tomohon is a very nice place to stay for its cold climate (around 20 degree celcius).