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Manado

For those who love snorkeling or diving, Manado should sounds familiar. This capital city of North Sulawesi is well-known for its famous Bunaken Island where tourists can see and enjoy its diverse marine life. In this city, most of the locals are still preserving European architecture with wooden frame and soaring ceilings. That’s why Manado still retains a traditional feel all over the place. Bunaken Island is not the only most-visited place by tourists. Tangkoko-Batuangas Dua Saudara National Park – home to some endangered animals – is also the place where tourists would visit for tarsius, maleo bird, hornbill, anoa, and pig deer. After exploring the city, complete your visit to Manado by trying out delightful dishes like Cakalang Fufu, Roa Fish, Red Bean Soup (Brenebon), Panada, and Red Bean Ice.

Explore Manado

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Travel Tips for Manado

What you need to know before traveling here

Getting Around Manado

A guide to Manado's local transportation

Mikrolet

DAMRI Bus

Becak Motor

Bendi

Car Rental

The people of Manado call angkot (city transportation) Mikrolet. Uniquely, all mikrolet in Manado are blue. However, there are 11 mikrolet route codes for different angkot routes. The advantage of using mikrolet is you can explore the city of Manado to its tourist attractions at a low cost. The fare is IDR 5,000 for public passengers and IDR 3,000 for students. And like all angkot in general, you don't have to wait at the bus stop. However, make sure you don't go on the wrong route by asking the mikrolet driver so you won't get lost.

Practical Tips for Manado

Things to prepare and best way to visit

Is there any direct flight route to Manado?

For flights from Jakarta to Manado, you can choose planes with direct flight routes or with transit in Bali or Makassar. There are 8 airlines that serve flights from Jakarta to Manado, namely AirAsia, Batik Air, Citilink, Lion Air, NAM Air, Pelita Air, Sriwijaya Air, and TransNusa. For direct flights, the travel time is around 3 hours and 25 minutes. For easy access to flight schedule information at competitive prices and flight ticket reservations, you can access the Traveloka website or use the Traveloka app.

What kind of transportation can I use from the airport to downtown?

There are 3 transportation options from Sam Ratulangi airport to downtown Manado (Boulevard). First, you can take the DAMRI bus, which costs Rp. 20,000 per person, with scheduled departures at 07.00, 12.00, 17.00, and 23.00 WITA. Meanwhile, the departure schedule from Boulevard to the airport is at 04.00, 09.00, 15.00, and 20.00 WITA. Alternatively, you can order an airport taxi from the counter next to the arrival gate. Or, simply wait to be picked up at the airport with the rental car you ordered via the Traveloka app.

Where are the popular tourist spots in Manado?

Manado is famous for its enchanting natural attractions. For example, Bunaken National Park, Siladen Island, Manado Tua Island, Lake Tondano, Kima Atas Waterfall, Tumbak Marine Park, Pulisan Beach, etc. Apart from nature tourism, you can also travel to historic or iconic places, such as the State Museum of North Sulawesi Province, Manado City Lighthouse, Statue of Freedom Fighters, Zero Point Monument, Kilo Tiga Wall Stone, and Waruga Sawangan. For those who like extreme tourism, you can try paragliding at Manado Skyline or enjoy rafting on the Sawangan River.

What equipment should be brought when traveling to Manado?

With the charm of Manado's natural tourism, of course, you want to visit interesting tourist spots in Manado immediately. If you are traveling in Manado, you should bring a change of clothes when visiting the tourist areas. Because most of the tourist attractions are nature and water tourism. Don't forget to bring sunblock, hats, sanitary equipment, and other supporting equipment such as cameras (action cams), travel chargers, shoes, and rubber sandals. Don't forget to bring identification and cash for your needs during the holidays. And if you have a congenital disease, don't forget to bring your necessary medicines.

What typical Manado halal culinary is interesting for me to try?

Being surrounded by the ocean, Manado's typical cuisine is dominated by fish and seafood-based dishes. For example, the Woku Belanga fish menu tastes sour and spicy with thick yellow gravy. Another dish is Cakalang Fufu, which comes from Cakalang fish that has been seasoned and processed using the smoking method. You can enjoy it with Sambal Roa, Dabu-Dabu, or Sambal Rica. And if you want to enjoy a seafood menu with Manado's signature chili sauce, you can go to the Raja Oci restaurant on Jalan Jend. Sudirman Manado.