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TravelTips24 : Asia : Southeast Asia : Indonesia : Sulawesi : North Sulawesi

North Sulawesi

North Sulawesi (Sulawesi Utara, abbreviated Sulut) is a province at the northeastern tip of the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Regions

Cities

  • Manado - the capital and gateway to the province
  • Tomohon - cool off in the central highlands
  • Bitung - the main deep-water port and access to the Lembeh Strait

Other destinations

  • Bunaken - world-famous diving site

Culture and History

Inhabited by the Minahasa, North Sulawesi is a solidly Christian (mostly but not entirely Protestant) enclave in mostly Muslim Indonesia. A center of Dutch settlement in colonial times, North Sulawesi still retains many traces of Western influence.

Talk

The local language is Manado Malay (bahasa manado), also known as Minahasa Malay.

Travel to North Sulawesi & Visa Requirements

You can get to North Sulawesi by air, sea, and land.

Flights and airtickets to North Sulawesi

Manado has an International airport with numerous flights a week to Singapore, Davao (in the Philippines), and just about all the big cities in Indonesia.

By boat

Manado has a harbour with ships going to and from the more Northern Islands (Sangir Talaud area). Bitung is the major port of North Sulawesi and you can get on board a Pelni ship to sail towards other area's of Indonesia. Some of the larger cruise ships that travel from Australia towards Thailand or other Asian countries also make a stop at Bitung.

By car or bus

You can travel by car or bus from South Sulawesi towards Manado, however due to security issues in Central Sulawesi this is currently not recommended. So, if you plan on travelling by land, check the local situation first!

Tours & Getting around North Sulawesi

By motorcycle

By car

Rental cars are available in Manado, but like most other areas of Indonesia, hiring a car with driver is advisable because of traffic woes and knowledge of local conditions. That wiggly line on the map may or may not be passable. A bilingual driver with a car in condition may cost approximately 500,000RP per day.

By mikrolet

You won't go far without seeing a torrent of light blue Mitsubishi Colts (aka bemos elsewhere) trolling the streets for customers. Though usually used within towns, you can take mikrolets intercity as well.

Buses to North Sulawesi

North Sulawesi attractions and sightseeing

Itineraries

North Sulawesi city tours

Scuba diving is the main draw for tourists to North Sulawesi. Famous diving areas are:

  • Bunaken National Marine Park
  • Lembeh Strait, for it's excellent muck diving
  • Bangka area, for it's brilliant soft coral and diversity in dive sites (from beginner to very advanced)

North Sulawesi Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Food from North Sulawesi is known in Indonesia as Manadonese or Minahasa cuisine, and is covered under Manado.

North Sulawesi nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs

Stay safe

The ethnic strife in central and south Sulawesi has not affected North Sulawesi. The Philippine rebel group Abu Sayyaf are said to operate in the northern islands near the Philippine border, but no attacks or kidnappings have been publicized.

Get out

This page was last edited at 08:23, on 25 August 2008 by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Based on work by David, Jani Patokallio, Nick Roux, Colin Jensen and Evan Prodromou and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel.

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