Manado is a province in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, which has beautiful natural view and stunning tourist destinations. Even before you landed, you can see the amazing and clean Sulawesi Sea around the small but wonderful island, Bunaken.
As the largest city in Northern Sulawesi, Manado has some ecotourism which becomes the biggest attraction there. They are growing rapidly in this late two decades and benefits the economic field. The bottom line is if you really like the natural tourism resorts, Manado is the answer. Take a look at the spots below.
8 Tourist Destinations in Manado
1. Bunaken Island
The best spot to have in Manado is the Bunaken island which is surrounded by the clear water of Bunaken sea. You can see the stunning underwater life through scuba diving or snorkeling.
2. Yesus Kase Berkat
It’s one of the tallest Jesus Christ statues in the world. The striking statue stands 50 meters tall and and it is set on the Citraland Residence peak and soon impress the people at glance. The idea of this statue is from Ir. Ciputra as the state developer. He was thinking of the flying Christ as a place of faith and worship among the locals.
3. Ban Hin Kiong Temple
It is a special series of pagoda in red hue. It stands for four centuries and still counting. The uniqueness is it is the mixture of Dutch and Indonesian cultures which you can see from the twin cannons of the Dutch relics.
4. Linow Lake
Located in Tomohon, Manado, the lake offers the beauty of nature and the logistics around it. The lake also has three colors lake which looks magical.
5. Mahawu Mountain
Mahawu Mountain is a volcano which is located near the other famous mountains, Lokon and Empung. You can hike and take pictures of mountainous view here.
6. Tinoor Waterfall
Do you love playing at the waterfall? Manado has Tinoor waterfall which is rarely visited and still original. It is the most beautiful waterfall which has four waterfalls in the middle of forest.
7. Tangkoko Park
It is a national park which you can find the smallest primate in the world, the tarsier. You can introduce to your kids the various animals through a popular trip to Tangkoko National Park.
8. Lihaga Island
This one is an island where you can enjoy the beautiful beach with white sand. The water is blue and clean.
After knowing the most popular tourist destinations in Manado, you might want to know the things you can do there to maximize your vacation.
4 Main Things You Can Do in Manado
1. Scuba diving and snorkeling
Surely number one is scuba diving and snorkeling since Manado is surrounded by the beautiful underwater life of the sea, especially in Bunaken Marine Park. The park is famous due to the rich marine biodiversity and is claimed as the World Heritage diving spots. Even you cant swim, you still can enjoy the sightseeing through the special submarine which has glass wall.
2. Sunbathing and Sailing
You can do these activities in Lihaga Island which is located in North Minahasa. It is white sandy beach with calm water and small waves. To reach Lihaga Island you can have boat and pass the Gangga Island. Gangga is beautiful but it needs permission to enter it. Lihaga Island is inhibited but it is completed by toilets and dressing rooms. There is also a big wooden building to stay overnight without any extra fee. However, there’s no food sellers there, you should bring enough food supply.
3. Rafting
If you like extreme sport, you can do rafting in Timbukar village. It has wild Nimanga river which support the facilities very well. Surely the adventure will pump up your adrenaline. If you want more, you might have the rock-climbing in Kilo Tiga which is located near the Timbukar village.
4. Food Hunting
Culinary is also the best support during your vacation. Manado is a paradise of sea food and spicy food. The rica-rica dish is the most famous, as well as the tuna dish. There is a Tuna House which is located in Jalan Laksda John Lie. It provides Tuna Rica and Tuna Sashimi which looks really fresh and tasty! While the rica is served with the water spinach and rica chilli sauce which is spicy, a bit sweet and savory.
Well, from all things you can do, the must have thing you do is taking pictures. Never miss the moments to capture the beauty and the magic of Manado, the paradise of Northern Sulawesi.
