Manado is the second largest city in the island of Sulawesi after its capital, Makassar. It is the administrative center of the northern region of Utara and is located on the shore of the eponymous bay. In translation from Indonesian, the name of the city means "on the far shore." The main direction of the city is tourist. Thanks to coral reefs located in the coastal waters, divers and snorkelers from all over the world come here.
The climate of Manado
The island of Sulawesi is considered one of the pearls of the equator necklace. Here all year round comfortable weather keeps without exhausting heat and cold, on the average about + 30 ° С, water temperature +25 ... + 27 ° С.
The rainy season traditionally lasts from October to April, at which time you can find real tropical showers of blinding power, and they last no more than half an hour. The dry season begins from the middle of spring, and in the second half of summer it is its peak, when it is worthwhile choosing the sunscreen most carefully. During this period, the water in the bay can be heated to +30 ... + 32 ° С.
Attractions Manado
The north of Sulawesi is the most interesting part of the island: there is everything that tourists usually want. This is a unique natural parks, and coral walls, stretching for many meters deep into the ocean, and amazing animals that can not be found anywhere else in the world. In the city of Manado you will find a beautiful promenade with hotels, restaurants and boutiques. Here, buildings built in the twentieth century neighbor with modern shopping centers, the city actively lives and develops.
What to see in Manado and northern Sulawesi:
- Center of Manado. The city itself is very interesting, and sightseeing is best to begin with it. Take a stroll through the tourist center, appreciate the seaside promenade, buy souvenirs and everything necessary in local malls. Climb to the statue of Christ blessing the city - from there you can see an excellent view of the surrounding area.
- The sea is the most important sight of Manado. For its sake, professional divers flock here and just lovers of beautiful underwater fauna. On the north side of the island are unique reefs that have been preserved since ancient times. It is here that you can meet up to 70% of the inhabitants of the entire world ocean, starting with the smallest fish, which received a ridiculous nickname "fisherman's grief", to large sharks and rays.
- Bunaken-Manado Tua is a famous marine park, inhabited by prehistoric fish of the Latimiria, considered to be extinct. If you are lucky enough to meet her under water, then you should stay at a respectful distance. In length it can be more than 2 m, and the weight exceeds 80 kg. Divers prefer to study unique coral walls, which go down by 1.3 km. Here are found:
- 70 kinds of corals;
- giant clams;
- sea snakes;
- moray eels;
- barracudas;
- sea turtles;
- a huge number of species of tropical fish;
- sponges;
- reef sharks.
- rhinoceroses;
- buffalo Anoya;
- birds Maleo;
- Indonesian pigs Babyrussa with three tusks;
- iron trees;
- unique types of orchids;
- coffee trees.
Diving in Manado
Coral gardens, in which an incredible number of marine flora and fauna is concentrated, is not the only thing that will be interesting for diving and snorkeling lovers. Here, not far from the shore, at the depth of 23 memories in 1942, a 60-meter German merchant ship sank. It is perfectly preserved, and at high visibility up to 35 m it can be seen even without immersion.
The most interesting places for diving are an hour's journey from the coast towards the open sea. Divers on boats for 4-7 people are delivered to the most interesting points, where the underwater world is especially rich, and the currents do not prevent them from admiring.
Come to diving in Indonesia and specifically in Manado is best in the dry season from May to October, then the water warms up to 30 ° C, and visibility under the water is 30-50 m.
Hotels
In the city of Manado you will find hotels for every taste, they are all quite inexpensive and comfortable. The most popular are on the waterfront in the tourist center. Here are presented both 5-star hotels, and simple 2-and 3-star:
- Sintesa Peninsula Hotel 5 *, price $ 85 per room;
- Swiss-Belhotel Maleosan Manado, 4 *, $ 55 per room;
- Janji Laut Resort, 3 *. This beach resort differs from city hotels by infrastructure and price. Here for $ 100 per night you will get your own beaches, beautiful pools, delicious food and the possibility of organizing dives with guides;
- Ibis Manado City Center Boulevard, 3 *. City hotel of the famous budget network, price per room is $ 35.
- Hotel Celebes, 2 *, price per night is $ 20.
Cafe and restaurants Manado
Manado cuisine differs from Indonesian , it is easy to meet dishes from pork and even dog meat. It is worth trying in local restaurants pig meat on skewers in spices, pork soup Brenbon with beans and Tinutuan dish, which combines noodles, rice, pumpkin and many spices. Find all this and much more in:
- Green Garden Restaurant;
- Tuna House;
- Raja Sate Restaurant.
How to get to Manado?
At 11 km from the city of Manado there is an international airport , where flights arrive from Singapore , Hong Kong, Denpasar and other cities of Asia. To get from Europe, it will take 1 or 2 transplants.