BENTENAN BEACH RESORT
Bentenan Beach Resort is located about 90 km from Manado, near Belang, in the southeastern part of the Minahasa regency. It is easily accessible from Manado rather than from Tondano. It has a number of superb white sandy beaches and a cluster of tiny islands. At Bentenan Beach one can dive, snorkel, swim, canoe, sunbathe, birdwatch, camp on an uninhabited island. Click here for more ....

BATU NONA RECREATION RESORT
This lovely, quiet beach is called “Girl Stone Beach“ because a large rock on the beach resembling a young woman has been linked to a legend of suicide over desperate love. The stone however can not be seen from the beach. One must take a boat to see it. It used to have the shape of a head of a girl, but due to erosion, this is no longer recognizable. The combination of clear sea water and a beautiful hill makes this a pleasant place for recreation. It is located in Kema village, about 35 kilometers from Manado. Take a bus for "Kauditan" from terminal Pall 2, stop in Kauditan and take a microlet to get there.


DR. SAM RATULANGI MONUMENT AND GRAVESITE
This monument, and gravesite, is located in Tondano. Dr. Sam Ratulangi is one of the national heroes from North Sulawesi. He was born in Tondano in 1890 and died in 1949. The gravesite is situated on a hill with an unspoiled view of lake Tondano and surrounding rice fields. It reminds us of the spirit of national heroism during the revolutionary period.


HORSE RACING ARENA
This arena is located in Tompaso. Horse racing events are regularly held here.


IMAM BONJOL MAUSOLEUM
Imam Bonjol (1772 - 1864) is one of the Indonesian heroes. He was born in Minangkabau, West Sumatra. In the war against Dutch colonialism he was captured and exiled to North Sulawesi where he died in 1864. His mausoleum has been built in the traditional Minangkabau style. It is located in Lota village, about 7 kilometers from Manado, and can be reached by local transport from the Karombasan terminal.


JAPANESE CAVES
These caves are located alongside the road between Kiawa and Kawangkoan, countryside villages about 45 km from Manado. The caves were built by the Japanese during the Word War II primarily for storage.


KALI WATERFALL
Located in Kali Village, Pineleng, about 10 km from Manado, this natural 60 m waterfall is an ideal place to enjoy nature and fresh water pools at the base of the falls. It is easily reachable from Manado by public transportation followed by a short 30 - 45 minute hike past the village.


LAHENDONG PINE FOREST
A few km from south Tomohon, on the right before Lahendong village, may be found some hot springs.There is a huge lava flow with small bubbling craters, and hot springs along the side of the river wich cuts through the lava. It is interesting to walk around this area in the shade of the pine trees. Take a microlet from Tomohon to Lahendong Pine Forest.


LINOW LAKE
A small, highly sulphurous lake of 35 Ha,which bubbles at the edges and has steam jets.The lake changes color, depending upon the light and viewing perspective, to shades of light blue, green, or turquoise.Take a microlet from the Tomohon bus terminal, get off at the intersection at the lake, and walk ( about 700 m ) along the access road to the lake from Lahendong village.


MOREAH CAVE
Moreah Cave is a unique formation situated inside an extinct crater. For experienced cavers only, the spectacular drops in this cave go for many hundreds of meters. There are horizontal and vertical branches in an underwater river. Moreah is near Belang, about 100 kilometers from Manado by public transport.


MOUNT KLABAT
Mount Klabat is the highest mountain in North Sulawesi (1995 m). A good place for climbing and camping. It has three summits which differ just by a few meters in distance and height. The first summit, located on the south part, is a favorite place for camping. The second summit is the highest one, facing to the East, crowned by a monument, and it is the best place for watching the sunrise. The summits can be reached in 5-7 hours. There are two common routes for climbing: the southern path (the best route) starts from near the Police Station in Airmadidi, and the northern path starts from the Klabat village. People usually climb at night and stay overnight to watch the sunrise. For your safety, please make sure to report to the Police when starting out and upon your return.


MOUNT LOKON & MOUNT MAHAWU
The volcanic mountains Lokon (1,580 m) and Mahawu (1,311 m) both have crater lakes of considerable beauty. Lokon is considered the more beautiful of the two but Mahawu is safer to climb. The trip to the top of Lokon should be made only by climbers in reasonable condition. The steaming crater lies 600 m below the peak of the mountain and the lake is about 60 m deep. The best time to start walking from Kakaskasen is 7 AM and it is possible to arrive at the crater while the morning is still cool.


PALELOAN HILL
Situated on the edge of Lake Tondano, Paleloan Hill is a beautiful venue for the annual Bunaken and Lake Tondano Festival. Facing Tondano lake, it has an open stage, with change-rooms. The Hill is 6 Km from Manado.


PULUTAN
This village has a pottery industry. It is located just a few km from Tondano.


RAFTING
Sonder village is located 37 km south of Manado and has a swimming pool and homestays. Rafting on the Minanga River is becoming more and more popular for sport enthusiasts. It offers a variety of challenges with difficulty levels from 3-4. This river has also two waterfalls, one in Tincep village with a height of 70 m and the other in Timbukar village with a height of 90 m.


RANOPASO
The name "Ranopaso" means hot water. Hot springs are scattered across this lovely area of traditional villages. Located in Koya Villages, 3 km from Tondano, it is worth a visit.


REMBOKEN
This sleepy town, 13 km from Tondano, situated on Lake Tondano, is an ideal place for various water sports. Bungalows, hot springs and restaurants are available on a limited basis.


SPA AREAS
The Tamaska Hijau spa is situated in Tataaran on the plains with a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains. It is ideal for an overnight stay. Take the Tataaran bus from Tondano. There is another natural spa nearby at Remboken. The spa at Ranopaso features an unusual setting with in-ground natural pools. Bungalows are available. It is only three kilometers from Tondano by public transport. Karumenga mineral spring is a good place to relax and rejuvenate. The springs are located at Langowan. Wale Papetaupan is situated at Sonder. The facilities here are well developed with natural spas, swimming pools, natural saunas, a fitness center and an open stage for open sky performances. Performances may be arranged on request.


SUMARO ENDO
Situated on the edge of Lake Tondano, this is an ideal place for water sports such us skiing,fishing and boating. Bungalows and restaurants are available, and there is a hot water swimming pool. It is located about 13 kilometers from Tondano or 45 Km from Manado. Between Sumaro Endo and Tondano town there is a beautiful rice field panorama cut by the road. This will make your trip even more enjoyable.


TAMASKA HIJAU
This area in Tataaran features hot springs and impressive views of rice fields. It has limited facilities for overnight stays.


TEMBOAN AND RURUKAN
Both these villages were launched as village and community based model tourism villages. They are located approximately 30 km from Manado, and can be reached by bus. The abundance of flowers, cash crops, cool fresh air and the beautiful view to Lake Tondano and Bitung Habour make both of these villages an interesting stop. The villages have convenient homestays as well as a cultural performance stage.


TOMOHON
This picturesque town, 25 km from Manado, is the center for many of the Christian Missionary groups. It is located on a plateau between two extinct volcanoes, Lokon and Mahawu. The cool fresh air enables a multitude of flowers and all kinds of the more exotic plants to proliferate. There are many cottages here with beautiful views of Mt. Lokon.


TONDANO LAKE
A large scenic lake with clear water, overlooking the Lembean mountain ranges. This 4,278 Ha lake is surrounded by picturesque villages, rice fields and in some parts, green hills. Its abundant fish provide a livelihood for the native population nearby.Good for boating, fishing, and water skiing.


WALANDA MARAMIS MAUSOLEUM
This site pays homage to the national hero of women’s rights in North Sulawesi. Walanda Maramis was born on December 1st, 1872 and died on April 22nd, 1924. An organization called “ PIKAT ” was established by Walanda Maramis to involve women in social and educational development.


WARUGA, SAWANGAN
The ancient Waruga, stone graves (sarcophagi) of the Minahasan people, dating from the Megalithic age, are extremely interesting. One hundred and forty four stone graves were built to house remains in the sitting position. The pre-Christian belief was that babies were born in the sitting position in the mother's womb, and it is in this position that humans must pass on to eternity. The engravings on the headstones depict the cause of death, the deceased’s hobbies, character or occupation etc. There is a small shop in front of the gate and a small donation is suggested. It is located at Sawangan village near Airmadidi, 24 km from Manado.


WATU PINABETENGAN
Pinabetengan village, about 50 km from Manado, is the home to this ancient stone, shaped like a table. It measures 4 m long by 2 m high and is one of the remnants left by the Minahasan tribes where they negotiated the territorial division and unification. Pictography carvings on the stone have not yet been deciphered.


WOLOAN
This village is a center for traditional Minahasan house-building. It is located just a few km from Tomohon.