Microlet                                      Picture: Microlets in Pasar 45 (by © Stephen Gill c/o Adventure in Indonesia)
The most popular form of transportation is the microlet (some local people call it oplet). This kind of vehicle is used within the city or for short distances outside the city. It takes 7 passengers (1 on the front seat and 6 on the back seats). Unlike similar mini-buses in other cities in Indonesia, the seats of the microlets in Manado, Bitung and Minahasa face forward. The preferred seat is the single seat on the driver's side, which you will never have to share. You can easily recognize the microlets from their aqua color. Most of these vehicles are well decorated and have music. To figure out where a Microlet is going, ignore the roof signs and look at the little signs hanging in the windshield. It's perfectly OK to flag one down and ask if it's going where you want - everyone does this and sometimes they take you where you wish. They have fixed routes, but sometimes they will agree to take you somewhere out of the way. To get off, find the button in the roof, if you are in back seat, or just tell the driver "Muka!" ("Ahead!"), "Kiri!" ("Left!"), or "Stop!" (yes, the same meaning) if you are in front seat.


Damri bus
The full-size Damri buses are the cheapest form of public transport in Manado. They are owned by the government. At present, there are two routes run by Damris in Manado, i.e., Airport-Malalayang, Kairagi-Malalayang.

Taxi
Taxi services in Minahasa Raya are operated by Dian Taxi, Indra Kelana Taxi, Cender Taxi and Merit Taxi. Only some of them have argo (meters). They will gladly take you wherever, including Tomohon, Airmadidi, or even Bitung. Some of the taxi drivers refuse to take passengers for short distances, but negotiation is always possible. You can also make a deal with an unmetered taxi, but there is no point if you end up paying more. Unmetered taksi are more willing to work standby, however. Taxis have yellow license plates. A taxi with black plates is an unlicensed private car known as a taksi gelap (unlicensed taxi). One thing to remember is that there are times of day when taxis are impossible to get without advance notice: morning rush, noon (when the airplanes from Jakarta or Singapore are scheduled to arrive), and evening rush. They can be difficult to obtain at all on Sundays or late at night. To get a taxi, you can just go stand by the street and flag down a passing one or else call their operator.

Intercity bus
These buses serve for long distances between cities in Minahasa Raya and link to cities in Bolaang Mangondow, Gorontalo, Central Sulawesi and South Sulawesi. The capacity varies from 16 to 40 passengers and the fare depends on distance. There are two kinds of buses, regular ones (biasa) and air-conditioned ones (ac, usually emblazoned "Full AC" and "Executive Class"). Be warned, however, that "AC" could sometimes stands for "Air Cendela" meaning air from the the windows. The buses have bucket seats for those who get on first, and a variety of boxes in the aisle for those who get on last. Recommended seats are any real seats forward of the rear wheels—the tail-end of the bus does the most leaping about. If you tend to be the fearful type, it is not recommended sitting in an aisle seat far enough back so you can’t see out the front windshield. You probably don’t want to see what the driver sees. You have to negotiate with the driver if you don't go to the final destination if you don't want to pay the full fare.

Bendi                                             Picture: Bendi (by Indonesian tourism promotion board)
Bendi are undoubtedly the most picturesque mode of transport in Manado, Bitung, Minahasa, aside from the farmers' oxcarts; a traditional cart pulled by a horse, something like a late-19th century trap, but with large inflated tires like a bicycle. Bendi is available for 4-5 passengers. It is very handy for short distance and small path-ways. The fare depends on the distance. You can't find them everywhere; hillier parts of of Minahasa don't have them and they are theoretically banned from Manado's city center. But they are still fully operating in Amurang, Bitung (especially in the eastern part), and up on the highland plain.

Ojek
A handy method of motorcycle transport is 'ojek', in which you pay a driver for the privilege of riding on the back of his motorcycle to your destination. Though relatively expensive, this is one of the quickest and most convenient ways to travel short distances especially at late night where microlets become rare. How do you tell if it's a professional 'ojek' driver? He will have an extra helmet dangling from the back seat of his bike. If you're really stuck, approach a motorcycle or scooter owner for a ride anywhere, even though they don't obviously give people rides for money. Or simply flag down a passing motorbike on the road-who knows, you may get the ride for free. Taman Kesatuan Bangsa and Patung Kuda in Manado, along the shops complex in Bitung and at the intersection in Girian are the "terminals" of ojeks. 

Roda Sapi                                                   Picture: Roda Sapi (by © Malcolm Zander)
Roda sapi, a cart pulled by cows, is the most traditional transport. It is used in villages and remote places, like plantations. They are usually not for commercial use, but you can always ask the "driver" if you can go with it.