Travel advisory · IndonesiaSome governments advise against travel to parts of Indonesia.The warnings cover only these areas: Central Papua, Highland Papua, Indonesian Papua, Papua province, South Papua province, West Papua province.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Central Papua · avoid all travel · Germany, New Zealand, US
- Highland Papua · avoid all travel · Germany, New Zealand, US
- Indonesian Papua · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Spain, Italy
- Papua province · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, New Zealand
- South Papua province · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, New Zealand
- West Papua province · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, Spain, New Zealand
Also named by one government: Border with Malaysia (France), Border with Philippines (France), Border with Singapore (Strait of Malacca) (France), Inland waters (Banda, Java and Celebes seas) (France), Jayawijaya (France), Mount Ibu (7 km around crater) (Italy), Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki (7 km around crater) (Italy), Mount Marapi (3 km around crater) (Italy), Mount Ruang (7 km around crater) (Italy), Mount Semeru (5 km around crater) (Italy), Mount Sinabung (5 km around crater) (Italy), Paniai (France), Poso regency (New Zealand), Puncak Jaya (France), Timika (France)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise increased caution | Jul 7, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | Oct 15, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution in Indonesia (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs) | High Degree of Caution | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Manado
Manado is the base for Bunaken's coral reefs, with Minahasan food, a waterfront for sunset walks and volcanic highlands one to three hours away.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Manado is the capital of North Sulawesi province, on the northern tip of Sulawesi island in Indonesia. The city faces Manado Bay with mountains behind it and is Sulawesi's second-largest city after Makassar, with about 460,000 residents. Most residents are Minahasa people. About 68% are Christian and about 31% are Muslim, and small Buddhist, Hindu and Confucian communities also live in the city.
Most visitors come for Bunaken. Bunaken National Park has coral reefs and islands about 8 km offshore, reached by boat in roughly half an hour to two hours from the city. Scuba diving and snorkeling are popular in the reefs. In town, you can see Ban Hin Kiong, the city's oldest temple, and try woku, a spice paste of chili, turmeric, ginger and lemongrass, or babi putar, a whole pig roasted over embers. The climate stays between about 24 and 27°C year round with no real dry season: August is the driest month and January is among the wettest.
Manado in five
- Fly in for Bunaken and Lembeh divingSam Ratulangi Airport (MDC) links to Jakarta, Bali and Makassar. Most divers go straight to a dive resort, since Bunaken is a boat ride from town and Lembeh Strait is a drive plus a boat.North Sulawesi
- Take a boat to BunakenBoats leave from the city harbor and take about 30 to 60 minutes. Marine park entry fees are collected through operators or at the harbor, so ask what is included before you pay.
- See tarsiers at Tangkoko at dawnTangkoko Nature Reserve, about two hours by road, shelters tarsiers, black macaques and hornbills. Go with a guide before sunrise, keep quiet and avoid flash photography.
- Eat Minahasan food, with care for spiceManado dishes use chili, lemongrass and coconut, and rica-rica is a famous spicy style. Try tinutuan, the vegetable porridge, and ask for less chili if you are unsure.
- Add a highland dayTomohon and Lake Tondano, an hour or so inland, are cooler, with markets and viewpoints. Be aware that some local markets sell wild-animal meat, which can be hard for some visitors to see.
Need to know
- Airport
- Sam Ratulangi (MDC), about 20–30 min from the center
- Getting there
- Flights from Jakarta, Bali and Makassar
- Getting around
- Ride-hailing, taxis and a hired driver for day trips
- Best base
- Manado town, or a dive resort on Bunaken or at Lembeh
- Time needed
- 3–5 days; a week for divers
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Wet, rough seaJanuaryRain
Good
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 392 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, rough sea
- FebruaryRain27 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°WetFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 295 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- MarchRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°ShowersMarchRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 309 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- AprilRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°CalmerAprilRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 236 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Calmer
- MayRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Dry, calmMayRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 280 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, calm
- JuneRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Dry, clearJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 322 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, clear
- JulyRain23 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Dry, clearJulyRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 255 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, clear
- AugustRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Dry, bestAugustRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 234 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, best
- SeptemberRain21 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Dry, good divesSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 213 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, good dives
- OctoberRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Dry, calmOctoberRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 212 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, calm
- NovemberRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°ShowersNovemberRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 226 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- DecemberRain30 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°WetDecemberRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 292 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
Average daily high and low in Manado, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Manado
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
23
- Feels like
- 27°
- Humidity
- 90%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Manado
04:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today32°24°100%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed32°24°86%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Thu32°23°57%Thursday: Rain. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 57%.
- Fri32°23°88%Friday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Sat32°24°93%Saturday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 93%.
- Sun30°23°62%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 62%.
Updated 02:06 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 18,144 IDR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Bunaken Marine Parkabout 30–60 min by boatSteep reef walls and clear water, good for snorkeling and diving.Read the guide
- Tangkoko Nature Reserveabout 2 hours by roadEarly-morning wildlife walks with tarsiers and macaques.
- Tomohon and Lake Tondanoabout 1–1.5 hours by roadCool highlands, markets and lake views.
Before you go to Manado
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Manado, checked
- Check Indonesian entry requirements with the immigration office before you fly.Source
- Bunaken is a protected marine park. Check the rules on snorkeling, diving and any entry fee with the park office before you book a boat.
- Huge waves caused flooding in Manado in January 2021. Check local conditions before you visit the waterfront or go out on a boat.
- Check the customs rules on bringing food, medicines and goods into Indonesia before you fly.
Plan around Manado
Bunaken, Lembeh and the Minahasa highlands
Read the guideSulawesiThe whole island, north to south
Read the guideMakassarThe southern gateway to Toraja
Read the guideMalukuSpice Islands east of Sulawesi
Read the guideGetting around IndonesiaFlights, ferries and boats
Read the guideAll of IndonesiaEntry, money and where to go next
Read the guideManado FAQ
Is Manado worth visiting?
For diving and wildlife, yes. Bunaken, Lembeh and Tangkoko are the draw, and the city itself is a practical base with good food. Non-divers can still do snorkeling and highland days.
How many days do you need in Manado?
Three to five days covers Bunaken, Tangkoko and a highland day. Divers often stay a week with Lembeh added. Allow a night before an early flight.
When is the best time to dive Bunaken and Lembeh?
Roughly June to October, when seas are calm and visibility is good. Wet months can bring rougher water and rain, but diving continues.
Do you need to book Bunaken in advance?
Boats run daily, but dive resorts and the best boats can fill in July and August. Book your resort and dives early in peak season.
Is Manado food very spicy?
Often. Rica-rica and sambal are common, but many dishes are mild. Ask for less chili, and try tinutuan if you want a gentle local breakfast.