NORTH SULAWESI INFORMATION PAGES

Manado - Bunaken - Tangkoko - Minahasa - Sangihe/Talaud - Gorontalo - Togians

Traveling from North Sulawesi to the Philippines

Manado's airport and its overseas harbour Bitung are official entry and exit points to Indonesia, so no visa problems leaving or entering either by plane or by ship.

In November 2006 Sriwijaya Air opened a new regular service bewteen Manado and Davao. There are currently two flights a week, Mondays & Thursdays. Departure time from Manado is 8:55 and the short 1 hour and 5 minute flight is comfortable on a Boeing 737. The return flight departs from Davao 10:45 and arrives back in Manado at 11:50. For more information please check the Flights page.

There are cargo vessels going from Bitung to General Santos/Southern Philippines but there is no fixed schedule. US$ 50 (ow) for this not very comfortable trip seems a bit steep. Better take the plane which takes you directly to Davao. Moreover General Santos has not exactly a good reputation.

IMPORTANT: "Island hopping" to the Philippines via the Sangihe Talaud Islands is NOT possible for Non-Indonsians! Don't even bother trying, even if someone tells you differently. After a trip of several days you will end up just a few km's from the Philippine border but not be able to enter. Instead you will be sent back all the way to Manado!

It is usually very difficult to get Philippine Pesos at banks in Manado. Sometimes you can buy them at a money changer or at the Philippine Consulate. For your first expenses after your arrival in the Philippines (taxi or else) better have some small US$ cash with you.