Bitung

Bitung is a city and the main deep-water port of Northern Sulawesi. Located on the eastern side of the province, Bitung also provides easy access to volcanoes, parks, and diving.

By aircraft
The nearest airport is Sam Ratulangi International Airport, about 35 km to the west, north-east of Manado. Take a taxi or rent a car from the airport to get in here.

By boat




Ship route
1. KM. DOBONSOLO
 * MAKASSAR (South Sulawesi) - BAUBAU (South-East Sulawesi) - BITUNG (North Sulawesi) - SORONG (Irian Jaya) - MANOKWARI (Papua) - JAYAPURA (Papua)

2. KM. LAMBELU
 * MAKASSAR (South Sulawesi) - BAUBAU (Buton Island, S.E Sulawesi) - AMBON (Maluku) - NAMLEA (Maluku) - TERNATE N.Maluku) - BITUNG (North Sulawesi)

3. KM. DOROLONDA
 * BALIKPAPAN (East Kalimantan) - PANTOLAN (Central Sulawesi) - BITUNG (North Sulawesi) - TERNATE (North Maluku) - SORONG (Irian Jaya) - MONOKOWARI (West Papua) - NABIRE (West Papua) - SERUI (West Papua) - JAYAPURA (West Papua)

4. KM. TILONGKABILA
 * BENOA (Bali) - LEMBAR (Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara) - BIMA (West Nusa Tenggara) - LABUAN BAJO (Flores, East Nusa Tenggara - MAKASSAR (South Sulawesi) - BAUBAU (Buton Island, S.E Sulawesi) - RAHA (Muna Island, S.E Sulawesi) - BITUNG (North Sulawesi)

By bus
Public buses to Manado operate very often, at a cheap price, but they are far from convenient. Buses are not air conditioned, with many and long stops to wait for passengers. Furthermore, many local passengers smoke onboard buses, despite being illegal throughout Indonesia.

By taxi
Taxis are also easy to find in Bitung. There are usually taxis from Manado, waiting for passengers from Bitung going to Manado. A few of them will use meters for fares, but most of them will charge on negotiation basis. Depending on your negotiation or haggling skill level, the fare could vary between Rp 200,000 to Rp 500,000 for one trip to Manado. Just like bus travel, smoking is illegal in taxis, though the driver may still smoke - however, you as the passenger are free to ask the driver to stop smoking for your journey.

By car
The most convenient way is to hire (self-drive) a rental car from Bitung to Manado from your hotel. The rate is between Rp 450,000 to Rp 500,000 per day, depending on the hotel tariff.
 * Bitung Rental Car (cooperated with Manado Rental Car) cost around Rp 500,000 per day, already included driver and fuel, or self-drive approximately Rp 300,000 per day. For information, tel +62 852 4022 0620 or +62 431 892 979.

See

 * If travel to Tangkoko Nature Reserve is impossible due to time, there's a mini zoo in Bitung, only 10 minutes from Bitung's centre. This mini zoo has collection of tarsiers, birds, anoa, wild boar, crocodile, etc.  They will ask for a donation to feed the animals.  Usually it is around Rp 20,000 to Rp 50,000, depending on the numbers of the visitors in your group.
 * Lembeh Strait: 30 minutes from Bitung. It is a diving heaven for divers, but it's quite expensive, because the resort is managed by westerners.

Eat

 * Pork is common in the Christian-majority city of Bitung. You can find many many small restaurants.  If you are a Muslim, you need to ask if the restaurant is halal or not.
 * Bats, dogs, rodents, and reptiles are common meat sold in this city for human consumption. Go to some traditional markets in this city, and you can find them easily.  If you are not amenable to this kind of food, you should ask first.

A highly recommended Chinese seafood restaurant is in a small side street, directly across the road from Texas Chicken and next to Bitung's main fuel depot. It is a small family-run place, with ordinary decor, but don't be deterred, the food is terrific (and cheap, by western standards).

Drink

 * Beer is easy to find in all restaurants and even small shops.
 * Saguer is the traditional alcoholic beverage made of palm.

Budget

 * Nalendra Hotel: Address: S. Languyu Street 5A, Bitung. Phone: +62 438 31992
 * Other small hotels are easy to find but you must be very selective due to the activities of prostitutes.

Mid-range

 * Wisma Pelaut International, pakadonan, Bitung. Phone: +62 438 36078. A dormitory mainly for seafarers, but is open to public.

Splurge

 * Lembeh Resort
 * Bastianos Lembeh Diving Resort
 * Tangkoko Lodge Batu Putih