North Sulawesi is one of the Indonesia’s best travel destinations, partly because of the magnificent coral reefs protecting virgin white beaches, well surfaced roads, and beautiful villages. Wildlife reserve, crater lakes, bubbling mud pits, coral reefs, interesting archaeological sites – all surrounded by fascinating scenery and are worth visiting.

The people of North Sulawesi can be classified into four groups: Minahasa, Bolaang Mangondow, Gorontalo and the Sangihe Talaud. The Minahasans are centered on the Provincial capital of Manado, but the entire province has a strong tradition of trade and contact with the outside world. The Sangir-Talaud islands, to the north of mainland, from a natural bridge to the Philippines providing a convinient route for peoples and culture can still be found here. The local economy of the people depends strongly on coconuts and cloves.

The Dutch, however, have had the strongest influence on the development of the region. First contact with European traders came in the 16th century with the arrival of the Spanish and Pourtuguese, and with them they bought Christianity. It wasn’t until the arrival of the Dutch that Christianity became the predominant religion of the area.

The provincial capital of Manado is one of the international gateways into Indonesia. Regular flights to all part of the Indonesian archipelago service this beautiful town, as well as the smaller airports of Tahuna and Talaud. Manado’s main attractions are off-shore: the trully incredible coral reefs off nearby Bunaken Island are now a protected Marine Park and offer some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world.