With so many destinations in the WHL Group’s ever-expanding network, we have an incredible wealth of local travel information at our fingertips. Through the Inside Word, our local partners – all travel experts – share their top tips on what to do, what to eat, where to party and where to shop in their necks of the woods. Here we learn about Manado, the provincial capital and administrative centre of Indonesia’s North Sulawesi Province and heart of the Minahasa people, who are known for their gregarious and hospitable nature.

THIS ARTICLE IS AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND INDONESIAN. Manado, also known as Menado, is the provincial capital and administrative centre at the northern tip of Indonesia’s Sulawesi Island and a great place to begin an exploration of the region. A strong European presence was established in Manado in the 17th century, when it was known as Wenang, but the area has been inhabited for much longer by the native Minahasa people.