Gorontalo (city)

Gorontalo is a city in Northern Sulawesi, and the provincial capital of Gorontalo province.

An introduction to Gorontalo (city)

With its old Dutch colonial buildings, surrounding waterfalls and thermal spas (Muslim Friendly), and pristine coral reefs for diving, Gorontalo should be a world famous destination. However, most travellers only use it as a hub for the Togean islands. A large majority of Gorontalo residents are Muslims.

Travel to Gorontalo (city)

Fly to Gorontalo (city)

Gorontalo is served by Jalaluddin Airport (IATA Flight Code: GTO). The largest Indonesian airlines all connect Gorontalo to Makassar. Garuda Indonesia in addition has direct connecting Flights to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport|Jakarta. Lion Air subsidiary Wings Air has regional Flights to and from Manado, Luwuk, and Palu.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Gorontalo (city)

• The overnight ferry, Touna Tomini, fromAmpana / Togean Islands calls on Gorontalo every Thursday and Sunday, making the return trip the next day. Note: There's only 1 ferry and when it breaks down there's none.
• The new fast ferry from Togean leave Dolong (handy for Malenge) on wednesdays at 7:00 and Saturdays at 8.00AM to Buckland (arrive at 13:00) from where it's a 3-hour drive to Gorontalo.

Travel on a Bus in Gorontalo (city)

• Buses from Manado run daily (price Rp60,000).
• Kijang (public cars) from Manado is a more comfortable option that will drop you at your preferred hotel. Rp350,000 for front seat (more comfortable), Rp300,000 for backseat (brace yourself for a bumpy ride).

How to get around in Gorontalo (city)

• Bentor is a cross between a rickshaw ( Indonesian: becak) and a motorbike (motor), and will take you around town for Rp7,000. The price is about 20,000-30.000 Rp. for destinations outside of town, such as beaches and waterfalls. Arriving from the Togeans and the 4 kilometers ride from Gorontalo harbor to the city should cost you Rp60,000 (Oct 2024).
• Local buses and bemos (minivan in light blue color) have been observed, but they seem only useful for the local residents.
• Transportation sharing app like Grab and GoJek is available, although the number of cars are still limited. There are also some limitation (e.g. you can be dropped to the shopping center, but you can't be picked up from there).

What to see in Gorontalo (city)

• Dutch colonial mansions littered throughout the city.
• Fort Otanaha (Benteng Otanaha): Not much information available for this historic site.
• Waterfalls
• Hot springs

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Gorontalo (city)

Book a Diving trip in Gorontalo (city)

Gorontalo is home to the Salvador Dali coral sponge, indigenous to this region. With more than 25 dive sites accessible from the shore around Gorontalo, this should be a popular for dive enthusiasts. However, so far this gem has remained relatively hidden.

Whale shark watching

Probably the one thing that the city is most famous for and the main reason why some tourists stay overnight. You can do this in Olele Marine Park, and you can snorkel in the area as well.

There used to be a prawn processing plant nearby which attracted whale sharks for feeding. The plant has closed, but the local residents are feeding the whale sharks to keep them in the bay, so that it is "guaranteed" that tourists can see them all year round. Thit is arguably unethical, because whale sharks are normally migratory animals. Secondly, tour operators and tourists alike are not educated enough on how to avoid injuring white sharks (for a start: do not touch them, and get out of their way). So knowing these things, act according to your own conscience.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Gorontalo (city)

Supplies for Togean. The islands are remote and crucials are expensive so bring sunscreen, mosquito spray / coils and other crucials that you can think of.

• Gorontalo Mall
• Mega Zinur Mall
• Santika Supermarket

Halal Restaurants

• Magic Pan Pizzas All 5 Pizzas on the menu at this place are good and big. If they don't have what you want, just compose it yourself and they will make it happen. The taste is uniquely (Indonesian), and the service is quick from the plentiful, friendly staff.

• Suga Fried Chicken | Your typical fastfood joint. Try the tiny burger. It's small but it's tasty. As always with international food in Indonesia, you pay more than you would for Rice and Noodles (ca. 10,000 for a burger), but after the Togean diet you can treat yourself.

• King's Resto | Ikan bakar (grilled fish) is the specialty here. You pass the grill just outside the door as you walk into this place assuring you that the fish is indeed grilled here.

• Night market | A number of food stalls sell the usual suspects. Fried Rice, Fried noodles, Soto Ayam and Gado Gado. The food is good, and the seating area near the stalls make it a great place to mingle with the local residents who seem ridiculously happy to say hello to you.

• KFC

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Gorontalo (city)

Gorontalo (city) - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Gorontalo (city), is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Gorontalo (city). This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Gorontalo (city) and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Gorontalo (city). The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Gorontalo (city). Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Gorontalo (city): A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Gorontalo (city).

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Gorontalo (city): A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Gorontalo (city), allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Gorontalo (city).

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Gorontalo (city), ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Gorontalo (city), enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Gorontalo (city) and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Gorontalo (city), stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Gorontalo (city), a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Gorontalo (city) without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Gorontalo (city) is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Gorontalo (city).

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Gorontalo (city) is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Gorontalo (city), please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Gorontalo (city) Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

• Melati Hotel | The helpful staff can give you all the information you need for going to Togean, booking transport to Manado and explore Gorontalo. All this comes with a fee, of course.

• Hotel Karina | A popular cheapie with rooms to match the price. A good option if the Melati is full.

• Hotel Oasis | This has been a very nice place when it was built. The rooms are located surrounding a garden with a pond that is now overgrown and mosquito ridden. The staff is inattentive and between them not a single one speak English.

• Hotel Paradise | Plenty of rooms, all have aircon, cable tv and comfortable beds. Not exactly paradise, but it will do.

• Hotel Yulia | The rooms are fairly standard. Beds with spring mattresses and tv. All rooms have similar layout, but the more expensive has more space around the furniture.

• Hotel Quality

• Hotel Mega Zinur

• Hotel Maqna (next to Citymall Gorontalo)

Travel Next

• Togean islands for that Robinson Crusoe island experience. Take Tuna Tomini Ferry to Wakai: IDR 65,000 for Economy Class, IDR 75,000 for Tatami Class (you can lie down), or IDR 89,000 for Business Class (with aircon).
• Manado public bus departs at 5.30am (IDR 110,000), shared vehicle departs at various time (IDR 200,000 for front seat, IDR 175,000 for middle seat, IDR 150,000 for back seat). Expect 10-12 hours ride.

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