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Voykit pocket guide · Indonesia
Ampana
Ampana is a transit hub for the Togian Islands, not a destination: one night before or after the ferry, or skip if you are not island-hopping.
Ampana sits on the Gulf of Tomini coast in Central Sulawesi and is the main ferry port for the Togian Islands. The town itself has a freshwater spring pool and a few basic hotels. Most travellers use it as a one-night stop between flights and ferries.
- Country
- Indonesia
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- Avoid
- Nov–Mar (wet season, rougher seas)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- IDR
- Money
- Rupiah (Rp) in small notes for warungs, parking, offerings and drivers; large cards are common in tourist restaurants but not everywhere.
- Daily spend
- Budget Rp 150,000–250,000 excl. bed · Mid Rp 250,000–400,000 excl. bed · High Rp 400,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Telkomsel, XL and Indosat sell tourist SIMs at airports; foreign phones must be IMEI-registered if staying over 90 days — check.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 118/119 · General emergency 112
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · European round pins.
- Tipping
- Warung: Nothing.; Restaurants: Often 10% service + tax on the bill; nothing more needed.; Drivers and guides: Rp50,000–100,000 a day.; Spa: Rp20,000–50,000.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; refill stations common in Bali.
- Toilets
- Western in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Nasi goreng or mie goreng at a warung | Rp 20,000–35,000 |
| Bottled water (1.5 L) | Rp 5,000–8,000 |
| Coffee (kopi tubruk) | Rp 8,000–15,000 |
| Ojek ride within town | Rp 10,000–20,000 |
| Ojek ride to Marina Cottage | Rp 20,000–30,000 |
| Ferry to Togian Islands (one way) | Rp 100,000–150,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- OJU · Tanjung Api Airport
- Flights from Luwuk, Palu and Gorontalo (Aviastar); about 5 km (3.1 mi) from town centreFlights from Luwuk, Palu and Gorontalo (Aviastar); about 3.1 mi (5 km) from town centre
Typical fares
- Tanjung Api Airport → town centre, ojek
- about Rp 50,000 (check)
- Town centre → Marina Cottage, ojek
- Rp 20,000–30,000
- Ferry to Togian Islands, one way
- about Rp 100,000–150,000 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Ampana is walkable in the centre. For the airport or Marina Cottage, take an ojek (motorcycle taxi) or a bemo (shared minibus); negotiate the fare before riding.
See and do
Known for
- Ferry port to the Togian Islands
- Permandian Malotong freshwater springs
- Tanjung Api Airport (OJU)
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Togian Islands | Daily ferry from Ampana harbour | About 2–3 h one way |
Sleep
- Town centre (near harbour)
- Walking distance to the ferry pier, market and basic eateries; Hotel Oasis and Hotel Ananda here.
- Marina Cottage area
- About 3 km (1.9 mi) from centre, beachfront wooden bungalows with sea views; quieter but need a scooter or ojek.About 1.9 mi (3 km) from centre, beachfront wooden bungalows with sea views; quieter but need a scooter or ojek.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello / Good morning | Selamat pagisuh-lah-maht pah-gee |
| Thank you | Terima kasihtuh-ree-mah kah-seeh |
| How much? | Berapa?buh-rah-pah |
| Where is the ferry? | Di mana kapal feri?dee mah-nah kah-pahl feh-ree |
| I want to go to … | Saya mau ke …sah-yah mah-oo kuh … |
| Help! | Tolong!toh-long |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Light handshake then hand to chest; smile; avoid: Firm grips
- Left hand: Give and receive with the right; avoid: Passing anything with the left
- Temples: Sarong and sash; step around offerings; avoid: Standing higher than priests
- Keeping calm: Patience; indirect requests; avoid: Anger in public
- Pointing: Thumb; avoid: Index finger
Scams and watch-outs
- Ferry schedules to the Togian Islands are weather-dependent: check the day before at the harbour.
- ATMs are limited; bring enough rupiah cash from Palu or Luwuk.
- Mosquitoes are present year-round; bring repellent and a mosquito net if staying in basic rooms.
Ampana is a small, quiet town. The main risks are road accidents (scooters and trucks share the road) and stomach upsets from street food. Avoid walking alone after dark on unlit streets.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Ampana yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Ferry port to the Togian Islands
- Permandian Malotong freshwater springs
- Tanjung Api Airport (OJU)
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Ampana, revision 4546405 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4546405
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/ampana). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.