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Back to Modisi

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Voykit pocket guide · Indonesia

Modisi

Modisi is a quiet base for Mount Ambang, Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park and diving in Pulau Lampu National Park. Half a day to see the town, 2–3 nights if you use it as a hub.

Modisi is a small town on the south coast of Northern Sulawesi, 2,088 km east of Jakarta. It has a beach, a national park and volcanoes within reach, but the town itself has few sights. Most travellers use it as a quiet base for outdoor activities, not a destination on its own.

UbudAmbarawaAmbonAmedAmlapuraAmpanaAmuntaiAnyerApo KayanAsmatAtambuaBajawaBalikpapanBanda AcehModisi1,000 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Indonesia
Best months
Apr–Oct
Avoid
Nov–Mar (rainy season)
Stay
2 nights

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 200,000–400,000 excl. bed · Mid Rp 400,000–700,000 excl. bed · High Rp 700,000+ 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 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 113 · 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

ItemPrice
Nasi goreng or mie goreng at a warungRp 15,000–25,000
Bottled water (600 ml)Rp 5,000–10,000
Coffee at a kioskRp 10,000–20,000
Local minibus (angkot) within townRp 5,000–10,000
Driver hire for a dayRp 300,000–500,000

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

MDC · Sam Ratulangi International Airport (Manado)
About 4–5 hours by car/bus to Modisi; check road conditions.

Typical fares

Manado airport → Modisi (car/bus)
about Rp 150,000–250,000, 4–5 h (check)
Modisi terminal → town centre
about Rp 5,000–10,000 by angkot
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

Modisi is walkable. For trips to the national park or volcanoes, hire a driver or join a tour from town. The terminal has local minibuses (angkot) to nearby villages.

See and do

Known for

  • Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park
  • Mount Ambang
  • Pulau Lampu National Park diving
  • Modisi Beach

Day trips

WhereHowTime
Bogani Nani Wartabone National ParkHire a driver from Modisi, about 30–45 minAbout 1 h
Mount AmbangHire a driver from Modisi, about 1 hAbout 1.5 h
Pulau Lampu National ParkBoat from Modisi or nearby jetty, about 30 minAbout 1 h

Sleep

Modisi town centre
Near the terminal and beach; Permai Hotel Modisi is the main option.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
HelloHalohah-loh
Thank youTerima kasihtuh-ree-mah kah-seeh
How much?Berapa?buh-rah-pah
Where is the toilet?Di mana toilet?dee mah-nah toy-let
I don't understandSaya tidak mengertisah-yah tee-dahk mung-ger-tee

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

  • Roads can be rough after rain; check conditions before heading to Mount Ambang or the park.
  • Limited dining options; most places close by 17:00.
  • No ATM confirmed in Modisi; bring enough cash from Manado or Kotamobagu.

Modisi is generally safe. The main risks are road conditions after rain, limited medical facilities and lack of ATMs. Bring cash and a basic first-aid kit.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Modisi yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park
  • Mount Ambang
  • Pulau Lampu National Park diving
  • Modisi Beach

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Modisi

Ke alamat ini, tolong

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

Indonesian is widely understood; local Minahasa language is also spoken.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/modisi). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.