Major city · Indonesia
Tumbak
Spend 1‑2 days: walk the fishing village, snorkel, stay at Tumbak Island Cottage; reach via Manado bus to Ratahan then ojek.
Tumbak is a tiny Bajo fishing village in North Sulawesi with basic accommodation, walkable streets and good snorkeling. With limited services, a short stay of one to two days is enough to explore the beach and nearby dive sites.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IDR
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Nov–Apr (rainy season, higher flood risk)
- Airport
- MDC
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
- Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
- Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Tumbak112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Tumbak, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Rupiah (Rp) in small notes for warungs, parking, offerings and drivers; large cards are common in tourist restaurants but not everywhere.Indonesia-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckTelkomsel, XL and Indosat sell tourist SIMs at airports; foreign phones must be IMEI-registered if staying over 90 days — check.Indonesia-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations common in Bali.Indonesia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Often 10% service + tax on the bill; nothing more needed.Indonesia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Indonesia-wide
- SafetyTumbak is low‑risk but limited medical facilities; carry cash and basic supplies.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.Indonesia-wide
- Emergency numbers112 General · 110 police · 118 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysBali shuts completely for Nyepi; government offices close Friday midday for prayer; Lebaran slows the country for two weeks.Indonesia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckMDC Sam Ratulangi International Airport (About 2–3 h by taxi or bus+ojek to Tumbak; check).
- Getting aroundThe village is easy to walk; no motorised transport inside.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MDC Sam Ratulangi International Airport (About 2–3 h by taxi or bus+ojek to Tumbak; check)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest Aug (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tumbak: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village is easy to walk; no motorised transport inside. For the last leg from Ratahan, take an ojek (motorbike taxi) for Rp30‑50k.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tangkoko Nature Reserve
goDoor to door: 2–2.5 h
Ojek from Tumbak to Ratahan, then bus to Bitung, then ojek to reserve entrance; about 2 h total
Tarsiers and macaques; go early morning.
Manado
goDoor to door: 2.5–3.5 h
Ojek to Ratahan, then bus to Manado; about 2–3 h
Full day for Bunaken or city sights.
Tomohon
cautionDoor to door: 3–4 h
Ojek to Ratahan, bus to Manado, then bus to Tomohon; about 3 h
Long transfer; combine with Manado if possible.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Tumbak Island Cottage Ratahan
Standard rooms Rp300,000/day; private cottage Rp350,000; meals included; electricity 08:00‑18:00; walkable distance to beach.Standard rooms Rp300,000/day; private cottage Rp350,000; meals included; electricity 8:00 AM‑6:00 PM; walkable distance to beach.
Tumbak Homestay
Basic homestay, contact +62 852‑4028‑8058.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Rp300,000–350,000 excl. transport
Trip budget
| Standard cottage room1 × 1 night × Rp300,000 | Rp300,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × Rp300,000 | Rp300,000 |
| Manado → Ratahan bus1 × Rp35,000 · check | Rp35,000 |
| Ojek from Ratahan to Tumbak1 × Rp40,000 · check | Rp40,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Rp68,000 |
| Trip total≈ Rp743,000 per person per day, bed included | Rp743,000≈ US$50 |
Meals included
2026 estimate in rupiah; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bus ticket Manado → Ratahancheck | Rp35,000 |
| Ojek ride Ratahan → Tumbakcheck | Rp30,000–50,000 |
| Snorkeling half‑day tourcheck | Rp150,000 |
| Standard cottage room per night (meals included) | Rp300,000–350,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Buses from Manado leave only when full; plan ahead.
- Road from Tantengesan Satu can flood during high tide; motorbike riders may get wet.
- No ATMs in Tumbak; nearest are in Ratahan or Langoan.
Emergency numbers
- General
- 112
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 118
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
TumbakTumbak
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ke alamat ini, tolongTo this address, please
Emergency
- General112
- Police110
- Ambulance118
Embassy
US Consulate in Manado (check address); other embassies in Jakarta.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Manado → Ratahan bus: about Rp35,000, 2‑hour trip (check)
- Ratahan → Tumbak ojek: about Rp40,000, 15‑min ride (check)
Say or show
- Halo — Hello (halo)
- Berapa? — How much? (berapa)
- Terima kasih — Thank you (terima kasih)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Tumbak. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct · avoid Nov–Apr (rainy season, higher flood risk) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 1 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Tumbak
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