What to do and see in Gorontalo, Indonesia: The Best Places and Tips

August 4, 2017 Christa Meece

Gorontalo (Hulontalo) is an Indonesian province on the island of Sulawesi. It was created on December 5th, 2000. Historically, it has been a center for the spread of Islam in Eastern Indonesia. Besides, classical Gorontalese fine art and culture are unique such as Karawo, Upiya Karanji (Songkok Gorontalo) or nickname "Peci Gusdur" (Gusdur being The 4th President of Indonesia), and poetry. (Gorontalo City is also known as "The Land Under Medina's Porch"). Gorontalo province is located on the peninsula (Gorontalo Peninsula) on the northern part of Sulawesi, located in the western part of the province of North Sulawesi. The total area of the province is 12,435 square kilometres (4,801 sq mi) with a population of 1, 133, 237(2016), with population density of 88 inhabitants / km². Gorontalo is mainly inhabited by several groups consisting of various Pohala'a (Family), among them Pohala'a Gorontalo (Ethnic Hulontalo), Pohala'a Suwawa (Ethnic Suwawa/Tuwawa), Pohala'a Limboto (Ethnic Limutu). Pohala'a Bolango (Ethnic Bulango/Bolango) and Pohala'a Atinggola (Ethnic Atinggola) are also categorized into Gorontalo tribes (also known as Hulontalo, Gorontalese or Gorontaloan). It is believed that the spread of Gorontalese diaspora has reached five times the current population in Gorontalo and are now scattered throughout Indonesia and other countries .
Restaurants in Gorontalo

1. Olele Beach

Gorontalo, Indonesia
Excellent
41%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 68 reviews

Olele Beach

Reviewed By stuffmatters

The 45min drive along the coast road offers some spectacular viewpoints as well as passes the whale shark village and provide an opportunity to check if they are residence. Unfortunately they have not been seen since early 2016 so don’t get your hopes up too much!
We snorkelled in 2 locations, firstly near the Djinn cave and secondly just off the village. The snorkel near Djinn was disappointing although divers on TA note it’s a great diving spot. Certainly the drop off and the deep wall channel into shore (& the cave) is impressive.
The second spot off the village was fun but largely due to the very large quantity and variety of fish attracted by the local boatmen feeding them.
It was a fun half day but manage expectations on the snorkel!

2. Otanaha Fortress

Gorontalo, Indonesia
Excellent
21%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
29%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 74 reviews

Otanaha Fortress

Reviewed By Ellen P - Jakarta, Indonesia

Went here with a friend after a workshop. It is located not far from the city area, around half an hour by car. There are 3 ancient fortresses in the location. We can reach right in front of one of the fortresses by car. The view is stunning from the top. We can see Limboto lake & the Mountains from there. Too bad it was cloudy when I was there, hence cannot enjoy the sunset. Recommend it for a visit if you have only a little time to spare.

3. Baiturrahim Great Mosque

Jl. Raja Eyato, Gorontalo, Indonesia
Excellent
7%
Good
70%
Satisfactory
23%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 13 reviews

Baiturrahim Great Mosque

Reviewed By Darnel-HDI - Jakarta, Indonesia

I visited this mosqou for praying. It is the largest mosque in Gorontalo so called Great Mosque. The architecture is interesting, it is clean and well maintained.

4. Soekarno Amphibious Aircraft Landing Museum

Gorontalo, Indonesia
Excellent
30%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
20%
Poor
10%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 10 reviews

Soekarno Amphibious Aircraft Landing Museum

Reviewed By Darnel-HDI - Jakarta, Indonesia

This museum is a memorial place commemorating the first visit of President Soekarno to Gorontalo. He came by amphibious aircraft and kandedvin this spot. There is not much to see inside but It is an historic place for the people of Gorontalo.

5. Gorontalo Mall

Jl. Sultan Botutihe no. 88, 90114, Indonesia
Excellent
7%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
51%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 14 reviews

Gorontalo Mall

Reviewed By VilleVantaa - Vantaa, Finland

This is only Mall is Gorontalo. It's quite small, but if you don't have anything else to do, you can spend here couple hour. Some local fastfood restaurants, so you can eat here cheap meal.At groundfloor is big grocerystore, where you find food, water etc.

6. Nani Wartabone Monument

Gorontalo, Indonesia
Excellent
22%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
45%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 9 reviews

Nani Wartabone Monument

Reviewed By asrul_sy - Jakarta, Indonesia

Monumen ini terletak di depan kantor walikota Gorontalo dekat dengan alun-alun kota yang ramai. Sebagai visitor ke Gorontalo memang saya awalnya tidak mengetahui siapa Nani Wartabone, namun ternyata beliau adalah salah satu pahlawan nasional Indonesia asli dari Gorontalo. Saya sangat berapreasi atas pembangunan ini sebagai memoriam sang pahlawan. Ketika itu malam hari dan view monumen sangat kokoh dengan sorotan lampu menghadap ke kantor gubernur. Tempat ini memang merupakan ikon kota Gorontalo yang menggambarkan sikap patriotisme.

7. Limboto Lake

Gorontalo, Indonesia
Excellent
12%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
43%
Poor
18%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 33 reviews

Limboto Lake

Reviewed By Vladimir B - Martin, Slovakia

The lake was dry and partly muddy. There are water birds and reed Islands .I liked nice scenery seen from the road. I disliked mud - as I lost my shoe there.

8. Whale Shark Sightseeing Spot

Desa Botu Barani, Kabupaten Bone Bolango, Gorontalo, Indonesia
Excellent
60%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
20%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 10 reviews

Whale Shark Sightseeing Spot

Reviewed By ParamitaWKD - Jakarta, Jakarta Raya, Indonesia

I was on trip to one of water building site for my work and the local employee took a little detour to give a sight of this attraction. No noticeable sign but a small writing that said about whale shark tour. I doubt the place would be easy to reach since whale shark is not something you can see if you are not diving or somewhere in the middle of ocean and well, I was in my work clothes! But they [local fishermen] said it was okay and the whale sharks are tame and easy to spot and the small traditional ship safe enough though the tide seemed scary. They prepare small shrimps for feeding the whale sharks. 10 minutes riding on small ship we got there and I saw them! So majestic and huge! I accidentally touch them but they were tame. There are always sea police swimming around them and the guards on tower nearby always checked on the whales sharks every 15min or so. You can go here by rent a car or book a tour. Going by public transportation would be difficult. I do not know about the fees since someone paid for me, but I think it was not expensive.

9. Nantu Forest

Jl. Trans Sulawesi, Gorontalo, Indonesia
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 2 reviews

Nantu Forest

Reviewed By guidejotjelala - Tomohon, Indonesia

Adudu nantu forest is one of the forest where you can see rare wildlife as like pigdeer or baby rusa. And black tailes mongkey called macagues nigresian.and if you lucky you can See anoas.the nices remote forest on jalan trans sulawesi offer you adventure to get there nice flora and fauna and heaven for wildlife wactcher.
beside bayrusa you can also see birds in this forest.
i was there with tourist from rusia used by safari travel manado and after 2 days we could sea anoas .to get this you mus cross the river but no promble if now raining.
trek go inside sometime via rattan forest or careful.
at the time we use ranger mr moctar and mr dedy
very ranger for nantu forest
we did 3 days trip on this forest.
after nani warabone national and back to manado
ok this my information and regard from guide jotje lala
call and whatsaap +6281340310671

10. Oluhuta Beach

Desa Oluhuta, Gorontalo, Indonesia
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 2 reviews

Oluhuta Beach

Reviewed By nristiana - Jakarta, Indonesia

Pantainya cantik tapi masih belum terlalu banyak pengunjungnya. Sunset di Desa Oluhuta bagus sekali ditambag Gugusan Karang menambah keindahan tempat ini.

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