Palu

Palu is the capital of Central Sulawesi province in Indonesia.

Understand

Palu has seen strife from Dutch colonial activity, the CIA, sectarian division, and nature. Yet it is a tenacious community sitting at the end of Palu Bay.

Get in

By plane

• 1 Mutiara SIS Al-Jufrie Airport (PLW  ^IATA, formerly Masovu Airport) (located on the southeastern outskirts of the city, roughly 6-8 km from most hotels in the city centre). Has frequent flights to Jakarta, Surabaya, Balikpapan and Makassar, plus some regular flights into smaller airports all around Sulawesi.  

The so-called "official" prepaid airport taxis, which look more like private vehicles, charge rather steep (considering the short distance) Rp75,000 fixed fare to the city center (March 2016). City taxis are only allowed to drop off passengers in the airport, and the minimum fare for passengers going to the airport is Rp55,000 rather than regular 20,000 (the meter will probably display only Rp30,000 to 40,000 on arrival).

Get around

Taxis in Palu are normally not hailed on the street but are called by phone. The phone numbers of the two larger companies are +62 (451) 455455 (MMU) and +62 (451) 456789 (Taksi Utama). The taxis are metered, but the minimum fare, which will be charged even if the meter shows a lesser amount, is Rp20,000 (March 2016), except for trips to the airport where a higher limit applies. The dispatchers (and drivers) most likely speak little to no English, but most hotels will be happy to call a metered taxi for you if you ask them.

Blue minibuses (angkot) are plying the city roads during the daytime and approximately till 10 pm. A shared ride normally costs Rp5,000 per passenger (March 2016), the driver will vary his route based on where his current passengers are going, so the same trip will likely be done using a different route each time. If catching an empty angkot. make sure the driver understands you just want a shared ride, not a charter (which will likely cost much more, or even more than a taxi, especially if you didn't fix the price beforehand). As this may be problematic for a foreigner not speaking at least some Bahasa Indonesia, catch another angkot (preferably one with many passengers), call a taxi, or just walking, if in doubt.

See

• 1 Sou Raja, Lere, West Palu. Oldest traditional house and former royal residence in Palu. (updated Aug 2020)
• 2 Datokarama Park, Lere, West Palu. A grand vantage point of Palu Bay and also some of the rather depressing memories of the 2018 tsunami with the Masjid Argam Bab Al Rahman sticking out of the water, ruins of the Mercure Hotel, and the mouth of the Palu River where the iconic Palu Bridge IV once stood. (updated Aug 2020)
• 3 Nosarara Nosabatutu Monument, Tim, Tondo, East Palu. 08:00-22:00 daily. Observation platform/monument overlooking Palu City and Palu Bay. Good photo opportunities. Rp10,000. (updated Aug 2020)
• 4 Central Sulawesi State Museum (Museum Negeri Provinsi Sulawesi Tengah), Jl. Kemiri No.23, Kamonji, West Palu, ☏ +62 451 422 290. 07:30-16:00 M-Th, 07:30-16:30 F, Sa Su closed. Ethnological museum of region, including about the megalithicum stones of Bada Valley and Kaili tribe culture. kids Rp1,500, adults Rp3,000. foreigner Rp10,000. (updated Aug 2020)

Do

• 1 City Forest Park (Taman Hutan Kota Palu), Talise, East Palu, ☏ +62 856 0037 3818. A small urban forest reserve with some banana trees and other specimens interspersed with trails. Probably not too exciting but may be good for a walk. (updated Aug 2020)
• 2 Pantai Talise (Pantai Kampung Nelayan). Crowded beach where steps lead into the water. (updated Aug 2020)
• 3 Pantai Tanjung Karang, Donggala. Clean beach with clear water and some reefs and coral. Food and water sports available. (updated Aug 2020)

Buy

• 1 Palu Grand Mall. features: KFC, Hypermart, The Body Shop, etc.  

Eat

Kaledo

Try local food, kaledo, spicy and savory beef leg soup.

• 1 RM. Kaledo Watusampu, Jl. Poros Palu - Mamuju, Watusampu, ☏ +62 852 413 26334. 07:00-22:00. Serves kaledo. (updated Oct 2022)

Drink

Coffee shops

• 1 Pasar Kopi Palu, Jl. Sungai Sausu No.5, Siranindi, Palu Barat. 24/7. From Rp20,000. (updated Oct 2022)

Sleep

• 1 Hotel Santika Palu, Jl. Mohammad Hatta 18, ☏ +62 451 424111. The 3-stars hotel in Palu. Opened in 2012.  
• 2 Sutan Raja Hotel & Convention Palu, Jl. Abdul Rahman Saleh No. 45, ☏ +62 451 482 999, info@sutanrajahotelpalu.com. Located just 1 km from the airport, the hotel provides karaoke, live music, swimming pool, fitness center, health spa and a meeting room. Rp996,000 for a double room. (updated Nov 2017)
• 3 Swiss Belhotel Silae Palu, Jl. Malonda No. 12, Silae, Palu, ☏ +62 451 461 888, palu@swiss-belhotel.com. The first and the only international 4-star hotel in Palu, it overlooks the Palu Bay. The hotel has seven F&B outlets on its premises. (updated Nov 2017)
• 4 Best Western Plus Coco Palu, Jl. Basuki Rachmat No. 127, ☏ +62 451 481 500. (updated Jan 2021)
• 5 Palu Golden Hotel, Jl. Raden Saleh 1, ☏ +62 451 423 230. A 3-star hotel with a swimming pool. (updated Oct 2022)

Go next

• Ampana, from which daily ferries depart for the Togian Islands.
• Lore Lindu National Park, a protected area of forest. The national park is designated as part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves. In addition to its rich wildlife, the park also contains megaliths dating from before 1300 AD.