Hotels by Location | Central Sulawesi | Lake Poso Area

Lake Poso, nestled amongst sloping green hills in the middle of Central Sulwesi at 600 meters above sea level, is the third largest lake in Indonesia and one of the most beautiful anywhere in the world. While the waters are warmed by the tropical sun, the altitude makes the nights pleasantly cool. A number of modest hotels, with basic facilities, are available around the lake, in the towns of Pendolo and Tentena. Local cuisine and stunning sunset views are available at the area’s many restaurants, most serving spicy Sulawesi specialties including fresh lake fish.

A wonderful time to visit is in August, when the Lake Poso Festival presents an outstanding variety of traditional cultural performances. Lake Poso also makes a convenient base for exploring the surrounding countryside. Visitors can trek through the hills to see indigenous village life, or visit the nearby Salopa waterfalls, a spectacular series of rushing rapids and crystal clear pools.

Not far from Lake Poso is the Morowali nature reserve, a 225,000 hectare expanse of protected land, offering wonderful jungle trekking and glimpses of exotic flora and fauna.