Lake Maninjau

• The view from the top of the road winding town to town Maninjau.
• A blood red sunset from a beach side restaurant.
• The surroundings of the lake where badly hit by the September 2009 Padang earthquake. Many landslides all around the lake destroyed some houses. There's still the occasional landslide damaging buildings and roads, which may make traveling around the lake troublesome.

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• Rent a motorbike and go around the lake.
• Take a bus up the mountain road and walk down a path through the forest.

• On the way too or from Bukittinggi, stop at one of the dozens of roadside stalls in the village of Matur for a bag of roasted peanuts in the shell.

• Bagoes Cafe

  address: Near the lake intersection, to the north
  Serves good basic western and Indonesian food. Friendly owners. Has computers and wifi for RP7000 per hour. Can arrange treks around Maninjau and Bukittinggi, and tickets for bus and plane.

• Cafe 44

  address: By the lake, north of town Maninjau
  Serves OK basic western and Indonesian food. Also has rooms for RP75000

Budget under 130,000

• Cafe 44Family run beach front rooms offering great views and swimming on your doorstep. 5 rooms basic and clean, all had an outdoor covered area for sitting and admiring views. Rooms have lights, no power outlets (outlet was available in restaurant on request). Shared squat bathroom with cold water shower. Bed linen provided. The restaurant offers a good selection of delicious and reasonably priced food.

• Muaro Beach Bungalows - now called EKA'S Bungalow (August 2018)In a lush rustic setting near the lake. Has own restaurant by the edge of the lake. The bungalows are basic but OK, with an asian toilet and cold water shower. Friendly staff. There are ducklings to amuse kids. Compared to the other budget places which look run down, Muaro looks new. Rents out motorbikes (semi RP60000, auto 75000 per day). Canoe hire are free for guests, and the beach is good for swimming.
  EKA's has Wifi.

• Riak Danau

  address: a bit further than Muaro, access is via a narrow path through a paddy field.
  No bungalows, only rooms(75,000 Rp, Feb 17) but these are a spitting distance from the lake.

• Beach Guest House

  phone: +62 752 861799
  address: Jl Raya Maninjau
  dorm/single/double has hot showers.

Mid-range

• Arlen's Beach Paradise

  phone: +6281535204714
  address: Sungei Rangeh Bayur, Lake Maninjau 26471
  Five simple bungalows on a small lakeside plot surrounded by rice fields. The location is far enough from the village fishing platforms making it appealing enough to swim in. There is a small beach in front of the guesthouse. Mosquito nets and attached toilet and cold shower in each bungalow. Small restaurant with good and healthy food. The food is reasonably price and is worth the money (August 2018) Very friendly and welcoming staff. The only drawback is that it's a very long walk to the nearest town at Bayur.
  This guesthouse is a quiet place, especially in the mornings regarding the early morning call to prayer.
  The downside to this guesthouse is no wifi.
  Arlens Beach Paradise is five kilometers from Lake Maninjau. From Lake Maninjau, one can take a "minibus" for 5000 IDR (August 2018) to the Arlens Beach Paradise sign post.During daylight hours, the minibuses are frequent, probably one at least every 10 minutes or so.

• Maninjau Indah HotelOne of the few upmarket hotels

• Tan Dirih HotelAnother upmarket hotel but it's further away than the Indah. Next door is the newish and stylish Water Front Restaurant. Pride of place is their sitting area which juts into the lake - lovely place for a meal or beer.Has a large playground and a small swimming pool for kids.The owner is voluble, and is proud to be known as Mr Porcupine (ask him why).

• Padang via Lubukbasung and Pariaman 117 km. (bus takes three hours).
• Harau Valley
• Bukittinggi bus two hours.