Things To Do Around Cagayan de Oro City

Dubbed as the City of Golden Friendship, my hometown in the Philippines- Cagayan de Oro City and its neighboring towns has many daring activities to offer. If you are thirsty for an adventure, you will definitely enjoy your trip to the gateway of Northern Mindanao.



1) White Water Rafting. Cagayan de Oro City has always been famous for its white water rafting. A total of 4 hours adventure (Basic Water Rafting) chasing the rapids of the mysterious river of Cagayan de Oro City, you will also get to see the beautiful jungle as you travel downstream. Book your water rafting adventure here.

2) White Sand Beaches Of Initao. If you want to take it slow, just lie on beach and have a nice barbecue picnic then head to Initao. About 30 km from Cagayan de Oro City, you can either rent a car or take a taxi to get there or simply stay at one of the beach resorts in Initao to have a break from the hustle and bustle of Cagayan de Oro City.

3) Dahilayan Adventure Park. Do you want to try Asia’s longest dual zipline and fly like Superman from a launch point at 4,700 feet above sea level? Then Dahilayan Adventure Park is certainly the place to go! It is about 40 minutes - 1 hour away from the bustling commercial center of Cagayan de Oro City. Aside from the zipline, the adventure park has many attractions and activities to offer. To get there, click here.

4) Mintugsok Falls. There are two ways to get there. By trail hiking from Indahag or from Mapawa Nature Park. If you ask me, I always pick the trail hiking from Indahag! It's more fun and you will see the beautiful nature around. How to get to Cagayan de Oro's Mintugsok Falls, click here.

Mactan Island Hopping

My husband loves Mactan Island Hopping! So every time we're in Cebu, we always try to spare a day to do this enjoyable escapade.

A whole day trip filled with amusement, Mactan Island Hopping is definitely for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

There are many places in Mactan where you could hire a local boat to visit different small islands and sanctuaries. If you're staying at a resort in Mactan, perhaps they could even arrange it for you. But the most popular place to rent the local boats is the port beside Mövenpick Hotel. The rates vary depending on the size of the boat and if food is included but the price normally starts from 50USD.

During our recent Cebu trip, we went out island hoping twice! First, we hired a small boat with 4 crew, went around different islands and sanctuaries outside Mactan. The second trip was with the resort, Plantation Bay, visiting only a sanctuary.

The local boat for Island Hopping.

Natural Pearls!

The Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary.

Our crew cooking our lunch. ;)

The crew busy preparing our wonderful meal. It was fresh and really tasty!

The first island we visited! Though we never really stayed long at this island but it was so peaceful here.

Uninhabited island! What a paradise! :)

Plantation Bay

On our way to the sanctuary.

Huge Coral Castle.

The staff brought lots of bread for us to feed the fish in the sanctuary.

School of fish.

These two were very curious!

Relaxing!

What at lovely marine sanctuary!

The Sanctuary!

The Sanctuary!

The Sanctuary!

A Trip to Taal Volcano

So I've been gone from blogging for a long, long time. The past months I was very busy hosting friends visiting us in Vietnam. Anyway my most recent travel was in the Philippines and I am so glad to share that I have finally been to one of the most popular volcanoes in The Philippines, The Taal Volcano.

Located in the province of Batangas about 50 Km south of Manila, Taal Volcano and Taal lake depicts as one of the most attractive views in the Philippines. Its picturesque scenery, which can be viewed from Tagaytay ridge, are often shown in Philippine postcards, Philippine maps and tourism posters. Taal Volcano is the smallest active volcano in the world.

Travel from Manila to Tagaytay would take about an hour or two by car, depending on the traffic. And from Tagaytay to the volcano island, you will have to travel about 20-30 mins by boat. When you reach the island, you could either walk or rent a horse to reach the top of the volcano's crater. But I recommend to take a hike to see and appreciate the nature around. Horseback riding is very uncomfortable especially going uphill and downhill.

Although the area is crowded and surrounded by vendors; But when you reach Taal's crater, it's definitely a breathtaking view! 

Taal Volcano Tours:
HikeTaalVolcano
ViatorTaalVolcano
GetYourGuideTaalVolcano

View of Taal Lake.

The nature around the island.

Smoke coming out on the side of volcano.

The magnificent view!

Beautiful!

with good friends! :)

Taal view from Tagaytay ridge.

My great college friends based in Manila, pleasantly suggested to go and see the crater of Taal Volcano. Despite their busy schedule, they generously offered their time to accompany me and my husband. Thanks guys!

Camiguin Island

If you ask me about my top destinations on my travel bucket list, it would be an exotic island anywhere.

One of my favorite island destinations in the Philippines is Camiguin.  A pear-shaped volcanic island in the northern tip of Mindanao with an abundant nature and picturesque view of the ocean. Divided into 5 municipalities with a population of less than 90,000, the island's resources are well- preserved or unexploited that makes it out of the ordinary.

The island provides a tranquil retreat to those who simply wants to relax and enjoy the scenery. The active volcano can be an exciting experience for mountain climbers and hikers. Beach lovers will surely fall in love with the powdery sand and crystal blue water of White island. And it is also perfect destination for scuba divers since its rich marine sanctuaries offers an amazing variety of marine wildlife.

Tours around the island like a visit to the sunken cemetery, hot springs, waterfalls, Spanish churches, White island are available at the local tourism office or the hotel tourist information.

How to get to Camiguin Island

By Air:
Direct flights from Manila- Cagayan de Oro or Cebu- Cagayan de Oro via Cebu Pacific Air, Philippine Airlines or Air Asia Zest.

By Boat:
Travel by sea from Manila- Cagayan de Oro or Cebu- Cagayan de Oro via Superferry 2Go or Negros Navigation.

Option 1: From Cagayan de Oro to Camiguin via fastcraft
From the airport you can take a taxi to Macabalan port (CDOC seaport) then take a fastcraft (Ocean Jet) direct trip to Benoni port in Camiguin.

Option 2: From Cagayan de Oro to Camiguin via Balingoan
From the airport or Macabalan port take a taxi to Agora Bus Terminal. Take a bus or van to go Balingoan and from Balingoan port, take an hourly ferry boat to Benoni port in Camiguin.

Oprtion 3: From Jagna Bohol to Camiguin via fastcraft or ferry boat.
From port of Tagbilaran, you can take a bus to Dao Integrated Bus Terminal. Then take another bus to Jagna Bohol Port, take a fastcraft or ferry to Balbagon Port, Camiguin.

Our resort

Fishermen's village

Sunken Cemetery

Spanish Church Ruins

Ruins

Nature

Waterfalls

Sunset

White Island

Benoni Port

Manila American Cemetery and Memorial

As a dedication to the Filipino and American soldiers who lost their lives during World War II, Manila American Cemetery and Memorial is an exceptional place to visit. A tranquil place where we can pay respect to the people who sacrificed their lives to save our country.

The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial is located in Fort Bonifacio (formerly known as Fort William Mckinley) in Taguig City, Metro Manila in the Philippines. With a land area of 615,000 square meters, it has a total of 17,206 graves. A place of interment for heroes and martyrs who fought during the Battle of the Philippines (1941- 1942) and also soldiers who were killed in New Guinea.


Manila American Cemetery and Memorial
Address: Taguig City, Manila, Philippines
Coordinates: 14° 32′ 27.6″ N, 121° 3′ 0″ E
Opening Times: Monday to Sunday 0900H- 1700H except Dec 25 and  Jan 1