Cagayan Valley: Discovering Philippines’ countless pleasures

Details

Category: Destination

Published on Sunday, 22 January 2012 05:14

Batanes • Cagayan • Isabela • Nueva Vizcaya • Quirino

Hemmed in by mountain ranges on two sides, Cagayan Valley has various attractions that are worth visiting. Escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy the region’s remote yet idyllic setting.

JavaScript must be enabled in order for you to use Google Maps.
However, it seems JavaScript is either disabled or not supported by your browser.
To view Google Maps, enable JavaScript by changing your browser options, and then try again.

How to get there and go around

By Land. Intrepid travellers can take any of the numerous bus companies that ply the Manila – Cagayan Valley route (hourly evening trips available). Bus companies from Metro Manila that regularly ply the route are 4J, Autobus, Baliwag, Dalin Liner, Florida, and Victory Liner.

By Air. For those who do not have much time to spare, several airlines fly to regional centers like Basco, Tuguegarao, and Cauayan, and even to towns in the region’s remote Pacific coast. Airlines that have flights to Cagayan Valley are Air Philippines, Cebu Pacific Air, Philippine Airlines, Seaair, and SkyPasada.

Like anywhere else in the Philippines, jeepneys, tricycles, vans, and Asian Utility Vehicles are the main modes of transportation in Cagayan Valley. Taking public transport in the country is in itself an adventure. It is a great way to experience the average Filipino’s daily life.

Where to stay

Despite its apparent remoteness, Cagayan Valley also boasts of accommodations with modern amenities that will suit even a shoestring budget. For the adventurous types, camping out in the region’s wilderness is also possible.

To learn more, check out the following links:

lakbaypilipinas.com
www.flyphilippines.com.ph/cagayan
www.flyphilippines.com.ph/isabela

What to eat

Try Isabela’s version of pasta, pancit cabagan. It is a flavorful mix of noodles, meat, quail eggs and vegetables.

What to buy

The region is well-known for its durable yet affordable furniture made of local hardwood. If freight cost is not an issue, a piece or two would be a nice addition to anyone’s home.

What to see and do

Experience Batanes

The entire Batanes group of islands is a tourist attraction. The province’s breath-taking landscape and the friendly locals would make any trip exceptionally memorable. Roam the rolling hills and jagged coasts of the main island on foot, horseback or motorbike and gaze across the vast expanse of sea. Safety is not an issue as Batanes is practically crime-free.

Tourists should also see the indigenous stone houses and churches of the Ivatan, Batanes’indigenous people. Tourists can also grab some snacks from Batanes’ well-known honesty store; probably the first and only, truly self-service store on the planet.

There is also something in store for those who love the sun and the sea. Outrigger canoes can take travelers to some secluded beach or volcano. Further off the coast, tourists will be able to see whales and dolphins in their natural habitat.

To learn more, check out this site.

Cagayan: Spelunking Heaven

Cave-lovers are in for a treat in this subterranean paradise. Visit the spectacular rock formations of Callao Cave in the town of Peñablanca, 24 kilometers away from the provincial capital, Tuguegarao. Also a must-see is the Odessa-Tumbali cave system, an ideal site for cave kayaking and swimming.

To learn more, click here.

Isabela

Explore Isabela’s remote Pacific coast and admire the area’s pristine old growth forest aboard a 19-seater passenger plane, then go camping with nothing but the basics. Isabela is every nature-lover’s paradise. See the giant armchair or butaka in Isabela’s capital town, Ilagan, which could easily sit around 10 full-sized adults.

Relevant Contact

PH Department of Tourism Region II
# 29-A Rizal Street, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
Tel. No.: (+6378) 844-1621 • Fax No.: (+6378) 846-2435
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: Region II Tourism Office

Download this brochure.

• < Prev
• Next >