What Region is Cagayan de Oro City
Cagayan de Oro City is located along the north central coast of Mindanao island facing Macajalar Bay and is bordered by the municipalities of Opol to the west, Tagoloan to the east, and the provinces of Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte to the south of the city. According to the 2015 census, the city has a population of 675,950, making it the 10th most populous city in the Philippines. It also serves as the regional center and business hub of Northern Mindanao (Region X), and part of the growing Metropolitan Cagayan de Oro area, which includes the city of El Salvador, the towns of Opol, Alubijid, Laguindingan, Gitagum at the western side, and the towns of Tagoloan, Villanueva, Jasaan, Claveria at the eastern side.
What is Cagayan de Oro known for
Cagayan de Oro is also famous for its white water rafting or kayaking adventures, one of the tourism activities being promoted along the Cagayan de Oro River. The place is famous not only for its white rapids but also for its people. Cagayan de Oro may very well be the happiest place in the country. People sometimes call the it he “City of Golden Friendship,” because it is home to especially friendly and warm Filipinos. Their ready smiles are a fitting welcome, with Cagayan de Oro’s accessible location also making it the “Gateway to Northern Mindanao.”
What are the Tourist Spot in Cagayan de Oro City
White Water Rafting
This is probably THE SPOT in Cagayan de Oro not to miss. The Cagayan de Oro River boasts of 14 rapids which tourists can enjoy through a basic course. Our travel agency offers White Water Rafting adventures which includes a jeepney pick up from yor hotel in Cagayan de Oro to the rafting site. We get the most competent river guides for you, to ensure your safety.
Overall, the Cagayan de Oro River is classified as class III to III+, pertaining to the various classes of whitewater rapids, from Class I being easy to Class VI which defies the limits of navigation. Class III rapids on the other hand make for exciting runs, because of relatively big yet manageable waves and irregular terrains A whitewater rafting tour in CDO is one you will not forget for years and you would definitely want your friends to experience as well. This tour is best experienced in groups. Otherwise, our travel agency can arrange for.
Mapwa Nature Park
You only need to travel 30 minutes from the city to get to Maslag and visit the 2,500-hectare Mapa Nature Park. What is good about the place is that it offers something for those who want a lazy time relaxing in a quiet, natural environment but most importantly that it offers loads of fun who those who seek out adventure. Mapwa Nature Park features a zipline activity, which is a staple in most of the adventure tour spots in the Country.
However, what sets Mapwa Nature Park apart from the rest is the availability of group activities like Canyoneering, an Ecological Trek, Obstacle Course, and a Horseback Trail Ride. The Canyoneering and River Trek are super extreme, and we caution those who wish to do the activity to gear up, dress down and be ready to get wet and physical. Do not ever make a mistake of leaving your waterproof camera behind. If you are up for fun and adventure, Mapwa Nature Park is an awesome find near Cagayan de Oro City.
Gardens of Malasag
Before or after having your fill of adventure at Mapwa Nature Park, you can head to Gardens of Malasag which is also near the area, 30 minutes away from Cagayan de Oro City. It is maintained by the Philippine government. Apart from being a place to visit when you are in CDO, the Gardens of Malasag also accommodates facilities for those who wish to stay away from the city. Take in the panoramic view of the Macajalar Bay after you walk around the area. You will get a map, so you will not get lost while exploring the property. The Gardens of Malasag also features an ethnic museum, which features various ethnic tribes in the Mindanao Region
What to Eat and What to Buy
Food and souvenirs are technically not “places to visit” but while in CDO, these are the “must-try’s”, apart from the adventure activities available: VJANDEEP, which is originally from Camiguin – the famous pastels that just melt in your mouth. Vjandeep pastels now carry a lot of products apart from the usual yema. The products are packed well and in a box, ideal for pasalubong. SLERs Ham – yum yum yum. This used to be a kitchen-based business. It’s expansion tells you there must be something really good and right with the way they are “hamming” it. While you are busy hunting down souvenirs and pasalubongs, do dine in any of CDO’s restaurants serving ostrich or crocodile meat. Be exotic in this seeming laid back place that offers adventure, culture and nature all rolled into one.
What is the Weather in Cagayan de Oro City
Generally speaking Cagayan de Oro has a tropical climate. The average temperature whole year round is 28°C (82°F). The highest recorded temperature in the city was 39°C (102°F) on June 1998. Cagayan de Oro receives an even amount of rain through out the year. The driest month is April, while July is the wettest. Wet season in the city starts in June and ends in November. Drier season starts in December and ends in May. However the difference in seasons is not very noticeable in the city, there are sunny and rainy days throughout the year and the rain is usually strong but brief (you will notice the season if hiking or driving on dirt roads in the highlands inland from Cagayan de Oro as it gets muddier). The city is outside the typhoon belt.
How to get to Cagayan de Oro
Laguindingan Airport (Cebuano: Tugpahanan sa Laguindingan, IATA: CGY) is 46km (29 mi) north-west of Cagayan de Oro and also serves the City of Iligan, as well as the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte and the rest of the region of Northern Mindanao in the Philippines. It’s still often called Cagayan de Oro Airport and has flights from Cebu, Manila, Davao, and Iloilo. Airlines such as Philippine Airlines, and budget carrier Cebu Pacific use it.
Davao (one hour). All flights now operate out of Laguindingan International Airport, 30km west of the city and 55km east of Iligan.
An air-con Magnum Shuttle can take you to Limketkai mall for ₱200.
By boat
Cagayan de Oro Port is a modern International seaport . It issituated near the estuary of Cagayan de Oro River, The seaport has an anchorage depth of 18 meters and is around 400 meters from the shoreline. It serves regular boat trips to and from Manila, Cebu, Tagbilaran, Bacolod, Iloilo. The port has two authorized cargo-handling operators and is one of the busiest seaports in the Philippines.
Trans Asia
From Bohol: Goldenbridge Shipping Inc (032-420-5467, 032-420-5468) and Ocean Jet (032-255-7560; 032-255-0115) operate one daily ferry from Jagna on Bohol. It departs at 1:30pm and arrives in Cagayan de Oro at 6pm (with a stop at Camiguin Island at 3:30pm).
By Bus
Cagayan de Oro is quite sufficient when it comes to land transportation. You can easily roam around the city by any means of land transport. Ther city has three integrated bus and jeepney terminals, which offer regular land trips
Agora Integrated Bus Terminal offers regular land trips to and from Gingoog, Bukidnon, Kabacan, North Cotabato, Butuan, Surigao (in the Caraga region), Davao, Tacurong and Balingoan (ferry going for Camiguin). Recently, the terminal is on a huge renovation.
Eastbound-Gusa Jeepney Terminal offers regular land trips to and from eastern towns of Misamis Oriental, Camp Philips, Libona and Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon.
Westbound-Bulua Integrated Bus and Jeepney Terminal offers regular land trips to and from western towns of Misamis Oriental including Laguindingan and El Salvador, Iligan, Marawi, Oroquieta, Ozamiz, Dipolog, Pagadian, Zamboanga and some parts of western Mindanao.
From Davao, one bus every 30-60min, 7-10h duration depending on weather/trafic/road construction, multiples stop including lunch+diner break, 500p Aircon/390 w/o. Bus station is inside city market, few (mid/expensive) hotels nearby, jeepney R2 to Pesoria for town center.
Enjoy your Stay in the Philippines