Cagayan - Tourism

Tourism

• Duba Cave (Baggao) - is not only a wet river cave but a swimming cave. Almost all passages with water, which is about 70% of the way to the Skylight Falls, have large breakdowns or walls without handholds along the side so the only way through is to swim. Because of this, it is highly recommended that personal floatation devices (PFDs) are used by all entering the cave. This will ensure a safe return trip especially after the long swims in.

• Rio Grande de Cagayan (Cagayan River) - the Philippines’ mightiest watercourse – the longest and widest river in the country. Small streams originating form Balete Pass, Cordillera, Caraballo and Sierra Madre Mountains meet other streams. It passes from Aparri traversing Isabela as far as Aurora Province.

• Claveria Coast - "The Coastal Paradise of the Cagayan North"

• Callao Cave (Penablanca) - a cave with seven chambers. It is one of the best known tourist attractions of the province. It is located in Barangays Parabba and Quibal, Peñablanca, near Tuguegarao, the capital city of the Province of Cagayan. It has a natural cathedral located at the first chamber, which was turned into a chapel by the local people. The conditions inside the cave cause stalactites and stalagmites, particularly in the deeper chambers. Every chamber has natural crevices, which let light get into the cave, serving as illumination for the otherwise dark areas of the place.

• Magapit Bridge (Lal-lo) - "The golden gate of Cagayan". It is Asia's first suspension bridge, built in 1978. It spans the Cagayan River at Lallo and is 0.76 kilometers long. The hanging bridge links the first and second districts of Cagayan going towards the Ilocos Region via the scenic Patapat Road.

• Calvary Hills (Iguig) - consist of 11 hectares of rolling hills. It features larger-than-life concrete statues in tableau settings of the 14 Stations of the Cross, depicting Jesus Christ’s suffering and death on Mount Calvary.

• Basilica Minore Nuestra Señora de Piat (Piat) - "Primary Pilgrimage Center of the North". The patroness of Cagayan Valley housed at the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat, has become the religious fulcrum of people wanting for favors of any kind. Visitors may view her history at the Basilica Museum which houses an extensive collection of religious items and Our Lady’s vestments and accessories.

• Bukal ng Buhay (Piat) - "Spring of Life". Said to be a miraculous water that can heal diseases of any kind. It is located below the hill where the Basilica of Our Lady of Piat stood.

• Sta. Ana Beaches - from pristine blue waters and fine sand, to rolling hills and enchanting colonial structures, to mystical caves and endearing people. It is dubbed as “Untouched Paradise”, “Gateway to the Pacific”, “Game Fishing Mecca”, “Luzon’s Last Frontier” and “Marine Sanctuary”.

• Kalesa (horse-drawn carrier) - In Cagayan, kalesas are common, especially in Tuao and many other municipalities. In Tuguegarao City, they are mixed in traffic with private cars, motorcycles, sidecar motorcycles, jeepneys, trucks, and bicycles.

• Calayan Island (Calayan) - The island-town which is only a two-hour boat ride from Aparri. It is rich in natural attractions like excellent beaches, archeological sites, endemic flora and fauna, virgin forest, crystal clear blue waters, plus the hospitable and gentle people with colorful history.

• Ar-Aro Cave (Gattaran) - Nobody from among the old-timers of Barangay Naddungan, with a population of not more than 800, remembers how this cave got its name as the Ar-aro cave. Only a few locals, particularly fishermen, know the place. And it was discovered by some of their old folks only as a fishing ground for eels and Araro, a freshwater fish.

• Kalamudinan Falls (Baggao) - located 26 kilometers from the center of Santa Margarita, Baggao, Cagayan. More than 100 meters high and rich of shrimps (locally called udang) and fishes.

• The Malaueg Church (Rizal) - located at the Poblacion of the town. The church was preserved completely by UNESCO and undergo restorations. The church is made entirely of stones that was designed originally by Spaniards.

Others: Since Cagayan faces the Pacific Ocean an extensive shoreline sprawls along the coastal towns of Sanchez Mira, Sta. Praxedes, Claveria, Buguey, Buguey, Aparri, Ballesteros, Abulug, and the Islands of Palaui, Fuga, and Island Municipality of Calayan. Sanchez Mira, Claveria, and Sta. Praxedes have facilities for excursion stays while Fuga Island is being developed as a world class recreation and tourism center. Whale watching at the Calayan Islands are the most sought after and scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing are the most famous in Palaui Island in Sta. Ana. The airstrip at Claveria could be used as a jump-off point to Fuga Island.

There are a lot of recreation and things to do in Cagayan for tourist and locals alike with its famous Sambali Festival celebrated throughout and in commemoration of its founding. Activities in the province are unlimited with its green surroundings, floras and faunas, caves and historical churches. Also there are lots of nice places to stay such as the Governors Garden Hotel, Hotel Candice, Hotel Roma and Hotel Kimikarlai all in Tuguegarao City.

Claveria is also blessed with a wealth of scenic attractions which include the following: the Lakay-Lakay Lagoon, the rocky formation along the Camalaggaon Caves, the Roadside Park overlooking the Claveria Bay, Macatel Falls with its crystal waters that run in abundance throughout the year, the Pata Lighthouse that offers a breathtaking experience, and the Claveria Beach Resort along the serene white sand coasts.