Have you been to the Northern part of the Philippines? I’ll tour you to Cagayan Valley, my home province, a unique place with top tourist destinations and attractions to visit.
Try Batil Patong in Tuguegarao
Batil Patong is a popular noodle dish from Tuguegarao City. Tuguegarao City is the capital city of Cagayan Valley. Batil Patong has two parts: the noodles with toppings and the soup. A poached egg along with sauteed meats and mixed vegetables are topped over the noodles, while the egg is crack and stir in beef stock and poured in a bowl. The sauce is poured over the noodles and chopped onions and chilies will be added or it’s up to your preference.
Our Lady of Piat, Piat
Make your way to Piat, it is where the patron saint of the province is located, Our Lady of Piat. It attracts many visitors, pilgrims, and all walks of life due to its miraculous history. It’s 40 km from Tuguegarao City and accessible by bus, jeepneys, and other transportation vehicles.
San Raymundo de Penafort, Rizal
It is declared as one of the National cultural treasures of the Philippines. It is a Dominican church built in the 1600s; it’s one of the oldest churches in the Philippines.
Cassily Lake and Resort, Tuao
Relax at Cassily Lake and Resort. They have amenities like pools and cottages for an overnight stay. There’s a lagoon that you can able to walk by for some fresh air.
Callao Cave, Penablanca
A seven chambered cave with a chapel inside. It boasts seven skylights and home of the oldest human remains ever found in the country and Southeast Asia. Cagayan Valley cradles the Philippines civilization. It’s one of the top things to do in Cagayan Valley.
Calvary Hills, Iguig
A must visit during the Lenten season as it depicts Jesus Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection.
Baggao Blue Water Falls and Caves, Baggao
Baggao Blue Water Falls and Caves has a breathtaking and picturesque haven of waterfalls and caves with an underground river. As you trek towards the waterfalls and caves, you will experience and witness incredible views and scenic routes. Upon reaching the lagoon, sink in yourself to the cold and freshwater flowing from the Sierra Madre. A lot of people enjoy spelunking, and some will do caving. There are two pools inside the cave, the last one is the Olympic pool, and only professional swimmers and risk-takers can able to explore because of its depth. You can also do a 15 mins bamboo raft ride on the underground Lipit River, an approximately more or less 15 minutes walk from the lagoon area.
Burayok Falls, Gattaran
My beloved hometown, Gattaran. A 30 minutes ride from the town proper of Gattaran is the very serene Burayok Falls, it makes you feel you are in a fairytale place.
Anguib Beach, Sta. Ana
It’s considered as the Boracay of the North because of its white and powdery sand cove beach. Your day will be mostly spent on the warm waters playing with the waves.
Nangaramoan Beach, Sta. Ana
Nangaramoan Beach is just a walk from Anguib beach if it’s low tide. You will enjoy walking on this beach as it has a lot of rock formations and lots of natural pools to swim in.
Cape Engano Light House, Palaui
It’s a historic lighthouse on the summit of Palaui Island. It served to guide the incoming ships from the Pacific Ocean. The boat docked at Nature’s Village where the famous TV show, “Survivor” was held years ago. The trip coming from Sta. Ana will take approximately more or less an hour with such humongous waves on the way. But it worth the trip as the views from the top makes you mesmerized and would just like to stay in the moment. The Dos Hermanas and Siwangag Cove are within your sights on this 300 steps pinnacle point of view.
Crocodile Island, Sta. Ana
It’s a stopover coming back from Palaui Island, it was named because of its crocodile rock formation shape.
Aparri Delta, Aparri
It is the point where Cagayan River- the longest Philippine river meets the sea.
Lakay Lakay Rock Formation, Taggat, Claveria
There are speculations that the two rock formations are Apo Lakay and Apo Baket (husband and wife) and not far from the two rock formation is one stone called “ubing ubing; thought to be their son. A myth was told that the couple was wealthy but greedy and were turned to stone because of their greediness and ungratefulness.
Pamplona Floating Cottages
One of the top things to do in Cagayan Valley is to ride the houseboats and have fun while eating seafood and Ilocano dishes or having parties as you cruise on the river. Opposite the drive is the Pacific Ocean where you can enjoy the waters, seawater on one side, and freshwater on another side.
Pata Church Ruins, Sanchez Mira
The ruins of the oldest church in the northern Philippines, the Maria Magdalena Church in Pata.
Portabaga Falls, Sta. Praxedes
It’s an ideal place to have a party or have a vacation as it offers accommodation to stay in. It’s an 18 m high waterfalls which empty into three natural basins. The resort offers amenities of a freshwater swimming pool coming from the falls.
Overall, there are more fun things to do in Cagayan Valley like picking up and savor the Alcala Milk Candy made of Carabao (National Animal of the Philippines) milk in Alcala Cagayan, drop at Lallo Historical sites; pass by at Magapit Suspension Bridge, “The Golden Gate of Cagayan”, remember to get tupig (sticky rice sweets) in Magapit; walk barefooted at the Black Sand beaches in Ballesteros, fill your sweet tooth with chocolates from Lasam and many more.
These are the other Islands to explore in Cagayan Valley.
I’ve never been to these Islands but I heard that they are one of the most amazing places to visit in Cagayan Valley. You can cruise these Islands as they are close to each other. Taking the ferry or boat either from Sta. Ana, Aparri, or Claveria to the Islands will be an awesome experience as you will be escorted by dolphins and swordfish jumping across your vessel as you travel by sea. However, get ready if you have seasickness. A flight from Tuguegarao to Calayan Island is an option.
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