CDO ala Jiffy


Cagayan de Oro is a first class city and capital of Misamis Oriental found in the northern part of Mindanao.  Just 30-45 min. plane ride from Cebu. It's famous for its whitewater rafting and river trekking. We didn't get to try it though because we have a limited time but our weekend was still worthwhile.

What to do when in Cagayan:

1. Visit Macahambus Cave


A historical cave found in Barangay Lumbia. Served as refuge and passageway to Kagay-anons during the Filipino-American War. The cave narrows at the center and the exit welcomes you to the beautiful view of the CDO river, where whitewater rafting happens.

How to get here: We rode on a vhire bound for Talakag from Agora, paid 65 pesos and it took us 15-20 min to arrive. A jeepney can take you back to the city proper for 20 pesos.

2. Take a stroll at Gaston Park


 Gaston Park is located in the heart of the city beside St. Augustine Cathedral. It's one of the landmarks and probably the most famous park in CDO. Tourists and locals love to stay here especially during weekends to see the water fountain in the middle of the park. At our back, is the Old Water Tank now the City Museum of Cagayan de Oro. It is said to be the oldest public structure in Cagayan and holds a number of historical objects and artifacts. You can visit it for free during weekdays at 9:30 to 5:00 PM.

3. Explore Mapawa Nature Park



There's a lot of things to see and experience here in Mapawa Nature Park. With an entrance fee of 50 pesos, you can enjoy the scenery and take a splash in their pool. Kids also have a play area. With an additional payment, you can also experience trekking, rappelling, zip lining, water rafting, It was nearly dark when we got there or was probably just cloudy so we didn't get to explore most of the area. It's best for barkada outings, camping and retreats because they also offer overnight stay inclusive of breakfast for only 600/person. Please visit their facebook site for more info.

Getting there:
We rode there via taxi and asked the driver to wait for us. The travel from the city to the park took about 30 minutes. It was very steep and eerily quiet going up. From the hotel to Mapawa and back to the city - Centrio Mall, the taxi meter read 500 pesos but we gave him an extra because he was very friendly and accommodating to us.

 4. Take a picture with their Heritage Tree.



This is a 350- year old Dao heritage tree. We payed an additional 50 pesos each for this and traveled at about 5 mins to get here. Its like a mini forest here and its very cool.
This tree looks so majestic with its enormous trunks and a long, thick branches. You can't help but take a pose with this one of a kind tree.

5. Have a taste of Kagay-anon food and delicacies.




To top off your CDO experience, get a taste of Kagay-anon food and delicacies, like their famous dish named "Sinuglaw" which means sinugba and kinilaw. A combination of grilled pork and fresh raw fish mixed with vinegar and other spices. We tried it at a restaurant named Kagay-anon Express inside LimKet Kai Mall and it sure was delish.

Also try their delectable pastel, yummy bread with yema filling (prices ranging from 70 - 130 pesos/box). Missy BonBon also have buns with other filling like choco-hazelnut and VjAndep offers variety of flavors like ube yema, durian yema, macapuno, langka, and many others. Its best for pasalubong and merienda.

Our flight was scheduled the next day. We texted a vhire owner. The one we rode from the Laguindingan Airport to the city. He was very friendly and offered us a ride back. He asked one of his drivers to fetch us from Country Village Hotel to the airport (30-40 min).





It was a great experience indeed. Tsada Cagayan! Not just a beautiful place but also filled with naturally cheerful and accommodating locals.

 Expenses(3 persons, meal and pasalubong excluded)
Roundtrip plane ride via PAL                    - 2500
Vhire from Laguindingan to Gaston Park - 300 (discounted, regular is 200 pesos each)
Jeepney from park to Agora                      - 24
Vhire from Agora to Macahambus Cave  - 180 (60 pesos each)
Jeepney from cave to Limket Kai Mall     - 45 (15 pesos each)
Taxi from mall to Country Village Hotel   - 90
Hotel room with breakfast                         - 1700
Taxi from hotel to Mapawa and back        - 700
Mapawa entrance                                       - 150 (50 each)
Old Heritage tree                                        - 50
Taxi from Centrio Mall to hotel                 - 100
Vhire from hotel to airport                         - 600 (200 each)
Airport terminal fee                                    - 600 (200 each)
                                                       Total     - P 7,039.00 (roughly P2,346.00 per person)



Location: Cagayan de Oro, 9000 Misamis Oriental, Philippines

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