Cagayan de Oro

The "City of Golden Friendship" and gateway to Northern Mindanao, with whitewater rafting on the Cagayan River, Bukidnon's highland pineapple plantations and the Dahilayan zipline.

Cagayan de Oro (CDO for short) is the regional centre of Northern Mindanao in the Philippines, with a population of around 700,000. It sits on Macajalar Bay, where the Cagayan River flows down from the Bukidnon highlands through the city to the sea, and is known as the "City of Golden Friendship". In the city itself, the main sights are the old cathedral, Gaston Park, the weekend Divisoria night market and the Museo de Oro at Xavier University, but the biggest draw is whitewater rafting on the Cagayan River south of town, which has earned CDO the title of rafting capital of the Philippines. One to two hours south, the road climbs to the Bukidnon highlands at over 1,000 m, where Del Monte pineapple fields, long ziplines at Dahilayan and Kampo Juan, cool pine forests and the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Malaybalay make a classic highland day trip; about 90 km west lie Maria Cristina Falls and Tinago Falls in Iligan. The climate is hot and humid, around 26–32°C year-round. Jan–May is drier and the best time for rafting and the highlands, while Jun–Dec brings more rain and occasional effects from the edges of typhoons. Laguindingan International Airport (CGY) is about 40 minutes' drive east of the city, with flights to Manila, Cebu, Clark and more; getting around town is by taxi, Grab or jeepney. Plan to stay 3–4 days: one day for the city and night market, one for rafting and one for the Bukidnon highlands, with the option of adding the Iligan waterfalls or a boat trip to Camiguin. Before you go, check Philippine government safety advisories for parts of Mindanao; the main tourist routes in Northern Mindanao are generally stable.

Top sights

• Cagayan de Oro River Rafting – The signature experience of the self-proclaimed “whitewater rafting capital of the Philippines.” Rafts run more than a dozen rapids as you…
• Dahilayan Forest Park – An adventure park in the pine forests of the Bukidnon Plateau, known for its long two-person zipline, high ropes courses, and cool climate.
• Mapawa Nature Park – A hillside eco-park on the city outskirts, with creek trekking, jumping pools, forest trails, zip lines and horseback riding.
• Macahambus Hill Cave – The site where Filipino forces won a battle against the Americans in 1900 during the Philippine-American War; the cave exit overlooks the C…
• Del Monte Pineapple Plantation – Endless pineapple fields on the Bukidnon Plateau; eat steak at the Camp Philips club and enjoy the highland countryside.
• St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral – The metropolitan cathedral of Cagayan de Oro, with a white facade and stained-glass windows, the spiritual and landmark center of the old t…
• Divisoria Night Market – A weekend night market on the city-center plaza, with barbecue stalls, street food and live bands, the first choice for locals seeking nigh…
• Monastery of the Transfiguration – A Benedictine monastery on the Bukidnon Plateau, with a pyramid-shaped church designed by National Artist Leandro Locsin.
• Gaston Park – A historic plaza in front of the cathedral, the city center since the Spanish era, surrounded by the oldest and most densely built part of…
• Museo de Oro – An anthropology museum on the Xavier University campus, displaying archaeological artifacts from northern Mindanao and indigenous cultural…
• Huluga Caves – A prehistoric site on the Cagayan River, with caves and open ground where human remains and pottery over a thousand years old were unearthe…
• Gardens of Malasag Eco-Tourism Village – An eco-village on a hillside outside town, showcasing traditional houses of Mindanao's indigenous peoples, tropical gardens and a butterfly…
• Maria Cristina Falls – A twin-tiered waterfall about 98 m high in Iligan, the water source for a hydroelectric plant, known as a 'Philippine industrial wonder'.
• Tinago Falls – A curtain-like waterfall hidden in a deep gorge, with a deep blue pool below; you can take a bamboo raft to a small cave behind the falls.
• Seven Seas Waterpark – A large pirate-themed water park in Opol with slides, a wave pool and a lazy river, popular with local families on vacation.
• Mount Kitanglad – A natural park protecting the mountain range home to the Philippines' fourth-highest peak (about 2,899 m), where Philippine eagles live in…
• Kampo Juan Eco-Adventure Park – An adventure camp on the edge of a Bukidnon gorge, with 'Superman-style' zip lines soaring across the ravine, plus a suspension bridge, cre…

Where to eat

• Cucina Higala – Ranked No. 1 on TripAdvisor in Cagayan de Oro for traditional Mindanao cooking, bringing together regional dishes from…
• Vjandep Pastel – Famous pastel bakery founded in 1990 on Camiguin Island. Its soft buns are filled with yema custard, making it one of t…
• Redtail Shrimps and More – Bagged seafood with sauce, eaten by hand. The signature Redtail-style shrimp comes in adjustable spice levels, with gen…
• Sentro 1850 – Long-standing restaurant on Don Apolinar Velez Street in the city center, sister restaurant of Circa 1850, famous for g…