Known as the “City of Golden Friendship”, the charming town of Cagayan de Oro rests along the northern coastline of Mindanao. Although the area is bustling with shoppers during the day, Cagayan de Oro is also surrounded by natural landscapes, such as misty hills, lush forests and the scenic Macajalar Bay.

Things to do

The Gardens of Malasag combines the leisure of a poolside resort, the natural wonders of Macajalar Bay and the cultural habitat of repurposed trails and preserved wildlife. Enjoy stunning views of Macajalar Bay and aromatic botanical garden displays while sampling an array of tasty Filipino dishes at the chic on-site Higaonon Restaurant.

Trek through the hollow Macahambus Cave and you’ll be rewarded with an incredible view of the Cagayan River as it winds through the canyon below. While in the area, be sure to tour the rest of the gorge, where intrepid adventurers can zipline and visit another underground cave overgrown with tropical vegetation.

Cagayan de Oro is considered a shopping mecca, and nowhere is this more apparent than Divisoria Plaza. At night, this quiet park becomes a bazaar filled with delectable street food stalls, discount goods and handcrafted souvenirs.

Getting around

Cagayan de Oro can be reached by land, sea or air. Flights arrive at nearby Laguindingan Airport, while the international seaport offers daily boat trips between major cities and islands. Within Cagayan de Oro, buses, taxis and motorised tricycles are the main methods of transport.