Travel Guide: Cagayan de Oro
Cagayan de Oro City, the capital of Misamis Oriental, is the gateway to Northern Mindanao. It is one of the places in the Philippines where I want to live. A place where adventure, nature and city living intersect in a rich blend of diverse culture and art.
CDO as what this city is popularly called, is home to half a million inhabitants. This typhoon-free city is the regional and shopping capital of Northern Mindanao, with a very active and vibrant nightlife. The Night Cafe and Market is a must experience, where locals and tourists gather in the streets of Divisoria on weekends to enjoy music, beer, barbecues and great bargains.
The place is also popular to white water rafting enthusiasts, with class III and IV rapids of Cagayan de Oro River stretching from Barangay Dansolihon to the city proper.
Experience the hospitality of its people, the endless smiles in the City of Golden Friendship, the city in bloom, blossom and boom. Ali na sa Cagayan de Oro.
How to Get There:
By Air
To get to Cagayan de Oro, Philippine Airlines, Air Philippines and Cebu Pacific have daily flights to Lumbia Airport of Cagayan de Oro City.
By Land and Water
(Though Lakwatsero haven’t try these means of transportation yet, one can possibly reach Cagayan de Oro by bus and/or ferry rides from Manila. These alternatives are relatively cheaper than air travel though quite strenous.)
- Philtranco buses offers Manila(Pasay) to Cagayan de Oro for an approximately 42 hours travel time
- SuperFerry, Negros Navigation and Sulpicio Lines have ferries bound to Cagayan de Oro City for around 30 hours travel time
Where to Stay:
Cagayan de Oro being one of the frequently visited place by tourists in Mindanao has a lot of resorts and hotels. For the list of hotels and resorts in the city, click here.
Activities:
From adventure to nature, shopping to night life, you will surely love Cagayan de Oro. While in here, don’t miss the following activities, places to visit, foods to eat and things to do:
- Feel the rapids of the mighty Cagayan de Oro River in White Water Rafting/Kayaking/River Tubing
- Visit Plaza del Heroes, Vicente de Lara Park, Gaston Park and Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral
- Horseback riding, biking, zipline and nature trekking in Mapawa Nature Park
- Try the Canopy Walk and zipline in Macahambus Cave and Gorge
- Shop and dine in Limketkai Mall
- Experience the eco-tourism village of the Garden of Malasag
- Enjoy music, beer, barbecues and great bargains at Night Cafe and Market at Divisoria
- Drop by to Catanico Falls
- Swim in the beaches of Cugman and nearby towns of Opol, Medina and Balingoan
- Taste the famous Pastel, a yummy yema filled bun
- Spend a day or two in the nearby province of Camiguin, Bukidnon or Iligan City
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Lakwatsero Experience: Lakwatsero has been to Cagayan de Oro in 2004. Watch out for the narrative and itinerary of his CDO adventure in “My Travels”.
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m bound to CDO this last week of April.. any new information to share?
obman612,
for more adventure after white water rafting in cdo river, you can proceed to manolo fortich, bukidnon and have more adrenaline rush at dahilayan zipzone adventure!
heard that macahambus park is closed for 5 months now…. you have idea when it will be opened again? thank you!
for chameronne,
if i may add, normally the jeepney for the rafters will have a stop at makahambus park before proceeding to the jump off site. either in morning or afternoon run.
Thank you so much for the reply!
I love your site 
hi! My friends will be going to CDO this December. IS white-water rafting okay this month?
Can we de white water rafting in the morning and then zip line and canopy walk in the afternoon at Macahambus Park(?)
How about the caving? how man hours would it take? Do you have rates for these: Zipline, Canopy Walk and Caving?
Thanks! that settles it then
for http://www.thingsweloveothate.com
i recommend 1st rafting adventure – pioneer in cdo rafting, still P 700 for basic run.
Thanks CBA for that informative reply
If you don’t mind answering another one. Which White Water Rafting outfitter would you recommend?
Kagay seems to be the cheapest outfitter I see online for P700pax for the Beginner’s route.
However, some say that Dome’s more expensive services are really worth it!
for http://www.thingswelovetohate.com
suggest to reach first the rafting company you planned to join with, you can make the necessary arrangements. yes, you can go direct to mambuaya*, your bags can be handled by the organizer’s jeepney, rest room is available in the area. from the airport – by taxi; from hotel/inn – arrange to be picked-up or go to meeting place which is mcdonald’s rest-divisoria.
try sunshine guesthouse (8822)723053 or budgetel (88)8564200; 092286628555.
*assuming basic run
We’re bound to Cagayan de Oro on August – however, we have a really tight schedule.
**Is it possible/sane(?!) to go straight from the airport to a white-water rafting place?
- Can we leave our bags of clothes somewhere there?
- Can we change our clothes there?
- How will get there (where is “there” in the first place LOL) from the airport/from hotel/inn?
- Do you have a specific recommendation on where to stay while in CDO? (Like your recommendation of Paguia’s Cottages in Camiguin?)
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions
I would suggest to try out the advanced rafting course! It’s fun! Lalo na pag rainy seasons mas maraming white waters talaga na makikita, mas maeenjoy yung whole rafting adventure!
Enjoy!
Hinde na sila nag jump off sa bridge, sa isang malaking bato na lang! Haha!
Why are people jumping off the bridge? Umm is that supposed to be fun? LOL