Cagayan de Oro City is one of the most visited cities in Mindanao not just because of it’s lively economy, but also with it’s interesting tourist spots. Being one of the most progressive city in the province of Misamis Oriental, it has something to showcase to visitors when it comes to interesting places and things to do.
Tourists love to visit this city since there are many parks and museums. Add up zipline adventures, chasing waterfalls, white water river rafting and more outside trips for families and friends.
10 Best Tourist Spots in Cagayan de Oro City
1. Cagayan de Oro River
Cagayan de Oro River is one of the famous tourist spots in Cagayan de Oro City. The river is very known for it’s whitewater rafting. For this very reason, CDO is being dubbed as the Whitewater Rafting Capital of the Philippines.
Adventure seekers will surely love the whitewater rafting experience and this activity is currently being promoted by the Department of Tourism in the Philippines as the main tourist attraction in the city. Cagayan de Oro River also serves as a natural boundary between Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro.
2. Macahumbus Hill Cave and Gorge
Macahumbus Hill Cave and Gorge is one of the historic tourist spots in Cagayan de Oro City. It is where, at the times of war, we the Filipinos first won our battles against the Americans back on June 4, 1900.
It is a cave where you can enter at one end the pass through the other end. The exit of the cave will lead you to a beautiful view of the Cagayan de Oro River.
3. Jatico Adventures
Jatico Adventures offers five-course zipline adventure. If you want to go for some hiking and thrilling experience, then this could be one of your destinations upon your visit in Cagayan de Oro City.
Jatico Adventures is popular among campers and lovers in Cagayan de Oro City since it is also a great venue for camping activities.
4. Mapawa Nature Park
Mapawa Nature Park is the most popular tourist destination in Cagayan de Oro for families or groups of all ages. Within this 2, 500 hectares park, there are waterfalls, spring pools and ziplines. Everybody can challenge rappelling the 65 foot waterfall. Then experience ziplining and horseback riding.
It is also known destination for team-building activities. Mapawa Nature Park is located in Malasag Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City.
5. Museo de Oro
Museo de Oro is among the most popular tourist spots in Cagayan de Oro City. It is located inside Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan) where artifacts from historic times in the city and documents were being preserved.
Most of the artifacts in Museo de Oro are from Huluga Caves and from the Maranao Cultures.
6. Museum of Three Cultures
The Museum of Three Cultures in Cagayan de Oro City is your perfect destination if you are one of those who love to see the culture of the of the people in Northern Mindanao especially the tools, arts and instruments.
By the name of the museum itself, it represents the 3 dominant cultures in Northern Mindanao – Bisaya, Indigenous People and Maranao Muslim. It is located inside the Capitol University of Cagayan de Oro City.
7. Malasag Eco-Tourism Village
The Malacasag Eco-Tourism Village should be included in your list of places to visit in Cagayan de Oro City if you want to experience the beauty of green nature and look into the tribal houses of Maranaos, Igugaos, Subanons and more along the terrain. This place is a cultural village made more attractive by variety of plants and flowers.
It could be one of your destination if you are looking for some place to relax. And one thing, most people say the food they are catering there are tasty. Malacasag Eco-Tourism Village is located in a hillside of Sitio Malasag, Barangay Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City.
8. General MacArthur Marker
General MacAthur Marker, can be included to the list of biggest hats in the world, is one of the tourist spots in Cagayan de Oro City. During the times of war, it is where the Filipinos fortified the wharf (a harbor where ships may dock) against the invading Americans. It is also where General Douglas MacArthur landed from a PT 41 boat and make his escape to Australia.
The replica of the boat use by General MacAthur can be found inside the big hat. General MacAthur Marker is located at the end of Macabalan Wharf, Cagayan de Oro City.
9. Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral
Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral is considered to be the most popular church in Cagayan de Oro City. It was being complimented because of its beautiful paintings, pipe organ and century-old designs.
The church is a Roman Catholic Church located in Barangay 1, Cagayan de Oro City. You might want to drop by here and cast your prayers, give thanks and ask for safe trip upon your way home.
10. Gaston Park
Gaston Park, just near Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral, is known to be the main plaza in Cagayan de Oro City. It is a relaxing and beautiful park surrounded by trees. Before it is a execution ground for Spanish criminals to training ground and then now a popular park.
In the past years, it was being covered by grasses and many trees but it was replaced by red tiles. The park was made more attractive by the Dancing Fountain at it’s the center.
If you are looking for the best time to visit Cagayan de Oro City, it’s in the month of August since it marks the celebration of Higalaay Festival known before as Kagay-An Festival. It’s feast month of Saint Agustine, the patron of the city.
Sharing our great experience for a group of 6 persons from Manila, we thought na nakakatakot dahil may Martial law sa Mindanao but so amazing napaka safe pala sa Mindanao because of check points and courteous naman sila. we grab the opportunity of the CDO-Bukidnon and Camiguin tour package. I try nyo mag enjoy talaga kayo contact this number 09173107085 mura lang pero sulit siya.