2 Days Cagayan de Oro Itinerary – Don’t know where to go or where to start looking for the best tourist places to explore in Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao.
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Read how to get to Cagayan de Oro, Cebu to Cagayan de Oro and where to stay in Cagayan de Oro!
SIM CARD AT MANILA AIRPORT
I wouldn’t recommend you to buy a sim card at Manila airport. If you wish comfort you can buy eSim online and if you aren’t in a hurry just go around phone shops in the city and compare prices to buy the cheapest sim card in Manila. Read here Philippines sim card for tourist and best Philippines eSim
WHERE TO STAY IN THE PHILIPPINES
You can get accommodation starting from 800-1000 PHP (less than $20 USD) for a room in a guesthouse. Can you imagine if you are two of you traveling in the Philippines, it will be $10 USD each.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION WITH BOOKING AND AGODA!
BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE
You can read Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full Heymondo Travel Insurance Review
You can get Safetywing Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads valid for 28 days Safetywing for $50 USD per month with kids until 10 years old included
HOW TO GET TO CAGAYAN DE ORO
Cagayan de Oro is located in Northern Mindanao. There are many ways to go here, but be sure to do your own research on how to go to Cagayan de Oro and navigate your way all around the city. No worries, though, because we will give suggestions on the best ways on how to get to Cagayan de Oro City.
GETTING TO CAGAYAN DE ORO BY PLANE
The easiest way to get to Cagayan de Oro is definitely by plane. You can purchase cheaper flights online if you decide to book usually 2-3 months before your planned date of visit, go ahead and check out Cebu Pacific.
Also, the weather here can be a bit unpredictable. It could be boiling hot during the summer, or too rainy around December to January. So it’s better if you mentally prepare yourself ahead of time, unless those are the type of climates you’re used to, then, welcome!
GETTING TO CAGAYAN DE ORO BY BUS
There are buses and regular trips going to Cagayan de Oro from Iligan City, Butuan, Balingoan, and Davao City. We took a night bus coming from Davao and it took us 8-9 hours to get to Cagayan de Oro.
GETTING TO CAGAYAN DE ORO BY SHIP/BOAT
There are regular trips to and from Manila, Cebu, Tagbilaran, Bacolod, Iloilo. The schedule and the trips can be modified and cancelled because of weather conditions, especially during rainy season.
Click here to book your boat ticket from Cebu to Cagayan de Oro!
TRANSPORTATION AROUND CAGAYAN DE ORO
Like any metropolitan in the Philippines, Cagayan de Oro can be explored by riding jeepneys, buses and taxis. Another convenient way of going around Cagayan de Oro is the multicab, a small truck that takes passengers from specific routes much like a jeepney. You can also find vehicles similar to Thailand’s tuk-tuk called motorella in Cagayan de Oro.
When riding a taxi, make sure to find a driver that will let you pay by the meter. Don’t try to negotiate or agree with a price the driver dictates to avoid getting ripped off. Jeepneys are much cheaper but may be a bit challenging for some foreigners. However, Cagayan de Oro is dubbed as “The City of Golden Friendship” so talking to locals and asking about transportation routes won’t be a problem.
DAILY BUDGET FOR CAGAYAN DE ORO
Visitors from Western countries that are used to dealing in euros and dollars will be delighted to find that Cagayan de Oro and the Philippine peso cost less than what they’re used to spending. There are many cheap options for food, lodging and transportation if you’re wise enough to do as the locals do.
For example, jeepneys have a flat rate of 9 PHP while taxis start their meters at 40 PHP. Also, meals at good but inexpensive local restaurants cost around 100-120 PHP while mid-budget places go for around 500-800 PHP for a dinner for two. That’s just around $9-15 USD for a couple of three-course meals!
There are rooms in transient homes, pension houses and B&Bs that only cost around 400-800 PHP. If you want to try a mid-range hotel in Cagayan de Oro, you can find a room for around 900-1500 PHP. Luxury rooms in Cagayan de Oro are available for 1,700-3,700 PHP, which is only $32-70 USD. Not bad, right?
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR ACCOMMODATION WITH BOOKING AND AGODA.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get straight in to our main topic: Cagayan de Oro itinerary.
2 DAYS CAGAYAN DE ORO ITINERARY
DAY 1 CAGAYAN DE ORO ITINERARY
For your first day in your itinerary in Cagayan de Oro. If you love nature and waterfalls we will recommend 3 of them. You will have to look for the waterfalls outside Cagayan de Oro city center. But we will tell you how to get there.
The most popular ones in the area: Mapawa Natural Park, Catanico Falls and Mintugsok Falls. You will be busy the whole day enjoying and reaching them.
MAPAWA NATURE PARK
One of the most beautiful and breathtaking tourist spots in Cagayan de Oro is the Mapawa Nature Park. This forest park is located at Barangay Cugman, and it offers wide variety of things to do such as climbing or swimming near the waterfalls, horseback riding, canyoneering and also cliff jumping if you’re feeling brave!
You would not only enjoy all the activities they offer but you could also have fun with nature surrounding you. When you visit Mapawa Nature park, you can just relax, go on a hike, or maybe even set up a camp in the forest. Just be sure to clean up after yourself. Leave no trace behind!
HOW TO GET TO MAPAWA NATURE PARK AND ENTRANCE FEE
The river trek package is 1300 PHP per person with the entrance fee, lunch and bottled water. The environmental fee is 50 PHP, camping is 100 PHP, horseback riding 200 PHP per one hour, swimming pool 75 PHP, Zipline 325 PHP, Trail Run Hike 300 PHP and View Deck Big 1000 PHP and Small View Deck 500 PHP.
It’s opened from 7 am to 5 pm everyday. It’s located in Barangay Cugman you can get a jeepney until Mapawa Crossing and take habal-habal from there.
CATANICO FALLS
This is one of the several wonders of nature located in Barangay F.S. Catanico, Cagayan de Oro which is only 20 minutes away from the heart of the city. You can rent out picnic huts here and they also have public bathrooms for you to use. Truly a pocket paradise for nature lovers!
HOW TO GET TO CANTICO FALLS AND ENTRANCE FEE
It’s only 20 minutes away from Cagayan de Oro and the entrance fee is 20 PHP per person.
MINTUGSOK FALLS
This is yet another amazing waterfalls for the outdoor enthusiasts! Mintugsok Falls is just between the central point of Indahag and Malasag Mountains which could be accessed in two ways: trail hiking from Indahag and river trekking from Mapawa Nature Park.
Yes, it is near another destination featured in this article, so we’re sure you’ll enjoy back-to-back adventures in those lovely spots. This is definitely an interesting Cagayan de Oro tourist spot!
DAY 2 ITINERARY IN CAGAYAN DE ORO
For your day 2 in your Cagayan de Oro itinerary we can recommend you to spend the day in a resort and waterparks. The most popular ones are Seven Seas Waterpark and Dahilayan Adventure Park.
If you prefer the comfort of resorts: Mountain Resort, High Ride and Hugo Sky Lounge. It will be a great way to spend your day. Especially if you stay with your friends and family.
SEVEN SEAS WATERPARK
This is a newly built recreational area and the first ever world class waterpark established in the country, so this is one of the Cagayan de Oro tourist spots to see. It has grown quite a name for itself and has been visited by many tourists and locals because of the many thrilling rides and slides such as the Cyclone and Abyss Tornado Ride.
The Seven Seas Waterpark can be found at Barra, Opol, so go ahead and visit this place where no one is too young or too old to have fun!
HOW TO GET TO SEVEN SEAS PARK AND ENTRANCE FEE
Its located in Opol just 10 kilometers North of Cagayan de Oro. It opens from 9 am to 5 pm. Prices for adults from Monday to Thrusday 800 PHP and 1000 PHP in the weekends. Prices for kids below 4ft 500 PHP weekdays and 600 PHP in the weekends. Kids below 3 ft free entrance.
LARRY’S HILL AND HUGO SKY LOUNGE
This is one of the newest attractions in Cagayan de Oro, specifically at Amaya View (formerly Sierra del Oro) at Barangay Indahag. The place has a wide variety of things to enjoy like paragliding, the maze adventure and the ball pit, as well!
Larry’s Hill doesn’t only have all these amazing attractions to enjoy but also has a stunning view of Cagayan de Oro’s western area.
There are surely more developments coming their way so better visit the place and maybe snap a photo of the four ‘Transformers’ figures seen near the entrance.
On the other hand, Hugo Sky Lounge is another wonderful place where you could get a stunning view of the entire city and its surrounding green nature. You can also grab a bite here since this is also actually a restaurant. They sure serve great food!
ENTRANCE FEE TO HUGO SKY LOUNGE
The entrance fee is 50 PHP. The prices for the activities are Ball Pit 150 PHP, High Ropes Sky Level 250 PHP, High Ropes Grass Level 150 PHP, Zip Line 2 Ways 250 PHP, Rapelling from Helicopter 2 Jumps 150 PHP. It opens 8 am to 6 pm and it’s located in Indahag 10 Kilometers South of Cagayan de Oro.
HIGH RIDGE
If you want to enjoy another picturesque view of the city while dining in a restaurant, you can visit High Ridge. Why not view the sunset while enjoying a meal with a couple of friends or perhaps a special someone? Now, that sounds like a great date!
The view from High Ridge at night is considered one of the best in the city. I mean, who wouldn’t love to admire the downtown part of Cagayan de Oro from this wonderful tourist spot?
HOW TO GET TO HIGH RIDE AND ENTRANCE FEE
There is a free shuttle going to High Ride from Barangay Macasandig Covered Court from 11 30 am- 1 30 am, 5 pm – 5 30 pm, 7 pm – 7 30 pm and drop off Macasandig Covered Court 9 pm – 9 30 pm only. Entrance fee is 100 PHP consumable and children below 12 years old are free of charge.
ULTRA WINDS MOUNTAIN RESORT
Planning to get out of the loud city to unwind and just be one with nature? Come visit Ultra Winds Mountain Resort where you get to stay on a resort sitting on top of a mountain and overlooking Cagayan de Oro City! This is truly one of the best places to go and it is also a great venue for weddings!
They offer very nice and spacious rooms, a restaurant, as well as a gorgeous infinity pool. It’s definitely one hell of a view while relaxing by the pool.
HOW TO GET TO ULTRA WINDS MOUNTAIN RESORT AND ENTRANCE FEE
It’s located in Bukidnon just 20 minutes away from Cagayan de Oro. The entrance fee is 100 PHP per person consumable and an additional 150 PHP to have access to the pool per person.
DAHILAYAN ADVENTURE PARK
Ever feel like enjoying the great outdoors and just feel the cool breeze of the nature? You’ll definitely find it here at Dahilayan Adventure Park in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, a place not far from Cagayan de Oro!
If you want to try out ziplining, racing down the hill or doing a 120-foot drop, you should head on to this amazing attraction that you’ll instantly fall in love with.
They not only have great activities to enjoy with your friends and family, but also offer places to stay if you plan on spending a couple of days here.
Dahilayan Adventure Park also has a restaurant right by the entrance where you could warm yourself up with a cup of coffee (because it could get really cold here) or dine with an amazing view of nature. I definitely guarantee you’ll leave this amazing place begging for more!
HOW TO GET TO DAHILAYAN ADVENTURE PARK AND ENTRANCE FEE
The entrance fee to Dahilayan Forest Park is 200 PHP per adult and 50 PHP per children. There is a package for all the rides (Luge, Hanging Bridge, Mini Golf, Go Cart and Bumper Boat) 750 PHP.
If you do Forest Luge 600 PHP per person, ATV 750 PHP, Buggy Trail 1200 PHP for two people, Forest Putt Mini Golf 50 PHP, Treetop Adventure 250 PHP per person, Zorb 250 PHP per person, Barrel Train Ride 50 PHP per person, Bumper Boat 150 PHP per person, Hanging Bridge 100 PHP person, Monkey Tree Challenge 50 PHP per person, Bungee Bounce 150 PHP, Net Trampoline 50 PHP.
Click here to get a discount at Dahilayan Adventure Park with Klook!
MORE DAYS CAGAYAN DE ORO ITINERARY
If you decide to spend more than 2 days in your itinerary in Cagayan de Oro. You can visit spots outside the city: Divine Mercy Shrine in Savador City. Tinago Falls in Iligan City and Mt Kitanglad Ecological Farm in Malaybalay City.
DIVINE MERCY SHRINE
You can visit a beautiful Catholic pilgrimage site located at El Salvador City, which isn’t too far from Cagayan de Oro also. This has become an amazing tourist attraction and many devotees flock to Divine Mercy Shrine to attend mass or join the events during Holy Week, the Feast of Mercy and the Celebration of the Immaculate Concepcion.
You can attend mass in the field shown in the photo above or inside their spacious chapel just behind the 50-feet statue of the Divine Mercy Jesus. You can also climb to the heart of Jesus guided by the people working there, and you can silently pray inside the heart. Isn’t that just lovely? They also have a lot of souvenir shops and food booths if you’re feeling hungry.
Helpful tip: If you plan on visiting the shrine, please avoid being too loud or causing so much attention since many people come not just to snap photos and enjoy the view but also to pray and reflect quietly. Please clean up after yourself as well especially if you plan on camping during their feasts. Overall, Divine Mercy Shrine is a beautiful place and a must-visit tourist spot!
HOW TO GET TO DIVINE MERCY SHRINE
It’s 20 kilometers far from Cagayan de Oro in Salvador City. You can get by van, bus and jeepney. There is no entrance fee just donation. Remember to bring a skirt since it’s required for the visit for girls.
TINAGO FALLS
Looking for place to relax and cool down? Head on to Iligan City’s amazing Tinago Falls! Iligan City is just about an hour away from Cagayan de Oro and is truly one of the most breathtaking places to visit. If you enjoy trekking, then you’re in luck because it is quite a hike to reach Tinago Falls. However, we can assure you that once you’re there, you’ll immediately be stunned by its beauty!
The water is really blue and cold, and you can go under the waterfalls by riding the raft. There are cottages just across the waterfall if you decide to stay for a while and bring some food. We definitely recommend you visit here and enjoy the lush nature!
HOW TO GET TO TINAGO FALLS AND ENTRANCE FEE
It’s located in Illigan. From Cagayan de Oro make your way to Illigan City. And take a jeepney going to Buru-un or Linamon. There are also buses going to Ozamiz or Pagadian. From here by Habal habal you can reach Tinago Falls 100 PHP for the ride. The entrance fee is 50 PHP.
MT. KITANGLAD AGRI-ECOLOGICAL TECHNO-DEMO FARM
Well, that was a mouthful! This is one of the newest tourist attractions in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon and it’s currently under development. This is a really great place for fans of the wonderful book and film series The Lord of the Rings as the structures here closely resemble the Hobbit’s house!
The lodges in the farm are still being created so we should watch out for those.
HOW TO GET TO MT. KITANGLAD AGRI-ECOLOGICAL TECHNO-DEMO FARM
You have to get a bus to Malaybalay terminal. From here ride a multicab going to Casisang Central School and get a Habal habal to the final destination.
WHERE TO STAY IN CAGAYAN DE ORO
RED PLANET
Red Planet Cagayan De Oro is located within a 10-minute walk of Gaisano Mall, Limketkai Center and Centrio Mall. It features a 24-hour front desk, nonsmoking rooms and a luggage storage service. Fitted with a comfortable bed, air-conditioned rooms feature a ceiling fan, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen cable TV and free WiFi access.
The private bathroom has shower facility and hairdryer. Their double room starts at $28 a night. This property also has one of the top-rated locations in Cagayan de Oro!
Click this to check their prices and availability!
SEDA CENTRIO HOTEL
Set within Centrio Mall in Cagayan de Oro, Seda Centrio features an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Free WiFi is also available throughout the hotel. All rooms at Seda Centrio come with a flat-screen cable TV, and iPod dock, and a personal safe. A seating area and private bathroom with shower, a hairdryer, and free toiletries are also included.
The hotel offers its guests with an outdoor swimming where they can lounge and relax. The fitness center is also open for guests use. Laundry, ironing, and dry clearning service are available, as well as airport shuttle services and car rentals at an additional charge. The meeting/banquet facilities may also be used at an extra cost, while the business center is free for guests use. With the extensive service you can get in this hotel, their room rate starts at $102 a night.
Click here to check their rates and availability!
You should do lots of research about where to stay in Cagayan de Oro. But if you want to stay in budget hotels or affordable ones near the heart of the city and as a few hang out spots, check out establishments like GC Suites Hotel in Pabayo-Hayes St., Traveler’s Pod near SM Downtown Premier, Mallberry Suites Business Hotel which is just a few minutes walk from Limketkai Mall, and many more!
There are several Cagayan de Oro hotels and inns around city that are walking distance to malls and other cool places. You can also check the links below for more info.
Hope you liked our 2 days Cagayan de Oro itinerary. Let us know in the comments below if we are missing something. So we can improve our Cagayan de Oro itinerary.
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Happy Travels!
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues to share his travel experiences alongside his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.