Location: Cagayan Valley Region
Top Things to do in Cagayan Valley Region
Top Restaurants in Cagayan Valley Region
10 Things to Do in Cagayan Valley Region That You Shouldn't Miss
Cagayan Valley (Ilokano: Tanap ti Cagayan; Ibanag: Tana' nat Cagayan; Itawit: Tanap yo Cagayan; Gaddang: Tanap na Cagayan; Filipino: Lambak ng Cagayan) (designated as Region II) is an administrative region in the Philippines located in the northeastern portion of Luzon. It is composed of five provinces: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino. The region has four cities: Cauayan, Ilagan, Santiago, and Tuguegarao.
Restaurants in Cagayan Valley Region
1. Basco Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 171 reviews
Reviewed By tommomelbourne - Melbourne, Australia
We visited Basco Lighthouse during our North Batan Tour. The lighthouse is located in Naidi Hills and is a great backdrop to the lush green hills and sea.
The lighthouse was completed in 2003.
We walked up the circular stairs to the viewing platform which gave us great 360o views including that of the town of Basco.
Great spot to get some good photos.
2. Marlboro Hills
Overall Ratings
5 based on 74 reviews
Reviewed By tommomelbourne - Melbourne, Australia
Marlboro Hills which we visited is also known as Rakuh-a-Payaman (wide pasture).
This is communal pastureland in the Barangay of Imjanjbu in Uyugan, in the south of Batan Island and is a stunning must see attraction.
This attraction has picturesque green undulating hills and where cattle, water buffalo, and horses roam freely. You will get a breathtaking panoramic view of the ocean, the Tayid Lighthouse, the rugged coastline below and the dormant volcano of Mount Iraya.
These are the google images one sees of Batanes and makes one want to visit and include on your bucket list.
3. Naidi Hills
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 75 reviews
Reviewed By tommomelbourne - Melbourne, Australia
Naidi Hill is very picturesque and is the location of first lighthouse of Batanes.
Naidi offers a panoramic view of Baluarte Bay, Basco town, Mount Iraya and the rolling hills of Batan Island. We obtained great 360o views by walking up the spiral stairs of the Basco Lighthouse.
This is also one of the best spots to view the sunset.
Historically it housed the country’s tallest wireless communications facility that connected Batanes with the government in Manila during WWII until its collapse from a Japanese forces bomb attack.
A must visit in Batanes.
4. Palaui Island
Overall Ratings
5 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By Chabs S
We were able to make Reservations in the coop housing. The amenities were basic but we only needed the bed for sleeping anyways. There was a in-house massage service and we took advantage of this. The keepers were able to get us seafood and they were good and tasty and cheap.
The people were friendly.
We went trekking the next day to the island falls. We registered first so that they can keep track of their visitors. We went through a hanging bridge and field and a bit of forest ground. It was long and tiring but definitely worth it. The guide was friendly and very helpful especially in muddy places.
The beach near the village was not conducive for swimming.
We were not able to go the lighthouse due to the weather and time constraint but it is something to look forward to in the future.
5. Anguib Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 78 reviews
Reviewed By AndrewJayson - Quezon City, Philippines
The sand and the weather might not be as good as Boracay but without the crowd, going to this beach is like experiencing Boracay 20 years ago. The waters are clean, the sand is fine and no pollution. What else do you want from a beach?
6. Callao Cave
Overall Ratings
4 based on 72 reviews
Reviewed By Lei D
We went here after Sagada. I suggest the reverse route--go here before Sagada because it was really hot 38 degrees as compared to Sagada's 19 degrees. It felt like sauna after a cold shower. It took us 5 hours to get here using Kalinga-tabuk road which has lots of roads under repair. There are 184 steps going up to Callao cave.
The Callao cave is the place where the oldest homo sapien in Philippines was found called "Callao Man" .
It's nice to visit at lunch time because it has 3 chambers with natural lighting. We went there at noon time and we were able to capture great pictures.
Eat before going here because the heat is draining. Food stalls are available selling halo halo, drinks but limited food options. You can also enjoy a swim and picnic at the Cagayan river and try the Sierra cave which is more challenging.
We only paid 80 pesos entrance fee (20 per adult, kids are free) and we gave our tour guide 200 pesos (it's your choice not a fix amount).
7. Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By Irene F
i was fortunate enough to be involved in a medical Mission in peñablanca, cagayan just a week before Christmas. and our assembly place? the grounds of this minor basilica in piat. the Church was majestic enough to entice you to come inside and ask for divine intervention. its structure reflects a sturdy design that can withstand the tests of nature and time.
it is home to the black virgin mary, the Our Lady of Piat, which dress and feet the pilgrims can touch, depending on the size of one's hand. they say a whispered prayer to God through her intercession is almost tantamount to a granted wish.
this Church is known as the pilgrimage center of Northern Luzon. not everyone is privileged enough to get here. so savor every moment you spend here.
8. Sabtang Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By CzarEmmanuel - Manila, Philippines
Batanes is on every traveler's mind, but many are discouraged to travel to these northernmost group of Islands in the Philippines primarily for two reasons: first, the expensive airfare (because only a few selected air companies are allowed to fly there -- hence, there's some sort of a monopoly of flights and, therefore, also of airfare! ... we need more commercial competition here!), and, second, the risk of being stranded on the Islands (since Batanes is known as a passage way of typhoons in the country).
I was lucky enough to have been able to visit Batanes, at least two of the ten Islands that compose it ... Batan and Sabtang. You take off from Manila and land in Basco, its capital. There are quite a number of accommodations on the island. Be sure to contact them ahead of time and make your reservation, since they tend to get fully booked. On Batan Island itself (where Basco is) there are many places to visit ... Beaches, old churches, a lighthouse, rolling hills. pasture lands, a museum, and so forth. Once you're done visiting them, you may want to cross over to Sabtang, another big island of Batanes.
The boat ride to Sabtang can be a bit scary due to the strong currents and high waves. Although the cross-over lasts for only about 30-45 minutes, it is quite a thrilling experience. Trust the boatmen, in this case. Sabtang has four "barangays" ... Chavayan, Nakanmuan, Savidug and Sumnanga ... and two small towns ("poblacion") ... Malakdang and Sinakan.
On the island itself, there are many beautiful places to visit, such as the jaw-dropping Chavayan Bay, the old Ivatan stone houses of Savidug and the rock formations and white sand of Nakaboang beach. There are day-tours to the island from Batan (inclusive of a lunch served on Nakaboang Beach ... it's your chance to taste some typical Ivatan dishes! Boats must return to Batan Island before 3:00 PM, otherwise the waves become stronger and the cross-over more dangerous.
Batanes, indeed, is like a world of its own. Going there is like travelling outside the Philippines (given its particular topography). But one thing that impresses me about Batanes are its people. They are all very friendly and honest. They smile at you down the street as if they know you personally. They do not lock their homes and cars ... crime rate is zero on the island! They even have an "honesty coffee shop" manned by no one. You simply get whatever you want, then leave the payment in a box according to a price list. Batanes is truly worth-visiting!
9. Yaru Gallery & Art Shop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
The Yaru Gallery and Art shop is the first and sole Art gallery in Batanes. The gallery was established last February 2011 by Yaru nu Artes Ivatan. This cooperative gallery is managed and owned by the local artist.
Reviewed By kmm8679 - Makati
The artist in you will surely thrive when you visit this place. Various types of art from local artists are showcased and are for sale. Whether you have a hefty or humble budget, you can surely take home an Ivatan art with you.Thank you for the visit and the rating. We hope you had a great time with us. Diyos mamahes, keep Ivatan Arts alive!
10. Valugan Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By tommomelbourne - Melbourne, Australia
Valugan in the Ivatan language means east. Its called Boulder Beach for obvious reasons. We really enjoyed our visit to this beach and its so photogenic.
Boulder Beach was created in 400 AD during a Mt. Iraya eruption and scattered around andesite rocks. The wind from the Pacific pushed the waves to lap the rough rocks, polishing it in the process. This was the process in the forming of Boulder Beach.
A must visit during the North Batan Tour.
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