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Cagayan de Oro is known as "The City of Golden Friendship". It is located along the northern coast of Mindanao, south of the Philippines. It is the provincial capital of Misamis Oriental. The city has an population of about 460,000 people as of 2000 Census.

[edit] Language

Cebuano is the main dialect spoken in the city. Filipino based on Tagalog is spoken as the National Language. English is also widely used. Cebuano is easy to learn and a few words will be appreciated and encouraged by the people you meet, but it is very easy as a visitor to travel, shop and meet people using only English.

[edit] Climate

Average temperature in the city is 28 degrees celcius with a maximum of 36 degrees celcius. There are only two seasons. Wet season starts on June to October. The Dry season starts on November to May. However the difference in seasons is not very noticable in the city, there are sunny and rainy days throughout the year and the rain is usually strong but brief (you will however notice the season if hiking or driving on dirt roads in the highlands inland from CDO as it gets muddier). The city is outside the typhoon belt.

[edit] Religion and Culture

People from Cagayan de Oro are mostly Roman Catholics. There are also a large number of Protestants and Muslims in the city.

Every August 25 to 28, the city celebrates the Kagay-an Festival. This festival is in honor of the city's patron, Saint Augustine. It is highlighted by trade fairs, street dancing, floats and the fluvial parade.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Cagayan de Oro is served by a domestic airport in Lumbia. It has daily flights to/from Manila and Cebu. There is also a four times a week flight to Davao City

• Philippine Airlines [1] - flag carrier
• Cebu Pacific [2] - 2nd flag carrier - budget airline
• Air Philippines [3] - budget airline
• Asian Spirit [4] - prop. aircraft

[edit] By boat

The Port of Cagayan de Oro is the busiest in the region. It has frequent boat trips to and from Manila, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Tagbilaran, Dumaguete and Iligan.

• Super Ferry [5]
• Cebu Ferries [6]
• Trans Asia [7]
• Negros Navigation [8]
• Sulpicio Lines [9]
• Gothong Lines [10]

[edit] By bus

The city has two bus terminals. The West Bound terminal caters to trips going to Iligan, Ozamiz, Pagadian and Zamboanga while the Agora Terminal caters to trips going to Gingoog, Butuan, Malaybalay, Valencia, Wao, Kidapawan, Davao and Camiguin Island (via Balingoan Port). Agora has a reputation among residents as being a somewhat more dangerous place than the rest of this peaceful safe city--don't let it stop you from using the bus service, but don't hang around Agora at night longer than you need to and keep cameras/phones tucked in.

[edit] Get around

Jeepneys, Multi Cab and the Motorela (similar to the Thai tuk-tuk) are the main mode of transportation within the city. White, air-con Toyota Altis and Toyota Avanza taxis with meters installed, and car rentals are also available. As a visitor DO NOT agree to a flat-rate taxi fare unless you want to pay triple the meter rate, insist on meter only (or "meter plus 50" for an airport or late-night pickup) then give a good tip if you want to be generous. Motorellas are slow but you don't wait long for them to fill with passengers, they travel set routes but will give you custom service for a negotiated price. Jeepneys are perfectly safe during the day, they are cheap and fun, if it doesn't take you where you meant to go it will take you to some large hub where you can get another jeepney and try again. Get in a full one, an empty one will wait for more passengers. At night you may have to contend with (mostly friendly) drunks but robberies do happen keep the cell phone and camera in your bag and your bag in your lap.

[edit][add listing] See

• San Agustin Cathedral - Gothic inspired church with centuries old stained glass windows.

• Gardens of Malasag Eco-Tourism Village[11], - located in a reforested area in Malasag Hill. This 7 hectare village has replicas of tribal houses in the region and a panoramic view of Macajalar Bay. It is owned by the government and managed by the Philippine Tourism Authority. The views are well worth the short drive up the hill from the main highway (turnoff near Marco Hotel)
• Vicente de Lara Park - Vicente de Lara Park, Cagayan de Oro City (formerly General Douglas MacArthur Park)Vicente de Lara was a former governor of Misamis Oriental Province.

• Gaston Park - Gaston Park - named after the first Mayor of Cagayan de Oro, Segundo Gaston; It is located near the Saint Augustine Cathedral and Archbishop’s Palace. 

• Plaza Divisoria - built in the early 1900's as a town divider (divisoria) or fire breaker after a great fire that almost burned down the entire town. It is now a park dedicated to local and national heroes.

• Macahambus Cave and Gorge - an underground cave with a 130-foot circular gorge. The ravine is thick with various species of plants and huge trees. It is the site of the historic battle between local and American soldiers during the Philippine-American War (1900).

• Museo de Oro - inside the Xavier University campus, it exhibits artifacts dug from Huluga Cave and repertoire of Bukidnon and Maranao Cultures that have survived the ravages of time.

• Cagayan de Oro Tourism Showhouse - in Bonifacio Park, it showcases products from Cagayan de Oro and the province.
• Night Cafe (night market). Friday and Saturday nights, Divisoria is closed to traffic and fills with delicious food stalls and cheap pitchers of beer, and most importantly thousands of people shopping and enjoying a cheap night out. Haggle over a pair of imitation Adidas then relax at a plastic table with a huge piece of grilled tuna and beer with ice cubes and watch the crowd go by.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

• Whitewater Rafting - 14 rapids along Cagayan de Oro river. The rainy months of September and October are good for intermediate and professional levels (rapids range from class 3 to 4). The rest of the year especially during the dry season is good for novice or amateur rafters.

• Whitewater Kayaking it's more fun and intense. You'll love it from put-in to take-out. see http://www.kayakdomain.com

• Macahambus Adventure Park - rappel and zip-line across trees a hundred feet above ground

• Mapawa Nature Park - ideal for horseback riding, biking, zipline and nature trekking

• Cockfighting - look for the arena along the National Highway in Gusa. The steep-walled concrete arena thunders with hundreds of shouting fans placing bets, as carefully bred and trained roosters in beautiful fighting form do what they're born to do. Warning: seeing these magnificent and spirited creatures transformed into a limp piece of chicken by the flash of a steel blade may make you become a vegetarian. If not, the losing birds are for sale by the kilo and are rumored to have a distinctive flavor.

• Movies the screens are huge, people walk in and out at all times, bring your own full meal to eat in the seat

• Videoke - Coin-operated video karaoke machines found in virtually every roadside bar in and around the city. Don't even come to the Philippines unless you know the words to at least one song you're willing to get up and sing like it's your one big shot at fame. The playlist is extensive (from Beatles to Nirvana with plenty of Bon Jovi and Gloria Gaynor in between) so no excuses.

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Folk Museum of Xavier University, Folk Museum of Xavier University. Learn about enchanting aswang, kapre and other Filipino folklore in this museum.  edit

[edit] Shopping

• Limketkai Center [12] - the biggest in the Mindanao region
• SM City Cagayan de Oro - located along Pueblo de Oro Estates
• Robinsons Cagayan de Oro - within the Limketkai Center
• Gaisano Mall - located along C.M. Recto Avenue
• Night Market - every Friday and Saturday evening, the streets of Plaza Divisoria are filled with stalls selling bags, shoes and other trinkets

[edit] Cagayan Delicacies

• Jamon Cagayan de Oro (pork ham) sold by Slers, Oroham and Pines
• Chicharon (pork rind/skin) sold by Slers
• Felys Homemade Cheese Sticks
• Felys Homemade Assorted Flavored Peanuts
• Cashew nuts from Lumbia district
• Lechon Manok Rotisserie chicken sold roadside. salty but delicious. they're everywhere, quality varies, buy from the one with the most customers in line.
• Lechon Baboy Whole pig roasted over coals on a bamboo spit, stuffed with lemongrass. Ask a local friend how to arrange one a day in advance. Much cheaper in CDO than in Manila.
• BALUUUUT!

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Bigby's, SM City and Rosario Arcade, Limketkai Center. Western style dishes

• Cafe Laguna, Robinsons Mall. Fine dining, Filipino cuisine.

• Candy's, Rosario Arcade, Limketkai Center. Western style dishes

• Country Side Steakhouse, Limketkai Center. Grilled beef/steak

• Dadang's Seafood Restaurant, Km.3 National Highway, Kauswagan. Filipino seafood cuisine

• Inilog Grill. Grilled food and unlimited rice servings.

• Kagayanon Restaurant,Limketkai Center. Filipino cuisine and ostrich meat.

• La Tegola, Arch. Hayes Street. Italian restaurant. Quiet and comfortable. A favorite of foreign visitors wanting a great Italian meal and a good bottle of wine.

• Night Cafe. Every Friday and Saturday evening the streets of Plaza Divisoria are filled with stalls selling grilled food.

• Red Moon, A. Velez Street. Chinese restaurant

• Vienna Kaffehaus. A. Velez Street. European/Western dishes
• Roadhouse, SM Mall, Fine Dining.  edit
• Spooks (Downtown Divisoria), C Pacana St (100 yards from VIP Hotel), ☎ 714891, [13]. Adult themed bar with some of the very best original entertainment. Spooks has in two years become CDO number one club with a great reputation for fair pricing and great entertainment. A good selection of food and drinks, with cold beer.  edit
• La Vetta Wine Bar and Restaurant, Rosario Arcade, Limketkai Center (Beside Kagayanon restaurant), ☎ 8561207. 10:30AM - 11PM. Classy ambience combined with French Mediterranean cuisine. The Executive Chef is from Switzerland. Mid price.  edit
• Sentro 1850, 50 Don A. Velez st. (near D.V. Soria), ☎ (08822)731850. 11AM-10PM. Great food ranging from Asian to Western-style dishes. mid priced.  edit
• Balut.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Brewberry Cafe, A. Velez Street (beside Sentro).  edit

• Spooks, C Pacana st (100 yards VIP hotel), ☎ 714891, [14]. International bar with great cuisine. Have a meal before the show starts, or a snack with a cold beer. Free WIFI  edit

• <
• Sentro 1850 (Eat), 50 Don A. Velez st. (near D.V. Soria), ☎ (08822)731850. 11am-10pm. Great Food ranging from Asian to Western style dishes.  edit

• And after you drink: Baluuuuuuuuut!.  edit

[edit] Coffee

• Night Cafe - every Friday and Saturday evening the streets of Plaza Divisoria are filled with stalls selling grilled food.
• Bo's Coffee, A. Velez Street. Cebu based coffee shop.
• Taza, Limketkai Center. locally owned coffee shop.
• Kofitricks Cafe, Yacapin-Velez Sts. Coffee Shop and Pinoy & Indian Cuisine.(WIFI zone)

[edit] Bars

• The Site, Rosario Strip, Limketkai Center. Popular among young yuppies.
• Loreto's Grill & Restaurant Family KTV, Tomas Saco Street, Nazareth, Cagayan de Oro City

• M2 Family KTV Bar, Rosario Strip, Limketkai Center. A popular place for Karaoke lovers.
• Pulse - formerly Xcite, it is located in front of Dynasty Court Hotel.
• Ralphs Sports Bar, adjacent to Pulse, it has several billiard pools.
• Navigator Gay Bar, corner of Osmeña and Florentino Street.
• club mojo,disco bar back at Ralps.
• backyard,Chaves Street
• Karumata, Dolores and Pabayo. When you're sick of the DJs and the bands playing cover tunes--there are serious artists and original musicians in CDO and you might share a Red Horse with them here. I feel like I'm betraying a secret but when you hang out here you see a side of the Philippines that you won't see at the shopping malls and beach resorts.
• Fu - Club and Bar, Corrales cor J. Ebarle Sts. House Music, known for bringing in the best DJs in the country and the first European DJ to play in CDO.
• Zaks Retro Bar Velez Street.

Spooks Bar. The new International adult bar upstairs at Spooks opened on August 10th. A good selection of international beers plus Pool table and darts to add to their already impressive line up. Visit them at www.spookscdo.com

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

Apple Tree hotel

• MASS SPEC Hostel, Tiano Bros. Street.
• Y.M.C.A. Hostel, Julio Pacana Street.
• Golden Pension House

[edit] Mid-range

• Miami Inn, Vamenta Boulevard, Carmen [15].
• Mountain Suite Business, Kimwa Compound, Tablon.
• Middleton, Lirio Extension, Carmen.
• Philtown Hotel, Makahambus, [16].
• Country Village Hotel, Villarin Street, Carmen.
• Kingston Lodge located at Masterson Avenue in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. Only five minutes from Cagayan City’s airport, it sits adjacent to Pueblo de Oro Golf Course and lies opposite Xavier Estates Sports & Country Club. Phone Number: 088-8585696. Price: PHP 1120.00

[edit] Special

• Gardens of Malasag Eco Tourism Village, [17].

this is unique and beautiful, please read description in the "See" section above

[edit] Splurge

• Pryce Plaza Hotel, Carmen Hill.
• The Malasag House[18].
• Hotel Koresco, Pueblo de Oro Golf Estate, Rev. Masterson Ave., Lumbia.
• Mallberry Suites Hotel, Florentino Street, Limketkai Center.
• Dynasty Court Hotel, Archbishop Hayes corner Tiano Bros. Street.
• VIP Hotel, A. Velez corner C. Pacana Street.
• MARCO Hotel, Alwana Business Park, Cugman.
• Chali Beach Resort and Conference Center, Zone 3, Cugman.

[edit] Get out

Camiguin

This section is for places to go next, after visiting Cagayan de Oro

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