A CDO-ana’s 5 Things To Do in Cagayan de Oro, The City of Golden Friendship

Related Events: Mapawa Nature & Adventure Park: Trail Marathon Oct. 27, 2013 (REGISTRATION STILL OPEN!)
PryceGas International Marathon 2013
Check more CDO fun runs / races here >>
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Accomodations near MAPAWA Nature Park as suggested by the author:
* Marco Hotel (300-400M away from the Mapawa Trail Marathon meetup point) – lowest room rate is at P1300
– contact numbers (88) 855-2201 to 03 local 0 or 111
– more details here >>
* Chali Beach Resort (600M away from the meetup point) – lowest room rate is at P1,650
– contact number (088) 855-2108, 855-594
– more details here >>
* CDOGuide is also a good resource for listing of accommodations in Cagayan, here >>.

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My friend Rose asked me 5 reasons why Cagayan de Oro should be the next travel destination in Northern Mindanao. It took me a couple of weeks to realize, there aren’t five reasons why; there is an endless number of things to do and that’s just how beautiful my hometown is.

I didn’t want to let her down by not giving her 5 reasons; instead, I’m making a list of reasons why Cagayan should be your next travel destination.

A. You travel for the thrill of travelling.

• Mapawa Nature Park

Photo from Mapawa Nature Park

“With an abundance of breathtaking waterfalls, exquisite views, and lush flora and fauna, Mapawa Nature Park is a natural haven. Whether you are a nature lover, an adventure seeker, someone who needs a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, an individual, a family or a big group, Mapawa Nature Park has something for you to experience and enjoy…” (Source: www.mapawa.com/home-nature-park/‎)

• Dahilayan Adventure Park

Photo from Rapunzel Louise Go Rodolfo

“Looking to experience the greatest adventure of your life? Be among the first to brave Asia’s Longest Dual Zipline and fly like Superman from a launch point at 4,700 feet above sea level. With speeds of up to 90 kph, zoom through lush greenery and breathtaking views only found in the mountains of Dahilayan. Guaranteed safe and fun for every age, Zipzone has become the ultimate adventure destination for young and old alike. Since it’s opening in September 2009, Zipzone has been visited to over a thousand enthusiasts, including a courageous 2 year old and a 77 year old grandpa.

Get the thrill of your life with Zipzone’s 840m scream inducing ride! Bond with families and friends amidst Dahilayan’s cool and foggy weather. This is one amazing adventure you will never forget!” (Source: www.dahilayanadventurepark.com/‎)

• White River Rafting

“Whitewater Rafting is a recreational activity utilizing a raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. This is usually done on whitewater or different degrees of rough water, in order to thrill and excite the raft passengers.” (Source: www.raftingadventurephilippines.com/whitewater-rafting-cagayandeoro.html)

B. You travel for food and a lifestyle re-vamp.

    • Centrio Ayala Mall
“Centrio Ayala Mall is the newest addition to the myriad of malls found in Cagayan de Oro, but if you’re living a healthy lifestyle and you need to be kept up to date with the latest sportswear and gears, Centrio has the widest selection of stores for you!

When you’re done shopping, the best food spots and home-grown restaurants of Cagayan de Oro are found here, even better, the nation’s best restaurants (and fast-food chains) are found here, as well. You’ll never go hungry when you have nowhere to go but Centrio Mall.” (Source: https://www.facebook.com/Centrio‎)

• Cagayan de Oro Street food (beside Ateneo de Cagayan) / CDO Night Café

Photo by sega_maca >>

If you’re on the adventurous side and there’s no race the next day, you’d probably want to try the famous “kwek-kwek”, “bopis”, “chicken skin” with matching “buko with free refill”. 30php goes a long way when you’re here.

The decade old Night Café (which is only open on Fridays and Saturdays) is moved to Nazareth near Sportzone. You may tell the ‘motorella’ driver to take you to Sportzone 7pm to 2am Fridays and Saturday and you’ll find the said “night café”. They don’t sell coffee but there are great finds like, cheap clothes, food, and other items you think you don’t need but end up buying because it’s cheap.

• Limketkai Mall

Just like the mall mentioned above, Limketkai mall houses the best home-grown restaurants in Cagayan de Oro. If you feel like going on a coffee break, there are no less than 5 coffee shops in the area, with excellent coffee, of course! 

In the mornings, the vicinity of Limketkai mall is open to joggers and runners. So when preparing for a race, Limketkai can be your starting and/or end point for a test run.

C. When the “race” is over, celebrate!

• J.R. Borja Extension

This road is actually an alternative route if you don’t want to go by the main highway but since recent years, it has grown to a whole strip of restaurants and watering holes for heavy and not-so heavy drinkers.

If you feel like having a meal (unli-rice) post-race, please try Steve’s Barbeque (a classic Cagayan barbeque house), Mykarelli’s, Barkadahan Grill, Alamo Grill, Tita Cora’s and Bourbon St. Bistro (this isn’t a barbeque place, nor does it serve unli-rice, but their Creole cooking and heaping servings of every dish is a must-try!)

Photo from Rapunzel Louise Go Rodolfo

Once your bellies are exploding from the CDO meal experience, you’ll need something for that gnawing thirst that happens post-race. If you’re in need of a CDO alcohol experience, Slick Café, Rooftop, Juan Fuel and The Wine Cellar is the place to be. Here, there’s good music, a good crowd and good drinks. Once in the area on a Friday, find me in one of the said places. (HAHA)

Rooftop (Photo from Rapunzel Rodolfo

Wine Cellar (Photo from Rapunzel Rodolfo)

Slick Cafe (Photo from Rapunzel Rodolfo)

• Corrales Avenue

I haven’t been here in a long time but this is another one of the most happening places to be; another area to quench that thirst. This is another long strip of watering holes! Best places in the area are Wat Ever, LED, Yuri’s and Punchbowl (this place houses talented local singers and bands).

After having written an ‘almost’ very personal and biased opinion of why Cagayan de Oro is the best place to visit on your next long holiday, I’m hoping to meet new friends and will actually be leaving a generic number for questions and quick queries regarding Cagayan de Oro (like: how to get to where, when’s the best time to, who to contact for, and other questions) do take note, this is not a personal number is generally used by all of my friends. +63 916 555 5583

Quick Tips

Transportation:
*Jeepney rides are at 7-10php depending on the distance of your destination.
*Taxi rates start at 40php with an increasing increments of 2.50 per few km (I think), almost everywhere in the city is 80 to 100php away.
*Motorellas are a Cagayan de Oro invention. It costs 7-8php and can take you virtually anywhere a 5km radius.

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Written by:

Rapunzel Louise Go Rodolfo. A runner. She runs business on weekdays, parties on Fridays, races on weekends.
View her race stories here >>.