World-class surfing beach, a blue lagoon, a mysterious 100-year old tree, marsh wildlife sanctuary, unique caves, strange rock formations, a magic whirlpool, breath-taking falls, a scenic Britannia island, and a “Jurassic Park.”
The above are just some of the things to see in an eco-tourist destination in Mindanao, called the Caraga region. The place is being specially spruced up for tourism by some private groups and local governments of several Mindanao provinces.
Local government agencies, like the regional eco-tourism and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, identified the 127 eco-tourist destinations and are prodding local and foreign tourists to take a good long look at these paradises.
Caraga includes the provinces of Agusan north and south, Surigao north and south, Bislig, and Butuan. Most of the tourist spots are in Butuan.
Surfing tournaments are held yearly in General Luna, Dapa town, in Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte. The tilts are for locals and foreigners. Here, visitors and competitors alike get to enjoy the playful winds and waves from the sea conducive to the sport. Of course, not to mention the spectacular, unspoiled beaches and the homey tourist inns.
The marsh wildlife sanctuary in Agusan, a full 19,196.588 hectares stretching on the shores of 6 municipalities, is frequented by tourists. Marsh lands in the country used to be in a dire state due to rampant human spoilage. But stepped up government and private efforts have rendered several marsh wildlife areas fully rejuvenated and defiantly tourist-worthy, like the Agusan sanctuary.
Marsh lands are vital to keep marine life, especially the endangered, thriving and propagating. Marine life survives in natural habitats, such as marsh wildlife areas. The Agusan marsh wildlife is teeming with tropical marine life mostly unseen in other parts of the world.
To name some more southern wonders; the famous Sohoton cave is in Bucas Grande, Socorro town, Surigao del Norte. An interesting natural sculptured rock formation, called the Punta Calabera, is in Catadman. Another natural rock formation is in Zaragoza and the magic whirlpool in Bitaugan are both in Surigao City.
Several other tourist destinations in other parts of Agusan and Surigao, north and south, await discovery, harnessing, and promotion. These, too, are being conserved and protected by businessmen and local government units.
The tourist sites in Mindanao are accessible anytime of the day and night through land trips, except in Siargao Island where travel is more than an hour via sea craft.
Mindanao is a Philippine haven for astonishing, albeit, curious natural picturesque spots many of which are unequalled in the world. Caraga is one region among many that vividly illustrates this tourism fact—combining beauty, challenge, and mystery.
Davao City is the pride of the south. It boasts of a culture that is truly Filipino yet very interesting for any kind of exploring tourist. Among the many attractions in this side of the Philippines is the array of Davao restaurants that are out to impress every single time. No matter what you crave for, you will surely find it by looking through Davao restaurants listing.
Luz Kinilaw – This one is underrated among Davao restaurants. It serves tuna at its finest against a no frills, cozy ambience that will leave you lost for words yet it does not come out too often in Davao restaurants reviews. Tuna, either grilled or kinilaw (a local cooking method that is equivalent to the Japanese’s sashimi), should not be missed. [Salmonan, Quezon Boulevard; (6382) 226-4612]
Coco’s Grill – Great-tasting family meals is what Coco’s Grill serves best. As a family business, it understands the needs and requirements of diners with adults and kids combined. That’s why they concocted dishes that please young and young-at-hearts with every bite. Salads, pizzas, and pastas mostly compose a usual dining experience at this cozy eating hub. [F. Torres Street, Davao City]
Marco Polo – Chinese cuisine has always been a favorite. In this plush food hub, you get Chinese dishes at their finest. Crispy noodles, almond jelly, crab fuyong, and fried chicken with special Hoisen sauce are must-tries. [CM Recto St., Davao City; (6382) 221 0888]
Jack’s Ridge – If you want your food to come with lots of bonuses, this restaurant is a pretty good choice. A dining experience here is composed of reasonably priced familiar dishes plus a spectacular view on top of the hill. At night, your eyes will dazzle with the city lights. It’s a nice place to have get-togethers because the cozy ambience allows for some good talks coupled with tasty and delicious food. [Shrine Hills, Davao City; (6382) 297-8830]
Cafe Mediterranean – Fusion restaurant is pretty common nowadays. Then again, you do not always get the best of everything in all of them. If there’s one Davao restaurant that could give you the thrill of fusion cuisine, it’s Café Mediterranean. Asian, Mediterranean, French, Italian, and Spanish cuisine are put together for an exciting mix in the food menu. Lamb, chicken, seafood, and beef are cooked in every other fabulous way for mouthwatering food choices. The kebabs and gyros are must-tries. [G/F Chimes Mall, Governor Sales St. Davao City; (6382) 225 8997]
Butuan may be associated with historical monuments and landmarks, but there are also several beaches you may want to check out. If you are not sure where to go, this Butuan beach guide can point the way.
Located some 30 km away is Cubi Cubi Beach, and this Butuan beach guide can relay some of the qualities that make it such a top attraction. There are the lovely resorts and cottages around the beach, which complement the scenery rather than diminish it. There are also the friendly local folks, and of course the waters and sands, which rank as among the most exquisite in the Philippines.
This Butuan beach guide can also point to Jabonga Beach as another worthwhile site. One of the distinguishing features of the area is that there are several beaches lying side by side, so you can spend your time just exploring each one. It is also worth noting that these beaches are also connected to other diving sites, which is always popular with tourists, both local and foreign.
For those who are looking for something a bit more serene, this Butuan beach guide can recommend you to the Tubay Coastline, which is only about 40 km from Butuan, Philippines. Unlike other beaches, the major part of the environment has been left untouched, and remains in pristine and clear form. This is the place to be for those that want some quiet time on their hands.
Tinago Beach is also becoming a much sought after tourist destination. If you come to the site, this Butuan beach guide can inform you that you will be greeted by the sight of several diverse cottages, resorts and nipa huts. The latter in particular is very popular among travelers, as it helps bring about a feeling of being completely away from the modern trappings of suburban life.
Vinafor Beach is well known for being a haven for diving enthusiasts, but as this Butuan beach guide can attest, the white sands are world class too, and possess a silky smooth texture that few beaches can claim to have. The breeze coming from the shore is also constant and comforting, be it in the morning or nighttime.
As this Butuan beach guide makes plain, there is more to the city than just scouring over historical relics and examining its glorious heritage. If you feel like taking a dip in some of the finest beaches in the Philippines, you now know where to go.
Butuan City is one of the historical locations in the Philippines. It has more than a thousand years of recorded history part of which predates the colonial era. Anciently, the city is known for its balanghais, which are native boats that have been well known in Southeast Asia even before any colonizer has set foot on the islands. This Butuan sightseeing guide will walk you through the many historic and cultural sights in the city.
On the first part of our Butuan sightseeing guide, we’ll look at things and places this city is famous for. Butuan is well known for the oldest kind of boat in the Philippines known as the balangay. The use of balangays dates back to fourth and 13th century. These edge-pegged boats are unique and have no counterpart in the entire world.
The Golden Tara is a figurine of a female deity made up of nearly four pounds of 21-carat gold. It is said that a local woman from the Manobo tribe found this relic in 1917. It is a cultural symbol that grew in ancient Southeast Asia.
The Agusan River is longest navigable river in the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. Visitors can go on a river cruise and view the river towns. The cruise is a tour through the city’s culture, history, and people.
The next part of our Butuan sightseeing guide includes cultural attractions. First one would be a tour to different antique collections. Schedules to each collection are to be made by appointment. The collections were the result of archaeological excavations done in 1976 that showcases a lot of rare pieces in the Philippines.
The National Museum is the place to go if you want to dig into the city’s history and culture. You’ll find exhibits dating back from pre-Hispanic times and items during the colonial period. The Balangay Shrine Museum is where you’ll find the rare and peculiar boats that transported the city’s first inhabitants. You’ll get to see a flotilla of them here preserved and restored.
Mount Mayapay, our Butuan sightseeing guide’s natural attraction, is the landmark of the city standing at 700 meters. Its name, according to local lore, was given by the Madjapahit Empire in the 10th to 11th century.
The last leg of our Butuan sightseeing guide will feature the festivals celebrated in a year. January 17 marks the date of the flag hoisting commemoration. This celebrates the first time the flag of the Philippines was raised in Mindanao in 1889. March 17 marks the China Trade Mission celebration. May and August are made alive by the Balangay Festival and the Adlaw hong Butuan. These are homecoming reunion festivals when locals from all over the world come home to be with friends and family.
Other notable events include the Abayan Festival and the Tourism Consciousness Week. This Butuan sightseeing guide is a walkthrough to the different historical and cultural highlights of the city. Enjoy the sights and you’ll appreciate Butuan City’s history and the culture in the Philippines.
One of the highly urbanized cities in Mindanao, Zamboanga features an impressive roster of colleges and universities. These schools greatly contribute to a well-organized and highly efficient Zamboanga education system. These institutions provide students with good quality education at super reasonable rates. Furthermore, they also offer competitive curricula, great scholarships and challenging academic programs.
Established in 1948, this private university is located within the area of Barangay Tetuan. This place is popular for producing competitive and outstanding students, most of which top board examinations. The degree programs available under its College of Engineering and Information Technology include Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. It also boasts of very good degree programs under its School of Allied Medicine such as Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy, Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology and Bachelor of Science in Nursing. For those who like non-degree programs, they can go for the Certificate in Respiratory Therapy and Associate in Radiologic Technology.
One of the nicest schools in the area, Western Mindanao State University is found within the area of Barangay Baliwasan. This university has accomplished a lot. For instance, the best school for social work in the country was given to its College of Social Work and Community Development. Meanwhile, a Center of Development status was granted to the College of Architecture. Moreover, a Center of Excellence status was awarded to its College of Education. Some of the highly interesting undergraduate courses available inside this school include the Certificate of Proficiency in Food Processing, Bachelor of Science in Forestry and Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. It is also very proud of the various auxiliary units available within its area such as the Women's Research and Resource Center, the University Training and Review Center as well as the Center for Peace and Development.
Founded in 1912, this university has two campuses, the most important of which can be found along La Purisima Street. It features various kinds of interesting academic degree programs such as B.S. in Mass Communications, A.B. Philosophy and B.S.C. in Financial Management. For those who wish to pursue careers in the field of education, they can enroll in courses like Bachelor of Elementary Education and Bachelor of Secondary Education. For computer-related courses, the available options include an Associate in Computer Networking, B.S. Management Information Systems and B.S. Information Technology. Furthermore, it also offers very good Master?s Programs including Master of Science in Computer Science, Master in Business Education and Master in Business Administration.
Butuan is quickly becoming an ideal destination for a vacation for many locals and tourists in the Philippines. This is the capital of the province known as Agusan Del Norte. It has become one of the premier centers for tourists where you can enjoy different sports and activities. Below are the following hotels where you can have a safe stay and enjoy your vacation.
1. Almont Inland Resort Hotel - This is one of the most popular hotels in this city. It gives the familiarity and comfort of a home to the guests. The hotel was established on land with four hectares. There are fifty two rooms and four suites. It gives a big space for comfort and relaxation. Businessmen can also do their business conference here. Every room has a television with cable, air-con and designed with an elegant style. Their restaurant offers their guests international dishes as well as local dishes. They have a pool that was designed like a lagoon. The stay here costs sixty dollars for a standard room. The deluxe room there costs sixty seven dollars and a suite room costs seventy one dollars. This hotel is in Rizal Park in the city. You can inquire them through their telephone numbers at 63-85-352-5263 or 63-85-352-5464.
2. Balanghai Hotel - This is a good hotel that is proud of the kind of comfort and service they give to their guests. The rate at this hotel is also affordable. It is located near some of the commercial establishments of the city. There are several facilities in this hotel including a pool, coffee shop, restaurants, a karaoke bar and a business function room. Guests can get the standard or a suite room. Every room has air-con, toilet and a bathroom and a television. The telephones they have installed can be used to call abroad. The rooms have mini-bars and a fridge. The rate of the rooms can range from one thousand five hundred pesos up to three thousand pesos. The standard room is for a minimal amount of eight hundred pesos. It is inside Malvar Subdivision in the city. You can call them at 63-85-346-3396 for inquiries.
3. Carl Patrick’s Hotel - This is the best hotel for many backpackers. The rate at this hotel is cheaper than most hotels. The rooms are equipped with all the standard amenities. They also have a lounge with music and another bistro. They also have their own Internet cafe. This place is in the city along Montilla Boulevard. You can call them at 63-85-342-6854 for their current rates.
4. Dottie’s Place - This is the place where guests can stay if you want to have a comfortable time with your family and friends. The hotel has a pool where guests can dive in after a tiring day. All the rooms have the general amenities like the other hotels. The accomodation rate begins at one thousand pesos for one night. You can find this hotel at Aquino Avenue in the city. You can reach them through 63-85-341-4579.
5. Gardenville Hotel - This is the place where you should stay if you want to enjoy an intimate time with your family. This hotel offers more privacy since they only have twenty rooms. The rooms have all the amenities the guests need and services like shuttle service and laundry. This hotel also has its own restaurant which sells steaks. The costs of the accommodation in this hotel range from nine hundred pesos up to as much as two thousand pesos. More amenities are available for the more expensive room. You can find this hotel at the national highway of the city. You can book by calling 63-85-343-5103 or 63-85-815-9381.
Staying in the Spanish town of the Philippines is not always that easy, because you need to know a little bit about the city in order to find a great hotel. There are places big and small to stay in the little Spain of the Philippines, but none that has an international recognizable brand. Let us help you find a great hotel to stay with the Zamboanga Hotel Guide.
The first place in the Zamboanga Hotel Guide is located in the heart of the city and this hotel is one of the oldest places around. The Lantaka is not the up to date facility for young people but it still has the flair from the past which makes this place ideal for elderly travelers and families. This hotel has a pool area and of course a restaurant where you can munch your breakfast before exploring the city. This hotel has a gift shop and only costs an average of $50 per night.
If you came to the Philippines for their white beaches then the Zamboanga Hotel Guide presents you the Dakak Park Beach Resort. This hotel is a beachfront establishment where you can easily go to and fro the private beach to enjoy your daily activities. The food is great and healthy and you can relax in their pools or spa. For an average of $80 per night, this beachfront beauty seems a tad too costly, but you will surely find your reasons to stay in the little Spain of the Philippines.
The Zamboanga Hotel Guide takes you now to the Garden Orchid Hotel which is one of the most popular in this city. The Garden Orchid Hotel has everything one could want in a hotel in the Philippines and we are not exaggerating. You will find a ballroom, function rooms, convention centers, laundry services, car rentals, money changer, an executive clubhouse, a gym, a sauna, a tennis court, beauty salons and barber shops, a convenience store, a souvenir shop, a travel agency, a restaurant, and a pool area. Now you know we didn’t exaggerate. The average room rate per night ranges around $60.
The last hotel on our Zamboanga Hotel Guide is the Grand Astoria Hotel. There are many other Astoria hotels scattered throughout the Philippines but this one promises very spacious rooms and they do not disappoint. The food is good, but can also be avoided yet the rooms are a great investment. The Astoria also has a fitness gym and it is in walking distance of all the major malls. The average cost for a single room is around $80.
Enjoy your Zamboanga Hotel Guide further and maybe you will find so many more places to stay in the little Spain of the Philippines.
Fondly known to its inhabitants as Gensan, this city in Mindanao is frequented by tourists because of the many natural wonders that can be seen here. The strength of Gensan lies in its thriving agricultural land and although this is the primary source of livelihood here, General Santos is a progressive city. In fact, when in Gensan, one will be amazed at how accessible General Santos transportation is.
If one is planning a trip to General Santos, it’s a good idea to consider the different means of General Santos transportation that would get one to this thriving city. The quickest way is of course by plane and a direct flight originating from the nation’s capital lasts for about an hour and forty five minutes. There are many airlines that offer promotional packages when it comes to airfares going to General Santos and during off peak season, one might just chance upon promotional offers that will bring ticket rates down to less that Php2000. If however one is not able to book a direct flight, there is another mode of General Santos transportation that can get one there quickly and that is to fly from Manila to Cebu. Once in Cebu, it’s much easier to book a flight that’s headed straight for General Santos City.
Believe it or not, another mode of General Santos transportation is to take the bus although this is a 3 day journey. This passes several provinces on the way to General Santos and the scenery varies from scenic to endless stretches of national road. This costs about Php2000 per person.
If one is considering of getting to this part of Mindanao via sea, a multitude of General Santos transportation options are available. One can take a ferry directly to General Santos or make stopovers in Iloilo for a total travel time of three days. Depending on the type of accommodation options that one chooses, fare can range from Php2000 to Php6000.
Once in Gensan, one will notice that almost all types of public utility vehicles that can be seen in Manila can be found here. Among the General Santos transportation options to help one get around the city are jeepneys, tricycles, taxis and buses. The most affordable would of course be the jeepney with fare less than Php10 per head but these make several stops and drive on designated routes. For a more comfortable trip, there are air conditioned taxis and the initial flag down rate is Php30.
Considered as one of the most populous and improving areas in the province of Agusan del Norte, Butuan City has several interesting places that tourists and locals can visit if they want to unwind, relax and shop. Butuan shopping centers and souvenir stores offer affordable and high quality items so customers can get the best value for their money when they spend some time at the famous malls in the city. Aside from these commercial establishments, people can also go to the public markets in the area to get fresh meat, seafood, vegetables and fruits. Below are some of the most inviting and popular shopping places in the city.
One of the most visited Butuan shopping places is Gaisano Mall, which is situated at the corners of Jose Rosales Avenue and Jose C. Aquino Avenue. It is a convenient place to see because the mall features numerous retail shops and specialty stores. Aside from these, the establishment has a supermarket and department store where customers can purchase items that are reasonably priced. For those who want to dine, Gaisano Mall plays home to fast food stores like Pizza Hut, Jollibee and Jonies Flavored Chicken. For the comfort of shoppers, this commercial establishment has a secured parking area.
Locals and tourists who want to purchase affordable and fresh food can always go to Langihan Market. This establishment has a wet section where meat and seafood are available. Additionally, it has a dry section where people can buy cheap clothes, accessories and shoes. Inside the market, customers can also find small retail stores that sell native delicacies and local treats. In addition, there are food stalls that offer affordable and delectable snacks like grilled corn. For only 200 pesos, customers can have a wonderful and fun shopping experience at this market.
Madyaw Kadyaw is another interesting Butuan shopping place to see, which is situated along J. C. Aquino Avenue in the city. Tourists can have a fun and nice time at this shop because it sells numerous souvenir items and keepsakes. Some of the cheap items available at the establishment are earrings, bracelets as well as necklaces. In addition to these, shoppers can also find a Manobo costume at Madyaw Kadyaw. After checking the items, customers can relax and taste the local treats and delicious meals offered at the store. By allotting 300 pesos, tourists and locals can buy several keepsakes at this inviting retail shop.
Rising from the ashes of the old mall that was destroyed by fire about 4 years ago, you can now experience General Santos shopping at the newly-constructed and airconditoned KCC Mall. The old building used to be located at Osmena Street at the now Koronadal City as a fabric store. Eventually it developed into a shopping mall located at General Santos Drive.
Afterwards, the KCC Warehouse Club was established in General Santos City. The new building was destroyed by fire paving the way for the establishment of KCC Mall of General Santos, the biggest mall in Cotabato.
KCC provides a wide array of the best products General Santos shopping has to offer. You can get local and imported clothing at wholesale price. Its supermarket located at Level 1 has 82 checkout counters. There is a Food Court as well as popular American restaurants such as KFC, Dunkin Donuts, Pizza Hut, to name just a few.
Planning to book tickets for your trip to Manila or other places? KCC is home to a couple of travel agencies. Level 3 is the haven of gamers as well as six mini-cinemas complete with Digital Sound. Aside from that, there is a Skin Center, Dental Clinic, Spa, Beauty Salon, Barber Shop as well as regional offices of the two leading telecommunication companies Globe & Smart.
KCC also has an Internet cafe with over 30 computers providing the lowest rates at PHP20 an hour. Likewise, there are cellphone shops, a hardware, and a computer shop. Operations starts at 9 am and ends at midnight after the last full show in the cinemas. There is free parking space at Level 3 and supermarket level.
The store also sells clothes made by local manufacturers at affordable prices. Looking for souvenir shirts? They are available at US$3 per piece. There are discounted models of cellphones, Filipino crafts, religious items, among others. KCC Mall is located at J. Catolico Sr, Avenue, General Santos City.
General Santos shopping will become even more worthwhile as the SM Group of Companies is expected to open SM City General Santos come 2011, simultaneous with that of SM City North Davao. It will be first SM mall in General Santos City and the third in the whole Mindanao peninsula after SM City Davao and Cagayan de Oro. It will house common fixtures in any SM establishment such as SM Appliance Center, Movietime, Department Store as well as stores like National Bookstore and Toy Kingdom.