Highly-urbanized city in Northern Mindanao, Philippines
Photo: Renzoy16, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Cagayan de Oro, often abbreviated CDO and sometimes just called "Cagayan", is known as the "City of Golden Friendship." It is the capital of the Province of Misamis Oriental and the "Gateway of Northern Mindanao."
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
San Agustin Metropolitan Cathedral
A Gothic-inspired cathedral and is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, since it houses the cathedra (seat) of the Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro. The present-day cathedral was constructed in 1946, after being destroyed during World War II. Inside the cathedral are centuries-old stained glass windows, while outside its main entrance is a wooden cross from 1888, erected by Augustinian Recollect missionaries.
Nazareno Parish Church
A shrine dedicated to the Black Nazarene located in the heart of the city. The Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo Church decided to move the replica statue of the Black Nazarene to Nazareno Parish Church, so that Nazarene devotees from Mindanao do not have to travel to Manila for their annual pilgrimage.
Sacred Heart Church
Formerly the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Holy Eucharist, Santuario Eucaristico is a shrine dedicated to St. Peter Julian Eymard, Apostle of the Eucharist. Along the rear, semi-circular wall of the shrine are intricately-designed Mosaic Stations of the Cross, while above the secondary entrances/exits are stained glass windows depicting the Stations of the Eucharist. These stained glass windows are based on the Stations of the Holy Eucharist at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama. They are the only one of their kind in the Philippines.
The area surrounding the monastery is also the residence of several religious orders, including the Discalced Carmelites, as well as the St. John Vianney Theological Seminary. Carmelite Church contains an image of the Santo Niño, or Holy Child which is said to be miraculous.
Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy
Its focal point is a statue of Jesus as the Divine Mercy overlooking Macajalar Bay. The site attracts many pilgrims every Divine Mercy Sunday, one week after Easter Sunday, as well as during solemnities and other feast days throughout the year.
A circular park named after Segundo Gaston, a former pre-war Municipal Mayor of Cagayan de Oro, and is a favorite place to unwind for many Kagay-anons, especially during Sundays. This was the site of the first Spanish settlement established in 1622 and was the main plaza during the era, even becoming an execution ground for Spanish criminals. During the Philippine-American War, Gaston Park was a training ground for local soldiers, and on April 7, 1900, became the site of the Battle of Cagayan de Misamis. After World War II, cherry blossoms were planted in the park as a gift from the Japanese Government. In 2000, a National Historial Institute marker, now commonly referred to as the Siete de Abril marker commemorating the battle in 1900, was placed at the park, and this can now be found at its northwest section facing City Hall. There is also another marker donated by the Cagayanons of America, Southern California Chapter, located in front of the Archbishop's Palace. At the southwest corner of Gaston Park across from St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral is the Sendong Memorial, dedicated to the victims of Tropical Storm Sendong. The park was renovated in 2015, its worn-out grass being replaced by concrete and pavers. A musical fountain that lights up with different colors was also installed at the park's center.
Duaw Cagayan Park
The park was proposed by Mayor Pablo Magtajas after 120 Kagay-anons returned home from the United States and Canada in August 1987, a year following the end of Martial Law. It is also the place where the Birhen sa Kota sa Cagayan de Oro (Our Blessed Lady of the Holy Rosary) was said to have appeared, saving the early settlement from invaders. Every August during the City Fiesta, the park serves as the endpoint of the fluvial parade, which begins from Macabalan Pier.
Golden Frienship Park
It was built in the early 1900s as a town divider (hence the name Divisoria) or fire breaker after a great fire that almost burned down the entire town. The park is dedicated to local and national heroes.
Capitol Park
Situated in front of the Provincial Capitol of Misamis Oriental with age-old mahogany trees that provide a therapeutic canopy for the promenades. The park is a popular jogging area during the morning. This is also the site of the Press Freedom Monument and a Sculpture of the Province of Misamis Oriental.
Exhibits artifacts dug from Huluga Cave, and a repertoire of Bukidnon and Maranao cultures that have survived the ravages of time.
It houses a gallery of Maranao antiquities from Tugaya, Lanao del Sur; a gallery of ethnohistory which shall display Cagayan de Oro history, Butuan archaeological artifacts, lumad arts and crafts from the Hiligaynon and Manobo cultures, and a treasure of Christian lowland artefacts of Northern Mindanao; and an art gallery and coffee shop promoting the local visual arts of Mindanao.
The museum was opened in 2008, but the water tower was completed in 1922, and survived World War II. It houses photos of people who contributed to Cagayan de Oro over the years, and life and events from yesteryear.
A museum of Philippine household heirlooms and antiques. This is the Rodolfo and Elsa Pelaez family memorabilia administered by Liceo de Cagayan University.
Showcases the products from Cagayan de Oro and the province.
The monument commemorates two historical events.
A memorial park dedicated to the heroes of the Three Battles of Cagayan de Oro during the Philippine-American War.
This is 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.
An underground cave with a 130 ft circular gorge. The ravine is thick with various species of plants and huge trees. It is the site of the historical battle between Kagay-anons and American soldiers during the Philippine-American War (1900).
The falls contain huge boulders, rapids, cascading falls and a natural pool.
Previously called Lawndale Spring, it is usually packed with families and groups on weekends lounging in the cold springs.
It is open to the public for outdoor picnics, and known for its commanding view of downtown Cagayan de Oro.
The cave entrance is flowing water from an underground stream.
"Do it yourself" coin-operated laundry station.
A restaurant chain that has its roots in Cagayan de Oro, Bigby's specializes in international cuisines, with each of its branches displaying memorabilia from around the world.
Filipino cuisine and ostrich meat.
Great foods ranging from Asian to Western-style dishes.
Batchoy, Gato, Lugaw, Zeki, soft drinks.
A Japanese, Korean and Chinese buffet restaurant with all you can eat promos.
Air-con, W-Fi, laundry service.
Fan double rooms with outside bathrooms. A/C double rooms with outside bathrooms. All rooms have cable TV, phone, free wifi. Can pay with Master Card or Visa Card.
A/C single and double rooms with own bathrooms and cable TV. 102 rooms.
A/C rooms with own bathrooms and cable TV.
16/18 bed dorm with A/C.
A/C single/double rooms with own hot water bathroom. cable TV. and free wifi. 41 rooms
Dorm beds and A/C double rooms with own bathroom cable TV and free wifi.
A/C double rooms with own bathroom and cable TV. Free WiFi in all rooms.
Red Planet
Free WiFi is available in all 159 rooms, as well as a computer station near the hotel's lobby. Circa 1850, a restaurant specializing in international cuisine, is located on the ground floor next to the main entrance.
Located within the Xavier Estates complex, every room has air conditioning, pocket refrigerator, mini bar, cable TV, and high-speed Internet access. Some of its amenities are fitness room, game room, restaurant/café/bar lounge, and an outdoor swimming pool.
Vamenta Blvd., Carmen.
In a residential setting.
European style Bed & Breakfast, relaxing with stunning view.
One of the tallest and most-recognizable buildings in Cagayan de Oro with its golden facade, the Limketkai Luxe Hotel is at the northern end of the Limketkai Center complex. At the hotel's ground floor is the KaVe Restaurant and Bar, while an outdoor pool, sauna and fitness center are also available. All guests have free breakfast, along with free WiFi that can be accessed anywhere (although wired high-speed internet is ₱100/hour).
All rooms have executive work desk, mini-bar, coffee and tea making facilities, in-room safe. Restaurant, lounge, meeting rooms, gym, adult/children pool, in-room massage, currency exchange, parking, safety deposit boxes, airport and city transfers, laundry and dry cleaning.
Avida Towers Aspira is a two-tower condominium / aparhotel that is strategically situated near Centrio and is masterfully planned and designed to suit the evolving market of CDO.
Centrio
From early November to early January, Centrio holds the Magical Nights of Lights, a music and light show located in the garden where thousands of strobe lights are synchronized to well-known Christmas songs.
Gaisano Recto
Ketkai
SM Premier
Has a large-screen format theater, a wide variety of restaurants, shops, an SM Supermarket, and a Sky Garden on the 5th floor.
SM Uptown
Every August and December, SM City Cagayan de Oro holds two Pyro Musical Fireworks shows.
Robinsons
Savemore
Savemore Kauswagan
Savemore Capistrano
Cogon Market
The largest of the city's markets covering a number of blocks. Cogon Market is also the terminal for jeepneys going to far-flung barangays to the south of the city, and those going to Bukidnon.
Carmen Market
Minimum 2 kg of washing.
By ferry
Ferries arrive at Cagayan de Oro Port in Barangay Macabalan, just north of downtown CDO.
By bus
There are plenty of bus services to Cagayan de Oro from all the major cities in Mindanao, and from Manila via ro-ro ferries.
By jeepney or multicab
Jeepneys and multicabs are usually safe during the day and cost only a tenth of a taxi ride.
By motorela
Motorelas are essentially motorcycles with a passenger compartment attached at the rear.
By taxi
Air-conditioned taxis with meters installed can be found all over the city, and many of them can be hailed using either Grab or Hirna.
By motorcycle
If you're feeling adventurous, you can use the Angkas motorcycle-hailing service, similar to GrabBike in Indonesia and Vietnam.
By trisikad or sidecar
Trisikads, which are pedal-powered tricycles that typically seat between two-four passengers, and sidecars are used in less urban and outlying areas of CDO.
By bicycle
Cagayan de Oro is definitely not a bicycle-friendly city.
By foot
Like cycling, walking around most parts of the city is not for the faint of heart.
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Laguindingan · International · CGY
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