Go anywhere from the mall, to the beach, to the mountains in 15 minutes or less from the city’s central district. If you’re craving a road trip, Cagayan de Oro is also the perfect gateway to places such as idyllic Camiguin Island or the cool mountain province of Bukidnon.

How to get there: Cagayan de Oro is only a 75-minute plane ride away from Manila via any of the local airlines which offer daily trips to the city. If you prefer a voyage by sea, allot around 30 hours of travel coming from Manila or 10 hours coming from Cebu.

Must-do’s:

• Visit the Macahambus Adventure Park in Lumbia and walk the 120-foot Sky Bridge amid gigantic, centuries-old trees. For an added adrenaline rush, rappel down to Macahambus Gorge or try the 120-meter Zip Line (also known as the ‘Slide for Life’).

• Experience white-water rafting the Western way or the Filipino way (also known as water tubing) in the rapids of the Cagayan de Oro River. If your tour offers it, take a 20-30 feet ‘graduation’ jump off a rock/bridge to cap the experience.

• Drop by the Gardens of the Malasag Eco-Tourism Village with its replicas of the region’s tribal homes, endemic plants and trees, and a panoramic view of Macajalar Bay.

• Spend a day at the Mapawa Nature Park (just minutes away from the Malasag Eco-Tourism Village) which offers a range of activities such as horseback riding, rock climbing, rappelling, camping, ziplining, trampoline jumping, and waterfall trekking.

• Go for the famous Noslek Canopy Walk in Claveria and stop by the Silkworm Center along the way.

• Go river trekking and swim in the cool waters of the Magbais River. If you’re lucky, you might even get to climb up a waterfall.

• Try spelunking in Kweba de Oro (Cave of Gold) and rappel 110 feet down to the cave entrance.

• Go skimboarding or surfing in the beaches of Opol, 20-30 minutes away from the city.

• Dine along the streets of Divisoria Plaza at the Night Café which sets up every Friday and Saturday evening from 6 pm ‘til the wee hours of the morning. Check out the live bands playing and the great bargains available at the nearby Night Market.

• Hike up to the hill-perched High Ridge and enjoy a view of the city over a packed picnic lunch.

• Drive up to Bukidnon to see the Del Monte pineapple plantation, have some steaks at the Golf and Country Club, or visit the Monastery of the Transfiguration, famous for its Monk’s Blend coffee.

• Take a trip to enchanting Camiguin Island for its hot and cold springs, white-sand beaches, and many more.

• Explore the caves of Monigue, Macahambus, Huluga, or Initao.

•Buy pasalubong such as cashew nuts, Cheding’s peanuts, and Pinakurat vinegar (from Iligan), VJANDEP pastel (from Camiguin) and ham, and longganisa or chicharon from Slers or Oro Ham.

• Book overnight stays at Duka Bay (in Medina) and Mantangale (in Balingoan) and go scuba diving or dolphin and whale shark watching.

•Visit the Philippine Crocodile and Ostrich farms in Opol and feast on an ostrich egg omelet.

• Enjoy the cold spring waters of Kagay-an Resort (formerly the Lawndale Spring Resort) in Taguanao.

• Go golfing at the 18-hole Pueblo de Oro Golf Course in Upper Carmen

• Get cultural at the Xavier University Museum which showcases Muslim-Bukidnon pieces, paintings from the local artists and many more historical artifacts.

How-To’s:

• For Makahambus Adventure Park tours, contact Sinkhole, Inc. E-mail: riverguide@cdorafting-map.com, Website: http://www.cdorafting-map.com/macahambus/

• Adventure tour packages are available from:

• DOME (De Oro Mountain Explorers Club) offers the DOME Expedition Tours (DETOUR). E-mail: a_detour97@yahoo.com.

• Kagay offers white water rafting and cave exploration tours. Contact: Dan Kaamiño. Address: #21 Pres. Aguinaldo St., Cagayan de Oro City, E-mail: dankaamino@cdorafting-map.com, http://www.cdorafting-map.com/

• For a Malasag Eco-Tourism Village tour, visit Cagayan de Oro’s official website: http://cagayandeoro.gov.ph/index.php

• To make a reservation at the Mapawa Nature Park in Malasag, Cugman, visit Cagayan de Oro’s official website: http://cagayandeoro.gov.ph/index.php

• To reserve a room at Duka Bay Resort in Medina, Misamis Oriental, E-mail: dukabayresort@yahoo.com, Website: http://www.dukabay.com/

• To book a reservation at the Matangale Alibuag Dive Resort, Balingoan, Misamis. E-mail: mantadive@col.com.ph, Website: http://www.col.com.ph/mantadive/main.html