Top Cagayan Tourist Spots: Where to Stay and Eat

Cagayan Province is like that underrated friend who’s secretly beautiful. But once you finally visit, you can’t help but say, “Where have you been all my life?!” 

With its stunning beaches, mysterious caves, pristine islands, and a food scene that can rival any foodie destination, it’s the perfect getaway for every kind of traveler. If you’re an adventure junkie with a camera or a tita just looking for a quiet escape and a good plate of pancit, there’s a place here just for you.

Let's dive into the must-visit Cagayan tourist spots, accommodations, and culinary delights.

Region 2: Cagayan Province

Cagayan Province, located in the Cagayan Valley Region (Region II) of the Philippines, is composed of 28 towns (municipalities) and one city (Tuguegarao City, which is also the provincial capital).

Cagayan Map

The towns are Abulug, Alcala, Allacapan, Amulung, Aparri, Baggao, Ballesteros, Buguey, Calayan, Camalaniugan, Claveria, Enrile, Gattaran, Gonzaga, Iguig, Lal-lo, Lasam, Pamplona, Peñablanca, Piat, Rizal, Sanchez-Mira, Santa Ana, Santa Praxedes, Santa Teresita, Santo Niño, Solana, and Tuao.

Top Tourist Spots in Cagayan Province

Cagayan is a destination bursting with natural beauty, history, and underrated charm. Below are the top Cagayan tourist spots you shouldn’t miss:

Callao Cave (Peñablanca)

One of the most iconic attractions in Cagayan is Callao Cave. It features seven massive chambers and a natural cathedral where sunlight beams through a hole in the cave ceiling. Yes, it's Instagrammable. And yes, it’s a real church inside a cave!

Where to Stay Near Callao Cave

■ Balai Carmela Hotel & Resort (Tuguegarao) – Close to Peñablanca, with a pool and a peaceful garden vibe.

■ Holiday Plaza Hotel – Centrally located in Tuguegarao, good value and comfy rooms.

Where to Eat Near Callao Cave

■ Billy Jack’s Panciteria – A must-try for their famous Pancit Batil Patung.

■ Pan de Cagayan Baguettes and Pizza – Fusion of local and French cuisine in a heritage house setting.

Callao River Cruise (Peñablanca)

After the caves, try a relaxing river cruise where locals sing kundiman songs while you float. It’s like a cultural ASMR moment on water.

Try riverside ihaw-ihaw vendors near the river dock as well! Grilled tilapia, fresh buko juice, and banana cue hit differently when you’re by the water.

Palaui Island (Sta. Ana)

Famous for its untouched beaches, lush hiking trails, and the historic Cape Engaño Lighthouse, Palaui is often called the "last frontier" of Northern Luzon. It was even featured on Survivor, so it’s definitely an adventure.

Where to Stay in Palaui Island

■ Jotay Resort – Comfortable, beachfront, and boat-friendly for Palaui tours.

■ Country Inn Hotel & Restaurant – Cozy and walking distance from San Vicente Port.

Where to Eat in Palaui Island

■ CJ’s Seafood Restaurant – Fresh, local seafood served lutong bahay style.

■ Rapsatodits Grill – The name says it all: Rapsa 'to, 'dits!

Cape Engaño Lighthouse (Palaui Island, Sta. Ana)

When you’re in Palaui Island, don’t forget to visit the Cape Engano Lighthouse. This Spanish-era lighthouse sits atop a hill with panoramic views of the sea and nearby islets. The hike up is worth every step.

Anguib Beach (Sta. Ana)

Dubbed the "Boracay of the North," Anguib Beach boasts white sands, turquoise waters, and chill vibes. Perfect for camping, kayaking, or just... lying around like a lumpia.

Where to Stay Near Anguib Beach

Stay in Sta. Ana (Jotay or Country Inn), then take a boat or drive to the beach area.

Where to Eat in Anguib Beach

Pack your own food or ask your resort for a packed lunch. There are minimal stores on-site, especially on weekdays.

Towel check: You’ll be glad you brought your IslaDry Travel Bath Towel so you can dry yourself up after a swim.

Check out our beach packing list to make sure you don’t miss out on anything you need when going to the beach.

Claveria Beach (Claveria)

Want to visit a quiet, less commercialized beach blessed with golden sunsets? Claveria Beach and Blue Lagoon is ideal for introspection and dramatic selfies. Again, don’t forget to bring your IslaDry portable bath towel.

Where to Stay Near Claveria Beach

■ Claveria Bayview Inn – Affordable with killer sunset views.

■ Casa Angela – Cozy, clean, and feels like home.

Where to Eat Near Claveria Beach

■ Claveria Food Court – Budget-friendly local eats.

■ Try street-side stalls for grilled bangus and sinanglaw!

Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat (Piat)

A popular pilgrimage site for Catholics is this church in Piat, Cagayan. People from all over visit this basilica to pray to the miraculous Black Virgin Mary of Piat.

Where to Stay in Piat

■ Piat Hotel – Right by the church, convenient and clean.

■ Or stay in Tuguegarao and take a day trip.

Where to Eat in Piat

■ Local stalls outside the basilica – Famous for Pawa (glutinous rice with sweetened coconut).

■ Aling Belen’s Eatery – No-frills food, big servings, masarap.

Buntun Bridge (Tuguegarao)

One of the longest river bridges in the country is the Buntun Bridge. It spans the Cagayan River and offers sweeping views, perfect for a quick photo op or deep life reflections.

Where to Stay Near Buntun Bridge

■ Go Hotels Plus Tuguegarao

■ Mango Suites

Where to Eat Near Buntun Bridge

■ Crown Restaurant – Local comfort food done right.

■ Any roadside kainan near the bridge – Especially for tapsilog and goto.

Baggao Blue Waterfalls and Caves (Baggao)

Photo from Cagayan Tourism

If you’re looking for adventure and chill rolled into one, this eco-tourism site features cool, turquoise waters and fascinating cave systems. Bring a flashlight and your IslaDry Towel for all the splash action.

Where to Stay in Baggao

Most tourists stay in Tuguegarao and go on a guided day trip to Baggao. Ask around for local homestays if you want to be closer to the falls.

Where to Eat in Baggao

Bring your own food. There are sari-sari stores, but options are limited.

Cagayan Province 4-Day Travel Itinerary

Here’s how you can pack lightly for your 4D3N trip to Cagayan Province:

@isladryph Wondering what to pack for a 4D3N trip in the beautiful islands of the Philippines? Here’s how you can fit everything in your 7kg hand-carry luggage! #howtopackhandcarryluggage #whattopackfor4d3nstay #packwithme #philippines #fyp #travelessentials #whattobringhandcarry #whattobringforvacation ♬ original sound - mailifeis

 

How to Get to Cagayan Province

If you’re traveling by car, prepare to drive for 9 to 12 hours. If you choose this route, make sure to bring all your road trip essentials and check your vehicle before leaving.

For the faster route, you can travel by plane from Manila to Tuguegarao for only 1 hour and 10 minutes via Philippine Airlines or Cebu Pacific.

The cheapest way to travel from Manila to Cagayan Province by bus is likely with companies like Victory Liner, Florida Bus, or Partas. These bus lines offer routes straight to Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

Where to Stay in Tuguegarao

Now, if you still haven’t found an accommodation yet, we suggest that you stay in Tuguegarao for your Cagayan tour. Here are some top-rated hotels in Tuguegarao to suit every kind of traveler.

■ Mango Suites
■ Go Hotels Plus Tuguegarao
■ Holiday Plaza Hotel
■ Hotel Carmelita
■ Las Palmas de San Jose
■ Hotel Juliana
■ UrbanView @ Balzain East Tuguegarao City by RedDoorz
■ Taj Hotel Tuguegarao

Note: If you’re going for the budget route, make sure to bring a portable bath towel with you. Not all accommodations provide bath towel, especially in provinces and remote areas.

Famous Food in Cagayan Valley You Have to Try

Pawa, a Cagayan delicacy

Last but not least, here’s a mouthwatering list of must-try food in Cagayan—a mix of iconic noodle dishes, local delicacies, and comfort meals you should try when you’re in Cagayan Province:

Pancit Batil Patung

Tuguegarao's pride! This noodle dish has miki (thick egg noodles), sautéed carabeef (yes, beef from carabao!), liver bits, and a poached egg (batil) on top (patung). Served with a side of soup and onions in vinegar. One bite and you’ll forget instant pancit even existed.

Where to try:

■ Billy Jack’s Panciteria

■ Jomar’s Panciteria

■ RGT Panciteria

Sinanta

A unique noodle soup native to Tuguegarao, made with flat noodles, miki, chicken, and shellfish in an orange-tinged, slightly creamy broth. It’s the warm hug you never knew you needed.

Where to try:

■ Home-cooked versions during fiestas

■ Ask local eateries in Tuguegarao or Piat

Ybanag Longganisa

Garlicky, savory, and slightly tangy sausages made the Ibanag way. Best served with sinangag and fried egg—hello, longsilog!

Where to buy:

■ Tuguegarao public market

■ Pasalubong centers in the city

Pawa

Sticky rice balls filled with sweetened ground peanuts or coconut. A Cagayan delicacy usually found outside churches and markets. Great with coffee or as a light merienda.

Where to buy:

■ Outside Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat

■ Local carinderias and food stalls

Tinuno na Bangus

Grilled milkfish seasoned the simple probinsya way—just salt, charcoal, and love. Often served with tomatoes and bagoong. It hits different by the beach or after a long trip.

Where to eat:

■ Claveria and Aparri beachside eateries

■ Sari-sari style carinderias all over

Pancit Cabagan (bonus from nearby Isabela!)

Okay fine, it’s not from Cagayan per se, pero malapit lang. This saucy, thick noodle dish from Cabagan is often mistaken as Cagayan food and is popular around Tuguegarao too.

Cagayan Valley Delicacies for Pasalubong

■ Chicha-rabao

■ Patupat (rice cake in woven palm leaves)

■ Pawa

■ Ibanag Longganisa

■ Rice crackers

■ Dried squid and fish from Aparri

Travel Tips When Going to Cagayan

■ Pack Light, but Smart: Bring only the most important travel essentials. Clothes good for layering (it gets cold at night, mainit sa tanghali), slippers and sneakers, sunblock, and your IslaDry Bath Towel—great for spontaneous swims.

■ Book Hotels and Tours Ahead: Tuguegarao, Sta. Ana, and Claveria are growing tourist spots, especially during summer, Holy Week, or fiesta season. Book your hotel and island-hopping boats ahead of time.

■ Bring Cash (Not All Towns Have ATMs and GCash): While Tuguegarao is well-equipped, more rural towns like Sta. Praxedes or Palaui jump-off points might be cash-only zones. Keep small bills for trike rides, halo-halo, and taho sa bangketa.

■ Download Maps & Info: Signal gets patchy in parts of Peñablanca, Palaui, and Baggao. Download Google Maps offline or save pins ahead of time. A screenshot of the Cagayan province map or the map of Cagayan Valley Region 2 doesn’t hurt either.

■ Talk to the Locals: Ilocano and Ibanag are widely spoken, but locals understand and speak Tagalog and English too. Don’t be shy to ask about secret spots or where to find the best Batil Patung.

■ Try Joiner Tours: If you're solo or on a budget, joiner tours are a lifesaver. They’re common for Sta. Ana, Palaui, and Anguib Beach. Bonus: you get new friends. 

■ Travel Early: Most tourist spots are best visited early in the morning—especially Callao Cave, Cape Engaño, and Fuga Island. Rural areas tend to go quiet early, so get your dinner by 6–7 PM or risk settling for snacks and cup noodles.

■ Try Everything: Chicharabao? Carabeef pancit? Taho with calamansi? Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it! Cagayan food is part of the adventure. Come hungry, leave stuffed, repeat.

Explore Cagayan Province for Your Next Trip

Cagayan may not always be the first name that pops up when you think of a vacation, but that’s what makes it so special. It’s the kind of place that surprises you: one moment you’re climbing through limestone caves, the next you’re slurping up a bowl of Batil Patung like a true Tuguegaraoeño.

Whether you're a joiner-tour adventurer, a weekend warrior, or just a tita of Manila looking for peace, Cagayan tourist spots will welcome you with open arms—and a full plate. Just remember to pack your IslaDry Travel Bath Towel. You’ll need it for every beach day, mountain trek, and river cruise ahead.

If you’re craving beaches without the Boracay crowd, food without the city price tag, and stories worth telling, then it’s time to go north. Cagayan Province is waiting.

Tara, let’s explore!