Tuguegarao - The Jewel of Cagayan Valley

Tuguegarao City is the capital of Cagayan Province, and is the center for business and learning in the entire Region 2, also popularly known as Cagayan Valley. It is also the gateway to major town and cities in the region and major tourism destinations such as the Callao Caves in Peñablanca town and the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat in the municipality of Piat (see older posts).

A Cebu Pacific promo-fare flight I booked for around Php200.00 one-way from Manila took me 45 minutes to get there. By bus, it would take a long 12-hour drive..

Accomodation in Tuguegarao City is never a problem. Although there's not much choice for deluxe hotels, I was happy to book a room in Hotel Candice because it is cheap. If you want a nice budget hotel for as low as Php600 (single) and Php800 (twin) in the middle of the city then this could be your choice.

While in the city, one should never miss visiting St. Peter and Paul Cathedral, the seat of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao and the biggest Spanish built church in the province. Also, what caught my attention was the city’s calesa. It’s design is unique and far different from the usual design we see in Intramuros or Binondo.