If you want somewhere that is a breath of new fresh air for you, Surigao del Sur is not your usual destination getaway. I am saying this not just because this is my home province but because who wouldn’t be amazed for this majestic province. A coastline blessed with stunning natural wonders devoid of mass tourism, Surigao del Sur is your dream holiday get-away. My mother is an Ilokana from the province of Cagayan Valley, which is one of the places that has been so close to my heart while my father is from the Surigao del Sur. When I was 6 years old, my parents decided to stay for good in Surigao to which I spent studying up to high school, then I just moved here in Manila to pursue my college study. So let me have the opportunity to tour you around my beloved province.
The province of Surigao Del Sur, located in CARAGA Region in Mindanao, is not as visible to the tourism map for quite some time but its natural attractions are paving way for the province to be visited and seen. It is located at the eastern coast of Mindanao and faces the Philippine Sea.
How to get there?
I tell you it’s not as easy as you seem. Getting there if you’re from Manila, you have first to take a 1-hour and 10 minutes plane bound to Butuan or Surigao Airport but I prefer to land in Butuan because for me it’s more convenient. If you’re up to a bit more exciting travel and you want to experience riding a passenger ship, you could also travel by sea for almost 1 day and you also have the stop-over of the ship in Cebu. Inter-island vessels like the Super-Ferry and Sulpicio Line ply the Manila-Butuan or Cebu-Butuan routes on regular schedules with Nasipit Port as transit point. Lastly, you could travel by land and sea, you might be wondering what am I talking about but you could ride by a bus that has a travel time for almost 3 days. Haha. If I will compare who has cheapest rate, it’s the bus plus it’s the most adventurous way of getting in Surigao since you will have the chance to pass some of the places from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao though the trip for 3 days is really exhausting. But still, I prefer to travel by plane, always.
After arriving in Butuan, you have to travel from there to Surigao del Sur for almost 4 hours. There air-conditioned vans that are available outside the airport.
Surigao del Sur is subdivided into 17 municipalities and two cities. These municipalities are subdivided into 309 barangays and has two congressional districts.
- Barobo
- Bayabas
- Bislig
- Cagwait
- Cantilan
- Carmen
- Carrascal
- Cortes
- Hinatuan
- Lanuza
- Lianga
- Lingig
- Madrid
- Marihatag
- San Agustin
- San Miguel
- Tagbina
- Tandag
- Tago
I am so lucky to have been in all those mentioned municipalities. I have went home just this July in Surigao and I am forever amazed on what this province offers.
This is Noventa. Noventa road starts at Km.90 connecting Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur. The mountain range, commonly called “Iron Mountain” or “Red Mountain” due to its immense iron deposits and becomes reddish as seen from afar during daytime, sits on the old towns of Claver and Carrascal. But anyone could not just reach the 120-year old Carrascal town without passing Novienta, or the most mysterious, exciting and scary road called Kilometer 90. The road was built mainly serving the 7 large scale mining operations dwelling in the red mountain of Surigao. The location of the mountain ridge is home to numerous pygmy trees and bushes that normally grow in steep and elevated environment. Local people would say “novienta” because its 90 degrees uphill road. Like the zigzag roads in Baguio, passing the narrow and curvaceous road of Novienta is quite an adventure for the motorists. Who really benefits the mining activities on Noventa? The politikos? Foreigners? Other countries?
Carrascal. One of the things that you can do in Carrascal aside from the beaches is the zipline. 20-minute Cable car paakyat ng bundok, then 30-second zipline pababa.
Cantilan.
Lanuza. It’s the secret spot of surfers several years ago, but not anymore. You can chase the Magkawas Falls and take a dip in its refreshing catch basin. Nearby, you can find the striking Lanuza Marine Park.
Liangga.
Cagwait. Swim, get tanned, and camp in this serene enclave.
Enchanted River of Hinatuan. This beautiful river is said to be wrapped in mystery and supernatural events so that it gained renown as being enchanted. There are several unexplained mysteries and features that this stunning river has to offer to keep you guessing. The locals have plenty of legends associated with the river, many of which involve tales of enkantos and various supernatural beings. Some tales speak of people getting lost in the river or strong swimmers drowning in its depths, never to return again. Yet at the stroke of noon when the bell is rang, large fish suddenly come up and grab at the food, feeding and foraging for that 1 hour. Then, just as silently as they came, they are nowhere to be seen after the designated feeding time. Logic tells us that fish, especially several schools of various species, could never be trained to wait for a bell to strike before them swim in a particular area. You could, perhaps, train the fish in your aquarium (though that is highly unlikely!). This is another one of those seemingly creepy mysteries that surround the Enchanted River. Overnight stays along the river, especially those involving night swimming, are strongly discouraged – even to the point of being prohibited. This is for your own safety. Please do not try to be clever by sneaking past the guards. You may not believe tales about enkantos but there is no guarantee for your safety in the river or along its banks at night. Entrance fee is 30 pesos per person, life jacket rent is 15 pesos per hour, and cottage rent costs P100.00.The best time to visit the river is around 12:00 NOON to 1:00 PM and from 4:00 to 5:00 PM – feeding time were different varieties of fishes are coming –out from nowhere. Locals are selling fresh sea foods in stalls few meters from the entrance; you can buy and ask them to cook for you. What I truly know is that the Hinatuan River is truly an enchanting body of water, its beauty beyond compare – with or without its mind-boggling mysteries. Let us just hope that tourism and modern developments will not further mar the beauty of this magnificent Enchanted River.
Pamutuanan Cave, Barobo. Situated at Barobo, Surigao del Sur, Pamutuanan Cave is known for its stunning rock formations as well as challenging passages that require basic caving skills. Lining the enormous walls of the cave are rock formations that could be associated to some shapes and figures known to many.
Some of the wonders of the province that you don’t also want to miss are Britania Islands and the Tinuy-an Falls. I am not yet done with you Surigao del Sur. I’ll be back for more 😀 Surigao del Sur is all about the perfect beaches, friendly locals, beautiful nature and of course, the seafoods :)) Til next time my home province! Salamat Kadayaw!
Super Renzy 