Northern Luzon - The Rough Guide to the Philippines - page 150

Tuguegarao , the starting point for trips to the Peñablanca Protected Landscape and
Seascape . Turning off the highway and following the north coast road brings you to
Santa Ana , home to the country's best game-fishing and the departure point for boat
trips to the rugged and isolated Babuyan Islands .
The coast south of Santa Ana and east of Tuguegarao is cut off from the rest of Luzon
by the Sierra Madre mountains. One of the only significant settlements is Palanan ,
jump-off point for the barely explored Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park . he
climbing and trekking possibilities here are exciting, but the area is so wild and remote
that it's also potentially hazardous, with poor communications and areas of
impenetrable forest. Further south on the coast - but unreachable by road from
Palanan - is Baler , the best-known tourist destination in the northeast. This coastal
town has become a popular surfing destination, but its location six hours from Manila
means that it isn't swamped with weekenders.

Santa Ana and around
The northern coast of Luzon, part of Cagayan province, is skipped over by many
visitors in their haste to head either west to Ilocos Norte or south to Tuguegarao.
Yet the untouristy fishing town of SANTA ANA - on the northeastern point of
Luzon - has much to offer, including some terrific white sand beaches and a
number of enticing offshore islands. It is also the departure point for boats to
Maconacon and the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park (see p.157). Boats to
the offshore islands leave from the port in San Vicente , 6km northeast of Santa
Ana town centre.

3

Anguib Beach
Bangkas from San Vicente (30min) cost P1500 return including waiting time
On the mainland, you can hire a bangka for the day to the lovely and secluded
Anguib Beach on the eastern part of San Vicente. It is a beautiful 1.8km J-shaped
stretch of beach with white sand and crystal clear waters. There is no accommodation,
but it's a great place to pitch a tent. Make sure to bring water and food, as there are no
shops or restaurants.

Palaui Island
Bangkas from San Vicente to Punta Verde (15min; P750 return) or Cape Engaño (45min; P1800 return); alternatively, the Palaui
Environmental Protectors Association (PEPA; T 0927 905 1796) offers a two-day ecotourism itinerary including snorkelling, hiking,
planting mangroves and cleaning up the beach
The closest island to Santa Ana is Palaui , which has no roads or hotels and only limited
electricity. From the main settlement of Punta Verde on the east of the island, two trails
head north to Cape Engaño on the island's northern coast, a beautiful crescent lagoon
watched over by an old but still operating Spanish lighthouse - the walk will take
about three hours.

The Babuyan islands
MV Eagle ferry ( T 0919 651 5595) from Aparri, 70km west of Santa Ana, to Camiguin (every 2-3 days depending on the weather, at 6am;
2-3hr; P350) and then on to Calayan (4-5hr; P700)- note ferries only run when weather permits; or you can hire a private bangka from
San Vicente (6hr; P7500 return)
he MV Eagle ferry makes the often rough crossing from Aparri to the isolated and
undeveloped Babuyan islands , a cluster of 24 volcanic and coralline islands 32km off
the coast. Only five of the islands - Camiguin, Calayan, Fuga, Babuyan and Dalupiri
- are inhabited and even Calayan , the most developed, has limited electricity. There are
some beautiful beaches on several of the islands including Fuga and Dalupiri, and hot
springs on the volcanic Camiguin.