Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
SANTA ANA AND AROUND
By plane
At the time of research a new airport was under
construction at Lal-lo, 77km west of Santa Ana.
By boat
Weekly bangkas leave from San Vicente pier
for Maconacon in the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park
(see p.157).
By bus
Guardian Angels (commonly referred to as
Everlasting) runs to Santa Ana from Manila (3 daily; 14hr),
stopping opposite the main market, Centro Santa Ana, on
the main highway. GMW Trans connects Vigan to Santa Ana
(2 daily; 12hr).
By van
There are regular vans from Santa Ana to
Tuguegarao (every 30min 3am-3pm; 3hr; P180).
INFORMATION AND ACTIVITIES
Tourist information
In Santa Ana's municipal building
(Mon-Fri 8am-5pm;
T
078 858 1004). Can offer advice
on island-hopping and arrange homestays.
Game-fishing
The seas around Santa Ana offer marvellous
game-fishing (March-July), thanks to the currents that
run through the Luzon Strait from the Pacific. Contact the
Philippine Game Fishing Foundation (
T
0927 320 7261).
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
SANTA ANA
Jotay Resort
T
078 372 0560,
W
jotayresort.com.
This
small resort facing the beach offers a selection of simple
rooms with private bath; a few face the little pool area,
but the majority are set around the courtyard and parking
area at the back. The restaurant specializes in excellent
chilli crab - a must, b
ut mak
e sure you give at least a few
hours' advance notice.
P1000
3
local community's women's association prepares the food
here, and also provides
mass
ages in the garden's open-
fronted huts. Per person
P250
BABUYAN ISLANDS
TPS Homestay
Calayan Island
T
0929 837 5737.
Run
by a chatty woman, this homestay is located in the centre
of town near the sea. There are three simple rooms, two of
which sleep four and have fan and communal bathroom;
the other has a double bed, a/c and private bath (P700).
Travellers can also pitch a tent on the grounds, and make
use of the
kitchen
; otherwise, staff can rustle up some food.
Per person
P250
PALAUI ISLAND
Bayanihan Nature Village
Punta Verde
T
0906 845
5472.
Run by PEPA, this simple thatched place has just
one room sleeping four; you can also pitch a tent in the
grounds, just by a honey production centre (Feb-May). The
Tuguegarao
The capital of Cagayan province,
TUGUEGARAO
(“Too-geg-er-rao”) is a busy city of
choked streets lined with pawnshops and canteens, offering little of interest for
travellers. It is, however, convenient to fly to Tuguegarao if you intend to explore the
east coast around the Sierra Madre or the northernmost coast near Santa Ana, or head
west into Kalinga province and its capital Tabuk. There are also small aircraft flights
from Tuguegarao to Batanes.
Don't head off straight away, though, as Tuguegarao is also the best starting point for
a visit to a remarkable cave system at
Peñablanca
. In addition, a number of local travel
agents offer
whitewater rafting
and
kayaking
trips on the Pinacanauan and Chico
rivers, usually from August until February.
Cagayan Provincial Museum
Provincial Capitol Compound, 3km from the city centre • Mon-Fri 8am-5pm • Free •
T
078 846 7337 • Tricycle from Tuguegarao P15 (10min)
The small
Cagayan Provincial Museum
traces the history of Cagayan province; displays
include fossilized bones of extinct animals that roamed the area during the Ice Age. The
highlight is the replica (the original is on display in Manila's National Museum) of the
toe bone of Callao Man, discovered by a team of archeologists in 2007 in nearby
Callao Cave. The remains date back 67,000 years and are allegedly the oldest ever
found in Southeast Asia. The exhibition then jumps ahead to the age of trade, with
displays featuring intricately designed Chinese bowls and porcelain vessels, as well as
heirloom pieces from the Spanish and American eras.
