Cauayan City Hotels

Founded in 1852 during the Spanish colonial period, Cauayan City once served as a major part of the Tobacco industry. Originally located in Calanusian along the Cagayan River, the town was moved to its present location after a series of major floods.

Modern-day Cauayan is a major player in Isabela’s thriving agriculture sector, with the main crops being rice, corn, and mushrooms. Other products include livestock and poultry, as well as fisheries producing catfish and Tilapia.

Cauayan City has also been dubbed the “Mushroom City of the North” due to the thriving mushroom industry in the city. A multitude of unique mushroom-based dishes can be found in Cauayan including mushroom empanadas, and more adventurous dishes such as mushroom shakes and ice cream at the city’s Mushroom Center.

How to Go

By plane

Cauayan Airport was reopened for commercial flights in 2008 and is serviced by Cebu Pacific for flights to and from Manila, and PAL Express to Clark.

By boat/ferry

Cauyan is landlocked and as such is not serviced by sea.

By land transportation

A terminal can be found at SM City Cauayan for travel to and within the city. Three (3) major bus lines service the city with daily trips to and from Manila.

Getting Around

Cauayan City has paved roads throughout the city but the transport links are best around the city center/poblacion area. The standard local transportation includes jeepneys, tricycles, and private vans/buses running through the city.

Tourist Attractions

Built in 1741, Our Lady of the Pillar Parish Church is most certainly a must visit. From the beautiful original exterior to the stained glass windows and frescos, there’s just so much to amaze you.

Opened in 2015, Hacienda de San Luis is a former Spanish colonial era hacienda that has been converted into Cauayan’s latest eco-tourism destination. The property also features a zip line and wall climbing area, with an indoor museum on the city’s history also not to be passed up when visiting the property.

Established in 2008 and largely due to the city’s need to identify a product for it to become synonymous with, is the Mushroom Center. Visitors to the Center can learn about how mushrooms are cultivated and harvested, as well as sampling dishes using some of the many mushroom varieties that are grown in-house.

To complete your historical trip, take a trip down to the Tabacalera Warehouse to learn more about Cauayan’s rich heritage.

Top Things to Do

Between the end of March and the beginning of April, the Gawagaway-yan Festival takes hold of the city that features a multitude of mini-events. The highlights of which include an agro-trade fair, street dance competition, and a race featuring painted carabaos.

Adrenaline junkies will be thrilled to hear about D’Spot Rail Park. The park comprises of a manmade lake wakeboarding facility and a vast outdoor airsoft park that will help you live out all of your commando dreams.

After a long day out full of excitement why not unwind in your own little oasis at Isabela Green Valley Farm. After taking in the beautiful flowers, visitors can treat themselves to afternoon tea at one of the bamboo cottages by the lily pond.

Where to Eat

Probably the best spot in town for a great Filipino meal is Kabayan Grill. The restaurant features an extensive menu with some of their best sellers being the pinakbet with bagnet and their wonderful fresh seafood dishes.

If you’re in the mood for international fare, you can’t go wrong with D’ Curious Kitchen and their crave-worthy burgers. Other favorites include their pizzas and gourmet pasta, and Buffalo wings.

Nightlife

A bit of a sleepy city, Cauayan does not have the most vibrant nightlife scene but still has a more than a fair share of local watering holes. Your best bet would be to ask the locals where to go at night but the Wild Texan and Gerries Bar and Grill are a couple local haunts.

Where to Stay

While you will not find any luxury accommodation in Cauayan, you’ll find that most of the available options provide great bang for your buck. Casa Rosa Bed and Breakfast has rooms all for under P2000/night, and The Hotel Andrea is largely within the same price range.

Travel Tip

• Directly to the East of Isabela Province is the Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean, making the province one of the most prone areas to typhoons in the country. As a safety precaution, it would be wise to avoid traveling here during the typhoon season from July-September.