Surigao City Hotels

Surigao City is the capital of Surigao del Norte and is also known as the City of Island Adventures. Because of its array of white sand and pebble beaches, natural rock formations, mangroves, caves, reefs, and deep sea gorges, you will definitely have many chances to quench your thrill-seeking thirst.

Surigao City is not as well known as other Mindanao cities like Davao and Cagayan de Oro but once you get here, you will find that there are so many fun activities that you can do and that there are a lot of unique places to explore. If you’re thinking of going to a relatively untouched part of the Philippines, this city should be on your list. Whether you want to trek mountains or bathe under waterfalls or explore caves or go scuba diving, or simply relax on the beach, Surigao City will not disappoint.

How to Go

By plane

If you want to get here quickly, you can opt to ride a plane. From Manila, there are Daily flights going to Surigao City through Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, or Air Asia.

By boat/ferry

Another option you may enjoy is traveling through boat or ferry. From Cebu, you can ride the Cokaliong ferry going to Surigao. Aside from Sundays, they have daily 7pm schedules going to the city. The travel time usually takes 9 and a half hours, which means you would arrive in Surigao City at around 4:30 am.

You can also choose to travel using RoRo, which is a combination of land travel through bus and sea travel through ferry. If you’re from the north, you can ride a Philtranco bus from Cubao going to Surigao City. If you’re from the south, there is a Pasay Philtranco bus station that also schedules trips going to Surigao.

By land transportation

If you’re coming from Cagayan or other parts of Mindanao, several buses, vans, and jeepneys going to Surigao City are easily accessible.

Getting Around

The main mode of transportation in the city is the tricycle. If you want to get to outlying barangays, towns, or other provinces, you would have to ride buses or jeepneys that operate on a fixed daily schedule. There are also several island barangays surrounding the city and to get to these places, you would have to ride water taxis or pump boats as they are called by locals. Larger boats called Lantsa also have scheduled trips going to Siargao Island and Dinagat Island.

Tourist Attractions

Surigao City is not known as the City of Island Adventures for nothing. With its abundance of islands and beaches, you will definitely get your fill of fun water activities and island exploration. Several of the nearby beaches, which are only 10 to 30 minutes away from the city, include Sibale Beach, Banahaw Beach, Mabua-Ipil Pebble Beach, and Looc Beach.

Also, there are several islands near the city that you can choose from or you can check them all out by island hopping. Some of these islands include Nonoc Island, Basul Island, and Sagisi Island. With their beautiful white sand beaches and clear waters, the islands are sure to give you a healthy dose of vitamin sea.

A notable tourist attraction you can try out is the San Pedro Cantiasay foot bridge, which is one of the country’s longest foot bridges measuring at around 391 meters. This wooden foot bridge connects Nonoc Island to Sibale beach.

Top Things to Do

Aside from swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving at the many beaches and islands in Surigao City, you can also try other activities like caving, mountain biking, and trekking. You can even check out natural rock formations and mangroves as you go island hopping.

Admire the natural stalactite and stalagmite formations in Buenavista Cave at Hidkop Island and explore the 6 caves that comprise Silop Cave. If you want a challenge, you can try trekking at Surigao’s highest mountain, Campomento Mountain, which is around 500 meters above sea level. If you want to enjoy a swim beneath a waterfall, head to the 20-foot Cantiasay Waterfall, which is only a 15 minute hike from the Cantiasay Barangay proper.

Where to Eat

Ocean Bounties is a great restaurant in the city that serves delicious and fresh seafood meals under 500 pesos. Aside from the prawns, crabs, and other regular Filipino dishes, you can also try their tasty “Hukyo Tajom” or sea urchin cooked with butter, onion, egg, and pineapple.

For some delicious barbecued treats after a day under the sun, try Same Place Grill. Here, they offer tasty yet affordable meals to satisfy your all your barbecue cravings.

Going to the market is also a great option, especially if you have the time and the resources to cook for you and your friends. You can choose from a variety of fresh seafood and you can also try out local Surigao delicacies like Dried Pijanga, a local dried fish from lake Mainit; Gigaquit Rum, a Surigao drink fermented in the native Sasa tree; and the Sayongsong, which is made from glutinous rice, brown sugar, and coconut milk.

Nightlife

After a day of fun activities, you may want to top it off with some drinks with your friends. Head on over to Borromeo Street in Surigao City to check out several Bars & Grills, restaurants, and performance venues. If you just want to chill, drink, and eat a bit, you can try Marios Garden Grill and Restaurant. But if you’re looking to sing and dance the night away, you can go to nightclubs and performance venues like Geckos Surigao or Geckos Bar and Grill Surigao.

Where to Stay

There are several Surigao city hotels and resorts to choose from depending on your itinerary and budget. If you’re looking for something comfortable, relaxing, and has great service, try checking hotels like Gateway Hotel and Hotel Tavern. Some of the more affordable lodgings and hotels in Surigao City include Mayettes Place, Miami City Suites, E.Y. Suites, Mt. Carmel Farm and Spring Resort, and One Hive Hotel.

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