ISABELA | 2018 Travel Guide

March 23, 2020July 29, 2021 Rex Lim Lim BLOG, ISABELA, TRANSIT PINAS, TRAVEL GUIDE

Reading Time: 8 minutes

The Queen Province of the North, the province of Isabela, might be one of the most overlooked tourist destinations in the island of Luzon. This valley still holds untouched gems that only the brave of hearts will pursue to rediscover.

This travel guide to Isabela province only covers a day’s worth of land travel over historic churches and parks. On the other hand, the premiere destinations such as the coastal towns of Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, Dinapigue is hard to reach as of writing.

The following municipalities are only accessible via long boat travel from Aurora, or via Cyclone Airways in Cauayan City. Kidding you not, it has the most breathtaking white sand beaches, islands and forests.

But if short on time and still trying to know the second largest province in the country; then I suggest to pay homage to the historic churches, parks and landmarks of the Rice and Corn Granary of the Philippines.

Where is Isabela?

Table of Contents

Located at the center of the Cagayan Valley region in Luzon. Isabela is bordered by Cagayan to the north, Kalinga to the northwest, Mountain Province to the central-west, Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya to the southwest, and Quirino and Aurora to the south.

The province is divided into three physiographic areas. The eastern area, straddled by the Sierra Madre mountain range, is rugged and thickly forested. A substantial portion is uncharted. These unexplored hinterlands are home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, and some are under government reservations. It is home to one of the world’s largest remaining low-altitude rainforests, with numerous unknown endemic species of flora and fauna and biological diversity in the protected area known as the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park. – wikipedia.org, 2018

How To Get There

From Sampaloc in Manila or Cubao in Quezon City, buses have direct trips to cities like Cauayan City and Ilagan City in Isabela. Tuguegarao trips then drop off at locations of your choice since it passes throughout major Isabela access points.
There are frequent delays during stopovers and the likes (Travel time is about 8-10 hours depending on the stops. Fare: 526-940php)
- Victory Liner – Earnshaw St. cor Lacson St., Sampaloc, Manila

Sampaloc Terminal to Tuguegarao City Schedule

Sampaloc Terminal to Ilagan City, Isabela Schedule

Sampaloc Terminal to Cauayan City, Isabela Schedule

Five Star Bus – Cubao, Quezon City

Check out other bus companies passing through Isabela: Pinoy Travel

Alternately, Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines flies directly to Cauayan City regularly. (Flight time: 0:45)

Getting Around Isabela

Travelling in between cities and towns, there are buses and UV Express Vans plying the main highway
For short distances inside the cities and towns, one can rent tricycles at reasonable prices
Most of the tourist spots are far from the main highway and requires long land travel. Hence, private modes of transportation are much more recommended to save on time

Travel Tips

Plan ahead and prepare, make sure that you have already contacted your hotel/home stay/tour guide of your choice as some of them may get fully booked during peak season.
Always remember to treat your tour guides / drivers nicely and even include them in your meals as a sign of courtesy with these hardworking locals.
Travel during the night so you can still have enough rest and avoid the traffic at the main highway.

It is advisable to travel with a companion or a group so rates can be divided to how many of you are in the group so your budget stays on the safe zone. But if travelling solo, make sure you have enough budget with you.
Pack food and water with you, although stores are present at most of the destinations, it is much better to be ready than sorry.
Pack your trash and leave no trace, practice LNT Principles all the time

Things To See In Isabela

Ilagan Sanctuary – located in Ilagan City inside the Fuyot Springs National Park, is a traveler’s one stop shop since it has almost everything a place can offer: from caves, waterfalls, hiking trails, animal kingdom, swimming pool, hotels, extreme activities and many more.

Sta. Victoria Caves – located inside the Ilagan Sanctuary in Ilagan City, has several Chambers with speleothems stills glimmering with life.

Queen Isabela Park and Provincial Capitol – located in Ilagan City, this complex boasts of a large complex with a park, ampitheater, astrodome and even a man made lake.

Giant Butaka – the largest lounge chair in the world as declared by the Guinness Book of World Record

Tumauini Church – located in the town of Tumauini, the only church in the Philippines with a cylindrical bell tower. This Cagayan Style church is made from bricks which are carefully placed by Artisans from Pampanga.

Our Lady of the Pillar Parish – located in Cauayan City, this Cagayan Style brick church contains one of the largest frescoes in the country which is the Coronation of the Virgin Mary.

Our Lady of Atocha Parish – one of the pilgrimage sites in Isabela located in the town of Alicia. It boasts of the distinct Cagayan Style brick architecture which had seemingly stood the test of time.

Ilagan Japanese Tunnel Museum – located in Ilagan City, is one of the few remnants of the Japanese occupation which has a long tunnel system. It is turned into a museum displaying some Japanese artifacts found in the area
Magat Dam – located in the town of Ramon, is one of the largest dam systems in Southeast Asia. It is supplying the energy needs of Central Luzon and Metro Manila while servicing the irrigation needs of 95, 000 hectares of farmland all-year round
Palanan Rainforest Park – Declared by UNESCO as one of the most biodiversity-rich rainforest in the world; also one Asia’s remaining virgin rainforests
Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park – The largest protected area in the Philippines. It is rated number 1 in the world for biodiversity and home to 60% of Philippine endemic flora and fauna species.

Photo Gallery

Extend Your Trip

Callao Caves – located in the Barangays of Magdalo And Quibal in Penablanca, Cagayan, is the most famous cave in the Philippines which has seven enormous chambers the first of which houses a chapel illuminated by the open crevice at the ceiling.
Cagua Volcano – Located in Gonzaga, Cagayan is an active volcano that requires two to three hours of hiking to reach
Ganano Falls – located in Diffun, Quirino is an underrated waterfall near the footholds of Mt. Battumbaket which has several more cascades on its downstream and is worth a visit.
Palaui Island – Located in Sta. Ana, Cagayan, this island off the coast of mainland Luzon, cradles a lonely sentinel of a lighthouse called the Cape Engano Lighthouse.
Baggao Blue Water Cave and Falls – step into another world where spelunking meets canyoneering. Check-out the pristine spring terraces filled with blue waters and lush forest life.

Itinerary and Expenses

Isabela Solo Day Trip plus Callao Caves
3-Day Byahe Norte 2018 Adventure

Day 00
0915 Depart for Isabela (497php, Regular Aircon Bus) Five Star Bus

Day 01
0345 Arrival Alicia, Isabela breakfast (150php)
0530 Our Lady of Atocha, Alicia, Isabela
0600 Depart for Cauayan City, (30php)
0625 Our Lady of the Pillar
0700 Depart for Ilagan City, (40php)
0800 Provincial Capitol, Queen Isabela Park
0830 Depart for Ilagan City,(13php)
0845 Ilagan City, Snacks
0900 Giant Butaka
0920 Take van to Marana Junction in Ilagan City, (20php)
0935 Marana Junction, Tricycle to Ilagan Sanctuary (150php)
1000 start tour
1015 Animal Kingdom
1030 Caving (Altar, Moon, Main Cave)
1130 back to swimming pool, tidy up (300php guide fee)
1200 tricycle back to marana 150php
1220 Marana Highway, take van bound for Tumauini (60php)
1300 Tumauini, St. Matthias Church
1330 Take van bound for Tuguegarao (120php)
1440 Tuguegarao Van Terminal, hire tricycle to Peñablanca (450php)
1520 Callao Caves, Brgys Quibal and Magdalo, Peñablanca, Cagayan
1530 Start Cave tour
1630 End, 250php guide fee
1700 Depart for Tuguegarao
1830 Check in at Tuguegarao City
1930 Dinner
2200 Lights Off

Day 02
0700 Travel to Abulug, Cagayan

*Expenses for the Isabela Day Trip plus Callao Caves: 2080php for a solo traveler excluding food

**Disclaimer: This is based on the actual trip that I have done, all information stated above is up to date as of writing. There are more options to choose from and please feel free to message me for any concerns and suggestions that comes up as you browse this series.