DiscoverMagallanes
Discover the natural beauty, culture and heritage of Magallanes.
Book Now Pay Later
Loading traveller reviews…
Join Our Newsletter
Get tailored flight deals, travel tips & inspiration straight to your inbox.
HandpickedMagallanes HolidayDeals
Complete holiday packages with flights, hotels and experiences in Magallanes.
Stays AcrossMagallanes
From luxury beachfront resorts to city hotels and budget stays.
UnforgettableExperiencesin Magallanes
Search and book amazing activities and tours across Magallanes.
Top 10 Reasons to Visit Magallanes
Reason 01
A Sneak Peak into Magallanes
- When you are planning your holidays to Magallanes, Agusan del Norte, you will find a peaceful retreat where the Agusan and Baug rivers flow together and provide cool breezes and murmuring of animals.
- With World Pinoy Flights, you can easily make your booking in order to have a smooth travel to this calm destination, as you get there relaxed and prepared to be out on a tour.
- You will be welcomed in the small streets of the town with the smell of fresh fish and the nice chatter of local people, which will predetermine the culturally rich experience.
- Lanterns can then be seen cast on the peaceful riverbanks as the evening sets out, providing a small cosy background to meditation and discussion with the other travellers.
- The hills around are gently silhouetted against the setting sun suggesting the natural beauties that are merely a short distance past the town.
- Whether you are here on vacation or business, the ease of life here will make you remember that some of the richest things come with no noise and in human interaction.
- Capital (of the province): Cabadbaran City
- International airport: No international airport in Magallanes
- Nearest commonly used: Bancasi Airport in Butuan City
- Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP)
- Time zone: UTC+8 (Philippine Standard Time)
- Driving side: Right-hand side
- Main electricity: 220 volts, 60 Hz
- Official / local languages: Cebuano, Filipino, English
- Major religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic
Reason 02
Highlights
- Majestic Bitaug Tree is the living monument; this is the first thing that you should see during your holidays to Magallanes, Agusan del Norte because this monument is based on the centuries of the local lore and symbolised the great power of this region.
- The town is anchored with its historical roots and the nearby ruins of the old church are a very physical reminder of the early Spanish activities in missionaries.
- The meeting of the Agusan and Baug rivers forms a beautiful waterfront which can accommodate leisure strolls and impromptu picnics.
- The riverbanks have mangrove wetlands that offer a green habitat to various bird species and is a great place to have low-intensity bird watching.
- The whole town has a very serene, rural ambiance in which time appears to slow down giving the traveller opportunity to experience the natural and cultural tempo.
- The local craftsmen usually flock around the riverside, where they display their hand-crafted items that remind one of the local history and offer one with something one has never seen before.
Reason 03
Seasons to Travel
- Spend your holidays at Magallanes, Agusan del Norte in the dry season months of December to May and the air will be clean and inviting as the river traffic quiets down and the sky is clear.
- The cool season especially during January and February presents favourable conditions with cool temperatures and it will be comfortable to hike along the barangay nature trails without the sweltering heat.
- October with the Lisagan Festival gives a spirited energy to the town life through street dancing, fluvial processions, and cultural performances to celebrate local traditions.
- Between June and November, when there is a lot of rain, rivers overflow and form a stunning landscape accompanied by colourful vegetation, but not all river activities can be carried out.
- The end of September, just before the festival season, gives a balance of better weather and less crowds on the streets, allowing the visitors to explore their time at a leisurely rate.
- November is the month when the wetlands are particularly fruitful, and it is possible to see migratory birds and seasonal plants.
Reason 04
Worth A Visit
The Ancient Bitaug Tree
- The trunk of the tree, hewn with a beautiful work of the bark, is a monument to the eco-resistance of the region.
- According to local folklore, the tree was there to see early explorers arrive and thus it is a living storyteller.
- Its canopy provides a cool shelter to picnickers in the exact middle of the day when it is hottest.
- Guided tours describe the unusual growth patterns of the tree, which reflects the history of environmental development of the area.
- Next to it is a little shrine dedicated to the tree which makes people feel reverence.
- The tree is lit up in the evening making the tree a glowing silhouette with twilight sky, making it ideal to photograph.
Magellan Shrine and Church Ruins
- The ruins with crumbling stone ornamentation are an indication of the early Spanish colonial church design.
- The sunrise lights up the basalt walls on clear days, and thus there is a dramatic tableau.
- Visitors are able to visit the nearby plaza, where they can find cultural performances on festivals.
- The shrine location is a peaceful reflecting and prayer area situated within the ruins.
- There are also informational panels close by retelling the historical meaning of the shrine and its impact on the local folklore.
- The location is near the river, and it is possible to take a relaxing walk and finish the heritage tour of the town.
Riverside Areas of the Agusan and Baug Rivers
- There are footpaths of the banks where one can see continuous views of the confluence where the waters integrate gently.
- There are small wooden bridges that have been arched over the river giving them picturesque points for capturing the local life candidly.
- The local fishing boats have been aided by the soft stream floating down the river and it is easy to watch their traditional methods of work.
- Lush plants bordering the banks also support a wide range of bird species and hence the area is good for bird watchers.
- During the evenings, the cafes on the river open their doors where fresh fish delicacies can be found, looking at the water.
- The water is at times tinted with seasonal algae blossoms which provide the early risers with a special viewing experience.
Mangrove Wetland Areas
- The mangroves have interwoven roots creating a natural maze which directs the visitors and wildlife through the wetlands.
- Guided boat tours reveal the secret world where crustaceans, fish, and amphibians live in the brackish waters.
- The mangroves are natural water filters and this gives an indication of the ecological significance of conserving the habitats.
- Kingfishers, herons, and other tropical species nesting between the branches can be seen by the birdwatchers.
- Signs are used to educate the public on the mechanism used by the mangrove in safeguarding the coastline against erosion and storm waves.
- The mangrove trail where sunset walks provides the visitors with the opportunity to observe how the sky changes colours and experience the cool mist.
Reason 05
Discover More
Barangay Nature Trails
- These curvy tracks are wandering over hills and are covered with native vegetation and provide the spectacular scenes over the surrounding landscape.
- There are trail markers showing where the hikers should visit the skyline of the town, which can be observed in the distance.
- The flowering seasonal plants form a living collage of colours on the way, particularly during rainy seasons.
- Local guides narrate about the history of the barangay and the meaning of all natural landmarks.
- The tracks get one out of the noise of the town and allow them to meditate and reflect.
- Visits in the evenings show a sky without the pollution of city lights where it is possible to look at the stars.
Small Eco-Parks & Picnic Spots
- These are much smaller parks often located in between rice fields, which contain native grasses and other local wildlife.
- Picnic tables with shade trees are available giving the family a serene environment where they can have home cooked meals.
- Children are able to run free in secure open environments as parents enjoy and absorb the tranquil environment.
- There are also parks where cultural performances are conducted intermittently to introduce rhythm in nature.
- There should be plain signage to remind the visitors that they should respect wildlife and should keep the environment clean for future enjoyment.
- When it is early in the morning and the dew is still wet on the leaves, the parks are commonly visited in the early morning.
Community Visits
- Meeting local fishermen gives an insight into centuries of sustainable practices and river management.
- Farmer visits give people the chance to explore the farms and sample their harvest and understand the local farming techniques.
- Craftsmen show traditional weaving and wood making which provide a hands-on experience of the cultural heritage.
- Folklore and local myths are usually exchanged with the residents making the travels more knowledgeable about the identity of the area.
- Hospitality is easy-going and friendly, and all interactions seem like a true friendship.
- These interactions help highlight how the town has a dependency on the community working together to live daily.
Public Market & Town Plaza
- Fresh fish and tropical fruits are available on the stalls of the market, as well as hand-crafted merchandise, indicating local prosperity.
- Vendors are friendly as they welcome visitors with warm smiles and provide them with tastes and samples of fresh catch and regional specialties.
- The central square of the town, where colonial-like buildings are located, is the centre of social life and everyday business.
- Traders present colourful fabrics and plain pottery, during the market time, demonstrating the local artistry.
- The open design of the plaza facilitates spontaneous events on which people exchange information through coffee.
- Lanterns on the plaza provide a welcoming atmosphere for relaxing walks in the evening.
Reason 06
Culture Traditions
- At the culture that encompasses your holidays to Magallanes, Agusan del Norte, many of the rituals of the community are controlled by the devotion to Nuestra Señora del Rosario.
- Every October, there is the Lisagan Festival, during which there are extravagant dances in the streets portraying the local folklore and legends connected with the river.
- The customary processions along the river banks portray the shared reverence of the religion and nature.
- Community meetings in town plaza every week promote common food and stories, strengthening social connections.
- The mangrove and river are used in the works of local craftsmen, and symbolise the symbiosis between man and nature.
- The recipes and songs exchanged in the festivals are a form of the intangible cultural heritage that is preserved by the region.
Reason 07
Food Fun Fashion
Food
- If you treat yourself to the food when you go on holidays to Magallanes, Agusan del Norte, you would have plain, nourishing food made of freshly harvested river fish.
- Fish grilled with a side of local rice and a splash of lime provides a touch of tropical flavour.
- River shrimp with coconut milk in classical stews are very cosy when it is cold outside.
- Fresh mangoes are sold by street vendors, and it is a seasonal delicacy, which is best complemented by cold water.
- There are a lot of spices and herbs that are available in the local market and add flavour to the otherwise simple meals.
- Dining takes place in community areas, as the town is more communal and kind-hearted.
Fun
- During your fun holidays at Magallanes, Agusan del Norte, you may want to go kayaking along the Agusan River and observe normal life as it goes.
- The mangrove wetlands can also be visited on birdwatching trips where one can see the rare species like the white-necked heron.
- A visit to native orchids and medicinal plants through guided walks using nature trails around the barangay offer such an opportunity.
- The fluvial procession is an exclusive cultural experience of music and dancing during the Lisagan Festival.
- Picnics in small eco-parks allow travellers to spend time and enjoy the sky paint in the colours of orange and purple.
- Cycling rides in the evenings through the river promenade will give the visitors the chance of experiencing the cool breeze and flickering lights on the city.
Fashion
- Wear light breathable garments that will make you comfortable in the wet tropics.
- Rugged waterproof shoes will be needed on riverbank walks and in some mud pits on trails.
- Pack a reusable water bottle to ensure that you are not dehydrated during sightseeing in the beautiful places of the town.
- To shield your skin against the intense midday sun, a wide-brimmed hat can be helpful, as well as sunscreen.
- Always have a light raincoat or umbrella, particularly during the wet season months because there are sudden downpours.
- Wear simple clothes when attending a church or a shrine and do not wear skimpy clothes out of respect.
Reason 08
Nature Safari
- There are a wide range of birds found in the mangrove wetlands such as kingfishers, egrets and swallows which sometimes migrate.
- Crustaceans, fish and amphibians grow in the brackish waters and this is a balanced ecosystem.
- Migration of fish throughout the season leads to massive migrations of fish into the river, providing spectators with amazing feeding opportunities.
- Hills surrounding it contain some pockets of tropical rainforest that preserve small mammals and reptiles.
- During dry seasons, the riverbanks show fossils of ancient fish that give one an insight of the prehistoric life.
- The serene river setting provides a habitat for environmental scientists to carry out research on mangrove restoration.
Reason 09
Events Fiestas
- In October, the holidays to Magallanes Lisagan Festival is a colourful performance of street dancing, fluvial processions and cultural presentations that speak of the local heritage.
- Special masses and feasts are offered to patron saint of the town Nuestra Señora del Rosario, which attracts residents and visitors to the town.
- There are fiestas in the barangays, celebrated at various times of the year, which show the pride of the community and local food.
- Processions during the Holy Week involve the use of traditional chants and devotional practices that show the Catholic nature of the town.
- There are seasonal markets, which are available during the period of festivals and offer a colourful selection of craft work, food, and music.
- Fireworks on the riverbank at night are one of the highlights of the festival and the show is unforgettable to everybody.