Surigao

Surigao is the capital of the province of Surigao del Norte. It serves as a economic center and a major gateway to Caraga from Visayas, but it has a more relaxed atmosphere, away from the everyday squalor and insecurity on the major cities of Mindanao. Surigao is the tourist center of Caraga, with a number of natural attractions being rediscovered.

For travellers, Surigao serves as a staging area for trips to Siargao, through the city's ferry terminal to the east. The city gives the feel of the whole region, locals are friendly and helpful, and there is no concern for Islamic insurgents scattered throughout Mindanao, but some communist rebels hide out in the forests.

Most local transport is jeepneys, including smaller ones called multicabs, with fares from ₱8.

• Zaragoza Rock formations. (updated Feb 2019)
• Mapawa Cave. Unique rock formations approximately 20 feet high stand out against a backdrop of dense coconut trees and nipa palms (Nypa fruticans) and covers an area of 1 hectare (2.5 acres). Also a known burial ground. Not too distant is another rock formation called tamulayag that resembles a giant vase with trees perched on top. (updated Feb 2019)
• Sukailang Waterfalls. Cascades at 50 feet high near the village of Sukailang. (updated Feb 2019)
• Manjagao Mangrove Forest. A vast mangrove forest around Manjagao Island is a sanctuary to various species of fish, marine life, birds and bats. (updated Feb 2019)
• Buenavista Cave. A three kilometer cave with three entrances located in Hikdop Island. From the main entrance in Pagkawasan, Buenavista, visitors wiggle through a collapsed boulder into a grand chamber complete with what locals call the Kings Throne. A knee-deep pool culminates the subterranean trek approximately 100 meters from the main entrance. It has an array of impressive stalactites and stalagmites and is home to some unique species of cave bats and snakes. (updated Feb 2019)
• Surigaonon Heritage Center. A small collection of ancient burial coffin jars and antique Chinese kitchenware are showcased in this museum. Some of the artifacts were unearthed at an archeological dig in Panhatungan, Placer. It also contains a significant collection of various rocks and minerals found in the province. (updated Feb 2019)
• Bitaugan Whirlpools. These maelstroms of various dimensions are almost all occurring during ebbtide. They have a characteristic behavior to pull, twirl, and suck into their vortices anything that comes near them. They are called magic whirlpools due to their peculiar behavior to appear and disappear at certain nature-designated time intervals. The appearance of Pahibongan, as they are called locally, are usually followed by almost inaudible explosions and just as quickly vanish after the explosions. (updated Feb 2019)
• San Pedro Cantiasay Footbridge. This wooden footbridge is among the country's longest at 391 meters, connecting Sibale and Nonoc Islands. (updated Feb 2019)
• Luneta Park. Host to annual events, gatherings, and concerts for over a hundred years, it is a Spanish-style park with few acacia trees fronting the Surigao Cathedral. The new Children's Park Playground is under rehabilitation in May 2018 and publicly opened in June. (updated Feb 2019)

There is good sport fishing off the coast and several boats available to take you to it.

• Jannex Pension and Restaurant, 1074 Capitol Road, ☏ +63 86-2326792. A/C single and double rooms with common bathroom. Cable TV. From ₱500. 
• Dexter Pensionne., San nicolas street. Fan single rooms with outside bathrooms. ₱200. 
• Conching Apartelle, Capitol road, ☏ +63-83-8262625. Clean double rooms with own bathroom. ₱400. (updated Jun 2015)
• Tavern Hotel, Borromeo Highway. Check-out: noon. Over-priced clean air-con double rooms with own bathroom. ₱1200. (updated Jun 2015)

• Caraga Regional Hospital. Riza Street. +63 86 2317090. (DOH Hospital).

• Bureau of Immigration Surigao Office. 2nd Floor Gaisano Capital mall. National Highway. +63 85 3100800.

Ferry to Siargao Island or Leyte or Cebu City. Bus to Butuan or Tandag.