“Summer Capital” in Davao Region

Tisoy Traveler

Goes to…

                Maragusan, Compostela Valley Province

 

Maragusan is a landlocked municipality and located in the mountainous province of Compostela Valley. It is formerly named as “San Mariano”. The municipality is known as the “Summer Capital” in Davao Region (includes; Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Davao Occidental). It’s a hidden gem perfect for those adventure seekers and nature lovers.

The town celebrates “Pyagsawitan Festival” its a thanksgiving celebration for bountiful harvests and the rich cultural heritage of the Mansaka tribe. Apparently, the municipality has a lot to offer to the tourists from majestic waterfalls down to springs. Beautiful scenery of hills and mountains, overlooking views and stunning landscapes.

It is surely worth the waits.

 

Heaven’s Peak top view

 

Tagbibinta Falls

 

Kanlawig Hot Spring

 

Heaven’s Peak “accommodation”

 

Heaven’s Peak “pool”

 

Random Photos:

 

How to get there:

1. From Manila, there are daily flights directly to Davao City, which is the entry point to Maragusan in Compostela Valley Province.
2. From the airport, the best way is to catch a bus/van right in front of the airport. Actually, those bus/van pass there are going north of Mindanao.
3. Just take a bus/van going or passing in Tagum City. The fare is around Php80 and took you an hour of getting there.
4. When you reach Tagum terminal, take/ride a bus/van with a sign “Maragusan”. The fare is around Php130/head and took you another hour to reach the said place.
5. Or else, from Davao catch a van directly to Maragusan. They actually pass at the airport and the fare is around a Php220/head basis.
6. From there, tricycle “pedicab” and motorcycle “habal-habal” are available to rent depends on your point to point destination. The town minimum fare is Php8 by tricycle.

Note: Most of their tourist attractions are located right in the town itself. So always ask the locals.

 

Where to stay:

If you wish to stay there a night, there is a lot of accommodation to choose from and most of them are resort type. One of the town’s pride is the “Heaven’s Peak Highland Resort” it’s an overlooking resort offers many options from a tribal room down to dorm type accommodation. They also have a restaurant for your meals and amenities like swimming pool (click here) for details and inquiries or you may call +63997-8324-250. 

Next on the list is the “Kanlawig Hot Spring Resort” it’s another ideal place to stay a night in the town offers affordable cottages, in-house store for your needs, and perfect warm water to relax your evening. For details and inquiries (click here). And lastly, the resort that offers a natural cold water pool the “Aguacan Cold Spring Resort” they also offered accommodation to those who wanted to stay and for the rest of the night. A restaurant is also available in the resort and other amenities for you to enjoy with (click here) for details and inquiries.

Next two mention resorts don’t have any contact numbers. Please refer to their page!

I included them in case you need another option. Thanks.

Note: Just in case you want to bring your own tents, those mentioned resorts will allow you but have to pay for a certain amount as space rent. 

 

Things to do:

1. Heaven’s Peak (Php30 entrance fee)
2. Tagbibinta Falls (Php30 entrance fee)
3. Kanlawig Hot Spring (Php50 entrance fee)
4. Aguacan Col Spring (Php40 entrance fee)
5. Pyagsawitan Festival (25th of November)
6. Mt. Candalaga (Rafflesia Mira – known as the largest flower in the world)
7. Roaming around (beautiful landscapes, sceneries, and views)
8. Side Trips (Toyozu Spring, Bibingka, Provincial Capitol all in Nabunturan – the capital town of the province).

 

When to go:

• Weekdays or lean days (to avoid the influx of tourist)
• Summer (for its cool weather)
• Pyagsawitan Festival (25th of November)
• Bulawan Festival (8th of March – Province festival)

 

Travel Notes:

1. Search the area first before going there. (safety and security first, availability of transportation, accommodation, foods and etc.)
2. Create your itinerary for the sequence of your travel. (where first, stop for your meal, activities in the area, the time you’ll be spending in that area, the most important is where to stay and etc.)
3. Budget or Money. (the cost or expenses of your travel.)
4. What to bring. (camera, phone, power bank, charger, necessities or travel kit, your medicine, tent if you are camping in the beach/island, and more important to bring.)
5. If you travel in a group better to seek a rented van or what depends on you so that you can go with your itinerary directly and less budget of course.
6. If you’re a solo traveler, you own your time so better to have a map or guidelines and extra money of course.

(Solo or Group has its own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to travel.)

7. Take note for the travel time and how long you will be staying in that particular area.
8. You have to consider the events (summer, the influx of tourist and the most important is the weather).
9. Lastly, preparation (when, where and what to do) so that everything will be okay.

 

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