Cagayan de Oro, in northern Mindanao is normally reached by plane or ship (if preferred) from Manila and Cebu. It is also a 5-6 hour land trip from Davao City through the rugged mountain terrain of Bukidnon (literally translated as "Mountainous"). Most of the way is through mountains and at some peaks, the road levels with the clouds! Some interesting stops can be made along the way: there is Budda (at the boundary of Bukidnon and Davao)... Malaybalay, a small city in the mountains with cool weather... and just in its outskirts is the beautiful and serene Monastery of the Transfiguration... and of course Del Monte's pineapple plantation which is one of the largest in the world, where they also have a golf course and clubhouse at Camp Phillips.
What to see and do?
Like Davao, Cagayan de Oro is also located by the sea. Drive through the city proper and see the Capitol and have your picture taken by the fountains in the Gaston Park (named after the city's 1st Mayor and incidentally one of my ancestors). Another interesting place to visit is the Ecology Village close to the Malasag Tourist Point which gives beautiful views of the entire city. A trek may also be made at the Malasag Nature Trail. An hour's drive away from Cagayan is Iligan, a prosperous and industrial city, site of the awesome Maria Cristina Falls which provides hydroelectricity for most of Mindanao (but which is no longer open for public visits). Instead, go see the Tinago Waterfalls... or relax and plan to stay overnight right there! Just be sure to have comfortable footwear for the steep and somewhat slippery descent to see the falls!
For the adventurous, there is white-water rafting along Cagayan de Oro river. Jump-off point is Barangay Kabula, an hour away from the city. In Claveria, some 40-kilometers away from the city, there is the Noslek Canopy Walk (similar to Australia's Tree Top Walk) with hanging bridges and viewing decks as high as 60 feet up the trees, giving splendid views of lush virgin forests plus rare wildlife, flora and fauna.
With more time on your hands, a must-see place is Camiguin Island. Plan to stay at least a night or two. It is more than an hours drive from Cagayan plus another 2-hours by ferry boat to the island. Or better yet take the direct ferry at Cagayan's pier. This is definitely a rustic place... so if you're looking for upscale, this isn't it! But Camiguin has a lot to offer... there is White Island, a strip of sand bar just off the island that has the most incredible soft, white sand and beautiful warm waters... relax your body at Ardent Hot Spring with warm waters coming from Mt. Hibok-Hibok, one of seven volcanoes in the island... and there is Katibawasan Falls which cascades 50 meter down to a pool surrounded by orchids, wild ferns and boulders.
For more swimming and some scuba diving, about an hour's drive from Cagayan is Gingoog and Medina. And for the surfing enthusiast, several hours away is Siargao (close to Surigao), with Cloud Nine, fast becoming well-known in the international surfing community.