Travel Guide : Butuan City (Agusan del Norte) and Bunawan (Agusan del Sur) - Things To Do, Itinerary, How To Get There, Accommodation and more!

This is a travel guide that will help you plan a 3D/2N trip to Butuan City (Agusan del Norte) and Bunawan (Agusan del Sur). It provides basic information on where to stay, what to do, tourist spots and attractions, how to get there, itinerary, estimated budget, and contact details that will guide you through your visit to this two provinces in North Eastern Mindanao.

THINGS TO DO, TOURIST SPOTS AND ATTRACTIONS

Explore Bunawan EcoPark and Wildlife Reservation Center
I woke early on my 2nd day in Butuan City to catch the earliest bus going to Davao City. It will pass by the town of Bunawan, Agusan del Sur which is my destination on this day. I'm going to this town to see Lolong, the world's largest crocodile that resides in captivity at the Bunawan Ecopark and Wildlife Reservation Center. To read more, click here.

Have a close encounter with "Lolong", the World's Largest Crocodile in Captivity
Lolong is the world's largest crocodile ever caught in captivity, a possible entry to Guinness Book of World Records. With a length 20 feet and 3 inches and a weight of 2,370 pounds, he is now considered as largest crocodile in captivity. He was caught on September 3, 2011 in a creek in the town of Bunawan in Agusan del Sur after the joint efforts of the residents, the local government unit and some crocodile hunters from Palawan. To read more, click here.

Swim at Masapya Falls, another Must-see Attraction at the Bunawan Ecopark
Lolong is not the only attraction in Bunawan Ecopark. As I roamed around the ecopark, I found this waterfalls just a few meters away from Lolong's cage. I went down the steep and slippery trail that leads to this small waterfalls. I saw two levels, the one on the upper portion is just cascading to a stream that leads to the lower portion of the falls. To read more, click here.

Visit Balanghay Shrine Museum
Located at 5 kilometers away from the city, the Balanghay Shrine is where the remnants of the 320 A.D. Balanghay was found, the most well-known historical figure unearthed in Butuan. Managed by the National Museum, the shrine houses the ancient boats discovered and excavated from 1976 to 1986. Also on display are other archaeological finds (perhaps found inside the boat) which includes some human and animal remains, jars, coffins, jewelries, tools, and ceramics. To read more, click here.

Ride the 1.3 KM Zipline at Delta Discovery Park
Not so well-known, Delta Discovery Park is a new attraction in Butuan City that opened in May 2011. Located at Purok 7, Brgy. Bonbon, it is hidden in the mountainous terrains of the city. Their zip line is the "longest single zip line in Mindanao and in Asia", with a length of 1.3 kilometers (opened in September 18, 2011). They also have a 400m dual zip line which opened in May 2011. To read more, click here.

DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY 1
01:00 PM - Departure (Manila - Butuan City)
02:20 PM - Arrival at Butuan City
02:30 PM - Take a jeepney to city proper
03:00 PM - Check-in at Julianne's Inn
03:30 PM - Late Lunch / Snacks
04:00 PM - Explore the City
07:00 PM - Dinner
08:00 PM - Back at the hostel
09:00 PM - Sleep for early morning trip to Bunawan


DAY 2
04:00 AM - Wake-up / prepare
05:00 AM - Go to Butuan City Bus Terminal
05:30 AM - Travel to Bunawan via a bus bound for Davao
08:30 AM - Alight at Bunawan Bus Terminal
08:40 AM - Take a van to Brgy. Consuelo
09:00 AM - Arrive at Brgy. Consuelo, take a habal-habal
09:20 AM - Arrive at Bunawan Ecopark, explore
11:00 AM - Depart for Butuan City
01:30 PM - Arrive at Butuan City, Quick Lunch
02:00 PM - Depart for Balanghay Shrine
02:30 PM - Arrive at Balanghay Shrine, explore
03:00 PM - Depart for Delta Discovery Park
03:45 PM - Arrive at Delta Discovery Park, Explore
05:00 PM - Depart for Butuan City Proper
06:00 PM - Back at the hostel, freshen up
07:00 PM - Dinner
07:00 PM - Sleep


DAY 3
07:00 AM - Wake-up / prepare
08:00 AM - Breakfast
09:00 AM - Visit the National Museum
10:00 AM - Pasalubong Shopping
11:00 AM - Back at the hostel, prepare for departure
12:00 NN - Check out
01:00 PM - Depart for Butuan City Airport
01:30 PM - Arrive at the Airport
02:30 PM - Depart for Manila

Note: This is my suggested itinerary for a 3D/2N trip in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte and Bunawan, Agusan del Sur.

These are just a few of the many things to do and see in Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur. For more destinations, you may visit the following links:

• Caraga Rising Paradise
• City Government of Butuan
• Agusan del Norte Tourism
• Paraiso Philippines

HOW TO GET THERE

How to get to Bunawan Ecopark from Butuan City
Take a bus bound for Davao City and get off at Bunawan overland bus terminal, travel time is about 3 hours and fare is around 215 pesos. From there, take a van bound for San Franz and get off at the road leading to Bunawan Ecopark at Brgy. Consuelo. Travel time is about 15 minutes, fare is 20 pesos. Look for a habal-habal that will take you to the Ecopark. Fare is 50 pesos (2-way), travel time is about 10-15 minutes.

How to get to Balanghay Shrine Museum
Take a jeepney bound for Libertad and tell the driver to drop you at the corner of the road leading to Brgy. Paradise. Travel time is about 15 minutes, fare is 10 pesos. From there, take a pedicab to the Museum for 15 pesos.

How to get to Delta Discovery Park
Take a jeepney bound for Libertad and tell the driver to drop you at the corner of the road leading to Delta Discovery Park at Brgy. Bonbon. If you're coming from the city center, it is on the left side, before Sto. Niño Church. Travel time ia about 10 minutes, fare is 9 pesos. From there, hire a habal-habal that will take you to the park.

RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATION IN BUTUAN

Julian's Inn Annex
Address: Nangka Road, Butuan City
Telephone Nos.: (085)341-3075 / 225-7075 / 815-8075
Mobile Nos.: 0918-3188687 / 0927-4265498

Room rates are as follow:

Standard (Fan) - PHP 280 (daily) or 4,200 (monthly)
Standard (Aircon) - PHP 390 (daily) or 5,850 (monthly)
Superior (Aircon/CR) - PHP 480 (daily) or 7,200 (monthly)

*All rooms with Cable TV
*Standby Generator

GETTING AROUND

The most common mode of transportation in going around Butuan City are the tricycles and jeepneys with a minumum fare of 8-10 pesos. If going to different parts of Mindanao, you can take the public vans or buses. Terminals are located at the integrated bus terminals.

EXPENSES / TRAVEL BUDGET

CONTACT DETAILS

For more travel information, please contact:

Department of Tourism, Caraga Region-XIII
Ground Floor, Grateful Realty Corporation Building,
# 088 Pili Drive, Butuan City
Telephone Nos.: (063-85) 341-8413 or 815-6040
E-mail Address: dot13@yahoo.com

This is part of my solo adventure in Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur last November 17-19, 2011. Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur are the 46th and 47th provinces on my list and this adventure is my 14th solo trip. Join me as I continue my journey to visit all 80 provinces in the Philippines!

Agusan del Norte Where Did I Stay in Butuan City? Visiting Balanghay Shrine Museum in Butuan City Riding the 1.3 KM Zipline at Delta Discovery Park Agusan del Sur En Route to Bunawan Ecopark and Wildlife Reservation Center A Close Encounter with Lolong, the World's Largest Crocodile in Captivity Masapya Falls, another Must-see Attraction at the Bunawan Ecopark Travel Guide : Butuan City (Agusan del Norte) and Bunawan (Agusan del Sur) Maps By: Wikipedia