CARAGA | DAVAO ORIENTAL: 2-Day Travel Guide, Budget + Itinerary

Caraga is one of the towns found in the eastern-most Davao Region, in the province of Davao Oriental. It is bordered by the towns of Baganga and Manay. It may not be as famous as its neighboring towns but it certainly won’t come last when it comes to what it has to offer its visitors. The town is surrounded by a long stretch of beautiful white sand beaches, gorgeous rivers snaking through its valleys, and several stunning waterfalls scattered around its mountains. If you’re wondering how you can go about exploring this little town then you would find this Caraga Travel Guide helpful.

My 2-Day Caraga Sample Itinerary

I’ve been meaning to explore all the towns in my mother’s home province, Davao Oriental but the pandemic got in the way. So when the situation finally cleared and local travel is no longer very restrictive, I went all out for it. I flew back to Mindanao from Manila and decided to stay there for a while to explore its hidden treasures.  My quest may have started with several roadblocks along the way, with the weather frequently spoiling the fun but I learned to live with it and cherish every moment. So read on as I let you in on a wonderful trip to Caraga, a town you probably didn’t hear of before.

Day 1 – Sunrise, Dramatic Waves, Waterfalls, & a Little History

What’s best to do in a place where the first light of sunrise hit first than anywhere else in the country? Yup! It’s to witness the sunrise. In Caraga, this should be done nowhere else than in Pusan Point. As the easternmost point of the country, Pusan Point provides an unobstructed view of the rising sun above the endless sea horizon. Coupled with dramatic waves splashing into giant karsts, the scene couldn’t be any more enviable.

After kickstarting your day with a wonderful sunrise, you can continue the fun in Prinsesa Falls. This waterfall is just nearby Pusan Point and would make an ideal side trip if you’re into going on a refreshing dip. It’s also within a resort with pools and picnic huts so you would do best to bring with you food and drinks so you won’t need to go back to the town center.

You can go back downtown during the odd hours of the afternoon from 3 PM – 4 PM to check on the historical San Salvador Del Mundo Church which is one of the oldest churches in Mindanao. It’s also interesting to see some of the old houses and buildings within the town proper as they emanate some kind of mystery having survived a disastrous typhoon and years of wear and tear. Before sundown, you can go to Bango Beach to rest and spend the night.

Day 2 – Bumpy Rides, Scenic Views & White Sand Beaches

Caraga has 5-6 known waterfalls under its sleeve but the one that captivated me the most was Kapuka Falls. I’d say this is a must when you visit Caraga. A trip to this waterfall will make you awwing on scenic rides, gasping for air on the bumpy and treacherous roads, and enchanted upon finally seeing its silky water falling into its pool of refreshing gatorade waters.

After you’ve had enough of Kapuka Falls, you can continue the fun in Ugwad Falls which is just another 30 minutes of river trek away, or go to Villa Mabiga for that much sought-after beach fix. This resort accepts guests on a day tour by reservation and is a perfect place to cap off your 2-Day Caraga Tour.

Optional: You can make a stop in Caraga Bridge for a quick photo ops

How To Go To Kapuka Falls

From Manila – Fly to Davao. Once there, ride a cab to Ecoland Terminal. Hop on a Bachelor bus going to Cateel and alight in Caraga town proper (P500/way | 5Hrs).

Useful Travel Tips To Caraga

Waterfalls are best visited during the rainy season which for Davao Oriental is during the months of November to June.

• Exercise caution when visiting during days with heavy rainfall. Going to the falls requires crossing a river and this may be dangerous as unexpected flooding may occur.
• The months of February to April have the most rains so make sure to account for the weather when planning your visit.
• BE EXTRA CAREFUL if you’re driving your own vehicle. The roads in and leading to this town are filled with many blind curves and dangerous turns.
• Mobile internet is very slow in some areas within the town for all networks.
• Bring enough cash since ATMs are hard to find and are most of the time unavailable/offline in the area.
• Bus trips to and from this town are only available twice per day. One in the morning and one during the evening.
• If you wish to explore the nearby towns of Baganga and Cateel, the ideal route back to Davao would via Compostella Valley. You can ride the Mallen bus that departs at 3 AM from Cateel.
• As always, LEAVE NO TRACE. Pick up your trash and dispose of them properly. Don’t vandalize and respect the place and its people.

Sample Budget & Itinerary