Butuan City: In and Around Caraga’s Timber City
What to see and explore in Butuan City
As a highly urbanized city in Northern Mindanao, Butuan also has a fair share of interesting sites and places to see and explore for its visitors to visit. Though some of them are quite far to reach, it is but part of the whole experience when exploring a place, right? So here are some of the places we went and saw during our city excursion.
Read also: Butuan City Travel Guide
Langihan Bus Terminal
Langihan Bus Terminal, as many locals would call it, is also known as the Butuan Integrated Transport Terminal located in Langihan Road, Barangay Poblacion, just beside Puregold Butuan. This transport terminal is the main hub for provincial buses and local transportation coming from the north of Butuan City (Cabadbaran City, Surigao City, etc.) This is also the terminal for public transportation that is bound to Surigao del Sur (Tandag, San Francisco, Bislig (Mangagoy), and Hinatuan among others). There are also buses that ply the Butuan-Davao City route which approximately takes around 12 hours of travel.
Bading Elementary School
There is no pun intended in this place but I found this school’s name quite interesting. Located in Barangay Bading in the heart of the City, this school is a no-brainer for someone who takes jokes easily. As the word ‘bading’ locally means ‘gay’ in English, it is still a place to visit because the locals there are used to it and they are warm in welcoming visitors in the place. Unfortunately, I have not entered the premises of the school because it was a weekday when we visited and I was too shy to interact with the people inside the school. But here is a photo of the signage leading to the school grounds proper.
Balanghai Boat Replica Site
Butuan City is known as the site where the earliest trading boats were discovered, the Balangay, and a replica site was built in order to ‘commemorate’ that discovery. These pre-colonial boats have been used for trade with early settlers from Borneo and China. This site is strategically located along the banks of the Agusan River where it is believed that these boats were first used.
St. Joseph (Butuan) Cathedral
This historical church is the very first catholic church to be established in Mindanao. This is also the church where the very first Easter Mass was celebrated in 1521. Saint Joseph Cathedral is located right in the bustling city just across the Rizal (Guingona) Park.
Rizal (Guingona) Park
Rizal Park is one of the main parks found in Butuan City. Found just in front of the Saint Joseph Cathedral, this park is dedicated to the Philippines’ national hero – Jose Rizal. It
Madyaw Kadyaw Souvenir Shoppe
If you are looking for some souvenirs that are popular in Butuan City, especially its famed Balangay Boat or the Golden Tara of Agusan del Sur, Madyaw Kadayaw Souvenir Shoppe is the place to be. Other than these known souvenir items, they also sell local produce and other trinkets that are native to the province.
Butuan City Hall
This is the seat of government of the city government of Butuan. Its City Hall is strategically positioned right at the heart of Butuan City and is just a stone-throw away from the Butuan Museum.
National Museum – Northern Eastern Mindanao
The National (Butuan) Museum – Northern Eastern Mindanao is a branch of the National Museum which houses priceless artifacts that were found in the province. The famous Balangay Boat, which was used as a mode of transporting goods and people during the pre-Spanish era, is also housed here (which you can also see in a separate museum a few kilometers away). Some artifacts found in the province are also kept here for display and appreciation.
Agusan del Norte Provincial Capitol
This is the seat of the provincial government of Agusan del Norte. Located right at the heart of Butuan City, the Agusan del Norte Provincial Capitol is also near major streets and shopping malls, which makes it more accessible to locals and visitors.
Places you can also visit in Butuan City:
– Diosdado Macapagal Bridge
– Bood Promontory Ecopark
– Banza Church Ruins
– Sto. Niño Diocesan Shrine and Museum
– Magellan’s Landing Site
– Nipa Wine Distillery
– Bequibel Shell Midden
Where to eat in Butuan City
Since we had a limited time in Butuan City, here are some of the most popular restaurants and cafes around:
Joaquin’s Gemelli Pizza Bar
Joaquin’s Gemelli Pizza Bar is located inside Almont Inland Resort. Its brick oven pizza and tasteful pastas are locally sourced and some ingredients even come from their in-house garden! Its instagram-worthy corners have such a vibe and will give you a relaxing atmosphere while dining.
| Address | J.C. Aquino Avenue, Butuan City |
| Phone | +63 85 342 7414 / 341 2103 / 342 9524 |
| Store Hours | Daily, 1000 H – 2200 H |
| fo.inlandresort@almont.com.ph | |
| Website | www.almontinlandresort.com |
Plated! Cafe and Bistro
Plated! Cafe and Bistro’s homey atmosphere adds to the experience while enjoying their food selection. This contemporary cafe serves classic Western Food and the ambiance is just relaxing to the eye (and to the stomach).
| Address | Door 6, KV&J Bldg., T. Guingona Ave. and R. Palma St., Butuan City (in between Butuan Faith School and Annie’s Bakeshop) |
| Phone | +63 917 703 7022 |
| Store Hours | Monday to Saturday, 1000 H – 0000 H |
BuonGusto Bistro
If you want the atmosphere of home, BuonGusto Bistro is the place for you. Its rustic interiors are reminiscent of a good ol’ meal while watching the day go by on your porch. Their comfort food is also a must-try and is a picture-perfect place for you to see and experience.
| Address | P1A Brgy. Doongan, Butuan City |
| Phone | +63 85 300 0504 |
| Store Hours | Daily, 0900 H – 2300 H |
| buongustobxu@gmail.com |
Where to stay in Butuan City
There are also numerous accommodations found in Butuan City, mostly concentrated in the City Center. Here are some of accommodation options you can choose from:
My Stay Hotel
This boutique hotel is one of the best options to stay in when you come from northern Mindanao (i.e. Surigao City) as the hotel is just a few meters away from the Robinsons Mall Bus Stop. The Hotel is equipped with WiFi connectivity and also offers breakfast for check-in guests. We have checked in to this hotel during our short stay in Butuan because it is also located near the tourist spots in the City. Tucked along a quiet street in Butuan, My Stay Hotel is a must-try for first timers who want to explore the City.
Almont City Hotel
Go Hotels Butuan
Hotel Oazis
Watergate Hotel Butuan
Butuan Grand Palace Hotel
Arianos Inn
Sample Butuan City Itinerary (Day Tour / Excursion)
| 0700 H | Langihan Bus Terminal |
| 0730 – 0800 H | Bading Elementary School (optional) |
| 0815 – 0830 H | Balanghai Boat Replica Site |
| 0900 – 1030 H | Joaquin’s Gemelli Pizza Bar |
| 1100 – 1130 H | St. Joseph (Butuan) Cathedral |
| 1130 – 1200 H | Rizal Park |
| 1215 – 1330 H | Plated! Cafe and Bistro |
| 1400 – 1500 H | Madyaw Kadyaw Souvenir Shoppe |
| 1515 – 1545 H | Butuan City Hall |
| 1600 – 1700 H | National Museum – Northern Eastern Mindanao |
| 1730 – 1730 H | Agusan del Norte Provincial Capitol |
| 1800 – 1900 H | BuonGusto Bistro |
*Note that prices indicated and status of establishments in this blog may change without prior notice. If you notice some changes, you can e-mail me here so I can dish things out! Thank you!*
We’re born to travel!
About Aldrick 'chiki' Agpaoa
