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Cagayan de Oro

Cagayan de Oro, often abbreviated CDO and sometimes just called "Cagayan", is known as the "City of Golden Friendship." It is the capital of the Province of Misamis Oriental and the "Gateway of Northern Mindanao."

Understand
The city is on the northern coastline of Mindanao in the southern part of the Philippines, with Macajalar Bay to the north, the municipality of Tagoloan to the east, Lanao del Norte to the south, and the municipality of Opol to the west. The Cagayan River splits the city into two, the Poblacion (downtown area) being on the eastern side of the river. CDO serves as the regional center of Northern Mindanao (Region X), and is the region's most populous highly-urbanized city. The 2020 Census showed the city population as 728,400.

Climate
Cagayan de Oro has a tropical climate, with the average temperature the whole year round being 28°C (82°F). The highest recorded temperature in the city was 39°C (102°F) in June 1998. Cagayan de Oro receives a relatively even amount of rain throughout the year. The driest month is April, while July is the wettest. The wet season in the city starts in June and ends in November, while the dry season starts in December and ends in May. However, the difference in seasons is not very noticeable in the city; there are sunny and rainy days throughout the year and the rain is usually strong but brief (you will notice the season if hiking or driving on dirt roads in the highlands inland from Cagayan de Oro as it gets muddier). Although the city is also outside the typhoon belt, it has been hit by a few tropical systems, most notably Tropical Storm Sendong (international name Washi) in December 2011.

Religion
Roman Catholicism is the city's dominant religion, with almost 80% of the population being Roman Catholics. There are also a large number of Seventh Day Adventists, Iglesia ni Cristo, Protestants and Muslims in the city.

Talk
The main local language is Cebuano (Bisayan); Tagalog and English are also common. Other ethnic dialects in the city include Hiligaynon, Ilonggo, Maranao, and Waray. It is very easy to travel, shop and meet locals using English, especially in shopping malls where there are many other foreigners. English is used for the majority of street and road signs, so you shouldn't have any trouble getting around if you don't understand any Bisaya. However, you might have difficulty conversing with people in the local markets or on public transport in English.

By plane
Laguindingan Airport came into service in 2013, and the old Lumbia Airport in CDO was taken out of service. This new airport serves CDO, Iligan, Northern Mindanao, Lanao del Norte and Bukidnon. Laguindingan sees a mix of Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, and smaller ATR-72 and Bombardier Dash 8Q-400 turboprops. No flights operated by widebody aircraft take off and land here due to the insufficient runway length at only 2,100m.
 * Philippine Airlines has daily flights from Manila, Cebu and Davao, and three times weekly flights from Clark.
 * Cebu Pacific has daily flights from Manila, Cebu, and Davao, as well as weekly flights from Dumaguete, Iloilo, Tagbilaran, and Bacolod.
 * Philippines AirAsia has daily flights from Manila and Cebu, four times weekly flights from Clark, and three times weekly flights from Iloilo.

When departing, enter the terminal via the entrance located on the ground floor on the right-hand side. There's a ticket inspection with a security guard, baggage scan a metal detector before you even get inside, so be sure to prepare your printed tickets beforehand. Once you're done checking-in, head upstairs either via the escalators or the elevator and head to the second baggage scan and metal detector. After this, you'll find the departures area and a small number of eating places. There are three gates at the airport numbered 1-3 from right to left when you're facing the runway. The airbridge at Gate 1 is not in use, so you'd have to walk on the apron and use the airstairs instead. Fortunately, courtesy umbrellas are handed out.

When arriving and after disembarking the aircraft, either head downstairs or enter the terminal through the double doors found on the right side facing the apron. After entering, you'll see the baggage carousels and eventually the exits leading to the meeters and greeters area.

The airport has an observation deck, but it is closed to the general public.

Although it is sometimes referred to as an "international" airport, as of May 2018 there are no scheduled international flights to Laguindingan. Since its opening, there have been plans for flights to Seoul or Busan in South Korea, but these have not yet come to fruition. There is only one two-story terminal at the airport which easily gets crowded because of its small size.

Magnum Express, LAX Shuttle, Donsal's Express, Odyssey Airport Express, CAGATRANSCO, CDOTRANSCO, and Glorymer Transport operate airport shuttles between Laguindingan Airport to shopping malls (Centrio, Limketkai, Gaisano City, and SM CDO Downtown Premier), Eastbound Bus Terminal, or Divisoria. These usually cost.

You can catch a bus to CDO instead. Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) operated by CDOTRANSCO go from the airport to the National Highway for. Afterwards, get a Rural Transit or Super 5 Transport bus traveling along the highway. Rural Transit air-conditioned buses cost and  for non-air conditioned buses. Super 5 Transport can also take you from the airport to the city - first by an airport shuttle to the highway, then on one of their Super 5 buses - for, including the airport shuttle. Rural Transit and Super 5 buses terminate at the Westbound Bus Terminal.

Take an accredited airport shuttle, with the company's name displayed prominently on their vehicles, and avoid so-called colorum or illegal transport services.

Cagayan de Oro is far from the airport, so allocate more than enough travel time. On an airport shuttle, the journey from the downtown takes between 45 minutes to one hour in good traffic (between the morning and evening rush hours). However if you are traveling during a rush hour or using multiple modes of transportation, be prepared for a longer journey.

By ferry
Ferries arrive at Cagayan de Oro Port in Barangay Macabalan, just north of downtown CDO. Tickets for some ferry lines are sold at offices to your right as you enter the port compound. Other lines have offices across the street from the compound entrance.
 * 2GO Ferries have ferries to/from Manila, Cebu City, Bacolod, Iloilo.
 * Trans Asia shipping lines has a daily ferry from Cebu City non a/c, air-con . There is also a Trans Asia ferry from Tagbilaran on Bohol 3 times a week, non air-con , air-con.
 * Lite Ferries have a ferry to Cebu City 3 times a week, non A/C class, air-con class . Lite also has a ferry from CDO to Jagna Bohol island 4 times a week.
 * Lite Ferries have a ferry to Cebu City 3 times a week, non A/C class, air-con class . Lite also has a ferry from CDO to Jagna Bohol island 4 times a week.

By bus
There are plenty of bus services to Cagayan de Oro from all the major cities in Mindanao, and from Manila via ro-ro ferries.

The city has two integrated bus terminals:

Common routes:
 * The distance from Davao to Cagayan de Oro is 277 km, with one bus every 30 min-1 hour. The bus journey takes 7-10 hours depending on the weather and traffic conditions, as well as any road constructions along the way. There are multiple stops including lunch and dinner breaks: ; air-con.
 * A/c bus fare from Butuan is, and the trip takes 5 hours.
 * From Iligan, 92 km, and 2 hours.

Get around
Jeepneys, multicabs, motorelas, taxis, trisikads and sidecars are the main modes of land transportation in Cagayan de Oro. Like other cities in the Philippines, CDO has its own share of traffic problems. The city experiences significant traffic congestion from 6 am to 8 am in the morning, between 11 am and 2 pm in the noon, and from 5 pm to 8 pm in the evening. These timeframes reflect periods of heightened vehicular activity and commuting, contributing to the traffic issues faced by the city. This is especially evident during Fridays, weekends and holidays, along Claro M. Recto Avenue (where several of the malls are located) and in Divisoria.

To catch public transport in the city, look for a loading/unloading zone indicated by a sign and/or a yellow box on the road. If there are no yellow boxes, avoid waiting close to intersections or No Parking areas.

Public transport during rainy weather can be unreliable. Jeepneys, multicabs, and taxis are few and far between, and those that do turn up are usually either full or can't be bothered to pick up passengers. In these situations you have a few options: wait for an empty jeepney, multicab or taxi with sufficient empty seats available, wait for the rain to stop, or if worst comes to worst, walk to your intended destination.

By jeepney or multicab
Jeepneys and multicabs are usually safe during the day and cost only a tenth of a taxi ride. Fares are usually for the first 4 km and  for students and senior citizens, however this does vary depending on the length of the route. It's a common sight to see conductors riding at the rear, not only collecting the fares of the passengers, but also shouting at passersby the destination and/or intermediate stops.

Riding on a jeepney or multicab can be very uncomfortable, especially if you're tall. Not only are the passenger compartments small and claustrophobic, but the drivers would usually want the vehicle to be completely filled with passengers before departing a terminal. To make matters worse, there might even be sacks of rice and farm animals on jeepneys and multicabs that go through the markets.

If they don't take you where you wanted to go, then you can take one to a large hub, where you can continue with another one. Jeepney and multicab routes are displayed at the front, windshield and sides of the vehicles, which makes knowing where to go a lot easier. Try to find a full or nearly-full jeepney, since the driver of an empty one will tend to wait for more passengers. Also, avoid catching one if you're in a rush as it'll take you a long time to reach your intended destination. Catch a taxi - it'll be safer and you'll get to where you want quicker.

At night you may have to be careful with drunks, since robberies do happen. Keep your cellphone and camera in your bag and your bag in your lap. It's best to avoid riding on jeepneys with sound systems; not only might the jeepney driver be playing deafening techno "music," but he might be speeding as well.

By motorela
Motorelas are essentially motorcycles with a passenger compartment attached at the rear. Like jeepneys, motorelas have a longitudinal seating arrangement, making it more difficult to see where you are going. It was invented in Cagayan de Oro, making them one of the icons of the city. Motorelas are similar to Thailand's tuk-tuks and India's rickshaws, though they can seat seven passengers. They are slow but you don't have to wait long for them to fill with passengers. Motorelas usually travel set routes around Agora, Carmen, and Macasandig, as well as along several streets downtown. The regular fares are usually (slightly less for students and senior citizens). However, motorela drivers will give you a custom service for a negotiated price, such as later in the evening when there are very few jeepneys taking commuters home.

By taxi
Air-conditioned taxis with meters installed can be found all over the city, and many of them can be hailed using either Grab or Hirna. Grab taxis can be easily identified by the green and white Grab stickers on the rear passenger windows. As of June 2018, the taxi flag down rate is, per kilometer, and an additional  every minute. Grab taxis may also include a booking fee on top of the final taxi fare. Taxis have two color codes: white and yellow. White taxis are the most common ones, while yellow taxis, operated by Alphat Airport Taxi, usually transport passengers to and from Laguindingan Airport. However, there are some yellow taxis that aren't airport taxis (Royale Taxi), and some airport taxis pick up passengers in the city. Be careful as these airport taxis charge a flag down rate of, rather than the regular rate of.

Do not agree to a flat-rate taxi fare unless you want to pay triple the meter rate: insist on meter only ("meter-plus 50" for an airport or late-night pick up).

By motorcycle
If you're feeling adventurous, you can use the Angkas motorcycle-hailing service, similar to GrabBike in Indonesia and Vietnam. Motorbike drivers are professionally-trained and passengers are given their own helmet to wear for the journey.

Aside from Angkas, there are also motorcycles for hire that pick up passengers from major intersections in the city late at night and early in the morning, when hardly any other public transport vehicles are going around.

By trisikad or sidecar
Trisikads, which are pedal-powered tricycles that typically seat between two-four passengers, and sidecars are used in less urban and outlying areas of CDO. Be cautious when travelling on a trisikad or sidecar at night and always ask for the correct change, as the drivers might forget to give you the change (intentionally or unintentionally) upon arrival at your destination.

By bicycle
Cagayan de Oro is definitely not a bicycle-friendly city. Aside from two short, protected bike lanes along Our Lady of Perpetual Help Avenue in Barangay Patag (outside the Philippine National Police camp) and bike lane signs along the National Highway in Gusa, (although vehicles can regularly be seen parking over it), CDO is pretty much devoid of any real bike lanes. To make matters worse, not many drivers respect cyclists, so you have to constantly watch out for drivers (particularly in SUVs and pick-ups) zigzagging when overtaking slower vehicles, opening their doors to spit or throw garbage, or simply being distracted behind the wheel. And it's not uncommon to see dogs, both strays and with owners, taking over the streets in the evening and early in the morning before sunrise. Some of these dogs have a tendency to bark at or chase cyclists.

The city doesn't have any bike-sharing initiatives, which isn't too surprising seeing how dangerous the roads are. Bicycle racks are very hard to come by, however, you can find two at Centrio Mall - one located next to the Corrales Avenue entrance, with the other one near the LAX Shuttle terminal on Vicente Roa Street.

If you're still keen on cycling, the best time is between sunrise and before the morning rush hour when there aren't many drivers on the road. Try to avoid the main thoroughfares, though secondary roads can also become quite busy. A helmet, lights and reflectors on your bicycle are an absolute must.

By foot
Like cycling, walking around most parts of the city is not for the faint of heart. Because of the usually hot and humid climate throughout the year, even traveling a short distance by foot is difficult, and is one of the reasons why locals usually prefer to catch public transport instead. Extra precaution should be taken when crossing roads in Cagayan de Oro, as many drivers fail to give way to pedestrians, even if they're crossing at a designated pedestrian crossing.

Exploring the city by foot is also risky due to the lack of decent sidewalks, the presence of vendors occupying them (especially in the markets), not to mention the danger of being sideswiped by reckless drivers. That being said, Don Apolinar Velez St. is one of the walkable roads with adequate sidewalks on both sides, plus it can take you from Vicente de Lara Park to Rodelsa Circle, two popular spots for exercising in the morning. Walking along the city's bridges is also risky because many motorcyclists tend to use the sidewalks as an extra lane during rush hour. This often happens on the four-lane Maharlika Bridge as the footpaths here are lower than on the other bridges. Many streets are poorly-lit, including downtown. Take extra precautions when walking in these areas, especially by yourself.

Navigating one's way through the city can be challenging at times due to the lack of clear and legible street signs. Case in point Barangays Nazareth and Macasandig, where the layout of the streets make the problem even worse.

If you do walk around, having lots of water handy, a good hat and excellent situational awareness are a must. Pedestrian overpasses are very few and far between, although Limketkai Center does have a skywalk which you can use to access almost any point of the complex. Jaywalking is a definite no-no, especially in Divisoria as offenders can be fined. However in the rest of CDO, it is very to common to see people crossing anywhere and everywhere, without even checking for any oncoming traffic.

Parks
Sadly Cagayan de Oro doesn't have any large parks like those found in other countries. However, the parks CDO does have to offer are still worth visiting nonetheless, especially for those wanting to take a break from the noise and chaos of the rest of the city.

June
Himugso (Cebuano for birth) is a week-long event in June commemorating Philippine Independence Day on June 12, Cagayan de Oro's Charter Day on June 15, and the birth of national hero Jose Rizal on June 19. The celebration, which started in 2015, is a time when Kagay-anons show civic and national pride, with a number of activities being held such as a Freedom Run, Flag Raising Ceremony on the three aforementioned dates, and a tour of the city.

August
The Higalaay Festival (formerly the Kagay-an Festival) is held every August in honor of Cagayan de Oro's patron saint, Saint Augustine of Hippo. The highlights of the festival include the Agro-Trade Fair, Miss Cagayan de Oro, Higaonon Street Dancing, Civic-Military Parade, Fluvial Parade along the Cagayan River and Halad sa Lambagohan. There are also cultural shows, competitions, celebrity concerts, and sales in the city's malls.

 * Whitewater Rafting a 14 rapids along Cagayan de Oro River. The rainy months of September and October are good for intermediate and professional levels (rapids range from class 3 to 4). The rest of the year especially during the dry season is good for novice or amateur rafters.
 * Macahambus Adventure Park rappel and zip-line across trees a hundred feet above ground.
 * Mapawa Nature Park ideal for horseback riding, biking, zipline and nature trekking.
 * Cock-Fighting look for the arena along the National Highway in Gusa. The steep-walled concrete arena thunders with hundreds of shouting fans placing bets, as carefully bred and trained roosters in beautiful fighting form do what they're born to do. Warning: seeing these magnificent and spirited creatures transformed into a limp piece of chicken by the flash of a steel blade may make you become a vegetarian. If not, the losing birds are for sale by the kilo and are rumored to have a distinctive flavor.
 * Videoke coin-operated video karaoke machines found in virtually every roadside bar in and around the city. Don't even come to the Philippines unless you know the words to at least one song you're willing to get up and sing like it's your one big shot at fame. The playlist is extensive (from Beatles to Nirvana with plenty of Bon Jovi and Gloria Gaynor in between) so no excuses.

Shopping malls & supermarkets
Cagayan de Oro has a plethora of shopping malls and supermarkets catering to all types of shoppers, from cheap and cheerful to upscale. They are a hive of activity during Friday nights, weekends and holidays as family and friends spend quality time together at restaurants or just malling (window shopping and wondering around aimlessly in malls). Most of the malls are along Claro M. Recto Avenue.

Markets
If you're looking to buy fruits, vegetables, meat and fish at prices cheaper than those in the supermarkets, check out CDO's public markets. Although they're noisy, crowded and chaotic, you do get a real taste, literally and figuratively, of everyday life in a Philippine marketplace.

What to buy
Cagayan De Oro's native delicacies:
 * Jamon Cagayan de Oro (Pork ham) sold by Slers, Oroham and Pines.
 * Chicharon (Pork rind or skin) sold by Slers.
 * Fely's Homemade Cheese Sticks
 * Fely's Homemade Assorted Flavored Peanuts
 * Cashew Nuts from Lumbia district.
 * Lechon Manok a rotisserie chicken sold roadside, salty but delicious. They're everywhere, quality varies, buy from the one with the most customers in line.
 * Lechon Baboy a whole pig roasted over coals on a bamboo spit, stuffed with lemongrass. Ask a local friend how to arrange one day in advance. Much cheaper in Cagayan de Oro than in Manila.
 * Malunggay Pastel Bread.
 * Turrones de Mani

Eat

 * Café Laguna- Robinsons Cagayan de Oro. Fine dining and Filipino cuisine.
 * Country Side Steakhouse, Limketkai Center. Grilled beef or steak.
 * Café Laguna- Robinsons Cagayan de Oro. Fine dining and Filipino cuisine.
 * Country Side Steakhouse, Limketkai Center. Grilled beef or steak.
 * Café Laguna- Robinsons Cagayan de Oro. Fine dining and Filipino cuisine.
 * Country Side Steakhouse, Limketkai Center. Grilled beef or steak.

Coffee

 * Bo's Coffee - Don A. Velez St. A Cebu-based coffee shop.
 * Bo's Coffee - Don A. Velez St. A Cebu-based coffee shop.

Bars

 * Pulse Formerly Xcite, it is in front of the Dynasty Court Hotel.

Budget

 * YMCA Hostel - 91 Julio Pacana St, from a night

Mid-range

 * Middleton Aparttelle - Lirio Ext., Carmen.
 * Country Village Hotel - Villarin St., Carmen.
 * Middleton Aparttelle - Lirio Ext., Carmen.
 * Country Village Hotel - Villarin St., Carmen.
 * Country Village Hotel - Villarin St., Carmen.
 * Country Village Hotel - Villarin St., Carmen.

Splurge

 * Marco Hotel - Alwana Business Park, Cugman.
 * Chali Beach Resort and Conference Center - Zone 3, Cugman.
 * Marco Hotel - Alwana Business Park, Cugman.
 * Chali Beach Resort and Conference Center - Zone 3, Cugman.
 * Marco Hotel - Alwana Business Park, Cugman.
 * Chali Beach Resort and Conference Center - Zone 3, Cugman.

Mobile
Cellular service in urban areas of Cagayan de Oro is generally fine by Philippine standards, as long as you have a 4G LTE smartphone/tablet or pocket WiFi that can take advantage of faster speeds. However the further you are from a cell tower, the weaker the signal will be, especially in mountainous areas. Globe, Smart and TM (Touch Mobile, an MVNO owned by Globe) prepaid LTE SIM cards can be purchased at carrier stores in shopping malls, 7-Eleven outlets, cellphone stores found throughout the city, and even in local neighborhood sari-sari stores. The Globe and Smart prepaid LTE SIMs cost, while the TM ones are. More Kagay-anons use either Globe or TM over Smart, and Globe has noticeably faster LTE speeds than Smart. It's another advantage if you have a device compatible with the 700MHz LTE band (which both Globe and Smart support), as it has a longer range and better indoor coverage compared to higher-band frequencies. Phone calls can also get choppy or drop out at times and text messages sometimes take a while to send because of the lack of towers to cope with the large number of subscribers.

Globe and Smart switch off cellular signals - sometimes without prior notice - near areas where events are held for security reasons. These include the Nazareno procession in January and various events as part of the city fiesta in August. However, areas that aren't close to these events regularly don't have cell signals as well. On numerous occasions, the signals only come back hours after the events have ended.

Internet
Many public places in Cagayan de Oro offer free Wi-Fi connectivity, including shopping malls, cafes, restaurants, as well as parks and government offices. For example, Centrio Mall offers free Wi-Fi access for one hour, while Gaston Park has unlimited Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi speeds are slower during peak times and weekends. There are also some establishments that charge you for using their Wi-Fi, although at a reasonable rate.

Stay safe
CDO is almost certainly safer than much of Mindanao, but that does not mean it is entirely safe. See the Mindanao article for warnings that apply to the entire region.

Flooding
Sudden downpours are a regular occurrence; in the wet season, it rains almost every afternoon and evening. Most of CDO is low-lying and flood-prone, even in the uptown areas, and the city lacks an adequate drainage system. Limketkai Center and Claro M. Recto Avenue between the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) and SM CDO Downtown Premier are particularly vulnerable to flooding.

Before going around during the wet season, pay close attention to the weather forecasts on the internet and television, as even a localized thunderstorm can grind the city to a halt.

Pollution
Air pollution is a worsening problem in Cagayan de Oro. On most days, a thick layer of smog can be seen hanging over the city. Some of the contributing factors include the increasing number of private vehicles on the roads (especially diesel-powered SUVs and pickups), the continuing use of black-belching jeepneys, open burning of garbage such as plastics and tyres, and the use of charcoal or wood for cooking. If you have asthma or other respiratory problems, wearing a good facial mask (preferably an N95 mask) when outdoors is highly recommended.

Power outages
Blackouts (or brownouts as they're referred to in the Philippines) are an all-too-common occurrence in Cagayan de Oro, especially between March-June. Sometimes these may last just a few minutes; other times for more than half a day. It always pays to have some flashlights and a powerbank handy to charge your devices in case the lights go out. Reliable flashlights can be purchased at hardware stores like ACE Hardware or Handyman, while powerbanks can be found at gadget shops in the malls. Check the website of the Cagayan Electric Power & Light Company (CEPALCO) for blackout schedules.

Tap water
According to the Cagayan de Oro City Water District (COWD), tap water in the city is "safe to drink." Most locals, however, rely on either bottled water or water filtration systems for their drinking needs, as brown sediment can occasionally be seen in the tap water. Many areas in the city experience low water pressure, especially in the mornings, and water supply can be turned off, sometimes without prior notice, due to repairs or other incidents. It's a good idea to check COWD's website regularly for any water interruption announcements, and to stock up on water just in case.

Emergency
In the event of an emergency, dial 911. 911 calls are not free and are only available to Globe subscribers with at least worth of credits.

Clinics

 * Cagayan de Oro Social Hygiene clinic City Health street. Phone +63-8822 721189 M-F 08:00-16:00 (free STD and HIV testing).

Pharmacies

 * Generika Drug Store Pabayo-Chaves Street.

Immigration

 * Bureau Of Immigration Cagayan de Oro office.Ground floor. Ymca Building. Julio Pacana Street.

Newspapers
Cagayan de Oro has two local English language newspapers: Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro and the Mindanao Gold Star Daily. National newspapers such as The Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin and Manila Times are also sold in the city. Newspapers can be purchased at convenience stores like 7-Eleven and Cham's, and from newspaper sellers along the roads and sidewalks. However, the price of the newspapers can vary from one newspaper seller to another.

Go next

 * Camiguin Island
 * Davao via Bukidnon
 * Iligan

title: Cagayan de Oro


text:
Cagayan Valley

Cagayan Valley is a region at the northeastern corner of Luzon. The regional center is Tuguegarao, and is composed of five provinces in administrative terms, namely: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino. This guide only covers the mainland areas: Batanes is treated as a separate region for its isolation and distinct culture.

Most of the region lies in a large valley in northeastern Luzon, between the Cordilleras and the Sierra Madre mountain ranges. The Cagayan River, the country's longest river, runs through its center and flows out to Luzon Strait in the north, in the town of Aparri, Cagayan.

Provinces

The Batanes islands is grouped as part of Cagayan Valley administratively, but Wikivoyage treats it as a separate region.

Cities

 * - Regional economic center; has the primary entry point by plane.
 * - Has the second airport with commercial service.
 * - Tourist town midway between Santiago and Tuguegarao.
 * - Secondary regional economic center.

Other destinations

 * — A remote region facing the Philippine Sea, it has a large national park, and three municipalities only accessible by plane and boat, or for the adventurous, hiking through the Sierra Madre. An ongoing road project is expected to make access easier here, though construction is slow.
 * — A nature reserve off the northeastern tip of Luzon island.
 * — Rural area, composed of seven municipalities and two protected areas.

Understand
The region often manifests to ordinary Filipinos as large swaths of fertile plains surrounding the Cagayan River, but it is far from that. Parts of the region lie along the forested Sierra Madre, and the province of Nueva Vizcaya is mostly mountainous, lying between the Cordillera and Sierra Madre. Rainforests cover the remote eastern coast.

The region is historically inhabited by hunter-gatherer Ilongot and the lowland Ibanag ethnic groups, but they have since been displaced by Ilocano and Tagalog migrants.

Cagayan Valley used to be a single province during the Spanish era, which has since been split into smaller provinces over time. Culturally, the region is mostly Ilocano, Ibanag (in Cagayan) and Gaddang (in Isabela). The southernmost provinces of Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino have more in common with the Cordilleras than with Cagayan Valley, most of the residents being indigenous Igorot peoples such as the Ilongot and Isinay.

Cagayan Valley is a sparse region, with a largely agrarian economy centered on rice and corn production. The region largely lacks major attractions and tourism infrastructure.

The region's climate is heavily influenced by the monsoon, with a short dry season. Typhoons typically batter the region during the rainy season from June to October. The remote parts of Cagayan and Isabela have rain all year-round.

By plane
Flying may not be the cheapest, but the fastest way of reaching the region.

Tuguegarao Airport and Cauayan Airport  are served by domestic flights from Manila. Tuguegarao is the main point of entry by plane; Cebu Pacific offers flights from Manila twice a day for. Cauayan is served by a daily flight on Cebu Pacific for.

A new airport, the Cagayan North International Airport or Lal-lo International Airport has opened in rural Lal-lo, making the northeastern corner of the region accessible by plane, but is only served by flights by charter carrier Royal Air, and it remains uncertain it will be served by other carriers.

By bus
There are regular provincial bus trips from Manila to most points in the region; most ply the Cagayan Valley Road or Maharlika Highway (Asian Highway 26/Route 1) which is the main highway through the region. Most travellers enter by bus, which are cheaper, although slower than taking a domestic flight.

By car
Cagayan Valley is connected to nearby regions by highway, but most roads pass through mountain passes, most notably the Dalton Pass at the boundary with Central Luzon, and are full of hairpin curves.

Get around
Primary highways are Rte 1 (Asian Highway 26), and Santiago-Tuguegarao Rd (Rte 51), both of which are well-maintained. Rte 1 runs from the boundary with Ilocos Region to Dalton Pass, passing by Tuguegarao, Ilagan, Cauayan and Santiago. Santiago-Tuguegarao Rd travels between its two namesake cities, bypassing Ilagan and Cauayan further west. Buses and passenger vans (UV Express) are abundant in the region.

Stay safe
The region has a high risk for typhoons, and the climate is more close to a rainforest, that means, there is no dry season.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Cagayan Valley


text:
Cagliari

Cagliari (Sardinian: Casteddu, "castle"; Latin: Caralis) is the capital city of the Italian island of Sardinia.

Understand

Cagliari is an Italian metropolitan city and the capital of an autonomous region of the island of Sardinia. The city has about 155,000 inhabitants (2015), while its metropolitan area (including 16 other nearby municipalities) has more than 431,000 inhabitants (2017).

Tourist information

You can download audio and PDF guides from the Cagliari tourist website organized by 6 walking tours.

Ground connections

 * By train

A number of taxi companies serve the airport.
 * By taxi

The airport is on the SS130 road.
 * By car

By bus
While ARST is the main regional bus service provider to the city, a few other companies are also operate in the region. Notably, Turmo Travel runs buses to Olbia (and the airport) and Santa Teresa Gallura.

 * Services

By car
It is really difficult to get parking and drive in rush hour even if the road network has been improved.

The city center has several limited traffic zones (ZTLs): Marina, Castello, Villanova, Stampace Alto, and Stampace Basso (maps and hours). There's also a limited traffic zone in Poetto (map).

See
The best thing is to walk through the old city and discover it. Almost everything you have to see in a quick visit of Cagliari can be reached on foot. Plus there are some spectacular views, for example of the Gulf of Cagliari seen from the old city that are best seen from points that are not reachable by car.

Old town
The core of the old town is the Castello district which lies on top of a hill facing the Gulf of Cagliari.

The towers were built in the 13th century during the Pisan domination of the city.
 * Pisan towers

Beaches
The best beach is the 8km-long Poetto Beach. You can get here by buses PF, PQ, 3P, and 9P. The beach is divided to the free parts and the beach clubs, the latter charging you with an entry fee but rent umbrellas, deck chairs, etc. Prices are around €3/entry, about €12 for an umbrella, a deck chair and a sun bed. The club beaches clean the sand each night and provide you with showers and toilets.

Other

 * Football: Cagliari Calcio were promoted in 2023 so they now play in Serie A, Italy's top tier. Their home ground is Unipol Domus or Sardegna Arena (capacity 16,400) 2 km south of town centre.
 * Flamingoes: Cagliari is the only city in the world visited by migratory flamingoes. The wild birds can be seen in the salty and shallow Saline di Quartu Sant’Elena every summer. A nature reserve has been created alongside these artificial salt pans with paths that allow viewing of the flamingoes.

Buy
Most of the shops are concentrated in a couple of areas: Via Roma and Largo Carlo Felice, the pedestrian roads Via Manno and Via Garibaldi, and the part of town around Via Alghero, Via Paoli and Via Dante. Lots of beautiful shops are concentrated in these areas which could remind you of Copenhagen's Strøget.

Eat
There are many of restaurants in the old town area, mostly along via Sardegna and via Napoli. A dinner for two with a little house wine will set you back €40-70.

Mid-range

There are a few places to enjoy lunch salads at the Piazza Yenne and wonderful Gelaterias if you don't want to eat too heavily during the day. These places double up as decent eateries by night.

Sleep
The whole area around Cagliari gives host to a number of accommodation options including the Forte Village, and Le Meridien Chia Laguna on the white sandy beaches of Chia.

Cope
Wear comfortable shoes. The old town of Cagliari is somewhat hilly, so you will be walking uphill or downhill most of the time.

There are clean public toilets in the building on the Pontile Sanita ferry wharf, near the bus terminal.

Stay safe
Cagliari is a very safe city both day and night. Visitors will be very unlikely to have any issues providing they follow the same precautions they would at home. The only suspicious place is around the main bus/train station, where homeless people linger.

Connect
As of June 2023, Cagliari has 5G reception from all major Italian telecom carriers. Wifi is ubiquitous in all public spaces, cafes, hotels, and transit.

Go next

 * Barumini for the Su Nuraxi the only in Sardinia
 * Alghero, also known as Barcelonetta (Little Barcelona), is a pretty city with a strong Catalan influence, and is also known for its beautiful beaches and very good food at reasonable prices (4-hr bus trip from Cagliari).

title: Cagliari


text:
Cagnes-sur-Mer

Cagnes-sur-Mer is a city in Alpes-Maritimes region of southern France.

Understand
The town is divided in three parts. The Cros de Cagnes is the portion of the village that is near the Sea, including the little fishermen harbour. The Cagnes is the modern portion of the village. The Haut de Cagnes is the medieval origin of the Cagnes settlement and nestles around an imposing medieval castle once owned by the Grimaldi dynasty (the Royal family of Monaco). The picture-perfect village has been maintained successfully over the years and offers an alternative to the concrete of the modern French Riviera.

Get in
The town is 10 minutes drive from Nice Cote Azur airport.

Get around
There is a free Navette (shuttle) that serves Haut de Cagnes and takes you around the village and into Cagnes sur Mer. Look for #44.

Sleep
Haute de Cagnes, having been meticulously preserved, has not been overcome by modern developments and big hotel complexes, so lodging options in that portion of town are limited to a handful of small hotels and private villa rentals.

Go next

 * Horse racing at Cagnes-Sur-Mer

title: Cagnes-sur-Mer


text:
Caguas

Caguas, located in the Caguas Valley, is the largest city in the mountainous region of Puerto Rico with a population of 127,000 in 2020. This historic rural town the city has grown to become a southern suburb of San Juan.

Get in

 * San Juan: Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
 * Aguadilla: Rafael Hernández Airport
 * Ponce: Mercedita Airport

By car
ALSA – National Express operates a modern coach service between Caguas and San Juan, with service seven days a week in modern coaches which have air conditioning and a bathroom. ALSA has two routes to San Juan, both starting at the Caguas bus terminal, with stops at Catalinas Mall in Caguas, the Río Piedras Medical Center and Plaza las Américas mall in Hato Rey. At this point, the buses will follow two routes, depending on one’s destination: one route ends at Covadonga in Old San Juan, with stops at Minillas and Paseo del Caribe and the other route ends at Isla Verde Avenue, with stops at the Urban Train stations in Hato Rey and the Sacred Heart area. The routes operate daily from 5:30AM to 9PM. The buses from Caguas leave every half hour to 1 hour, depending on the route. Tickets vary in price from $2.50 to $4.00 each, depending on the destination (Jul 2019).

Other public carriers (known locally as “carros públicos” or “guagas”) take longer and are not always reliable.

Caguas can be easily reached by car from San Juan through highway PR-52 and the old central road PR-1, as it is on the same route that connects San Juan to Ponce.

Get around
Within Caguas, there are several buses and taxis serving the town. Make sure to ask the driver before you go in for your destination.

As with most of Puerto Rico, driving is the easiest way to get around in Caguas as it is a very car-centric city.

See

 * Plaza Palmer in the center of the old section of town, is the main point from where to explore Caguas. At the center there is a statue of Jose Guatier Benitez, a romantic poet that made Caguas famous in the 19th century.  There is also a clock that highlights some of the most prominent cagueños.
 * City Hall or Casa Alcaldía has been very well preserved. It has been the center of power for Caguas since the beginning.
 * Catedral El Dulce Nombre de Jesús, built in the 18th century and renovated after an earthquake destroyed most of it. It has the remains of the first Puerto Rican saint, St. Charlie, born in Caguas.
 * Museums: Casa Rosada, Museum of Tobacco, Quinton House.
 * Museums: Casa Rosada, Museum of Tobacco, Quinton House.

Do
Landmarks and places of interest
 * Cable Car
 * Caguas Historical Museum
 * Coquí Villa
 * Hacienda Catalina Ruins
 * Hacienda Cofresí
 * Hacienda Country Club
 * Turabo Park

Festivals and events
 * Rosario Cantado a los Reyes - 4 January
 * Three Kings Festival - 5 January
 * Criolla Beatriz - February Criolla Borinquen Fair -
 * March Criolla Cañabón Fair - April
 * Felipe "La Voz Rodríguez' Birthday - 8 May
 * Cross Festival - 23–31 May
 * Typical Criole Festival - 1–2 June

Buy
You can go to Las Catalinas Mall, Plaza del Carmen Mall or Plaza Centro Mall.

Eat
There are many restaurants with all of Puerto Rico's authentic foods in Caguas.

The mofongo is excellent at Raíces restaurant near south-central Caguas (H31 Calle Pino, . The waiters wear authentic-looking uniforms, and the atmosphere is upbeat.  Entrees average $10-18.

One famous restaurant that sells international food is El Cantinflas, which serves Mexican food and is a popular place among locals.

Sleep
The Four Points Sheraton hotel, off the highway south of Caguas, has a nice pool area with slide and fountains for the kids, a hot tub, a nice restaurant that looks out onto the pool, a workout room, very comfortable accommodations, and excellent service. However, it is co-located with a small casino run by the same company and sharing the same parking lot. Parking is $9/night (as of January 2010), even for hotel guests. Much of the property is well-built; the parking garage has a glass elevator, there are colored accent lights, a glassed-in walkway that goes by a large outdoor fountain, etc. However, as is common in Caribbean countries, all of it has a soon-to-be-run-down feeling about it. (Most online mapping tools will place the Four Points' address, "500 Alhambra En Granada Boulevard," a few miles north of where it actually is. Follow the directions on their website instead.)

title: Caguas


text:
Caherciveen

Caherciveen (with several spellings) is a village on the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry in southwest Ireland. It has a population (as of 2022) of 1300, but it's on the popular Ring of Kerry tourist circuit and gets very busy in summer. Cathair Saidhbhín in Irish means "Little Sadhbh's stone ringfort" and there are two well-restored ringforts just across the river.

Get in
See Killarney and Tralee for long-distance travel by bus or train, and for Kerry Airport midway between them. By road the last stretch is along N70 which follows the coast of Iveragh Peninsula, the "Ring of Kerry" road.

Bus Éireann 279A runs twice M-Sa and once on Sunday from Killarney, taking 70 min via Fossa, Killorglin and Glenbeigh; M-Sa one bus continues down the coast to Waterville. Other buses from Killarney and Tralee only run as far as Killorglin.

is the main bus stop in the village, a draughty square behind Spar Express.

sails from Reenard's Point to Knightstown on the island, a 10 min crossing. It's a small ro-ro sailing Mar-Sept daily 8AM-9PM; it shuttles continuously, no booking. Fares are €5 single per car and passengers, €8 return; cyclist €2 single €3 return, pedestrians €1.50 single €2 return. You can also reach the island by the bridge from Portmagee.

Get around
Ballycarbery and the ringforts are within hiking distance across Castlequin Bridge. But you'll need wheels to explore further along the coast.

Local Link Bus 285 runs from Killorglin to Glenbeigh, Caherciveen, Waterville, Caherdaniel and Cahercove. There are two or three daily on the Caherciveen-Waterville section, but fewer at the ends of the route.

Local Link Bus 287A runs from Caherciveen to Portmagee then crosses the bridge to Chapeltown and Knightstown on Valentia Island. There are 2-3 on Tu, Th and Friday. Bus 287B runs from Caherciveen to Dromid and Ballinskelligs twice M and W.

Casey Cycles on New St hire bikes. They're open M-Sa 9AM-6PM, in July and Aug also Su 10:30AM-1:30PM.

See

 * Monuments at Carhan Bridge as you enter the village on N70 commemmorate St Brendan the Navigator and the birthplace of Daniel O'Connell.
 * Old Abbey of the Holy Cross is a ruin 100 m west of the church. O'Connell's parents are buried in the graveyard of the former church, a humble affair since it dates from the Penal era which curbed Roman Catholic worship.
 * Cahergall north of Ballycarbery is a stone ringfort from the 7th century, with 25 m internal diameter.
 * Leacanabuaile another 400 m north is similar but 9th century, more fully restored and with 30 m internal diameter. Findings on site indicate that both structures were more like fortified farmsteads than warrior castles. They're free to access 24 hours.
 * Cahergall north of Ballycarbery is a stone ringfort from the 7th century, with 25 m internal diameter.
 * Leacanabuaile another 400 m north is similar but 9th century, more fully restored and with 30 m internal diameter. Findings on site indicate that both structures were more like fortified farmsteads than warrior castles. They're free to access 24 hours.
 * Leacanabuaile another 400 m north is similar but 9th century, more fully restored and with 30 m internal diameter. Findings on site indicate that both structures were more like fortified farmsteads than warrior castles. They're free to access 24 hours.
 * Whitestrand is the fine beach southwest of the ringforts. Church Island 200 m off the point has the remains of a monastic settlement.
 * further west has no permanent inhabitants but has holiday homes. There's the remains of a Viking settlement.
 * is the 275-m hill on the peninsula that ends at Doulus Head. The usual hike is a circuit rather than an ascent.
 * (Cnoc na dTobar, "hill of the wells") is the top of the coastal ridge northeast of the village. It's a place of pilgrimage, where the copious rainfall emerges from the mountain in a series of springs and holy wells. At 690 m (2260 ft) and rising prominently from the coast it's a "Marilyn". The hiking route and pilgrimage trail is from St Fursey's Holy Well on the lane to Coonanna, ascending east past "Stations of the Cross" markers; 9 km there and back.

Do

 * The marina is the starting point for boat trips and water activities. There are long-stay and visitor berths.
 * Portmagee however is the main starting point for trips to Skellig Michael.
 * Hikes: see Knocknadobar and Killelan above. A trail also ascends Bentee, the 376-m hill overlooking the village.
 * Ring of Kerry is the 214-km tourist itinerary around the Iveragh Peninsula. Tour buses always go anti-clockwise: if you start from Killarney as most of them do, it's probably best to buck the trend and go clockwise. But if you start from Caherciveen, tour anti-clockwise as you've a few hours start on them.
 * The Wild Atlantic Way is a driving itinerary from Donegal all the way down the west coast to Kinsale in County Cork. On this section it's identical to the Ring of Kerry.
 * Cahersiveen Festival is held just before the August Bank Holiday: that's the first Monday in August with the Festival on the preceding Friday-Sunday.

Buy

 * There's a Spar and Centra in village centre, with Supervalu 500 m west.

Eat

 * Joeys is a fast-food place at 15 Main St.
 * Camos is a small bistro at 24 Church St, open M-Sa 10AM-5PM.
 * Skellig Rock Curry House at 13 New St is open daily 5-10:30PM. It got good reviews until 2020 but has disappointed since.
 * Camos is a small bistro at 24 Church St, open M-Sa 10AM-5PM.
 * Skellig Rock Curry House at 13 New St is open daily 5-10:30PM. It got good reviews until 2020 but has disappointed since.

Drink

 * Skellig Six 18 Distillery is 2 km southwest of the village by the turn-off for Valentia Island ferry. It's named for the 618 steps to ascend Skellig Michael and offers tours. Their gin is already on sale, their whiskey needs time to mature and will only come to market in 2024 or 2025.
 * Skellig Six 18 Distillery is 2 km southwest of the village by the turn-off for Valentia Island ferry. It's named for the 618 steps to ascend Skellig Michael and offers tours. Their gin is already on sale, their whiskey needs time to mature and will only come to market in 2024 or 2025.
 * Skellig Six 18 Distillery is 2 km southwest of the village by the turn-off for Valentia Island ferry. It's named for the 618 steps to ascend Skellig Michael and offers tours. Their gin is already on sale, their whiskey needs time to mature and will only come to market in 2024 or 2025.
 * Skellig Six 18 Distillery is 2 km southwest of the village by the turn-off for Valentia Island ferry. It's named for the 618 steps to ascend Skellig Michael and offers tours. Their gin is already on sale, their whiskey needs time to mature and will only come to market in 2024 or 2025.
 * Skellig Six 18 Distillery is 2 km southwest of the village by the turn-off for Valentia Island ferry. It's named for the 618 steps to ascend Skellig Michael and offers tours. Their gin is already on sale, their whiskey needs time to mature and will only come to market in 2024 or 2025.
 * Skellig Six 18 Distillery is 2 km southwest of the village by the turn-off for Valentia Island ferry. It's named for the 618 steps to ascend Skellig Michael and offers tours. Their gin is already on sale, their whiskey needs time to mature and will only come to market in 2024 or 2025.
 * Skellig Six 18 Distillery is 2 km southwest of the village by the turn-off for Valentia Island ferry. It's named for the 618 steps to ascend Skellig Michael and offers tours. Their gin is already on sale, their whiskey needs time to mature and will only come to market in 2024 or 2025.

Sleep

 * B&Bs east to west along the main strip include Southern Sun, Iveragh Heights, O'Shea's, San Antoine and Sea Breeze.
 * B&Bs east to west along the main strip include Southern Sun, Iveragh Heights, O'Shea's, San Antoine and Sea Breeze.
 * B&Bs east to west along the main strip include Southern Sun, Iveragh Heights, O'Shea's, San Antoine and Sea Breeze.

Connect
As of May 2021, Caherciveen has 4G from Three and basic mobile coverage from Vodafone, but no signal from Eir. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Portmagee is the main village on the side-loop of "Skellig Ring", and the usual starting point for boats to Skellig Michael.
 * Anti-clockwise round the Ring of Kerry, the usual direction, brings you through Caherdaniel, Derrynane and Sneem to Kenmare, then you cross the hills north for Killarney.
 * Clockwise brings you to Kerry Bog Village and Killorglin, where the road divides for Killarney or Tralee.

title: Caherciveen


text:
Cahir

Cahir (in Irish Chathair, and pronounced "care") is a small market town in County Tipperary in Ireland. With a population in 2016 of 3593, its main attractions are the castle, Swiss Cottage, and Mitchelstown Cave.

Get in
Expressway Bus X8 runs daily every two hours from Dublin Airport, Busáras and Heuston station via Newlands Cross to Cashel and Cahir, 3 hours. It continues via Mitchelstown and Fermoy to Cork, another 80 min. Cahir's main bus stop is on Castle St just off The Square.

Expressway Bus 55 runs daily every two hours from Limerick city via Limerick Junction and Tipperary to Cahir, continuing to Clonmel, Carrick-on-Suir and Waterford.

Bus 855 runs four times a day between Tipperary, Limerick Junction, Cahir, Cashel and Golden, with an extra evening run F Sa.

Two trains run M-Sa from Limerick Junction (for Dublin, Cork and Limerick city) to Tipperary town, Cahir, Clonmel, Carrick-on-Suir and Waterford.

is 300 m north of town centre. There are no facilities to collect online tickets here.

Get around
You can easily reach the Castle, Abbey and Swiss Cottage on foot. You need wheels for outlying sights such as the Cave, there's no public transport.

See

 * The Square is the town's pleasant well-preserved centre. It's all the better for the opening of the bypass in 2007, which diverted N24 traffic north of town to join the motorway.
 * is the Protestant Church of Ireland. It was designed by John Nash, not the most obvious practice ground for his Brighton Pavilion and Buckingham Palace.
 * or Priory of St Mary was built from the 13th century as an Augustinian foundation. The tower is 17th-century, erected long after the Abbey was dissolved and fell into ruin.
 * Cahir Park stretches along the west river bank, south from town centre.
 * , to use its Sunday name, is really Cahir Bridewell or "Nick" - temporary cells for miscreants awaiting transfer to higher courts or to a definitive jail. It was built 1813-16 over an earlier fort, and embellished with mock-castellations and turrets just to show who was in charge. It closed in 1878 and became a residence; in 1976 it was converted into a B&B. The interior is private and modern so just admire it from the street unless you're staying here.
 * north of town has a 13th century ruined church, a 16th century ruined tower house and a 12th century Motte. This is a hummock of ground usually fortified with a bailey, initially of wooden palisades then later stone walls. At Knockgraffon the bailey wasn't converted to stone, and the timber hasn't survived, so it's a Motte-with-no-Bailey.
 * is the highest of the Galtee mountains, and you might be content to view it from a distance. A Munro of 918 m (3011 ft), it doesn't demand technical skills, but the ascent is one long slog, often steep and muddy. The usual approach is from the south by the Black Road Route, which starts from Skeheenarinky on R639. The trail leads through Glengarra Wood, where it's not worth seeking out the fragmentary remains of Galtee Castle.
 * north of town has a 13th century ruined church, a 16th century ruined tower house and a 12th century Motte. This is a hummock of ground usually fortified with a bailey, initially of wooden palisades then later stone walls. At Knockgraffon the bailey wasn't converted to stone, and the timber hasn't survived, so it's a Motte-with-no-Bailey.
 * is the highest of the Galtee mountains, and you might be content to view it from a distance. A Munro of 918 m (3011 ft), it doesn't demand technical skills, but the ascent is one long slog, often steep and muddy. The usual approach is from the south by the Black Road Route, which starts from Skeheenarinky on R639. The trail leads through Glengarra Wood, where it's not worth seeking out the fragmentary remains of Galtee Castle.
 * is the highest of the Galtee mountains, and you might be content to view it from a distance. A Munro of 918 m (3011 ft), it doesn't demand technical skills, but the ascent is one long slog, often steep and muddy. The usual approach is from the south by the Black Road Route, which starts from Skeheenarinky on R639. The trail leads through Glengarra Wood, where it's not worth seeking out the fragmentary remains of Galtee Castle.

Do

 * The Vee Drive is a scenic tour over the hills into County Waterford. It's usually done as a circuit from Lismore, see that page for description, but you could start from Cahir.
 * The Vee Drive is a scenic tour over the hills into County Waterford. It's usually done as a circuit from Lismore, see that page for description, but you could start from Cahir.

Buy

 * The Farmers Market is every Saturday 09:00-13:00 in the car park beside the Granary Craft Centre.
 * Aldi supermarket is just north of the centre, open M-F 9AM-10PM, Sa Su 9AM-9PM.

Eat

 * Cheap eating places straggle north of The Square, up Church St east of the river and up Abbey St west of it.
 * Lava Rock is the challenger next door, earning consistently good reports for their European cuisine. It's open W-Sa noon-3PM, 5-10PM; Su 1-9PM.
 * Lava Rock is the challenger next door, earning consistently good reports for their European cuisine. It's open W-Sa noon-3PM, 5-10PM; Su 1-9PM.

Drink

 * The Square is thronged with pubs: Punter's Rest, Galtee Inn, WH Irwin, The Bell, Shamrock Lounge, Gatehouse Bar, Morissey Bar. A little further north are Abbey Tavern and Granary Inn.

Sleep

 * Other B&Bs near town centre are Tinsley House and Castle Gardens.
 * There are 2 or 3 lodging places at M8 junction 11, four km southwest of town.
 * There are 2 or 3 lodging places at M8 junction 11, four km southwest of town.

Connect
The town and approach highways have a 4G signal from all Irish carriers. As of Dec 2020, 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Cashel to the north is a must-see for the Rock and nearby religious sites.
 * Waterford is a port with a great Viking, medieval and Georgian heritage.
 * Lismore south across the hills has several fine mansions and gardens.
 * Tipperary is a pleasant market town with a famous name but that's about all. Keep heading west towards Limerick, a lively miniature Dublin.

title: Cahir


text:
Cahokia (Illinois)

Cahokia is a city in Saint Louis Metro East, Illinois.

title: Cahokia (Illinois)


text:
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, in the Saint Louis Metro East region of Illinois, is home to the largest prehistoric city north of Mexico. The city was occupied for seven centuries as the native Americans here farmed, traded, created art, studied the sun, and built massive earthen mounds. Between 15,000 and 20,000 people lived at Cahokia when it reached its peak 800 years ago. Today, Cahokia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site—the only such site in the Midwest. You can walk the grounds where the native Americans walked, climb to the top of a 100 ft (30 m) mound, and visit a world-class museum to learn more about life in this part of America before Columbus.

Understand
The main features of the site are the 70 remaining man-made mounds, the largest of which is Monks Mound, around 100 ft (30 m) tall. The rest of the 2,200-acre (890-hectare) site consists of many grass covered mounds that vary in size and shape, several interpretive trails and signage, a reconstruction of the Woodhenge sun calendar, and reconstructions of the palisade/stockade walls.

History
First occupied in small settlements by Late Woodland Indians from about AD 700-1000, the larger community was built by Mississippian Indians between AD 1000 and 1350. Cahokia was the largest prehistoric city in all of what became the United States. Then covering 6 sq mi (16 km²), Cahokia was a melting pot of Indian groups. The city included large fields of corn, pole and thatch houses for thousands of people, grand open plazas, and about 120 earthen mounds.

Though the city was abandoned in the 1300s, French and later American settlers arrived in the 17th and 18th century and again began growing crops. Even in the early 1800s, historians recognized that there was something unique here, but the land continued to be used for farming for the next 125 years. In the early 1900s there were local efforts to make the site a National Park or a State Park, and those efforts failed until the mid-1920s after excavations by Warren K. Moorehead proved the mounds were man-made and not natural features. The state of Illinois then purchased an initial 144-acre plot of land including Monks Mound, creating a state park,and continues to expand and operate the land today, which has been reclassified as a state historic site, and is now managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site remains one of the few of the 23 World Heritage sites in the United States which is not run by the federal government.

Cahokia Mounds was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966, and named a World Heritage Site by the United Nations in 1982.

Landscape
Cahokia Mounds is in the Mid-Western Plains a few miles from the banks of the Mississippi River in the ridge and swale floodplain known as the "American Bottom." This area included numerous lakes, sloughs, marshes and streams, many of which formed in the old abandoned river channels. Bottomland forests dominated around the water sources as well as wetland prairies. Today, cities have built up throughout the American Bottom, but this 2,200 acre (9 km2) oasis gives an idea of how the lands may have appeared long ago.

Flora and fauna
Wildlife at the site are legally protected, and many live in small forested areas. Deer sightings are common while ducks, turkeys, and other birds may be spotted as you roam the well-marked trails.

Free printed guides help you to identify some of the plants and trees at the site, while carefully-maintained garden areas show off the types of plants grown in prehistoric times.

Climate
The Mississippi River Valley area is humid, though temperatures are generally moderate. Storms can occur at any time of the year. July and August are hottest and most humid, and January and February are cold, with occasional snow. Normal temperatures range from 21°F in the winter to 90°F in the summer (-6°C to 32°C), but summer highs of 100°F and winter lows of 0°F are not uncommon (38°C and -18°C).

Get in

Despite the similarity in name, Cahokia Mounds is not in the city of Cahokia, but is located in Collinsville, Illinois, about 10 miles (16 km) away. The site entrance is on Collinsville Rd in Collinsville, about 8 mi (12 km) from downtown St Louis. The site is located just off of Interstate 55, and not far from historic Route 66, which ran through the site for about six years from 1957-1962, and Collinsville Road is also part of the Historic National Road.

By car
From St. Louis or West St. Louis County: Take Interstate 55/70, 64 or Highway 40 & 44 across the Poplar St. Bridge into Illinois. Follow I-55/70, not 64, to Exit 6 (Highway 111). Exit and turn right onto Highway 111 south. At traffic signal turn left onto Collinsville Rd. The Interpretive Center is about 1.5 mi (2.5 km) on the right.

From North St. Louis County: Take I-270 East into Illinois to I-255. Take I-255 South (Memphis) to Exit 24, Collinsville Rd. Exit and turn left onto Collinsville Rd at the stoplight at the end of the off-ramp. The Interpretive Center is about 1.5 mi (2.5 km) on the left.

From South St. Louis County:  Take I-255 across the Jefferson Barracks Bridge into Illinois. Continue on I-255 until Exit 24, Collinsville Rd. Exit and turn left onto Collinsville Rd at the stoplight at the end of the off-ramp. The Interpretive Center is about 1.5 mi (2.5 km) on the left.

From Northern and Eastern Illinois via I-55/70: Take I-55 South or I-70 West to the I-255 exit 10, just past Collinsville. Take I-255 South (Memphis) to the next Exit (24) at Collinsville Rd. Exit and turn left onto Collinsville Rd at the stoplight at the end of the off-ramp. The Interpretive Center is about 1.5 mi (2.5 km) on the left.

From Eastern Illinois via I-64: Take I-64 to I-255 North. Take I-255 North to Exit 24, Collinsville Rd. Exit and turn left onto Collinsville Rd at the stoplight at the end of the off-ramp. The Interpretive Center is about 1.5 mi (2.5 km) on the left.

From Southern Illinois: Take I-255 North to Exit 24, Collinsville Rd. Exit and turn left onto Collinsville Rd at the stoplight at the end of the off-ramp. The Interpretive Center is about 1.5 mi (2.5 km) on the left.

From Lambert St Louis International Airport: (22 Miles) Take I-70 East. After crossing the Mississippi River on the Stan Musial Memorial Bridge, follow I-55/70 to Exit 6 (Highway 111). Exit and turn right onto Highway 111 south. At traffic signal turn left onto Collinsville Rd. The Interpretive Center is about 1.5 mi (2.5 km) on the right.

By taxi
Before starting your trip, be sure your driver understands that you are going to Cahokia Mounds in Collinsville, not the city of Cahokia, which is about ten mi (16 km) away, south of the mounds.

By bus

 * Bi-State Bus: The nearest bus stop is 4 mi (6 km) from the park, so there is no easy way to go to Cahokia Mounds by bus. (Bi-State serves St. Louis and parts of Illinois)
 * Madison County Transit Bus: MCT bus #18 stops at Black Lane and Collinsville Rd. This is about 0.75 mi (1.2 km) west of the site. There are no sidewalks to reach the site.

By MetroLink train
MetroLink, St. Louis's public transit light rail system, can take you to the Missouri Avenue Station in East St. Louis. However, you'll still be about 8 mi (13 km) from Cahokia Mounds. You'll need to complete your trip by taxi.or catch the Madison County Transit Bus #18 to the Black Lane stop and then walk .75 miles west to the Interpretive Center.

Hours
Hours: Interpretive Center, W-Su 9AM-5PM, closed Mondays and Tuesdays (call to check schedule as it may change); grounds: 8AM to dusk.

Holidays: closed: New Year's Day, M.L. King's Birthday, Lincoln’s Birthday, President's Day, Columbus Day, General Election Day,  Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Open: Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, and Veteran's Day (unless if falls on a Monday or Tuesday, then closed).

Fees and permits
Entrance to the site is free, though a donation of $7 for adults, $4 for children, and $15 for families is suggested.

Get around
There are free parking areas for cars and RVs at the Visitors Center, Monks Mound, and Woodhenge.

It is easy to walk around the site. There is an informative self-guided audio cassette tour available from the Visitors Center (free) which guides you around the main points of interest, or you can purchase a guidebook (available in 12 languages) for $1 in the Gift Shop, or rent iPod Touch units for $3 in the Gift Shop (available in English, Spanish and German). All of these include the three outside interpretive trails and the iPod also has an interior exhibit tour as well as videos and dialogue.

The Visitors Center/Interpretive Center is wheelchair accessible. Newly-installed cement paths provide accessibility to the Grand Plaza area, Mound 72, and several other parts of the site and there are large interpretive signs at each parking lot and along the trails.

Every day

 * Parking lot and Interpretive signage
 * Parking lot and Interpretive signage

 * Parking lot and interpretive signage.
 * Stockade/Palisade. Reconstructions of the defensive post wall system have been built where identified by excavations, north of the Monks Mound parking lot, and along the trail behind the Twin Mounds. This wall was nearly two miles long, enclosing the Central Ceremonial Precinct of Cahokia, including Monks Mound, the Grand Plaza and the Twin Mounds. A sidewalk accesses the reconstructions from the Monks Mound parking lot. Free. Interpretive signage.

Scheduled dates

 * Kids Day: Third Sunday in May. Lots of hands-on activities for kids of all ages, including playing Indian games, flintknapping an arrowhead, making pinch pots, throwing spears with an atlatl, identifying animal tracks and pelts, learning about weaving and dyeing, listening to a storyteller, and much more. 11 am to 4 pm. Free.
 * Archaeology Day: First Saturday in August. Expert craftpersons demonstrate stone tool making, making bows and arrows, stone carving, pottery making, spinning and weaving fibers, basktry, animal bone identification, artifact displays, tours of the excavations, and you can help sift the soils from the digs to find artifacts and also wash artifacts from the excavations. 10AM to 4PM. Free.
 * Solstice and Equinox sunrise observances. Join an archaeologist and other interested people at the reconstructed Woodhenge sun calendar to hear an explanation of the discovery, form and function of this ancient sun calendar that has been rebuilt at the original location. Held on the Sunday morning closest to the actual equinox or solstice so that more people can come and learn about it. No rituals or ceremonies performed out of respect for American Indian beliefs. Check the web site for dates and times. On Collinsville Road one-half mile west of Monks Mound. Parking lot. Free.
 * Solstice and Equinox sunrise observances. Join an archaeologist and other interested people at the reconstructed Woodhenge sun calendar to hear an explanation of the discovery, form and function of this ancient sun calendar that has been rebuilt at the original location. Held on the Sunday morning closest to the actual equinox or solstice so that more people can come and learn about it. No rituals or ceremonies performed out of respect for American Indian beliefs. Check the web site for dates and times. On Collinsville Road one-half mile west of Monks Mound. Parking lot. Free.

Additional tours
The most-popular tours are Grand Plaza and Monks Mound. These are well-marked, follow cement paths, and take about 30-45 minutes each. They have audio guides, iPod guides, printed guides, and human tour guides to help you understand the site.

In addition, there are several other defined trails with trail markers and printed guides.

Scheduled dates
Many activities are scheduled each year. While some are unique one-time events, others are repeated every year. A detailed calendar of upcoming events is available on the web.

Special access

 * People with mobility issues may view a 17-minute video tour of the site. Free.
 * People with vision issues may use a Braille tour book of the outdoor areas. They may also use an artifact apron accompanied with a recorded audio tour of the museum. Free.
 * People with hearing issues may follow the orientation show with a written script and reading light. Free.

Eat
There are vending machines for drinks and snacks in the Cafe Cahokia area of the Interpretive Center.

If you bring your own food, a picnic area about a half mile from the Visitor's Center has tables on a first-come basis. Parking is available at the picnic area.

Several restaurants in Collinsville are within 3 mi (5 km) of the park.

Drink
There are a variety of bar & grill establishments and restaurants in Collinsville.

Sleep
There are no overnight accommodations in the park. To protect the archeological site, camping is never allowed.

There are over a dozen hotels in nearby Collinsville, Caseyville, and Fairview Heights, IL. St. Louis is very close with its many hotels.

Camping is available at nearby Horseshoe Lake State Park, 2 mi (3 km). Several private campgrounds and RV parks in Granite City and Fairmont City also offer nearby accommodations.

Stay safe
Ticks and poison ivy can be found on some of the longer trails. Wear long pants and use insect spray for protection.

While the most popular trails are cement pathways, segments of some trails are made of dirt, woodchips, grass, or gravel. Wheelchair users should ask about the specific trail they are using before setting out. For the longer trails, hiking shoes are recommended.

As an archeological site, unauthorized digging for any reason in any area is strictly illegal. Do not add an unauthorized geocache, dig for artifacts, or pull out plants as you move about the site. It is unlawful to disturb or remove flora, fauna, or artifacts from the site.

Go next

 * If you are looking for additional activities, St Louis is filled with attractions and destinations, and is only 8 mi (13 km) away. The city includes Eero Saarinen's impressive Gateway Arch, the Anheuser Busch Budweiser Brewery, the St. Louis Art Museum, Zoo, History Museum, Science Center, City Museum, Magic House, professional baseball, and hockey teams.
 * If you are looking for additional activities, St Louis is filled with attractions and destinations, and is only 8 mi (13 km) away. The city includes Eero Saarinen's impressive Gateway Arch, the Anheuser Busch Budweiser Brewery, the St. Louis Art Museum, Zoo, History Museum, Science Center, City Museum, Magic House, professional baseball, and hockey teams.
 * If you are looking for additional activities, St Louis is filled with attractions and destinations, and is only 8 mi (13 km) away. The city includes Eero Saarinen's impressive Gateway Arch, the Anheuser Busch Budweiser Brewery, the St. Louis Art Museum, Zoo, History Museum, Science Center, City Museum, Magic House, professional baseball, and hockey teams.
 * If you are looking for additional activities, St Louis is filled with attractions and destinations, and is only 8 mi (13 km) away. The city includes Eero Saarinen's impressive Gateway Arch, the Anheuser Busch Budweiser Brewery, the St. Louis Art Museum, Zoo, History Museum, Science Center, City Museum, Magic House, professional baseball, and hockey teams.
 * If you are looking for additional activities, St Louis is filled with attractions and destinations, and is only 8 mi (13 km) away. The city includes Eero Saarinen's impressive Gateway Arch, the Anheuser Busch Budweiser Brewery, the St. Louis Art Museum, Zoo, History Museum, Science Center, City Museum, Magic House, professional baseball, and hockey teams.

title: Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site


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Songo

Songo is a town in Central Mozambique. The nearby dam, called Cahora Bassa, is a large hydroelectric scheme that supplies electricity to grids as far as South Africa.

Get around
Songo was established in 1969 to house the workers for the construction of the dam. Today, it is still devoted to the Cahorra Bassa dam. It is entirely unlike any other in Mozambique in that there's no formal city centre - it's more a series of loosely connected barrios. Nor are there any chapas running around the town. This may sound like a nightmare, but in actual practice it doesn't matter an awful lot - there are only a couple of places you can stay and the best thing about Songo itself is the walking, which is pretty spectacular. Songo is one of the most attractive towns in Mozambique. It does not seem to have been very affected by the war and general decay of time. The stakeholders of the dam have in someway contributed to the upkeep of this town. Well worth a visit.

See
The hills and the dam. The former are easy enough - just look around you. The latter takes a little more effort, but isn't difficult. You can't just turn up - Cahorra Bassa is a secure site and you'll get turned away at the gate even if you do walk the distance between Songo and the dam. However, if you ask around in town, you may be able to find someone who can arrange a visit for you.

Cahora Bassa dam
To get to the dam from Tete take the road back towards Zimbabwe, turning off at the Songo turnoff. Then just follow your nose - the road is good quality and will take you into Songo itself. If going by chapas, they leave from outside the TDM office on Av de Liberdade. It will take 3-4 hours. The drive up through the mountains is pretty spectacular. An alternative route is to drive north along the Zambezi River bank along a dirt track. This takes you through numerous picturesque villages. The road is in bad condition. A four wheel drive vehicle is recommended or a vehicle with high ground clearance. The track joins the main Tete-Songo road approximately 50 km south of Songo. A highlight of the tour is an old monastery, church and school on the way. The church is in bad condition and will, most probably, decline with time.

Do
Tiger(fish) fishing. Also vundo, bream and other species available. Ugezi Tiger Lodge offers boats with experienced skippers for the avid fishermen and sightseeing on the dam. Guided tours can be arranged to visit the dam wall to see the hydro electricity plant in action.

Fishermen with own boats please take note. Some of the Lodges are very far from fishing spots, and as there are hundreds of nets belonging to local fishermen about, you sometimes have to travel far in order to get to the spots. From Ugezi Toger Lodge you have to travel more than 30 km to get to the main fishing spots and this makes it difficult if you are wanting to fish early in the morning or later afternoon as this traveling cuts into good fishing times. Moringa Bay Lodge is a much better fishing option and is right on the main dam, you couldn't get closer to the fishing action. They have beautiful new self catering serviced accommodation units and can arrange food if you request, easy access to fuel, bait and ice, they also can arrange fishing boats for you on request. It's a tar road except last 20 km on good dirt road. (Another benefit: Moringa Bay does NOT have mosquitoes.)

It is not a good idea to stay near the dam wall as there are no fish for nearly 30km and the area is full of local fishing nets that also stop you fishing in this area. You need to get to the main dam area if you want to catch tigerfish. Make sure you do you homework to see where the main fishing happens. The best fishing opportunities are on the house boats which travel up to the main dam and at Moringa Bay Lodge.

Buy
There is a reasonably well stocked supermarket and market.

Eat

 * Ugezi Tiger Lodge has an A La Carte restaurant and offers the best full bream and bream fillets money can buy.

Drink
Ugezi Tiger Lodge has a well stocked bar which is popular amongst the locals.

Sleep

Go next
This is trickier. Due to the lack of a centre, chapas heading back to Tete drive round Songo picking people up, so you need to arrange this in advance. It's best to ask the driver who brought you there and he'll let you know the score.

title: Songo


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Cahors

Cahors is a city in the French department of Lot.

Understand

Almost entirely surrounded by water, Cahors is a lovely medieval town in a French wine region. It is a regional centre for business and culture.

Cahors was a major town during the Middle Ages and saw a good deal of conflict during the Hundred Years' War.

Pope John XXII was born in Cahors in 1249.

Most of the city's key structures were built in the 20th century.

Cahors was the starting point of stage 18 in the 2007 Tour de France.

By plane
The nearest major airports are in Toulouse and Rodez.

By train
The train from Paris to Cahors takes some 5 hours.

Do

Eat
The food in Cahors is typical of Southwestern France. It is hearty and uses local produce.

Drink
Cahors is a major producer of wine. It is mostly known for its red wine. 70% of the vineyards in France are along a narrow strip of land on each side of the Lot River between Cahors and Puy L'Eveque. Local soils are conducive to grape growing. There are 4,200 hectares (10,000 acres) of Cahors vineyards. The area produces 30 million bottles a year.

Go next

 * Toulouse

title: Cahors


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Cahuita

Cahuita is a beach town in Limón Province, Costa Rica.

Understand
Cahuita is a rustic alternative to the more touristic spots found further south. The town consists of a main street that runs off the highway and goes all the way to the ocean. Located here are a small selection of restaurants and bars and a bank and a grocery store. Leading away form the main street are mainly dusty dirt roads with guest houses and local residents.

There are two beaches within walking distance of Cahurita. They are Playa Negra, a dark sand beach that has good waves for beginner surfers, and Playa Blanco, a white sand beach located within the picturesque Cahuita National Park.

By car
Cahuita is fairly straightforward to get to as it is located on a main highway (Route 36) that runs from Puerto Limon to the Panama border.

By bus

There are several buses departing San José to Cahuita from 06:00 till 16:00. Typically, these buses have Sixaola (Costa Rica's border town on the border with Panama) as their destination. Note that San José has many bus terminals, and the location of the terminal from which buses to Cahuita and Sixaola leave may change. As of the late 2013, schedule and map brochures distributed by the tourist authorities in San José still showed Terminal del Caribe as these buses' point of origin, but the location has changed to the San Carlos bus terminal. Before traveling, try to get the latest update from the bus company or from your hotel.

According to schedules, the travel time from San José to Cahuita on a direct bus is 4 hours, but you should add at least 30 min. Although the buses are direct, they make a fairly long stop in Puerto Limon, where you can get a quick meal at a bus station restaurant.

There are also slower (local service) buses running hourly between Puerto Limon and Sixaola; they, too, stop at Cahuita. From San José the cost is about US$4 and from Limon about $1.50

By private shuttle
Interbus runs services between Cahuita and San José for around US$35 per person taking 3-4 hr.

By taxi
Taxis from Puerto Limon cost ~US$15. Taxis from San José cost ~$150.

Get around
The town is fairly small and can easily be navigated by foot. For getting to the beaches and your accommodation however, you may prefer to rent a bicycle.

Do

 * Relax on the beaches around Cahuita during the day and have some drinks in the few bars in town. Playa Negra, a ten minute walk north of town on the main road, is good for swimming.

Buy
There are a few gift shops in town that sell a range of local crafts and foods. For essentials, there is a small shopping strip next to the main bus station. Here you will find a bank (with ATM), fruit and vegetable shop, butcher, small supermarket, barber and a doctor.

Eat
Restaurants are pretty expensive for Latin America, with prices in line with those in the US (budget US$15-20 for a meal); many serve good local fish.

The is a popular and inexpensive soda about 300 m before the entrance to the national park.

Sleep
There is lodging of all price ranges here. On Playa Negra you can camp for free right on the beach for one night or ask in the hostels if they allow you to pitch your tent in the yard for a couple of dollars. In exchange you can use their showers and restrooms.

Connect
Most hotels and even the soda have Wi-Fi.

Go next
Several buses a day heading to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Puerto Limon, Sixaola and San José.

title: Cahuita


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Cahuita National Park

Cahuita National Park is in eastern Costa Rica, along the Caribbean coast. The park is known for its pristine coral reef, turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and inland forests teeming with wildlife.

Understand
The park's forests are coastal rainforest with plenty of monkeys, reptiles and birds. Cahuita National Park is a must-see for any traveller in the area.

Flora and fauna
Cahuita National Park encompasses a surface area of 24,392 hectares. The park's two main ecosystems are the offshore reef and the rainforests on shore.

The forests are home to a variety of species including raccoons, coatis, sloths, iguanas, snakes and lizards. Snakes include the eyelash viper, the rainforest hog-nosed pit viper, and the fearsome fer-de-lance (the deadliest snake in Central America).

Climate
Tropical rainforest.

By bus
Buses from San José heading in the direction of Puerto Viejo stop in Cahuita. From Limón there are frequent buses until 18:00.

By car
From San José, take highway 32 toward Limón, passing through the Zurquí tunnel. When you reach the outskirts of Puerto Limón, turn right at the petrol station towards the community of Cahuita. The park entrance is about 5 km south in the sector of Puerto Vargas.

Fees and permits
The park is open from 8AM to 4PM daily. Entrance into the national park is by donation. It is a great place, so make a fair donation. The park is closed the first Monday of each month.

Get around
By foot. The park is not very big and can be circled within a few hours. There are several guides but use them to point out nature attractions since there is only one very well marked trail.

Do

 * Swimming
 * Sunbathing
 * Hiking - there is 2.1 km well-marked trail with boardwalks in wet areas
 * Snorkeling

Drink
Coco´s Bar right in the center. Sunday- Karaoke night!

Lodging
There are plenty of cabinas and rooms for rent.

The Atlantida has friendly staff and beautiful landscaping. Quaint, steps from the beach.

Camping
There is no official camping but it is allowed to camp on "Playa Negra" (Black Beach) for one night.

Backcountry
Yes!

Stay safe
Don't swim on beaches with red flags.

Go next
Before dark. You wouldn't want to be lost in the jungle at night. Don't forget: it gets dark early.

title: Cahuita National Park


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Caia

Caia is a city in Central Mozambique.

Caia is most notable for being a crossing point on the Zambezi river, the lowest crossing point before the Indian Ocean. In 2009 a road bridge was opened, largely bypassing Caia.

Get in
The main national EN1 highway runs through Caia. The main town is south of the bridge.

See

 * The new road bridge is an impressively modern concrete construction.

Buy
There is an ATM at the Standard Bank in the gas station, on the highway. If you are relying on ATMs and going anywhere further afield (e.g. Sena, Chemba, Marromeu) make sure to get cash here - there is an intermittently functioning ATM in Marromeu and none at all anywhere else.

The highway corridor just south of the bridge has lots of things for sale: food, tires, DVDs, car parts, clothing, etc.

Eat

 * There is a Portuguese owned restaurant near to the INGC office. Reasonable food if you can tolerate the flies.

Sleep
Accommodation is available in Caia.

Pensao Maia, close to the highway, has inexpensive rooms (up to 800 MT) with fans and shared bathrooms.

To the south of the city is the Hotel So-Artes, locally known as the Luisa Diogo hotel, after its owner (who is also the former Speaker of the Mozambican Parliament). Take a bicycle taxi to get there (10 MT). Rooms are expensive, at 1200 - 1800 MT, but come with comfortable beds, hot running water, and satellite TV. The restaurant is decent.

Go next
Marromeu is a 2-hour drive on a dirt road down stream. Mutarara / Vila de Sena, the location of the Dona Ana Bridge is a 2-hour drive in the other direction.

title: Caia


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Cai Be

Cai Be is in the Mekong Delta.

Understand
Cai Be is a district in the west of Tien Giang province. Cai Be has total area of 41,000 ha, and a population of 280,000 people living in 24 communes and a capital town of same name. The local economy is based mainly on horticulture and tourism, with a great number of fruit orchards. Cai Be has a small floating market which is not yet as touristy as the Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho. Cai Be is on the northern side of My Thuan Bridge, the gate into Vinh Long province and the Mekong Delta in general.

Get in
Cai Be is around 113 km (2 hour drive) from Ho Chi Minh City and 50 km from My Tho (the capital of Tien Giang. Cai Be is on the northern side of My Thuan Bridge, the gate into Vinh Long Province and the Mekong Delta in general.

Get around
It is easy to get Cai Be around with a motorbike taxi or just rent a bike. Visiting Cai Be floating market with a small sampan ride is enjoyable.

Do
Enjoy a sampan ride to visit Cai Be floating market in early morning. Rent a bike or motorbike to explore beautiful villages in Cai Be. The people here are all very friendly and warm.

title: Cai Be


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Cairngorms National Park

The Cairngorms are a range of mountains between the Highlands region and Aberdeenshire, plus smaller areas of Angus, Perth and Kinross, and Moray. The national park, established in 2003, is by far the largest in Britain – it's named for the Cairn Gorm or "Blue Mountain" near Aviemore, but also includes the Monadhliath and Grampian ranges to the east, the Angus Glens, and the upper valleys of the Spey, Dee and Tay.

The park has no entry fees or gates. Permits may be required for activities such as fishing, and there are various commercially-run activities such as skiing and pony-trekking. But most of what the park has to offer is free, not least the scenery.

Most accommodation, eating and similar facilities are in the small towns listed below, especially Aviemore. This page describes some highlights and general features.

Understand

The Cairngorms are a huge block of granite. During the Ice Age, the ice sat on top but didn't move. Elsewhere in Britain (for instance in the English Lake District) it carved out U-shaped valleys and other distinctive glacial features; here, with the exception of a few narrow valleys such as Lairig Ghru, it just polished the block into a series of rounded tops of similar height. So what was left behind was a plateau at 1000-1200 m altitude, with the peaks of Ben Macdui (1309 m), Braeriach (1296 m), Cairn Toul (1291 m) and Cairn Gorm (1244 m).

This creates a habitat for hardy plants and animals that are common in sub-arctic countries but rare in Britain. It's too cold, stony and steep for agriculture, and the Caledonian forests in the valleys represent the last stand of the primeval forest that once cloaked Scotland. Modern times have seen encroachment by sheep-farming, game hunting and forestry, and climate change has become appreciated as a threat. The area was therefore protected in 2003 by designation as a national park. It's a remarkable wilderness, interspersed by lochs, rivers, woodland and moors. Wildlife includes crossbills, ospreys, capercaillie, golden eagles, red deer, red squirrels, otters, and mountain hare. Highlights include:
 * the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber), with some 500 now inhabiting the Tay valley; likeliest sightings are May-Aug at Loch of the Lowes above Dunkeld.
 * a free-roaming herd of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), about 150 between Cairngorm and Glenlivet. They're usually just a distant smudge on the moor, but rangers lead hikes from Glenmore to their usual grazing area.
 * you will be very lucky to spot the Scottish wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris), or be sure that it's not just a burly domestic cat – they interbreed vigorously and there may be only a few dozen "pure" wildcats out there. A program to re-build the breed started in 2023, releasing 20-some wildcats annually for three years.

Room for any more? Lynx, wolves and bears once roamed these hills, and some enthusiasts campaign for their return. But these beasts require huge terrains, so even though Cairngorms is the UK's largest park, with an area of 4,528 km² (1,748 sq mi), it may be too cramped. And the park's IUCN designation is "Category 5", a region where farming, commercial activity such as logging, and tourism are not only permitted, but valued as an integral part of the landscape. The family picnic remains safe for now.
 * Cairngorms National Park website

Towns
West side of the park is accessed by the Tay and Spey valleys, which carry A9 and the railway to Inverness:
 * is a large village just before A9 ascends bleak Drumochter Pass.
 * , Dalwhinnie, Laggan and Newtonmore are small villages as A9 descends from the Pass into Spey valley.
 * is the main service town and access point for the western, larger side of the park.
 * is where the valley narrows, passing Boat of Garten and Dulnain Bridge.
 * is set in forests at the start of classic whisky distilling country.

East side of the park, mostly in Aberdeenshire, is closer to lowland cities, so most visitors come on day-trips.

 * is near Balmoral Castle.
 * is the highest village on Deeside.
 * is at the foot of the Angus Glens.

By plane
Inverness and Aberdeen  are the closest airports, with connections across Europe and the UK. Edinburgh is a longer drive but has more flights, and is west of the city so you drive straight out onto M90 then A9.

By train
The railway line on the west (Tay and Spey) side of the park has trains from Edinburgh and Glasgow via Perth to Inverness every hour or two, plus the Highland Sleeper overnight from London Euston to Inverness. Stations along the way (with not all trains stopping) are Dunkeld & Birnam, Pitlochry, Blair Atholl, Dalwhinnie, Newtonmore, Kingussie, Aviemore and Carrbridge.

The railway to the east hugs the coast from Dundee to Aberdeen, and is always at least 30 miles from the park boundaries. Trains also run from Aberdeen to Elgin, Nairn and Inverness, but it's even less convenient to access the park from that direction.

By bus

Hourly buses from Edinburgh and Glasgow stop at Perth and Aviemore on their way to Inverness, but mostly rush past the other villages. One bus per day also stops in Blair Atholl, Newtonmore and Kingussie. Bus X37 from Inverness runs five times a day via Tomatin, Carrbridge, Dulnain Bridge, Grantown, Nethy Bridge and Boat of Garten to Aviemore.

Bus 201 runs hourly from Aberdeen to Crathes, Banchory, Ballater and Braemar.

By car
The A9 from Perth to Inverness enters the park in the south and follows along the western side of it to the north east of the park.

Follow the A93 from Aberdeen to enter the park from the east.

Get around
Some trails are reachable on foot, and bus 30 runs hourly from Aviemore via Coylumbridge and Glenmore to Cairngorm ski area. But beyond that, buses are sparse and you need your own wheels.

National Cycle Route 7 mostly follows A9. There are bosky back lanes and old railway tracks along the Spey valley, but crossing Drumochter Pass is on the busy main road.

See

 * Balmoral Castle is 3 miles west of Ballater. Completed in 1856, it's the archetype "Baronial" Scottish mansion. It remains a royal residence - Queen Elizabeth II usually resided here in Aug and Sept, and died here on 8 Sept 2022.
 * Blair Castle in Blair Atholl was 15th / 16th century, but rebuilt in Victorian times to resemble Balmoral.
 * Other castles are ruins. Most are medieval, though Ruthven Barracks near Kingussie was built in 1719 to quell the Jacobites.
 * Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie is a branch of Edinburgh Zoo.
 * Prehistoric monuments such as stone circles cluster round Aviemore.
 * Highland Folk Museum near Newtonmore is an open air museum of rural highland life from 1700 to the 1950s, open April-Oct.

Do

 * Strathspey Railway is a standard gauge heritage line, usually steam-hauled, coursing 10 miles from Aviemore to Boat of Garten and Broomhill.
 * Mountain biking: Laggan Wolftrax is a network of purpose-built mountain bike trails, along A86 between Spean Bridge and Newtonmore.
 * Abernethy Forest is a remnant of the original Caledonian Forest and much is a nature reserve. The main entry points are near Loch Garten in the west and near Nethy Bridge in the north.

Walking

 * Loch an Eilein is an easy 5 mile stroll in Rothiemurchus Forest south Aviemore. A ruined castle perches on an islet in the loch.
 * Speyside Way is a walking trail, 85 miles / 137 km southwest from Buckie on the Moray coast, upriver to Grantown, Aviemore and Newtonmore in the Spey Valley. Most of it is also suitable for cycling and horse-riding.
 * Cateran Trail is a 64 mile / 103 km hiking circuit of the southern glens, through Blairgowrie, Bridge of Cally, Kirkmichael, Spittal of Glenshee, Cray, Kirkton of Glenisla and Alyth.
 * Lairig Ghru is a 19 mile / 31 km route through the Cairngorms from Coylumbridge to Linn of Dee above Braemar. You need transport set up at both ends; the first bus of the day to Coylumbridge is leaving it late to get through the pass before nightfall. It's heavy, boggy going, with snow and ice underfoot in winter. There are no bail-out options if you get cold and weary midway. The Strathspey Railway - geograph.org.uk - 4057651.jpg
 * Cairn Gorm (1245 m) and Ben Macdui (1309 m) are ascended from the ski centre car park above Aviemore.
 * Lochnagar, a Munro of 1155 m / 3789 ft, is climbed from Ballater.

Skiing

 * There are three downhill skiing facilities within the park:

 * is 12 miles east of Aviemore. This resort has been hamstrung by extended breakdown of the funicular railway, check status before visiting.
 * is 10 miles south of Braemar.
 * is a rinky-dinky beginners' slope along A939, 18 miles northeast of Ballater.

 * When they're good, they're great, but they all have limited skiing areas, unreliable snow, and overcrowding especially at weekends and school holidays. Consider driving the extra distance to Glencoe ski area or Nevis Range near Fort William.

Buy
All the villages have small stores, mostly open M-Sa to 22:00 but with limited hours on Sunday.

Fuel is available but expensive. Fill up in the Perth or Aberdeen area as you approach.

Eat

All the individual towns have food outlets designed to refuel hungry skiers and hillwalkers quickly.

Drink

 * All the towns have pubs, which usually serve food and are dog-friendly.
 * Whisky distilleries: lots, in and around Kingussie, Carrbridge and Grantown-on-Spey. But not Blair Atholl, as Athol Distillery is further south in Pitlochry. Aviemore has a gin distillery.

Sleep

 * Camping: wild camping is a legal right in Scotland, but you must stay away from houses and not disturb livestock. There are serviced campsites and caravan parks in Aviemore, Blair Atholl, Grantown, Ballater and Braemar.
 * B&Bs are the mainstay of accommodation in the Highlands, small independent guesthouses.
 * Hotels are likewise mostly independent, though Aviemore now has a Premier Inn.

Stay safe

Most risks are the same as in the lowlands. Beware traffic – drowsy homebound skiers and hill-walkers, and long lulling sections of A9 with few overtaking opportunities, are recurrent causes of accidents. Take usual care of valuables.

The mountains are of no great altitude but are on the same latitude as Labrador. Loss of direction in mist, and falls on ice or slippery scree, in cold wet winds can escalate into tragedy.

The mountain weather forecast is relevant to all outdoor activities in the park.

In an emergency, dial 999 or 112 and ask for "police, mountain rescue". But can you get a mobile signal?

Go next

 * Inverness is a pleasant Victorian town. North Coast 500 motoring itinerary starts here.
 * Aberdeenshire has more ruined castles and whisky distilleries than you could shake a stick at. Aberdeen is its grand old granite city.
 * Rannoch Moor: and you thought the Cairngorms were boggy?
 * Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park is very scenic, but being on Glasgow's doorstep is busy on fine weekends.

title: Cairngorms National Park