BROWSE BY PROVINCE

THE BEAUTY OF

Isabela

Cagayan Valley
Share
Tweet
Email
EXPLORE Isabela
Welcome to Isabela

Isabela, a province located in the Cagayan Valley region of Northern Luzon, is often overshadowed by its more popular counterparts, but this hidden gem is quickly gaining recognition for its unspoiled beauty and diverse tourist attractions. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, history buff, or cultural explorer, Isabela offers a variety of experiences that will surely captivate you. From scenic landscapes to rich heritage, there’s something for everyone in this charming province.

Natural Wonders of Isabela

Isabela is home to some of the most stunning natural landscapes in the Philippines. One of the must-see spots is the Callao Cave, famous for its impressive limestone formations and natural cathedral-like chamber. The cave’s interior, illuminated by sunlight through large openings, creates an ethereal atmosphere that’s worth the trek. Another natural wonder is Lake Duminagat, a serene body of water surrounded by lush greenery, ideal for a quiet retreat or a picturesque photo opportunity.

For those seeking a more adventurous experience, Nagtipunan Falls is a hidden waterfall that promises an exciting hike and a refreshing dip in crystal-clear waters. Conner, a town in Isabela, is also known for its vast forests and wildlife, providing opportunities for eco-tourism activities such as trekking and birdwatching.

Rich Historical and Cultural Heritage

Isabela is not only rich in natural beauty but also steeped in history. The province played a significant role during the Spanish colonization, and traces of this period can still be found in its landmarks. The San Pablo Church in the town of Cabagan is a fine example of Spanish colonial architecture, with its sturdy stone structure and beautiful interior. It remains a testament to Isabela’s history and the faith of its people.

For a glimpse into the local way of life, you can visit The Isabela Provincial Capitol, a symbol of the province’s governance and a remarkable piece of architecture. Here, you’ll get a sense of the province’s development and the cultural richness that defines its people.

Isabela is also home to many indigenous communities, each with its own distinct traditions and customs. Visiting these communities provides a deeper understanding of the province’s diverse cultural fabric.

Festivals and Events

Isabela’s festivals are a vibrant celebration of its culture and heritage. One of the most notable is the Afi-Festival, held in the town of Ilagan. This lively festival showcases the province’s agricultural roots, with events like street dancing, agricultural fairs, and local food tastings. It’s a perfect time to witness the province’s spirit and warmth, as the locals take pride in their heritage and bountiful harvests.

Another festival worth attending is the Pamulinawen Festival, celebrated in Cauayan City, which honors its patron saint and showcases the city’s rich cultural traditions through performances, processions, and a vibrant display of local arts.

Taste of Isabela

Isabela’s culinary offerings are a feast for the senses. The province is known for its unique local delicacies, such as pancit cabagan (a noodle dish with a rich sauce), longganisa (sausage), and empanada (savory pastry). You can find these delicious treats in most towns, but Ilagan is particularly famous for its variations of these dishes.

If you’re a fan of fresh produce, Isabela’s vast agricultural lands offer a variety of fruits like mangoes and rice, which are known for their quality. A visit to the province’s local markets will give you a chance to sample some of these fresh offerings, and bring home a piece of Isabela’s culinary heritage.

Adventure and Outdoor Activities

For thrill-seekers, Isabela has a lot to offer. The Magat Dam, one of the largest dams in the country, not only provides water supply but also offers water activities like kayaking, fishing, and boating. The surrounding areas are perfect for hiking and nature walks, especially in the Magat River Eco-Park, where you can enjoy scenic views and wildlife sightings.

If you’re into off-road biking or mountain biking, Isabela’s rugged terrain offers numerous trails that will put your skills to the test. The Dumasag Ridge is a popular spot for adventure enthusiasts, offering both challenging climbs and panoramic views of the surrounding valleys.

How to Get to Isabela

Getting to Isabela is relatively easy, with access through major cities like Manila. Travel by bus is the most common way to reach the province, with several bus lines offering direct routes to Isabela. Alternatively, you can rent a car or take a domestic flight to Tuguegarao City, the capital of Cagayan, and from there, travel by land to different parts of Isabela.

Once you arrive, the province’s infrastructure and transport options, including jeepneys and tricycles, will make it easy to get around and explore all that it has to offer.

Isabela Awaits You

Isabela may not yet be a household name in the tourism industry, but it is a place filled with the potential for unforgettable memories. From its stunning landscapes and rich history to its vibrant culture and delicious food, Isabela has something to offer to every kind of traveler. Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or cultural enrichment, Isabela is a destination that should definitely be on your travel radar.

Callao Cave: Unraveling Ancient History and Natural Wonders in the Philippines

In addition to being known as the “Seven Chamber Show Cave” in the province of Cagayan, the Callao Cave is also one of the limestone

Read More »

Bato Art Festival: Luna’s Cultural Spotlight in Isabela

Residents of the small town of Luna in the province of Isabela have a lot to be proud of. The town, originally known as Antatet,

Read More »
Magat river by Mariano Sayno

Magat River: Discovering Nueva Vizcaya’s Longest Waterway

Originally, the Magat River was located in Nueva Vizcaya province, specifically in the municipality of Aritao. It has a length of 226 kilometers and is

Read More »
Balitok-Ti-Alicia-Festival-of-Isabela

Balitok Ti Alicia Festival: A Glimpse into Alicia’s Golden Age Celebration

As “Balitok” is defined as gold in Ilocano language, this was the inspiration for the festival “Balitok Ti Alicia”, that is being held to commemorate

Read More »

EXPLORE MORE ABOUT THE

Philippines

Abra

Bataan

Batangas

Benguet

Bulacan

Cagayan

Cavite

Cebu

Guimaras

Iloilo

Isabela

Laguna

Manila

Mindanao

Nueva Viscaya

Pampanga

Pangasinan

Quezon

Rizal

Samar

Tarlac

Zambales

  • MANILA
  • abra
  • BATAAN
  • batangas
  • Benguet
  • bulacan
  • cagayan
  • cavite
  • cebu
  • Guimaras
  • Iloilo
  • Isabela
  • laguna
  • Pampanga
  • pangasinan
  • QUEZON
  • rizal
  • Samar
  • Tarlac
  • zambales
  • mindanao
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email

BROWSE BY CATEGORIES

LOCATIONS
PROVINCES

Abra

Bataan

Batangas

Benguet

Bulacan

Cagayan

Cavite

Cebu

Guimaras

Iloilo

Isabela

Laguna

Manila

Mindanao

Nueva Viscaya

Pampanga

Pangasinan

Quezon

Rizal

Samar

Tarlac

Zambales

ARCHITECTURE
HERITAGE

Andres Bonifacio Birthplace Monument

Bonifacio Monumento

Capones Lighthouse

Casa Manila

Christ the King Seminary

Corregidor Island

Cultural Center of the Philippines

Fantasy World

Gabriela Silang Memorial Shrine

Gomburza National Monument

Hondagua

Iloilo Customs House

Intramuros

Jones Bridge

Kartilya ng Katipunan

La Loma Cemetery

Liwasang Bonifacio

Luneta Hotel

Malagonlong Bridge

Manila American Cemetery and Memorial

Manila Post Office

The National Museum of Fine Arts

National Museum of Natural History

Padre Blanco Gardens

Pinto Art Museum

Plaza Miranda

Quezon Memorial Circle

Rizal Park

San Agustin Museum

Santa Cruz

Subic Lighthouse

The Iconic Manila City Hall

The Lighthouse Marina Resort

The National Museum of Anthropology

The Philippine International Convention Center

Tutuban Center

University of Santo Tomas

University of the Philippines Diliman

Venice Grand Canal

Zapote Bridge

CHURCHES
FAITH

Barasoain Church

Binondo Church

Calaca Church

Calumpit Church

La Naval de Manila

Lingayen Cathedral

Malate Church

Manila Abbey

Manila Cathedral

Meycauayan Church

Morong Church

Mount Carmel Shrine

Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine

Padre Pio Chapel

Polo Church

San Agustin Church

San Sebastian Church

Santuario del Sto. Cristo Church

Simborio Chapel

Taal Basilica

Taguig Simborio

Tanauan Church

Feast of the Black Nazarene

Victoneta Chapel

NATURAL & MAN-MADE
ATTRACTIONS

Al Cinco de Noviembre Festival

Alligator Lake

Ambuklao Dam

Antipolo Maytime Festival

Atimonan Port

Avilon Zoo

Bacolor Church

Baguio Cathedral

Balai Isabel

Balayan Bay

Baluarte de San Diego

Betis Church

Binondo Chinatown

Buhay na Kubol’s Senturyons

Callao Cave

Camara Island

Capones Island

Carmona Race Track

Carriedo Fountain

CaSoBe

CCLEX Beyond the Bridge

Chong Hock Tong Temple

DEAFinitely Happy Store

Eastwood Mall

Enchanted Kingdom

Feast of Santo Niño de Tondo

Fort San Pedro

Greenbelt Chapel

Greenbelt

Guadalupe Church Ruins

Gunao Lake

Intramuros Golf Club

Island Dreamer Resort

Kabayan, Benguet

Kura Cafe

La Mesa Ecopark

Lamon Bay

Lingayen Beach

Lucban Church

Lucban Longganisa

Magat River

Majayjay Church

Manila Bay

The Manila Golden Mosque

Manila Ocean Park

Manila Zoo

Mines View Park

Moriones Festival

Mount Malasimbo

Mount Pulag

Mount Samat National Shrine

Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery

Nasugbu, Batangas

Navotas Centennial Park

Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center

Osmeña Peak

Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine at Fort Santiago

Pabasa ng Pasyon

Paco Park

Pamatawan River

Paru-Paro Festival

Pasidayaw Festival

Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Plaza Rajah Sulayman

Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz

Pulong Pasig

Pundaquit and San Miguel

Quezon Bridge

Quezon Zigzag Road

Quiapo Church

Rainbow Mosque

San Juan – Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine

San Narciso Beach

San Narciso Port

Santa Ana de Taguig Church

Santa Cruz Church

Sariaya Church

Seng Guan Temple

Siain Port

Siglo Modern Filipino

Silang Church

Sirena ng Atimonan

St. Joseph Church and the World-Famous Las Piñas Bamboo Organ

Santa Lucia Well

Star City, Pasay

Subic Bay

Subic Spanish Gate

Taal Heritage Town

Taal Lake

Taal Volcano Protected Landscape

Tagaytay City

Taluksangay Mosque

Tangke Saltwater Lagoon

The UP Oblation

Tingloy Island

Tobacco Festival

Tondol Beach

UST Santísimo Rosario Parish

Zamboanga City Hall

Zoobic Safari

FESTIVALS &
EVENTS

Ana Kalang Festival

Antipolo Church

Balacat Festival

Balitok Ti Alicia Festival

Bañamos Festival

Bato Art Festival

Boling-Boling Festival

Buhayani Festival

Burdang Lumban Festival

Candle Festival

Dinagyang Festival

Embracing the Vibrant Timpuyog Festival

Guilingan Festival

Halamanan Festival

Hambujan Festival

Iloilo Dinagyang Festival

Inaul Festival

Itik Festival

Kalivungan Festival

Kesong Puti Festival

Laguna Lake

Lucban Pahiyas Festival

Manaragat Festival

Manggahan Festival

Meguyaya Festival

Panagbenga Festival

Pawikan Festival

Pinya Festival

Sagayan Festival

Sakuting Festival

Sambalilo Festival

Sambuokan Festival

Sigpawan Festival

Sinulog Festival

Tayo na sa Antipolo Maytime Festival

The Vibrant Street Dance of Lucban Pahiyas Festival

Three Kings Festival

Turumba Festival

Facebook Twitter Instagram Envelope

All photographs that appear on the site are copyright of Mariano Sayno ©2022 Beauty of the philippines

All photographs that appear on the site are copyright of Mariano Sayno ©2022 Beauty of the philippines.com

Beauty of the philipipnes LOGO WHITE

BROWSE BY PROVINCE

Abra

Bataan

Batangas

Benguet

Bulacan

Cagayan

corregidor-island

Cavite

Cebu

Guimaras

dinagyang aliwan friesta husayno mariano sayno

Iloilo

Isabela

Laguna

Manila Bay by Mariano Sayno

Manila

Mindanao

Magat River Dupax Del Norte

Nueva Viscaya

Pampanga

Lingayen Cathedral

Pangasinan

Quezon

Rizal

Samar

Tarlac

Zambales