Caraga

About Caraga

Caraga — Agusan del Norte and del Sur, Surigao del Norte and del Sur, and the Dinagat Islands, with Butuan as its regional center — is northeastern Mindanao's Pacific side. It holds Siargao, the surf island with its own guide, as well as Butuan, where ancient balangay boats have been excavated, and the long Surigao del Sur coast around Bislig.

Getting there

Siargao's Sayak airport has direct flights from Cebu (about 1 hour) and Clark — Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific's Cebgo moved their Manila–Siargao flights to Clark (Cebgo in March 2025, PAL on March 29, 2026). Butuan's Bancasi airport has Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific flights from Manila, about 1 hour 45 minutes, and Cebgo flights from Cebu. Surigao City's airport had one scheduled route in October 2026, Cebgo from Cebu, five days a week; from Surigao you can also cross to Siargao by passenger boat. Bislig has no scheduled flights — it is about 173 km by road from Butuan, around 4 hours by bus.

When to go

The Pacific coast's wet season is November to February. PAGASA's Surigao station averages 19–24 rainy days a month then and 10–12 from May to September; Hinatuan, on the Surigao del Sur coast, is wetter still, at about 4,760 mm a year. Butuan, inland, is milder — 10–18 rainy days a month, wettest in December and January. Our month-by-month guide has the national picture.

Before you book

The U.S. State Department's advisory puts Mindanao at Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) except specified areas, and the Sulu Archipelago and Marawi City at Level 4. Our advisory explainer covers which areas are which; check it before you book.

Climate: PAGASA climatological normals 1991–2020, Surigao, Hinatuan and Butuan City stations. Flight listings were checked in October 2026; other travel details come from our destination guides, where each is dated.

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