Northern Mindanao

About Northern Mindanao

Northern Mindanao — Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte and Camiguin, with Cagayan de Oro as its regional center — pairs the region's biggest city with Bukidnon's highland plateau and Camiguin, a small volcanic island off the coast. Our guides cover Cagayan de Oro's white-water rafting and city life, Iligan and Camiguin.

Getting there

Laguindingan Airport serves both Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, with direct flights from Manila of about 2 hours; the drive into Cagayan de Oro takes roughly 45–60 minutes. Camiguin is easiest by ferry — across from Balingoan on the Misamis Oriental coast to Benoni (1–1.5 hours), or from Jagna on Bohol to Balbagon (about 4.5 hours).

When to go

There is no long dry season here, and storms are less frequent than farther north, though not unknown — Tropical Storm Washi (Sendong) flooded Cagayan de Oro and Iligan in December 2011. PAGASA's Malaybalay station in the Bukidnon highlands is wettest from June to October (19–21 rainy days a month) and least wet from February to April (about 10); the Misamis Oriental coast averages 17–21 dry days a month from October to March. 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, Malaybalay station, and the 1991–2020 dry-day normals in PAGASA's October 2026–March 2027 outlook. Travel details come from our destination guides, where each is dated.

City Guides in Northern Mindanao

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