Medina

Day Trips

Arrive at Laguindingan Airport near Cagayan de Oro, then take a scenic two-hour drive to Medina. Admire rolling hills and coconut plantations along the way. Check into your chosen accommodation and settle in.

Unpack and freshen up before strolling to Medina’s central market. Sample fresh tropical fruits and chat with local vendors about regional specialties. Pick up snacks and cold drinks for your upcoming excursions.

Dine at a seaside eatery famous for grilled seafood while watching the sun dip below the horizon. Listen to the gentle lapping of waves as night falls. Return to your lodging for a peaceful first night in Medina.

Fuel up with a hearty local breakfast of rice, eggs, and garlic pork. Embark on a guided trek through verdant forest trails to the breathtaking Kaubanan Falls. Cool off by swimming in the crystal-clear plunge pool.

Enjoy a picnic lunch on moss-covered rocks beside the cascading water. Try bamboo rafting to get up close to smaller falls tucked behind rocky outcrops. Photograph the lush scenery and spot butterflies flitting among ferns.

Return to town and reward yourself with fresh halo-halo dessert at a family-run café. Watch the twilight sky from your balcony or terrace. Plan your next day’s adventure while sipping a warm cup of local coffee.

Board a small banca early to catch the morning light reflecting off the sea. Cruise to Baluarte Beach and set up lounge chairs under swaying coconut palms. Dive into clear waters to snorkel among colorful reef fish.

Savor a beachside lunch of grilled fish, rice, and fresh mango slices. Explore nearby sea caves and carve out a private stretch of sand for sunbathing. Challenge friends to a beach volleyball game on the fine white sand.

Gather around a beach bonfire as the sky turns indigo and stars emerge. Feast on a local seafood barbecue prepared by your boat crew. Share stories and songs under the twinkling night sky before heading back to shore.

Visit the centuries-old Medina Church and admire its Spanish colonial architecture. Wander through nearby streets to see ancestral stone houses complete with wood carvings. Learn about town history from a knowledgeable local guide.

Participate in a weaving workshop led by a skilled Moro artisan. Try your hand at creating intricate patterns using traditional looms. Discover the cultural significance woven into every thread.

Attend a community performance of folk songs and dances in the town plaza. Sample kakanin rice cakes and coconut delicacies from steaming pandan-wrapped parcels. Let the vibrant rhythms and warm hospitality envelop you.

Set off early to explore sprawling pineapple and coffee plantations on the outskirts of Medina. Watch farmers at work and learn about sustainable practices in tropical agriculture. Pick fresh coffee cherries to sample their fruity aroma.

Enjoy a farm-to-table lunch featuring locally grown vegetables, herbs, and mountain-fresh water. Join a barista to roast and brew coffee, discovering differences between bean varieties. Savor each sip as you take in panoramic views of the fields.

Relax under a starlit sky in a cozy open-air pavilion on the farm. Share stories with fellow travelers around a small fire pit. Drift to sleep to the gentle sound of crickets and distant goats.

Embark on a guided hike through the Sierra Madre foothills before the tropical heat sets in. Navigate narrow trails lined with endemic trees and wild orchids. Pause at scenic overlooks to photograph sweeping vistas of the coastline.

Reach a highland meadow for a packed lunch amidst fresh mountain air. Spot hummingbirds darting around bright flowers as you rest on smooth boulders. Learn about local flora and fauna from your expert guide.

Set up camp in a designated riverside clearing and prepare a simple dinner over a camp stove. Swap ghost stories and local legends with your trekking group under the canopy of stars. Fall asleep to the rhythmic hum of night insects.

Cruise along calm mangrove channels to reach the secluded Palm Tree Paradise Beach. Unload your kayak and paddle through narrow creeks lined with verdant palms. Listen to native birds calling from hidden branches above.

Land on the sugar-white sand and enjoy a picnic lunch of grilled corn and fresh fruit. Wade into shallow lagoons to spot small reef creatures beneath the surface. Relax with a hammock nap under the shade of leaning palms.

Take a sunset kayak back to the main beach as the sky ignites in shades of orange and purple. Sip on freshly shaken calamansi juice while the waves gently rock your boat. Wind down at a beachfront bungalow with the soft sound of surf.

Join a local chef at dawn to visit Medina’s bustling public market. Select fresh catch of the day, fragrant herbs, and seasonal produce. Return to the kitchen for a hands-on cooking demonstration of kinilaw and sinuglaw.

Enjoy your own creations for lunch alongside traditional pickled papaya and grilled eggplant salad. Continue to street stalls sampling pig-out pancakes and sweet rice desserts. Learn the history behind each specialty from passionate vendors.

Head to an open-air food market illuminated by festive lanterns. Mingle with locals over plates of pancit habhab and skewered barbecued meats. Let the aromas and lively chatter guide you from stall to stall.

Spend the morning at a local school teaching children simple arts and crafts. See their bright faces light up as they learn to weave bracelets and sculpt palm leaf figures. Share stories and laughter, forming connections across generations.

Help community members assemble vibrant parade floats for an upcoming fiesta. Paint intricate designs and arrange fresh flowers on wooden frameworks. Discover the deep-rooted traditions and symbolism in each decoration.

Join the evening street pageant as dancers in colorful costumes parade through town. Sample sweet alimasag snacks sold by strolling vendors. Revel in the communal spirit as fireworks burst overhead.

Take a final sunrise walk along the shore, breathing in the salty air and capturing morning light photographs. Stop by a local café for a hearty breakfast of omelets with coconut rice. Pack your bags slowly, savoring the last moments.

Do a last-minute souvenir hunt in town for locally woven bags and hand-carved wooden trinkets. Grab a refreshing buko juice before bidding farewell to your new friends. Load your luggage into the jeepney bound for Cagayan de Oro.

Arrive at Laguindingan Airport as dusk settles, recalling the highlights of your trip. Enjoy a light dinner at the terminal café while reflecting on Medina’s natural beauty and warm hospitality. Board your flight home with memories to last a lifetime.