Malaybalay

Malaybalay City is the provincial capital of Bukidnon Province, on Mindanao Island in the Philippines.

Situated in a charming rural environment at about 2034ft with mountains on sides, the climate is very relaxing, as houses don't need any cooling facilities, so restful sleep is guaranteed. Malaybalay shows parallels to Baguio city, but it is more attractive due to its smaller size, unspoiled and friendly people and spacious location on a wide plateau. The climate is milder but still quite fresh at night. It is protected from storm as it is far south from the Typhoon belt and also from landslides, as the mountains in Bukidnon are not as steep as they are in the Cordilleras.

The tourism information is in a small cabin within Pines View Park behind the capitol building.

By plane
There is no commercial airport in the province of Bukidnon. The nearest airport is in Cagayan de Oro about 100 km away. Cagayan de Oro has several airlines providing flights to Manila, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Bacolod, Zamboanga.

By car
Sayre Highway crosses Mindanao from Cagayan de Oro City in the north to Davao City in the south. To Cagayan de Oro, it is about 90 minutes drive. Taxi can be hired starting at.

By bus
Rural Transit, Super 5 and some smaller companies are plying the route frequently, usually every 20 minutes, even at night frequent buses can be found. Rates vary between and  (air con). To Davao, it is a 5-hour bus trip.

By boat
Next harbor is in Cagayan de Oro. Boats are available to Manila, Cebu City, Iloilo City, Bohol (Jagna), Dumaguete and Nasipit (Butuan). A small harbor in Balingoan provides Boat service to Camiguin island.

Get around
Along the highway small minibuses "Multi cab" ply the route between Casisang in the south and Kalasungay in the north. For the smaller roads within the town, passenger motorcycles can be utilized, they adjust their route to their passengers needs. All transportation costs between and 7.

See
A monastery in San Jose, the Pines View Park, the Matin-ao and Nasuli springs.

Do
Malaybalay does offer lot of hiking opportunities, which still have to be developed. It serves also as a base for climbing the 2nd highest mountain of the Philippines Mt. Dulang Dulang (2935m) in the Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park. To get started with the tour visitors should visit the PENRO office near the capitol to get permits and arrange for guide. There are horseback riding facilities, for example at D'Stables resort in Sumpong. Day hikes is also a pleasant activity for visitors, you can get off the beaten path and experience scenery most other visitors don't get to see. The hike up the slopes is rewarded with views across neighboring valley and towards the panoramic view of the Kitanglad range. These range from 2 hours to half-day hike. There are a lot of routes to choose from.

Learn
Malaybalay is the location of the Bukidnon State University and has several other colleges and high schools.

Work
This area is an agricultural hub and attracts investors from all over the world. Main crops include pineapple, sugar cane, corn, rubber and hardwoods.

Buy
The biggest commercial establishment is Gaisano Mall, but there are numerous alternatives for groceries and other purchases.

Eat
There are lots of restaurants in Malaybalay. Just give the name of the restaurant to the tricycle drivers.

Budget
There are countless food and bbq stalls around the university and near the market.

Mid-range
In the center of the town you can find Le Cafe and Yoly's.

Splurge
Not really splurging but a bit more expensive can be: Haus Malibu (Wi-Fi) and of course Amadeo

Drink
Cafes include Bukidnon Brew Cafe (BBC), Casanova (Wi-Fi), Sunflower (Wi-Fi), or Le Cafe.

Mid-range
Hotel Alemania, 1st Avenue Apartel (Wi-Fi)

Splurge
Malaybalay is not expensive, but you find very cozy yet relatively affordable rooms, Haus Malibu (Wi-Fi) or the Pitcher Plant Farm (free Wi-Fi) where you can get a guest house in the forest.

Stay safe
Malaybalay is a very safe place to stay. The security is weakening if you venture out to very remote mountain locations. need for assistance in emergencies, Dial 117.

Connect

 * Bukidnon Community Blog

Go next
Malaybalay has a bus terminal, which has aside from the major busses to Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Valencia, Wao, Kibawe, Kadingilan also connections that ply the smaller roads to Sungco, Lantapan, Zamboanguita, St. Peter, Canayan and more.