Things to see and do Butuan City

Mainit is a Cebuano word meaning "warm". Lake Mainit is the fourth largest lake in the Philippines, at 150 ^km2, and also the deepest in the country. In places, it is over 220 metres deep. Located between the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte, the area has remained quite wild, but the quality of its waters is declining due to pollution, threatening its biodiversity. In summer, it's possible to take beautiful photos of the water lilies and other water flowers between which ducks swim.

A charming site in the middle of coconut and other tropical plants.

It belongs to many small owners. You can rent huts and spend some moments relaxing.

The National Museum of Northern and Eastern Mindanao is in fact a branch of the National Museum of the Philippines that was created in Butuan in the 1970s when archaeologists realized the historical importance of this town. It comprises two main galleries. The prehistory, archaeology and ethnology sections give an interesting insight into the region's cultural communities, the Manobos, Mamanwas, Higaonons and Butuanons of the plains. There is also a collection of ceramics, gold ornaments and ancient art.

This memorial was erected to commemorate the celebration of the first mass held in the Philippines in 1521. For the record, there has been a long-running debate (which resumed in 2021 to mark the 500th anniversary of the Christianization of the Philippines) as to where the first mass was held For Magallanes and Butuan, no doubt, it's here, but for Limasawa, south of Leyte, it's on its territory... In any case, in 1521, Ferdinand Magellan landed in the Philippines and celebrated the first mass on March 31, 1521.

Museum founded in 1979 with ancient ships. The Balangay Shrine is the superb maritime vessel that forms part of the excavation area 5 km east of Butuan. Here are preserved the remains of the first watercraft called balangay and now better known as the "Butuan boat". This South Asian boat, made entirely of wood, resembles a large outrigger canoe. It is thought to date from 320 AD. Its component parts are tied together with a sturdy rope. The huge wooden planks measure 15 m in length and 3 m in width.

The tourism department can organize a cruise on the river to meet the Manobo tribe, who live in boats converted into houses. Alternatively, you can hirea local speedboat . The Agusan River flows through Butuan. It is Mindanao's widest and longest navigable river, and the country's third largest. Striated by numerous tributaries, it flows through the middle of the Agusan Valley, from Davao del Norte in the south to Agusan del Norte in the north, where it empties into Butuan Bay. It is at the heart of local life.

The Bitaug Treeis located in Calocan, near Magallanes. With a diameter of almost 3 metres, it is over 500 years old and is perhaps the oldest tree in the country. As such, it has witnessed Spanish colonization, the Philippine revolution and the birth of Caraga as a region. After dark, it is inhabited by thousands of fireflies that light up the fishermen. You can see them up close (the natural Christmas Tree, as the Filipinos like to say): just ask a fisherman to take you there.