Top 11 Things To Do In Valencia City, Philippines

1. Enjoy nature at Kimatahay Falls

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Located 380 m (1,246 ft) from an intersection between the Tandacol, Manupali, and Maagnao Rivers, Kimatahay Falls showcases the serene beauty of nature that will leave you mesmerized. The natural waters of this Valencia City tourist spot are clean and invite all travelers to take a dip and cool off, especially after taking a long trek to reach the falls.

No roads, no cars, no city noise; Kimatahay Falls invite its travelers to simply relax and take in the fresh forest air while enjoying the sights and sounds of nature.

Kimatahay Falls

Address: Sitio Rancho, Barangay, Valencia City, Bukidnon

Website: Kimatahay Falls

Opening hours: 5am - 5pm (daily)

2. Experience Jocel's Garden's countryside hospitality

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Located in the heart of the city, Jocel’s Garden aims to be a unique countryside retreat for its guests. This Valencia City tourist attraction offers a multi-function hall to be rented and is an ideal place to hold meetings, formal events, and special occasions, The hall is air-conditioned and can accommodate up to 100 people. There is also a coffee and food shop available if you’re in the mood for some good food.

This attraction also has accommodations; if you want to extend your enjoyment and stay the night, Jocel’s Garden has rooms available for you.

Jocel's Garden

Address: Sayre Hwy, Valencia City, 8709 Bukidnon

Website: Jocel’s Garden

3. Find serenity while floating in Lake Apo

Lake Apo is the most well-known attraction of Valencia City. Found in the crater of an extinct volcano, it is recognized as the cleanest lake within the region. You can reach this destination by taking a habal-habal (passenger motorcycle) ride from the city proper here. Swimming, kayaking, horseback riding, fishing, and camping are some of the activities offered in Lake Apo. Visitors can also simply spend an idyllic moment just staying in one of the floating cottages. Surrounding the body of water are verdant hills, completing the beautiful countryside view within the area. The cool air, plus the beautiful setting and the still surroundings makes this a great spot for those who are soul searching, or simply just want to enjoy a quiet and restful environment. Accommodations can be provided, however, do bring your own food here.

Lake Apo

Address: Sitio Lawa, Barangay Guinoyoran, Valencia City, Bukidnon

Price: from 3,500 PHP (70 USD) for a group tour for 15 pax; accommodations start at 1,100 PHP (22 USD) per person per night

Access: Take a habal-habal from the Panadero Bakeshoppe at Guinoyoran Road. The fare is 60 PHP (1.20 USD) per person

Contact: +63 9773983652/+63 9069335309/+63 9751525309

4. Taste the harvest

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Valencia is dubbed as the City of Golden Harvest, and it is easy to see why. It is known for being the country’s biggest producer of organic rice. Furthermore, the rich soil in the area allows for the production of several fruit-bearing trees and plants, including pineapples, dragon fruits, and even durian, the king of fruits. The Farmer’s Market is a good place to check out if you want to buy Valencia City produce.

Valencia City Farmer's Market

Address: Guinoyuran Road, Valencia City, Bukidnon

5. 3. Be schooled in nature’s wonders

It might be strange to see a school as one of this destination’s attractions, but Mountain View College is worth seeing because of its scenic landscape and cool atmosphere. It is also home to Malingon Falls, as well as some natural springs.

Mountain View College

Address: College Heights, Valencia City MVC - Lilingayon Road, Valencia City, Bukidnon

Website: Mountain View College

6. Explore hidden caves

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Given its mountainous terrain, it is not surprising that various caves can be found in Valencia City. Salawaw Cave is distinctive for its beautiful calcite formation and its cave pool. Not all parts of the cave are accessible, as some have water reaching all the way to the ceiling. Those who are wary of creepy-crawly critters may need to take note that large crickets, measuring 10 cm (4 inches) long, as well as some snakes, bats, and spiders, consider this their home. Meanwhile Kasanayan Cave is known for its large stalactites overhanging from the ceiling. These can be seen about 400 meters (1,312 feet) away from the cave mouth. It also has a small river flowing through it. Both caves are found in Barangay Tungan-tungan.

Salawaw Cave

Address: Sitio San Vicente, Barangay Tungan-tungan, Valencia City, Bukidnon

Kasanayan Cave

Address: Sitio San Vicente, Barangay Tungan-tungan, Valencia City, Bukidnon

7. Touch the clouds

Mount Kitanglad Range National Park is one of Valencia City’s top attractions and a protected area near Malaybalay City, with Mt. Kitanglad, an inactive volcano, at its center. Climbing all the way to the peak allows you to have an overlooking view of the clouds floating along. A visitor’s permit has to be secured from the Office of the Protected Area Superintendent at the DENR-PENRO office in Malaybalay City at least 10 days prior to the climb. If you are uncertain if your health can allow you to trek Mount Kitanglad, Musuan Peak, an active volcano which resembles the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, offers an easier climb. This is located in the municipality of Maramag. Trekking this takes roughly 45 minutes and this climb this will reward you with an overlooking view of Valencia City.

Mount Kitanglad Range National Park

Price: 250 PHP (5 USD) for Filipino locals; 750 PHP (15 USD) for foreign visitors

Access: Malaybalay City is about 30 minutes from Valencia City

Contact: +63 888133453

Website: Mount Kitanglad Range National Park

Musuan Peak

Address: Maramag, Bukidnon

Price: 50 PHP (.20 USD)

Access: A bus from Valencia City passes by Mount Kitanglad. Just tell the director or the conductor you are getting off at the entrance of Musuan Peak

8. Chase after waterfalls

Valencia City is also home to other waterfalls aside from Malingon. One of the biggest in the city is Kimhatay Falls, which has overhanging chandelier-like rock formations. The pool formed by the waterfalls is pretty shallow, making it a good swimming spot. Laligan Falls, on the other hand, is a four-tiered waterfall found within a forested area. The water that flows from here irrigates the rice paddies at the lowland areas. Valencia City is also home to Sagumata Falls and Tagolanao Falls. As an important note, the trails going to these falls can get pretty rough, especially during rainy season, so wear shoes appropriate for trekking. Those who have health problems will also need to carefully consider if they are fit enough to hike to these destinations.

Laligan Falls

Address: Barangay Laligan, Valencia City, Bukidnon

Access: From the city proper, take a habal-habal ride to Barangay Laligan (the fare costs 25 PHP or .50 USD). From the Laligan Terminal, take another habal-habal to bring you to the dam (the same fare rates apply)

9. Go on an eco-adventure

Bukidnon is home to a variety of eco-adventure destinations, and these are only a few hours away from Valencia City. The municipality of Manolo Fortich has two popular eco-tourism destinations: Dahilayan Adventure and Forest Parks and Kampo Juan. The crowning glory of Dahilayan Adventure Park is its zipzone, which has three ziplines, one of which is considered as the longest dual zipline in Asia, with a length of 840 meters (2,755 feet). Right beside this is the forest park, which offers activities such as ATV riding and Zorb balls. The main attraction of Kampo Juan, is the Anicycle, which are bikes suspended along cable wires several meters up in the air.

Dahilayan Adventure Park

Address: Brgy. Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon

Price: Packages start at 1,200 PHP (24 USD)

Contact: +63 9228801319

Website: Dahilayan Adventure Park

Dahilayan Forest Park

Address: Brgy. Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon

Price: Each ride has a corresponding fee, starting at 50 PHP (1 USD)

Contact: +63 9156918476

Website: Dahilayan Forest Park

Kampo Juan

Address: Sayre Hwy, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon

Contact: +63 9154856007

Facebook: Kampo Juan

10. Nasuli Spring

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

This natural pool has clear and cold water that comes from the open springs. The pool is deep but will provide you a soothing relief as you swim on its clean waters. Since it is surrounded by a partially light forested area, it provides nature binding ambiance and fresh air. Moreover, it features a fish spa where you can enjoy the ticklish feeling while fishes gently nibble away your feets’ dry and dead skin. Meanwhile, should you want to have a picnic, they have cottages and a small convenient store where you can buy food and drinks to share with your family and friends.

Nasuli Spring

Address: Malaybalay, 8700 Bukidnon

Website: Nasuli Spring

Opening hours: 6am - 5:30pm (daily)

11. Dahilayan Adventure Park

Dahilayan Adventure Park is known to house the longest dual zipline in Asia at 840 meters long (2755.91ft). This park offers different types of dual zipline such as the combination of mid-zip 350 meters (1148.29ft.) + 150 meters (492.126 ft) and the longest at 840 meters (2755.91ft). The first two rides are perfect for first-timers as you are required to be in a sitting position. Meanwhile, the longest zipline has a drop of 100 meters and you’ll be strapped in a face-down position, Superman-style and the ride will take about a minute from the launching point to the other end. Other things you can also try here are the Ropes Course, Dropzone and Flying Lizard. You can also avail of your souvenir photo with Ziprider’s Certificate to make sure that you have a memento of your thrilling adventure in this park.

Dahilayan Adventure Park

Address: Brgy. Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich, 8703 Bukidnon

Website: Dahilayan Adventure Park

Opening hours: 7am - 6pm (daily)

Travel Tips!

Most of the destinations listed here are out of the way, with most of these requiring riding a motorcycle and hiking for a period of time. Given the relative isolation of these areas, travelers are encouraged to observe due caution while visiting here. It would be a good idea to coordinate with the local tourism office of Valencia City before heading out so they can recommend legitimate guides who can help bring you to your intended destinations.

When commuting via habal-habal, try to negotiate with the motorcycle driver to either wait for you, or come back for you after an agreed-upon schedule. It can be hard to get a ride, so save yourself from the hassle and make prior arrangements before heading out.

Try to avoid exploring the city between June to August, which is the rainy season in the country. The rainfall will not only make traveling difficult, it can also make some of these destinations practically inaccessible because of how the water affects the terrain.

Valencia City: A destination off the beaten path

Valencia City may be off the beaten path for tourists, but that does not mean that what it offers is not worth seeing. There’s plenty of things to do in Mindanao and Valencia City is no exception. If you want to explore an unspoiled territory as you cool off from the summer heat, then this is the destination for you.