Cainta may be small, but it is one of the most urbanized towns in the province of Rizal. Beyond its modern look, it has a rich history molded by faith and patriotism. If you’re planning to visit soon, book a stay at the top Airbnb vacation rentals in the city, and read on to discover all the best things to do in Cainta, Philippines.
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1. Splurge at Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Filipinos do love their malls. If you want to shop ’til you drop, one of the best places for splurging in Cainta is at Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall. Located along Marcos Highway, this attraction is one of the biggest malls in the province. It was established in 1991 and houses some of the best retail brands in the Philippines. It’s a one-stop-shop for your enjoyment. From restaurants to clothing stores, this is the ultimate location for retail therapy.
Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall
Address: Marcos Highway cor. Felix Avenue, Barangay San Isidro, Cainta, Philippines
Website: Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall
Opening hours: 10am - 7pm (daily)
2. Try out the rice cakes
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Cainta is well known for its delicious and affordable rice cakes or “kakanin”. You’ll see shops everywhere selling different varieties of colorful rice cakes including bibingka, sapin-sapin, kalamay, cassava cake, biko, suman, and more. One of the best rice cake shops in town you should visit is Aling Kika’s Food Products, located on Bonifacio Ave.
Aling Kika's Food Products
Address: 102 Bonifacio Avenue, Barangay Sto. Domingo, Cainta, 1900 Rizal
3. View Spanish art in the Our Lady of Light Parish Church
If you are one of those people who love to look at art, Our Lady of Light is one of the most popular paintings in Cainta worth seeing. The beautiful canvas painting, located inside the Our Lady of Light Parish Church, is made by the Philippine National Artist Fernando Amorsolo. Try to catch the feast of Our Lady of Light every 1st of December at this Cainta tourist spot.
Our Lady of Light Parish Church
Address: Andres Bonifacio Avenue, San Andres, Cainta, Rizal
4. Watch the yearly Pasyon in Santo Domingo
One of the things Cainta is known for is the yearly Pasyon (also known as Lent or Passion Week). It is a Catholic event that is held in Santo Domingo. It is best for those who want to have a glimpse of the country’s Catholic traditions every Holy Week. Cainta’s Pasyon depicts the life and death of Jesus Christ based on the events dictated in the Bible. The center of Santo Domingo becomes the stage of this Bible play, watched by devotees and curious eyes from different parts of the country. The Pasyon usually starts at 10.00pm and runs until 2:00am or 3:00am.
5. Watch the Penitencia (Stations of the Cross) at Liwasang Bayan
Cainta is famous for its yearly events especially those related to Catholic traditions Filipinos are devoted to. The week-long celebration called Cenakulo ends with a street play called Penitencia. Here, a volunteer takes a role and acts as Jesus Christ and reenacts the 14 stations of the cross where he was whipped, beaten, and crucified.
Other things you can do near Cainta
If you’re looking for more places to visit near the area, you can jump onto the different attractions of Rizal!
6. Stroll along the scenic Marikina River Park
In case you wish to spend a quiet afternoon outside Cainta, one of the best places to go is Marikina River Park, which is just 20 minutes away. The park along the famous river features trails and various recreational facilities. It’s a great place for your family picnic or a romantic stroll with your partner. A large number of community events and civic activities are held at the park. It is home to festivals such as Mama Mary Fluvial Parade and Festival and Marikina Christmas Festival.
Marikina River Park
Address: 300 Shoe Ave, Sto. Nino, Marikina, 1800 Metro Manila
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Traveler's tips
If you're heading to Marikina River Park, you should also drop by Riverbanks Center right next to it. The bustling shopping center is known for being home to many shoemakers of Marikina, which is known as the Shoe Capital of the Philippines. You'll find well-crafted leather shoes, bags, and more here. There are also a few outlets of international brands, such as Nike and Addidas.
7. Spend an artsy day at Pinto Art Museum
Do you enjoy art? What about nature or photography? If yes, go to Pinto Art Museum. The “Instagram-worthy” museum has every side turned into a carefully crafted piece of art with fine details made by the museum’s designer and director, Antonio Leaño. Visitors will appreciate contemporary Filipino art pieces such as the works of Mark Justiani and Jose John Santos III. You’ll encounter a wide variety of art forms from sculptures to paintings to dioramas and mobiles.
The museum is not only full of art but the museum itself is located alongside nature, where visitors can feel relaxed and at peace. They even have a cafe to satisfy your cravings. The best part here is the affordable entrance fee. For as low as 4 USD, you can enjoy an all-day pass around the place. Senior citizens and students are offered a discount where they will only pay as low as 3.6 USD as long as they bring valid proof. If you have kids 3 years old or below, they can get in for free.
Pinto Art Museum
Address: 1 Sierra Madre St., Grand Heights Rd, Antipolo, Rizal
8. Explore the majestic rock formations of Masungi Georeserve
Masungi Georeserve is a geopark accessible from the city but can be hard to get into. Due to the geopark’s rising popularity, reservations are made in advance. Since the activities involve hours of hiking, visitors must be fit and at least 13 years old to be qualified for the activities. According to the guides, each different trail usually lasts 3 to 4 hours. The trail is lined with rocks and concrete blocks, making it easier to walk on. A hanging bridge is a basic part of a full trail and there are rope courses through the main trail. The entrance fee for each guest ranges from around 30 USD for weekdays and 36 USD for weekends.
Masungi Georeserve
Address: 45 Marikina-Infanta Hwy, Marikina, 1970 Rizal
9. See the oldest petroglyphs of the Philippines
The Philippines’ oldest petroglyphs can be seen in Angono, Rizal. These 127 different figures include a variety of shapes such as human, animal, and geometric shapes. For adults, the entrance fee is only 0.4 USD and it costs 0.2 USD for children. The site is only open from Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Angono Petroglyphs
Address: Binangonan, Rizal
10. Swim in the falls of Tanay
Rizal has been the instant destination for locals who want to take a break from the city life. Their natural attractions are accessible within a short distance from the city. Just visit Tanay and there you will discover more. Tanay has its own tourist-favorite waterfalls. The Daranak and Batlag are two beautiful falls where you can spend a day swimming for as low as a dollar for the entrance fee. In Daranak Falls, you can rent large cottages for a whole day for only 6 USD while the small cottages are worth 3 USD. In Batlag Falls, you can rent cottages for 5 USD.
Batlag Falls & Daranak Falls
Address: Tanay, Rizal
11. Stop over and feel the breeze at Pililla Wind Farm
It can get too hot traveling around the tropical country, so why not go somewhere windy and cool? The Pililla Wind Farm is a place where you will find windmills that have approximately 27 wind tower turbines in full operation. It’s one of the best places to visit near Cainta, Rizal. The site about 4,515 hectares (11,157 acres) offers free entrance and parking for visitors. You would definitely love it here if you want to get away from all the city noise and pollution.
Pililla Wind Farm
Address: Pililla, Rizal
12. Relax with nature at Mount Purro Nature Reserve
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Do you like hiking, swimming, eating, and sleeping? Mount Purro Nature Reserve can offer you all those activities in one place. For as low as 14 USD, you can have access to their facilities, have a guided hike to Malvar’s Peak, and eat lunch at a buffet. They also offer solo activities like horseback riding, river trekking, massage, and a mini zipline. They have accommodations from 70 USD to 100 USD for 5 people. Though all rooms are non-airconditioned, you won’t even notice it because of how breezy and cool the place is.
Mount Purro Nature Reserve
Address: Purok 5, Barangay Calawis, Antipolo, 1870 Rizal
Stop by and take a look
Even the smallest unexpected places can give you a slice of history, tradition, and culture - and Cainta is one of those places that can offer these to you. From Cainta, you can also get out to discover the natural sites around Rizal, all at affordable prices. If you don’t know where to go in Cainta, we hope that this list will help you plan your trip.
History
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