Things to do in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya

Posted by Ian Galliguez in To Do | 2 comments

Nueva Vizcaya is located within the Cagayan Valley in the northern part of the Philippines. Its culture and its people are as diverse and as colorful as its history. DiscoverPH.com had a wonderful opportunity to go around the province’s capital, Bayombong and we would like to share with you all the things that you can do and places you can go while in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.

GETTING THERE

Getting to Nueva Vizcaya can be a bit of a long travel. It usually takes up to 8 hours travel (if you’re taking a bus that has a long route) but with the SCTEX, you can get there in about 5 – 6 hours. Buses like Florida Buslines and Victory Liner can take you there. Best to get to the deluxe bus (the one with the on board toilet and the one that only has 1 pit stop). Buses don’t usually have a station on Bayombong but if you ride the bus that goes to Tuguegarao, you can tell the conductor that you’re getting off at Bayombong and they’ll make sure that you get off at the town’s main road. For bus schedules, call Florida Bus lines at 7433809 (Sampaloc station) or at 9125354 (Cubao station). You can also call Victory Liner at 7274688 (Quezon City station) or at 8330293 (Pasay station)

NO SMOKING ORDINANCE

Nueva Vizcaya has a very strict provincial ordinance on smoking in public places. The rule is you can’t smoke in public places otherwise you’ll be fined for as much as Php 1,500. Make sure you ask where the smoking area is before you light up.

WHERE TO STAY

There are hotels and inns in Bayombong that you can stay at, depending on your budget.

1. Bamboo Inn – It’s quite a small place and it’s very rustic. If you’re looking for a place to just dump your stuff at and lay your head at night, Bamboo Inn might be right for you. It’s located in the middle of town so it’s quite accessible. It’s more of a backpacker’s place rather than a hotel.

2. Saber Inn – This hotel is one of the more established places to stay at in Bayombong. This three story, 16 bedroom hotel also has a cafe and a small bar on the ground floor.

They have ordinary rooms (that can go up to a triple) that only have fans and use the common bathrooms. Airconditioned rooms are also available and have private bathrooms with hot showers.

They don’t have any internet connections in the rooms but they have free WiFi in their cafe. They also have one desktop at the corner of the cafe should you need to get online and print documents out.

Saber Inn is located at the old National Road in Bayombong town proper in Nueva Vizcaya. You can call or text them at 09185757683 for reservations and other inquiries.

3, Highlander Hotel – One of the more luxurious hotels in Bayombong, Highlander hotel boasts of elegance, luxury and comfort. Their hotel rooms are all equipped with an LCD television, beds with canopies, WiFi internet connection and private T&Bs with bath tubs.

They also have 24 hour room service, a pool for you to lounge and dip in and a bar that features a live band for your entertainment.

The Highlander hotel is located at the national highway in Bayombong and you can call them at (078) 805 3518. Check their website here.

WHAT TO SEE AND WHAT TO DO

1. Visit the Cathedral - St. Dominic’s Cathedral is the best and oldest landmark in Bayombong. Although the church was destroyed twice in a terrible fire, they’ve managed to rebuild it in the same location and tried to use as much original materials as they can.

The church, tower and convent made of bricks, were constructed from 1773 to 1792. The church also boasts of having the best sounding bells in the country.

2. Learn about history – Visit the People’s Museum and Library and learn all about the history and culture of Nueva Vizcaya.  You can also head on over to Barangay Casat to view the 40 foot high Rizal statue in the 7.3 hectare Rizal shrine. Testament to the deep patriotic roots of the Novo Vizcayanos.

3. Wander around – There’s something about sleepy towns and quiet villages that get me. Walking around the town, you can talk to the friendly Novo Vizcayanos, sample their wares ( I loved the preserved rattan fruit. Not really something for everyone but an acquired taste), buy something from their night market or just sit back and have a drink and watch the day go by.

Most travelers say that Nueva Vizcaya is a “drive by” place but we suggest you stop and stay for a while. You just might be surprised with what you might discover.