Feeding your adventurous soul can take the form of conquering the wild rapids of Cagayan de Oro River in the Philippines’ whitewater rafting capital, but you can also invest in Cagayan de Oro, which is deemed as the regional center of Northern Mindanao.
Cagayan de Oro City, the capital of Misamis Oriental province, is one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Aside from being a vibrant tourism haven, it also serves as the gateway to other must-visit locations like Camiguin Island, Iligan City and Bukidnon. But this first-class city in the southern Philippines is not just an ideal destination for travelers and adrenaline junkies but also for business-minded people who are looking to invest in real estate or other alternative assets.
CDO is the commercial, business and transportation hub of northern Mindanao and a prime logistics center in the southern part of the country. This highly urbanized city has an international airport that connects passengers to the metropolitan cities of Manila, Cebu and Davao as well as to other major destinations. It’s also where northern Mindanao’s busiest government port (based on cargo throughput) is located. In addition, multinational companies like Del Monte, Pepsi, Nestlé, and Philip Morris found a corporate home in this bustling city.
It has also consistently carved its place among the top 10 most competitive cities in the Philippines, ranking seventh in the highly urbanized city category of the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index last year.
During the launch of the Digital Cities 2025 by the Department of Information and Communication Technology, CDO was recognized as one of the “Next Wave Cities” for the information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) sector. CDO was also cited by online real estate platform Lamudi in its “20 Thriving Cities to Watch in 2020” list, cementing its image as one of the top investment destinations outside Metro Manila.
Invest in Cagayan de Oro today and explore the promising economic opportunities that the “City of Golden Friendship” has to offer. Here are the main reasons why you should invest in Cagayan De Oro:
3 Golden Reasons to Invest in Cagayan de Oro
1. Booming Tourism Scene
Thrill-seekers and nature enthusiasts visit Cagayan de Oro to experience an adventure of a lifetime that involves a plethora of heart-pumping escapades, sight-seeing activities and cultural excursions.
On top of the list is the exhilarating whitewater rafting adventure in CDO River which is definitely a must-do extreme water sport for daredevils. Brave-hearted rafters ride the raging waters and currents of the river as they scream their lungs out with their folks and drool over the sweeping landscapes of CDO in between rapid rides.
Paragliding is also a favorite activity of tourists, especially the ones who want to have a bird’s eye view of nature and cityscapes. Flying from the highest peak of Cagayan de Oro is both a nerve-wracking and magical experience for those who give the aerial sport a try.
Canyoneering or river trekking in Mapawa Nature Park is perfect for those who like a sweet combination of nature and adventure. Slide, swim, rappel, cliff jump and enjoy the beauty of the lush forest with its rich flora and fauna! There are also other outdoor activities like horseback riding, ziplining and biking.
Macahambus Adventure Park Rapelling at Macahambus Adventure Park
Macahambus Adventure Park is another utopia for the gutsy ones. Here you’ll get to cross the 120-foot-high Sky Bridge while appreciating the breathtaking charm of the forest and century-old trees. Rappelling from a 150-foot gorge or riding the 120-meter zipline is also recommended.
The Cottages Swimming Pool Amenity The Local Tribe Panoramic Dining
For those who are curious about the customs and traditions of Mindanao’s tribal communities, the Gardens of Malasag Eco-Tourism Village is the right place to be. The 7.2-hectare eco-cultural haven and botanical garden is also the habitat of rare species of plants and animals.
If caving is your thing, you can go spelunking in Kweba de Oro (“Cave of Gold”) that includes a thrilling 110-foot rappel and trek. Or you can explore the Macahambus Cave, where the Filipinos took their first win against the American forces during the Philippine-American War in 1900.
Chill out from your adventure-filled activities and check out the art galleries featuring the dominant cultures of northern Mindanao (the indigenous peoples, the Maranao Muslims, and the Bisaya-speaking Christians) in Capitol University’s Museum of Three Cultures.
Pray at the Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral, a historical church known for its gothic-themed architecture and lovely stained-glass windows donated by the New York Sacred Heart chapel. It was built by Fray Agustin de San Pedro, an Augustinian Recollect, in 1624.
Locals and tourists also celebrate the colorful Higalaay Festival, an annual festivity held every August 28 for the feast day of St. Augustine. Some of the fun activities are the street parade and floats, culinary show, religious procession, carnival street dance competition and Miss Cagayan de Oro beauty pageant.
Why not go on a side trip to Camiguin to spend the holiday in a tropical paradise known as the “Island Born of Fire”? Swim in the azure waters of Mantigue Island; go snorkelling in Kabila Giant Clam Conservation and Ocean Nursery; try scuba diving in Jicduf Shoal; and hike the summit of Mount Hibok-Hibok.
Fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings visit Mt. Kitanglad Agro-Eco Farm in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon to see amazing hobbit-inspired houses. You can also walk in the forests, go bird-watching, learn about the production of citronella oil and sip Kitanglad Brew coffee in the 22-hectare property.
With the influx of domestic and foreign tourists in these famous attractions, the demand for resorts, hotels, restaurants, recreational and leisure amenities, nature and adventure parks and accommodation facilities also grows to open doors for more profitable business opportunities. Plus, it is also a popular location for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE).
2. Invest in Cagayan de Oro with its Solid Infrastructure Projects
Tucked between Macajalar Bay and Kitanglad Mountain Range, CDO is considered as the gateway to northern Mindanao. Its strategic location, accessibility and connectivity to air and sea ports strengthen its stance as a logistics and business hub of northern Mindanao. This will also be beneficial for tourism and potential investments in the city.
Major infrastructure developments in CDO include the inauguration of the country’s biggest port passenger terminal building at the Port of Cagayan de Oro in Misamis Oriental in 2019. The two-storey building has a total floor area of 5,597 square meters that can accommodate up to 3,000 passengers.
According to the Department of Transportation, new facilities are provided such as the security checkpoints with x-ray scanners for baggage, body scanners, CCTVs, passenger boarding stations, designated green areas, a collector’s booth and a public assistance desk. There are also amenities like a play area for children, ecumenical prayer rooms, food stalls and pasalubong centers.
The Port of Cagayan de Oro serves as the entry and exit point of both passengers and goods (that include agricultural and industrial products, rolling cargoes, canned goods, bottled products, chemicals and petrochemicals) going in and out of the city and the other provinces of Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Davao and Agusan, and other parts of the Philippine archipelago. The busiest port in northern Mindanao is part of the central nautical highway in the Roll-on Roll-off transport system that connects Mindanao to Bacolod, Iloilo, Cebu, Tagbilaran and Jagna in Visayas, and Manila and Batangas in Luzon, according to the Philippine Ports Authority.
The Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT), which handles both domestic and international cargoes and facilitates trade in northern Mindanao to global markets, also went through modernization and upgrades by the International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) to transform it into a premier international gateway in Mindanao.
Based on reports, new reach stackers, terminal tractors and trailers as well as other equipment were installed as part of the project. MCT also works on container handling services, yard management, reefer monitoring services and water bunkering. It also aims to be a transshipment hub that links northern Mindanao to Visayas and other parts of the Philippines.
There’s also the P42.7-billion Laguindingan Airport Project that aims for the airport’s upgrade, expansion, operations and maintenance under a 35-year concession period. Reports say it will include capacity augmentation by erecting new passenger terminals, installing the necessary equipment and developing airside facilities. According to the Department of Transportation, the project will seek to decongest the airport, strengthen the safety, security and efficiency and improve its amenities.
CDO’s telecommunications infrastructure is also undergoing modernization to aid its business and logistics activities. In addition, the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector continues to thrive in the city as companies offer services such as call center, telemarketing, software development and medical transcription. The city, which shows viable potential to be a BPO hotspot, also houses five IT parks and two IT buildings. Two of these are PEZA-registered.
The economic growth of this progressive city of more than 600,000 people also relies on its competitive and highly skilled human resource. As a center of education in northern Mindanao, CDO has access to quality learning provided by eight universities, 70 colleges and six computer technology institutes in the region.
It is the home of Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan), which holds the distinction as the first university in Mindanao and the first Jesuit university in the Philippines. Capitol University and the Liceo de Cagayan University are recognized by the National Association of Colleges and Universities as two of the country’s top 10 higher education institutions with the highest number of accredited programs.
Having a well-educated and highly trained workforce is essential in making different industries prosper and contributing to the flourishing economy of the city and the whole region as well.
3. Flourishing Agri-Business and Other Investment Opportunities
Cagayan de Oro, which translates to “River of Gold,” is a name given by the Spanish colonizers when they discovered gold in Cagayan River. True enough, CDO is prosperous and brimming with natural resources. Its rich agricultural areas lead to the export of copra, rice and corn. The city also produces oleochemical and other coconut products.
CDO is home to big agri-business companies like Del Monte and Nestlé. The city’s strategic location makes the fertile agricultural lands of Mindanao—source of 40% of the Philippines’ food and livestock—accessible. Northern Mindanao is also the country’s main producer of cattle and the third biggest producer of poultry.
The presence of ports in the area is also beneficial to the city’s port-oriented industries. The export commodities of northern Mindanao from its agricultural products are usually processed in CDO and exported out of its ports. Some of these are coconut oil, oleochemicals, pineapple, desiccated coconut, copra solvent and expeller, bananas, lumber, abaca and sintered ore.
The priority projects of the government include building fruit and vegetable processing plants, meat fabrication facilities for hogs and cattle and Triple A slaughterhouses for poultry and hogs.
Aside from agri-business, CDO is also popular for its vibrant culinary scene. There are plenty of homegrown restaurants, fast food shops, food parks, bars, pubs, food stalls and cafés in the city to cater to the taste of locals and foreigners. Grabbing a bite of its delectable local cuisines is a must when in CDO.
Binaki, a steamed corn cake that is similar to tamale, is one of the city’s well-loved delicacies. This native Kagayanon bestseller is made of grated young corn, milk, butter and sugar and is wrapped in corn husks.
The exotic street food called Remember Me or Soup No. 5 is said to be an aphrodisiac and a hangover cure that’s why it’s very famous among tourists and locals. It is a broth that includes tendons and the internal and reproductive organs of cows or horses.
Try the signature dish of Panagatan Restaurant: sinuglaw, a fusion of sinugba (grilled pork belly) and kinilaw (fish ceviche). Another must-taste specialty is its own version of kinilaw, where raw fish is soaked in coconut vinegar and a mixture of suha (Mindanao lime) and tabon-tabon (tropical fruit).
For dessert-lovers, you can order fresh pineapples in food stalls and restaurants, chookies from Mercedes Bakery, cookiegato from Bowerbird Coffee, tartufo from Candy’s Cafe, earl grey egg rolls from Bevato and lactose-intolerant ice cream from Nenecitas Sorbetes. CDO’s pasalubong treats are also mouth-watering so make sure to bring home cashew nuts, jamon de Cagayan, chicharon, pastel, muron and turones de mani for your loved ones.
Shopping is also a breeze in this city. There are different malls that residents, expats and visitors can choose from: SM City Cagayan de Oro, Centrio Mall, SM CDO Downtown Premier, Robinsons Cagayan de Oro and Limketkai Center. Everything you need to satisfy your urban lifestyle from leisure, dining, recreation and entertainment are very much accessible in this bustling city. Take advantage of the golden opportunities brought by this colorful and adventure-filled city by purchasing an affordable condo in Cagayan de Oro and experience the perks of its robust economy and real estate boom. Therefore, expect golden returns when you invest in Cagayan de Oro.
NOW IS THE BEST TIME TO INVEST IN CAGAYAN DE ORO !
If you’re looking for a condominium situated at the heart of Limketkai Center, which is the central business district of Cagayan de Oro, The Loop Towers by Camella Manors is the ideal choice for you. This is also a perfect way to invest in Cagayan de Oro.
The Loop Towers is a twin-tower premium property that is accessible to the lifestyle centers, adventure destinations and other tourism hotspots. It is also within striking distance to banks, grocery stores, churches, hospitals, universities, malls, pastry shops and electronic shops.
The North Tower, its first building, is part of the 31-hectare township in the city center. A total of 522 units that feature studio, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units are within the 26-storey condo project inside a 5,878 sq.m. area. Turn over to its investors is currently in progress.
Camella Manors will soon open its second building, The Azent Tower, at Limketkai Center.
The Loop has a top-notch location that makes it convenient for both local and foreign tourists as it is only an hour and 45-minute flight away from Manila. Experience a resort-type environment and get your money’s worth with The Loop’s amenities such as the club house, fitness gym, function hall, play park and swimming pool.
These perks come with a peace of mind because this private development has 24/7 security with the roving personnel and CCTVs to keep you safe and secured. Bonus part is, you’ll enjoy a beautiful view of Kitanglad Mountain Range and Macajalar Bay from the twin towers.
The Loop Towers is the first high-rise residential project of Vista Land outside Metro Manila. From its facade to its amenities, The Loop’s contemporary design has a modern and sophisticated vibe that you’ll surely love.
Come home to Cagayan de Oro now. For inquiries, please visit the official website of Camella Manors here.
