Surigao del Sur is one of the most tourist destinations in the Philippines. It is located in the Caraga region of Mindanao with 17 municipalities and two cities – Tandag and Bislig. Each municipality offers a different tourist destination that can amaze and captivates your heart of the place has to offer.
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It has been a dream come true for me to visit Surigao del Sur and been wanting to wander since last year and at last I made it this year with the help of Travel 360 Tours and Travel. They will help you to make arrangement on your tour at the very affordable price. Imagine, at the cost of 2,298.00 pesos you can now avail to visit the 4 major travel destinations in surigao del sur like in Hinatuan, Enchanted River, the majestic Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig, the Ocean View Park/International Doll house and Island hopping in Britania Group of Islands. Aside from that, you can also get a chance to side trip anywhere in Surigao del sur or any places with beautiful scenery and always stop to take pictures. It has been a fantastic tour for us and we had a wonderful time.
One of the favorite tourist destinations in Surigao del Sur is the enchanting blue river in Hinatuan. It is somehow called a “lagoon-river” in the island of Mindanao with 82 meters depth that no one ever successfully explored the underwater cave chamber. They called it “Enchanted” as they believe that the “engkantos” or fairies dwell and takes care the river.
Many local travellers and foreign tourists have visited the enchanting blue river, so to avoid the big crowd it is advisable to visit the place early in the morning to appreciate the wonder of the enchanted lagoon river.
The best part when visiting at Enchanted River is their amazing fish feeding normally as the clock hits 12 noon. A school of fish with different sizes, color and types will be preparing for their feeding time. They will actually play a Hinatuan hymn to give signal to the fishes to come out from the cave or if they’re experiencing power interruption they usually use the bell. It is something like an old ritual and people is advised to paddle back to the river bank. The caretaker will throw up the cooked rice and chopped squid or octopus then the fishes will hurriedly eat the foods like there is no tomorrow.
The place has been developed and they added cottages and picnic tables. You can trek around the hinatuan area.
You can try river hoping that costs 150 pesos good for 5 persons from hinatuan up to the open sea.
For the food, you can order at their mini market situated few meters away from the area. Let them know in advance to cook your ordered food and then they will deliver it once cooked. You can still order cooked foods if you don’t want to wait for a 15-30 mins. The prices are affordable. I like their rice by the way!
You can buy also souvenirs like t-shirt, chopping board, lechon tray, keychain and many more. You can buy also “Pasalubong” like dried fish “Danggit” and “Suman”.
How To Get There?
– We travelled almost 6 hours from Cagayan de Oro. Once you reached the signage that says “Hinatuan , Enchanted River” you can turn left and then it takes 15 kilometers to travel. You can rent a motorcycle “habal-habal” that costs 300 pesos back and forth. The road is not yet paved so expect for a bumpy rides. Much better if you have your own car because the road is very dusty.
FEES
Entrance Fee: 30.00 Pesos
Life Jacket: 15.00 Pesos per hour
Cottage: 100.00 pesos
Island Hopping: 150.00 Pesos good for 5 persons
Take note: Their water resources are power generated so once there’s a power interruption so expect for no water supply.
