Calapan Travel Guide, Philippines

Calapan is the capital city of the province of Oriental Mindoro.  It is known for a lot of things which tourists will certainly be attracted about.  It used to be a small village until a religious district was made in Baco.  On March 21, 1998, the town became one of the Philippines’ component cities.  From then on, it has enjoyed the effects of modernization for its people and infrastructures as well.  It is now the center for commerce and trade, education and religious activities in the province.

Traveling to and from Calapan and other towns and provinces are made possible by different modes of transportation.  The first option you have is through the sea with the RORO (Roll on Roll Off) vehicles.  From the province of Batangas, you could be transported to Calapan via the said mode in around two hours.  They also have the so-called fast craft ferries which will bring you to the place in approximately 45 minutes.

Traveling via airplane to the city is made possible through a secondary airport which could house small airplanes and choppers.  While you are around the area, you could use land transports like buses, multicabs, tricycles and jeepneys.  Travelling on foot is not prohibited hence just walk around to take time and explore its sceneries.

The climate in Calapan is very mild with no vast indications of the dry and wet season.  The dry season usually commences from November to April of the following year while the remaining months are wet.  The greatest rainfall can be seen in October while the least happens in February and March.  Northeast monsoons are experienced in the place during the months of August, November, December, January, February and March.  Its temperature could be as low as 22.86˚C and could be as high as 28.25˚C.  This is said to be relatively favorable in a country where summer could be extremely hot.

Festivals in Calapan City are not much recognized yet.  However, to its name it has several annual events which you could partake of.  This includes the Old Sandugan Festival and the Tinghoy Festival.  The first was a tradition to recognize the Mangyans as their inhabitants while the second is in honor of fishing which is its primary source of living.  This is depicted through dances with the participants carrying a Tinghoy - a lamp used for fishing.

There are different historical and natural attractions in the area.  Its history is celebrated in several infrastructures which include the Old City Hall, Calapan Cathedral and the Calapan City Plaza.  If you want to explore more of its scenic views, you could go to Calapan Nature Park, Caluangan Lake and Five Islets.  It has beaches covering 21 of its 62 barangays as well as agro-tourism areas in rural areas.

If you are contemplating on buying souvenirs of the native items from the place, you could visit gift shops just around the city.  There are different stalls in shopping malls in the area.  Your options are CM Commercial, Mega 3G, and Sanggol at Iba Pa (Babies and others).