Do you dream of riding somewhere with traffic-free roads, spectacular mountain scenery, adventurous activities, good food, and vibrant culture without traveling internationally? Consider exploring Northern Mindanao by motorcycle.
Exciting developments await in the north-central part of Mindanao Island including the regional center and largest city Cagayan de Oro City and the province of Bukidnon.
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Department of Tourism Regional Director Marie Elaine Unchuan highlighted Northern Mindanao as a prime destination for motorcycle enthusiasts during the Philippine Motorcycle Tourism Forum (PMT) held at the Roadhouse Cafe in Valencia, Bukidnon last September 1, 2024.
“Bukidnon is a great destination for motorcycle enthusiasts—offering city grooves, thrilling rides, and a chance to explore beautiful landscapes and vibrant culture,” said Unchuan at the event attended by over 300 riders from all over Mindanao and beyond.
At the forum, the regional director unveiled new motorcycle tourism circuits and routes that riders can combine with popular tourism activities in the region.
One 509km motorcycle route starting in Bukidnon and ending in Misamis Occidental covers two days of riding and an overnight stop in Iligan City. The route passes by 12 tourist sites including CMU, Soil Painting and Bernales Farm in Bukidnon, Divine Mercy in Misamis Oriental, Mimbalot Falls and Cathedral Falls in Lanao del Norte, and Belvedere, Cotta Shrine, St. John the Baptist, Baobaon Island, and Dioto River Cruise in Misamis Occidental.
Another suggested 575km route starts in Misamis Occidental and ends near Cagayan de Oro City with an overnight stop in Iligan City. The route also passes 12 tourist sites, including the Heritage Church and Cotta Shrine in Ozamiz; Cathedral Falls and Mimbalot Falls in Lanao del Norte; Divine Mercy Shrine and Bernales Farm in Misamis Oriental; Lake Napalit, Abbey of Transfiguration and Kampo Juan in Bukidnon; and PTRI and Oolong Tea Farm in Misamis Oriental.
Unchuan said the suggested routes can be adjusted depending on the interest of riders, whether it’s extreme adventures, sampling the culinary specialties, relaxation at farm tourism sites, visiting heritage sites, or immersing in tribal communities to learn more about the culture.
Motorcycle riders can enjoy the ride as well as the destination by staying longer and combining road trips with sightseeing and other recreational activities in nearby provinces. From Cagayan de Oro, the island province of Camiguin, known for its stunning beaches and dive sites, is a short ferry ride away for those who want to stay longer.
The Philippine Motorcycle Tourism Forum brought together motorcycle enthusiasts, tourism stakeholders, and key industry players to explore and discuss the potential of motorcycle tourism in the Philippines.
Cebuana motovlogger and PMT Ambassadress Maria Rica Cabarrubias, also known as Jet Lee, encouraged riders to explore the Philippines on two wheels, highlighting the people as its “greatest natural resource” and “heart and soul of the country.”
The forum also featured key sessions led by industry experts, covering topics ranging from safety promotion and content creation to business opportunities within the motorcycle tourism sector.
Raymon Gabriel of Together We Ride and Breakfast Rides PH shared insights on how to develop motorcycle-friendly establishments, citing real-life examples from other hubs in the Philippines like Tanay, and the availability of motorbike and scooter rentals in top tourist islands like Palawan, Bohol and Siargao.
Motovlogger Daniela Buco shared updates on the rise of women who ride and increase in female-led riding groups in the typically male-dominated industry, which opens up the potential to develop tourism products catering specifically to female riders.
Coach Clyde Karim Solano of Motorclyde Training Center advocated for safety when traveling. The coach conducted skills assessment and safety demonstrations and highlighted safe and practical riding tips for motorcycle enthusiasts traveling through Northern Mindanao's scenic routes.
Tech entrepreneur and host of the Tunay na Rider podcast Ibba Rasul-Bernardo explored the potential of unlocking business opportunities through motorcycle tourism drawing on his experience founding various motorcycle-related businesses.
As a writer/blogger for Travel Up and a Top Gear Philippines contributor, I shared some tips on the basics of motorcycle tourism content creation from a travel blogging and media perspective for aspiring content creators who want to showcase the beauty of Mindanao through social media platforms.
The motoring media and PMT guests from Manila, including yours truly, also got a chance to visit the various attractions in Northern Mindanao ahead of the PMT Forum to assess their potential as motorcycle tourism destinations and identify rider-friendly establishments.
Trip highlights included whitewater rafting in Cagayan de Oro City, soaking in the soothing waters of Sinulom Falls and Bolao Cold Spring, riding the longest zipline in Asia at Dahilayan Forest Park, a visit to Kumaykay Farm Riverside Resort (an ideal site for moto-camping and overland camping) with fresh farm-to-table meals, Lover’s Lane, and Lake View Cafe, a new cafe overlooking Lake Apo, to name a few.
The Philippine Motorcycle Tourism program is spearheaded by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), the marketing and promotions arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT) to promote domestic motorcycle tourism, one of the fastest-growing niche markets in the Philippines.
For more details, follow the official Facebook Page of Philippine Motorcycle Tourism.
