Quirino is a land-locked province found on the north eastern part of the Philippine’s Luzon Island group. It is composed of six municipalities and is bordered by the provinces of Isabela on its north side, Aurora on its south east and Nueva Vizcaya on its west. Named after former Philippine president Elpidio Quirino, it used to be a sub-province of Nueva Vizcaya.

Popularly known as Quirino Province, the place is not usually found on the tourism map. But this does not mean that it has nothing to offer for visiting tourists. The province has massive and pristine caves for spelunking, river rapids for canoeing and tubing, exquisitely carved mountain gorges, verdant rolling hills that can rival those in Batanes, and as of last count, twenty waterfalls all within its land area.

Tourist spots in Quirino cater more to eco-adventurers more than the usual sight-seeing travelers. It is one of the most underrated places in the country for tourism, but has so much to offer once discovered.

An itinerary of three days is the minimum to see most of Quirino’s tourist spots, but for a more thorough visit, you can stretch your itinerary to at least five to six days.

 

HOW TO GET TO QUIRINO

There’s no easy way to access Quirino Province from Metro Manila. Directly, one can take a late overnight bus from Metro Manila and arrive at the town of Maddela the next morning. It’s time-consuming but less expensive than taking a one-hour flight from Cebu Pacific Air to Cauayan Airport in the neighboring town of Isabela. From there, one still has to ride a one and a half hour van ride to Cabarroguis, the province’s capital. Alternatively, one can also ride a one-hour flight to Tugeugarao City via Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines, then board a three-hour van ride to Quirino.

VIA METRO MANILA

There are bus terminals in Cubao, Quezon City and Sampaloc, Manila that goes directly to Quirino Province. Most have a daily schedule to the province and usually rides out at night, arriving the next morning. Ticket fares are usually at around Php500.00, give or take, for a one-way trip. Please call the numbers provided for their respective bus schedules.

Five Star – Cubao | (02) 851-6614 | Twice Daily | Fare Php500.00+/-
GV Florida – Manila | (02) 743-3809 & (02) 781-5894 | Fare Php500.00+/-
Nelbusco – Manila | (02) 712 5902 & (02) 743-1332 | Fare Php500.00+/-
Northern Luzon Bus Line – Manila | Fare Php500.00+/-

Cebu Pacific Air  - (02) 7020-888 
    Flies four times weekly to Cauayan, Isabela (plus 1.5 hours van to Cabarroguis, Quirino) 
    Flies daily to Tuguegarao (plus 3 hours van ride to Cabarroguis, Quirino)

Philippine Airlines  - (02) 855 8888 
    Flies daily to Tuguegarao (plus 3 hours van ride to Cabarroguis, Quirino)

VIA BAGUIO CITY
There are two known bus companies that ply the Baguio to Quirino Province route, NA Liner and Kiangan Motor Service (KMS) bus lines ((0915) 947-1440, (0999) 849-2106, (074) 304-3113). Both have daily trips to Madella, Quirino.

VIA BALER, AURORA
Passenger vans, pick-ups and ordinary buses regularly ply the Aurora-Quirino route.  These trips last for about three to five hours on the mountanous road of Aurora's Dipaculao municipality.

 

GETTING AROUND QUIRINO

During our stay in Quirino’s provincial capital, Cabarroguis, I noticed the lack of transportation in the area. From what I observed, the most common mode of getting around Quirino is thru vans, both air-conditioned and air-cooled. I hardly ever saw jeepneys, but I’m sure they have a few; you just have to know their schedule. Tricycles are also available for short-distance travels. The absolutely best way to tour Quirino Province’s tourist spots efficiently is by contacting the local tourism office (0917) 416-5945 and hiring a vehicle.

QUIRINO TOURS

There are currently no packaged tours available for Quirino Province. What I recommend is to contact the local tourism office at this number: (0917) 416-5945, give them the number of days you’d be staying and allow them to make the best itinerary for the activities you want. Just be sure not to miss out on the Siitan River Cruise!

SPEAK QUIRINO

Most Quirinians use Ilocano as their language although most of them speak Tagalog and English fairly well. Some native tribes speak Bungkalot and a few in the upland regions speak Ifugao and Kankana-ey. There are also some places where locals speak Pangasinan.

 

Thank You – Agyamannak apo
Good Morning – Naimbag a bigatmo
Good Afternoon - Naimbag a malemmo
Good Evening – Naimbag a rabiim
How Much? – Mano?
Where is… – Ayanna ti…

WHERE TO STAY IN QUIRINO

Being an off the beaten path destination, Quirino Province is a bit lacking when it comes to places to stay in. You can literally count the number of accommodations, inns and lodgings in each town, but there are quite a few homestays one can sleep over at. That being the case, the rates for lodgings in Quirino is much lower than more popular touristy provinces.

SABER’S LODGE  
Room Rates: From Php200.00 Per Bed (Dorm Bed)
Address: San Leonardo, Aglipay, Quirino
Contact Number: (0916) 544-4140
GPS Coordinates: 16°29'23.8"N 121°35'13.8"E

ABRASA MPC
Room Rates: From Php700.00 (Single Room)
Address: Gundaway, Cabarroguis, Quirino
Contact Number: (0936) 361-9368
Email: ampchotel@gmail.com | abrasampc@yahoo.com
GPS Coordinates: 16°31'24.6"N 121°31'17.0"E

CAPITOL PLAZA HOTEL
Room Rates: From Php400.00 (Dorm Bed)
Address: Capitol Crest Road, San Marcos, Cabarroguis, Quirino
Contact Number: (0915) 352-3963 | (0915) 267-7981
GPS Coordinates: 16°31'29.6"N 121°31'09.2"E

DISADECO LODGE  
Room Rates: From Php75.00 (Dorm Bed)
Address: Andres Bonifacio, Diffun, Quirino
Contact Number: (0917) 891-7804
GPS Coordinates:

VILLA CARIDAD HOTEL & RESTAURANT
Room Rates: From Php200.00 (Dorm Bed)
Address: Villa Sur, Maddela, Quirino
Contact Number: (0917) 574-3322 | (0905) 791-6636
GPS Coordinates: 10°29'12.8"N 122°28'39.0"E

DIPANTAN NATURE’S PARK & CAMPSITE
Room Rates:
Address: Dipantan, Nagtipunan, Quirino
Contact Number: (0905) 368-7150
GPS Coordinates:

WHERE TO EAT IN QUIRINO

Quirino Province is a very provincial place; don’t expect to find fancy restaurants and fast food places in the area. What it has are simply eateries like carinderias and panciterias where home-cooked dishes are served at very affordable prices. Be sure to buy early for dinner as most stores and eateries close by ten in the evening.

AKEL’S PANCITERIA 
Type: Noodles, Filipino Food
Address: Provincial Rd., San Marcos, Cabbaroguis, Quirino
Contact Number: (0927) 406-9089
GPS Coordinates: 16°31'23.9"N 121°31'18.0"E

CAPITOL PLAZA RESTAURANT 
Type: Filipino Food
Address: Capitol Crest Road, San Marcos, Cabarroguis, Quirino
Contact Number: (0915) 352-3963 | (0915) 267-7981
GPS Coordinates: 16°31'29.6"N 121°31'09.2"E

MJ SNACK AND PANCIT CABAGAN RESTAURANT
Type: Noodle House
Address: Purok 3, Barangay Ponggo, Nagtipunan, Quirino
Contact Number: (0949) 342-2150
GPS Coordinates: 16°13'13.5"N 121°36'21.8"E

WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN QUIRINO

Quirino Province is like uncovering a pile of unpolished gems when it comes to tourism. It has almost everything an eco-adventure traveler craves for; motocross mountain grounds, a wakeboarding complex, lots and lots of waterfalls (20 as of last count), two river rapids, a beautiful gorge, huge caves systems and scenic rolling hills. There are so many places to see and things to do in Quirino that a weekend is not enough to tour all its spots.

AGLIPAY CAVES
Address: Barangay Villa Ventura, Aglipay, Quirino
Entrance Fee: Php25.00 (Environmental Fee)
Guide Fee: Php250.00 (Suggested)
GPS Coordinates: 16°28'49.0"N 121°37'05.6"E

MABO FALLS
Address: Sitio Mabo, Brgy. Nagabgaban, Aglipay, Quirino
Entrance Fee:
GPS Coordinates:
PHOTO BY SIRPAT PHOTOGRAPHY

PENSAL FALLS
Address: Brgy. San Benigno, Aglipay, Quirino
Entrance Fee:
GPS Coordinates:
PHOTO BY ORLAN BALITON

MOTOCROSS MOUNTAIN TRACK
Address: San Marcos, Cabarroguis, Quirino
Entrance Fee: None
GPS Coordinates: 16°31'02.5"N 121°30'39.1"E
PHOTO BY JELO CADIENTE FABROS

PROVINCIAL CAPITOL
Address: San Marcos, Cabarroguis, Quirino
Entrance Fee: None
GPS Coordinates: 16°31'25.3"N 121°31'00.8"E

WAKEBOARDING COMPLEX
Address: San Marcos, Cabarroguis, Quirino
Entrance Fee: Construction Underway
GPS Coordinates: 16°31'16.6"N 121°31'02.7"E

NAGBUKEL CAVE
Address: Cajel, Diffun, Quirino
Entrance Fee: None
GPS Coordinates: 16°34'15.0"N 121°30'44.0"E
PHOTO FROM WIKICOMMONS

NANTUGAW FALLS
Address: Baguio Village, Don Mariano Perez, Diffun, Quirino
Entrance Fee: None
GPS Coordinates:
PHOTO BY IAN RICHIE NICOLAS

SINIPIT FALLS
Address: Baguio Village, Don Mariano Perez, Diffun, Quirino
Entrance Fee: None
GPS Coordinates:
PHOTO BY ORLAN BALITON

GOVERNOR’S RAPIDS
Address: Barrio Bisangal, Divisoria Sur, Maddela, Quirino
Entrance Fee: None
Boat Rates: Contact the Tourism Office (0917) 416-5945
GPS Coordinates: 16°22'05.4"N 121°43'25.4"E

MADDELA WATERFALLS
Address: Brgy. Dumabato Sur, Maddela, Quirino
Entrance Fee: Php20.00
GPS Coordinates:
PHOTO BY EDWIN ANTONIO

BIMMAPOR ROCK FORMATION
Address: Sitio 1, Barangay Ponggo, Nagtipunan, Quirino
Entrance Fee: None
GPS Coordinates: 16°13'04.9"N 121°36'55.3"E

GIBIEN CAVES
Address: Landingan, Nagtipunan, Quirino
Entrance Fee:
GPS Coordinates: 

JUNUAN FALLS
Address: Brgy. Dissimungal, Nagtipunan, Quirino
Entrance Fee: None
GPS Coordinates:
PHOTO BY ORLAN BALITON

LANDINGAN VIEWPOINT
Address: Brgy. Landingan, Nagtipunan, Quirino
Entrance Fee: None
GPS Coordinates: 16°10'51.1"N 121°34'40.7"E

MACTOL FALLS
Address: Brgy. San Pugo, Nagtipunan
Contact Number: None
GPS Coordinates:
PHOTO BY EDWIN ANTONIO

SIITAN RIVER
Address: Sitio 1, Barangay Ponggo, Nagtipunan, Quirino
Entrance Fee: None
Boat Rates: Contact the Tourism Office (0917) 416-5945
GPS Coordinates: 16°13'04.9"N 121°36'55.3"E

TAPAO VIEWDECK
Address: Nagtipunan, Quirino
Entrance Fee: None
GPS Coordinates: 16°13'53.0"N 121°36'17.1"E

VICTORIA FALLS
Address: Brgy. Sangbay, Nagtipunan, Quirino
Entrance Fee:
GPS Coordinates:

FESTIVALS IN QUIRINO

MAIN FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Panagdadapun Festival - September 8 to 10
Aglipay's Aquero Patronal Festival - February 14th
Motocross Event - Every March and June
Paskuhan sa Quirino - Every December
TOWN FIESTAS
Aglipay's Panagsalukag - July 23 to 25:
Cabarroguis' Ginnamulan - June 19 to 21
Diffun's Rammadayaw - July 2 to 4
Maddela's Pangsasalog - June 12 to 15
Nagtipunan's Penenkakasisit - February 23 to 25
Saguday's Pagay-Pagay - April 7 to 9
PHOTO BY EDWIN ANTONIO

WHAT TO BUY IN QUIRINO

Fossilized flowers are one of the main product industries of Quirino Province. It is a part of their One Town One Product line and it’s so good, they even export it to Europe. While there aren’t that many souvenir shops in the city, one can still find a few things to buy and take home as pasalubong even if they’re not usually found on gift shops.

FOSSILIZED FLOWERS  
Where to Buy: M.M.J. Fossilized & Handicraft
Contact Number: (0927) 473-0720

Where to Buy: Alvin’s Floral Design & Blooms
Contact Number: (0917) 363-4656 | (0917) 600-2507
Address: San Marcos, Cabarroguis, Quirino

TAPEY / TAPUY WINE  
Where to Buy:
Address:
Contact Number:

TILANGGIT  
Where to Buy: Capitol Plaza Hotel Gift Shop
Address: Capitol Crest Road, San Marcos, Cabarroguis, Quirino
Contact Number: (0915) 352-3963 | (0915) 267-7981

VALOR TOMATO WINE  
Where to Buy: Capitol Plaza Hotel Gift Shop
Address: Capitol Crest Road, San Marcos, Cabarroguis, Quirino
Contact Number: (0915) 352-3963 | (0915) 267-7981

TUBIKOY
Where to Buy: RNB Bukohan
Address: Aurora West, Diffun, Quirino
Contact Number: (0926) 538-4956.
PHOTO BY KARA SANTOS

QUIRINO TOURIST SPOTS MAP

 

 

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

BAGUIO CITY TRAVEL GUIDE
Hours Away: About 6 to 7 hours away by bus
Suggested Number of Days: 3 to 4 days

TUGUEGARAO CITY TRAVEL GUIDE
Hours Away: About 3 hours away by bus
Suggested Number of Days: 1 to 2 days

QUIRINO SAMPLE ITINERARY

A weekend get-away is possible to tour the province of Quirino, but it’s quite short for the number of tourist spots found in the area. The best time to explore Quirino would be during long weekends, time your visit properly and get to experience the province’s many natural attractions. Below is a sample of a three-day Quirino itinerary, both for land trip and air travel. You can shorten this to two full days or lengthen it to cover more places, everything depending on your pace, time and budget.

D A Y  0
Depart Manila at night  BUS ROUTE OPTION

D A Y  1
Depart Manila in the morning  PLANE RIDE OPTION
Morning Arrival from Manila
Breakfast for those who took the bus / Lunch for those who took the plane
Check in at hotel (we checked in at the provincial capitol town of Cabarroguis but there are also other hotels in 
   the towns of Aglipay, Diffun, Maddela and Nagtipunan)
Explore Cabarroguis
   - Provincial Capitol (coordinate with the tourism office)
   - Motocross Mountain Track
   - Wakeboarding Complex
Lunch
Visit Nagbukel Cave in Diffun
Try Pancit Batil Patong in Akel’s Panciteria (you can also hang out here after dinner)

D A Y  2
Breakfast
Visit Governor’s Rapids and Cave Waterfalls
Lunch at Maddella Waterfalls
Visit Pensal Falls 
Visit Aglipay Caves
Dinner

D A Y  3
Breakfast
Victoria Falls
Visit Tapao View Deck
Visit Bimmapor Rock Formation
Siitan River Cruise (Canoeing and Tubing)
Lunch (try MJ’s Pancit Cabagan)
Visit Visit Nantugao Falls
Sunset at Landingan Viewpoint
Dinner  BUS TO MANILA – END OF 3-DAY ITINERARY

D A Y  4
Breakfast
Buy Pasalubong
Van to Cauayan Airport  PLANE TO MANILA - END OF 4-DAY ITINERARY

QUIRINO TRAVEL GUIDE AND ITINERARY 
UPDATED AS OF JUNE 8, 2015