Malaybalay City is the provincial capital of Bukidnon Province, on Mindanao Island in the Philippines.

It's settled in a charming rural environment, elevated at about 620m, surrounded by mountain ranges from all sides. Due to the elevation the climate is very relaxing, as houses don't need any cooling facilities, so restful sleep is guaranteed. Malaybalay shows parallels to Baguio city, but it is more attractive due to its smaller size, unspoiled and friendly people and spacious location on a wide plateau. The climate is milder but still quite fresh at night. It is protected from storm as it is far south from the Typhoon belt and also from landslides, as the mountains in Bukidnon are not as steep as they are in the Cordilleras.

The tourism information is in a small cabin within Pines View Park behind the capitol building.

Get in

By plane

There is no commercial airport in the province of Bukidnon. The nearest airport is in Cagayan de Oro about 100 km away. Cagayan de Oro has several airlines providing flights to Manila, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Bacolod, Zamboanga.

By train

There is no train system in Mindanao.

By car

Sayre Highway crosses Mindanao from Cagayan de Oro City in the north to Davao City in the South. To Cagayan de Oro, it is about 90 minutes drive. Taxi can be hired starting at ₱1500.

By bus

Rural Transit, Super 5 and some smaller companies are plying the route frequently, usually every 20 minutes, even at night frequent buses can be found. Rates vary between ₱85 and ₱140 (air con). To Davao, it is a 5-hour bus trip.

By boat

Next harbor is in Cagayan de Oro. Boats are available to Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, Bohol (Jagna), Dumaguete and Nasipit (Butuan). A small harbor in Balingoan provides Boat service to Camiguin island.

Get around

Along the highway small minibusses "Multi cab" ply the route between Casisang in the south and Kalasungay in the north. For the smaller roads within the town, passenger motorcycles can be utilized, they adjust their route to their passengers needs. All transportation costs between ₱6 and 7.

See

A monastery in San Jose, the Pines View Park, the Matin-ao and Nasuli springs.

• Bukidnon Gov web site. has lots of info about Bukidnon. 

Do

Malaybalay does offer lot of hiking opportunities, which still have to be developed. It serves also as a base for climbing the 2nd highest mountain of the Philippines Mt. Dulang Dulang (2935m) located in the Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park. To get started with the tour visitors should visit the PENRO office near the capitol to get permits and arrange for guide. There are horseback riding facilities, for example at D'Stables resort in Sumpong. Day hikes is also a pleasant activity for visitors, you can get off the beaten path and experience scenery most other visitors don't get to see. The hike up the slopes is rewarded with views across neighboring valley and towards the panoramic view of the Kitanglad range. These range from 2 hours to half-day hike. There are a lot of routes to choose from.

Learn

Malaybalay is the location of the Bukidnon State University and has several other colleges and high schools.

Work

This area is an agricultural hub and attracts investors from all over the world. Main crops include pineapple, sugar cane, corn, rubber and hardwoods.

Buy

The biggest commercial establishment is Gaisano Mall, but there are numerous alternatives for groceries and other purchases.

• Gaisano Mall. 10AM-8PM. 

Eat

There are lots of restaurants in Malaybalay. Just give the name of the restaurant to the tricycle drivers.

• Jolibee fast food.. 7AM-11PM. Has breakfasts from 7AM till 10AM. 

Budget

There are countless food and bbq stalls around the university and near the market.

Mid-range

In the center of the town you can find Mindy's, Le Cafe, Yoly's, Gerry's Grill, Antons', Highway 41.

Splurge

Not really splurging but a bit more expensive can be: Tito Tony's, Pine View Hotel (Wi-Fi), Sir Edwards (Wi-Fi), Mint leaf Cafe, Haus Malibu (Wi-Fi) and of course Amadeo

Drink

At night people move to Mindy's, the Music box, Plateau (with disco), Backdoor disco, Gerry's or Laurelle's Grill.

If it is just for cafe, try Bukidnon Brew Cafe (BBC), Highway 41, Casanova (Wi-Fi), Sunflower (Wi-Fi), Le Cafe and Mint Leaf Cafe.

Sleep

Budget

• Small world travelers Inn., Rizal and G tabios streets., ☏ +63 88 813-1206. Fan rooms with common bathroom and cable TV. ₱400. 
• Villa Alemania Inn, fortich and moreno streets, ☏ +63 88-813-2301. Single fan rooms with common bathrooms, double fan room with common bathroom. All rooms have cable TV. ₱300/₱350. 
• Plaza view tourist Inn, Savers plaza building, ☏ +63 88-221-2503. Single/double fan rooms with common bathrooms. ₱250/₱300. 

Mid-range

Hotel Alemania, 1st Avenue Apartel (Wi-Fi)

Splurge

Malaybalay is not expensive, but you find very cozy yet relatively affordable rooms at Pines View Hotel (Wi-Fi), Haus Malibu (Wi-Fi) or the Pitcher Plant Farm (free Wi-Fi) where you can get a guest house in the forest.

Stay safe

Malaybalay is a very safe place to stay. The security is weakening if you venture out to very remote mountain locations. need for assistance in emergencies, Dial 117.

Connect

• Bukidnon Community Blog

Go next

Malaybalay has a bus terminal, which has aside from the major busses to Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Valencia, Wao, Kibawe, Kadingilan also connections that ply the smaller roads to Sungco, Lantapan, Zamboanguita, St. Peter, Canayan and more.