Santa Ana is a 2nd class municipality in Cagayan on Luzon, the Philippines. It is a popular tourist destination for people in the province.
Understand
[edit]Formerly known as Palauig, Santa Ana is strategically located in a peninsula at the northeasternmost point of Luzon that is also the terminus of the Sierra Madre mountain range. Most settlements are sandwiched between the mountain and the coast, with the town center being on the shores of the Babuyan Channel. The town's Pacific coast is sparsely populated in part due to the rough seas, and until the 21st century had no road connections with the rest of the country.
During the Spanish era, a lighthouse was built in the island of Palaui to guide galleons traveling to and from Mexico, while succeeding colonizers and the Philippine government installed military installations to defend the area.
In 1995, the area was declared a freeport zone similar to the ones in Olongapo and Clark, allowing for the establishment of a services sector and controversially, casino gambling, which continues to coexists with the town's tradition fishing and nature-based tourism sectors. In the 2000s, Palaui Island became famous for being the setting of two seasons of the American survival reality TV series Survivor. Despite this, Santa Ana has so far managed to avoid the overtourism that has plagued other Philippine resort havens like Boracay. Its beaches are of varying quality. Those along the Babuyan Channel are dark colored, while the white sand beaches are found along the Pacific and in Palaui Island.
Santa Ana has a population of about 36,000 people in 2020.
Climate
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Santa Ana has a tropical monsoon climate with hot, humid conditions prevailing year round. It has an average high temperature of 28 °C (82 °F) and an average low temperature of 23 °C (73 °F).
Get in
[edit]Santa Ana is at the northeastern tip of Luzon Island. It is the terminus of the Dugo-San Vicente Road that originates in Camalaniugan, 72 kilometres (45 mi) away, although most travelers enter through Magapit Junction in Lal-lo and follow a shortcut that merges with Dugo-San Vicente Road at the boundary of Santa Teresita and Gonzaga towns.
GV Florida operates once a day trips to Santa Ana from Manila. There are also passenger vans to Santa Ana originating from Tuguegarao.
There is an airstrip at the Camilo Osias Naval Station in Barangay San Vicente, but is reserved for use by the Philippine military. The nearest airport is Cagayan North International Airport in Lal-lo, which only serves charter flights. Most commercial aviation serves Tuguegarao City Airport TUG IATA, 245 kilometres (152 mi) away. It serves domestic flights.
Port San Vicente, at the very end of the Dugo-San Vicente Road, also serves the coastal towns of neighboring Isabela province, although the journey can take more than 8 hours of rough sailing. There are also limited trips to Camiguin de Babuyanes Island, around 4-6 hours sailing time.
Get around
[edit]In the mainland, tricycles are the main form of transport. To get to Palaui Island and some beaches on the Pacific coast, take a boat at Port San Vicente. Make sure the boat is fit for passenger transport and do not accept offers to sail on small fishermen's boats, as they are unregistered. In the even of an accident, you may be detained at the Coast Guard Substation at the port.
See
[edit]- Suncity Casino in Barangay Tangatan
- Padlas Falls at Casambalangan
- 1 Cape Engaño Lighthouse, Palaui Island (Hike for 15-20 minutes from Engaño Cove). A Spanish-era lighthouse built on top of a 92 metres (302 ft) high hill. This was also a filming site for the American reality TV series Survivor. From the complex, multiple islands can be viewed on a clear day, such as Dos Hermanos Island, Didicas Volcano and Camiguin de Babuyanes Island. All visitors must register at Engaño Cove and be accompanied by an accredited tour guide.
- 2 Siwangag Cove, Palaui Island.
- 3 Gotan Mangrove Forest, San Vicente-Gutan-Lubac-Anguib Road, Gotan.
- 4 Buwacag Falls, Santa Clara.
- 5 Lamesa Falls, Casagan.
- 6 Crocodile Island. An islet in the middle of the strait separating Palaui Island and Luzon. It is named as such because the silhouette formed by the its rock formations resembles the head of a crocodile. It has white sand beaches chock-full of coral and shells.
- 7 Anguib Beach. A white sand beach
- 8 Nangaramoan Beach. A white sand beach
- 9 Mapurao Beach. A white sand beach which despite its location in the mainland, is only accessible through a boat ride from Port San Vicente to the adjacent Jerolynda Resort.
Do
[edit]- Every year from May 26 to May 30, the town hosts the Viray Festival
- Santa Ana is also known as a site for kiteboarding and windsurfing
- White beaches like Anguib Beach, Mapurao Beach, Nangaramoan Beach, and Puzo Robo Beach
- Dumasag River at Rapuli
- Riding Takuli (a traditional kayak)
- Firefly watching at Barangay Casagan
- Belt Fishing Activity at Diora-Zinungan
- Santa Ana is the game fishing hub of the Philippines
- The Cagayan Special Economic Zone hosts casinos and other gaming facilities
Buy
[edit]- 1 Santa Ana Commercial Center, Dugo-San Vicente Road, Centro. The town's main market.
Eat
[edit]Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Country Inn Hotel and Restaurant, Centro.
- 2 Blue Coast Beach Hotel, Centro. Has a swimming pool spanning the width of the hotel.
- 3 Jerolynda Resort. A secluded resort with cottage accommodation and views of Palaui and Crocodile Islands. Accessible via boat from their booking office in San Vicente, a few meters from Port San Vicente's jetty. Recommended for those seeking solitude, although they have a karaoke set for rent. Has stable electricity and airconditioning despite its location.
- 4 Jotay Resort, Centro.
Stay safe
[edit]Parts of the Dugo-San Vicente Road, such as in Rapuli and Casambalangan, may be blocked by landslides during the typhoon season. Likewise, you may run the risk of getting stranded in Palaui Island when boat trips from Port San Vicente are suspended for weather-related reasons.