We’ve all missed going on family vacations. Getting to explore and travel together to different destinations make for many happy memories.
As we become more mobile post-COVID, more opportunities to drive off together become available. If you’re not looking for anything too far off or too pricey, we suggest going to the nearby province of Cavite for the different bonding activities that could be had.
Don’t know where to start? Here are some places that might be calling your name:
Go on a River Cruise in Maragondon
Brgy. Pinagsanhan, Maragondon River, Maragondon
Maragondon is one of the major river basins in Cavite, with a size of 35.6 kilometers. Photo by SinoPinas courtesy of the Department of Tourism.
An activity that your family might enjoy together is the balsa (bamboo raft) river cruise in the Maragondon River. The water is teeming with life: tilapia, mackerel, squid, tuna, and hasa-hasa (Freshwater fish).
Traversing the 35.6-kilometer river on the balsa will take about two hours. The boat, which can carry 15 people, has a little hut for shade. There, you can cool down and enjoy whatever food you brought with you. You can also avail of a package that includes their Pancit sa Bilao (traditional noodles placed on a large woven tray) for Php 2,500.
Balsa River Cruise Maragondon has a bamboo raft that can accommodate 15 people. Photo by SinoPinas courtesy of the Department of Tourism.
The local government unit of Maragondon maintains the cleanliness of the river by deploying boats that manage the waste of the water. Because of this, you can be assured that the water is clean—so much so your family can swim in it.
To schedule your tour, visit Balsa River Cruise Maragondon on Facebook.
- Opening hours: 8 am to 5 pm
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/balsarivercruisemaragondon/
- Contact details: +63905 244 8040
Learn farming in Terra Verde Ecofarm and Resort
Km. 89 Alfonso – Maragondon Road, Maragondon
Terra Verde teaches guests how to do organic farming, urban gardening, and food harvesting. Photo by SinoPinas courtesy of the Department of Tourism.
About 20 minutes from Likhang Maragondon, Terra Verde is a family-owned and operated farm. Owner Naomi Anastacio says the goal is to provide a buhay probinsya (provincial life) experience through organic farming, urban gardening, and harvesting.
Terra Verde can teach you how to take care of plants and fruits such as Blue Ternate (Asian pigeonwings), cashew, and dragon fruit. They also have legumes like okra and sitaw (string beans).
The place encourages people to camp and conduct open-air activities such as watching a movie and setting up campfires at night.
Terra Verde has cozy Kubins or hut cabins to let customers experience farm life. Photo by SinoPinas courtesy of the Department of Tourism.
If you want to stay overnight, Terra Verde also offers their cabins for lodging. Their Kubins (hut cabins) can accommodate up to five people for only Php 5,000. For an extra bed, you just need to add Php 800. This package includes breakfast.
If you just want to experience camping, Terra Verde can also provide tents with mattresses and beddings for only Php 800 per person.
- Opening hours: 9 am to 6 pm daily
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/likhangmaragondon/?ref=page_internal
- Contact details: +63995 138 1813
Eat Healthy at Gourmet Farms
52 Emilio Aguinaldo Highway, Silang
Photo by SinoPinas courtesy of the Department of Tourism.
If you’re looking for restaurants with healthy options, this place in Silang is worth visiting.
The restaurant’s salad bar serves Kale Caesar Salad (Php 380), which mixes pancetta, grilled chicken, cherry tomatoes, lettuce chips, parmesan cheese, and caesar dressing with the greens.
Their Pumpkin Spiced Soup (Php 180) and Gourmet Pizza (Php 600), with shrimps, zucchini, and prosciutto in white sauce, are both worth a try. Pasta dishes are also on the menu, such as Bolognese (Php 350), Carbonara (Php 350), or Funghi (Php 350), a Fettuccine pasta with Tagaytay mushrooms in truffle cream sauce. Their plates of pasta are good for two.
The Deli, a store located within the compound, sells pasalubong (souvenirs or treats) such as Gourmet Farms coffee blends and herbal teas. They also have Portabrews (Php 150) or portable coffee pockets you can just pour hot water into whenever you are on the go.
- Opening hours:10 am to 3 pm
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GourmetFarmsPh/
- Website: https://gourmetfarms.com.ph/
- Contact details: +63917 585 4674
Buy pasalubong from Likhang Maragondon Native Products and Pasalubong Center
Garita A, Maragondon
Likang Maragondong Native Products and Pasalubong Center sells souvenirs from sweets to handwoven accessories. Photo by SinoPinas courtesy of the Department of Tourism.
Likhang Maragondon started in 2019 when the owner Catherine Diquit got inspired to promote community-based tourism projects in the Philippines. She wants to empower her hometown by making products using habing Maragondon, a Cavite handwoven fabric. It is made of 40 percent upcycled threads that come from factories. They also use bamboo since it is more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
“You only need three to five years to grow a bamboo tree. Besides, it emits more oxygen than other trees,” according to the owner.
Their store sells a wide range of products for every member of the family, from Php 300 shirts and satchel bags to bamboo speakers and hair accessories. Every purchase you make goes to helping locals and their weaving traditions thrive and prosper.
Likhang Maragondon also sells its products online through its official Facebook page.
- Opening hours: 9 am to 6 pm daily
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/likhangmaragondon/?ref=page_internal
- Contact details: +63995 138 1813
Have a Safe Trip!
Tourism establishments in Cavite are ready for you! Customers are required to wear a face mask and shield, and practice social distancing at all times. The places set sanitary and contact tracing procedures such as registration at the reception and using alcohol to sanitize hands before entering the premises. To know more about Cavite, visit https:// cavite.gov.ph/home /.
To check out up-to-date information regarding local destinations that are open and the safety protocols and requirements needed for each location, you may visit www.philippines.travel/safetrip or download the Travel Philippines app at app.philippines.travel or the Google Playstore.
