Aparri

Aparri is a town of about 69,000 (2020) in northern Cagayan. It lies at the mouth of the Cagayan River which drains into the Babuyan Channel. This article covers only the mainland portion; Fuga Island, while administratively part of the town, is considered its own destination.

Map of Aparri

Aparri had been an important trading post for its location north of Luzon. While its port remained operational as a critical link to Calayan despite being largely destroyed by frequent typhoons, the town is still a major commercial center for northern Cagayan as it houses large tobacco plantations that account for much of its local income.

The original inhabitants of Aparri are the Ibanag, an ethnic group which have inhabited the area long before the Spaniards arrived. Ilocanos and Filipino Chinese also have settled here since colonial times.

Aparri is bisected by the Cagayan River into western and eastern halves. Town proper is at the eastern side, while the western barangays are more rural in character.

Aparri has a monsoon-influenced climate, with a short dry season between February and April, and rain for the rest of the year.

The town is at the typhoon belt, and is also an important location for typhoon tracking by the national weather agency, PAGASA, which has a meteorological station at the port.

• Dalin Bus Line. Three daily trips leave from Baguio via Tuguegarao. Terminal near CityMall. (updated Oct 2019)
• Victory Liner. One daily trip departs from Sampaloc, Manila at 3:30PM. Terminal near Shell. (updated Oct 2019)

The Cagayan Valley Road (Route 101) terminates here. It spurs off AH26 at Magapit, at the municipality of Lal-lo

The nearest airport is in Lal-lo (LLC ^IATA) or Tuguegarao (TUG ^IATA).

Passenger vans operate from Tuguegarao. Western Aparri is served by vans going to Ballesteros and other towns of northwestern Cagayan.

Tricycles are the main form of public transportation around town.

• 18.297481121.657331 Camalaniugan Bridge. Opened in 2025, the bridge connects western and eastern Aparri, avoiding a previously lengthy detour over the Magapit Bridge in Lal-lo and shorter but risky boat journeys over the Cagayan River.  (updated Jan 2026)

• 18.35956121.630051 Aparri Marker, Loriga Gallarza Street (at the port). Open 24 hours. A Hollywood-like signage facing the mouth of the mighty Cagayan River. Free.  (updated Apr 2026)
• 18.357848121.6383922 Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary. Despite its rather obscure history, it is one of the town's primary destinations. It was rebuilt following American bombing in World War II  (updated Jan 2026)

The town has some stretches of beach, largely unvisited, but the waves are good for surfing.

• 18.35256121.640861 CityMall Aparri, Cagayan Valley Road. 9AM–9PM.  (updated Oct 2019)
• 18.35385121.64252 Novo Mall-Aparri, De Rivera Street (across from the public market). Has a Savemore and a Novo department store.  (updated Oct 2019)
• 18.35472121.641543 Aparri Public Market, Rizal Street. 7AM–7PM.  (updated Sep 2023)

• 18.343776121.6449171 Chelsea's Diner. 9AM - 9PM.  (updated Oct 2019)

• Hotel Aparri, National Highway, Minanga.  (updated Oct 2019)
• Ryan Hotel, Rizal Avenue.  (updated Oct 2019)
• Versoza Hotel, Magsaysay Boulevard.  (updated Oct 2019)

• Calayan — An island that is home to some endemic species such as the Calayan rail

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