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- For other places by the name, see Santa Ana.
Santa Ana is a municipality in Cagayan on Luzon, the Philippines. The main beach destination in Cagayan Valley, it also hosts a freeport and is the setting of several overseas survival television series.
Understand
[edit | edit source]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 rugged terrain, 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 built military installations.
In 1995, the area was declared a freeport zone similar to the ones in Olongapo and Clark, allowing for the establishment of a service sector and controversially, casino gambling, which continues to coexist with the town's traditional 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 coast and in Palaui Island.
It is home to about 35,000 people (census, 1 July 2024) 
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 | edit source]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 Magapit-Mision Road, a shortcut that merges with Dugo-San Vicente Road at the boundary of Santa Teresita and Gonzaga towns.
GV Florida and EMC operate once a day bus trips to Santa Ana from Manila. There are also passenger vans to Santa Ana originating from Tuguegarao, as well as jeepneys and minibuses from Aparri.
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.
A mandatory P20 environmental fee is collected from entering non-residents, with exemptions for children below 10 years old, disabled and elderly persons at the checkpoint marking the boundary with Gonzaga town.
- 3 GV Florida Bus Terminal, Dugo-San Vicente Road, Centro (in front of Santa Ana Commercial Center).
Get around
[edit | edit source]In the mainland, tricycles are the main form of transport. To get to Palaui Island and some beaches on the Pacific coast, rent a boat at Port San Vicente. Prices can range from P900 to P4950 depending on your itinerary.
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 event of an accident, you may be detained at the Coast Guard Substation at the port.
- 4 Palaui-San Vicente Motorboat Association (PASAMOBA), Port San Vicente, ☏ +63 945 985 7522, pasamoba746@gmail.com.
See
[edit | edit source]- 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 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 with generally calm waters due to the presence of barrier reefs. Rates start at ₱200 and rise depending on the length of stay and additional rentals.
- 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 | edit source]- 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 | edit source]- 1 Santa Ana Commercial Center, Dugo-San Vicente Road, Centro. The town's main market.
Eat
[edit | edit source]Drink
[edit | edit source]Sleep
[edit | edit source]- 1 Country Inn Hotel and Restaurant, Centro, ☏ +63 917 809 4236, countryinnstaana@gmail.com.
- 2 Blue Coast Beach Hotel, Centro, ☏ +63 917 843 7084, toll-free: 078 377 2676Country code missing, stay@BlueCoastBeachHotel.com. Has a swimming pool spanning the width of the hotel.
- 3 Jerolynda Resort, ☏ +63 915 516 1584, jerolyndawhitebeachresort@gmail.com. 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 | edit source]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.
There is a station of the Philippine Coast Guard and a garrison of the Philippine Navy in Port San Vicente.
Connect
[edit | edit source]The town’s postal code is 3514.
Go next
[edit | edit source]| Routes through Santa Ana |
| Aparri/Lal-lo via Camalaniugan ← Gonzaga ← | W  E | → END |