Lanao del Norte is one of the provinces of the Philippines in the Northern Mindanao area. It is inhabited by a mixture of peace loving Maranaos and Cebuanos. However, the conflict between separatist group and Philippine government sometimes disrupt the impression of the province as being a safe place in Mindanao. Relatively, Lanao del Norte is still a safe place for travelers. Mindanao is actually a safe place to visit except in some areas where traveling is discouraged. Global image of Mindanao as a war zone and unsafe for foreign travelers is totally incorrect and partly true. Totally incorrect in the sense that not the whole of Mindanao is suffering from terrorist or separatist attacks but to particular areas only. News media should refrain using the word "Mindanao" for any terrorist, extremist or separatist attacks when it only occurred to a minute fraction of the Mindanao archipelago. Terrorism is a threat not in the Mindanao area alone but to the whole world as well. In fact, terrorist attacks in countries like the US, Spain, Indonesia and to other countries are even worse.
Tubod, the capital town of Lanao del Norte, was also the site of the Palarong Pambansa friendship game. It's a nationwide sports event attended by selected athletes representing each and every provinces of the country. The event was held at Lanao del Norte's state of the art sports complex, MCC. The complexs is equipped with an olympic size swimming pool and a gymnasium. PBA Games and concerts by popular local celebrities occasionally take place at MCC as well.

Getting There

Lanao del Norte is very accessible either by land, air and sea from Manila and Cebu. Big shipping companies like the Negros Navigation, Superferry and sister company Cebu Ferries are serving frequent regular calls to the port of Iligan City. Travelers may also arrive at the ports of Ozamis City or Cagayan de Oro City as well. From Ozamis City, the shortest way to go across Lanao del Norte is through Mukas Port in the municipality of Kulambugan. Thirty to forty minutes trip by ferry boats at the Panguil Bay operated by DYMA Shipping Lines transport vehicles at the main deck and passengers at the second deck from Ozamis City to Lanao del Norte and vice versa. From Cagayan de Oro City, the province of Lanao del Norte is accessible either by vans or buses operated by Super 5 Transport and Rural Transit for about three to four hours (depending on which municipality of Lanao del Norte you are heading).
Lanao del Norte so far doesn't have an airport but leading domestic air carriers like the Cebu Pacific Air and the Philippine Airlines are serving direct routes from Manila and Cebu to the neighboring city of Ozamis and at Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro City.

Places to Go

Maria Cristina Falls is of course a must-see in Lanao del Norte. Tinago Falls in Buruun is one of the best spot for trekking and swimming. The swimming pools and beaches in Linamon as well as the swimming pool in Salvador are very much inviting. The swimming pool at Mindanao Civic Center or MCC is also opened to the public at a fee. Lastly but not the least are the beaches in Karomatan.
Lanao del Norte is very rich in eco-tourism wonders. The deeper you explore Lanao del Norte the more you will be fascinated of this humble province in Northern Mindanao. But just a reminder - please don't be overly captivated to the point of crossing the no go zones or else you will end up in big trouble.

Souvenirs

The Pasalubong Center in Tubod, the capital of Lanao del Norte has few souvenir items at very reasonable prices. The clay pots of many different sizes and designs as well as figurative images made from clay are the most popular.