Kapalong

Welcome to Kapalong, Davao del Norte’s adventure-packed municipality where Mother Nature and Mindanaoan culture meet in full color! Known as the “Caving Capital of Mindanao,” Kapalong is an underrated gem filled with jungle thrills, cool caves, and warm-hearted locals. Whether you’re a spelunker, nature lover, or just after some fresh air far from the city chaos, Kapalong offers the kind of experience that stays with you.

Kapalong is a first-class municipality nestled in the heart of Davao del Norte. With its lush landscapes, tropical forests, and serene rivers, the town is an eco-tourism paradise waiting to be explored. It’s a gateway to some of the most biodiverse terrains in the region-think waterfalls, caverns, and exotic wildlife.

• Okbot Cave – A massive limestone cave system famous for its cathedral-like chambers, stalactites, and underground rivers.
• Pag-asa Farms Eco-Park – A green escape where you can camp, zipline, and reconnect with nature.
• Bito River – Crystal-clear water perfect for bamboo rafting or a chill riverside picnic.
• Tagbibinta Falls – A scenic multi-tiered waterfall surrounded by thick jungle foliage.

Kapalong takes pride in its multicultural heritage, blending Indigenous Mandaya roots with Visayan and Mindanaoan traditions. The Kapalong Founding Anniversary every July is a vibrant week-long celebration filled with street dancing, tribal music, and a beauty pageant showcasing local pride. The celebration highlights the unity of its Lumad and migrant communities.

Cebuano is the dominant language, but you’ll also hear locals speaking Tagalog, English, and some indigenous dialects. The people are known for their hospitality-always ready with a smile and a story!

Taste your way through Kapalong’s countryside flavors! Don’t miss:

• Sinuglaw – a grilled-pork and kinilaw fusion dish
• Nilotlot na Manok – native chicken cooked in bamboo
• Durian and Marang – local fruits in season that smell strong but taste heavenly
• Kapalong native rice cakes – perfect pasalubong after a long nature trip

Kapalong’s cultural heart beats with tribal drumming, kulintang gongs, and Mindanaoan chants often performed during community rituals and events. Younger generations blend these with modern acoustic and reggae vibes during festivals or youth jams by the riverbanks.

• Eco-adventure and caving capital of Davao del Norte
• Tribal culture and environmental preservation
• Cultural integration of Lumad and Christian settlers
• Fresh, off-the-beaten-path Mindanao experience