Information about Callao Cave Eco-Tourism Zone

Callao Cave Eco-tourism Zone

Photo by Cagayan Tourism

The northern gem is situated in the municipality of Peñablanca in the province of Cagayan and is part of the Peñablanca Protected Landscape and Seascape, which comprises of around 300 caves. The cave is made up about nine chambers and features several rock formations. To reach the first chamber, travelers will have to climb a 184-step staircase. Once  you enter the first chamber, you'll find several pews facing an altar with a cross in a church-like formation as the locals converted it into a chapel due to its spacious interior. Also known as "The Chapel," this area's altar is formed out of rocks instead of the typical wood used in most churches. Above the altar, you'll find a large cap in the cave ceiling where the sun pours through, providing the chamber with adequate lighting. 

Aside from The Chapel, the Callao Cave Eco-Tourism Zone is also popular for being the site where the oldest known remains of an early human species in the Philippines were found. Archaeologists discovered the remains during excavations in 2007, 2011, and 2015. The team named the skeleton the Callao Man or Homo Luzonensis (after the island of Luzon) and believe that it is about 67,000 years old. 

Best time to visit

It's best to visit the Callao Cave in the summer months (March to May) as there are fewer chances of rain during these months, which also lessens that chance of the cave closing due to strong rains.