Anguib Beach

Santa Ana is the home of the Cagayan Special Economic Zone. The Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport in the Philippines, also known as Cagayan Freeport, was established by virtue of Republic Act No. 7922, otherwise known as the Cagayan Economic Zone Act of 1995. It is being supervised and managed by the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) into a self-sustaining industrial, commercial, financial, and recreational center, with a suitable residential area, in order to create employment opportunities around the Cagayan Freeport, and to effectively encourage and attract legitimate and productive local and foreign investments.

Santa Ana is a mix of an agricultural, commercial and agricultural economy. Most of the commercial and industrial activities were at Port Irene as the Cagayan Special Economic Zone. Some of its agricultural and aquatic products are rice, corn, peanut, fish, lumber, shells, etc. Among its natural resources are limestone deposits at Bawac Mountain, coal at Carbon Mountain, Santa Clara, and guano deposits at Kapannikian Cave.

Aside from the Cagayan Special Economic Zone which hosts casinos and other gaming facilities, the town of Sta. Ana is crammed with scenic spots and historical landmarks frequented by thousands of visitors throughout the year. Cape Engaño Lighthouse at Punta Verde Point and Gotan mangrove forest and waterfalls are some of its proudest attractions.

The town also dubbed as the Game Fishing hub of the Philippines. It has hosted international decathlons, where athletes run through the rugged terrain of Punta Verde to Cape Engaño, then dipped in the crystal clear water of the Philippine Sea.

What really makes the town of Sta. Ana a popular tourist spot is Anguib Beach – dubbed as the next Boracay of the North. It is a perfect getaway this summer where one can find total relaxation and escape from the heat of summer. The beach is a stretch of white sand coasts and crystal clear water.

Palaui Island - Sta. Ana, Cagayan

                         Cape Engaño Lighthouse                                                                           Viray Festival

Festivals

Every May 26 to May 30 of the year, the town plays host to the Viray Festival, organized by the local government with the support of the regional tourism office and the private sector. Launched in June 2005, the Viray Festival was conceptualized to dramatize the significance of the viray, which played a key role in the lives and history of the town. An annual fluvial parade of colorful boats were held during the first day. The second day of the festival features a grand carabao parade where each of the 16 barangays composing the municipality have their turn to show off their artistic talents. On the third day, local folk and visitors alike line up along the main street to watch colorful bodies participating in the street dancing competition.

How to get there

By Plane: The airlines companies like Airphil Express and Cebu Pacific ply routes to the provincial capital of Tuguegarao City from Manila.

By Bus: Victory Liner, Dominion, Florida, and Baliwag Transit Inc., have scheduled trips from Manila to Tuguegarao. Travel time is around 8-12 hours.

Accommodations

If you wish to spend time doing extensive sightseeing of the whole whole province, these are the nearest hotels that offer lodging at reasonable prices:
     •   Ivory Hotel and Suites located at Buntun Highway, Tuguegarao, Cagayan Valley / Isabela.
     •  Villa Blanca Hotel can be found at 13 Pattaui St.Ugac Norte, Tuguegarao, Cagayan Valley / Isabela
     •   Mango Suites located at 1 Rizal St. corner Balzain Road, Tuguegarao, Cagayan Valley / Isabela