Santa Cruz Travel Guide

Located on the picturesque island of Marinduque, Santa Cruz is a pretty mountain town surrounded by intense natural beauty, making this an ideal place for nature lovers to explore.

Worth It?: If you are exploring the island of Marinduque and want somewhere to relax for a while.
What to Do: diving, exploring the caves, mountain climbing, hiking.
Best Time to Go: during the cool, dry season from December to April.
How Long?: An hour or two is enough time to explore Santa Cruz.
Trivia: Santa Cruz means 'holy cross' in both Spanish and Portuguese.

Situated at a slight elevation, Santa Cruz is slightly cooler than many parts of Marinduque, and climbing to the top of the surrounding hills provides spectacular panoramic views of the entire island. Naturally, this is a popular spot to watch the sun set and catch a breath of fresh air.

Santa Cruz is well known for its enormous cave system, and those who enjoy caving and rock climbing will find plenty of opportunities here. Trekking through the surrounding area is also a popular pastime, while many people are happy to simply pass through Santa Cruz and head straight for one of the beautiful beaches nearby.

Travel to Santa Cruz - Getting There

There are regular flights to the airport at Marinduque from the international airport at Manila (45 minutes). It is possible to take a bus straight from Marinduque Airport to Santa Cruz (20 minutes).

Santa Cruz Things to Do

Santa Cruz Attractions

Bathala Caves

this magnificent cave system is simply enormous and the ideal place for rock climbing and exploring.

Red Mountain

climb to the top for spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding valley.

Side trips from Santa Cruz

White Beach: just a short bus or jeepney ride away, this is one of the best beaches on Marinduque and the perfect place for water sports such as diving and snorkeling.