Marikina was considered as the largest private hacienda in the Philippines during the early years of Spanish colonization. Its residents were comprised mostly of farmers whose main crops were rice and vegetables. The townfolk had a bountiful harvest enabling each family to own more than two carabaos, even a dozen or so. At the time, to possess several carabaos served as a symbol of progress for the town and wealth for the families. From stories and accounts of the old owners, the Marikina City Government traced the old carabao trail which was the regular route taken from their owners' homes to the fields and vice versa. About 28 stone-built carabaos were placed in the path along the riverbanks of Kalumpang serving as an attraction and as a marker of the once scenic and abundant Marikina farmland.

Accommodations

• Marikina Hotel - Pio Del Pilar St. cor. Tangerine St., Brgy. Concepcion II, Marikina City Philippines
• La Trinidad Pension House
• Family Lodging House - 31 Liamzon St., Brgy. San Roque
• Family Lodging House - 31 Liamzon St., Brgy. San Roque
• Villa Ronar Garden Resort & Hotel - 112 Dao corner Champaca St., Marikina Heights, Marikina City
• RELC - Dormitory
• MIST-TESDA

Restaurants

• Pan De Amerikana
• Cafe Qizia - Italian Cuisine
• Tapsi ni Vivian
• Macky's Eatery
• Dalay's - Filipino Cuisine
• Cafe Kapitan
• Kusina ni Kambal
• Panciteria ni Edong's
• Kubo sa Tuazon
• Cafe Lidia
• Casa Feliz Cakes & Pastries
• Pap's Dinner
• Eriz’s Driveway bar and resto Café
• NOHMU (Resto Bar)

Transportation

Currently, elevated light rail systems run through Marikina City. The first or last station of LRT 2 is Santolan located along Marcos Highway. The station connects to Claro M. Recto Avenue in Manila.

Public transportation within the city, like in most of the urban areas in the Philippines, is facilitated mostly using inexpensive jeepneys and buses. Tricycles (motorbikes with an attached two-seater carriage) are the usual transportation used for short distances, while Taxi cabs are used by the upper middle class. The roads are organized around a set of long narrow and circumferential roads that radiate and circle in and around the city.

One of the most notable attractions in Marikina is the bikeways and bike lanes along major roads and streets. This is the only city in the Philippines which has an effective bikeway.

Going to Marikina

Various land transportation ply the route going to Marikina City via bus in major roads or public jeepneys in minor roads in Metro Manila. From Cainta and Antipolo via Marikina City (bayan): Take a jeepney with the sign board (Cubao), ask the driver to drop you at Mcdo Marcos highway and ride a tricycle going straight to Marikina Sports Center.
Or drop by at Fiesta Villa in A. Tuazon Marikina and ride a jeep with the sign board (going to Marikina).

From Quezon City via Marikina City( BAYAN):
Take a ride either Fx or jeep at Gateway Cubao, ride with the signboard  going to Parang, SSS, Kalumpang and they’ll drop you off to Marikina Bayan.

From Pasig City via Marikina City (BAYAN):
Take a jeepney in Pasig Palengke and ride with the signboard going to Marikina(bayan).

From San Mateo via Marikina (BAYAN):
Take a jeepney with the signboard Marikina (bayan)