Apr 11, 2008

Bantayan Island Trip



photo courtesy of vanie

Hey there, I’m here again. Thanks for all the comments and suggestion and about backpacking Bantayan that you requested, here it goes. But I would like to remind you guys that Daanbantayan and Bantayan Island are two different things. Daanbantayan is a municipality somewhere in the northern part of Cebu while Bantayan is an island composed of small municipalities.

The most economical way to get there is to spend a 2-hour bus ride from NorthBus terminal to Hagnaya wharf in San Remegio then take a fast ferry going to Santa fe, approximately it will cost you P250-P300 including bus, fastcraft and motorcycle ride. If you go there during the Holyweek, you need to have earlier reservation unless you go on camping which I find exciting.



photo courtesy of tsin

Where to stay there?

Sugar Beach, Kota Beach, Marlin Beach Resort, Sta. Fe Beach Club, Budyong Beach Resort, Ogtong Cave Resort and there are lots of small cottages or houses that are for rent for transient travelers. Price range from P500-P2,500

Ferry Schedule*

Island Ferry Schedule

Hagnaya–Santa Fe/Santa Fe–Hagnaya

6:30am/5:00am
10:00am/8:00am
12:30am/9:30pm
2:00pm/12:00nn
5:30pm/3:30pm

FastCraft Schedule

8:30am/10:15am
11:30am/12:45pm
3:30pm/4:30pm

*During low tide the ferries are anchoring outside of the port and the passengers will be transported to the ferry by a small motor boat.

Update ferry Schedule here (2011) : Ferry Schedule

Internet Connection

Unfortunately guys I go there to chill and relax so I never got the chance to find available café offering internet service but my friend said SmartBro (Wifi) internet connection is already available in the island and some resort has broadband connection too on an hourly rate basis.

The Food

There are plenty of restaurants to choose, from international to local cuisine. Resort hotels also serve food upon request. For backpackers, carenderias are everywhere and for just 30 pesos you already have a sumptuous meal.


Contact Information:

Sta. Fe Beach Club + (63-32) 438-9090, 438-9107
Ogtong Cave + (63-32) 438-0165, 438-9129
Sugar Beach + (63) 917-7167182
Kota + (63-32) 4196135
Budyong + (63-32) 4385700

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi, those photos look really nice. Can you pls tell me which resort it was taken from? the one from vanie? I plan to go there this first week of May and it will be my first time, so am pretty excited but unfortunately, our reservations w/ one of the resorts was bumped off. and they have no cebu office to accept our advance payment :(

thanks

Bisdak said...

hi there,

that was Maia's Beach Resort

Location:
Basawon, Sulangan, Bantayan Island
Cebu, 6052 Philippines

24-Hours Contact Numbers:
Tel: (632) 910-4203 up to 05
Fax: (632) 910-4206

Toll Free numbers:
Call from the USA: 1-866-467-2753
Call from UK: (44) 800-804-8311

Thanks for dropping by, enjoy your vacation..

Anonymous said...

We were on Bantayan Island in March of 2008. Just a warning-don't go there during Holy Week unless you are prepared to pay double prices for everything. If you want to go be sure to go to Bantayan Town to see the Holy Week festival parades. The floats and the lights are really something and the people are very committed to their religion. We stayed at Kota Beach in Santa Fe and although the accommodations are not up to American standards, they were just fine for us; two older Canadians visiting (me for the first time) my husband's second visit. I want to live there in my retirement. NO SNOW. The people are respectful and there is nothing fancy to buy in Santa Fe but Bantayan town has the oldest church in the Philippines and the beaches are beautiful. In March the weather is great too.

Tsina said...

Hi, we're planning to visit Bantayan this March. I am wondering whether I need to make a reservation for the roro. Thanks.

cagayan de oro resorts said...

This is a good guide, surely will help future travelers who are not familiar in getting there. And if you’re lost, you could ask the locals there, such friendly people.

Anonymous said...

how about the beach on the photo of tsin? san po ito banda? thanks!

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