Bantayan Island, CebuIf you prefer peace and quiet, avoid the Holy Week when locals pack the place (legend has it that during the 19th century, the Pope gave the townsfolk special dispensation to eat meat during Good Friday because of difficult fishing conditions) and transport hubs are a nightmare. Before and after Holy Week it reverts back to its normal, placid self.
How to Get There:
Air
From Manila, you can fly daily to Cebu City from either NAIA 2 (9-10 flights) or NAIA 3 (11 flights). (Php1200 regular plus terminal fees and airport tax; prices vary depending on season/ promotion, one hour, tip: take advantage of online promos and book in advance so you can save as much as 60% off ticket price!). From Mactan-Cebu International Airport, avoid the rented/hired cars outside the terminal and cross the pedestrian lane where you can take a cab from a taxi line (Php200 fixed rate to any destination in Cebu City).
Sea
Major shipping lines have Cebu-bound trips from both the North and South Harbors. All schedules are subject to change so its best to check several days in advance. Trips are 14 hours long and tickets are Php1200-2300 depending on class. From the pier you can either contract a cab from a taxi line or cross the road and hail passing cabs if you want a metered rate to the city (around Php60).
From Cebu City
By land: Proceed to the Cebu North Bus Terminal either by taxi or the Mabolo-Carbon or Mandaue-Cebu City jeepneys. The station is along Wireless st. in the Reclamation Area past SM City. Look for the Cebu Autobus Corp or Ceres Coach buses bound for Hagnaya (Php80, 3 hours, daily from 7.30am-5pm) where boats depart for Bantayan six times daily (6.30am to 5.30pm, Php170, 75 mins).
By sea: From Pier 1 in Cebu City, there is an overnight ferry to Santa Fe town in Bantayan that departs at 9pm twice a week (Php220, nine hours). Schedules change so its best to contact Palacio Shipping Lines (032 2554538, 032 2537700) for details.
Where to Stay/Eat:
Hard Kock Kafe 'n' Kottages (Php450/650 fan/aircon) cheap value and if you don't mind walking to the beach. Has a bar popular with foreigners.
Abaniko Beach Resort (Php750 per cottage) They have 4 cottages that are clean with nipa upholstery. Not exactly on the beach but a good deal for the money.
Santa Fe Beach Club (cottages with fan Php900-1000, with aircon Php1600-7000) has good privacy and balconies plus instant access to the Ogtong Cave Resort.
Budyong Beach Resort (Php900-1500 fan/aircon cottage) has a fine location on the beach providing splendid views. Very popular and the nipa huts are clean and the service pleasant. Perfect for the traveler who wants to keep things simple.
D'Jungle (Php 80-140, Fri-Sun buffets Php 245, 7am-onwards) This unassuming nipa and bamboo outdoor eatery offers a delightful array of international cuisine from its French-German chef. The buffet alone is a good reason to come visit Bantayan and there are as much as 40 different dishes available in one spread.
Balikbayan Restaurant (Php200-400) Offers a wide menu of salads, pizzas, pasta and seafood. The ambiance here is perfect for couples.
What To Do:
Wandering: Bantayan has not been subject to commercialization so far and is a great place to go wandering. You can either rent a bike/ motorycle (Php150/300 whole day) for a tour around the island. Bantayan town (10km west from Santa Fe, Php15 by jeepney) has been lovingly preserved and is a fine place to stroll.
The white sands of Alice Beach, Paradise Beach and Sugar Beach are great for long walks and resort-hopping. Ogtong Cave is a small subterranean cave with a refreshing freshwater pool. Its 600 meters from Sugar Beach. Go to the front desk of the Santa Fe Beach Club front desk (Php 120 for non-guests).
Snorkeling: Bantayan itself has little to offer here but you can hire a boat (Php1500 / four people) and go to nearby Virgin Island where there are coral formations. You can also camp overnight if you have the equipment.
What To Bring:
Shorts and flip-flops; sunglasses; pack as light as possible (i.e. shorts and flip-flops are perfect); bring an adequate amount of cash in small denominations since there is only 1 ATM and 1 moneychanger on the island, credit cards aren't useful here.
How to Get There:
Air
From Manila, you can fly daily to Cebu City from either NAIA 2 (9-10 flights) or NAIA 3 (11 flights). (Php1200 regular plus terminal fees and airport tax; prices vary depending on season/ promotion, one hour, tip: take advantage of online promos and book in advance so you can save as much as 60% off ticket price!). From Mactan-Cebu International Airport, avoid the rented/hired cars outside the terminal and cross the pedestrian lane where you can take a cab from a taxi line (Php200 fixed rate to any destination in Cebu City).
Sea
Major shipping lines have Cebu-bound trips from both the North and South Harbors. All schedules are subject to change so its best to check several days in advance. Trips are 14 hours long and tickets are Php1200-2300 depending on class. From the pier you can either contract a cab from a taxi line or cross the road and hail passing cabs if you want a metered rate to the city (around Php60).
From Cebu City
By land: Proceed to the Cebu North Bus Terminal either by taxi or the Mabolo-Carbon or Mandaue-Cebu City jeepneys. The station is along Wireless st. in the Reclamation Area past SM City. Look for the Cebu Autobus Corp or Ceres Coach buses bound for Hagnaya (Php80, 3 hours, daily from 7.30am-5pm) where boats depart for Bantayan six times daily (6.30am to 5.30pm, Php170, 75 mins).
By sea: From Pier 1 in Cebu City, there is an overnight ferry to Santa Fe town in Bantayan that departs at 9pm twice a week (Php220, nine hours). Schedules change so its best to contact Palacio Shipping Lines (032 2554538, 032 2537700) for details.
Where to Stay/Eat:
Hard Kock Kafe 'n' Kottages (Php450/650 fan/aircon) cheap value and if you don't mind walking to the beach. Has a bar popular with foreigners.
Abaniko Beach Resort (Php750 per cottage) They have 4 cottages that are clean with nipa upholstery. Not exactly on the beach but a good deal for the money.
Santa Fe Beach Club (cottages with fan Php900-1000, with aircon Php1600-7000) has good privacy and balconies plus instant access to the Ogtong Cave Resort.
Budyong Beach Resort (Php900-1500 fan/aircon cottage) has a fine location on the beach providing splendid views. Very popular and the nipa huts are clean and the service pleasant. Perfect for the traveler who wants to keep things simple.
D'Jungle (Php 80-140, Fri-Sun buffets Php 245, 7am-onwards) This unassuming nipa and bamboo outdoor eatery offers a delightful array of international cuisine from its French-German chef. The buffet alone is a good reason to come visit Bantayan and there are as much as 40 different dishes available in one spread.
Balikbayan Restaurant (Php200-400) Offers a wide menu of salads, pizzas, pasta and seafood. The ambiance here is perfect for couples.
What To Do:
Wandering: Bantayan has not been subject to commercialization so far and is a great place to go wandering. You can either rent a bike/ motorycle (Php150/300 whole day) for a tour around the island. Bantayan town (10km west from Santa Fe, Php15 by jeepney) has been lovingly preserved and is a fine place to stroll.
The white sands of Alice Beach, Paradise Beach and Sugar Beach are great for long walks and resort-hopping. Ogtong Cave is a small subterranean cave with a refreshing freshwater pool. Its 600 meters from Sugar Beach. Go to the front desk of the Santa Fe Beach Club front desk (Php 120 for non-guests).
Snorkeling: Bantayan itself has little to offer here but you can hire a boat (Php1500 / four people) and go to nearby Virgin Island where there are coral formations. You can also camp overnight if you have the equipment.
What To Bring:
Shorts and flip-flops; sunglasses; pack as light as possible (i.e. shorts and flip-flops are perfect); bring an adequate amount of cash in small denominations since there is only 1 ATM and 1 moneychanger on the island, credit cards aren't useful here.
No comments:
Post a Comment