Travel Guide in Going to Camotes Island

Update 2014: I was able to exchange messages with Kuya Edu and he says it's good to go in Camotes at this time. :)

From Reclamation Area or SM City Cebu, we drove a jeep (25 or 27) going to North Bus Terminal. We paid 10php for the ride. We went off to North Bus Terminal and we ride a Bus going to Danao Port. Just tell the driver or conductor to drop you off. The fare is Php 40 and less than 40 minutes travel time depending on traffic.

When arriving at the Danao Port, you have to pay Php 180 for Non-Aircon and Php 200 fare for Aircon from Danao Port to Consuelo Port in Camotes. I suggest you go for the Non-Aircon so you can sightsee during the travel. While waiting for our departure, we visited Danao Church just in front of Danao Port to kill our time and pray for a safe travel.

Gate Entrance to Danao Port

Danao Port

Non-Aircon Seats

When the Jomalia Shipping vessel, we were already on queue to get to the ferry. A lot of young Koreans (I guess students) and a few Americans were also on board to go to Camotes. They kind of overpopulated the whole vessel since all you can hear was foreign language. I wonder why these non-nationals know this place and can find time to go there while a lot of Filipino’s aren’t aware that these little heaven exists and as one local Cebuano admitted that they didn’t even try to visit the island themselves.

Please check my photoblog Illumination for more photos.

Going around Camotes Island

Update: I've exchanged text messages with Kuya Edu, our tour guide when we're in Camotes. He said that the island haven't recovered yet from Typhoon Yolanda but rest assured that by summer everything will be back to normal again :)

Consuelo Port

     When you get to Consuelo Port in Camotes, you will be approached and hollered by a lot of Habal-Habal (motorcycle) drivers to get you into your next destination. For budget travellers and if travelling solo or with a companion, you can settle for a habal-habal drive that will cost you Php 50 to get to your destination.

Habal-Habal Ride

        The driver will then offer you tour around the island. It will cost Php 500 and Two litters of Gas for a tour. The driver will then pick you up on your agreed time/day to take your tour to Timubo Cave, Mangodlong Rock Resort, Lake Danao and Santiago Bay Walk. This is one of the primary source of income for the locals so stop haggling to help them. Besides the price I mentioned above is their standard price.

  

Road in Camotes Island

If you’re going to Camotes, I recommend Kuya Edu, our habal-habal driver, tour guide and photographer. Everybody seems to know him in the island even the massage therapist lady who massaged my mom after our tiring escapade. You can contact him here: Edu Barcenas 0929-7354057. He was so trustful with us because he didn't get our fare when he drove us to our hotel first. He said he will just get it after our tour.

        If you are travelling in a group, you can hire a multicab for Php 1,500 for a tour. The Mangodlong Rock Resort offers free shuttle service from Consuelo Port to Mangodlong Resort vice-versa for their guest. 

          Check my accommodations review in Camotes Island
          Check my photoblog Illumination

Accommodations in Camotes Island

Santiago Bay Garden and Resort Room Accommodations

Few resorts and hotels offers great accommodation in Camotes Island. During my research for our trip going there, I checked a Camotes Island Website for possible accommodations (link provided below). I've also read reviews from other blogs and in TripAdvisor.

Swimming Pool until 10PM

After thorough deliberation, I settled with Santiago Bay Resort and Hotel. It is a beach front resort and hotel where you can enjoy the scenery of the white sand beach day in and day out. We booked a non-aircon standard room for our overnight stay for Php 1000. The ToothPick Red #4 Room was equipped with all basic necessities. An electric fan, 2 single beds, cabinet, drawer, hangers, toiletries and in fairness to them, the room was a bit spacious for a standard room. We are not picky when it comes to room accommodations as long as it’s clean and can welcome us comfortably. Fortunately, the resort did comfort us. They also have swimming pool facing the beach, pool area, gathering and occasion facilities and videoke machine. Food prices in their restaurant were also reasonable unlike any other resorts. The staffs were very accommodating especially Joy-Joy who serves us food and Kuya Pher. Kuya Pher shared that summer and holy week are really their peak season. December and January are a bit off because of the weather. We went their February 2^nd, he said that we’re very lucky because last week, tourists were stranded for a week due to the bad weather.

Santiago Bay Garden and Resort

Below the Resort

For more information and accommodations about the Santiago Bay Garden and Resort, you can click here .
Also check my photoblog Illumination.

TIP: Just call them directly for reservations.