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.

A Paradise I Found In Cebu

Cebu City is known to be one of the most visited tourist destination in the Philippines situated in Visayas Region. Cebu had played a big part on the Philippine history. It was a cliché (and a reality) to most of my history classes from tertiary to college education as the island in the Philippines where Portuguese National and Spanish conqueror Ferdinand Magellan pitched the first Catholic Cross of the country. Having said that, it’s a place I dreamt to step my foot into.

Luckily I have booked an early ticket seat sale promo by Cebu Pacific. It only cost me Php 1,200 for a roundtrip ticket Iloilo-Cebu-Iloilo flights. I got really fortunate because I was in Roxas City during that time. It is a city in Panay 2 hours away from Iloilo City.

While checking the web for Cebu Things To Do and Itinerary for my 4Days 2Nights Escapade, I found a really fascinating and a must visit paradise in Cebu. The Camotes Island in Consuelo, Cebu City has a virgin white sand beach where you can find peace and a truly relaxing ambiance. Take note that there are a lot of beaches that can be found in Cebu such as in the islands of Mactan, Malapascua and Bantayan to name a few but Mactan beach being the most accessible when you are in Cebu is kind of overrated for me while Bantayan and Malapascua is a bit far. Camotes Island however is just 2 hours away ferry ride from Danao Port, Cebu to Consuelo Port in Camotes. (Instructions on how to getat Camotes Island)

When we (with my mom) arrived at Consuelo Port in Camotes, we were approached by the habal-habal (motorcycle) drivers and asked us where we are headed to. The Santiago Bay Garden and Resort that we were booked was the biggest/well-known/cheapest resort in Camotes (as of my writing). Be aware that there are only a few resort/hotels in Camotes, so you have to book in advance when you are planning to go during peak season. (Accommodation’s in Camotes Island)

The habal-habal driver Kuya Edu offered us a tour in the island. He drove us to our hotel and he waited for us until 2PM for our island tour. We checked in to our room and took lunch at the resort. Food prices are very reasonable and staffs were very accommodating to us contrary to the reviews I’ve read in TripAdvisor. After lunch we take a dip in the beach water since we couldn’t afford not to with the view right in front of us. No offense to Boracay (I used to like it), but this paradise in Cebu brushed my Boracay epitome. With fine white sand like powdered milk, a clean and very clear water where you can see a colony of small fishes even in the bay side, and a not so populated, quiet, peaceful ambiance and virgin island, I definitely found a new place to spend my summer vacations. (The resort is in the beach front with the very breeze of Camotes Island)

After our short water dip, we head out of the resort for our tour. Kuya Edu introduce us the Timubo Cave, Mangodlong Rock Resort (which is a sister resort of Santiago Bay Garden and Resort) Lake Danao, Santiago Baywalk and Agoda Market. The price negotiation was settled immediately without further ado because I’ve already done my research before we got there about their actual pricing. (Transportation in Camotes) This is one of their major sources of income so please stop haggling to help them.

Lake Danao

Lake Danao

Timubo Cave

Timubo Cave is an underground cave that has a crystal clear water. While I was inside, I was like how the hell this thing happened? I’ve never been into a cave with this water as clear as the drinking water. We can’t avoid not to take a dip on the water. A lot of Koreans, Americans and fellow Filipinos were also their enjoying the water.

Fine white sand

The Mangodlong Rock Resort, a sister resort of Santiago Bay Garden and Resort is also a tourist destination with jet skies to enjoy and cottages on top of rocks. It is a must see. If you are staying in Santiago Bay resort, you don’t have to pay for the Php15 entrance fee to enter the place.

Local kid curious what the heck I'm doing. LOL!

Rock Cottage

Mangodlong Rock Resort Top View

After our stunning and unforgettable (and must be back again) experience, we get back to our hotel to take a quick rest and experience the inviting water from the pool overlooking the beach.



Please check my photoblog Illumination.

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