CAPTIVATING CAMOTES!
This trip was part of my 7-day CEBU-DAPITAN-DIPOLOG tour
April 16-17, 2015
Legend has it that Spaniards who arrived here came upon some natives farming. When asked what the island’s name was, the natives replied “camotes” (sweet potatoes), thinking they were being asked what they were harvesting. This is just one of the charming things about the Camotes Islands.
The Camotes Islands are made up of the islands of Pacjian,Ponson, Poro and Tulang. Collectively, they are called “The Lost Horizon in the South” because of their unspoiled beauty. And once you sink your toes into the fine white sand here, it’s easy to see why. Beaches like Santiago Bay and Mangodlong, with glistening waters and relaxed shores, are excellent places to swim and sunbathe undisturbed. Source: http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/ |
HOW TO GET THERE:
1. Catch a bus bound for Danao port in North bus terminal (Cebu). The earlier the better, I mean if you will be there around 8am, you are going to have a big problem. I believe there are also vans going there in SM Cebu. 2. Ride a boat/roro bound for Consuelo port, Camotes. The trip will take you more than 2 hours. 3. Meet your tour guide at the part. If you do not have yet, don't you worry, there are a lot of tour guides there. Here's the schedule of roro FYI: Jomalia Shipping Corporation Danao to Consuelo Daily Departure 5:30am 8:30am 11:00am 2:00pm 5:30pm 9:00pm Consuelo to Danao Daily Departure 4:00am 5:30am 9:00am 1:00pm 3:00 pm 5:00pm |
HABAL-HABAL (MOTORCYCLE) TOUR
We arrived there around 2pm. We checked in first at our room accommodation. From that time, we're supposed to start our tour already but we asked the tour guide that we wanted to eat first. About 500m away from the hostel, the famous restaurant by Santiago beach, SUTOKIL, lies. We ordered for pork sinigang, shrimp and rice for lunch. While waiting fr the food, we took pictures of the place. It's a PARADISE and there's only few people around. That's just because it was a freakin' hot afternoon during that time. It was also a weekday, so according to our tour guide, there's only few tourists. I wish I could have spent a weekend night there. |
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#1 LUNCH @ SUTOKIL
#2 MANGODLONG BEACH
I so love this beach. White sand and there are many good spots for picture taking. Unfortunately, we were not able to swim because it was so hot. Entrance fee: P20 |
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#3 LAKE DANAO PARK
This place has a peaceful ambiance. You can just simply sit on one of the benches there and look at the lake. Entrance fee: P30 |
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#4 TIMUBO CAVE
As what I have read on other blogs, after swimming and visiting the beaches, you can wash up here. Aside from the cave adventure, spelunking as what they say, there is a freshwater spring inside. You can take a dip and swim with its cold water. Entrance fee: P25 |
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#5 BUHO ROCK RESORT
I considered this as one of my favorite parts in my Camotes trip. Aside from witnessing a magnificent sunset, I was able to do the famous activity here, the CLIFF DIVING/JUMPING. I only jumped twice because I was thinking of my safety and it was already late in the afternoon. Entrance fee: P20 |
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After the habal-habal (motorcycle) tour. We went back to the hostel to rest. At 7pm, we went to the beach, it's just few steps away from our room, and walked along it. Hearing the sound of waves, sitting on the sand, watching the stars from the wide sky, talking about anything under the stars (in ENGLISH) and listening to some songs made our night in Camotes. We headed back to Sutokil at 9pm for our dinner. Walked again on the sand, swim a bit, washed up and slept.
SANTIAGO BEACH TOUR
The next day, I woke up early and jogged by the beach. Santiago beach is not that long compared to Boracay and Puerto Galera but it made me feel tired and sweat a lot after finishing four rounds.
Swimming was next and picture taking as well. We ate brunch around 10am but we opted to eat in the restaurant beside it. At 11am, we went back to Consuelo port and waited for the next roro bound for Danao. |
Travelling to Camotes is really worth it!
ACCOMMODATION:
You may want also to stay in PAYAG RESORT. The resort has simple rooms only, yet it is beachfront. They also offer food for their guest but we have not tried it. Please contact 0922 712 5542
TOUR GUIDE:
Please please please, if you are a solo backpacker or 2 pax only, please get the service of KUYA WILBES. It would really help him. This is only his source of income, and I can't imagine, what if he does not have any tour on a certain day. He is still young, a quiet person and a kind one. For just P600, you may also give a tip, you can already visit some tourist spots in Camotes. You may contact him through 0949 376 0511.
EXPENSES:
Breakfast 100
Taxi to North Terminal 130
Bus to Danao 30
Snack 40
Roro and Environmental fees 185
Room 400 (P800)
Lunch at Sutokil 150
Tour (habal-habal) 300 (P600)
Drinks 60
Entrance fee: Mangodlong beach 20
Entrance fee: Lake Danao 30
Entrance fee: Cave 25
Entrance fee: Buho Rock 20
Dinner 150
TOTAL 1640
Day 2
Milo 12
Souvenir 120
Brunch 150
Habal habal back to the port 50
Roro and terminal fee 220
Side car to the Van terminal 10
Van to SM Cebu 50
Baggage counter 30
Dinner 150
TOTAL 792
You may want also to stay in PAYAG RESORT. The resort has simple rooms only, yet it is beachfront. They also offer food for their guest but we have not tried it. Please contact 0922 712 5542
TOUR GUIDE:
Please please please, if you are a solo backpacker or 2 pax only, please get the service of KUYA WILBES. It would really help him. This is only his source of income, and I can't imagine, what if he does not have any tour on a certain day. He is still young, a quiet person and a kind one. For just P600, you may also give a tip, you can already visit some tourist spots in Camotes. You may contact him through 0949 376 0511.
EXPENSES:
Breakfast 100
Taxi to North Terminal 130
Bus to Danao 30
Snack 40
Roro and Environmental fees 185
Room 400 (P800)
Lunch at Sutokil 150
Tour (habal-habal) 300 (P600)
Drinks 60
Entrance fee: Mangodlong beach 20
Entrance fee: Lake Danao 30
Entrance fee: Cave 25
Entrance fee: Buho Rock 20
Dinner 150
TOTAL 1640
Day 2
Milo 12
Souvenir 120
Brunch 150
Habal habal back to the port 50
Roro and terminal fee 220
Side car to the Van terminal 10
Van to SM Cebu 50
Baggage counter 30
Dinner 150
TOTAL 792