Bantayan Island: Paradise of Cebu

Year 2010 when I noticed about this PISO(1 peso) seat sale of Cebu Pacific Airline that really thrilled me. Due to my curiosity, I started searching the truth about this promo and how it really works. Eventually I started learning about the right booking process added with some cup of patience and voila I gained my first successful booking of roundtrip Piso Fare for 8 pax Manila-Cebu-Manila. It’s the best economical way to travel outside Luzon for shoestring traveler like us. (For more booking tips on Cebu Pacific Seat Sale promo, pls. click here)   I personally heard a lot of good things about the famous Queen City of the South its rich culture and beautiful beaches that’s why choosing Cebu as our first Visayas travel really excites us because we know that a new discovery adventure awaits us; the right time to level up our travel!


After some planning and discussion, we come up with the idea of exploring Bantayan Island and Cebu City for 4 days. Bantayan Island is located west off the Northern tip of Cebu province. It is a notable tourist destination in Cebu because it boasts of long stretch of white sand powder beach and azure calm water.  One can reach Bantayan Islands by 3 to 4 hours bus ride from Ceres bus terminal. If you’re coming from Mactan International Airport you can hire a taxi that will take you to North Bus terminal (near SM Cebu) for about 150 to 200 pesos. Bus fare from North bus terminal to Hagnaya port is about 100 to 120pesos for air-conditioned buses and 70 for ordinary. Once disembark at Hagnaya Port get some ticket for an hour of Ro-Ro ride all the way to Sta. Fe wharf. After docking expect hounding porters that will insist to carry your luggage and just give them a courteous “no” if you’re not getting their service. Outside the port you can hire a trike to your preferred hotel accommodation.


Accommodation in Bantayan Island is not a problem because hotel and inns are lined-up just along the stretch of white beach. We preferred staying at Budyong Beach resort because of its budget friendly rate and good reviews on the web. The resort offers fan and air-conditioned rooms ranging from 500pesos to 2,200pesos for up to 8 pax.  Located almost right in the middle of everything, BBR offers beachfront huts in the middle of several coconut trees that both affordable and convenient for the tourists. Each hut has a small front porch with a wooden bench and table great for relaxation. Around lunch time when we finally reached the place and after settling our things in our room we’ve met Eddie, resort staff that is so friendly and approachable. He is always ready to attend our needs and even offered fresh coconut juice to drink while giving us ideas on how we can enjoy our stay in Bantayan Island. He even arranged our boat for island tour in Virgin Island. So if you’re on a budget and wants to have a complete relaxation near the Beach of Bantayan Island, Budyong is a recommendable place. 


Here are some shots taken at Budyong Beach Resort:

cottage with CR good for 8

scenic view that will greet you in the morning

For more Hotel Accommodation in Bantayan Island, here is the list:


Kota beach resort  
 Tel. +63-2-6647266  (Manila line) ;  +63-32-410-7069 (Cebu Globelines)  
+63917-626-2242 (GlobeCell) ; +63922-852-5150 (SunCell)


Beach Placid 
+63-32-318-6807       
Mobile: 0917-722-2993


Ogtong Cave 
Telephone: +63-032-438-0165 & 438-9129; +63-32-438-0165/438-9129
Mobile: +63-920-899-9456      


Sugar Beach 
+639217755058


For more Accommodation choices in Bantayan Island check out this website of WowBantayan. It’s really a big help for your planning. 

Before heading home try not to miss visiting old churches in town like the St. Peter & St. Paul Church and Bantayan church which is one of the oldest churches in the country built on 1580, destructed by fire but rebuild afterwards. 

Inside Bantayan Church

Our trip to Bantayan Island is an awesome experience especially on the 3rd day of our stay where we fully enjoyed the beach and the resort from waking up in the morning to witness the sunrise until the rain started to pour in the afternoon. The beach at dusk was so surreal when blue sky gradually turned into dark rain clouds and found ourselves playing in the rain. It was a magnificent moment we will never forget. So if your planning to visit Queen City of the South try dropping by to Bantayan Islands, and it's worth visiting this paradise.

For additional information please check this helpful sites:

http://www.budyong.net/

www.wowbantayan.com

Continuation of our Bantayan Island Advenute here