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| PHOTO: Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines |
Cebu is a prime destination in the Philippines for the past years, for both business and leisure travelers. In February 2016, world known National Geographic (NatGeo) considered Cebu as One of the Destinations to Backpack this 2016. Here's a snippet from the article:
"Cebu City can be a little overwhelming, but it does offer a jumping nightlife scene at least, especially in the trendy Lahug district. It’s also the jumping-off point for coastal hot spots all around the country’s ninth largest island. Outstanding diving awaits at Malapascua Island, off the north end of Cebu Island, and nearby Bantayan Island offers laid-back seaside resorts on pristine beaches."
One of the spots highlighted is Bantayan Island, an island located in the northernmost tip of Cebu mainland which is known for its massive white sand beaches and stunning crystal blue waters. It is composed of three towns: Sta. Fe, Bantayan and Madridejos.
How to get to Bantayan Island?
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| PHOTO: Map - Hong Kong to Cebu, Manila to Cebu via Mactan-Cebu International Airport |
Cebu By Air:
The Mactan-Cebu International Airport serves as the gateway to Cebu, Philippines. It serves both domestic and international flights daily. For international flights, you might consider below airlines and specified origins with direct flights going to Cebu:
INTERNATIONAL ORIGIN - AIRLINES
Hong Kong - Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific
Japan via Nagoya/Centrair - Philippine Airlines
Japan via Osaka-Kansai - Philippine Airlines
Japan via Tokyo/Narita - Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines
Malaysia via Kota Kinabalu - Air Asia
Malaysia via Kuala Lumpur - Air Asia
Papua New Guinea via Port Moresby - Air Niugini
Russia via Moscow-Sheremetyevo - **Orenair
Singapore - Cebu Pacific, SilkAir, TigerAir
South Korea via Busan - Air Busan, Jeju Air, Korean Air
South Korea via Seoul-Incheon - Air Asia, Asiana Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Jeju Air, Jin Air, Korean Air, Philippine Airlines
Taiwan via Taipei/Taoyuan - *China Airlines, **Far Eastern Air Transport
Thailand via Bangkok - *Cebu Pacific
*Seasonal Flight
**Charter Flight
For domestic origin, there are daily flights for major cities in the Philippines directly flying to/from Cebu, to name a few: Manila, Davao, Clark, Bacolod, Cagayan De Oro, Iloilo, Kalibo, Puerto Princesa, Zamboanga, General Santos, Surigao, Dumaguete and more. You may check the following airlines for available flights: Air Asia, Cebu Pacific Air, Philippine Airlines and TigerAir Philippines.
Cebu By Sea:
Port of Cebu is considered the busiest port in the Philippines in terms of annual passengers. You can take ferries or any sea transportation departing from big cities in the country like Manila, Bohol, Cagayan De Oro, Iloilo, Davao, Leyte, Surigao and Negros among many others.
Once you arrive in Cebu:
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| PHOTO: Cebu North Bus Terminal - Mandaue City |
Once you arrive in Cebu, head to Cebu North Bus Terminal (~30-minute taxi ride from the Mactan Cebu International Airport or 20-minute from the Port) and hop on a Hagnaya-bound bus, as Hagnaya is the port in northern Cebu where you will take a boat trip from Mainland to Bantayan Island. Depends on the traffic, it will be around 4 hours of bus ride going to Hagnaya. Below are the bus fares:
Ceres Bus Fare (One-way, Regular, Non-AirConditioned) - Php120
Ceres Bus Fare (One-way, AirConditioned) - Php160
There is an hourly trip for regular Ceres bus, while less frequent or schedule specific (3x a day) for the airconditioned one. Both bus trip will have a 10-15minute stop over in Carmen Cebu (this is known for Ceres Buses going northern Cebu route) for lunch/snack or restroom break.
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| PHOTO: Map - Cebu North Bus Terminal to Hagnaya Port to Sta. Fe Port, Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines |
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| PHOTO: Hagnaya Port, Bus Terminal - San Remigio, Cebu, Philippines |
Once you arrive in Hagnaya Port, go to the ticket center to purchase your Hagnaya-to-Sta. Fe ferry pass. Sta. Fe is your port of entry in Bantayan Island. Refer to below Boat/Ferry Schedule & Fare Rates of Lite Shipping, servicing Hagnaya to Sta. Fe and Vice Versa (Sta. Fe to Hagnaya).
Boat/Ferry Ticket Fare (one-way only):
Php170 Regular, Php185 AirConditioned
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| PHOTO: Hagnaya to Sta. Fe, vv - Boat/Ferry Schedule, Lite Shipping |
4 Things to Do in Bantayan Island, All in 1 Day
Traveler's Couch shares to you a 1-Day itinerary to make the most out of your day in Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines:
1. Morning Bike Ride from Sta. Fe to Bantayan Downtown
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| PHOTO: Bantayan Island - Bike Ride from Sta. Fe to Bantayan Town Proper |
Start your day with an exciting bike ride from Sta. Fe Downtown to Bantayan Downtown (11km Distance). For Php150, you can rent a bike for 24hrs usage. The most suggested route is a bike from Sta. Fe to Bantayan Downtown thru the main access road (straight route), which people shouldn't worry about since it's quiet, laid-back and rarely you see big cars/vehicles along the road but still be cautious. Mostly the route is on a flat road, with some uphill/downhill part. You can ask your hotel frontdesk staff to assist you in getting a bike for rent.
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| PHOTO: Bantayan Island - Sta. Fe to Bantayan Town Proper Bike Route |
Tips:
*Bring a bottled water with you (the bike has a front basket for carry-on bags & items), to help you keep going. :) Or you may get one from the locals' mini-store along the way, a chance to mingle with very nice residents of the island.
*Don't forget to take a photo of you with your bike in the town border, "Welcome to Bantayan" signage.
2. A Visit to Bantayan Downtown with Cebu's Oldest Parish Church - Saints Peter & Paul Church
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| PHOTO: Saints Peter & Paul Church - Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines |
After taking the 11-km bike ride, you can now explore Bantayan Downtown, home of Cebu's oldest Parish Church - Saints Peter and Paul Church. You can have a walk at the town plaza, seeing some well-preserved houses designed during the spanish colonization. The Bantayan Public Market is also a walking distance from the area.
PHOTO: Saints Peter & Paul Church - Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines
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| PHOTO: Inside Saints Peter & Paul Church (Interior) - Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines |
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| PHOTO: Bantayan Town Proper - Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines |
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| PHOTO: Bantayan Town Plaza - Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines |
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| PHOTO: Bantayan Town Proper - Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines |
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| PHOTO: Bantayan Public Market - Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines |
Tips:
*You can park your bike outside the church after getting in the main entrance at the right, there's a store nearby where you can ask a favor to look over for the bike while taking a walk at the town.
*You can only access Bank ATMs in Bantayan Downtown (none in Sta. Fe), might as well transact a withdrawal while in the town if you need more cash for your trip.
*When in the public market, try the fruit shakes as they come from fresh fruits harvested within the island.
*You may want to head back to Sta. Fe right after exploring the downtown, so you can proceed with your next exciting activity ;)
3. Resort Hopping in Sta. Fe
After heading back in Sta. Fe, this next activity might be the highlight of the day, Resort Hopping in Sta. Fe! One good thing about Bantayan Island is that there are nice resorts that aren't private, offering great white sand beaches with crystal blue waters within the vicinity without any resort fee or charges. That makes it possible to hop on different resorts in a day, by just walking on those pristine white sand beaches!
Based from distance, accessibility & attractiveness, here are Traveler's Couch' Top Beach Resort choices:
Budyong Beach Resort
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| PHOTO: Budyong Beach Resort - Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines |
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| PHOTO: Budyong Beach Resort - Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines |
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| PHOTO: Budyong Beach Resort - Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines |
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| PHOTO: Budyong Beach Resort - Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines |
Kota Beach Resort
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| PHOTO: Kota Beach Resort - Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines |
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| PHOTO: Kota Beach Resort - Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines |
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| PHOTO: Kota Beach Resort - Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines |
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| PHOTO: Kota Beach Resort - Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines |
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| PHOTO: Kota Beach Resort - Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines |
Marlins Beach Resort
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| PHOTO: Marlins Beach Resort - Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines |
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| PHOTO: Marlins Beach Resort - Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines |
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| PHOTO: Marlins Beach Resort - Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines |
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| PHOTO: Marlins Beach Resort - Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines |
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| PHOTO: Marlins Beach Resort - Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu |
Tips:
*You can park your bike inside Kota Beach Resort, near the entrance as there is a security personal on guard within the area.
*Kota Beach Resort & Marlins Beach Resort have restaurants with beachfront view, might as well take your lunch in any of the two. If you find it pricey, you can take lunch at the town proper which is few minutes walk.
*Budyong Beach Resort has native bamboo beach huts, while Marlins Beach Resort has more modern designed huts. Both are recommended for relaxation, but in terms of beach swimming, Kota Beach Resort is much recommended.
4. End the Day with a Romantic Sunset View
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| PHOTO: Sunset at Budyong Beach Resort - Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines |
One of the best ways to end the day in Bantayan Island - catch a sunset anywhere in the island but especially in any of the beaches and by far one of the best sunset views Cebu has to offer. Those orange hues kiss the vivid blue shades of the sea as the sun sinks slowly over the horizon.
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| PHOTO: Sunset at Budyong Beach Resort - Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines |
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| PHOTO: Sunset at Budyong Beach Resort - Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines |
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| PHOTO: Sunset at Budyong Beach Resort - Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines |
Tip: Budyong Beach Resort offers a much stunning sunset view than the other two mentioned resorts.
Here's a video about Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines:
[Watch in HD]
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