Haloi lovely people!
What have you guys been doing these days? Work? Class? Istambay?
Nahhh... break the routine and get yourself moving...
Check out Camotes!
I am pretty sure that you have heard about the beauty of the place, saw pictures of it from your friend's or colleague's Facebook or Instagram page and wondered how to get there.
Well, here is my simple guide on how to get to the Enchanting islands and experience their laid back beauty.
A brief background of the place and things to consider
- Camotes is a group of islands located east of Cebu. The three main islands are Poro, Pacijan and Ponson. Of the three islands, the commonly visited ones are the Poro and Pacijan due to their accessibility.
- One thing to consider when visiting the Islands is that although there are good resorts already, the place is not yet that developed where you might need to bring personal consumable items from mainland Cebu.
- Usual mode of transportation in the Islands is the Habal2x or Motorbikes for rent. For groups multicabs (Small Jeepneys) can be hired.
- Mobile signal is weak on the islands so expect that there are areas where you might not have one. Experience wise, Globe telecom probably has the better signal coverage in the area compared to the others.
- Some Beach Resorts do have WiFi but because of the weak mobile signals in the area, they are pretty much useless at times.
- The islands are very laid back, so if you want to be truly at peace with nature, you can expect resort areas would be quiet already after 8PM.
- Don't forget to bring your cameras, your beach wears, your sunglasses and of course, your sunscreens.
Ready na ka? Let's go!
1. Starting Point
From any part of Cebu, get a Jeepney or a Taxi to the North Bus Terminal (NBT). The easiest way to get to the North Bus Terminal using a Jeepney would be to get to SM City,Cebu then close to it's left side entrance, take the 01K number coded Jeep.
*Update: Oceanjet fastcrafts now have daily trips from Cebu City's Pier 1 to Camotes. Please see the schedule update below.
Note: if you are familiar
with the area of the bus terminal you may opt to go for a Jeepney, but
if you are not, I would suggest that you take the taxi for convenience
of travel.
From any part of Cebu, get a Jeepney or a Taxi to the North Bus Terminal (NBT). The easiest way to get to the North Bus Terminal using a Jeepney would be to get to SM City,Cebu then close to it's left side entrance, take the 01K number coded Jeep.
2. Arrival at North Bus Terminal (NBT)
Arrival at the bus terminal can be a crazy chaotic thing. If you are not
familiar with the how's and what's in the terminal, there will be so many
people who would go after you(asking you where you'll be going), so make sure to keep your cool. STOP,THINK, and LOOK for buses that would go through Danao Sea port.
Most if not all buses do pass the port, however for an added safety, I recommend that you take the Ceres buses. Ask the Ceres bus drivers and conductors if they will pass the port while they are parking and they would be happy to help. Buses in the terminal will have signboards on them for their destinations.
Vans for hire (V-Hire) are also available that would also pass the port however I don't recommend taking them for safety and convenience specially if you have bags with you.
Most if not all buses do pass the port, however for an added safety, I recommend that you take the Ceres buses. Ask the Ceres bus drivers and conductors if they will pass the port while they are parking and they would be happy to help. Buses in the terminal will have signboards on them for their destinations.
Vans for hire (V-Hire) are also available that would also pass the port however I don't recommend taking them for safety and convenience specially if you have bags with you.
*I have nothing against other Bus companies and I'm not advertising the Ceres bus liner. I am just comfortable riding their buses at the same time I feel safe with the way their buses are maintained.
Danao Sea Port is located right beside the highway. If you are from Cebu City it's gonna be at the right side of the road. I would suggest that when you take the Bus, you stay at the right side seats so will not miss it, at the same time if you like seeing seaside views you will have a chance of it on the way.
The port is not big so once you get to the entrance you can easily see the ticketing counters for the Ferry and the Pump boats plying the Camotes Islands.
- Jomalia Ferries will dock at "Consuelo port" which is the closest to where the good resorts and nice beaches are.
Schedule:
| DANAO CITY TO CONSUELO, CAMOTES | ||
Vessel
|
Departure
|
Day
|
MV MIKA MARI
|
05:30 AM
|
DAILY
|
MV MIKA MARI VI
|
08:30 AM
|
DAILY
|
MV MIKA MARI
|
11:30 AM
|
DAILY
|
MV MIKA MARI III
|
02:30 PM
|
DAILY
|
MV MIKA MARI VI
|
05:30 PM
|
DAILY
|
| CONSUELO, CAMOTES TO DANAO CITY | ||
| Vessel | Departure | Day |
| MV MIKA MARI | 05:30 AM | DAILY |
| MV MIKA MARI III | 08:30 AM | DAILY |
| MV MIKA MARI VI | 01:30 PM | DAILY |
| MV MIKA MARI | 02:30 PM | DAILY |
| MV MIKA MARI III | 05:00 PM | DAILY |
Fare rates:
- RJR and Ave Maria Pump Boats will dock at "Poro port" which is quite far from the known resorts and beaches in the islands.
5:30AM Ouano Port to Poro Ave Maria pumpboat
10:30AM Danao Port to Consuelo RJR pumpboat
*Update: Oceanjet Fastcraft now has daily trips to Camotes
Schedule:
Cebu - Camotes
6:00AM Pier 1 to Poro / 3:00PM Pier 1 to Poro
4. No Sweat! Arrival at Consuelo Port
Once you arrive at Consuelo Port, there will be a lot of Habal2x (Motorbikes for hire) waiting, lining up, as well as "multicabs - small jeepneys" you can take for groups. Don't give in to pressure when asked by them where to go.
*itravelskiks recommends that if you have not made prior bookings with a resort to stay and is not sure where to go next once on the Island, that you hid down to "Santiago Bay". Have the driver drop you off at "Santiago Bay Garden and Resorts" entrance. Once you are there, you can check out the resort and their room rates, however if you want cheaper ones, take a short walk down the road and you will be able to find one.
5. Where to go and What to do in Camotes
The islands are famous for their unspoiled beaches as well as a number of caves. Unfortunately, due to the distance between them and the usual mode of transportation used, going to all those places might be a little tiring for a single day trip. Also, consider that if you will be taking a Habal2x going to places, it can sometimes be very hot.
*itravelskiks recommends that if you are going to the island for relaxation, you stay at the Santiago Bay area and enjoy the beautiful beach, the sunrise and the sunsets.
*You can get affordable but amazingly good meals on Carenderias-(Local Restaurants) along the Santiago Bay beach area.
What are you waiting for???
Larga Na!!!
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