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| the calm of Bantayan |
Bantayan is a beautiful island found in the northern part of Cebu. This is the best place to be if you love the beach, the laidback life, and seafood.
Two months ago, we visited Bantayan to chill and just enjoy a few days away from the hustle of the city. It is just three to four hours from Cebu City. From the North Bus Terminal, you need to take a bus to Hagnaya (P110). This will take you to the Hagnaya Port where you can take a boat to Santa Fe Port.
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| off to the boat |
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| to the boat! |
From the port, you can already see the nearby resorts. Room costs from P800 and up, depending on the size of the room and the amenities of the resort. If you're a budget traveler, you can definitely find quaint rooms or hostels in town. If you're after comfort however, you can always book a fancier room.
It would be ideal to book a week or so before your trip so you can find a room that you want. Because I wasn't able to prepare, we had to go resort-hopping. I know it was my mistake and that it could have been avoided. However, that #YOLO thing definitely made the entire trip memorable.
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| Mayet's Beach Resort |
We stayed at this little resort called Mayet's. We stayed in a room good for four people on the first night because it's the only one available that's within our budget. It costs P1,500 for a night with two beds, a toilet and bathroom, and an AC. Like I said, we already went resort hopping because I forgot to book a place. For the second night, we transferred to a smaller room for two with a toilet and bathroom and a fan. This room was only for P700 which was not bad.
To get around Bantayan Island, you can either get a tricycle driver to take you to tourist spots or rent a motorbike. Our motorbike costed us P350 for 24 hours. We rented it for two days during our entire trip and only gassed up once for our entire stay. It's pretty economical, especially if you want to go to somewhere at any given time. I suggest you shop around Santa Fe
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| our little wheeled friend |
Eating at restaurants in Santa Fe can be pretty pricey. Dishes go around from P200 up depending on the restaurant and the food. There are numerous of nice places to eat in Santa Fe filled with tourists. Since we were traveling on a budget, we settled for the usual carenderia (local small eatery) and some cheap barbecue. We bought fruits and some oatmeal for breakfast. We just asked for hot water from our resort to save more money. Our lunch or dinner would just be around P100 for two people.
When you're on a holiday, it's nice to drink and be merry. There are quite a few drinking places in Santa Fe. You can actually go to bars or just drink on little stores by the road. You can also just chill on the beach and have a drink or two. For nicer bars, expect to pay at least P200 per drink. The cheap route I went for was to buy a bottle at the local grocery store and take it to the resort.
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| Santa Fe |
I think Bantayan is a great place for both budget and splurging travelers. If you have the will, you can definitely find cheaper alternatives for your stay. You should not be picky though, if you have a slimmer budget. If you can splurge on AC rooms and nicer food, you'll have a nicer stay. However, I think Bantayan will still be an enjoyable place no matter what your budget is. Every corner is picturesque despite the Yolanda tragedy. The people are friendly and welcoming and there's nothing you can add more.
*photos taken with Pentax ME Super x Centuria DNP 400 (expired)*
