Camotes Island: Weekend Travel Itinerary

This beautiful island captivated our hearts offering more than just a typical beach getaway. We spent two days and one night all fulfilled and still longing to go back for another laid back holiday adventure.

We challenged ourselves to enjoy our weekend escapades and travel on a budget allocating a certain amount for this spontaneous trip.

For this weekend bucket list we are exploring the Island of Camotes found in the Queen City of the South, worth discovering and yet deserves to be featured and highlighted.

The Island of Camotes offers a range of activities boasting its white sand beaches, the well maintained huge beautiful caves, their diving cliffs with a fascinating lake and the hospitable locals residing in this paradise Island.

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HOW TO GET TO CAMOTES Island

Travel from Cebu city to Danao Port

Options: PUV's includes Jeepney and Buses, Vans or Taxi Cabs.

We opted to ride the PUV or Jeepney along Mandaue Highway – Php 30.00
Alternatively you can go straight to:

North Bus Terminal - choose either mini buses or the reliable yellow buses Php 35.00
SM City Terminal - ride the Air-Conditioned Vans – Php 50.00 sends you to Danao market. Walking distance to Danao port.

Travel time is 30 minutes to 1 hour

Ferry Ride via JOMALIA Shipping from

Danao to Camotes

RORO type ferry accommodating 200+ passengers
Sends you from Danao to the main Island at Consuelo port of Camotes.
Ticket prices:

Php 180.00 – Economy
Php 200.00 – Air-condition

Schedule:

Morning - 5:30, 8:00 11:00
Afternoon: 2:00
Travel Time: 3 – 4 hours

We initially thought of buying two-way tickets but they did not allow anyone since we were traveling during peak season, first come first serve rule applies.

ACCOMMODATION

Bano Backpackers

Contact: +63 905 771 3332
Rate: Php 800 Fan Room good for 2 pax/Night (around Php 100 for additional person)
Food servings starts at Php 65.00

This beach is located around 20minutes ride from Santiago Bay, a secluded part in Camotes situated in Barangay Palasan.

Only a few hostels are available in this area and the Island front is all yours.

In this spot we have appreciated the serenity of everything, internet signal is at 2G, no music playing and the area is surrounded by lots of plants and trees particularly coconuts.

When In CAMOTES

Bring enough Cash since there’s no ATM available
Hire Motorcycles for Php50.00 or haggle down to Php30.00 during off peak.
Avail of Day tour offerings from the drivers offering different services once you arrive in Consuelo Port
Motorcycle drivers can also give you suggestions what to do and where to go.
Either you can rent motorcycles, mini cabs for whole day plans.
Tents can also be set up at the Public beach in Santiago bay costing around Php 50-100 and Php 150 - 200 for the cottages.

WEEKEND ITINERARY

1^St DAY

Morning

6:00 - Call time at Jolibee Highway Mandaue / Breakfast

6:30 – Travelled Mandaue City to Danao via Jeepyney ride

7:10 – Arrived at Danao Port and purchase tickets (queing still for month of May)

8:00AM – Ferry departure from Danao to Consuelo port in Camotes

Observe somewhere in the middle of the trip with luck and favorable weather that dolphins would show up to welcome everyone to the lovely Island.

Afternoon

12:30 Arrived at our accommodation in Palasan and we ate our Lunch

1:30 – Motorcycle driver pick us up for our afternoon Island tour

Motorcycle Fee: Php 500.00 - good for 2 pax, whole day rental of the vehicle

Entrances and fees apply for some establishments that we visited

5:00 – Rested in Santiago Bay for the Sunset Viewing

Evening

7:00 – Barbeque dinner along the eateries lined up in the Bay

8:00 – went back to accommodation for shower and rest.

10:30 – Went back to Santiago Bay for a free Live Reggae Band show

2^nd DAY

5:00 Sunrise Viewing

Breakfast at our accommodation

Whole morning swimming

Fun Pictorial

2:00 PM – Head back to Consuelo port to avail of tickets heading back to Danao

EXPENSES

CAMOTES 2015
2 Days 1 Night
Accommodation		330
Travel Expenses
Jeepney Fare B&F	60	820
Boat Fare B&F & Terminal Fee	410
Other Travel exp in camotes area	200
Taxi	150
Food		415
Day Tour & Entrances		500

TOTAL	PESOS	2,065.0
Budgetted for a group of 3pax