Bantayan Island

Admittedly a big big big fan of Cebu, I have yet to discover places outside of the city and its nearby surroundings. Luckily, I got the chance to visit Bantayan Island last August with a couple of my good friends who are all based in Cebu.

Bantayan is an island in the Philippines located at the western portion of the northern tip of Cebu Island. It is politically a part of the Province of Cebu. (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bantayan_Island)

How to get to Bantayan:

From Cebu City, you can take a public bus to Hagnaya Wharf (takes about 2.5 to 3 hours). Or, you can do it like me and hitch a ride with your friends who abhor taking the public transport hehehe.

From the Wharf, you will have to take a one-hour or so ferry to Bantayan Island. The cost is very minimal for the ferry ride...only Php 180 (US$ 4) per way (non airconditioned which is fine since it is very breezy on the passenger deck). To book a hotel, you can either book through one of the numerous websites available (just google it) or just go there first to check out the hotel and book on the spot (do not do this during Easter Week as it is impossible for one to get a room during this period unless you pre book)

Bantayan Island, to me, is how I imagine what Boracay Island looked like in its early years before commercialism took over the Island. As they say, pictures paint a thousand words...

Ferry Schedules posted on the board

The Ro-ro (ferry) which can accommodate cargo and vehicles on its berth and passengers on the upper deck.

The postcard worthy scene that welcomes you as you approach Bantayan Island.

The resort where we stayed at. An air-conditioned room for four would cost like Php 1,800 (US$ 40) per night (includes 2 double beds and a day bed). My apologies as I forgot to take pictures of the room.

You can arrange with the resort to prepare you your meals and taken at one of the numerous beach front huts that surround the resort. We were spending like Php 1,000 (US$ 22) per meal for a group of 8 people.

Perfect for strolling alone on the beach...

....or with your special someone!

If you want a no fuss, low cost vacation in one of the cleanest and safest beaches in the Philippines, then go to Bantayan Island where people's smiles are still at its sincerest form.