Tuesday, April 14, 2009

How to get to Bantayan

How to get there:

bantayan-island-transportation

From Cebu City, go to the NORTH BUS TERMINAL and scout for a bus to HAGNAYA PORT. Take the bus and tell the conductor to let you off at HAGNAYA PORT. This takes about 3 hours. You will alight to ride a TRICYCLE to the port for about 20 minutes. Ride the FERRY to BANTAYAN ISLAND, about 1-2 hours. Once you are there, either you ride the complementary shuttle your resort offers or ride tricycles to your resort of choice.
trike-to-hagnaya-port
30 mins    - CAB ride from Airport to North Bus Terminal = 120php
3 hours     - BUS RIDE = 80php pax
20 mins    - TRICYCLE RIDE = 10 - 20php pax
1-2 hours - FERRY = 10php - 120php pax + terminal fee of 10php

total:5-6 hours travel time, 240-350php
* there are 2 ferry lines to Bantayan Island from Hagnaya port, namely, Island and Shuttle. If you want to save 110 pesos, you have to be there when both ferries are there at the same time. The result is an unhealthy competition between the two ferries as one ferry will drop their fare to 10 pesos (We've been told that sometimes you can ride it for free). Why they do that, I really do not know.

Ferry-to-Bantayan-Island


Going back to Cebu proper:

Ask the locals what time the two ferries will have another "promo" and time your departure so you only need to pay 10 pesos for the ride. Once you arrive at HAGNAYA PORT, chaos will ensue. Taxi cabs will offer to take you to anywhere in Cebu city for the negotiable price of 1500php (I brought the price down to 500php for 5 people). Bus drivers of different bus companies will also compete for passengers. Note that the bus from there will not enter the NORTH BUS TERMINAL, so inform the conductor where you wish to alight.



TRANSPORTATION IN BANTAYAN ISLAND
To VIRGIN ISLAND
  • Locals will offer their services for as low as 600php-1200php for a round trip, whole day stay at Virgin Island.

around BANTAYAN
  • Locals will also offer tricycles to go to the market and other side trips on the way for around 150php, or for us, 30php pax. The tricycle can seat 6 people
  • Tricycle-at-Bantayan
  • Pedicabs and even motorcycles are also available. The price depends on your destination and bargaining skills.
  • Resorts offer MOUNTAIN BIKE (~150php per day) and MOTORCYCLE (250-350php per day) rentals. 

visit Wow Bantayan for more info. :)



TIPS:
1. One great source of information about a place is your CAB DRIVER. You can ask them basic words in the language/dialect of the town you are in, the must-see places, where to eat, where to shop, etc. They are sometimes friendly and most speak well in English (and Filipino) because there are used to tourists.

2. Bargain and you shall save a lot.

3. Avail of promos of Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines are lowering the fare of passengers without check-in baggage.

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