To get to Camiguin is very easy. If you’re from outside Misamis Oriental and coming in via the airport, airline carriers are offering flights daily from Manila to Cagayan de Oro (this is the usual entry point in going to Camiguin). Travel from Manila to Cagayan de Oro is one hour and a half. And if you’re from Manila it is better to board any first flight so you have ample time for the land travel to Baligoan Ferry Dock, which is normally about two hours max.
There are public utility jeepneys plying the route, fare is about 60 pesos. A much faster mode of transportation if you don’t have a private vehicle is the bus. Starting point is the Agora Bus Terminal and look for Air-conditioned buses going to Davao or Butuan fare is about 100 plus pesos (fares fluctuate depending on the whim of bus companies, they increase fare rate without announcement). If you find it hard to find these buses because it is your first time in the area, just ask around which bus is going by Balingoan and they will direct you to them, besides the bus terminal is not that huge so you’ll be okay.
Once you arrive in Balingoan (the Bus conductor will announce the arrival don’t worry), the Ferry Dock is just less than a minute away from the Bus Terminal, so if you don’t have heavy luggage you can just walk, or if you’re bringing your whole house with you, there are tricycles waiting just tell them you need to be at the Pier, fare is 5 pesos (although this might have increased by a peso or two by now), do not make the mistake of paying more (like someone I know who paid 50 pesos.
Once you’re at the dock, purchase your ferry tickets, about 125 pesos (this might have increased too). And wait for your Ferry (travel time is forty five minutes). Best time to travel to Camiguin by Ferry is early in the morning up to about nine AM. Later than this, the sea becomes so choppy and the waves can go up to ten feet high, depending on the weather. Makes sure to watch over your belongings all the time.
In Camiguin, you’ll dock at the Benoni Pier. There are jeepneys waiting, you can just hire one if you want privacy, or the ones plying the normal route , fare is about 35 pesos going to Mambajao. This is the normal drop off point for people visiting Camiguin. But there are resorts lining alongside the road going to Mambajao, you can just disembark along the way.
Once in Mambajo, you can find a lot of cheap accommodations, but some of them do not offer food so you need to eat outside.
In order to really see the beauty of Camiguin it is advisable to rent a single motorcycle and drive around the island, rent ranges between 200-300 pesos sans the driver. If you want to be driven around Camiguin’s tourist spots, rate is between 500-600 (one day). Just ask the front desk on how to contact establishments that offer motorcycles for rent because normally they have a ready contact. Just haggle the price.
If you hire a guide, they will bring you to the normal tourist spots plus you’ll get updated with the local happenings.
If you prefer to go around Camiguin by yourselves, better arm yourself with an island map, although since the whole of Camiguin is now accessible because of the newly concreted road, you won’t find any difficulty traversing the whole island in less than a day.
Going to the White Island
There’s a jump off point near Mambajao going to Catarman. Few establishments offer a boat ride going to the sandbar. And they charge a fixed rate (that time we were there it was around 450 pesos per boat, maximum of 10 persons). They will just drop you off then come back for you on your agreed time. Better to bring your own food because the locals manning makeshift stores there are charging pretty stiff rates for well, everything.
Finding an eatery is an experience in Mambajao, this way you can walk around like the locals and find good establishments, examples are coron-coron or the vjandep restaurant near the beach. For the tasty baked goods like the famous pastel, there’s the Original Vjandep bakeshop in the center of Mambajao market.
Before traveling to Camiguin, be sure to do some research online. You can find precious chronicles by people who have been there.
Showing posts with label camiguin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label camiguin. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Travel Destinations-Mindanao (Part I)
For those who travel and escape the humidity of Summer, yes, its that season once again. Below are some of the more popular destinations in Mindanao, Philippines:
1. Camiguin- just one hour and forty minutes travel from Cagayan de Oro City. Some of the Places to visit in Camiguin:
a. Cross Marker and Sunken Cemetery – Located in Bonbon, Catarman. The marker commemorates the sinking of a community located in the area due to the volcanic eruption in 1871.
b. Katibawasan Falls – a 250-feet falls pours ice-cold water to a man-made rock pool surrounded by ferns, orchids and other flora. I took a dip once and swore the water’s freezing, yes, even in summer.
c. Mantigue Island – a separate island from Camiguin of about 3 kilometers. Ideal for snorkeling and diving. When we were there were no cottages and sheds built, thus the entire island maintained its unsullied beauty. I hope it is still the same until now.
d. Ardent Hot Spring – it’s the locals version of hot spa. Located in Mambajao. There are picnic huts and tables surrounding the lagoon.
e. White Island – powdery sand takes your breath away. Only makeshift bamboo and palm sheds dot the stretch of white sand. Boats for hire ferry passengers to and from the main island. Of course you need to bring your own food, because based from experience the food they sell there are so expensive.
f. Cold Spring – located in Catarman, camiguin – with picnic huts and tables and facilities for visitors and tourists.
2. Cagayan de Oro City - located in Northern Mindanao, this city has daily one hour flights from Manila. Some of the Places to visit in Cagayan de Oro:
a. Malasag Eco-Tourism Village – established in the late 90s, this living museum showcases the different houses of the indigenous tribes of Northern Mindanao. The gardens include some of the beautiful flora and fauna. And the site offers a breathtaking view of Macajalar Bay, staffed by Lumads dressed in their traditional garb.
b. Macahambus Adventure Park – about 15 minutes away from the airport, offers a variety of things to do, such as a suspended bridge hanging between huge trees, rapelling down a gorge 120 meter down.
c. River rafting – the only river rafting destination in the Philippines with yearound navigable caourse ranging from Class II-III-IV estimated three hours run. Make sure to wear sports leggings because you don’t want your thighs to be sunburned. My friend Tee had extreme burns across her thigh for wearing skimpy shorts while rafting.
d. Tubing – if you don’t like paddling, you can try the pinoy-style river rafting where your guide will do the hard work of paddling for three hours while you enjoy the scenic Cagayan de oro River.
3. Bukidnon – situated in North Central Mindanao, much of the province is very fertile and on a high flat terrain. It always rains in Bukidnon, so if you’re there be sure to have a spare jacket or umbrella. Some Places to see while in Bukidnon:
a. Monastery of the Transfiguration – located in Malaybalay City designed by the late National Artist Leandro Locsin. What struck me was the ecumenical design of the altar. No statues, no distinguishing mark that would identify it as one religion. But what you see inside is one big rock, that serves as the altar. And of course, they have the Monk’s Brew. Locally grown coffee by the Benedictine Monks.
b. Mt. Kitanglad National Park – located in Sumilao with an area of 40,176 hectares, it features diversified flora and fauna. As with other National Parks, it has strict Park Rules that everyone is enjoined to follow.
c. Mangima canyon - located in Manolo Fortich, the zigzag road offers some scenic view of the mountainside.
d. Panyak cave – located in Sumilao, gave me my first experience of actually seeing stalactites and stalagmites up close.
e. Napalit Lake – located in Pangantucan, measures about 36 hectares with twenty four islets with varying sizes.
4. Davao – located at the Southeastern part of Mindanao with a land area of 2,443.61. this province is huge. Subsequently, roads are slightly bigger than the rest of the major cities in Mindanao.
a. Philippine Eagle Foundation – sanctuary of the world’s largest eagle located in malagos, calinan district.
b. Crocodile Park – it features giant crocodiles, snakes and colorful butterflies. With facilities for recreation and relaxation.
c. Pearl farm – located in Samal island, once a thriving resort where white, pink and gold pearls are cultured from oysters coming from Sulu.
1. Camiguin- just one hour and forty minutes travel from Cagayan de Oro City. Some of the Places to visit in Camiguin:
a. Cross Marker and Sunken Cemetery – Located in Bonbon, Catarman. The marker commemorates the sinking of a community located in the area due to the volcanic eruption in 1871.
b. Katibawasan Falls – a 250-feet falls pours ice-cold water to a man-made rock pool surrounded by ferns, orchids and other flora. I took a dip once and swore the water’s freezing, yes, even in summer.
c. Mantigue Island – a separate island from Camiguin of about 3 kilometers. Ideal for snorkeling and diving. When we were there were no cottages and sheds built, thus the entire island maintained its unsullied beauty. I hope it is still the same until now.
d. Ardent Hot Spring – it’s the locals version of hot spa. Located in Mambajao. There are picnic huts and tables surrounding the lagoon.
e. White Island – powdery sand takes your breath away. Only makeshift bamboo and palm sheds dot the stretch of white sand. Boats for hire ferry passengers to and from the main island. Of course you need to bring your own food, because based from experience the food they sell there are so expensive.
f. Cold Spring – located in Catarman, camiguin – with picnic huts and tables and facilities for visitors and tourists.
2. Cagayan de Oro City - located in Northern Mindanao, this city has daily one hour flights from Manila. Some of the Places to visit in Cagayan de Oro:
a. Malasag Eco-Tourism Village – established in the late 90s, this living museum showcases the different houses of the indigenous tribes of Northern Mindanao. The gardens include some of the beautiful flora and fauna. And the site offers a breathtaking view of Macajalar Bay, staffed by Lumads dressed in their traditional garb.
b. Macahambus Adventure Park – about 15 minutes away from the airport, offers a variety of things to do, such as a suspended bridge hanging between huge trees, rapelling down a gorge 120 meter down.
c. River rafting – the only river rafting destination in the Philippines with yearound navigable caourse ranging from Class II-III-IV estimated three hours run. Make sure to wear sports leggings because you don’t want your thighs to be sunburned. My friend Tee had extreme burns across her thigh for wearing skimpy shorts while rafting.
d. Tubing – if you don’t like paddling, you can try the pinoy-style river rafting where your guide will do the hard work of paddling for three hours while you enjoy the scenic Cagayan de oro River.
3. Bukidnon – situated in North Central Mindanao, much of the province is very fertile and on a high flat terrain. It always rains in Bukidnon, so if you’re there be sure to have a spare jacket or umbrella. Some Places to see while in Bukidnon:
a. Monastery of the Transfiguration – located in Malaybalay City designed by the late National Artist Leandro Locsin. What struck me was the ecumenical design of the altar. No statues, no distinguishing mark that would identify it as one religion. But what you see inside is one big rock, that serves as the altar. And of course, they have the Monk’s Brew. Locally grown coffee by the Benedictine Monks.
b. Mt. Kitanglad National Park – located in Sumilao with an area of 40,176 hectares, it features diversified flora and fauna. As with other National Parks, it has strict Park Rules that everyone is enjoined to follow.
c. Mangima canyon - located in Manolo Fortich, the zigzag road offers some scenic view of the mountainside.
d. Panyak cave – located in Sumilao, gave me my first experience of actually seeing stalactites and stalagmites up close.
e. Napalit Lake – located in Pangantucan, measures about 36 hectares with twenty four islets with varying sizes.
4. Davao – located at the Southeastern part of Mindanao with a land area of 2,443.61. this province is huge. Subsequently, roads are slightly bigger than the rest of the major cities in Mindanao.
a. Philippine Eagle Foundation – sanctuary of the world’s largest eagle located in malagos, calinan district.
b. Crocodile Park – it features giant crocodiles, snakes and colorful butterflies. With facilities for recreation and relaxation.
c. Pearl farm – located in Samal island, once a thriving resort where white, pink and gold pearls are cultured from oysters coming from Sulu.
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