Travel Info
Getting to Bantyan is currently a little bit tricky but full details are below so follow them and you will have few problems and trust me it will be worth the effort. There are plans in the near future to reopen the airport and provide daily flights to the Bantayan Airport but this will take a few years at best. Clearly once that happens an hour flight to Cebu and then a 25min flight to Bantayan, or even a direct flight from manila to Bantayan around 45 mins - perfect. For now though follow the route and directions given below.
Flight or Super Ferry
From Manila take a flight to Cebu airport or catch the Super Ferry from Pier 15 at Manila Bay. The entrance to the pier is opposite Intramuros as you head down Roxas Boulevard. The flight takes an hour from the new international terminal but allow at least an hour and a half before your flight for check in as the new terminal is not so efficient yet. The Super Ferry takes approx 22 hours and asks that you check in four hours prior to your departure time but from experience people were still arriving two hours before departure so its your call. If in doubt contact Super Ferrys http://www.superferry.com.ph to check status. Flights are available from Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and many other companies. Google it to get best deals. Flights cost between P1500 to P5000 for a round trip and the earlier you book it the cheaper it becomes. Same applies for the Super Ferry fare. You can go budget where you share a dorm with about a million other people but you do get your own bed. Or at the top end you can book a private cabin which houses 4 people and if you're lucky you can find yourself with a cabin just for you. They have blankets, ensuite CR, shower and television. Far more comfortable than sharing a CR. Mid range is the tourist room where you share with just 8 people. For current rates and schedules visit the Super Ferry website. The luggage limits are: Flights 15kg with excess charged at P100 per kg over, and Super Ferry 30 kg and they didn't charge extra for fishing gear, guitar or motorbike helmet. Bargain.
Flight or Super Ferry
If you want to bring your vehicle you can RORO (Roll On Roll Off) and ship it over on the Super Ferry. Motorbikes cost P2000 - P3000 depending on size and weight and there are duties to pay in Cebu but these are about P250 at the police clearance and P50 at the Port clearance. To get it scheduled on the Super Ferry you have to take it to pier 15 the day before it is scheduled to sail as early as possible. They open at 9am. Make sure you have the original OR in your name and a photocopy for them or there could be problems. Make sure you leave plenty of gas in the bike or vehicle as the dockers have to load vehicles and will leave behind any that won't start. Then once you have collected your vehicle you can drive to Hagnaya. At Hagnaya you can pay for RORO again and the motorbike cost P200 including passenger. There are Petron stations along the route where you can refill. The most direct route is Cebu City - Mindaue - Consalacion - Liloan - Compostela - Danao City - Carmen - Panalipan - Catman - Sogod - Ilihan - Bogo - San Remigio - Hagnaya Port.
Bus or Taxi
Once you arrive at either Cebu International Airport or Cebu International Port you can get a bus to the port of Hagnaya. Depending on your budget you can take the air-conditioned or cheaper non air-conditioned bus and it will take about 3 hours with a toilet break in the middle. Part of the journey follows the coast road so expect to enjoy some good views. The Ceres liner service is fully air conditioned and the service runs from Cebu North Terminal with buses running approx every half an hour. Alternatively take a taxi but this will cost you a whole lot more. You can negotiate a price and it will range between P1800 to P2500 which sounds a lot but the journey is just over 2 and a quarter hours and if four of you share the journey its quite reasonable. The drivers will argue they have to come back to Cebu once they drop you off but don't be fooled by this as they nearly always get a return fare from Hagnaya so haggle strongly. If they refuse to negotiate try another one.
Another possibility for getting to Hagnaya from Cebu which is undoubtedly the most comfortable and especially if you are in a big group is the AC mini van which is run by Famingo Rent-A-Car IncArceli 'Archie' Nadela who is based at Mactan airport and regularly operates runs for Ticketyboo Beach Resort so this is one company that will look after you. The price is a very reasonable P1700 each way similar to a taxi but of course you can fit 6 people in it so the cost per person equates to less than P300 each way. Bargain. Archie's contact details are:
Flamingo Rent-A-Car Inc.
Arceli 'Archie' Nadela Tel: (032) 516 3447 Mobile: 0926 903 5987
Hagnaya Port
Future plans for Bantayan Island will be to provide an air-conditioned service to Hagnaya from Cebu City. There is also talk that the direct Fast Cat from Cebu International Port to Bantayan Island will be reopened in the near future. Until then, this is the only way to get there. But you won't be sorry you made the effort and hopefully the next time you visit these plans will already be in place. Once you get to Hagnaya you can get a ferry to make the hour and a half crossing to Bantayan Island. Be aware that when you arrive in Hagnaya the porters will be looking to hussle you to carry your luggage onto the ferry which most likely is not at the port yet. It can be a bit overpowering but just say no firmly until they leave you alone. Its useful to use one if you can afford the tip fee which is anything from P20 to P50. They will look for more but don't be badgered into given more as its a good rate for what takes them 2 mins!
Current times of ferries from Hagnaya to Santafe are:
Morning
5am
6.30am
9.30pm
11.30am
Afternoon
1.30pm
3.30pm
6pm
As of July 9 2009 the current cost per crossing is P135
Current times Santafe to Hagnaya
(To be updated)
The Supercat Ferry is no longer running which can do the journey in 45 mins but there are plans to get this reinstated as well.
If you get stuck at the port with no crossings rather than sit for hours at the terminal why not find the cosy little cafe that is on the hill as you head out of Hagnaya about 100m from the terminal. Its on the right hand side up a few steps and run by two nice local girls. Prices are cheap and you can escape the local bubble of porters and dusty lorries. Well worth a visit.
Getting To Your Resort
Once you arrive at Bantayan Island port you will be once again engulfed by a wave of porters looking to help you to the local taxi rank. This though WILL be the last unnerving moment you encounter on the island. Not that you will find a taxi though as pedicabs are the norm driven by local lads. Its so relaxing and reassuring as the pedicab cycles to your resort destination. Most resorts will send their own transport to collect you off the ferry so check when you book and request this service. If this is the case politely refuse help from the porters and wait for your porter to appear with your name. All resorts in Bantayan Island are spaced around the port (see map of the island) so the journey will take no more than 10 - 15 mins unless you are staying at Maia which is a bit further. Normal fees for a pedicab to your resort is P20 for 2 people and then add on P10 per case. So for 2 of you with 2 suitcases and 2 hand luggage P40 will be ample. The good thing about this ride is it gives you time to soak your first impression of Bantayan Island. The only time things are different here is if you are coming during holy week or the January Sinulog celebrations when it will be manic.
Stop Over In Cebu
A word of warning. The last current scheduled ferry to Bantayan Island with Island Shipping runs at 5.30pm. So you will be stranded in Hagnaya for the night if you arrive after this time. Therefore if you take the Super Ferry and arrive in the evening (as they do for every sailing apart from Sundays which arrives at 7am on a Monday) then you will be in Cebu for a night. This is not too much of a problem as there are loads of budget places available to stay close by. Pension mansions costs from P700 a night (fan room prices in January 2009) and is only 10 mins from the port positioned close to Mango Square, a popular bar and restaurant area. Alternatively head for IT park where there is a load of classy food places. Mooon is a fantastic Mexican themed restaurant with authentic Mexican food distinguishable by its many rotating fans on the ceiling and roof to floor windows. Here the prices are good. A good meal for 2 with drinks will cost P400 - P800 and is worth every peso. They serve a draft table pump to your table to self serve which was great. Minimum order is 4 beers. And you get to choose which of the San Miguels you prefer. Or head for Ayala's Cebu Development which is also close by. Plenty of choice for food and entertainment there.
Fancy a Trip to ILOILO?
There are two known shipping companies that offer ferry services from Cebu to Iloilo. Information on these can be found below but its always worth checking with the companies directly as times and schedules can alter without notice.
Transasia Shipping
Transasia have a ticketing office on the ground floor in SM Mall Cebu Recreational Site. The cheapest ticket available each way is currently (August 2009) P660. The good thing with this company is there is a free shutle service which operates from the Travel Lodge situated next door to SM on the same site (no more than 50m from the SM entrance) Here you can pay P30 to leave your luggage while you strol around SM and the shuttle leaves at 4pm (be back there at 3.30pm) The Ferry sails at 6pm overnight and rolls in to Iloilo between 7-8am depending on weather conditions. They only operate on certain days of the week so check the schedule carefully. That means of course that the return will follow suit. Usually one day to go there and the return comes back the following day etc.
Cokaliang Shipping
Details about Cokaliang to follow
Want To Get To Bantayan From Bacolod?
You can get a bus from the North Terminal (There is a South Terminal and they are 4km apart so make sure you are at the right one.)
Useful Sites & Information About Bantayan
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Travel Info
