I've been to Cebu a couple of times already but in my past visits I haven't spent my entire stay in Cebu. I am mostly in Cebu for a layover for Bohol so I wasn't able to really explore this beautiful province properly. Fortunately this year, I, along with my husband and two of my younger siblings are able to come back to Cebu for a proper tour. We are able to visit the Island of Bantayan in the north and Moalboal in the South.
It is pretty exhausting traveling from the north to the south. Traffic is unforgiving and bus transfers is quite a hassle. However, all the tiring travel is worth it because I have not been in so much awe as I have been in the places we visit. Also I find the people in the farther provinces of Cebu are more hospitable and friendly (it's probably due to the laid back island living).
Another thing that we enjoy during our visit is the food. We get to try out different food places with different price points. Our short visit to Cebu is fulfilling to both the eyes and stomach.
How to get to Bantayan Island:
- Go to Cebu North Bus Terminal. From Cebu North Bus Terminal, ride a bus or van bound for Hagnaya. Hagnaya is where the port is located. Travel Time is approximately 3 hours (but if you travel at dawn by van travel time is approximately 2 - 2.5 hours). Van fare is P170.
- From Hagnaya Port, board a ferry bound to Santa Fe Port in Bantayan. Travel time is approximately one hour. Ferry ticket cost P185. Terminal fee is P10.
There is also a bus going directly to Santa Fe, Bantayan but once you arrive in Hagnaya you will still need to get off your bus to buy the ferry ticket and pay for the terminal fee. The bus fare doesn't include the ferry ticket so you need to purchase it separately. (If you prefer the van like we did, I cannot give the exact location of the V-Hire terminal because it was only by chance that we ended up riding the van. It just so happens that there is a van right outside the bus terminal so we get on it instead. As per this article, Onecebu Info, there are V-hires in the North Bus Terminal.)
Upon arrival at Santa Fe port, you will need to pay environmental fee of P10 through the tourism officers.
Scooter rental is the best mode of transportation in Bantayan. Scooter rental ranges from P250 - P300.
How to get to Moalboal from Bantayan Island:
- Ride the ferry at Santa Fe port bound for Hagnaya port. Ferry ticket costs P185. You will also pay Terminal fee of P10 twice so that's a total of P20.
- There are buses and vans bound for Cebu City waiting at the exit of the port. Van fare is P180.
- You can drop off at SM City Cebu where the vans usually drops off passengers or you can tell the van driver to drop you off at the North Bus Terminal whichever you prefer. (We get off at SM City Cebu because we have decided to take our lunch there before traveling to Moalboal).
- Ride a jeep (or in our case taxi) going to the Cebu South Bus Terminal or to Librando Bus Terminal. If you prefer the Cebu South Bus Terminal you can catch a bus bound to Moalboal or bound to Badian as it will pass by Moalboal as well. If, like us, you prefer Librando then you ride the bus bound for Badian. Travel time is approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours depending on traffic situation and how many times the bus stops to pick up passengers. Librando bus fare is P156.
Tell the conductor to drop you off at Moalboal bus stop. Also you can ask the other passengers to tell you when to get off the bus. One nice lady in the bus helped us on our way there.
- Upon getting off the bus, you will be greeted by habal-habal drivers. We ride a trike so I don't know how much the habal-habal fare costs. Trike fare is P150 going to Panagsama area.
There are also motorbikes and mountain bikes for rent in Panagsama area. Motorbike rental costs P300 a day.
How to get around Cebu City
The cheapest way to get around Cebu City is by jeepney. However, in our case, we navigate Cebu City by Taxi which is an expensive option if you are alone. Since there are four of us dividing the costs it wasn't very expensive. Also, I had a bad experience with jeepney rides in Cebu City in my past visits. Not that I have been a victim of any pickpocket or robbery but most of the drivers of the jeepneys I happen to ride back then are not very helpful with directions. Me and my friends keep riding the wrong routes and the drivers doesn't have the time or effort to teach us the correct route to take. So the taxi is our best option of not getting lost.
Here is our Cebu itinerary and expenses. Some figures are approximation because I accidentally erased my expense notes.
**After Dinner if you still got the energy and time, you can take a quick visit to 10,000 Roses located in Cordova.
***Expenses per person. Total costs for Taxi and Trike Fares, Accommodations, Food, Island Hopping, and Virgin Island fees is divided to four persons. Scooter Rental is divided to two.
P.S. I have not included the expense for pasalubong because it is optional
P.S. I have not included the expense for pasalubong because it is optional
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