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Grotto at KM49 + SeaSalt Cafe: Relax and Unwind by the Beach in Catmon

Ram Mancelita
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Grotto at KM49 + SeaSalt Cafe: Relax and Unwind by the Beach in Catmon

In the north of Cebu is a perfect destination that defines what it means to take a pit stop in life.

Aside from the fact that it is just beside the road, Grotto at KM49 is a serene seaside resort that provides a relaxing retreat to guests who stopover.

They have facilities for brief, day-use stopovers and they also have accommodations for longer stays. Whichever the guests choose, they will definitely find the experience to their liking.

The general area of the resort is covered in the green of various plants both present in and out of the resort. It contributes greatly to the relaxing atmosphere and natural ambiance that guests look for in resorts.

The resort has both a grassy patch and a sandy beach plus the small portion where the grass and sand meet. The ocean isn’t directly accessible and is barricaded with a raised ledge that separates the resort from the water during high tides.

On top of some of the ledges are native cottages that possess a magnificent view of the ocean and some parts of the island of Cebu where the shore extends. It is the perfect place to rest on a bright sunny day after taking a refreshing swim in the sea.

The inside of the resort is also fully equipped with basic facilities such as shower areas, fully functioning comfort rooms, an outdoor kitchen, as well as a clothesline where guests may hang their wet clothes for drying.

SeaSalt Cafe

SeaSalt Cafe is the latest addition to Grotto at KM49 and is designed for passers-by who want to take a moment to appreciate the magnificent views of glistening waters and blue skies. They serve food that properly complements the gentle sea breeze and improves the seaside experience.

The interior is purely made of wood with simple designs that don’t steal the spotlight from the views but are still pleasing enough to look at. Seasalt Cafe just adds more reason for Catmon visitors to pass and stop by KM49.

  • Photo by Rice Dayalin
  • Photo by Rice Dayalin
  • Photo by Rice Dayalin
  • Photo by Rice Dayalin
  • Photo by Rice Dayalin
  • Photo by Rice Dayalin
  • Photo by Rice Dayalin

RATES & OTHER INFORMATION

SEASALT CAFE MENU:

  • Fresh Fruit Shakes
  • Iced Juices and Teas
  • Coffees and Teas
  • Rice Meals
  • Beer and other drinks

DAY USE:

  • Entrance fee: None as of writing
  • Business Hours: 6:00AM – 4:00PM everyday
  • SeaSalt Cafe Hours: 6:00AM – 7:00PM Wed-Sunday, Half-day on Mondays and closed on Tuesdays

COTTAGES AND OTHER FEES

  • Round Table: P300, good for 2 persons
  • 4 persons: P500 per day
  • 6 persons: P1,000 per day
  • 8 persons: P1,000 per day, w/ extra table
  • Videoke Use: Free, just bring your own microphone

NOTE: Air Conditioned Rooms are temporarily closed as a precaution to COVID-19

OTHER INFORMATION:

HOW TO GET THERE?

Exact location: KM49, Catmondaan, Catmon, Northern Cebu — approx. 2 hours away from the city and just located beside the road.

BY BUS: Take a bus going to Catmon and let the driver/conductor know that you’re dropping off at ‘Grotto at KM49’ in Catmon, few meters away ahead of Turtle Beach Resort.

BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Grotto @ KM49” in Catmon. Parking space is available upon arrival.

Stray dog in Cebu helps save newborn baby on Christmas

Marel Baluyos
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Stray dog in Cebu helps save newborn baby on Christmas

A heart-warming Christmas story has unfolded in a small barangay in Sibonga, South of Cebu.

A stray black dog guided a stranger to a dumpsite to help save a newborn baby boy’s life. 

Junrell Fuentes Revilla was driving his motorcycle in the mountain barangay of Magkagong on Christmas when the said dog followed him, barking, trying to get his attention. Sensing that the dog was trying to tell him something, Revilla stopped his motorcycle and followed the dog to a grassy area of a dumpsite.

There he found the baby boy wrapped in a brown towel, his umbilical cord still hanging from his navel with the placenta placed on a black plastic.

Police Master Sergeant Venus Tampos of the Sibonga Police Women and Children Protection Desk  said the dog is among five stray dogs that frequent the dump site. 

The baby is safe and now under the care of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office while authorities are still searching for the mother of the child.

They are calling on the public to report to the police if they know anyone who may have delivered a child but does not have a baby with her. 

This incident gives light to the importance to communicate and educate the youth about teenage pregnancy and how to avoid it.

Photos and original story from Sibonga Wcpd 

Villa Priscilla: A Serene Beach Getaway in Barili

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Villa Priscilla: A Serene Beach Getaway in Barili

Cebu is lined with many pristine sand beaches at its hem but with so much beaches to explore, some people start looking for something new.

Villa Priscilla is a great relaxation destination that can serve as an alternative when sandy beaches aren’t doing the trick anymore. It is a private resort in Barili that gives guests a private space to hang out together and to be able to enjoy the beach resort fully to themselves.

This private resort’s general atmosphere is a combination of calm and soothing. There is an ample amount of flora present within the vicinity for that subtle touch of nature and of course, a scenic view of the ocean. On the way to the bamboo cottages are pebbly grounds that provide a different kind of beach experience to the guests.

The cottages are situated just a few steps from the beachfront and have the standard bench and table for meals after a fun dip at the salt waters. The beachfront has an unobstructed view of the sea that extends up to the horizon. At times when the tides are low, the resort has a swimming pool that offers the same picturesque views.

The resort also lights up quite brightly at night with a series of small lanterns hung on the branches of the surrounding trees for an enchanting effect. It contrasts quite nicely with the pitch black ocean and brings life to the entire resort. The pebble grounds sometimes become the event center for celebrations and other occasions. There’s even a stage that’s ready to accommodate the performers.

Their accommodations are meant to be occupied by groups or small families which encourages everybody to bond with one another when not swimming or ambling around the resort. There is also an outdoor kitchen where the guests can prepare their ingredients and cook meals.

Villa Priscilla is equipped with everything that can be expected in a typical resort plus their pebbly grounds that provide a different kind of charm to the guests.

RATES & OTHER INFORMATION

Fees:

  • Swimming Pool Access: P300 per person, for checked-in guests only
  • Bahay Kubo: P2,000 (day use)
  • Pavilion: P3,500
  • Outdoor Kitchen: P500
  • Private Boat: P1,000

Room rates:

  • Barkada Room: P3,500 per night, good for 4-6 persons
  • Family Room: P5,000 per night, good for 4-6 persons

OTHER INFORMATION:

HOW TO GET THERE?

Exact location: Brgy. Candungay, Barili, Southern Cebu — approx. 3 hours away from Cebu City.

BY BUS: Find your way to the Cebu South Bus Terminal. From there, take a bus that’s bound for Barili, Cebu. Travel takes around 2-3 hours so be sure to prepare enough food and snacks for the ride. There’s signage just by the side of the road for the resort so keep your eyes peeled once the bus is in Barili. You may also ask the driver to drop you off at VIlla Priscilla Private Resort or Tujan Beach if he is familiar with the place.

BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Villa Priscilla Private Resort” in Barili. Parking space is available upon arrival.

Eskapo Verde: Secluded Eco Tourist Spot in Badian

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Eskapo Verde: Secluded Eco Tourist Spot in Badian

Nature trips are often solo travels that people do in order for some soul-searching or ruminating.

Although nature trips are something that is only commonly done alone, Eskapo Verde has made it possible for big groups of up to 40 to be able to experience basking in nature.

Eskapo Verde is a secluded getaway in Badian, Cebu hidden that offers a relaxing escape from the bustling city. It is the perfect destination for company outings, seminar-trainings, or just simple getaways due to the spacious accommodations and facilities available in this hidden paradise.

At first glance, no one would expect a paradise such as this to exist in the midst of thick and abundant mangroves. Although camouflaged as well as surrounded by the verdant ocean trees, Eskapo Verde makes sure that their establishment does not interfere with existing ecosystems in the area and even uses it as a way to promote its protection.

Ironic in a way that the protection of the natural surroundings is done through the erection of an establishment but it serves its purpose by letting the guests experience and appreciate its beauty. Furthermore, a portion of the profit goes into developments and projects that help in the preservation of the existing marine biodiversity.

Behind the verdant thickets of mangroves is an unexpected collection of buildings made from native materials such as wood, bamboo, and nipa roofs. This seaside accommodation boasts of seaside views and plentiful amounts of ocean plants that both create a space of peace and relaxation.

The accommodations available are 4 rooms with each capable of hosting 10 people as well as private rooms for couples. There is also an open-air restaurant that lets guests dine in the presence of nature while feasting on variety of Filipino and Asian dishes.

Moreover, if guests feel like getting much more closer to nature, they have water activities such as Paddle Boarding and Kayaks that allow guests to explore a little bit of the mangrove maze.

Eskapo Verde not only offers the best way to get in touch with nature as a group but also allows guests to contribute to the protection of the surroundings through their bookings.

RATES & OTHER INFORMATION

No entrance fee. There is a restaurant and accommodation facilities inside the property.

ROOM RATES:

  • Mixed Dormitories: P650 per person per night (maximum of 10 persons)
  • Private Cottage: P3200 per night, good for 2 persons
  • Family Cottage: P3800 per night, good for 2 adults and 2 children

OTHER INFORMATION:

For more information and the menu, download the pdfs from this link: https://www.eskapoverde.com/file-downloads/

HOW TO GET THERE?

Exact location: Brgy. Bugas, Badian, Southern Cebu — approx. 4 hours away from Cebu City.

BY BUS: Find your way to the Cebu South Bus Terminal. Take a bus that’s bound for Badian and ask the conductor to drop you off at Eskapo Verde or at PD Road in Brgy. Bugas. There is a signpost indicating the location of Eskapo Verde. Follow the signs to find the place.

BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Eskapo Verde” in Badian. Parking space is available upon arrival.

2021 is the “Year of Break-Ups”

Sarah Ladeza
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2021 is the “Year of Break-Ups”

Let me tell you; whether or not you have found a soulmate, it won’t hurt to find what the next year has in store for everyone’s relationship.

Love’s importance in our day to day life is something we should never under-estimate. It is the universal language spoken by everyone, with immense emotions and sentiments. Hence, learning about what the future has in store for us is vital.

While everyone is so eager to get away from 2020 because of all the mishaps, 2021 is not too different, especially when it comes to relationships.

2021 is the Year of the Metal Ox and is predicted to be the year of break-ups for those who are in a relationship.

“It could bring a lot of misunderstanding and miscommunication, especially in couples,” said Marites Allen, dubbed to be the ‘Queen of Feng Shui’.

“The South-Southwest direction has the number 3 argumentative star, while the northwest has the number 7 star, which means there will be difficulties with the patriarch,” she added.

“The bottom-line is that 2021 may perhaps see the separations of couples,” Marites stressed.

However, apart from this prediction, there is also something that we should look forward to – 2021 is the “year of vaccines.”

“It’s a ‘metal’ year, so it’s a year of vaccination because of the metal element. The metal aspect is the needle,” said Marites.

Furthermore, these are the zodiac signs she has seen to have a good 2021:

  • Rabbit
  • Ox
  • Tiger
  • Horse
  • Rooster

On the other hand, these zodiac signs would need to prepare for a challenging year ahead:

  • Rat
  • Boar
  • Sheep
  • Dog
  • Dragon
  • Snake

However, the Queen of Feng Shui has said that they are not fortune tellers, “We are just offering them guides on what the general atmosphere may bring,” she ended.

Seahorse Tourist Inn: Affordable Beach House in Medellin

Sugbo.ph
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Seahorse Tourist Inn: Affordable Beach House in Medellin

Although peaceful and simple, Medellin has got one of the best beaches around the island of Cebu. One of those beaches is Seahorse Tourist Inn of Medellin, in which its initials form the name of the owner’s father, “Stim”.

Seahorse Tourist Inn of Medellin was a private beach house in the past but due to the picturesque views of the ocean and pristine sandy shores, the owners have decided to share this beauty to the public. On sunny days, the pure charm of the beach is on display with the sands gleaming white and the waters glistening in different shades of blue.

Seahorse Tourist Inn has everything everyone would expect of a tropical destination – native huts and cottages, coconut trees providing shade on the fine sandy shores, and spacious beachfronts. They also allow beach volleyball on their beachfront so active groups can also have their share of fun.

Their rooms are run-of-the-mill accommodations but they are fully equipped with necessities and are properly maintained. They also have clean comfort rooms with hot and cold showers – very important factors for a comfortable stay.

Lastly, they can also provide guests with food to fill their stomachs through their restaurant with open-air dining. This is the best place to spend some time with friends and family while still experiencing the relaxing atmosphere of the resort.

Seahorse Tourist Inn of Medellin doesn’t lack in spaces for relaxation and scenic views so budget travelers and backpackers visiting the north will find this resort worthwhile. Additionally, Medellin is just a boat ride away from famous holiday destinations such as Malapascua and Bantayan so after a few days relaxing in the town of Medellin, boat rides are easily accessible so guests can immediately pack up and travel whenever they want to.

In terms of relaxation and an affordable place to settle down, Seahorse Tourist Inn is more than enough to soothe the mind and body.

RATES & OTHER INFORMATION

DAY USE:

  • Adults: P30 per person
  • Kids (7-12 y.o.): P15 per child

ROOM RATES:

  • Family Room: P2600 per night, good for 4 persons
  • Standard Room: P2000 per night, good for 2 persons
  • Additional Persons: P300 per person

AMENITIES

  • Wi-Fi
  • Karaoke
  • Private Beach
  • BBQ Facilities
  • Restaurant
  • Shared Kitchen
  • Smoking Area
  • Family Room

OTHER INFORMATION:

HOW TO GET THERE?

Exact location: Kawit, Medellin, Northern Cebu – approximately 120 km from the city proper

BY BUS: Find your way to the Cebu North Bus Terminal. Ride a bus that’s bound for Daanbantayan via Kawit. Ask the driver or conductor to drop you off in Kawit. The resort is located at the back of Kawit Elementary School, just a few meters from the road.

BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Seahorse Tourist Inn of Medellin” in Kawit. Parking space is available upon arrival.

Cozy dining at Deer Forest’s Balwarte ni Vossing in Carmen

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Cozy dining at Deer Forest’s Balwarte ni Vossing in Carmen

Roadtrips to Carmen won’t be complete without stopping over at Balwarte ni Vossing in Carmen.

  • Photo from Balwarte ni Vossing FB Page

Just on the way to Cebu Safari and Adventure Park, Balwarte ni Vossing is an enchanting eatery in a forest that will be hard to miss. It is a simple container van converted into an aesthetic and charming space for eating.

This dining destination in Carmen is truly a relaxing place to visit with its verdant surroundings filled with nothing but seemingly never-ending trees that will make you forget whatever stresses you carried with you from the city.

Occasionally, Balwarte ni Vossing is shrouded in fog or mist that gives the place a mysterious vibe and a calming ambiance – perfect for those with a penchant for moody weathers. 

  • Photo from Balwarte ni Vossing FB Page
  • Photo from Balwarte ni Vossing FB Page

Dining has never been as magical as eating with friends in the enchanting atmosphere of the forest. “Balwarte” means shelter and this eatery definitely provides the needed stress-free environment that combines the comfort of food with the soothing energy of the forest.

  • Photo from Balwarte ni Vossing FB Page
  • Photo from Balwarte ni Vossing FB Page

Balwarte ni Vossing serves a variety of Cebuano favorites such as siomai and ngohiong. Their main courses consist of Balwarte ni Vossing specialties that are good to share with 2 to 3 persons. Balwarte ni Vossing serves a variety of Cebuano favorites such as siomai and ngohiong.

  • Photo by GVFF Coffee at Balwarte ni Vossing

Their main courses consist of Balwarte ni Vossing specialties that are good to share with 2 to 3 persons. Enjoy hearty meals with friends and family and commune with nature in this charming dining destination in Carmen.

Fill your stomach and recharge by dining in Balwarte ni Vossing.

  • Photo from Balwarte ni Vossing FB Page

RATES & OTHER INFORMATION

Menu:

Other Information:

HOW TO GET THERE?

Exact location: Toril, Corte, Carmen, Northern Cebu — approx. 2 hours away from the city.

BY BUS: Find your way to the Cebu North Bus Terminal. Ride any bus that’s bound for Carmen and ask the bus driver to take you to Carmen Public Market. Upon arrival, take a habal-habal to Cebu Safari & Adventure Park and Balwarte ni Vossing will be just a few meters from the entrance. 

BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Cebu Safari & Adventure Park” in Carmen. Just before the turn to the entrance of the park is a red container van by the side of the road. That is Balwarte ni Vossing. Parking space is available upon arrival.

Cebu Trip: Wild Monkey Viewing in Oslob

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Cebu Trip: Wild Monkey Viewing in Oslob

There’s some monkey business going on in southern Cebu.

Aside from the majestic whale sharks and pristine white sands, Oslob has another wonderful tourist attraction that will surely attract many animal lovers to the town.

Photo by Iolanthe B

On a hillside in Sitio Bulak in Barangay Hagdan is a small forest that houses a troop of at least 80 monkeys. Labeled as the “Encounter of the Unggoys in Oslob”, these mischievous little creatures are a great alternative to the great whale sharks. Their cute fur faces have already attracted around 4000 tourists in 2018 alone and continue to attract many people up to this day.

A group named “Hagdan Oslob Monkey Protectors and Farmers Association” or HOMPFA are the ones who are shouldering the responsibility of protecting the monkeys. They are also the ones who organize monkey-watching tours for interested tourists and visitors.

What’s more, the monkeys can easily be spotted from the national road so tourists only need to make a brief stopover and they won’t have to force their way into a thicket of trees.

More than just being a tourist attraction, the monkey viewing actually serves as a way to protect the farmers. The farmers in the area have actually regarded the monkeys because they damage their crops. As a solution, HOMPFA asked the local government’s permission to allow tourists to feed them so that they wouldn’t have to destroy the crops for food.

For a small fee, tourists are given a kilo of bananas to feed the monkeys. Tourists are discouraged to touch the monkeys or have any physical interaction with them so feeding them is the closest they can get.

  • Photo by Che Ryll
  • Photo by Che Ryll

Don’t forget to give our distant relatives a visit when driving on the roads of Oslob. They have already grown quite fond of humans after a long while of interacting with different tourists so rest assured that they are harmless.

RATES & OTHER INFORMATION

FEES:

  • Monkey Feeding: P50 for a kilo of bananas

OTHER INFORMATION:

HOW TO GET THERE?

Exact location: Sitio Bulak, Brgy. Hagdan, Oslob, Southern Cebu — 3.5-4 hours away from the city.

BY BUS: From the South Bus Terminal, ride a bus bound for Bato-Oslob. Inform the driver to drop you off at the ‘Monkey Viewing’ in Brgy. Hagdan, Oslob. It’s only few meters away ahead from Hagdan Elementary School.

BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Oslob Wild Monkey Viewing” in Oslob. You can park your vehicles at the side of the road.

Malacanang sa Sugbo to be converted into Cebu’s first National Museum

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Malacanang sa Sugbo to be converted into Cebu’s first National Museum

The empty shell of the century-old Aduana (customs house) building, Malacañang sa Sugbo, is about to undergo a transformation that will complete the historical triumvirate near the Port of Cebu together with Plaza Independencia and Fort San Pedro.

The National Museum of the Philippines has been asking for permission from different authorities to transform the unused building near the Cebu City Port and use it as Cebu’s focal point for history.

In a letter sent by Chairperson Evangelina Lourdes Arroyo-Bernas to Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, Michael Dino, she expressed their interest in restoring Malacañang sa Sugbo and converting it into a museum. She said that despite being the Queen City of the South, Cebu City lacks a National Museum which could serve as a cultural, tourism, and educational hub and that it poses a “glaring deficiency” to the city.

In their proposal, they included that the National Museum will fund the restoration, conversion, and the operation of Malacañang sa Sugbo.

To make it in time with the upcoming quincentennial commemoration of Ferdinand Magellan’s arrival in the Philippines, Mayor Edgar Labella quickly agreed and requested the National Museum to hasten the restoration and conversion of the building.

A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT

With the full support of the provincial and city governments of Cebu, they have asked President Rodrigo Duterte to approve the plan to convert Malacañang sa Sugbo.

“They have expressed their full support on our idea to have a national museum in Cebu. Our place is very rich in history but we lack a facility that will house ethnographic, anthropological, archaeological, and visual arts collections that are specific to Cebu,” Dino mentioned in an interview.

The various Cebuano authorities who supported the project sent their personal letters to the president as an endorsement of the said transformation. According to Governor Gwen Garcia, this plan will help uplift the tourism industry in Cebu.

APPROVAL

On December 13, 2019, the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) and National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) signed a usufruct deed giving the National Museum the right to use Malacañang sa Sugbo for 25 years beginning January 15, 2020 while its ownership will be retained by CPA. As stated in the contract, the National Museum will fund the maintenance, repair, restoration, conversion, and operation of the said building.

According to NMP director general Jeremy Barns, the estimated budget for the renovation and interior outfitting for exhibits and other museum services can reach up to P160 million. He said that upon completion of the new Cebu National Museum, it will offer a wide range of world class exhibits in painting, visual arts, and sculptures focusing on the rich history of Cebu.

Kandugyap House by the Sea: Bantayan Island’s Greece-Like Escape

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Kandugyap House by the Sea: Bantayan Island’s Greece-Like Escape

Bantayan Island is another top destination in the province of Cebu. It may already be teeming with lots of resorts and overnight rooms for rent, but an isolated and private property off the island’s edge offers a Greek-like escape and pure solitude.

Kandugyap House by the Sea was once a private villa that was exclusively owned and used by the family of Dolores, the proprietor of Kandugyap. In 2011, the family decided to share and open to the public their stylish abode that will make you feel as if you are in Greece.

Kandugyap’s intricately detailed designs and colors are so attractive that practically any spot inside the premise is worth capturing in a photo.  For example, their wooden gate is with a painting of Señor Santo Niño, with green vines hanging above it.

Kandugyap is a term that aptly translates to “house by the sea”. It offers its guests a perfect view of the sea from its cliffside location. One of the highlights in Kandugyap is their pool that overlooks into the beach below.

If you’re up for some sand and saltwater, you can descend into their private beach. Their location is quite far from the port of Bantayan Island, and it’s also a bit distant from neighbouring establishments and resorts so you get to experience the sea in solitude.

They have 3 accommodations. 2 bungalow structures – Maria Veronica and Maria Isabel. Each room has one queen bed and private bathroom, strategically located a few meters from the beach.

The main building, Villa Dolores, is much bigger and is good for 2-6 persons or a whole family. It has 1 king bed and 2 double beds. Room reservations come with a free breakfast already.

RATES & OTHER INFORMATION

Room rates:

  • 2 guests: P4,000 per night
  • 4 guests: P5,000 per night
  • 6 guests: P6,000 per night

You can check their available rooms and current room rates at Agoda.

Other information:

HOW TO GET THERE?

Exact location: Tourist Road, Barangay Pooc, Santa Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu — approx. 4-5 hours away from Cebu City (includes ferry transpo).

BY BUS: Buses bound for the Hagnaya port (jump-off point for Bantayan Island) are stationed at the Cebu North Bus Terminal. Travel time from Cebu City to Hagnaya is around 3 hours and fare is around P180.

From Hagnaya to Santa Fe, Bantayan Island, you can take a ferry boat and the ride is around 1 hour (fare around P180). They arrange for their guests to be picked up by a tricycle from Santa Fe port. Coordinate with the management the date and time of your arrival.

https://sugbo.ph/2019/budget-sta-fe-bantayan-island/
TOP 10 Beach Resorts in Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island
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