Southern Luzon - The Rough Guide to the Philippines - page 200

dip - the largest is at the foot of the uppermost fall. Join the locals sitting on the rocks,
letting the strong jet stream of water massage your back and shoulders.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE MARINDUQUE

By plane At the time of writing Marinduque airport was
temporarily closed for renovation; flights to Manila (45min)
are due to resume as soon as it reopens.
By ferry Montenegro Lines connects Lucena to Balanacan
port (4am, noon & 8.30pm; 3hr; P260), while Starhorse
have departures at 10.30am, 10.30pm and 6.30pm (the
6.30pm service doesn't run on Sun). Heading back to
Lucena, Starhorse ferries depart at 6.30am and 2.30pm,
while Montenegro Lines returns at 8am, 4pm and 11.30pm.

There are outrigger services between Gasan on Marinduque
and Pinamalayan in Mindoro (daily 8am; 3-4hr; P265).
Jeepneys from Boac meet incoming ferries (1hr; P50).
By bangka Daily bangkas connect Buyabod port east of
Santa Cruz to Catanauan in Quezon province (daily 11am;
3hr; P200).
By bus Jack Liner travels from Boac to Manila using the
roll-on-roll-off ferry (daily 8pm; 8-9hr).

GETTING AROUND
By jeepney No jeepneys loop the entire island; if
you're planning on travelling to multiple destinations
you'll have to change. On the west and north coasts
they run from Boac-Gasan-Buenavista, and Boac-
Mogpog-Santa Cruz, while on the east coast there are
services from Santa Cruz-Torrijos. To get to Buenavista
from Torrijos you'll have to take a jeepney to Malibago
and change there. It is possible to travel around the

entire island by jeepney in two days, but four or five
would be more comfortable, particularly since if you miss
the last jeepney (most services stop around 4-5pm) you
can easily find yourself stranded.
By van Easier than travelling by jeepney is renting a van
for around P3500/day. Most accommodation options can
help organize this, or enquire at the provincial tourist o ce
near Boac (see below).

4

INFORMATION AND ACTIVITIES
Tourist information The helpful provincial tourist o ce
( T 042 754 0136, W marinduque.gov.ph), in the Capitol
Building complex on the road between Boac and the
airport, has a handful of leaflets, but once on the road be
prepared for a lack of reliable information.
Banks and exchange There are banks with ATMs in Boac,

including Land Bank, RCBC and PNB, all along Reyes St.
RCBC and PNB also have branches in Santa Cruz.
Scuba diving There are no dive shops on the island, but
keen scuba divers should contact Freedom Dellosa ( T 0920
223 0904, E [e-mail]). He can arrange
equipment rental, as well as open water courses (P14,000).

ACCOMMODATION
BOAC
The Boac Hotel Deogracias St at Nepomuceno St T 042
332 1121, E [e-mail]. This big yellow
building is the oldest hotel in town, and its antiques and
wooden furniture lend it an appealing atmosphere. The single
rooms with just one single bed allegedly sleep two, although
they are tiny, even just for one; you're better off going for a
deluxe (P1200) with a double bed. The cheapest r ooms are
fan-only, while standard rooms and above have a/c. P500
Tahanan sa Isok Canovas St T 042 332 1231, E tahanan
[e-mail]. The entrance of this welcoming hotel
has a touch of homely feel, with a glass cabinet with books, a
piano and a few religious knick-knacks. The staircase leading
up to the accommodation is lined with potted plants, and
the rooms are great value, with chocolate-coloured furniture,
although some of the singl e beds are tiny. There's a pleasant
pool, and wi-fi in the lobby. P1000

This lovely little place has just three warm and welcoming
a/c rooms with private bath in a building overlooking the
sea; there are also a couple of pleasant nipa rooms that
are an absolute steal. The plant-festooned garden with a
large pomelo tree is dotted with knick-knacks, including
old carriage wheels, while the lounge area features fibre
deck ch airs an d wicker sofas. There are also two outdoor
jacuzzis. P500
Ferguz Cloud Resort Cawit T 0928 310 6495,
E [e-mail]. An excellent budget
option less than 1km from Cawit port, with neat and tidy
bamboo cottages set around a pleasant garden area with
a swimming pool and a few gnomes. Some rooms have a/c,
while others are fan cooled; they're all on the small side,
but the g rassy g rounds and pool make up for it. Massages
P450/hr. P1000
★

Hideaway Cawit T 042 332 1749 or T 0915 285
2643, E [e-mail]. This quirky
little place features comfortable a/c rooms, with wooden
beds and makeshift lamps, off a shaded pathway. The
garden bursts with atmosphere, dotted with masks,

THE WEST COAST
★

A&B Coral Resort Brgy Balaring T 042 332 0121
or T 0947 556 8986, E [e-mail].