Southern Luzon - The Rough Guide to the Philippines - page 226

is during the Rodeo Masbateño , a four-day orgy of bull-riding and steer-dogging held
every May (usually May 6-9).
A number of activities and sights around Masbate City together make a good day-trip
by bangka . The tourist o ce should be able to help with arrangements for bangka
rental, or you could bargain directly with a fisherman at the pier close to the main
transport terminal. Expect to pay around P1000 for a small boat, or P2500 for a
medium-sized one.

Pawa boardwalk
4km southwest of the city centre • Jeepney P15; tricycle P75 (15min)
he Pawa boardwalk was built primarily to shorten the distance to school for students in
the barangay of Pawa. The 1.3km path extends into protected mangroves at each side,
where migratory birds can be seen, particularly at low tide. The Pawa Women Mangrove
Guardians Association ( T 0910 811 5215), housed in a hut along the boardwalk,
organize boat paddling, fishing, shell collecting and mangrove planting. They can also
rustle up meals, although make sure to give them at least one day's notice.

Buntod Sandbar
P50 conservation fee • From town, take a tricycle to the barangay of Nursery (P50), where there are bangkas for private hire (for a round
trip including waiting you'll pay P500 for up to three people, P800 for larger groups; 10min)
Out in the pass between Masbate and Ticao islands, in a marine protected area, the
Buntod Sandbar is a popular spot at the weekend but empty during the week. After
paying your conservation fee at the large open-fronted hut, you can relax at a picnic
table - be sure to bring some supplies - or on one of the four floating platforms.
There's decent snorkelling, too - and equipment for rent at the hut (P50/day).

4

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE MASBATE CITY

By plane The airport is on the outskirts of town; a tricycle
to the centre is P50 (5min). Cebu Pacific has weekly flights
from Cebu (3 weekly; 55min), while PAL flies to Masbate
from Manila (1 daily; 1hr 15min).
By ferry Masbate City's ferry pier is west of the centre
There are also boats to Cawayan, on the southern side of
Masbate island, from Bogo on Cebu (daily noon; 5hr; P350)
and to Mandaon, on the west side, from Roxas (2 weekly;
4hr 30min; P450) and Cajidiocan on Sibuyan (1 weekly;
4hr; P450).
Destinations Batangas (Super Shuttle: roll-on-roll-off;
1 weekly; 12hr; P555); Bulan, Bicol (Kulafo: 1 daily

Mon-Sat; 4hr; P200); Cebu (Super Shuttle: roll-on-roll-off:
1 weekly; 10hr; P555; Trans-Asia: 2 weekly; 12hr; P625);
Manila (Montenegro Lines: 1 daily; 11-12hr; P850); Pilar,
15km south of Donsol, Sorsogon province (3 fast crafts
daily; 2hr; P394; Denica Lines: 1 roll-on-roll-off daily; 4hr;
P230); Pio Duran, Albay (Medallion Transport: 1 daily; 3hr
30min; P200; Isarog: 1 daily; 3hr 30min; P200).
By bangka Bangkas connect Masbate with Lagundi on
Ticao Island (every 30min 8am-4pm; 45min; P80).
By bus and jeepney Buses, jeepneys and vans use a
terminal on Diversion Rd on the southern edge of town,
a little beyond the fishing port.

INFORMATION
Tourist information The provincial tourist o ce (Mon-
Fri 8am-5pm; T 056 333 2220, E gerardopresado@yahoo
.com) is in the Capitol Building, while the city tourist o ce is

in the City Hall (Mon-Fri 8am-noon & 1-5pm; T 056 588
2402, W masbatecity.gov.ph). Both can advise on itineraries,
although they have little in terms of printed materials.

ACCOMMODATION
★

7-AR Golden Beach Resort Nursery Blvd T 056 582
0175, W 7ar.ph. This pleasant resort is by far the best option
in town - the a/c rooms with flatscreen TV are clean and
comfortable. Doubles have a small lounge area, but the
singles are very poky. There's a lovely garden with an inviting
pool with loungers, a breezy jacuzzi, a thatched restau rant
and a nice café with a few books and magazines. P2500
Backpack 25 Ibingay St T 056 333 2682. An excellent

budget option, this small friendly hotel with just four rooms
has a family feel; rooms have parquet flooring and come in
different colours, from peach to olive green. There's a small
communal area and wi-fi reaches most of the rooms. The
owner can rustle up meals upon request. P1100
Baywalk Garden Blvd Extension, Ibingay St T 056 333
6648, E [e-mail]. Pleasant hotel
with spacious and well-kept rooms with fresh paint and