Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
TOLEDO AND BALAMBAN
By bus Buses leave Cebu City's Southern bus terminal for
Toledo from 5am daily (P60). If you're heading from Cebu
City to Negros, catch an early bus to Toledo to make sure
you don't miss the last ferry.
By ferry Several ferries including Montenegro Shipping
Lines ( T 0922 774 8199, W montenegrolines.com.ph) run
daily to San Carlos in Negros (40min; P40).
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
Aleu's Lodge Polyapoy St, Toledo T 032 322 5672. If
you do get stuck in Toledo the re is o ne rudimentary hotel,
on the southern edge of town. P750
Sailor's Cabin Abucayan, Balamban (look out for the
big white and blue entrance) T 032 465 2816, W sailors
-cabin.com. Accommodation in this German-owned place
comprises three types of apartments, with cable TV and
private bathrooms. The menu at the restaurant includes
German sausage, smoked ham with sauerkraut and
Hungarian goulash. The proprietor can organi ze trip s to
some undiscovered areas of the rural west coast. P950
6
Bantayan Island
Just off the northwest coast of Cebu, quiet, bucolic and low-lying BANTAYAN ISLAND
was badly hit by Typhoon Yolanda (see box, p.284). The lack of coral and diving
opportunities (and therefore diving clientele) means that it may take Bantayan longer
to get back on its feet than Malapascua, but it certainly shouldn't be written off. For
now the beaches may not be quite as picture-perfect as previously, but - with fewer
visitors - the island's pleasant, low-key resorts will welcome you with open arms. Most
of the island's resorts and beaches are around the attractive little town of SANTA FE on
the southeast coast, which is where ferries from mainland Cebu arrive.
Bantayan Town
Along the west coast, the port town of BANTAYAN has no decent accommodation but
it's worth a quick visit. There's an elegant Spanish-style plaza on the south side of which
stands the SS Peter and Paul Church . The original structure was torched by marauding
Moros in 1640, with eight hundred local folk taken captive and sold as slaves to
Muslim chieftains in Mindanao. Every Easter Bantayan holds solemn processions of
decorated religious carozzas (carriages), each containing a life-sized statue representing
the Passion and death of Jesus Christ. Thousands of locals and tourists turn out to join
in the processions, many setting up camp on the beaches because resorts are full.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE BANTAYAN
By bus To reach Bantayan from Cebu City you can take a
bus (7 daily; 3hr 30min) from the Northern bus terminal to
the port town of Hagnaya, where you pay a P10 pier fee
and P170 for the ferry crossing to Santa Fe (6-7 daily; 1hr).
By taxi Taxis from Cebu to Hagnaya can be negotiated for
around P2000, or as little as P700 on the way back.
By bangka There are big bangkas to Bantayan from Cadiz
on Negros. Coming from Malapascua, bangkas can be
chartered for around P2500, but only take this route in good
weather. If you intend to stay in Santa Fe, you can get a
pedicab from the pier to your accommodation, though some
resorts can send a representative to collect you at the pier.
EATING &
DRINKING
Balikbayan
Blue Ice
D'Jungle
Hard Kock Kafe
Madridejos
0
2
kilometres
2
1
1
1
N
ACCOMMODATION
Budyong Beach Resort
Hoyohoy Village Resort
Kota Beach Resort
Ogtong Cave Resort
St Bernard's Resort
3
5
4
2
1
Atop
Atop
Virgiv
Island
Hilantagaan
Island
Bantayan
N
I
GETTING AROUND
The only local transport is a habal-habal, or the trusty tricycle,
known on Bantayan as a tricikad . It's fun to hire a motorbike or
moped (P300) or bicycle and tour the island yourself by the
coastal road, though inspect the bike thoroughly beforehand.
Santa
Fe Pier
Hilotongan
Island
BANTAYAN ISLAND
Doong
Island
 
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