Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Poro
Just across the causeway on rugged Poro,
Buho Rock Resort
(P20) is stretching the use
of the word resort (there are no rooms or places to eat), but it does have a lovely
swimming spot. At the eastern edge of the island you swim in a series of small
underground caves in
Bukilat
(p10), while easier swimming awaits at
Busay Falls
just
a short walk from Tudela on the south coast.
Ponson
Take a ferry from Tudela on Poro's south coast (2hr), or a bangka from Puerto Bello on Poro's northeastern coast (45min; P50)
To really get away from it all, make for the easternmost (and smallest) Camotes island,
Ponson
, here are some quiet, attractive white sand beaches here, but currently there's
nowhere to stay. Bangkas arrive at the main settlement of Kawit.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
6
THE CAMOTES ISLANDS
By boat
Previously the Camotes were accessible by fast
ferry from Cebu City, but at the time of writing the easiest
way to get here was using the regular Jomalia (
T
032 346
0421) boats from Danao to Consuelo (5.30am, 8.30am,
11am, 2pm, 5.30pm and sometimes 9pm; 2hr; P180).
Danao is 1hr from Cebu's northern terminal by bus (or
P700-900 by taxi). There's a P5 terminal fee.
GETTING AROUND
By motorbike
Hiring a motorbike (P300/day from
Mangodlong Paradise Beach Resort
) is the easiest way to
get around.
By habal-habal
Short trips by habal-habal cost P50.
INFORMATION
Tourist information
San Francisco has a friendly tourist
information kiosk (daily 8am-5pm;
T
0948 133 7577).
Services
In Poro, there's a
post o
ce at the town hall and
DBP Bank with an ATM, but this doesn't accept foreign
cards or exchange, so bring enough cash to last. For
internet access head to NJ Internet in San Francisco (8am-
midnight; P15/hr). Several of the resorts also have wi-fi.
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
DANAO
Sunshine Shin Beach Resort
Brgy Taytay, a short
tricycle ride north of the port
T
032 200 4170,
W
tome
sunshine.com.
If you're stuck in Danao, this Japanese-
owned resort has a n
ice po
ol and isn't a bad place to spend
the night. Fan rooms
P850
Beach Resort
T
0929 892 5792.
For those seeking real
isolation,
Keshe
has just three simple nipa huts on the
beach. There's a “café” which can turn out basic dishes, or
guests are free to cook for themselves.
Like
B
orromeo
,
Keshe
had no power at the time of writing.
P1500
Mangodlong Paradise Beach Resort
Heminsulan
Beach
T
032 328 0500,
W
mangodlongparadiseresort
.com.
The most upmarket choice on the Camotes,
Mangodlong
Paradise
has a range of clean, comfortable rooms with cable
TV set around a large oceanfront garden and pool. There's also
a dive centre, and a decent café
which se
rves plenty of fish
dishes, plus pasta and sandwiches.
P3000
Pito's Sutokil
Santiago Beach.
Laidback and popular
little beach café serving breakfasts (P65-95), simple meals
(P90-110) and whole native chicken (P300) right on the
sand.
Nena's Bar & Grill
next door serves similar fare.
Daily
5am-10pm.
Santiago Bay Garden and Beach Resort
Santiago
Beach
T
032 345 8599
W
camotesislandph.com.
A huge
choice of room types, all set on a hillside overlooking pretty
Santiago Beach. The villas (P2500) and bungalows (P3000)
are the nicest places to stay, but the fan rooms offer decent
value and full use of the resort's faci
lities w
hich include
two pools. Free wi-fi in the restaurant.
P1000
PACIJAN
Bellavista Mare
Santiago Beach
T
032 318 0806 or
T
0917 792 5583,
E
bvmarecamotes@gmail.com.
This
small, Italian-owned budget choice enjoys a good location
looking out over the broad expanse of Santiago Beach.
There's a choice of fan or a/c doubles (P1150) or family
rooms
,
plus snorkelling gear (P250/day) and wi-fi (P60/day).
P750
Borromeo Beach Resort
Bakhaw Beach
T
0908 626
1585,
W
borromeobeachcamotes.com.
Borromeo is a
comparatively upmarket option on beautiful Bakhaw
Beach, featuring four oversized rooms with high ceilings
and grandiose furniture, although it somehow all feels
a little out of place. There's a decent kitchen for guest use
but no restaurant. This part of the island had been without
power since Typhoon
Yoland
a, but hopefully it will have
been restored by now.
P2500
Keshe Beach Resort
Bakhaw Beach, next to Borromeo
