TRAVELLING: A HOBBY
Sharing adventure…capturing dreams…creating memories…
Kota Kinabalu – 3 Days 2 Nights Adventure
A long overdue post made possible by lockdowns and community quarantine. But I am hoping that we win the battle against Covid-19 the soonest so we can go back to our normal work-travel lives. Praying for the safety of everyone.
Kota Kinabalu is the state capital of Sabah, Malaysia. It is also the capital of the Kota Kinabalu District as well as the West Coast Division of Sabah. It is named after Mount Kinabalu, which is situated about 50 kilometres east-northeast of the city.
Mount Kinabalu is a mountain located at the West Coast Division of Sabah, Malaysia. It is protected as Kinabalu Park, a World Heritage Site. Kinabalu is the highest peak in Borneo’s Crocker Range and is the highest mountain in the Malay Archipelago as well as the highest mountain in Malaysia. Mount Kinabalu is also the 20th most prominent mountain in the world by topographic prominence.
We booked our tours (Day 1 – Mari Mari Cultural Village / Day 2 – Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Spring) through Klook since it was our first time in KK. On the 3rd day we explored the city on ourselves.
We booked a deluxe double room for 2 nights at Hotel Dreamtel Kota Kinabalu through Agoda. And the hotel is highly recommended due to its location and good service. They also granted my request to be on a corner room with amazing view of the city and spectacular sunset.
Itinerary
Day 1
- Mari Mari Cultural Village Tour
- 1:00pm pick up from hotel
- 2:00pm arrive at Mari Mari Cultural Village and meet your village guide
- Greeted and briefing on village rules
- 2:15pm enter to village and visit 5 tribe houses
- Dusun House, Rungus Longhouse, Lundayeh Tribe House, Bajau House, Murut Longhouse
- 3:30pm cultural dance performance in the hall
- 4:00pm enjoy lavish meals prepared by local chef
- 5:00pm depart back to hotel
- Old Town White Coffee
- Kota Kinabalu City Mosque
Day 2
- Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Spring
- Nabalu Market
- Kinabalu Park
- Poring Hot Spring and Nature Reserve
- Desa Cattle Dairy Farm, Kundasang Vegetable Market
- Filipino Market
- Starbucks
- KK Waterfront
Day 3
- Gaya Street Sunday Market
- Atkinson Clock Tower
- I love KK Landmark
- Centre Point Sabah
- Padang Merdeka
- Kota Kinabalu City Hall
4 Days in Phuket
Will be sharing you our 4D3N adventure in Phuket, Thailand as first timers. Bought Air Asia flight tickets with stopovers in Kuala Lumpur, although these are not promo fares they are still cheap compared to others. And since we have not been in this place, we cannot afford to do it on our own ala DIY that we usually do. But do not worry, you can easily book tours and airport transfers at Klook.
Phuket is one of the oldest cities in Thailand located in the southeast of Phuket island. It is considered the famous island in the country due to its large number of entertainment options, top-class shopping destinations, and some of the amazing beaches in the country. And I am telling you, a week is not enough here, but you can always have the option to return.
ACTIVITIES and DESTINATIONS
- James Bond Island
- Phang Nga Bay
- Panyee Village
- Khao Ping Kan
- Suwannakhuha Temple (Monkey Cave)
- Gems Gallery
- Karon View Point
- Old Phuket Town
- Wat Chalong Temple
- Cashew Nut Factory
- Siam Niramit Show
- Bangla Boxing Stadium
- Jungceylon
- Patong Beach
- Windmill Viewpoint
- Patong Inn Art
- Bangla Road
- Banzaan Fresh Market
HOTELS and ACCOMMODATION
@Home Boutique Hotel, Patong
This is one of the hotels we considered since it is near Jungceylon, Banzaan, Bangla Road, and Patong Beach. Although the entertainment hub and nightlife center are just nearby, the hotel is usually quiet and safe, I could say. But since we have some surprising experiences in the hotel, will choose other hotels when we return in Phuket.
ITINERARY
Day 1
10:00 am arrival at NAIA
12:10 pm flight boarding
04:55 pm at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
06:20 pm flight boarding to Phuket
07:30 pm at Phuket, Thailand
09:15 pm hotel arrival thru Klook airport transfer
11:00 pm at Banzaan fresh market
12:00 am back to hotel
Day 2
07:30 am hotel breakfast
09:30 am pickup for James Bond Island Long Tail Boat Tour thru Klook
11:30 am at Monkey Cave
12:15 pm port going to James Bond Island
12:45 pm Canoeing at Lot Cave
01:45 pm at James Bond Island
02:45 pm at Panyee Village
03:45 pm back to port
05:45 pm hotel drop-off, end of tour
06:30 pm at Jungceylon
07:30 pm at Banzaan Fresh Market
08:00 pm at Bangla Boxing Stadium
09:00 pm back to hotel
Day 3
07:00 am hotel breakfast
08:30 am hotel pickup for Klook’s Phuket City Introduction Half Day Tour
09:00 am at Karon View Point
09:30 am Windmill Viewpoint near Promthep Cape
10:15 am at Wat Chalong Temple
11:00 am at Cashew Nut Factory
12:00 pm Gems Gallery Phuket
02:00 pm back to hotel
06:00 pm at Siam Niramit
07:00 pm dinner at their buffet restaurant as part of the tour package
07:45 pm Siam Niramit pre-show
08:30 pm Siam Niramit Show
09:50 pm end of show, going back to hotel thru their shuttles
10:30 pm back to hotel
Day 4
08:00 am hotel breakfast
09:00 am at Bangla Road
09:30 am at Patong Beach
10:00 am at Patong Inn Art
11:00 am back to hotel
12:00 pm hotel check-out
12:15 pm hotel pick-up going to airport thru Klook airport transfers
02:20 pm at Phuket airport
SOME EXPENSES
Phuket to Manila Airfare Ticket (2 pax + meals + baggage allow) P 26,870
Hotel for 3 nights (with breakfast) P 5,785
Airport Transfer (airport to hotel) P 1,747
Airport Transfer (hotel to airport) P 1,344
James Bond Island Long Tail Boat Tour (for 2 pax) P 4,034
Siam Niramit Phuket Ticket for 2 pax (platinum+dinner+transfers) P 5,714
Phuket City Introduction Half Day Tour (for 2 pax) P 1,344
TIEZA (per pax) P 1,620
Duty Free (Phuket) P 3,917
Meals P 6,000
Thank you!
CDO-Camiguin Adventure
If you are planning to go to CDO and Camiguin, and if you have the luxury of time, you can maximize your itinerary. You can visit Bukidnon and Iligan also. Unfortunately for us, that is not our priority on this trip, so maybe next time.
The original plan is to visit Camiguin only but since there is no direct flight to Camiguin for AirAsia and Cebu Pacific we opted to buy a promo ticket from Ceb Pac going to CDO.
Cagayan de Oro City or simply referred to as CDO, is a 1st class highly urbanized city in Northern Mindanao. It is the capital of the province of Misamis Oriental located along the north central coast of Mindanao island facing Macajalar Bay and is bordered by the municipalities of Opol to the west, Tagoloan to the east, and the provinces of Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte to the south of the city.
Camiguin is an island province in the Philippines located in the Bohol Sea off the northern coast of Mindanao. It is the second smallest province in the country in both population and land area after Batanes.
Festivals
Higalaay (Kagay-an) Festival – CDO
It is a week-long celebration in honor of Cagayan de Oro’s patron saint St. Augustine held every August.
Lanzones Festival – Camiguin
Each year in the third week of October, a festival is held to celebrate the Lanzones, a small grape-sized tropical fruit grown all over the island. Lanzones grown in Camiguin is considered to be the sweetest.
HOTELS and ACCOMMODATION
Bridge Hotel (Cagayan De Oro)
We had some hard time searching the entrance of the hotel (hahaha) since it is located on the 3rd floor of the building. Hotel is new but not soundproof, but the best part here is their free coffee and water, and did I tell you it is unlimited. In addition, the hotel is clean, and they have a nice common area. By the way, they have the best toothbrush I could say.
https://www.bridgehotelph.com/
Medano Island Resort (Camiguin)
P1800 per night with basic accommodation. Was able to book directly with the help of our DIY tour guide in Camiguin. If you want a DIY tour in the island, please message Rogever Badilla (0935 555 0655) – a highly recommended tour guide and our newfound friend in the whole island of Camiguin. You can also visit his FB page “hali na sa camiguin island”.
Full Itinerary
Day 1 (Cagayan De Oro)
0930 am – at NAIA terminal 3
1150 am – flight departure
0110 pm – at CDO
0130 pm – van (super 5) transfer to bus
0150 pm – bus to cdo arrival
0250 pm – at Bulua terminal
0315 pm – at Bridge hotel
0615 pm – dinner at local BBQ house somewhere in T Chavez
0730 pm – back to hotel
Day 2 (Cagayan De Oro-Camiguin)
0600 am – wakeup call
0630 am – breakfast at Roy’s Bistro
0800 am – hotel checkout
0815 am – at Agora terminal
0900 am – going to Balingoan (special trip)
1115 am – at Balingoan Port
1200 pm – boarding
1230 pm – etd going to Camiguin
0145 pm – at Benoni Port, Camiguin
0230 pm – hotel check-in Medano Island Resort
0630 pm – went out for dinner at Checkpoint (infront of Alex Resto Bar)
Day 3 (Camiguin)
0530 am – hotel pickup going to Mantigue Island
0620 am – at Mantigue Island registration/port
0830 am – still waiting for our pumpboat due to some regulation (but now everything is fast)
0915 am – left port going to Mantigue
1000 am – at Mantigue island
0120 pm – left Mantigue
0200 pm – at San Roque pumpboat terminal
0220 pm – at Katungan park
0300 pm – Quibila White Beach / giant clam sanctuary
0430 pm – Sto Nino Cold Spring
0515 pm – departure back to hotel
0615 pm – at Medano Island Resort
0715 pm – Peninsular art cafe – coffee / burger
0830 pm – Medano bar
Day 4 (Camiguin-CDO)
0530 am – going to White Island
0700 am – left white island
0720 am – breakfast at Checkpoint
0810 am – back to hotel
0900 am – hotel checkout
1030 am – at Benoni port
1100 am – barge left Benoni going to Balingoan
1210 pm – at Balingoan
1220 pm – van departure
0200 pm – at CDO
0210 pm – Kagay-anon restaurant
0245 pm – going to Laguindingan
0330 pm – at Laguindingan Airport
Some Expenses for this Travel
Day 1
P520 – breakfast at the airport for 2
P100 – Van transfer (per head)*P160 – taxi from bulua to bridge hotel
P160 – taxi from Bulua to Bridge Hotel
P300 – dinner at local BBQ house for 2
Day 2
P228 – breakfast for 2 at Roy’s Bistro
P110 – taxi from Bridge Hotel to agora
P800 – special trip going to Balingoan
P210 – ticket to Camiguin
P15 – terminal fee at port
Day 3
P100 – breakfast
P600 – Snorkeling at Mantigue (300 – guide / 200 – 2 vest / 100 – 1 goggles)
P50 – entrance at Katungan Park
P1600 – Lunch at Quibila Beach
P50 – entrance Sto Nino cold spring
P340 – Peninsular art cafe – coffee / burger
P200 – Medano bar (beers, water)
Day 4
P160 – buffet breakfast at checkpoint (per head)
P3000 – rented van from Balingoan to Laguindingan Airport
P320 – souvenirs
P330 – pasalubong
THANK YOU!
BIG Travel – Bacolod, Iloilo, and Guimaras Adventure
Just want to show you how we survived Bacolod, Iloilo, and Guimaras adventure or simply – BIG travel without any tour packages. Well, we just realized that we cannot cope up with the fast phase of tour agencies unlike before (hahaha).
If you want to add 3 new provinces in your bucketlist then this kind of adventure is really for you. And if you really have the time, you can visit Gigantes Island, Roxas, Kalibo, Antique, and Boracay too.
Take note that Bacolod and Iloilo airports are far from the city center but there are shuttles, UV, taxis, jeepneys and tricycles that will take you to your hotel accommodation or terminals.
FESTIVALS
MASSKARA FESTIVAL – Bacolod
It is an annual festival in Bacolod City with highlights every fourth Sunday of October with street dancers wearing colorful costumes, masks, headdresses and SMILES. The celebration is popularly known as “the happiest and most colorful festival in the Philippines”.
DINAGYANG FESTIVAL – Iloilo
HALA BIRA! This is Iloilo’s biggest festival and one of the famous religious and cultural celebrations in the Philippines held every 4th weekend of January. Take note that Ati-Atihan festival in Kalibo, Aklan is held every 3rd weekend of January.
MANGGAHAN FESTIVAL – Guimaras
Guimaras is the home of the sweetest MANGOES in the world and their Manggahan Festival is held every month of May. Mangga is the local term for mangoes.
PLACES and RESTAURANTS WE VISITED
BACOLOD:
- The Ruins
- Gazebo Restaurant
- Campuestohan
- Café Bobs
- San Sebastian Church
- Pope John Paul Tower
- Provincial Capitol and Lagoon
- Negros Museum
ILOILO:
- Ponsyon by Breakthrough
- Sol Y Mar Resort, Tigbauan
- Tatoy’s Manokan and Seafood Restaurant
- Jaro Cathedral
- Belfry
- Jaro Plaza
- Calle Real
- Plaza Libertad
- St. Michael Parish Church
- Iloilo City Hall
- Buto’t Balat, Jaro
- Ang Kamalig, Jaro
- Molo Mansion
- St. Anne Parish, Molo
GUIMARAS:
- Smallest Plaza
- Jordan Municipal Hall
- Navalas Church
- Roca Encantada
- Windmill
- The Pitstop
- Guimaras Provincial Capitol
- Trappist Monastery
- Mango Plantation
There are other places and tourist spots to visit in Bacolod, Iloilo and Guimaras aside from those listed above. And lucky for us, was able to visit them last time we have been to the said 3 provinces on separate trips. You can check some of my blogs for the details.
HOTELS and ACCOMMODATION
Bacolod:
- Campuestohan – Bonita Hut
http://www.campuestohanhighlandresort.com/
- The Suites at Calle Nueva
http://www.thesuitesatcallenueva.com/roomrates.html
Iloilo:
- Sol Y Mar Beach Resort
- Harbor Town Hotel
http://www.harbortownhotel.com/
ITINERARY
Day 1 (Bacolod)
0600 am – NAIA terminal 3
0830 am – boarding (CEBU PACIFIC)
0930 am – eta Bacolod
0955 am – waiting in Shuttle, going to The Ruins
1030 am – at The Ruins / lunch
1200 pm – trike to Mandalangan terminal
1220 pm – taxi going to Lopues East for Campuestohan shuttle
1240 pm – at Lopues East, ETD 1pm going to Campuestohan
0130 pm – at Campuestohan
0200 pm – room check-in
0330 pm – explore Campuestohan
0630 pm – dinner
0900 pm – lights out
Day 2 (Bacolod)
0700 am – wakeup call
0730 am – breakfast
0830 am – explore for adventures, photoshoots
1200 pm – checkout
0100 pm – waiting for shuttle
0130 pm – at Bacolod City
0145 pm – check-in at The Suites
0215 pm – looking for resto to have some lunch, unaware of Diotay’s operating hours (11am to 2pm) and (5-10pm)
0230 pm – going to Café Bobs
0500 pm – back to hotel
Day 3 (Bacolod-Iloilo)
0700 am – wakeup call
0730 am – hotel breakfast (buffet – basic choices but better taste)
0815 am – going to San Sebastian Church and Pope John Paul tower
0900 am – at Provincial Capitol lagoon
0930 am – going to Negros Museum (photos not allowed on their toy museum)
1000 am – back to hotel
1130 am – check-out / going to Bredco port
1150 am – at the port
1220 pm – Fastcat departure going to Iloilo
0130 pm – at Iloilo, going to Ponsyon by Breakthrough for lunch
0200 pm – at Ponsyon
0345 pm – going to Tigbauan thru Ceres bus
0420 pm – at Sol Y Mar Resort
0700 pm – dinner
0930 pm – lights out
Day 4 (Iloilo)
0700 am – wakeup call
0800 am – breakfast
1200 pm – checkout
1230 pm – at Mohon terminal going to Tatoy’s
0145 pm – going to Harbor Town Hotel
0200 pm – hotel check-in
0530 pm – going to Robinsons Jaro
0605 pm – at Ang Kamalig Robinsons Jaro for dinner
0800 pm – Jaro Cathedral, plaza and Belfry
0845 pm – going back to hotel
1030 pm – lights out
Day 5 (Guimaras)
0530 am – wakeup call
0600 am – breakfast
0800 am – at Parola Port going to Guimaras
0825 am – boat ETD
0845 am – arrival at Guimaras, hired tricycle
0900 am – Smallest Plaza, Jordan Municipal Hall
1130 am – at Navalas church
1200 pm – at Roca Encantada
0130 pm – Windmill
0230 pm – at Pitstop for lunch
0320 pm – at Guimaras Provincial Capitol
0345 pm – Trappist Monastery
0415 pm – Mango Plantation
0500 pm – port going to Iloilo
0530 pm – back to Iloilo City
0600 pm – back to hotel
0830 pm – went out for dinner (Deco’s closed already), Harbortown Café as alternative
1030 pm – lights out
Day 6 (Iloilo)
0730 am – breakfast
0830 am – plaza Libertad, BongBongs, St. Michael Parish church and City Hall
1200 pm – going to Jaro
0115 pm – lunch at Buto’t Balat
0230 pm – going to Molo, St. Anne Church
0315 pm – at Molo Mansion
0400 pm – hotel check-out
0445 pm – at Iloilo Int’l Airport
0745 pm – boarding
0900 pm – back to Manila
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Short Trip to Baguio City – 3 Days 2 Nights Itinerary
No doubt, Baguio City, is your go-to destination for any unplanned and short vacation. Dubbed as the “City of Pines”, Baguio remains the top choice and convenient destination for tourists and young professionals who want an easy escape.
We booked a hotel near Burnham Park for one reason, to avoid traffic. As we all know, traffic here will remind you of your daily struggles in the Metro.
How We Got There
We usually travel by bus through Victory Liner. They have terminals in Pasay, Cubao, Sampaloc, and Caloocan with Regular Aircon or First Class trips. From Pasay, we took the regular aircon bus for P455. Their first-class bus fare is P780.
It is better to buy your tickets going back to Manila upon your arrival in Baguio City.
Where We Stayed
We booked Eurotel-Baguio through Agoda for 2 nights, located at 123 Abanao Extension Barangay Rizal Park, Baguio City Proper. The hotel is near Burnham Park and Session Road. Buffet breakfast is included in our booking, but do not expect too much.
Our Foodtrip
Solibao Restaurant (Session Road) – Located at Door #1 Puso ng Baguio Building, Session Road, Solibao is a home-grown Filipino restaurant established in 1972. They are one of the famous restaurants in the city and is best known for its Pancit Palabok, Kare-Kare, and others.
Sinner or Saint Café – Located at R and L Bldg. KM 3, Brgy. Balili, La Trinidad (beside La Trinidad welcome arch). The café is near Bell Church.
Hill Station – Located at CASA VALLEJO, Upper Session Road, Baguio with operating hours from Monday to Sunday, 7am to 11pm. For convenience, please make advance booking or reservation. This is one of the top restaurants in Baguio City, homey and cozy. A bit pricey but worthy.
Dencio’s – Located at unit 301-303, SM City Baguio, Luneta Hills, Upper Session Road with operating hours from Monday to Sunday of 10am to 9pm. This is our usual dining place whenever in Baguio. Villa Cordillera stall at SM Baguio is selling raisin bread for those who cannot visit Baguio Country Club.
Baguio Central Park Restaurant – Located at 136 Carino Street, Baguio City with operating hours of 9am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday. It is near Eurotel and just across Good Taste Restaurant – also one of the famous restaurants in Baguio.
Places/Tourist Spots We Visited
Session Road – one of the busiest streets and commercial center of Baguio City. A popular destination for shopping and dining in the city. Historically, its name was derived from the first session of the second Philippine Commission in 1904 when they held it in Baguio. A stone marker located in the upper session road is a proof that this famous road is part of Philippine History.
Strawberry Farm – a must-visit place when in Baguio. One of the activity here is strawberry picking and do not forget to taste their strawberry ice cream. You can also find several souvenir shops here. Located just 30 minutes from Baguio City with jeepney terminal located at Rizal Park, near our hotel.
Colors of Stobosa – From Strawberry Farm, we rode a jeepney bound to Baguio City and alight at Stobosa near the boundary of Benguet and Baguio. The colorful mural is an eye-catcher and will leave you in awe.
Bell Church – We have never been to Baguio’s Bell Church and this is our first time to visit the place. From Stobosa, Bell Church is just a few steps away. Just follow the rules and respect the place.
Burnham Park – The park is considered one of the famous parks in the country, located in downtown Baguio. It was designed by American architect and Baguio city planner, Daniel Burnham. You cannot say that you went to Baguio without visiting Burnham park. There are several activities that everyone can enjoy and do here – from biking, boating, camping, and playing. At night, the Harrison Road just beside the Burnham Park Football field is converted/transformed to a night market from 9pm to 4am.
Baguio Museum – Located at Department of Tourism – Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) Complex, Governor Pack Road, Baguio City. The museum is near Burnham Park and they have an entrance fee of P40. The museum is home to different artifacts, cool antiques, and a Kabayan mummy and of course, Baguio history.
Mines View Park – a short drive from downtown Baguio, approximately 5km with travel time of 30 minutes. A usual place to visit in Baguio offering panoramic view of Cordillera mountain range. You will see the abandoned gold and copper mining sites of Benguet Corporation in Itogon and the famous mountains of Ugo, Yabnong, Purgatory, and Pulag. Next time, will be there early in the morning to see the amazing sunrise the place can offer.
The Mansion – The official summer palace of the President of the Philippines. From Mines View Park, we rode a jeepney going to Baguio City and alight at the Mansion and Wright Park. Lucky that the gates are open, but you are prohibited to go to the main building.
Wright Park – Just across The Mansion is Wright Park, a quiet park with a long reflecting pond and pine trees. It is connected to the other side of the park where ponies are available for children, so they can enjoy horseback riding.
Itinerary
| DAY 1 | |
| 7:20am | at MRT-Boni going to MRT-Taft |
| 8:00am | Bus left Victory Liner Pasay Terminal |
| 11:30am | at Pura bus stop in Tarlac |
| 1:00pm | at Sison bus stop |
| 3:00pm | at Baguio City, Victory Liner terminal |
| 3:45pm | at Eurotel for check-in |
| 6:40pm | Casa Vallejo (made reservation) |
| 7:15pm | Dinner at Solibao Restaurant – Session |
| 9:30pm | Back to hotel |
| DAY 2 | |
| 7:30am | Wake-up call |
| 8:30am | Breakfast at hotel |
| 11:30am | Bound to Strawberry farm |
| 12:00pm | Strawberry Farm, Benguet |
| 1:45pm | Going to Bell Church and Stobosa |
| 2:15pm | at Colors of Stobosa |
| 2:35pm | Snack at Sinner or Saint Café |
| 3:00pm | at Bell Church |
| 4:00pm | Going back to hotel |
| 4:15pm | At Baguio City (Magsaysay) |
| 4:30pm | Baguio Public Market |
| 5:00pm | Back to hotel |
| 6:20pm | Going to Hill Station – Casa Vallejo |
| 6:30pm | Hill Station for Dinner |
| 8:30pm | at Burnham Park |
| 10:00pm | at Eurotel Hotel |
| DAY 3 | |
| 6:00am | Hotel breakfast |
| 10:00am | Going to Burnham Park and Rizal Park |
| 11:30am | at Baguio Museum |
| 1:00pm | Lunch at Dencio’s SM |
| 2:30pm | Going to Mines View Park |
| 3:30pm | Going to The Mansion and Wright Park |
| 4:30pm | At SM Baguio |
| 5:45pm | Dinner at Baguio Central Park |
| 7:00pm | Left Eurotel hotel going to terminal |
| 8:40pm | Bus left terminal going to Manila |
| 10:15pm | At Sison Bus Stop |
| 3:00am | Back to Manila |
Budget/Expenses
|
TOTAL |
EACH |
|
| MRT Fare |
40 |
20 |
| Victory Liner – to Baguio |
910 |
455 |
| Victory Liner – to Manila |
910 |
455 |
| Grab to hotel |
146 |
73 |
| Eurotel Hotel (2 Nights) |
4500 |
2250 |
| Grab car to Casa Vallejo |
90 |
45 |
| Solibao Restaurant – Dinner |
400 |
200 |
| Jeep to Strawberry Farm |
22.50 |
11.25 |
| Strawberry Ice Cream |
50 |
25 |
| Jeep to Stobosa |
17 |
8.50 |
| Souvenirs |
200 |
100 |
| Sinner or Saint Café – Snacks |
250 |
125 |
| Jeep to Baguio City |
17 |
8.50 |
| Walis at Baguio Market |
300 |
150 |
| Grab from Hotel to Hill Station |
95 |
47.50 |
| Ice cream at Rizal Park |
20 |
10 |
| Baguio Museum Entrance |
80 |
40 |
| Lunch at Dencio’s SM |
450 |
225 |
| Grab to Mines View Park |
121 |
60.50 |
| Jeep to The Mansion |
17 |
8.50 |
| Taxi to SM |
63 |
31.50 |
| Snacks – Turon |
30 |
15 |
| Baguio Central Park – Dinner |
600 |
300 |
| Grab to Terminal |
140 |
70 |
| TOTAL |
9,468.50 |
4,734.25 |
Just showed the basic expenses here related to our travel, your expenses might be different specifically the expenses related to food and transportation.
4D3N Port Barton and Puerto Princesa Full Itinerary
Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan, is known as the Eco-Tourism Center of the Philippines. A popular tourist destination for many due to its beautiful beaches, amazing islands, kind-hearted Filipinos, and distinct restaurants offering delectable foods.
Tourists usually go to Palawan to visit the Underground River, El Nido, Coron, and the emerging town of Port Barton. Luckily, we have been to these places but there are still more like Calamian Islands, Culion, Calauit, Narra, Linapacan, Balabac, and the Tubbataha Reefs National Park.
OUR STAY
Mariafe Inn
We stayed at Mariafe Inn (Deluxe Room), a newly opened budget hotel, located at Lagan Street, Puerto Princesa City, just 5 minutes away from the airport. We arrived late in Puerto Princesa City, probably around 8:30PM, on our 2nd day from Port Barton but we have not experienced any problem from getting a trike to our hotel check-in. Our booking includes breakfast and airport transfers, too.
Although you still need to walk a bit to get to the main street, the hotel is near Palawan Provincial Capitol and walking distance to Tiki Restobar, Balinsasayaw Restaurant, Kinabuch Grill and Bar and Kalui Restaurant.
OUR FOODTRIP EXPERIENCE
KaLui – a must-try popular restaurant in Puerto Princesa. Make a reservation if you can to avoid the long-wait. Aside from their great food and dishes there are other things you can see here like handicrafts and beautiful paintings. Really lovely and a unique restaurant. A reason why it is ranked the #1 in TripAdvisor. KaLui had a native setup, cool and cozy ambience, and hospitable staffs. You will go barefoot to feel the authenticity of the place but do not worry they have shoe boxes for you.
Kinabuch Grill and Bar – another highly-recommended and popular restaurant in town. They also have a native setup and unique sports bar design. Their “tamilok” and “crocodile sisig” is the best, a must-try when in Palawan. If you want some cold beers and enjoy the night, go here.
Badjao Seafront Restaurant – Oh! This will be included in my next blog. Will give you a separate entry for this one since our foodtrip experience here will be sponsored by my brother, none other than Rey Anthony (hahaha). So, stay tuned!
FULL ITINERARY
Day 1: Puerto Princesa to Port Barton
10:30am – departure from Manila (with delayed AirAsia flight)
11:30am – arrival at Puerto Princesa
01:30pm – at Recaro Van Terminal
02:00pm – left terminal, going to Port Barton
04:30pm – at Port Barton, Palawan
05:30pm – at San Isidro Labrador Church
07:00pm – dinner at Bamboo House
08:00pm – beach stroll
09:30pm – lights off
Day 2: Port Barton Island Hopping
07:00am – breakfast
09:00am – left hotel for island hopping
09:30am – Twin Reef snorkeling
10:45am – at Inaladelan Island
02:00pm – at Paradise Island
03:00pm – Fantastic Reef snorkeling
03:45pm – Starfish Island / Sandbar
04:15pm – back to Summerhomes
05:00pm – going to Puerto Princesa
08:00pm – arrival at Puerto Princesa
Day 3: Puerto Princesa Underground River
06:15am – breakfast at Mariafe Inn
07:45am – van pickup for Underground River Tour
10:00am – Buenavista viewdeck
10:30am – at Sabang
10:45am – Mangrove paddle boat tour
11:30am – end of paddle boat tour
12:35pm – going back to Sabang for lunch
01:00pm – going to Underground River
03:30pm – end of Underground River tour
05:00pm – at Pasalubong Center
06:30pm – going back to our hotel
07:45pm – dinner at Kalui
09:00pm – back to hotel
Day 4: Puerto Princesa Honda Bay Tour
06:30am – breakfast
08:00am – pickup for Honda Bay Tour
09:30am – at Starfish Island
11:00am – at LuLi Island
01:30pm – at Cowrie Island
03:00pm – end of tour
05:30pm – at the airport
07:40pm – departure from Puerto Princesa
BUDGET / FEES / EXPENSES
| Particulars | Total Cost | Cost Per Pax |
| Fare – Tricycle from airport to Robinsons for lunch (3 pax) | 70 | 23 |
| Meals – lunch at Robinsons (3 pax) | 315 | 105 |
| Fare – Tricycle from Robinsons to Recaro Van Terminal (2 pax) | 70 | 35 |
| Meals – dinner at Bamboo House (2 pax) | 600 | 300 |
| Water | 50 | |
| Meals – dinner day 2 | 290 | 145 |
| Fare – Tricycle from Recaro to Mariafe Inn | 150 | 75 |
| Hotel (Mariafe Inn for 2 nights) | 2,400 | 1,200 |
| Underground | 3,600 | 1,800 |
| Honday Bay | 3,000 | 1,500 |
| Mangrove Tour | 700 | 350 |
| Zipline | 1,100 | 550 |
| Meals – Avocado shake | 100 | |
| Picture (print-out) | 180 | |
| Pasalubong (various items) | 3,300 | 1,650 |
| Dinner at Kalui | 930 | 465 |
| Fare – tricycle to hotel | 20 | 10 |
| Beers | 218 | |
| Aqua shoes rental | 150 | |
| Snorkeling gear rental | 150 | |
| bread | 15 | |
| Meals – early dinner at Kinabuch Bar and Grill | 845 | 423 |
| Accomodation – Summerhomes at Port Barton | 2,000 | 1,000 |
| Port Barton Island Hopping Tour | 1,000 | |
| Van to Port Barton from Puerto Princesa | 400 | |
| Van to Puerto Princesa from Port Barton | 400 | |
| TOTAL | 12,294 |
THINGS WE DID / PLACES WE VISITED
Buenavista Viewdeck
Your stop-over going to Underground River, offering a stunning panoramic view of Ulugan Bay, a deep channel in the midwestern coast of the city. There is a lot of cheap souvenir items here, so we grabbed one.
Sabang Mangrove Paddle Boat Tour
One of the sidetrips available on your tour. An estimated 45-minute boat ride into Sabang River and its century old mangroves. Aside from this, they also have zipline here.
Underground River
Puerto Princesa Underground River or Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located north of the city center of Puerto Princesa, Palawan. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and voted as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Also, it is considered as one of the world’s most complex cave systems and the world’s longest navigable underground river.
From our hotel, we travelled 2 hours to get to Sabang, your jump-off point to underground river. Included in the tour package is a buffet lunch but we arrived early so we went first for a sidetrip, the mangrove tour. After mangrove paddle boat tour we took our lunch and waited for the start of our tour.
Honda Bay Island Hopping
This is our first time to experience Honda bay island hopping tour and still lucky to have it on our last day. From the city proper, you need an estimated 30-minute van ride to get to Honda Bay jump-off point. You will be required to have aqua shoes and if you do not have you can rent one, rent snorkeling gears too. Also, buy some bread for fish feeding/snorkeling.
We visited Starfish Island, Lu-Li Island, and Cowrie Island. Our buffet lunch was served on Lu-Li island. The tour and itinerary is a bit short but still fine, probably due to privatization of the other islands in Honda Bay.
TIPS
1. Go to Port Barton if you want to see beautiful corals and a more enjoyable snorkeling activity.
2. If you have limited time and do not want to travel for more than 3 hours to get to Port Barton choose Honda Bay.
3. Underground river tour is a must when in Puerto Princesa and there are changes and developments on the tour compared before.
4. Do not forget your sunblock.
5. If you have your own aqua shoes and snorkeling gears bring it on your Honda Bay tour.
6. MCA Market Mall Pasalubong Center which is near the airport offers cheaper souvenir items, shirts, cashews, and others.
2D1N Port Barton Itinerary with Island Hopping
If you want to experience paradise, like the good old days, Port Barton in Palawan is the one. It is a 3-hour drive from Puerto Princesa city and has no major commercial developments, no 5-star hotel, no banks or ATMs, and no full-day supply of electricity (from 6pm to 12pm only) generally. But there are some hotels which offer 24-hour supply of electricity. Port Barton is a perfect place for travelers who want to isolate themselves from the hustle and bustle of city life. Explore various islands, dive and swim on its beautiful beaches, and have fun.
Getting There
From Puerto Princesa International Airport we went to Robinsons Palawan for a quick lunch and headed directly to Recaro Van Terminal for a 3-hour van ride going to Port Barton. The driver dropped us at our hotel. Amazing, right?
Our Stay
We stayed at Summerhomes Palawan so we can have a 24-hour electricity basically for charging. As we want to maximize our stay and explore this lovely place until the wee hours, this hotel is perfectly fit for us.
This is their website, http://summerhomes-palawan.com/, we booked a beach front chalet for a reasonable price per night. The room is big enough and offers the best view of the beach and garden. They have a beach bar, too.
Where to Eat
Port Barton have several restaurants for you to choose from. We had dinner at Bamboo House, just near San Isidro Labrador Church. They have variety of good food here but I still preferred “sinigang”. They have “buko”, too. Overall, our dinner experience is great.
Our hotel has a small restaurant and our accommodation includes a free breakfast for two.
Itinerary
Day 1: Puerto Princesa to Port Barton
10:30am – departure from Manila (delayed flight)
11:30am – arrival at Puerto Princesa
01:30pm – at Recaro Van Terminal
02:00pm – left terminal, going to Port Barton
04:30pm – at Port Barton, Palawan
05:30pm – at San Isidro Labrador Church to attend a mass
07:00pm – dinner at Bamboo House
08:00pm – beach stroll and beers
10:30pm – back at Summerhomes
Day 2: Port Barton Island Hopping
07:00am – breakfast
09:00am – left hotel for island hopping
09:30am – Twin Reef snorkeling
10:45am – at Inaladelan Island
02:00pm – at Paradise Island
03:00pm – Fantastic Reef snorkeling
03:45pm – Starfish Island / Sandbar
04:15pm – back to Summerhomes
05:00pm – going to Puerto Princesa
08:00pm – arrival at Puerto Princesa
Island Hopping
TWIN REEF – our first stop is at the middle of the sea, OMG. Lucky for me and my wife, our tour guide is so kind and assisted us in our snorkeling and swimming. You will be amazed by the corals and a variety of fish.
INALADELAN ISLAND – a 12-hectare private island which is also known as German Island. It features white sand beach and crystal-clear water for you to experience. Play beach volleyball, swing to the island’s beauty, and explore the whole island responsibly.
We spent more time on the island, enough for you to take some rest and enjoy the lunch prepared by your boatmen. We are the only Filipinos on tour and the chosen one who cannot swim. (lols) Fascinated by foreigners who can jump at the sea without a vest and still float, literally.
PARADISE ISLAND – a powdery-white sand beach with clear waters for snorkeling. This is also a privately-owned island you can visit. We only stayed for half an hour on this wonderful island and our next stop is again at the middle of the sea but offers more colorful corals and fascinating marine-life.
FANTASTIC REEF – a perfect snorkeling site, full of wonders. Again, we are happy to have our snorkeling activity with the help of our guide. They should be complemented but unfortunately, I was not able to remember their names. On my next post for our next adventure, will surely give them credits.
STARFISH ISLAND/SANDBAR – our last stop is a summation of our island hopping, a great experience. A sandbar full of starfish offering a picturesque view of Port Barton. Sunset is lovely here, as they say. But we arrived early and we cannot wait for it since the sun is joyfully striking us with his power.
Tips
- Be a responsible traveler and leave no trace. (you know what I mean)
- Bring your sun screens/sun blocks.
- A waterproof bag is recommended.
- Bring your own snorkeling gears if you have.
- Aqua shoes not required.
- Make sure to bring enough cash since there is no ATM in town.
3D2N Sambawan-Biliran-Tacloban
Our travel to Biliran is really a “sulit” one. From their beaches and islands to waterfalls and other attractions, they have a lot here. And we have no choice but to maximize our trip on these lovely island-destinations of Leyte.
Biliran is one of the smallest provinces in the country but with overflowing natural wonders, a true gift of nature. It is the fourth smallest province after Batanes, Camiguin, and Siquijor. In fact, you can travel the whole island in a day with a motorcycle.
From Kalanggaman we headed directly to Biliran to spend a night, we stayed at Agta Beach Resort in Almeria. There is a lot of fun on our 1st day during the island-hopping, visiting Sambawan, Maripipi, Culaba, Higatangan, and Dalutan islands. Waterfalls searching on the 2nd day is a different scenario with a satisfying and worthy experience. And we have Tacloban and Palo sidetrip on our last day to complete the trip with a smile.
GETTING THERE
From Manila, we took an Air Asia flight to Tacloban, Leyte, the nearest entry point to Biliran. From the aiport, ride a jeepney going to the downtown area then ride Van-Vans, Duptors, or Grandtours going to Naval town proper. Travel time is about 2 and half hours. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific also have daily flights from Manila to Tacloban.
https://www.airasia.com/en/home.page
https://www.cebupacificair.com/
https://www.philippineairlines.com/en/ph/home
You can also reach Naval via bus from Manila. There are buses from Pasay and Cubao travelling to Naval, Biliran daily. Travel time is more than 24 hours.
From Cebu, you can take fast crafts to Ormoc City with an estimated travel time of 3 hours. From Ormoc, you can take a shuttle van directly to Naval with an estimated travel time of 1.5 hours.
By the way, AIRJUAN opens its destination Cebu to Biliran and Vice Versa last 2017. Kindly check their website for the flight schedule.
From Davao, you can go to Davao City Overland Bus Terminal. They have daily trip to Tacloban and travel time is 15 hours.
Since we availed of a tour package courtesy of sir Anthony Mecaral of biliranisland.com, after our Kalanggaman day-tour we went directly to Naval without hassle. Travel time is 2.5 hours. Had barbecue dinner at Naval then went straight to Agta Beach Resort in Almeria.
WHERE TO STAY
Agta Beach Resort
Located in Almeria, Biliran, the first scuba diving resort in the province and the most popular beach in Biliran. We stayed here for 3 nights and it is near Talahid Beach Resort. From Naval, ride a bus to Kawayan and tell the driver to drop you in Agta Beach Resort.
Talahid Beach Resort
A beachfront resort at the center of the famous coastal line of Brgy. Talahid in Almeria. The resort is home to the famous Nestor’s Lechon Manok. There is no restaurant in the resort but you can request their staff to cook for you. They have no credit card payment facility.
VRC Resort
Located in Agta beach, the resort gives you everything you need to relax and enjoy. They have different room types for small to large group and they have swimming pools. Entrance fee: P25/head (adult), P15/head (children), and P100/head (overnight stay).
MayLaka Boutique Hotel
A boutique hotel and fine dining restaurant located on the main road in Brgy. Catmon, Naval, Biliran. They also have wine bar, an underground wine cellar, orchidarium, kid’s playground, an event area, and a member’s beach bar and private beach. Room rate is P3,500 plus TAX with buffet breakfast.
Biliran Island Sunrise Bed and Breakfast
Sunrise Bed and Breakfast is in uptown Naval, Biliran. It sits atop a hillside offering panoramic views of the mountains and ocean. They also have spacious rooftop terrace for your sunrise and sunset photos.
Prince Inn
Located in Brgy. Poblacion, Caibiran just minutes away from town’s business district. It offers low priced rooms with in-house restaurant operating from 7am to 5pm.
Fragoch Tourist Inn
Located in Caneja Ext., Brgy. Santo Nino, Naval. They have various room types for single to 4 guests.
Higatangan Island Beach Resort
Located in Higatangan Island, Naval, Biliran. This resort offers comfortable and modern accommodation situated near the famous Higatangan Shifting Sandbar. It is also near the historic house where the late President Marcos took refuge during World War II.
There are other hotels and inns in Biliran and Maripipi, Sambawan for you to choose from. Depending on your itinerary, you can choose what is suited on your trip.
ITINERARY
(from Kalanggaman)
5:30pm – at Palompon
6:10pm – at town of Villaba, going to Naval
7:30pm – at Biliran, going to Naval then to Almeria
8:00pm – at Naval
9:30pm – at Agta Beach Resort
(Day 1)
7:45am – left Talahid Resort for island hopping
8:30am – at Tingkasan Bat Cave
9:30am – at Sambawan, Maripipi
1:30pm – left Sambawan going to Higatangan Island
2:30pm – at Higatangan Island
3:00pm – at Higatangan Shifting Sandbar
4:00pm – at Dalutan Island
7:00pm – back to hotel
(Day 2)
8:00am – left hotel for waterfalls tour
9:15am – at Recoletos Waterfall
10:30am – at Ulan-Ulan waterfalls
12:00pm – Back to hotel for lunch
1:30pm – left Talahidan for the continuation of our tour
2:15pm – at Acaban cave
3:00pm – at Tinago Falls
4:00pm – at Mainit Hotspring
5:00pm – at Naravil-Boardwalk, Sitio Naga, Brgy. Looc, Cabucgayan, Biliran
6:00pm – at Pantalan, Biliran
8:00pm – back to hotel
(Day 3)
8:00am – left Agta Beach Resort
8:40am – at Naval Church
9:00am – at Grand Tours going to Tacloban
11:40am – at Palo, Leyte
12:00pm – lunch at Ocho Seafood and Grill
2:00pm – at Leyte Provincial Capitol
2:45pm – at MV Jocelyn Memorial
3:00pm – at San Juanico Bridge
4:00pm – at Mac Arthur Park Leyte
4:45pm – at Palo Cathedral
5:15pm – at Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport
THINGS TO DO
Sambawan Island
Sambawan is paradise, period. Located 5km of the west coast of Maripipi, this island is fast becoming a popular tourist destination in town. The rocky islets and rock formations are postcard-perfect. A breathtaking view of the island and its stunning beauty will give you the experience you ever wanted. Will absolutely return to this island and will stay overnight to capture the milky way and lovely stars on our lens.
How to Get There:
- From Naval, take the only passenger boat to Maripipi Island (leaves at 10am)
- From Maripipi Island, ride habal-habal to Brgy. Ol-og
- Rent a boat to Sambawan Island
Alternatively, from Naval you can ride a jeep, bus, or habal-habal to Kawayan and hire boat directly to Sambawan for P3,000 to P3,500. Travel time is one hour. Upon arrival, you can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and diving. Hike to the top of the hill to get the best view of two sides of the island.
What to Bring: food, water, camping equipment, power bank, sunblock, flashlights (for overnight-camping)
Expenses:
P120-P130 – van to Naval from Tacloban
P60 – passenger boat to Maripipi Island
P10 – Naval Port terminal fee
P100 – habal-habal to brgy. Ol-og
P500 – boat to Sambawan
Tingkasan Bat Cave
Our 1st destination on our way to Sambawan. The place is ideally good for spelunking, diving, and spear-fishing. It is home to a colony of bats and according to legend Japanese hid treasure chests here before Leyte Landing of General Douglas MacArthur.
Higatangan Rock Formations
After visiting Sambawan, we went to Higatangan Rock Formations. It is a 1 hour and 20 minutes boat ride from Naval, Biliran and a famous tourist attraction in the island. The amazing rock formation is natural and crafted by nature’s own hands. It can be found at the back of Higatangan island.
How to Get There:
- Hire a private boat to take you directly to Higatangan Island from Naval.
- Or, ride a passenger boat from Naval to Higatangan for 45 minutes. They have daily trips which usually leave at 12 noon in Naval and travel back at 7:30am the next day. There is only one boat during Sundays.
Expenses:
P5,000 – roundtrip private boat for 15 persons or more
P3,000 – roundtrip private boat for 7 passengers/small group
P50 – passenger boat
P600 – motorized banca to tour the island
Higatangan Island Shifting SAND BAR
It is a 200-meter white sand located at Brgy. Mabini, Naval, Biliran. This amazing sand bar is said to resemble a giant tounge and the only sandbar in Biliran. During high tide, the tip of the sandbar gets submerged underwater so please be cautious when swimming. Depending on the month and monsoon, its location varies. Amazing, right?
Dalutan Island
This was our last destination for island-hopping tour. The island is part of the municipality of Almeria, Biliran. It can be reached via an outrigger boat from Talahid, Almeria. Basic basic huts are available for rent in the island, closing time is 5pm and overnight in the island is not allowed.
How to Get There: from Talahid Beach Resort or Agta Beach Resort hire a boat to Dalutan Island. Travel time is 10-15 minutes. Boat fee is P600 for 12 persons (roundtrip) and P1500 for 20 persons (roundtrip).
Recoletos Falls
Our 1st destination on our 2nd day tour. The name was derived from San Jose Recoletos and located in Brgy. Sampao in Almeria which is popularly known as the land of waterfalls. It is a 5-minute walk up from Ulan-Ulan falls, the more famous waterfall. It has a wide pool with deep water perfect for cliff-jumping and swimming. My 1st cliff-jumping experience was in Recoletos! Yahoo!
Ulan-Ulan Falls
Ulan means rain in the local dialect. It is a 25-meter-high falls surrounded by thick tropical forest and is very picturesque. This is a must to visit when you are in Almeria. We enjoyed swimming and stayed in the waterfalls while catching our breath (hahaha). There are no cottages in the area and not a place for an overnight stay.
How to Get There:
From Naval, ride a habal-habal or rent your own ride going to Barangay Sampao. Travel time is approximately 20-30 minutes. Alight at the signage leading to the waterfalls and hire a local guide.
Expenses:
P80 – Gasoline for your own ride
P80 – habal-habal, one-way trip
P300 – habal-habal, pakyaw (roundtrip)
P300 – motorbike rental
P100 – tip for local guide
Acaban Cave (Lover’s Cave)
Located along the national road in Brgy. Acaban, Culaba. It has an amazing view and perfect for swimming. When we went there, saw some couples dating, really a place for lovers.
Tinago Waterfalls
The most popular falls in the province located in Brgy. Cabibihan, Caibiran, Biliran. Hidden in the forest, near the heart of the island, the falls is no longer HIDDEN (meaning of “tinago”) due to its growing popularity to tourists and travellers. A tourist destination that blends perfectly for nature lovers.
You can reach the area by any land transportation from Naval for an estimated travel time of 30 to 45 minutes.
Mainit Hot Spring
One of the popular destination in Caibiran is the Mainit Hot Spring located in Barangay Villa Vicenta. Locally known as mainit or “warm/hot” in English is a popular venue for people who believe in its healing properties. It has a man-made pool basin with concrete seats which provide comfort to visitors.
Naravil Boardwalk
Located at Sitio Naga, Looc, Cabucgayan, Biliran.
Provincial Capitol
M/V Eva Jocelyn
This is the actual bow of M/V Eva Jocelyn, one of the cargo vessels washed ashore during Super-Typhoon Yolanda, made into a memorial marker in honor of those who died in the area.
San Juanico Bridge
The longest bridge in the Philippines spanning a body of seawater and the 2nd longest bridge in the Philippines in all category. The bridge was dedicated to Ferdinand Marcos’ wife, Imelda Marcos. It is part of the Pan-Philippine Highway and stretches from Samar to Leyte across the San Juanico Strait with a total length of 2.16 kilometers.
MacArthur Park
Also known as MacArthur Leyte Landing Memorial National Park and Leyte Landing Memorial Park, is one of the popular tourist destination in the province. It is in the municipality of Palo, Leyte in Eastern Visayas. It commemorates the historic landing of General Douglas MacArthur in Leyte Gulf.
Palo Cathedral
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lord’s Transfiguration, also known as Palo Cathedral.
FEES
Sambawan Island
Entrance Fee: P80
Environmental Fee: P20
Cottages: P500 – P2500
Tent Pitching Fee: P100/day
Scuba Rental: P2,500
Bench and Table: P300
Kayak Rental: P300/hr
Dalutan Island
Entrance Fee: P20/head (adult)
Entrance Fee: P10/head (minors)
Shed Rental (big): P400
Ulan-Ulan/Recoletos Waterfalls
Environmental Fee: P20
Acaban Cave
Entrance Fee: P20 for adult
Entrance Fee: P10 for minors
Cottage: P300
Big Cottage: P500
Tinago Falls
Entrance Fee: P20 for adult
Entrance Fee: P10 for minors
Naravil Boardwalk
Entrance Fee: P20 for adult
Entrance Fee: P10 for minors
Tacloban Sidetrip
Tricycle Fare: P600 plus tip
TIPS
- Cellphone signal is inconsistent. (but this is what we want, right?)
- Check the weather when going to Sambawan, especially when you are planning to stay overnight.
- Bring water during hiking and waterfall searching.
- Leave no trace except footprints. Be responsible in disposing your trash.
- The best time to visit the island is during summer months of March to May.
- You should not travel after 5pm especially when the weather is not good.
- Bring enough cash.
Kalanggaman Island Day Tour
This is a short but satisfying adventure for us, the island’s sandbar is perfect and the whole island is amazingly pretty. We opted to have a day-tour in Kalanggaman to maximize our Leyte-Biliran experience. And this is really one of the best trips we had.
Kalanggaman Island should be on top of your bucket list, a paradise-island destination perfect for a travel-enthusiast like you. A virgin island with blue and crystal-clear water, long white shoreline, and sandbars extending on both ends. Only in Palompon, Leyte.
GETTING THERE
Our flight is from Manila to Tacloban and we booked a tour package to Kalanggaman. From Tacloban airport, we rode a van going to Palompon, Leyte for 3 hours.
Via Tacloban Airport (Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport)
To get to Kalanggaman from Tacloban Airport, ride a van going to Palompon. Travel time is about 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Via Cebu Airport (Mactan-Cebu International Airport)
To get to Kalanggaman from Cebu Airport, ride a taxi going to Pier 3. You can either ride a SuperCat, OceanJet and Weesam (fastcraft) going to Ormoc, Leyte or a ship en route to Palompon. Fastcraft fare usually costs around P500-P700 while ship ticket costs around P500. SuperCat travel time is about 3 hours to reach Ormoc, then you need to ride a van going to Palompon (1 hr ride) which can cost you another P150. Ship from Cebu will take 4 hours to reach Palompon.
Via Cebu-Malapascua
From Mactan Airport, ride a taxi to the North Bus Terminal for 20 minutes. Ride a bus to Maya Port for 4 hours. From Maya port take a passenger boat to Malapascua Island. Ride a boat to Kalanggaman Island with travel time of 1.5 to 2 hours.
Once you’re in Palompon, go to Palompon Liberty Park and pay the necessary fees for the Kalanggaman Eco-Tour. Boat ride from this point to Kalanggaman Island takes about an hour for regular boats.
WHERE TO STAY
There are no hotels, rooms, or inns on the island. Camping is the usual option if you will spend a night in Kalanggaman. You can bring your own tents or rent it from different suppliers. Also make sure that the weather is good if you are planning to camp overnight. There are cottages available for day-trippers. If you’re planning a day-trip, there are numerous hotels and some budget inns in Palompon, Malapascua, and other nearby towns.
ITINERARY
7am – arrival in Tacloban
730am – going to Palompon
745am – at Palo, Leyte
945am – at Liberty Terrestrial Ecopark Diversion Road
10am – at Palompon
1030am – left port going to Kalanggaman (45 mins travel)
1120am – at Kalanggaman Island
12pm – lunch at the island
430pm – left Kalanggaman Island
530pm – back at Palompon
FEES
International Tourist:
- Regular (Day Tour): P 500.00
- Overnight Rate: P 750.00
Non-Palompon Tourist:
- Regular (Day Tour): P 150.00
- Overnight Rate: P 225.00
Private Pumpboat Fees:
- 15 Capacity: P 3,000.00
- 25 Capacity: P 3,500.00
- 30 Capacity: P 4,000.00
- 40 Capacity: P5,000.00
Cottages:
- Small: P 250.00
- Medium: P 500.00
- Large: P 750.00
Tent:
- Rate: 300 / night (4-Person Tent), 250 / night (2-person Tent)
- Deposit: valid ID + 200
Kalanggaman Island day-tour is part of our 4D/3N Kalanggaman-Biliran Tour Package for 2 pax (joiners) courtesy of biliranisland.com. Really enjoyed their company and their kindness, highly recommended!
TIPS
- Cellphone signal is inconsistent. (but this is what we want, right?)
- Check the weather when going to Kalanggaman, especially when you are planning to stay overnight.
- There are grillers available on the island.
- Better to schedule your trip early in the morning since boats are limited and there are certain limits as to number of tourists.
- There are restrooms but do not expect too much.
- There is no electricity on the island.
- Leave no trace except footprints. Be responsible in disposing your trash.
- The best time to visit the island is during summer months of March to May.
BAKHAWAN ECO-PARK: an adventure in Kalibo, Aklan
One of the famous side-trips you should consider when travelling to Boracay is Bakhawan Eco-Park, ranked as the NUMBER 1 tourist attraction in Kalibo by Tripadvisor and one of the top things to do in Aklan.
Bakhawan Eco-Park is a 220-hectare mangrove forest located in Kalibo, Aklan. It is a home to over 20 species of mangrove trees, 28 species of birds, and a wide variety of marine life. The eco-park is operated by the Kalibo Save the Mangroves Association (KASAMA). “Bakhawan” means “mangrove”, and this so-called lifesaver prevents floods and storm surges during bad weather and protect the shoreline of the community. From the city proper, you need 20 to 30 minutes tricycle-ride to get to the area with a fare of less than P50. There are tricycles waiting outside so no need to worry about your ride going back to the city.
The eco-trail is more than 1KM walk and we spent more than 2 hours to maximize the visit/eco-tour. There is a snack bar at the end of the trail offering drinks like “buko” juice and beers. If you want, you can rent a kayak and do bamboo rafting. Your reward for a long walk is remarkable – nice view, refreshing scenery, experiencing nature at its best, clean air, and serenity.
ACCOMMODATION
We stayed in Ati-Atihan Festival Hostel located at 19 Martyrs Street, City Proper, Kalibo. The hotel is near CitiMall and price for one night is P1,239 for Double Economy. We decided to spend an overnight in Kalibo since we have a midnight flight from Manila and going to Boracay directly will not be easy. But you can arrange one if you want since there are various tour agencies and vans offering that service. As we all know, Boracay is open for everyone 24/7.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Ati-Atihan Festival
The colorful festival parade consists of tribal dance, music, accompanied by indigenous costumes and weapons, and being held annually in January to honor Santo Nino (the Infant Jesus), concluding on the third Sunday.
Museo It Akean
This is a good starting point of your Kalibo exploration, just across the Cathedral. The museum showcases town’s history, with artifacts showcasing different periods of town’s culture and heritage.
Kalibo Cathedral
Cathedral Parish of St. John the Baptist is just beside Aklan Museum and in front of Plaza Pastrana. It was originally built in the year 1581 and one of the oldest structures in the province. The church was renovated in 1993 and the designs are one of the works of Leandro V. Locsin, a national artist.
Plaza Pastrana
Located in the heart of the city, it is the converging place of the Ati-atihan Festival.
Budget and Tips
Your Kalibo adventure will not require you to spend more than P1,000 per head for an overnight stay. We spent less than P2,000 including accommodation and meals.
Bakhawan eco-park entrance is P150.00 with operating hours from 7am to 7pm. Best time to go here is in the morning and late afternoon.
Guys, do not throw your trash anywhere. Be responsible and dispose it properly.
Thank you!
