Bantayan Island Cebu is an undiscovered paradise. Right here’s find out how to experience the most productive seashores, day motels, native eating places earlier than the crowds inevitably arrive.
All I may just assume once we traveled Bantayan Island, used to be how fortunate we have been to be there. I’d heard Filipinos that it used to be higher than Boracay, however many didn’t need to bother of riding a couple of hours from Cebu Town to then take a ferry to discuss with.
Because the Philippines has such a lot of islands that’s comprehensible, particularly when you’ll fly into a lot of them. And spaces in South Cebu like Siquijor Island or crossing over to Dumaguete have extra facilities.
However additionally they have extra vacationers.
And so whilst we have been there it felt like paradise, with native Filipino meals, reasonably priced guesthouses, sunbeds at motels that simply price a couple of bucks an afternoon.
And no crowds.
Watch the Video
This will likely quickly trade for Bantayan as there are plans to usher in business flights to the small island airport. Realizing it will trade I sought after to experience each non violent, stunning second.
On this commute information to the island I’ll percentage all my favourite spots, beginning with meals. As a result of there’s nice Filipino meals and one meals on Bantayan Island you received’t to find anyplace else within the Philippines.
After which I’ll percentage all of the commute pointers so you already know what to anticipate, each the great and the dangerous.
However let’s get started with the scrumptious.
Conventional Bantayan Island Meals
Buwad | Dried Fish
Buwad, or dried fish, is a Bantayan Island staple, continuously made with in the community stuck fish.
Salted and sun-dried, it’s eaten with rice and vinegar. This straightforward, savory dish showcases the island’s fishing tradition and coastal substances.
The place I stayed we noticed other folks drying fish far and wide. It’s now not my favourite factor however I will be able to recognize it.
Taguangkan – Tagu-angkan
I appeared far and wide for this Filipino meals, which you’ll most effective devour on Bantayan Island. It’s a hen womb or ovary with an unfertilized egg and gut on a skewer.
I had virtually given up as locals instructed the road distributors in Bantayan the town correct however I didn’t to find it. After I in the end gave up and went to Santa Fe Public Marketplace I noticed any person promoting it.
It sounds unique however in fact it tastes like a boiled or fried egg grilled with hen.
Guso Salad | Seaweed Salad
Guso Salad options contemporary guso (seaweed) combined with tomatoes, onions, and infrequently inexperienced mango.
It’s seasoned with vinegar, salt, and every so often chili for a touch of spice. The dish gives a crunchy, refreshing style of unpolluted seaweed.
Guso Salad has origins in Visayan delicacies, recurrently served as a facet dish with grilled fish or red meat.
Lechon Manok | Roasted Hen
The Philippines is understood for roasted red meat however wow the roast hen right here is astounding.
Lechon manok is hen marinated in spices and slowly roasted over charcoal. There are many puts promoting it on the best way to Bantayan the town correct and it’s price attempting the juicy inside and crispy pores and skin.
My favourite is in fact in Dumaguete however Bantayan is price a check out as neatly.
Sinugba | Grilled Seafood
Sinugba options freshly stuck seafood, like fish or squid, grilled over open flames.
Seasoned with salt and infrequently brushed with just a little oil, this dish highlights the island’s plentiful seafood and ease in preparation.
There are many puts in Santa Fe that may be offering this to vacationers at evening. However I discovered the meals to be higher high quality and more economical in Bantayan the town correct.
MAKE IT AT HOME:
Filipino Kinilaw Recipe
Torta | Sponge Cake
A conventional Cebuano meals. Torta is a cushy sponge cake made with tuba (palm wine) as a leavening agent. Candy and fluffy but in addition so dense it’s absolute best as a seaside snack.
Bantayan has superb bakeries with such a lot of Filipino chocolates. We all the time popped into one earlier than heading out for the day.
This dessert has Spanish roots and is continuously loved all over native celebrations.
My Favorite Eating places in Bantayan
Fercilla’s: she is an area karinderia on the best way to the mangrove that sells meals to locals. She begins at 5am and serves till 2pm after which is going to the marketplace to start out cooking for the next day to come. Should you’re coming from Manila, take a look at my favorite spots for breakfast in Poblacion Makati.
Uncle Brew: The price of espresso varies so extensively at the island. After all you are expecting upper costs as they’ve to move it onto the island, however in some circumstances it used to be surprising. The oldsters at Uncle Brew serve sturdy espresso in paper cups for 39 PHP and are in reality great.
Mama Tita’s Bakery: Nice baked items at an awesome worth. The espresso store subsequent door had affordable costs.
Santa Fe Public Marketplace: to take a look at taguangkan and check out unique Filipino end result you don’t have at house.
Karinderias: We discovered that consuming native meals outdoor Santa Fe used to be the most productive guess. We attempted consuming in Santa Fe however I couldn’t suggest any of the spot.
The Island’s Rising Pains
Only a fast heads up at the issues that aren’t so nice about Bantayan Island. They aren’t a large deal as soon as you already know:
- The development in Santa Fe is insane and complicated. Each day they block off a brand new boulevard so Google Maps can’t stay up. Even locals have been puzzled. That stated with an expanding inflow of visitors it’s a must to replace the infrastructure so it’s laborious to whinge.
- They do enjoy brown outs. Stay units charged.
- Don’t rely on wifi as it may be spotty outdoor Santa Fe and Bantayan The town Right kind. It’s very best to obtain the google map of the island in your telephone.
Perfect Issues to Do When You’re Now not Consuming
Such a lot of seashores and waterfalls and different herbal spaces. We didn’t rush to peer the whole thing because it used to be a soothing go back and forth and on our ultimate day it rained the entire time. Right here have been my favourite spots.
Sandira Seaside
Sandira is in style and you’ll get there two tactics. We noticed locals looking to inform Korean vacationers they needed to pay to be at the seaside. That’s now not true. You do want to pay for motorcycling parking nevertheless it’s a public seaside.
There aren’t any lifeguards or palm bushes for coloration. Other folks huddle underneath the limestone rocks for a bit of of reduction from the solar.
Montemar Seaside
Many of the seashores don’t have palm bushes to stay you within the coloration and it’s HOT. Our guesthouse proprietor Maria advisable this hotel as she is going right here. I used to be so grateful for the advice as a result of I might have by no means discovered it by myself.
Montemar Seaside Hotel most effective fees 150 PHP for access, which incorporates parking, washrooms and front room chairs with coloration. Take a look at the video to peer the fantastic colour of the water at this seaside.
The Seaside Outdoor My Resort
Because it’s a fishing village you’ll see boats come out and in and the village kids enjoying.
It’s now not the most productive seaside for swimming however there are palm bushes and there’s one thing slightly enjoyable about it.
Omagieca Obo-ob Mangrove Lawn
I like supporting group primarily based tourism that is helping locals take care of their setting moderately than promoting land to builders.
It’s lower than a fifteen minute power from Santa Fe and extremely most effective 75 PHP to go into. It’s a pleasing stroll throughout the mangrove even if be sure to carry sunscreen.
There are many native distributors promoting souvenirs outdoor for costs higher than you’ll to find in Cebu.
Bantayan Island Resort Advice
There may be a large number of building occurring in Bantayan in preparation for the wave of tourism that locals (or most likely overseas buyers) hope will seem.
I learn a large number of evaluations and up to now the standard of lodging doesn’t appear to exponentially building up as you might extra.
I opted for an area visitor space referred to as Maria Guesthouse that used to be in a fishing village and the halfway level between Santa Fe and Bantayan The town Right kind. Maria used to be beautiful and gave nice native suggestions.
How one can get to Bantayan
It’s slightly easy to discuss with Bantayan from Cebu Town. Take a bus or taxi to the port after which the ferry over.
Whilst there are technically flights they’re dear and most effective run on Fridays and Sundays to provider rich Filipinos who need to discuss with for the weekend.
Via Bus
Take a Ceres bus from Cebu North Bus Terminal to Hagnaya Port (approx. 3 hours). As soon as at Hagnaya, board a ferry to Bantayan Island, which takes round 1 hour.
Via Taxi
Rent a taxi from Cebu Town to Hagnaya Port, costing about 2,500–3,000 PHP. From Hagnaya, take the ferry to Bantayan Island, a 1-hour journey.
Via Ferry
From Hagnaya Port, ferries to Bantayan Island go away regularly and take about 1 hour. No reservations wanted; merely acquire tickets on the terminal.
Via Aircraft
Since August 2024, Air Juan gives flights from Mactan-Cebu Global Airport to Bantayan Airport. The 30-minute flight supplies a scenic and fast choice, skipping the bus and ferry.
Bantayan Island Cebu is an undiscovered paradise. Right here’s find out how to experience the most productive seashores, day motels, native eating places earlier than the crowds inevitably arrive.
All I may just assume once we traveled Bantayan Island, used to be how fortunate we have been to be there. I’d heard Filipinos that it used to be higher than Boracay, however many didn’t need to bother of riding a couple of hours from Cebu Town to then take a ferry to discuss with.
Because the Philippines has such a lot of islands that’s comprehensible, particularly when you’ll fly into a lot of them. And spaces in South Cebu like Siquijor Island or crossing over to Dumaguete have extra facilities.
However additionally they have extra vacationers.
And so whilst we have been there it felt like paradise, with native Filipino meals, reasonably priced guesthouses, sunbeds at motels that simply price a couple of bucks an afternoon.
And no crowds.
Watch the Video
This will likely quickly trade for Bantayan as there are plans to usher in business flights to the small island airport. Realizing it will trade I sought after to experience each non violent, stunning second.
On this commute information to the island I’ll percentage all my favourite spots, beginning with meals. As a result of there’s nice Filipino meals and one meals on Bantayan Island you received’t to find anyplace else within the Philippines.
After which I’ll percentage all of the commute pointers so you already know what to anticipate, each the great and the dangerous.
However let’s get started with the scrumptious.
Conventional Bantayan Island Meals
Buwad | Dried Fish
Buwad, or dried fish, is a Bantayan Island staple, continuously made with in the community stuck fish.
Salted and sun-dried, it’s eaten with rice and vinegar. This straightforward, savory dish showcases the island’s fishing tradition and coastal substances.
The place I stayed we noticed other folks drying fish far and wide. It’s now not my favourite factor however I will be able to recognize it.
Taguangkan – Tagu-angkan
I appeared far and wide for this Filipino meals, which you’ll most effective devour on Bantayan Island. It’s a hen womb or ovary with an unfertilized egg and gut on a skewer.
I had virtually given up as locals instructed the road distributors in Bantayan the town correct however I didn’t to find it. After I in the end gave up and went to Santa Fe Public Marketplace I noticed any person promoting it.
It sounds unique however in fact it tastes like a boiled or fried egg grilled with hen.
Guso Salad | Seaweed Salad
Guso Salad options contemporary guso (seaweed) combined with tomatoes, onions, and infrequently inexperienced mango.
It’s seasoned with vinegar, salt, and every so often chili for a touch of spice. The dish gives a crunchy, refreshing style of unpolluted seaweed.
Guso Salad has origins in Visayan delicacies, recurrently served as a facet dish with grilled fish or red meat.
Lechon Manok | Roasted Hen
The Philippines is understood for roasted red meat however wow the roast hen right here is astounding.
Lechon manok is hen marinated in spices and slowly roasted over charcoal. There are many puts promoting it on the best way to Bantayan the town correct and it’s price attempting the juicy inside and crispy pores and skin.
My favourite is in fact in Dumaguete however Bantayan is price a check out as neatly.
Sinugba | Grilled Seafood
Sinugba options freshly stuck seafood, like fish or squid, grilled over open flames.
Seasoned with salt and infrequently brushed with just a little oil, this dish highlights the island’s plentiful seafood and ease in preparation.
There are many puts in Santa Fe that may be offering this to vacationers at evening. However I discovered the meals to be higher high quality and more economical in Bantayan the town correct.
MAKE IT AT HOME:
Filipino Kinilaw Recipe
Torta | Sponge Cake
A conventional Cebuano meals. Torta is a cushy sponge cake made with tuba (palm wine) as a leavening agent. Candy and fluffy but in addition so dense it’s absolute best as a seaside snack.
Bantayan has superb bakeries with such a lot of Filipino chocolates. We all the time popped into one earlier than heading out for the day.
This dessert has Spanish roots and is continuously loved all over native celebrations.
My Favorite Eating places in Bantayan
Fercilla’s: she is an area karinderia on the best way to the mangrove that sells meals to locals. She begins at 5am and serves till 2pm after which is going to the marketplace to start out cooking for the next day to come. Should you’re coming from Manila, take a look at my favorite spots for breakfast in Poblacion Makati.
Uncle Brew: The price of espresso varies so extensively at the island. After all you are expecting upper costs as they’ve to move it onto the island, however in some circumstances it used to be surprising. The oldsters at Uncle Brew serve sturdy espresso in paper cups for 39 PHP and are in reality great.
Mama Tita’s Bakery: Nice baked items at an awesome worth. The espresso store subsequent door had affordable costs.
Santa Fe Public Marketplace: to take a look at taguangkan and check out unique Filipino end result you don’t have at house.
Karinderias: We discovered that consuming native meals outdoor Santa Fe used to be the most productive guess. We attempted consuming in Santa Fe however I couldn’t suggest any of the spot.
The Island’s Rising Pains
Only a fast heads up at the issues that aren’t so nice about Bantayan Island. They aren’t a large deal as soon as you already know:
- The development in Santa Fe is insane and complicated. Each day they block off a brand new boulevard so Google Maps can’t stay up. Even locals have been puzzled. That stated with an expanding inflow of visitors it’s a must to replace the infrastructure so it’s laborious to whinge.
- They do enjoy brown outs. Stay units charged.
- Don’t rely on wifi as it may be spotty outdoor Santa Fe and Bantayan The town Right kind. It’s very best to obtain the google map of the island in your telephone.
Perfect Issues to Do When You’re Now not Consuming
Such a lot of seashores and waterfalls and different herbal spaces. We didn’t rush to peer the whole thing because it used to be a soothing go back and forth and on our ultimate day it rained the entire time. Right here have been my favourite spots.
Sandira Seaside
Sandira is in style and you’ll get there two tactics. We noticed locals looking to inform Korean vacationers they needed to pay to be at the seaside. That’s now not true. You do want to pay for motorcycling parking nevertheless it’s a public seaside.
There aren’t any lifeguards or palm bushes for coloration. Other folks huddle underneath the limestone rocks for a bit of of reduction from the solar.
Montemar Seaside
Many of the seashores don’t have palm bushes to stay you within the coloration and it’s HOT. Our guesthouse proprietor Maria advisable this hotel as she is going right here. I used to be so grateful for the advice as a result of I might have by no means discovered it by myself.
Montemar Seaside Hotel most effective fees 150 PHP for access, which incorporates parking, washrooms and front room chairs with coloration. Take a look at the video to peer the fantastic colour of the water at this seaside.
The Seaside Outdoor My Resort
Because it’s a fishing village you’ll see boats come out and in and the village kids enjoying.
It’s now not the most productive seaside for swimming however there are palm bushes and there’s one thing slightly enjoyable about it.
Omagieca Obo-ob Mangrove Lawn
I like supporting group primarily based tourism that is helping locals take care of their setting moderately than promoting land to builders.
It’s lower than a fifteen minute power from Santa Fe and extremely most effective 75 PHP to go into. It’s a pleasing stroll throughout the mangrove even if be sure to carry sunscreen.
There are many native distributors promoting souvenirs outdoor for costs higher than you’ll to find in Cebu.
Bantayan Island Resort Advice
There may be a large number of building occurring in Bantayan in preparation for the wave of tourism that locals (or most likely overseas buyers) hope will seem.
I learn a large number of evaluations and up to now the standard of lodging doesn’t appear to exponentially building up as you might extra.
I opted for an area visitor space referred to as Maria Guesthouse that used to be in a fishing village and the halfway level between Santa Fe and Bantayan The town Right kind. Maria used to be beautiful and gave nice native suggestions.
How one can get to Bantayan
It’s slightly easy to discuss with Bantayan from Cebu Town. Take a bus or taxi to the port after which the ferry over.
Whilst there are technically flights they’re dear and most effective run on Fridays and Sundays to provider rich Filipinos who need to discuss with for the weekend.
Via Bus
Take a Ceres bus from Cebu North Bus Terminal to Hagnaya Port (approx. 3 hours). As soon as at Hagnaya, board a ferry to Bantayan Island, which takes round 1 hour.
Via Taxi
Rent a taxi from Cebu Town to Hagnaya Port, costing about 2,500–3,000 PHP. From Hagnaya, take the ferry to Bantayan Island, a 1-hour journey.
Via Ferry
From Hagnaya Port, ferries to Bantayan Island go away regularly and take about 1 hour. No reservations wanted; merely acquire tickets on the terminal.
Via Aircraft
Since August 2024, Air Juan gives flights from Mactan-Cebu Global Airport to Bantayan Airport. The 30-minute flight supplies a scenic and fast choice, skipping the bus and ferry.
