Bantayan Island Transportation

It's a cool bicycle that can seat as many as 4 people with space/compartment for luggage. This transportation mode took us everywhere and is the common way for tourists to get around the island; however, I always felt terrible every time we hired one of these bicycles because you can really see the drivers sweating like bullets when they pedal and push hard. It becomes a very grueling task for them especially in areas where there is a slight uphill. One time we ended up walking to the last mile of the day's journey because we felt bad and gave the two drivers (I should say "pedalers") a huge amount of tip (along with the very cheap transport fee) that we calculated will last them for at least a few days, so they don't have to go back to work right away and pedal again! :(

1. From Manila to Cebu Mactan Airport (Cebu Pacific) P 6,364.32 - back & forth (2 persons)
2. From airport to North Bus Terminal (taxi - P105)
3. From North bus terminal to Hagnaya Port - 3 to 4 hours (Ceres Bus) - P120/head
4. From Hagnaya to Sta. Fe port - 1 hr & 15 mins (roro) - P170 - trip depends on weather condition
5. From Sta. fe port to Budyong - 5 to 10 mins (pedicab) - P25/head

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Though a long and and tiresome journey awaits you if you choose to come to Bantayan the beautiful island will compensate. After the long flight to Philippines you need another short flight to Cebu and then a flight to the island by SEAIR. The flight is on Friday and the fare is 990Ph(discount price and 1,350Ph (standard price).
Alternatively you can take a bus or a hired van to Hagnaya near the north tip of the Cebu island.. Vans from airport terminal make it a non stop trip lasting 2-2,5 hours and take up to 8 persons. They cost 3,500 to 4,000Ph. There is also a public van-bus leaving the airport for Hagnaya. This costs 100ph but it is very crampy.
The bus takes 3 hours but it might last 4 depending on the traffic including a stop for lunch. It costs 70Ph and it's good if you have plenty of time or little money. Buses start at Cebu north Bus Terminal at 4.30 and then every half an hour. Fares are about 70Ph. Start early.
Then at Hagnaya there are 4 ferries to Santa Fe starting at 7.30. The fare is 70Ph.
RO-Ro-boats make it in 1 hour. Fares are about 150-170Ph.
Two Fastcrafts can make it in half an hour and cost 100Ph
There is also the option of taking a boat from Cebu directly to Santa Fe for 200Ph three days a week (Tues., Thu.and Sat.) at 9.00 am.
Upon arriving you can pick your choice among the tricycles and motorcycles gathered at the dock trying to convince you they are the best for your transfer to your hotel...
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If you're like me and want to take a look at both Bantayan and Malapascua Island, there are two ways to get to Bantayan Island from Malapascua. The easier and faster way is to hire a pumpboat in Malapascua island to get to Bantayan island. The slow but cheaper way is to take the ferry from Malapascua to Maya (40php) then take a Ceres bus to take you to Don Pedro, Bogo (26php). When you get off at Don Pedro there are tricycles waiting in line to take you to Hagnaya, San Remigio for 15php. From there, you can take the usual ferry (135php) to Bantayan. You'll spend around 2.5 to 3.5 hours if you take this not so usual route.

The only way to Bantayan is by ferry.If travelling from Cebu mainland the ferry leaves from Hagnaya in the town of San Remigio.

Ferries run about every hour with different companies & takes a relaxing 1 hour.There is a fast craft that takes a little over 30 mins but is more expensive but still affordable.

A trip on the normal ferry costs around the 160 - 170 PHP pp.

Getting to Hagnaya is usually done by V hire van, air con bus or just a normal bus.

Most of the V Hire vans leave from White Gold (near SM) The buses leave from the North Bus Terminal (also near SM but on the other side)The A/C buses are the way to go unfortunately you need to be quick to get a seat.

The normal buses are quite an experience, hot, overcrowded & a driver who has desires to be the first Filipina formula 1 driver.Cost is 50 - 60 peso each depending on which bus company.

From Cebu, take a bus from Cebu North Terminal for PHP50 (non aircon) to Hagnaya. It takes 3 hours to get to Hagnaya pier and the last boat that leaves Hagnaya to Sta Fe, Bantayan is at 530pm. Ferry price is around PHP140. You need to catch a bus that leaves the North Terminal before 230pm. Otherwise, you can take a private car hire (with driver) for around PHP1800 and it would probably take you less than 3 hours. From Negros, boats to Bantayan from Cadiz leave on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at around 10-1030AM. Boats to Bantayan from Sagay leave on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at around the same time. Leaving from Sagay is faster as it takes around 2-3 hours as opposed to leaving from Cadiz which takes 4-5 hours. Boats leaving Bantayan Island to Sagay leaves on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 10-1030am and to Cadiz on Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays also at 10-1030am. Boat price for Negros is around PHP200. From the pier to your resort, you can hire a moto for about PHP20.

I just came from Cebu last week (March 21-25 '07), had a great time in Bantayan Island, to get there-Take a taxi to the Cebu North Bus Terminal near SM Cebu, from the Capitol area the taxi fare is around 70 pesos, board the Ceres non-aircon buses bound for Hagnaya (we had to board the non-aircon type because the aircon buses took some time to get back to the terminal & I heard there were only a few of them, if you can wait, they come around 9-10am(too late and too hot to wait for it in the terminal), fare is 50.00 pesos for the non-aircon type, travel time was 3 hours. Best is to travel early, be at the terminal by 6 am to avoid traffic. The national road in Cebu leading to the northen part of the island is narrow, with only 1 lane each for the north & southbound vehicles. Traffic really gets heavy during late mornings and evenings. From Hagnaya port, we had to ride the Island shipping RORO ship, it had the most convenient schedule for us by the time we got to Hagnaya port. First class fare is 168.00 pesos. 2nd class is 141.00 pesos. Plus terminal fee of 5.00 pesos Travel time is 1 hour. Traveling in RORO ships is much better for me, the bigger, the better I guess, much safer. We reached Bantayan island safely. When we also got to the port, many porters will immediately approach you (while you are still in the ship), to carry your bags, if you can carry them yourselves, tell them you can or otherwise be ready to give some cash for help with your luggages. Once you get out of the terminal, tricycle and pedicabs drivers will approach you too to ask if you have picked your resort, so they can take you to them or go around the island for 15 pesos per head. We stayed at Sta. Fe Beach Club, tricycle fare is 10 pesos per head, the resort was very close to the pier, about 3 minutes ride time. The cottage we stayed at in Sta. Fe Beach Club costs 1,000 pesos (triple room). Very nice accomodation, but next time, when I go back there I'll try Budyong Resort. Sta Fe is near the pier, beach is a bit dirty.

We took the regular ferry ride from Hagnaya to Santa Fe, Bantayan. The rates offer three kinds: first, second and third class. We chose second class at the lower deck at around PhP150 per person because it's aircon. Third class (est PhP130) are at the open air upper deck and first class (est PhP170) would be aircon but at the upper deck.

The aircon didnt work that much and to be honest, the area smells like sweat and looks dirty. I think majority of the crew members sleep there when there are no passengers. LESSONS LEARNED: go for the open air area, fresh air is always the best!

One great thing about staying at Kota Beach resort, the reception area sells ferry tickets bound for Hagnaya. You dont have to arrive way early at the port to buy your ticket. And the staff drops you off a few minutes before the ferry leaves. Also they call the pier regularly to check if schedules will change. There are times they encourage you to leave earlier than usual because of possible rain in the afternoon or the fast craft is not available.