San Antonio Travel Guide

 
by pres_16
  •   San Antonio
    by pres_16
  •   San Antonio
    by marc09
  •   San Antonio
    by marc09
  •   San Antonio
    by missmarianne
  • Capones & Camara Islands Viewed From Pundakit
      Capones & Camara Islands Viewed From...
    by cyndymc

Explore San Antonio

Things to Do  

Go Camping with Friends

Go Camping with Friends, San Antonio

 pres_16 Says:  Here in Anawangin Cove was my first ever camping experience. The idea of staying overnight in a deserted island was a new adventure for me. Being a neophyte, I had my apprehension, I imagine things that could happen or go wrong during our stay - heavy rains, typhoon,... 

Go Picture Taking with Friends

Go Picture Taking with Friends, San Antonio

 pres_16 Says:  With the beautiful panorama of Anawangin Cove and the place being less touristy, this is a great place to try out your skills in photography. We have met one photo journalist here who shared us some of his photo skills.Unfortunately, my camera's memory card was not a good... 

Go Hiking/Climbing/Crawling!

Go Hiking/Climbing/Crawling!, San Antonio

 pres_16 Says:  There is a vantage point in this mountain that provides the visitors a whole view of Anawangin Cove and its awesome sorroundings. Go hiking thru a steep trail and reward yourself with the awesome panorama. It feels good everytime I remember this fun climb. 

Island Hopping: Camara & Capones Islands

Island Hopping: Camara & Capones Islands, San Antonio

 cyndymc Says:  Camara and Capones Islands can be seen from the beaches of Pundakit. Tourists usually go island hopping to these places before going to Anawangin Cove. We did just that. Camara Island, the closest island from the shores of Pundakit, is a big lump of rock with very little... 

Befriend Your "Bankero"/Boatman

Befriend Your "Bankero"/Boatman, San Antonio

 cyndymc Says:  Your boatman is not merely the person who will bring you to the islands/cove. The "bankero" is also your travel guide, protector while on the sea, interpreter, and he can also be your camping assistant (he can help you with pitching tents, cleaning up or even cooking your... 

Camara Rocks!

Camara Rocks!, San Antonio

 cyndymc Says:  Camara rocks- figuratively and literally! As mentioned earlier, Camara Island is a big lump of rock formation.To nature lovers, it will always be fascinating to examine the different rocks found in an island. In Camara, you just won't have enough of rock exploration, as each... 

Restaurants  

Cafe Pundakit: Value For Money Meals

Cafe Pundakit: Value For Money Meals, San Antonio

 cyndymc Says:  Cafe' Pundakit is Canoe Beach Resort's Restaurant. It shares the ground floor of the main building with the Front Desk, and is just beside the swimming pool. If you're seated near the pool, you will have a great view of the mountain. If you sit at the veranda, you will have... 

Transportation  

"Bancas"/Small Boat

"Bancas"/Small Boat, San Antonio

 cyndymc Says:  From Pundakit to the Islands, you will have to ride in a banca. We rode in a small banca when we went to Camara & Capones Islands, then to Anawangin Cove. Tourists are usually fetched and brought back to Pundakit by the same boatman. Boat capacity is 4-5 persons, depending... 

Tricycle

Tricycle, San Antonio

 cyndymc Says:  If you decide to commute going to San Antonio, you will have to take a tricycle going to Pundakit. We brought our own car going to Pundakit, San Antonio, but for the sake of commuters, I asked about commuting around. I learned that tricycle are everywhere almost 24 hours a... 

Local Customs  

Bayanihan Spirit

Bayanihan Spirit, San Antonio

 cyndymc Says:  "Bayanihan" spirit (helping each other) is still alive in Pundakit. I witnessed this when we returned to Pundakit from Anawangin Cove; upon seeing our banca about to dock in the beach area, "bankeros" called the attention of swimmers in the banca's route, then approached our... 

Warnings and Dangers  

Sea Water Can Irritate Your Eyes!

Sea Water Can Irritate Your Eyes!, San Antonio

 cyndymc Says:  It is common for swimmers and snorkelers to use goggles to protect their eyes...but you'll need goggles to protect your eyes against irritation during your boat ride. Going to and from Anawangin, waves can be very rough, and with a speeding boat, your eyes will inevitably be... 

Insects That Defy Insect Repellants!

Insects That Defy Insect Repellants!, San Antonio

 cyndymc Says:  A friend of ours who frequent Anawangin Cove warned us NOT to pitch our tents in the middle portion of the Camping Area where the pine trees are so close to each other. He was already forewarned by his friend-'bankero" to always pitch his tent near the caretaker's... 

Watch Your Tents & Portable Cooking Stove!

Watch Your Tents & Portable Cooking Stove!, San Antonio

 cyndymc Says:  Our friend who goes to Anawangin almost every other month warned us to keep watch of our tents, and not to leave personal things, including our portable gas stove unattended even for a short time. In our group, we agreed to take turns in keeping watch of our tents and... 

Very Hot Sand!

Very Hot Sand!, San Antonio

 cyndymc Says:  Ordinary sand is already hot when the sun is up; what more, if the sand is mixed with volcanic ash. That's exactly what the sand in Anawangin Cove is composed of; tons of volcanic ash that fell on the area during the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, "creating" the white sand beach.... 

Use Your Lifevests!!!

Use Your Lifevests!!!, San Antonio

 cyndymc Says:  Fortunately now, all bancas are required to give each passenger a lifevest (unlike before, when you had to bring your own lifevest if you want to make sure you're safe). I noticed some tourists, especially the men, didn't wear their lifevests despite the strong waves. The... 

What to Pack  

Survival Musts!

Survival Musts!, San Antonio

 cyndymc Says:  Small backpack & belt bag, and drygear bag to put camera bag, backpack & beltbagwhen riding the banca. swimwear, beachwear, extra underwear, marine shoes/sandals, hat or scarf, shades, hoodies sunblock, mosquito repellant, hand & body lotion w/ sunblock, shampoo &... 

Don't forget your Batteries

Don't forget your Batteries, San Antonio

 pres_16 Says:  Backpacks, beach bags swimwear, comfy shirts, extra clotheschoice of rubber shoes, sandals, rubber slippers emergency/first aid kits cameras, extra batteries, ziplocks tents, sleeping bag, blankets, jacket, head lamps, flashlights, extra batteries - no electricity in... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Don't Miss Going to Anawangin Lake

Don't Miss Going to Anawangin Lake, San Antonio

 cyndymc Says:  Most visitors of Anawangin are so focused on the beach, mountain view and the campsite that only a few know about Anawangin Lake.Anawangin Lake is not only a photographer's must-go destination; it also offers the common traveler a postcard-perfect view of the lake's jade... 

Favorites  

Green Mountains

Green Mountains, San Antonio

 toni28 Says:  one of the best thing we enjoyed most is the view of green mountains of San Antonio, I've never been to the beach with this kind of stunning view, I really like this place its very relaxing, quite and peaceful. 

CR: Go look for it!

CR: Go look for it!, San Antonio

 monina_c Says:  My favorite thing? This particular signage on the beach at Anawangin!!! (this tip is dedicated to little matt gonzales) :PAs I said in another tip, the facilities at Anawangin Cove is rudimentary, especially the toilet and bathroom. :) You have to grin and bear it. Bring a... 

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Map of San Antonio