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| Banana Boat Ride |
We just had our team building last week (April 21-22, 2016) in the Island of Camotes, Cebu, Philippines. Before I would like to tell you the Top Things We Did in Camotes, let me tell you first how to get there and how much are the expenses.
a. RIDE A BUS GOING TO DANAO PORT
From Cebu North Bus Terminal, we rode a bus (aircon) going to Danao port in the amount of P50 (as of April 2016).
It was a Ceres Bus with a lot of LCD Tvs inside so you could enjoy watching while traveling.
b. CHECK THE SHIP SCHEDULE GOING TO CAMOTES ISLAND
Since the 5:30am ship was not available due to some technical problem, we decided to take the 8:30am trip. By the way, the issuance of ticket was at 6:30am. The ticket cost P180 (for economy class) and P200 (for tourist class). We all took the 180 economy ticket so we could see the view of the sea. We also paid P5 for the terminal fee. They also had a canteen nearby for your hungry stomach. Well, it's important to feed ourselves first before going a long trip.
c. GO ONBOARD
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| Ticket = P180 Terminal fee = P5 |
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| OOTD! |
We went aboard the ship at around 8:30am and it was quite hot.
As you noticed, many people were aboard the ship. Due to the fact that it was a peak season, many people would love to go on a holiday out of their towns.
My teammates and I were so excited that we weren't able to have enough sleep the night before the trip. This trip by ship from Danao Port to Consuelo Port in Camotes took about 2 hours of travel.
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| The beautiful island of Camotes |
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| Team Margarette finally arrived at Camotes Island after 2 hours of traveling by ship. |
We arrived in the island of Camotes at around 10:40am and we then looked for a ride going to Santiago Beach Resort where we would stay. We contacted first the said resort a couple of weeks ago to make a reservation. For the ride from Consuelo Port going to Santiago Bay Resort, we each paid P50.
While on our way to the resort, we saw this tarpaulin behind the driver. We asked him if he could take us for a day trip with all of these. The driver said yes and so we took the chance. He said that we could have a day trip with all of these places except the Tulang Diot Island. OK! So we agreed in the price of P1500 for all of us already. Since there were eight of us, P1500/8 = P187.50 each.
(NOTE: Aside from renting a multicab, you can also rent either a motorbike or a scooter to go around the island. According to my friend, the motorbike rental for 24hours = P500. The good thing about renting a bike is that you could explore other places which are not included in the package tour. You may also check this site to rent for a bike: http://book2wheel.com/ )
(NOTE: Aside from renting a multicab, you can also rent either a motorbike or a scooter to go around the island. According to my friend, the motorbike rental for 24hours = P500. The good thing about renting a bike is that you could explore other places which are not included in the package tour. You may also check this site to rent for a bike: http://book2wheel.com/ )
e. CHECK IN
We arrived at Santiago Bay Resort at around 11:30am. The staff told us that the check in time would be at 2pm and check out time would be at 12 noon so they could have enough time to clean the room before we could accommodate it. So, we just filled up the form provided by them. Since we were all hungry, we decided to have lunch first. We asked the driver of the multicab, whom we rented for a day a place where we could eat lunch at affordable price so he directed us at Santiago White Beach which was just near the resort.
Room rates:
Room rates:
Standard Aircon: P1500 (good for two)
Oceanview Room: P1700 (good for two)
Oceanview Family Room: P2800 (good for four)
Oceanview Room: P1700 (good for two)
Oceanview Family Room: P2800 (good for four)
f. EAT LUNCH
This was the place where we ate our lunch. It has no name written on it but they served delicious food. I wasn't able to take some pictures of the food we ate because I felt hungry already and all of us were eating.
After eating lunch, we strolled at the beach before we got back at Santiago Bay Resort to check in.
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| The restaurant by the beach |
g. GET READY!
We were able to check in at 2pm. We changed our clothes and put some sunblock lotion on the face, legs, etc. for the afternoon trip going to different places.
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OOTD! Wearing rash guard, shorts, and a pair of slippers. Now, we're ready! |
h. TOP THINGS TO DO IN THE ISLAND OF CAMOTES:
1. VISIT THE MANGODLONG ROCK RESORT
The first place we visited was the Mangodlong Rock Resort. It had many rocks all over the beach but I wasn't able to take some pictures of them because it was super hot! I didn't stay long under the heat of the sun even if I put some sunblock lotion. We didn't pay any entrance fee for this resort because they were just related to Santiago Bay Resort. Instead, we just showed them our room keys as a proof that we stayed there. We only paid P20 for the parking fee.
2. TAKE A DIP INSIDE THE COOL WATER OF PARAISO CAVE
After our short visit at Mangodlong Rock Resort, our second destination was the Paraiso Cave. The entrance fee was P25. If you would like to swim inside the cave, just add an additional fee of P10.
In order to reach the bottom of the cave, you must take a few steps down. It's safe inside because there were lights and the stairs were also cemented.
The water was clear and anyone would love to take a dip on it. It's not deep so don't worry. Be careful, you must wear your slippers or any footwear to avoid getting hurt by the rocks under the water.
3. DO SOME ADVENTURES AT LAKE DANAO
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| Entrance Fee = P15 |
There were a lot of things to do at Lake Danao Park but we didn't do some adventures because we don't have enough time. Our tour started at around 2:30 in the afternoon and still we had to visit some other places besides this one. But if you would love to do some exciting thrills in this place, you could try such things as: horseback riding, speedboat, pedal boat, paddle boat, water bicycle, water balloon, etc. All were at affordable prices.
I didn't get any chance to do the water activities so I just roamed around and took some pictures.
4. EXPLORE THE DEPTH OF TIMUBO CAVE
After the Lake Danao, we went to Timubo Cave. It was the second cave we visited. Upon entering the cave, it was a little bit creepy even if there were lights already. You would be amazed by the stalagmites and stalactites. I only saw them in pictures and seeing them in reality was amusing. The entrance fee was P25 (as of April 2016). The Timubo Cave has also been the source of water supply for washing clothes, cooking food, etc. around the community.
5. WANDER AT BAYWALK
It was nice walking at their baywalk. Walking was fun!
6. CLIFF DIVE AT BUHO ROCK RESORT
We all agreed that we woud do the cliff dive and in my mind, I felt scared and I didn't wish to try this.We paid the entrance fee of P20 (as of April 2016). Good thing it was low tide so we weren't able to do cliff diving. Instead, we just explored the resort.
i. ENJOY A NIGHT SWIMMING IN THEIR INFINITY POOL
After the half day tour, we arrived at Santiago Bay at around 6pm. So, we decided to go swimming in their pool before eating dinner.
After the half day tour, we arrived at Santiago Bay at around 6pm. So, we decided to go swimming in their pool before eating dinner.
j. HAVE A SUMPTOUS DINNER AT PITO'S
The good thing was there were a lot of good restaurants near the resort we stayed but we chose to eat our dinner at Pito's because I read a lot of good reviews about them.
k. BUILD A TENT ON THE SEASHORE
Yes, we were all full. The dinner at Pito's was superb. We didn't go back to our rooms yet so we built our tent somewhere near the restaurant. The night was wonderful and the moon lightened up the sea. Although it was low tide at the seashore, we didn't stay long because the water was rising. In short, it was going high tide.
l. WAKE UP SO EARLY!
I thought of waking up so early just to see the sunrise. But, I never got the chance to watch it because our location was not suitable for sunrise and there were some mountains around which made it impossible But, I still enjoyed looking at the beach which was low tide and I thought of something. I asked one of my friend to write the name our team on it.
m. WRITE IN THE SAND
Thanks to Ace with the help of Amille for writing the words "Team Margarette" on the sand before it got high tide.
n. EAT BREAKFAST
Alright! We came back at Pito's restaurant again to have breakfast. They didn't only serve breakfast but they also offer some water activities. After eating breakfast, we took a walk in the beach.
o. SWIM IN THE SEA AND IN THE POOL
When breakfast was done, we went back to our rooms and changed clothes. We were all excited to go swimming in the sea even though it was still low tide.
p. RIDE THE BANANA BOAT
I've always wanted to try the banana boat. And I was so happy that I had tried it for the first. It was really very exciting. We fell into the water about 3 times. We paid P1500 in all for 15 minutes and five people can ride. But there were eight of us. What we did was we divided the 15 minutes time to 7 minutes so that all of us could take turn on riding the banana boat. GREAT EXPERIENCED!
q. CHECK OUT
Check out time should be done before 12 noon to avoid an additional charge of P500.
r. BACK TO REALITY!
After we checked out from Santiago Bay Resort, we ate lunch at Santiago White Beach. Then, we asked the multicab driver who had waited us in the resort before noon and which we had a tour the day before to send us to Consuelo so we could catch up the 1:30pm ship going back to Danao Port, Cebu. Actually, the fare was supposed to be P50 each from the resort where we stayed going to Consuelo port but we agreed to give him P60 each. Upon arriving at Consuelo port, we paid for the ship ticket which was still P180 (economy and non-aircon) and the terminal fee for P5.
s. SUMMARY OF EXPENSES
Individual Expenses based on a group of 8 people.
DAY 1 AND 2 EXPENSES AMOUNT IN PESOS
- Cebu North Bus Terminal to Danao Port (aircon bus) = 50.00
- Danao Port to Consuelo Port, Camotes (economy ticket) = 180.00
- Terminal Fee (Danao Port) = 5.00
- Consuelo Port to Santiago Bay Garden Resort = 50.00
- Santiago Bay Garden Resort to Consuelo Port = 60.00
- Consuelo Port to Danao Port (economy ticket) = 180.00
- Terminal Fee (Consuelo Port) = 5.00
- Danao Port to Cebu City = 50.00
OTHER EXPENSES:
- Santiago Bay Resort Accommodation: P1500 (Standard Room for 2) = 725.00
- Multicab Rent: 1500 / 8 = 187.50
- Lunch at Santiago White Beach: P600 (estimated price only) /8 = 75.00
- Bottled Water (1 liter) = 30.00
- Entrances:
- Paraiso Cave = 25.00 + Swimming 10.00 = 35.00
- Lake Danao = 15.00
- Timubo Cave = 25.00
- Buho Rock Resort = 20.00
- Dinner at Pito's = 800 (estimated price) /8 = 100.00
- Breakfast at Pito's = 100.00
- Bottled Water (1 liter) = 30.00
- Banana Boat = P1500 /8 = 187.50
- Lunch at Santiago White Beach: P570 /8 = 71.25
TOTAL EXPENSES: P1601.25
580.00
+ 1601.25
= P2181.25 OVERALL AMOUNT OF EXPENSES FOR EACH PERSON
580.00
+ 1601.25
= P2181.25 OVERALL AMOUNT OF EXPENSES FOR EACH PERSON
Wow!! This is amazing for the team. I love the activity.. ohhh... Thanks for sharing. :) Very informative... :)
ReplyDeleteYes, they do have lots of activity especially in Lake Danao and in Santiago White Beach.
Deletesir, pde ba mag rent lang ng space for tent pitching sa santiago resort?
Deletei saw in your expenses that you divided the banana boat ride expense by 8, but the ride can only accommodate 5 people right? does that mean we can have others ride just as long as it is within the 15 minute period?
ReplyDeleteand still pay 1500?
DeleteHi Kathleen. Thanks a lot for reading. Yes, you are right! There were eight of us. So, we asked the owner of the banana boat to divide the 15 minutes time into half so that all of us could try the banana boat which could only accommodate 5 people and they agreed. The jetski driver had a watch on his hand to check the time. :)
DeleteThumbs up for this post Joel!! :D
ReplyDeleteThank you Chikcy dear! <3
DeleteThanks for sharing. Very informative things to do.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that! :)
DeleteHi! How long was the travel time from Cebu city to camotes? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHi Isabel. Thank you for dropping by. From Cebu City North Bus Terminal To Danao Port, it would take you around an hour of travel by bus. Then, another two hours by ship from Danao Port to Camotes Island. Definitely, I would love to go back there again.
Deletewe're planning to visit camotes next month and thank you for your informative blog.....
ReplyDeletewe're planning to visit camotes next month and thank you for your informative blog.....
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea! Enjoy your Vacation plus adventure in the island of camotes :)
DeleteLooking for an affordable tour package in camotes island?feel free to contact this following number Wilbes- (SMART)0908766 3223 or(GLOBE)0935858 0453 or Windy globe 09260361468,smart 09476002169.Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the help!
DeleteWish to visit this place soon! :) Simple beach but beautiful..... Anyone want to rent motorbike you can at book2wheel.com
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a place to visit over and over again! Thank you!
Deleteok lang magpahatod mi sa motorbike going to Santiago bay resort? and how much and plete?
ReplyDeleteDili ko sure kay kadto nangadto mi kay nag multicab which was 50 per head. Ang motorbike is for one day rent siya and ikaw ang mg drive.
DeleteDili ko sure kay kadto nangadto mi kay nag multicab which was 50 per head. Ang motorbike is for one day rent siya and ikaw ang mg drive.
DeleteDo you have a contact fir the motor rental?
ReplyDeleteHi Nelky. Naa sila website para maka pa book which is http://book2wheel.com/
DeleteHi Nelky. Naa sila website para maka pa book which is http://book2wheel.com/
ReplyDeleteLooking for cheap tours and transfers in Camotes Island?Feel free to contact me.09215107232 or 09554136178.This Wilbes Cabatana your Trusted Driver/Tour Guide...Godbless
ReplyDelete