Melo Villareal
The Ultimate Camiguin Island Budget Travel Guide
White Beach, Falls, And Amazing Facts about the Island of Fire
Are you dreaming of a perfect beach with crystal blue waters? How about the rich history, other natural bodies of water, and beautiful landscape? If all these seem like something you would enjoy along with good seafood and other adventures, then head to Camiguin now because aside from its natural attractions you can visit, Camiguin is also home to Lanzones Festival, a week-long festival held in the province yearly, heritage houses and churches.
Camiguin Island Travel Guide
In this Camiguin DIY Travel Guide Blog, we aim to provide helpful travel tips, DIY Budget tips, recommended hotels to stay, places to visit, sample itineraries, recommended restaurants, shopping places, and more.
Best time to visit Camiguin Island
The best time to visit Camiguin Island is typically between the months of February and April when the weather is favorable with less precipitation and warmer temperatures. Additionally, October is also considered a good time to visit, especially if you’re interested in experiencing the local culture, such as the Lanzones Festival.
How To Get There
From Manila
You can either fly from Manila going to Cebu or fly to Camiguin via a connecting flight. It takes about an hour to reach Cebu from Manila by plane, while the flight to Camiguin takes about an hour and a half.
Via Cagayan de Oro City
- Fly from Manila to Cagayan de Oro – (about 2 hours)
- From Cagayan de Oro Airport, hire a taxi to Agora Bus Terminal
- Bus Ride to Balingoan, Misamis Oriental – (about 2 hours)
- Balingoan to Benoni, Camiguin – Barge (1 hour)
From Bohol
Via Ferry Boat
SUPER SHUTTLE FERRY will leave Jagna Bohol daily at 1:00 PM and arrives at Balbagon Port at 5:00 PM.
Via Fast Craft
The fast craft will leave Jagna Bohol at 1:00 PM every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. This is a two-hour sea travel arriving at Benoni port at 4:00PM.
How to Get Around
You can go around the island by hiring a multi-cab which can be found throughout for a hefty price of php1,800.00-2,000.00, so go with a group to save some money. There are also motorellas which are the most common transportation on the island.
Places To Visit
White Island
You should definitely make the most of your trip, and if there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss, it’s White Beach. It is a bare island perfect for visiting in the morning through a “Banca” ride when the air is cooler and the sun is forgiving.
The White island also gives you the best selfie for the trip making Hibok-Hibok Volcano and Mt. Vulcan your picturesque background.
Katibawasan Falls
Cool waters, a man-made pool, and Kiping, a native sweet consisting of cassava and sweet syrup by the entrance, are some things you will enjoy when visiting Katibawasan Falls. It is allowed to have a picnic here, thus the presence of numerous rock tables. The government only charges a minimal fee to maintain the area.
Tuasan Falls
Don’t let the lack of scenic hikes going to the falls deter you of this sweet destination. Although the government, in recent years, has decided to construct a new road to make the falls more accessible to the public. However, this natural body of water can still mesmerize you.
Timpoong and Hibok-Hibok Natural Monument
This is a protected area of Camiguin, where most of their treasured natural resources are located, like Katibawasan, Binagawan, and Tuasan Falls. It is also home to Camiguin Hanging Parrot, Hawk-Owl, Camiguin Forest Mouse, and other native animals and wild plants.
Mantigue Island
For people who have a fascination with sea life, Mantigue island is a must-visit on your tour because the most remarkable activities to do there are diving and snorkeling but not only that, photo taking is also a must-do since Camiguin Island is at the background.
Giant Clams Sanctuary
In the sanctuary, you will witness giant clams letting the day pass by without a care. For a minimal fee, you will be assisted by a tour guide who will give you some lectures about these clams. There is an additional fee to witness these clams in their natural surroundings.
Ardent Hibok Hibok Hot Springs
They say that when you plunge into a hot spring, it somehow cures your joints and the soreness you feel from excess activities. This may be due to the warmth of the water massaging your body. Let your body loosen up and go back to reality super-recharged. Read more about Ardent Hibok-Hibok Spring Resort in Camiguin.
Sto. Nino Cold Spring
After a calming hot spring experience, you can now try the cold springs. Cold springs are especially for people getting a little bit down due to hot weather. If you’re one of those, you will be grateful there is such a thing to help you cool off! There is a canteen in the vicinity in case you get hungry. There is also a minimal entrance fee.
Mount Hibok-Hibok and Mount Vulcan
It will take roughly 3-5 hours to reach the summit of Mt. Hibok-Hibok, and you need to get a permit from the DENR office in Mambajao. The views are breathtaking, especially since you’ve got White Island to your north, Bohol; to your east, Eastern Mindanao, and the island of Siguijor to your west. The summit also lets you see the crater of Mt. Vulcan, the parasitic cone of Mt. Hibok-Hibok.
Old Churches
There are many old churches in Camiguin that you should visit whether or not you are religious. Three of them are Santo Rosario, built in 1882; Old Catarman Church Ruins, which was devastated by the eruption of Mt. Hibok-Hibok and the rising of Mt. Vulcan; in recent years, a lighthouse was erected alongside the bell tower and Baylao Church, a mystical church said to have saved the lives of people when the last volcanic eruption of Hibok-Hibok happened.
Sunken Cemetery
There’s nothing scary about this Sunken cemetery; in fact, its history is so captivating that it’ll be a crime not to visit it. There are numerous souvenir shops where you can buy pasalubongs, and a “Banca” ride is essential to get to the cross.
Where to stay in Camiguin
Paras Beach Resort
Address: Mambajao, Camiguin
Telephone: (088) 387 9081
(Check Rates and Availability)
Dreamland Beach Resort
Location: Yumbing, Mambajao, Camiguin, Mambajao, 9100 Camiguin
Telephone Number: (088) 387 9590
(Check Rates and Availability)
Bahay Bakasyunan Sa Camiguin Resort
Click here for more photos, rates, reviews, and availability.
Address: Mambajao, Camiguin
Phone: (088) 387 0278
Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin resort has 29 Filipino-themed rooms that feature comforts such as furnished patios and air conditioning and perks like free WiFi and minibars.
The resort offers free breakfast and a roundtrip airport shuttle. They also have spa services that offer massage, a manicure/pedicure, or a facial treatment. The in-house restaurant Ocean Tide Bar and Grill offers fantastic Filipino cuisine with an alfresco setting.
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Read:
- Best Things To Do In Camiguin Island
- Camiguin Habal-Habal Tour First Stop: Ardent Hibok-Hibok Springs Resort
