Topper on Bantayan Island

[Topper]

Great pics Topper, thanks.
Makes me want to go back again.

It would be an all day trip just getting there from PG, I think. It's worth it though. We're already planning a longer term workcation there.

[katie23]

^so there's a ferry which goes directly from Bacolod to Bantayan? Or did you have to pass through Cebu city?

Bantayan does look interesting. It's nice that there are many food options along the beach - similar to Boracay and to White Beach in Puerto Galera.

From recent vids on YT, Siquijor looks interesting too. That island has a bit of notorious reputation among Filipinos, that it's the home of "aswang" - creatures of the night (the horror kind).

[Topper]

Bacolod to Cadiz City(north/central part of Negros) by taxi - 1500P one way. You can ride the bus much cheaper, but it takes longer as the bus stops at several towns along the way.

Cadiz to Bantayan - 900 + 20P port fee, 1840P for the both of us, one way.

There's only one time for traveling between Negros and Bantayan, both ferries leave at 10am, meaning the ferry from Capriz to Bantayan/Batayan to Capriz both leave at 10am and its almost exactly a three hour ride.

So travel costs were 3000 for the taxi, 3680 for the ferry, so just over $100US. I also tipped the taxi driver 200P because he was not only waiting for us at the terminal on the return trip, but was also waiting at the pier to help us with our bags. Also, the taxi was nice cool and after baking on the boat for three hours, aircon was appreciated.

On the island, using a trike to get around is 50P no matter how long or short the trip. At the end, once we knew our way around we walked most places, if you're tired and hot, there's tons of places in the shade where you can get refreshments.

Then the reverse coming home. Apparently the boats from Cebu are a lot cheaper and the ferry ride is only an hour, however for us, that would be silly.

[katie23]

^thanks for the info & the prices too! I wondered about your route because in the vlogs that I've seen, the travellers took a bus from Cebu city then ferry from north of Cebu island to Bantayan island. Cheers!

[Topper]

For you, Katie, flying to Bacolod would get you on the island quicker. If you fly into Cebu, then it's like a 5-6 hour van ride up to the northern part of Cebu, then the ferry takes about an hour, so once your there in Cebu, it's 7 more hours to the island. If you fly here, you can shave a couple of hours off that.

Our next trip is going to be focused on the northern tip of the island, where there's less tourism, hoping we can find a house to rent that isn't an arm and leg. It's looks like it's kind of like Ste. Fe, but cheaper I think. I met an American guy who said he had a couple of houses for rent, but he was drunk and being an ass at the time, so probably not the sort I want to deal with.

[katie23]

^thanks for the info. Will keep that in mind!

Lol re: the American guy. Maybe he's not too bad when he's sober.

[TizMe]

It would be an all day trip just getting there from PG, I think. It's worth it though. We're already planning a longer term workcation there.

Yeah, I think it would be best to head back to Manila and then fly from there, but google maps says I could drive it with 3 ferry crossings...... I think I'll pass, there's many other great places to visit.

[Topper]

I can wait to see where you go!