#brokebeachtravels

[brokebeachtravels]

Cheap ways to travel to Bantayn Island , Cebu Philippines

When asked where the best summer destination in Cebu is , I always answer Bantayan Island. Aside from the beautiful pristine beaches , Bantayan is also home to the best sea food in Cebu. Since Bantayan has been a popular tourist destination for both foreign and local travelers , traveling to this beautiful island may not be cheap especially if your alone or in a small group. So if you have a shoe string budget and still would like to travel to this gorgeous island, here are tips I can give you.

DON’T BOOK A HOTEL , STAY AT A HOME STAY

The first time I traveled to Bantayan , I stayed at a budget beach resort, this resort was located near a popular beach and was known for its cheap prices. Although their prices are somewhat affordable , The resort would not offer the same options a home stay could. Staying at a home will allow you to cook meals , would not charge for late check out or early check in , staying with a local means they can help you navigate the island swiftly. In our case our Host even made an effort to haggle our land tour for us.

YOU CAN USE WAZE IN BANTAYAN

Having the option to use waze in bantayan means you can get to the tourist destination without a tour guide. You can rent a motor bike , ride to the famous destinations in Bantayan instead of chartering the local land tour. This gives you the freedom to decide where to go , what to do and just lazily sit on the beach should want to do so.

YOU CAN CAMP IN BANTAYAN

If you are an avid camper like me this is the best news there is , you can pitch your tent in Bantayan and spend your nights alongside the beach waves. Paradiso Campsite offers such amenities to camp near the famous paradise beach of Santa Fe , you just need to pay PHP 100 per person to do so. Paradiso Campsite also offers tent rentals and a canteen you can buy food from.

NO SUPER MARKETS IN BANTAYAN

There is no big super markets in Bantayan Island although there is a mini grocery store inside the MJ square but price can still be higher than the big grocery stores in Cebu, so my advice buy all necessary items before hopping on the ferry to Santa Fe , all items you may need in the island such as snack, biscuits, coffee, tissues , shampoo, conditioner ahahah I could go all day but you get the gist.

BEACH FRONT ACCOMMODATION NOT NECESSARY IN BANTAYAN

So a lot of hotel and home stays advertise beach front accommodations , whose prices are higher that those that are not. Bantayan is a literal island surrounded by a number of beaches and you can bike your way from point A to point B. No need for beach front. All you have to do is get a bike and bike your way to the beaches of your liking.

LEARN TO HAGGLE AND COMPARE PRICES

On the last trip I had to bantayan , I asked the driver who took us to our home stay on how much his land tour is , he said it was 800 pesos for 3 destination but if I want to include all of the famous spots and have him at my disposal all day it would be a thousand , I went quiet and did not respond , that is because I knew that said driver was quoting way to much and you can expect that every where, no matter where you travel. So learn to ask , learn to haggle , learn to take options. In my case ahead of time I ask people local to Bantayan how much prices are. I haggle prices from land tour to fishes and fruits so you get the picture.

Traveling is not cheap , yes! but you don’t have to break the bank just to visit the best beaches there are you just have to be smarter and wiser on how to do it. Remember the best travels rest not on the destination but the experience that comes along with it. Take it from me the broke beach traveler. Now imagine me fading into nothingness and you reading this gives you the coolest ou-tro there is.