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Voykit pocket guide · Philippines
Bantayan
Spend 2 days on Bantayan: one day for beaches and sights, a second for relaxed island vibe; arrive by ferry from Hagnaya.
Bantayan Island, part of Cebu Province, offers a handful of beaches, a historic church and simple island activities. A short ferry ride from Hagnaya makes a 2‑day stay enough to see the main sights and unwind.
- Country
- Philippines
- Best months
- Dec–May (dry season)
- Avoid
- Jun–Nov (rainy, occasional typhoons)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- PHP
- Money
- Philippine pesos (₱) in small notes for jeepneys, market stalls, tips and taxis; malls and hotels take cards.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₱800–₱1,200 excl. bed · Mid ₱1,200–₱2,000 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Globe and Smart sell SIMs at airports; SIM registration with passport is required by law.
- Emergency
- Police / Fire & ambulance 117
- Plugs
- Types A, B, C · 220 V · 60 Hz · US flat pins common; check your devices for 220 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% if no service charge.; Grab / taxi: Round up.; Boat crew: ₱100–200 per tour.; Massage: ₱50–100.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; refill stations cheap.
- Toilets
- Called 'CR' (comfort room); bring tissue; many lack toilet seats.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at local market stall | ₱80–₱150 |
| Bottle of water (500 ml) | ₱20–₱35 |
| Tricab ride from port to town | ₱20 |
| Motorbike rental per day | ₱250–₱450 |
| Ferry one‑way (Super Shuttle) | ₱359 + ₱25 fee |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- CEB · Mactan‑Cebu International Airport
- Air Juan flies to Bantayan airfield; 30 min flight (check 2026 schedule).
Typical fares
- Super Shuttle ferry Hagnaya → Santa Fe
- ≈₱384 total (fare + terminal fee) (check)
- Motorbike rental
- ≈₱350 per day
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
From the Santa Fe port walk to town on a tricab (≈₱20) or rent a motorbike (₱250‑450/day). Bicycles are ₱100/day; jeepney links Santa Fe to Bantayan town.
See and do
Known for
- Virgin Island
- Ogtong Cave
- Paradise Beach
- Bantayan Church
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Virgin Island | Motorbike or habal‑habal from Santa Fe, 15 min | ≈30 min round trip |
| Ogtong Cave | Motorbike, 20 min from Santa Fe | ≈45 min round trip |
Sleep
- Stevrena Cottages
- Fan double or A/C double rooms, free Wi‑Fi, from ₱600
- Casa Isabel Hostel
- A/C six‑bed dorm, free Wi‑Fi & breakfast, from ₱549 per person
- Montemar Pension House
- Fan double room, own bathroom, ₱600
- B M Island Inn
- A/C double, own bathroom, free Wi‑Fi, ₱950
- Beach People Hostel
- 6‑8 bed A/C dorm, free Wi‑Fi & breakfast, from ₱999 per person
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Pasensya napah-sen-sya na |
| Thank you | Salamatsa-la-mat |
| How much is this? | Magkano ito?mag-ka-no i-to |
| Where is the bathroom? | Saan ang banyo?sa-an ang ban-yo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Smile, handshake; 'po' to elders; avoid: Loud confrontation
- Beckoning: Palm down, wave; avoid: Palm up (used for animals)
- Invitations: Accept food offered or decline politely; avoid: Refusing bluntly
- Time: Expect 'Filipino time' socially; avoid: Lateness for flights and boats
- Churches: Covered clothes; avoid: Loud tours during Mass
Scams and watch-outs
- Ferry departures are hourly 6 AM‑5 PM; check schedules for seasonal changes.
- ATMs charge a minimum ₱250 withdrawal fee for overseas cards.
Bantayan is generally safe; keep valuables locked, watch for strong currents at some beaches, and use licensed transport.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Bantayan yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Virgin Island
- Ogtong Cave
- Paradise Beach
- Bantayan Church
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Bantayan: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Bantayan, revision 5339044 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5339044
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Bantayan
Puntahan po ito
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / Fire & ambulance117
US Consulate in Cebu City (check address).
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/bantayan). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.