Bantayan Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Bantayan is divided into three municipalities:

• Santa Fe
• Bantayan Town
• Madridejos

Most of the accommodations and beaches are in Santa Fe municipality. The ferries from Cebu also arrive there.

Travelers sometime mistaken 'Bantayan' with 'Daan Bantayan' area in the inland of Cebu island, east of the Bantayan island.

Two ferry companies ply the route between Hagnaya on Cebu island and the port of Santa Fe in Bantayan.

• Super Shuttle Ferry
• Island Shipping
• Ferries leave each port every hour from 6AM until 5PM.
• The fare on Super Shuttle Ferry is ₱359 + ₱25 terminal fee (June 2023).
• The fare on Island Shipping ferry is 300 + 25 terminal fee (June 2023).
• The air-conditioned bus fare from the Northern bus terminal in Cebu to Hagnaya port was ₱300 (June 2023).
• The non-air-conditioned bus fare was ₱250 pesos (June 2023). 210 pesos(Jan 2024)

Air Juan operate aircraft between Mactan-Cebu International Airport and Bantayan airfield in Santa Fe. The fare is from ₱2576 round trip. and flying time is 30 minutes each way.

• Tricikab (local pedicab) - a short trip from the pier to the town should cost you about ₱20 one way
• Motorbike rental, ₱P250-450 a day, available in resorts and in rental shops in Santa Fe town
• Bicycle rental also available (₱P100 a day)
• Habal-habal (single motorbike with driver) for longer distances
• Jeepney from Santa Fe town to Bantayan town.

• Virgin Island
• Ogtong Cave
• Paradise Beach
• Bantayan Church

• There are PNB Bank ATMs in Santa Fe town and Bantayan town.
• All ATM's in the Philippines have a minimum ₱250 withdrawal fee for overseas bank cards.

The public markets in Bantayan town and Santa Fe have the best prices for food.

In Bantayan Town:

• D'Jungle restaurant - Friday buffet: all you can eat for ₱395
• Balikbyan restaurant - German and Filipino food, try the Bicolano spicy dishes (Kinunot or Bicol express), the delicious steaks, the pork schnitzel or the mashed potatoes (further down the road after the other restaurants)
• Hard Kock Kafe - Filipino and Western food, they have also Indian vindaloo on their menu
• Blue Ice restaurant - Danish operation
• Le Petit Bonheur - French operated, ice cream is their specialty
• O'Marisquera Portuguese restaurant - Portuguese and Filipino food

In Santa Fe:

• MJ Square - an eatery complex with local and international food.
• Coucou Restaurant - operated by friendly owner Denis from Belgium, serves Filipino and Thai food as well as nice pizzas

• Hard Kock Kafe
• Coucou Bar
• HR Music Bar
• if you're in a local mood try the typical filipino KTV Bars such as Zenzebar or Ginza

• Stevrena Cottages, F roska Street (on road from port going to santa fe town), ☏ +63-9083094717. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11AM. Fan double rooms or air-conditioned double rooms. Has free WiFi. from ₱600. (updated May 2023)
• Casa Isabel Hostel, Santa Fe. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11AM. a/c Six bed dorm. free wifi. free breakfast. from ₱549 per person. (updated Apr 2023)
• Montemar Pension House, Bantayan Town (above the PNB), ☏ +63-32-4605722. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11AM. fan double room own bathroom. ₱600. (updated Mar 2022)
• B M Island Inn, Santa Fe town. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11AM. A/c double room with own bathroom. free wifi. ₱950. (updated Jun 2023)
• Beach People Hostel, F Roska street Purok Aries Brgy Talisay Santa fe. Check-in: 1PM, check-out: noon. 6/8 bed a/c dorm. free wifi. free breakfast, security Lockers. max age 60 year old. from ₱999 per person. (updated Jun 2023)

• It's easy to get data from smart or Globe. Accommodations all have free wifi.

Metro Cebu is the hub of the region, much the largest urban area.