With its area, considered as the second smallest province in the country, Camiguin proves that a weekend is not enough to explore its natural attractions: beaches, springs, waterfalls, and heritage sites. Given 48 hours, I tried to go around the island as much as I can to discover the beauty of this paradise to create this simple Camiguin itinerary.
Camiguin is also known as the lanzones capital of the country where an annual festival, every October, is being held to celebrate a bountiful harvest of the sweet fruit. But I have a confession; I wasn’t able to taste a single lanzones during my visit. Spare me by checking out my do-it-yourself itinerary.
THINGS TO DO IN CAMIGUIN
1. Visit two famous waterfalls, Katibawasan and Tuasan Falls.
2. Spring Hopping in Bura Soda, Sto. Nino Cold, and Ardent Hibok-Hibok Hot Springs.
3. Trek the walkway to the Old Vulcan.
4. Drop by the ruins of the old church.
5. Paddle to the cross marker and witness sunset in Sunken Cemetery.
6. Beach bum in White Island.
7. Navigate Mantigue Island Nature Park.
8. Experience Lanzones Festival.
9. Try the luscious Tiramisu in Luna Ristorante.
10. Lounge all day in Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin.
CAMIGUIN ITINERARY
DAY 1 7:00AM Arrive in Camiguin Airport via Cebu 7:30AM Check-in Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin 7:30AM – 10:00AM Rest time 10:00AM – 11:00AM Katibawasan Falls 11:00AM – 12:00NN Lunch 12:00NN – 1:30PM Walkway to Old Vulcan 1:30PM – 2:00PM Ruins of Old Church 2:00PM – 2:30PM Bura Soda Water Spring 2:30PM – 3:00PM Tuasan Falls 3:00PM – 3:30PM Sto. Ñino Cold Spring 3:30PM – 5:30PM Sunset Viewing in Sunken Cemetery 5:30PM – 7:00PM Ardent Hot Springs 7:00PM – 8:30PM Dinner Northern Lights Restaurant DAY 2 9:00PM – 10:00PM Breakfast in BBC 10:00PM – 12:00NN White Island 12:00NN – 1:00PM Lunch at Luna Ristorante 1:00PM – 1:30PM Travel to Mantigue Island 1:30PM – 4:30PM Mantigue Island Nature Park 4:30PM – 5:00PM Ostrich Farm 5:00PM Check-in Enigmata Eco-Lodge Tree House
ACCOMMODATIONS
BAHAY BAKASYUNAN SA CAMIGUIN
Balbagon, Mambajao, Camiguin
Contact Nos.: 088-387-0131 / +63917-721-2798
Email: camiguinbbc@gmail.com
Website: www.bahaybakasyunan.com
GV HOTEL CAMIGUIN
Burgos Street, Mambajao, Camiguin
Contact No.: +63 88 387-1041
Website: http://www.gvhotels.com.ph/mindanao/camiguin/
ENIGMATA TREE HOUSE ECO LODGE
Maubog, Balbagon, Mambajao, Camiguin
Contact Nos.: +63919-999-9877 / +63917-326-4474
Email: enigmatatreehouse@gmail.com
Website: http://camiguinecolodge.org/
RESTAURANTS/SNACK BARS
CAMIGUIN NORTHERN LIGHTS
National Hi-way, Mambajao, Camiguin
Contact No.: +63927-933-0797
LUNA RISTORANTE
Yumbing, Mambajao, Camiguin
Contact No.: 088-387-9526
GETTING AROUND
For the inland tours, depending on the number of pax, you can hire either a van (Php 2500 for 10-12 pax), multicab (Php 1700 for 8 pax, Php 2000 for 10-12 pax), or jeepney (Php 2000 for 16-18 pax). Rates will cover for maximum use of 8 hours and a certain amount will be charged to you for every succeeding hours. Habal-habal (Php 800) is another option if you have a smaller group.
HOW TO GET THERE
Direct flight to Camiguin.
Cebu Pacific is the only airline offering flight to Camiguin via Cebu. Flights schedules on M/W/F/Sat/Sun with ETA at 7:00AM. Not recommended on lean season though, read my experience here.
Flight to Laguindingan Airport.
If you want to avoid cancellation of flights in booking a direct flight to Camiguin, other option is to book a flight to Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental. From Laguindingan Airport, proceed to Agora Bus Terminal and take a bus bound to Balingoan. Take a ferry in Balingoan Port with hourly schedule to Benoni Port, Camiguin.
TOURISM OFFICE
CAMIGUIN PROVINCIAL TOURISM OFFICE
Capitol Hills, Pandan, Mambajao, Camiguin
Contact No.: 088-387-1097 local 120
Website: http://www.camiguin.gov.ph/
