Our Iligan City tour was as awesome as it can be. We only visited 2 of it’s several water falls and we loved every minute of it. At around midnight we left our pension house and took a pedicab to the bus terminal where buses bound for Cagayan de Oro are available. We paid 70 php for the pedicab ride. Not bad considering the huge back packs we were carrying.
Travel time 2 Cagayan de Oro was approximately 2 hours and costed 120 php. We alighted at a bus terminal in CDO (not sure about the name) and took a multi cab going to Agora market(20 php per pax as we weren’t able to fill the multicab but normally it’s only 12 php). Once in Agora market, look for vans bound for Balingoan port. The fare is 120 php and travel time is about 2.5 – 3 hours long and the last stop is the port itself so don’t hesitate to get some rest ;). Once in Balingoan port, you may take a ferry bound for Camiguin. You may refer below for the ferry schedule:
Route | Time | Fare |
Balingoan Port (Misamis Oriental) to Benoni Port (Camiguin) | Hourly from 5:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | 170 php + 15 php terminal fee |
Balingoan Port (Misamis Oriental) to Benoni Port (Camiguin) | Hourly from 4:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | 170 php + 15 php terminal fee |
After a 1 hour boat ride we finally reached the island of Camiguin. Our first destination was Mantigue island. We took a habalhabal going to Brgy. San Roque where pump boats going to Mantigue island are available. We paid 15 php each for the habalhabal ride. Boat rental to Mantigue island cost 550 php (good for 6 people). There is an entrance fee of 50 php and an environmental fee of 20 php. You need to pay this first before you can go to the island. The boat ride is only 20 minutes and the sea is relatively calm. There are plenty of things that you can do in the island though for some activities such as paddle boarding and snorkeling in the marine sanctuary you have to pay extra. Louie and I just opted to beach bum. Take note that you are only allowed to stay in the island for 4 hours. If you want to extend your stay it will be an additional 50 php per hour each person.
After spending the morning in Mantigue island, we went back to the mainland and chartered a motorela to take us to Mambajao where Myrna’s Bamboo Cottages (our accomodation in Camiguin) is located. I have to say that the 800 php per night in Myrna’s bamboo cottages is such a bargain. The ambiance of the place demands you to just relax and enjoy your time. They even have a lovely dog to keep you entertained :).
The following day Louie and I rented a motorcycle (350 php for 24 hours, gas not included) so we can tour the island of Camiguin and visit some of it’s many tourist spots though we were not able to visit all of them. Still, we were still very happy with what Camiguin had to offer such as Tuasan Falls and Sto. Nino Cold Spring.
So that concludes are Iligan-CDO-Camiguin DIY tour. The beauty and charm of each spots is something I’ll be recalling time and time again.
Check out our Iligan-CDO-Camiguin Vlog below!
Cost per Head |
Description |
50 |
Taxi From Airport to Highway |
100 |
Bus to Iligan City |
250 |
Erchedon Pension House (250 per 12 hours x 2) |
7 |
Jeep from Tibanga to Buruan |
12 |
Jeep to Maria Christina Falls (Closed) |
7 |
Jeep to Mimbalot Falls from Maria Christina |
50 |
Entrance Mimbalot Falls |
40 |
Habal Habal to Tinago |
25 |
Entrance Tinago Falls |
25 |
Life vest (mandatory) |
40 |
Habal Habal to Tinago |
14 |
Jeep to Highway from Tinago |
7 |
Jeep from Buruan to Tibanga |
70 |
Pedicab from Tibanga to Terminal |
120 |
Bus to Agora Terminal |
120 |
Agora Terminal to Balingoan Port |
170 |
Balingoan Port to Benoni Port |
15 |
Terminal Fee |
30 |
Van to Mambajao |
800 |
Myrnas Bamboo Cottage (2 nights) |
225 |
Habal Habal rental 24 hours |
275 |
Boat to Mantigue (550 per boat) |
30 |
Van to Benoni Port |
170 |
Benoni Port to Balingoan Port |
15 |
Terminal Fee |
100 |
Balingoan Port to Agora Terminal |
250 |
Taxi From Agora to Airport |
200 |
Terminal Fee |
3217 |
Total |