Come again to Camiguin! This island paradise in Northern Mindanao has so much to offer to everyone. This travel guide will come in handy if you plan to visit the Island Born of Fire. Provided in this guide are information on getting there, where to stay, activities, sample itinerary, budget and more.
Discover Camiguin
Nested in the Northern Mindanao is a pear-shaped volcanic island of Camiguin, roughly 100 kilometers north of Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental.
Camiguin Island is said to be created by volcanic eruptions and land movements, thus the moniker “Island Born of Fire”. It has a total of seven volcanoes including Mount Hibok-Hibok, an active one with last recorded eruption in 1953.
Another famous landmark of Camiguin is “White Island“, a sandbar northwest of mainland, approximately two kilometers off the shore of Barangay Yumbing, Mambajao. White island submerges substantially during high tide but a favorite among tourists as it offers a panoramic view of Mount Hibok-Hibok and neighboring mountains.
With all its natural wonders and historical treasures, Camiguin Island is undoubtedly an inviting paradise! Let us discover and rediscover the magic of the island!
How to Get to Camiguin
Camiguin has its own airport in Mambajao but Cebu Pacific is the only commercial airline that has regular flights to the province from Cebu City. For those coming from Manila, make your way to either Cagayan de Oro or Butuan City.
Via Cagayan de Oro
Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have regular flights daily from Manila, Cebu and Davao to Laguindingan Airport of Cagayan de Oro City.
From Laguindingan Airport, ride a shuttle (Magnum Shuttle or LAX Van at P199.00/pax as of Dec 2016) direct to Agora Market where you can catch a bus (P148.00/pax as of Dec 2016) or a van (~P200.00/pax) to Balingoan for a two-hour ride. Get off in Balingoan Terminal and walk to the port. From there, ride a ferry (~P150.00/pax) to Benoni Port of Camiguin. Ferries from Balingoan Port to Benoni, Camiguin leave almost every hour from 5Am to 5PM, travel time is two hours.
Via Butuan
Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have regular flights daily from Manila and Cebu to Bancasi Airport of Butuan.
From Butuan Airport, catch a motorella or taxi to take you to the bus terminal and hop to any Cagayan bound bus (~P200/pax), travel time is more than two hours. The bus will stop at Balingoan Terminal just a short walk to the port where you can catch ferry to Camiguin (~P150.00/pax).
From Jagna (Bohol)
Super Shuttle Ferry serves Jagna, Bohol – Camiguin. Visit their website for schedule. You can book your ferry tickets from Jagna to Camiguin and vice versa below.
Where to Stay in Camiguin
There are numerous hotels/lodges in this island to choose from for budget or high-end tourists. Most are located in Mambajao. There are also decent homestays, cottages and lodges for as low as P500.00 per room.
One of the populars is Paguia’s Cottages located in Barangay Yumbing, Mambajao. It is owned by Ma’am Hospecia Paguia, contact no: (088)387-9018. A nice room for up to 6 people for only P1400/night.
Top-Rated Budget Accommodations in Camiguin
Top-Rated Hotels in Camiguin
Balai sa Baibai Resort |
Kurma Yoga Dive and Beach Resort |
Activities in Camiguin
Camiguin is best experienced than described, they say. Rent a multicab for a tour of the island (~P2500.00 for a big multicab that can fit 12 persons, including port transfers). With its natural wonders and historic landmarks, tourists will definitely enjoy these sites:
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Old Catarman (Gui-ob) Church Ruins
In Barangay Bonbon, 16 kilometers from the center of Catarman. What remains are ruins of adobe walls, belfry and convent that are testimonials to the devastating 1871 earthquake which wiped out the illustrious town of Catarman established earlier as a Spanish settlement in 1967.
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Cross Marker and Sunken Cemetery
Sixteen kilometers from Catarman proper; a huge cross was installed in 1982 to mark the community cemetery which sunk during the 1871 volcanic holocaust. A fluvial procession usually organized by the townsfolk of Barangay Bonbon is held to honor the sunken graves of their forefather.
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Stations of the Cross(Via Cruzes) / Walkway (Old Vulcan)
A walkway complete with 14 Stations of The Cross leads to the peak of Mt Vulcan Daan. Thirteen kilometers west of Mambajao, it has 70 to 80 meters drop and is a landmark of the PANAAD Pilgrimage.
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Katibawasan Falls
Five kilometers southeast of Mambajao center is a waterfalls which measures 250 feet high cascades to a rock pool surrounded by ground orchids, wild ferns, trees and boulders. Its cold water provides an ideal summer splash to bathers and picnickers.
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Tuasan Falls
Six kilometers northwest of Catarman, the trek to this 25 meter high rapid waterfalls entails a very scenic hike passing thru the quaint Barrio Mainit. The falls can be tapped as a mini hydro source of power.
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Binangawan Falls
Where several miniature and gigantic waterfalls gushing through majestic granite stones that converge in one main pool, covered with luscious unspoiled vegetation, and a mystical rainbow is arched by the fall’s mist as the sunlight penetrates through it.
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White Island
An uninhabited white sandbar with Mt. Hibok-Hibok and Old Volcan in the backdraft that reflects the grandeur the Province of Camiguin has ever achieved. It is reached within 10 minutes through a banca from anywhere in Yumbing, Mambajao area.
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Ardent Hot Spring
Six kilometers west of Mambajao is a mineral pool with water around 40 degree centigrade. Vapor rises from the heated waters that run down the vents of the dormant Hibok-Hibok volcano. The springs are ideal to bathe in at night surrounded by cool mountain air. It has therapeutic effects. Picnic huts and tables are available in the beautifully landscaped gardens with a restaurant on site.
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Sto. Niño Cold Spring
Located 4 kilometers north of Catarman is a huge pool of cold spring water with a sandy bottom. The area has native stores, picnic huts and toilets for visitors and guests.
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Others
Taste the Pastel de Camiguin, a very yummy yema filled bun; visit Macao Cold Spring, Tangub Hot Spring, Mantigue Island, Kibila Giant Clam Sanctuary and Taguines Lagoon; dine in Luna Ristorante; dive or snorkel in the diverse and unspoiled waters around the province; tour nearby Cagayan de Oro City, Bukidnon and Butuan.
Sample Itinerary (Camiguin – CDO – Bukidnon)
Day 1: Camiguin En Route and White Sand Bar Sunset
0600H – 0825H: Assembly in NAIA 3 / Check-in
0825H – 0950H: Manila to Cagayan de Oro Flight
0950H – 1030H: Assembly / Baggage Check-in
1030H – 1100H: Cagayan de Oro Airport to Agora Terminal
1100H – 1300H: Agora Terminal to Balingoan Port
1300H – 1400H: Lunch
1400H – 1530H: Balingoan to Benoni Port, Camiguin
1530H – 1600H: Benoni to Paguia’s Cottages
1600H – 1630H: Check-in/Fix-up
1630H – 1830H: Camiguin to White Sandbar (by boat) / Sunset at White Sand Bar / Back to Mainland Camiguin
1830H – 1930H: Wash-up Fix-up
1930H – onwards: Dinner / Socials / Lights off
Day 2: Camiguin Island in a Day
0600H – 0800H: Call Time / Breakfast
0800H – 1300H: Multicab Tour: Ol Vocano Station of the Cross / Sunken Cemetery / Gui-ob Church Ruins/ Sto. Niño Cold Springs
1300H – 1400H: Lunch
1400H – 1800H: Katibawasan Falls / Ardent Hot Springs
1800H – 1900H: Wash-up / Fix-up
1900H – onwards: Dinner / Socials / Lights off
Day 3: Wild Water Ride
0345H – 0430H: Call Time / Paguia’s to Benoni Port
0430H – 0600H: Benoni Port to Balingoan
0600H – 0800H: Balingoan to Cagayan de Oro
0800H – 0900H: Check-in New Dawn Pensionne / Heavy Breakfast
0900H – 1800H: White Water Rafting!!!! (Buffet Lunch included)
1800H – 1900H: Wash-up / Fix-up
1900H – onwards: Dinner / Socials
Day 4: Zip High in Bukidnon
0500H – 0600H: Call Time / Breakfast
0600H – 0800H: Travel CDO to Bukidnon
0800H – 1100H: Zip, Zorb and more in Dahilayan (Lunch and Snacks Included)
1100H – 1300H: Travel Bukidnon to CDO
1300H – 1400H: Hotel Check-out / Travel to Airport
1400H – 1555H: Assembly / Airport Check-in
1555H – 1720H: Travel CDO to Manila
Budget for Camiguin – CDO – Bukidnon
(Approximately P5,000 – P5,500 each for a group of 6)
Taxi (Airport to Agora Terminal): P50.00
Bus (Agora To Balingoan): P143.00
Ferry to Camiguin: P150.00
Multicab (Tour/Transfer): P250
2 Nights Camiguin Accomodation: P600
Boat to White Island: P150
Ferry Camiguin to Balingoan: P150.00
Bus (Balingoan to Agora): P143.00
Taxi to New Dawn Pension: P30.00
1 Night CDO Accomodation: P350
White Water Rafting + Zipzone: P1999
Terminal Fee CDO: P30
Miscellaneous/Foods/Entrance Fees/Etc: P1000
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Approximate Budget: P5100
*First published: 29-March-2008. Updated: 10-December-2013; 02-November-2017; 16-Jul-2019; 07-Mar-2020
Hi! We visited Camiguin last month and I must say it is indeed spectacular! 😀 I recommend KUYA NATO as a tour guide. He has motorcycles and multi-cabs for tours.
He was our life saver! We were arrived at the port late for our ferry back to Balingoan port and we had a 4pm flight back to Manila to catch. He hurriedly thought of an alternative and he drove us to his friends home who was a fisherman. He suggested that we rent the pumpboat to take us to Balingoan port and they gave it to us for a discounted price since we were just 2 girls travelling. We made it to the CDO airport 1 1/2 hours before our flight thanks to KUYA NATO!
His contact details are: 09056967618
Thanks for the feedback Rims. I’m glad you had a great time there 🙂 Byahe lang ng byahe 🙂
hi, would it be possible if from balingoan, we’ll go directly to hotels near katibawasan falls?
we’re just backpackers, when there’s no available hotel nearby, we’ll it be okay if we’ll go directly to the falls? our next plan will be to go to enigmata and stay one night..we’ll this be possible? please leave a reply if you have an idea. thanks much.. =)
Do not ride oceanjet…make sure airconditioning is functioning…make sure your ticket is aircon or else they’ll put
you on open air.
COME this summer at PAGUIA’S COTTAGES…A New Place to Visit, A Nice Place to Live. It is located in front of White Island at Rocky Village, Yumbing, Mambajao, Camiguin. With contact numbers: 088-3879018, 09173107085 or 09198942681. It is owned and managed by the Paguia’s Family. To assure great services the Paguia family members personally serve you for your needs. They can accommodate up to 200 persons for a spacious rooms and cottages at a VERY AFFORDABLE price. They serve meals or you can cook food if you want. They also have Vehicles (Brand new Van and extended multicabs) , Pump boats to White Island for hire. Extending there services from Camiguin to the mainland of Northern Mindanao, Roel Paguia the son of the owner is the incharge for bookings in Cagayan de Oro for City Tour, Water Rafting and Mapawa extreme adventure. He will be your driver, tour guide and photographer for your trip in Bukidnon particularly in Dahilayan where you can experienced the Asia’s longest Zipline, Drop Zone, ATV, luge and more great adventures. He will bring you to an exotic places in Iligan City where you can enjoy swimming across the virgin beauty of Tinago Falls, Timoga cold spring and the historical scenery of Ma. Cristina Falls. All these and more only at PAGUIA’S COTTAGES…So what are you waiting for call or text them now and enjoy your Summer vacation with your Family and Friends…
What’s the ideal days of stay to visit all the places mentioned above?
[…] For more information on Camiguin, check out Lakwatsero’s Camiguin Travel Guide. […]
hi jona, it would be cheaper if you leave your cars near balingoan port garage rental @ 150/night…. then hire kuya teddy transpo for camiguin tours.
Highly recommended kuya teddy services for both cdo-camiguin-bukidnon tour. Very budget friendly at madali lang kausap ni kuya. Pagdating namin sa camiguin pier, my plakard nakalagay name namin nag ala VIP kami , yung plakard hawak ng kanyang asistant na si prince william…
kuya teddy really deserves addtl referrals:
teddy 0939-2440521/ 0906-4912604
facebook: teddy pabualan
webpage: camiguintransport.blogspot.com
hi! magkano yung rate ni kuya pag sa Camiguin lang? is it enough to tour Camigun for one whole day then balik agad sa CDO after?
how much will it cost if we bring our own car? an ideas kung magkano ang car fee? all i know is ang motor a 200 pesos
hi.,do u have any idea now if how much is the rate if we bring oyr own car?
hi amy, the ferry cost for SUV is between P 1500 – P1700.
[…] 5. Travel Guide: Camiguin Island […]
Last august i spent 4 days in beautiful Camiguin with my family. We stayed at Pabua’s Cottages. It’s a small family run place with 10 cottages. Budget friendly and the staff were very helpfull. They also helped us with going to all the places to visit. Camiguin itself is very clean and unspoilt, which is very hard to find these days.
[…] laid back island with rich history and natural attractions. The island, slightly bigger than Camiguin, has a 75 kilometers circumferential road that spans in its six towns of San Juan, Lazi, Maria, […]
[…] have already dive in Camiguin before, specifically in the waters of Mantigue Island. Not the usual Camiguin but it still is. But I have heard a lot of positive reviews on the waters surrounding the main […]
We are from Manila Call Center, a group of 12 ladies and we had a great experienced with Roel (cf no.09173107085) nag avail kami sa tour package niya from Iligan, Bukidnon,Cagayan and Camiguin eh dahil sa nasira ang ferry na sinakyan namin on the way na sana kami sa airport we were not able to catch up our flight bound to Manila on that day. Maraming salamat talaga sa kanya hindi niya kami iniwan. Naghanap kami ng mapag tirahan sa CDO at libre ang charge niya sa Van hanggang kinabukasan pag hatid sa airport. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND HIM for your travel. Kudos to you Roel!!
Got no idea regarding ferry trips, you may contact kuya teddy pabualan 0939-2440521. he’s a tour guide/ operator in the island or try to visit hes site: http://www.camiguintransport.blogspot.com, i think he had a ferry trips posted in his blog.
sir, i would like to inquire schedule of trip from balingoan to camaguin on nov 2.tanx
ei guys,
try to stay at golden sunset beach club, it is a resort having a nice atmosphere, may swimming pool at nasa tapat lang nang white island. im sure you really super like this place…. two thumbs up.
website: http://www.camiguinisland.net
mobile : 0918-5595686
they have also a multicab that you may hire for camiguin tour. kuya teddy is their friendly driver who drove us around the beautiful sceneries of camiguin.
We are so thankful to Paguia’s Inn and to Kuya Roel Paguia who help us during our CDO,Iligan, Bukidnon and Camiguin tour. Thank you very much.
New Radio Station Oldies Monsterous Radio of the 60s 70s 80s now playing in Camiguin over the internet at monsterousradio.com also you can advertise with us at [email protected]
FYI! Cagayan de Oro Airport to Balingoan port – 2hrs trip then ferry from Balingoan port to Camiguin is 1hr and 20 min.
Saan ba makaka mura ng rooms dun? 3days-2nights stay kasi kami, 18 pax. Yung malapit lang din sa tourist spots ng camiguin. Thanks