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:
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
———————————————————————-
Approximate Budget: P5100
*First published: 29-March-2008. Updated: 10-December-2013; 02-November-2017; 16-Jul-2019; 07-Mar-2020
[…] Travel Guide: Camiguin Island […]
Hello, I did not see how much you spent going to Bukidnon? Can you help clarify? Did you rent a car, commute, or did some kind of a special tour? My problem is the transportation to and from CDO. My last day IT is just as same as you. Thanks!
PUBLIC INFORMATION: (Thanks to lakwatsero,com staff)
Paguia’s Cottages in Camiguin offers the following:
a. Place to stay for your vacation
b. Vehicles: Motorcycle, multicab, Van with sounds, video and free wifi
c. Pump boat to White Island
d. Life vest and snorkeling gear
We offer Tour Packages in Camiguin, CDO, Iligan, Bukidnon and Surigao Sur.
Please text or call us: Land Line 088-3879018 , Globe line: 09173107085
Hi po, just wondering, magkano po ung magagastos for the tour guide na may habal-habal in Camiguin for 4 days and 3 nights.. Or do you have a tour guide that you can recommend that we could contact?
Thank you!
Helo..search mo teddy pabualan sa google. Very afordable package niya.and legit tourist guide. Ok lahat ng drivers nya..:) sya lagi kinukuha namin evrytime we go there. Enjoy! ;)he gives discount as well.
[…] Travel Guide: Camiguin Island […]
[…] Although the sandbar is frequented by tourists during broad daylight, it is also great to see during sunrise and even sunset. Note that it has no shade, so get ready to be soaked in direct sunlight when going there specially at midday. Small outrigger boats that can fit up to four persons can be chartered to get to the sandbar for as low as P300 round trip, the boats are docked in the shore of Barangay Yumbing or Barangay Agoho. Cliche as it is, but you have never been to Camiguin if you have not visited the White Sandbar, so make sure not to miss this spot. For more information about Camiguin, check out Lakwatsero’s Camiguin Travel Guide. […]
gawa ka naman sample cEBU-CAMIGUIN-CDO-BUKIDNON-CEBU
You can ask our driver/guide Teddy in Camiguin. He knows very well.
ring him at 09175219391
tanong lang po.. magkano kaya budget per pax? Galing Cebu City to Camiguin passing Jagna, from Tubigon,Bohol . Peak season pa ba ngayon? please
Hello po!
I’m from Talibon, Bohol and just visited Camiguin last June 6. If you’re from Cebu then you arrived at Tubigon, you need to take a V-hire Tubigon-Talibon costs P90, I don’t know the fare for the bus. When you arrive in Talibon you take multicab to Ubay, costs P30, then Ubay-Jagna V-hire fare is P100. Tell the V-hire driver to drop you off to Jagna Port or Jagna Market. Ocean Jet fare fro Jagna-Camiguin is P700.00 -Tourist.
Hello guys, camiguin island is very awesome place, you need to very careful with your own things.. nagstay kami sa paguia cottage sa may brgy. mambajao at dun ninakawan / pinasok ung cottage nmn ng 3am. huhuhuhu!!! nakuha ung dlsr camera ng friend ko worth 75K kasama ung bagong lens.. hindi lang isang beses pala nangyari ang nakawan dun.. no wonder d napapakilala ang camiguin island as one of the tourist spot here in the Philippines…
d man lang gumawa ng action ang mga police dun.. grabe tlaga ..
kaya po dapat ingatan nyo mabuti mga gamit nyo.. be watchful sa mga taong mkksalubong nyo dun kase binabantayan lang pala nila kayo para tignan kung ano pwedeng makuha snyo..
ingat na lang po kayo..
dapat lang maingat tayo… kahit saan yan bro….tanong ku lang po, Galing Cebu City, then planning to pass thru Jagna, Bohol.. to Camiguin… magkano kaya budget per pax? please naman .. Peak season pa ba ngayon?
COME this summer at PAGUIA’S COTTAGES … A New Place to Visit, A Nice Place to Live. It is located at Rocky Village, Yumbing, Mambajao, Camiguin…
CONTACT NUMBER: 09173107085
088-3879018
Check our website:paguia.weebly.com
Hi! I have question. How did you travel to Bukidnon-CDO and vice versa? how much? Thank you.
hi and hello, i am from bukidnon…ride a bus to bukidnon…if you want a trusted tour guide, i am available… +639352751111
Hi! Is it better to get a packaged tour for camiguin? If yes, can you recommend any (hopefully with contact number)?
When you said 1 trip na lang yung roro, does it mean walang byahe sa hapon? I need to get back to CDO by night time. Thanks
Hi dear. Contact teddy pabualan +639175219391. Roro is 3am in the morn. 🙂 one batch since june2013. If u dont have car to load in roro..u can catch an hourly fery ride from 6am to 6pm. 🙂
hi guia, i’ve been der last weekend, may ro-ro nman super shuttle ferry dat leaves camiguin at 12 noon.
how much if its 2 persons only including airfare? april or may?
how much estimated if 2 persons lang/? including airfare?
Hi po.planning to go to camiguin this april,will stay there for 4 days.do you know a hotel/lodge/inn na mura lng?
Thanks.
Hi sis. Mura sa pabualan cottages. It is owned by teddy pabualan. Licensed tourist guide..he also offer tour package. Pls google him.
hi, i just wanna ask if there is a ro-ro ship from balingoan to camiguin and vice versa. we are planning to bring a vehicle to the island. could that be possible? thanks
Yes it is possible, Super Shuttle RoRo services the route from 5 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon.
hi, sorry. but just went to camiguin last dec. and the roro’s sched is only 3am now..and isang byahe na lang..
Thanks for this! Actually the boat schedule depends on the traffic. So better call Super Shuttle Ferry to know their latest schedule. 🙂
tnx for the info
hi ask ko lng po if galing nang airport at papunta ako ng camiguin anong pwedeng sakyan and mga mgkano kaya magagastos?
what airport dear? laguindingan airport in cdo? well,there are vans (magnum express) 199 rate, and some private cars na ginagawa nilang taxi, 4 and sakay, 199each din. it will dropp u off sa agora market. sa agora, may bus to balingoan port but will take u 3hours..what we did is may mga vans dun 120per pax, 2hours to balingoan port.
sa balingoan 170 ang ferry to camiguin..goodluck!
Hi, everyone!
I have a few questions:
1. CDO has a new airport. How can I get to Agora Market from the new airport? Do you have any idea how much it will cost me to get there via a tricycle? Or is there an efficient public transport system from the airport to Agora Market?
2. We’re also planning to try the white water rafting in CDO. How much does it cost? And does anyone here have contacts whom I can reach to inquire on rates, etc.? It seems that 1,999 pesos (is this a per person rate?) for a white water rafting with zipzone is pretty expensive.
Thanks,
Andrei
i was told there are public transpos at the airport going to CDO…for rafting and zipline packages, check this out:
http://www.dahilayanadventurepark.com/greatzip-tours/
Php1699 for zipline and water rafting is not really that expensive with transpo back and forth cdo
For question #1:
From Laguindingan Airport, take a Magnum Express or LAX Shuttle to take you directly to Cagayan de Oro City, fare is P249 per passenger. Magnum Express unloads passengers at Magnum Radio in CM Recto while LAX Shuttle unload passengers at near Centrio Hotel. From there you may ride a rela (motorela) or taxi to Agora Terminal.
Cheaper alternative is to take the shuttle (Super 5 at P50/passenger or CDOTransco L300 Van at P20/passenger) from Laguindingan Airport to Main Highway. From the highway, you have an option to take aircon bus or jeepney. Super 5 aircon bus charges P85 to Cagayan de Oro Bulua Terminal while jeepney fares is P40. From Bulua Terminal take a taxi to Agora Terminal.
For question #2:
I agree with Judly, it is actually a good deal as it includes rafting, trip to Dahilayan, breakfast and lunch at Dahilayan, buffet meal after rafting and all the transportation arrangement. But if you are interested only to white water rafting, rate is as low as P700 per guest exclusive of meals. You may contact any of the operators listed here: https://www.lakwatsero.com/spots/white-water-rafting-at-cdo/
for number1,laguindingan airport is their new terminal. dont ride taxi to agora, as it will cost u over 1000..sa may arrival may mga passnger van, suggest to take either magnum or lax van. just tell driver ull get of at agora market. thats 199 per head.
@ faye: new dawn pension number: 088-8571777.
Aside from paguai inn, there were also guest house nearby. we stayed at pabualan cottages in yumbing they also offer friendly rates.
Teddy pabualan- is our tour guide/driver in camiguin. He is the owner of pabualan cottages too..
mobile: 0939-2440521/ 0906-4912604/www.camiguintransport.blogspot.com
i also get teddy for our tommorow camiguin trip! yay! excited..
hi, is it peak season for camiguin?
This time of the year? No.
Yay! Looks like sir Teddy’s going to be very busy..I think we’ll be staying and availing of his Package tour!..Weee!!! Exciteds!! Is it Peak Season in Camiguin on August?
No.peak start march to may.then october for the festival.i am going back there again this march.. 😉
Thanks MaHa, what’s their Festival?
Already Contacted Sir teddy and we will be staying at their cottage and will avail of their Tour packages..weeh!..So excited,but I have to hold it off till August..haha,and thats 6 months pa from now..wahaha..Lucky you March is sooo near!!!..
Hi sis. Its lansones festival. Madami ding tourist. Yup.i have kamag anak kasi in mambajao.kaya no prob din sa pagstayan.nakuha ko c teddy for the tour..very cheap pero sulit talaga.request mo c kuya dodong as ur driver.super bait. 😉 well dodong ang tawag namin sa knya..haha!
Hi! Just want to ask if you have other contact numbers available for New Dawn Pensionne? Other than the landline numbers? It’s so pricey kasi to call them from landline pa. Thanks!