Camotes Islands Travel Guide: Go Beyond the Usual Cebu

Camotes

“Camote”, replied the island ancestors when asked by the Spaniards about the name of the place. The natives were harvesting sweet potatoes (camote) then and thought that the Spaniards were asking what they were digging. That was how the group of islands got its name according to local folklore.

Camotes is a group of islands composed of four towns of Cebu (Poro, Tudela, Pilar and San Francisco), geographically located east of the province mainland, in between the islands of Cebu and Leyte in central Philippines, two hours away by boat from the town of Danao, north of Cebu City.

Camotes
Low tide at Santiago Bay

It is a small piece of paradise… of beautiful white sand beaches, great underwater treasures, amazing caves and lake, rich culture and history and lovely people.

Go beyond the usual Cebu. Discover, explore, experience and fall in love with the charm of Camotes Islands.

Camotes
Mangodlong

How to Get to Camotes Islands

Cebu City / Mactan to Camotes (Consuelo)

Oceanjet has twice a day departure of fast craft scheduled at 6AM and 3PM, travel time is 1.5 hours and fare is at least P500. Meanwhile, Jomalia Shipping operates at least one fast craft departure from Mactan Wharf to Camotes everyday, fare is at least P350 and travel time is around 2 hours. You can book your ferry online from Cebu City to Camotes below.

BOOK YOUR FERRY FROM CEBU CITY TO CAMOTES

Danao to Camotes (Consuelo)

Danao is a town north of Cebu City, approximately an hour away. There are multicabs from or bus going or passing there, travel time usually an hour and fare is around P30.

From  Danao Port, there are numerous ferry departures daily from as early as 530AM to as late as 9PM. The boat ride is approximately 2 hours and fare is around P200. You can book your ferry online from Danao to Camotes below.

BOOK YOUR FERRY FROM DANAO TO CAMOTES

Ormoc to Camotes (Pilar)

The town of Pilar in Ponson Island is geographically nearer to Ormoc City, Leyte, only an hour by boat. There are public boats serving the route. There are also public boats that connect Pilar to the other islands and towns of Camotes.

Camotes
Tulang Island

Going Around and Away

Camotes Islands is a group of islands and islets with the two biggest islands of Pacijan and Poro connected by a bridge. The primary mode of transport is by tricycle or single motorcycle (habal-habal). The town of Pilar in Ponson Island is accessible only by boat.

The main port of Camotes Island is located in Barangay Consuelo in San Franciso Town, Pacijan Island. There are numerous boat departures daily from Consuelo Port to Danao and Cebu City. You can book your ferry online from Camotes to Danao or Cebu below.

BOOK YOUR FERRY FROM CAMOTES TO DANAO

BOOK YOUR FERRY FROM CAMOTES TO CEBU

Where to Stay in Camotes

Bella Vista Mare Resort (formerly Beach View Resort) offers cheap room with a great view of Santiago Bay. We stayed in a decent fan room for as low as P850 per room overnight. It is along Santiago Bay in Barangay Santiago, San Francisco, where most tourists stay. Contact Number: +63905-3508883, they prefer to be contacted from 07:00AM to 08:00AM and 06:00PM to 08:00PM.

Beside Bella Vista Resort is a popular hotel resort in town, Santiago Bay Garden and Resort. It has a restaurant and a swimming pool. Other accommodations in town include: Masamayor Beach Resort and Payag Beach Resort in Santiago; Mangongodlong Rock Resort in Mangongodlong; and Harbor View in downtown San Francisco.

Camotes
Timabu Cave Pool

Top-Rated / Highly Recommended Accommodations in Camotes Islands

Sunset Vista Sea Front Guest House

Sunset Vista Sea Front Guest House
San Francisco, Camotes
Starts at 2,000 PHP

CHECK RATES

Camotes Flying Fish Resort

Camotes Flying Fish Resort
Poro, Camotes
Starts at 1,500 PHP

CHECK RATES

Mangodlong Rock Resort

Mangodlong Rock Resort
San Francisco, Camotes
Starts at 1,700 PHP

CHECK RATES

Coco Grove Nature Resort and Spa

Coco Grove Nature Resort and Spa
San Francisco, Camotes
Starts at 1,500 PHP

CHECK RATES

Things to Do in Camotes

  • Scuba diving, free-diving or snorkeling
  • Beach bumming in Santiago Bay, Mangongodlong and other white sand beaches in the islands of Pacijan, Tulang, Poro and Ponson
  • Island tour: Lake Danao, Timabu Cave, Baywalk, Buho Rock, Bukilat Cave in Tudela, St. Joseph Parish, Kalbaryo, Alta Vista, Guadalupe Cave and Busay Waterfalls
  • Beach sports: volleyball, frisbee
Camotes
A nudibranch under Camotes’ waters
Camotes
Lake Danao

Tips

  • When to go: Summer and dry season
  • Bring cash as much as possible as there is only one ATM in the island
  • Half day motorcycle tour rate starts P700.00 for the following spot: Lake Danao Park, Timabu Cave, Baywalk, Buho Rock and Bukilat Cave

Comments

  1. Brian

    Hi guys christmas vacation is just around the bend. Book your reservations now i am Brian, a certified tourguide by the local government of San Francisco, who have been tourguiding guests from suroy2x sugbo of Gov. Gwen. I have excellent customer service skills and our services are cheap and very reasonable. I value customers needs and i always put them on top of my priority. for any reservations and inquiries visit my facebook page at travel camotes the lost horizon of the south or send me a message at 09484151337. God bless! Book now. There’s so much in Camotes to discover! 🙂

    1. JC

      Hi,

      I’m going to visit the Island this coming January 17 please send me a message.

      Thank you.

  2. Faith

    Hello Maam/Sir
    Im a motorbike driver if you have a plan to visit here in Camotes Island your free to contact my mobile number 09975996275,09168217594… THANK YOU😊 Maam/Sir

    IM YOUR TOUR GUIDE HERE IN CAMOTES ISLAND see you here😊😊

  3. Monica

    Hello, from manila how to get there in camotes?thanks!

    1. Elma

      If you are from airport in mactan, get a taxi to go to danao cebu. Then get a ticket to go to Camotes Islands if going to Comsuelo in San Francisco where beaches are.

      If you want to try Poro and see Bukilat cave in Camotes first, get a taxi from airport going pier 4 going to Poro, camotes.

      If you need a budget room in Camotes just give us a call 0906-573-3934
      Fb: camotes beach house

    2. Faith

      Hello Maam Monica you can contact this #09975996275
      .. Im your tour guide here

  4. for a cheap accommodation in San Francisco, Camotes, please visit http://www.nonocbeach.com
    or our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CamotesBeachHouse/

    +63-906-573-3934

    1. It is a nice place. I would recommend this place to stay in. Also it is also better to rent a scooter from one of the local rent shop. So you can go arround the island. Tricycle charge 100 p not a good option. You can find all the local who are renting their motorbike on book2wheel.com

  5. Hi guys I am back this is el el …!! Feel Free to contact me if you visit her in camotes… my new no. 0912 979 8560…My wheels is vacant for you guys..

  6. Edu Barcenas

    Hi guys I am back this is el el …!! Feel Free to contact me if you visit her in camotes… my new no. 0912 979 8560…My wheels is vacant for you guys..Von vojage

  7. Edu Barcenas

    My beloved tourists and guests if you need a vehicle to be transport here in camotes island. Please feel free to contact me, i have closed vans, multicabs and habal habal also. Kindly contact my mobile number 0912 670 1236.again this is edu barcenas !! friendly tour guide her in Camotes Island.

  8. You have nice blog. From where are you?

  9. Brian cerna

    My service is tailored to fit the need of my guests. To be honest 500 is the semi island tour good for 2, but it does not include pick up and drop off. If you want whole camotes tour packages including drop off and pick up without having to worry about entrance fees please call and text me. We have affordable rates for multicab and motorbike, as well as motorbikes for rent for as low as 4 hassle free. Let me know. Give me a ring. 09499381098 and 09774633300. Brian here 🙂

  10. Brian cerna

    Hi everyone please feel free to click this link so you will get to see what camotes island is all about. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Travel-Camotes/861771540577992?sk=timeline. My name is brian, a local tourguide. My services are cheap, reasonable and affordable. Call me smart 09499381098 and Globe 09774633300.

  11. Em

    if your looking for a cheap tour guide and friendly driver please contact his new number globe 09358580453 or smart 09087663223.his name is Wilbes Cabatana.For 500php good for two person you can visit our top tourist attractions.

    Thank you

  12. Em

    if your looking for a cheap tour guide and friendly driver please contact his new number globe 09358580453 or smart 09087663223 .his name is Wilbes Cabatana.For 500php good for two person you can visit our top tourist attractions.

    Thank you

  13. Brian cerna

    Hi guys christmas vacation is just around the bend. Book your reservations now 🙂 i am brian, a Hospitality Student majoring in hotel and tourism with certificates in tourguiding, a member of camotes association of student tour guides, certified by the local government of San Francisco, who have been tourguiding guests from suroy2x sugbo of Gov. Gwen. I have excellent customer service skills and an ex call center supervisor for 8 years. My service is cheap and very reasonable. I value customers needs and i always put them on top of my priority. 🙂 for any reservations and inquiries visit my facebook page at travel camotes or send me a message at 09499381098 and 09774633300. God bless! Book now.

    1. Hi Sir, ask lng pila ang room accomodation ninyo Sir good for 20 pax? coz we are planning diha sa camotes mi mg.company outing. hope for your positive feedbackl. thanks 🙂

  14. Wilbes

    Hi this is wilbes cabatana your local tour guide and a driver here in camotes island..please feel free to contact me with my new mobile # smart 0908766322,globe 09358580453 for you inquiries for a island tour and accommodations .thank you!

  15. Brian

    Antone interested in visiting camotes over the weekend? Pm me for inland tour bookings. My number is 09499381098. Brian at your service here 🙂 or you may visit my fabook page travel camotes 🙂 give me a ring or visit my page so you will know how to get to camotes and boat schedules 🙂 God bless everyone 🙂

  16. Going there this christmas, Yey!!

  17. elton brian cerna

    Hi everyone. If you wanted to visit camotes please feel free to contact me. I am a tour guide living on the island and would be much willing to help you with your questions and your needs on how to get here. I am a tourism student and is a part time tour guide of camotes. My number is 09420617494. Thank you! 🙂

    1. Great i have alot of customer from cebu going there i will tell them about you . we have business ceburentalmotorbike.com people rent from us and then go traveling

      1. Elton brian cerna

        That would be nice sir. 🙂

      2. Brian

        You may also refer them to my facebook page sir, travel camotes. 🙂 best of luck.. 🙂

      3. Charles

        Hi, how much is the rent for motor bikes? Do you have automatic like mio or scooter?

    2. Scott Berry

      Are there any boats that run from Bohol to Camotes?

      1. i am not sure, but there should be somthing going on . have your checked on google. other wise take a farri to cebu and then bus to Dano and boat to camotas.

        rember on that island. you can only take habal habal. and it cost alot. each time you pay 100 or 150 .better have your scooter or motorbike with you so you can go different places

      2. no sir, you would need to go through cebu city and from cebu take a bus or a vhire via SM city cebu to Danao where a ferry will be able to bring you to camotes. 🙂

    3. hello friends, if you have questions regarding camotes and if you would like to visit or book a tour, please feel free to visit my facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Travel-Camotes/861771540577992?sk=timeline where I will be able to attend to you immediately. My number is there for your reference so i could easily get back to you. Thank you! 🙂 please dont forget to like my page. Thanks again and looking forward for your support. 🙂

    4. Brian

      Hi this is brian your local tour guide in camotes. I am no longer using my sun number so please feel free to contact me at 09499381098.thank you

  18. Yhang

    Hi. How much is the budget for one person going in Camotes Island including the tour? Thanks. 🙂

    1. this depends on the number of days you want to stay in Camotes.

      Php 1,500/day for accommodation
      tours at around Php 500 using motorbike
      and food around Php 20 each meal above.
      I think less than 5k for 2D/1N

      transportation expenses: around 1k plus via Cebu City to Camotes
      this includes: van-for-hire (Php 50), and the boat fare around (220), plus your meals and snacks

      Give us a call if you need help and if you need a place to stay… +63-906-573-3934
      SAND OF THE BEACH/ Camotes Beach house

    2. For transportation,
      1 way is = 30 -50 depending on the distance, if you are from Consuelo to Santiago, or Mangudlong, or Nonoc. But if you need a way back to Consuelo port, you can arrange for a Php 100. (San Francisco), coz the distance is shorter.

      But let’s say, if you want to go to Buho Rock or Bukilat cave in Tudela, they’ll ask for extra charge, coz it’s located in another Island Poro.

      Just know where you’re going, and the price is right.

  19. Jean

    Mg ask lng ko knang naay signal sa tm dnha sa sta cruz camotes?

  20. Beth

    Hi, we will be in camotes on Tuesday to Thursday, planning to rent a motorcycle, when we arrived there. How much is your motorcycle rental per day?Thanks

Comments are closed.