Bulalacao Travel Guide: Rising Star of Oriental Mindoro

Bulalacao

Bulalacao, the southernmost town of the province of Oriental Mindoro, is a paradise on its own right. Endowed with unspoiled natural resources and amazing people, it is a promising getaway for those dreaming of nature and adventure. Its forests and parks are ideal for hiking and trekking; the numerous white sandy islands, for camping and beach bumming; then there are beautiful coves, hidden caves, waterfalls, lakes and other surprises that await everyone.

Bulalacao
Tambaron Island Resort

Hop in the islands of Buyayao, Tambaron, Suguicay and the rest that dot its bay; swim, snorkel or dive on its rich water teeming with marine life; trek in the 64 hectares Tree Park and see the unobstructed view of Bulalacao Bay; explore the caves and waterfalls; or mingle with the Mangyans. There are so much to do in this remote town, remoteness that makes the place ideal to commune with nature, experience local culture and enjoy the solemnity and peace of living away from the crowd.

Bulalacao is a place waiting to be discovered, a beauty waiting to be seen, a paradise waiting to be explored.

Bulalacao
Kids of Suguicay Island

How To Get to Bulalacao

By Air

San Jose, Occidental Mindoro is the nearest airport to Bulalacao. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have regular flights to San Jose from Clark and Manila, travel time takes 45 minutes. From San Jose airport, one can take a jeep or bus going to Roxas, Oriental Mindoro passing through Bulalacao via Roxas-Bulalacao-San Jose road, travel time is at least 45 minutes.

By Land/Sea

From Manila

Manila to Batangas

One can get to Bulalacao from Manila by land and sea by riding a bus going to Batangas Port for P197 fare (as of February 2019), travel time is two-and-a-half to three hours.

You can book your bus tickets from Manila to Batangas below.

BOOK YOUR BUS FROM MANILA TO BATANGAS

Batangas to Calapan

In Batangas Port, catch a Ro-Ro ferry to Calapan at P240 plus P30 terminal fee (as of February 2019) for a two to two-and-a-half hours boat ride. Montenegro and Besta are the ferry operators in Batangas Port to Calapan. Please verify their schedule if you are taking that ferry, their sites are not updated, you may call Montenegro at (043)723-6980 / (043)723-8294 or you may verify their and other schedules of ferry at the Port of Batangas hotline at (043)7238243.

You can book your ferry tickets from Batangas to Calapan below.

BOOK YOUR FERRY FROM BATANGAS TO CALAPAN

Calapan to Bulalacao

Finally, transfer to a bus or van going to Bulalacao for P300 (as of February 2019) for another three hours ride.

From Caticlan

Caticlan to Bulalacao

From Caticlan, Aklan, FastCat has four departures daily, travel time is three hours and fare starts at P460 for economy (open air) accommodation.

You can book your ferry tickets from Caticlan to Bulalacao below.

BOOK YOUR FERRY FROM CATICLAN TO BULALACAO

Bulalacao
Rock formations in Maasin Island

Where to Stay in Bulalacao

Accommodations in Bulalacao vary from budget inns and lodging houses to the island and beach resorts.

Bulalacao Southdrive Grill and Homestay, Felipa Lodge, Saints Peter and Paul Lodging and San Rosa Inn are located in the town proper and offer budget accommodation for as low as P400.00.

Meanwhile, Tambaron Green Beach Resort, Thelma’s Paradise and Target Island offer secluded island accommodation where guests can choose to stay in one of their rooms or pitch a tent in the beach. I have personally tried Tambaron Green Beach Resort and I had a great time with them.

Tambaron Green Beach Resort
For Reservation or Inquiries: +639199934987
Rate starts at P350 per person

Bulalacao
Tambaron Island Resort

Activities in Bulalacao

  • Snorkeling and Scuba Diving (bring your own gear)
  • Island and Beach Hopping in Buyayao Island, Suguicay Island, Tambaron Island, Maasin Island, Target or Alibatan Island, Aslom Island, Silad Island, Nagubat Island, Liwagao Island, Borbo Island, Pocanil Island,  Magayad Beach,  Tulali Beach and Señora Clotilde Beach, and other nearby islands, beaches and shores
  • Trekking to Cabugao and Bagong Sikat Falls
  • Visit the sunken bell tower of Tabuk Church
  • Hiking in Tree Park and other island forests
  • Interact with Hanunuo tribe of Mangyan
  • Celebrate town fiesta with Biniray Festival
  • Caving
  • Camping
  • Water Sports
  • Go to the nearby islands of Romblon or Boracay
Bulalacao
Aslom Island

Sample Bulalacao Itinerary and Budget

Day 0
2200H -2230H: Meetup in Buendia
2330H -2359H: Buendia to Batangas Port

Day 1
0000H – 0200H: Assemble/Meetup in Batangas Port/Purchase Ticket to Calapan
0200H – 0400H: Batangas to Calapan by Montenegro or any ferry
0400H – 0800H: Assembly/Transport Calapan to Bulalacao/Breakfast/Market
0800H – 0815H: Bulalacao to Tambaron
0815H – 0930H: Fixup/Settle
1000H – 1700H: Island Hopping Tour (Aslom Islet/Maasin Island – Lunch – Suguicay Island)
1700H – 1900H: Free time. Photo ops. Dinner preparation.
1900H onwards: Dinner and Socials

Day 2
0700H – 0800H: Calltime/Breakfast
0800H – 1100H: Free Time/Explore/Snorkel/Swim
1100H – 1200H: Lunch
1200H – 1300H: Clean-up/Fixup/Break Camp/Checkout
1300H – 1330H: Tambaron to Bulalacao
1330H – 1800H: Bulalacao to Calapan/Early Dinner
1800H – 2000H: Calapan to Batangas
2000H – 2300H: Batangas to Manila

Approximate Budget

P167 – Batangas to Manila (2.5 – 3 Hours)
P192 – Batangas to Calapan Ferry (2 – 2.5 Hours) *Promo Fare/Normal Rate P240
P30 – Terminal Fee
P240 – Calapan to Bulalacao Van (3 – 4 Hours)
P400 – Boat Contribution – Island Hopping and Transport (P4000/10)
P50 – Tent Fee (P150 per tent/3)
P175 – Lunch Buffet (Day 1)
P175 – Lunch Buffet (Day 2)
P200 – Food/Miscellaneous/Tips
P240 – Bulalacao to Calapan van (3 – 4 Hours)
P192 – Calapan to Batangas Ferry (2 – 2.5 Hours) *Promo Fare/Normal Rate P240
P167 – Batangas to Manila (2.5 – 3 Hours)
——–
P2228

Update History: 29-Feb-2015 | Updates: 01-Mar-2018; 03-Mar-2019; 29-Apr-2020

Comments

  1. manuel

    Good day sir/mam, tanong ko lang po yung boat rental going to bulalacao island, meron po bang public boat or need po talaga mag rent ng boat? how much po? what if 2-3 pax lang po kami? salamat po….

    1. Fran

      Hi! 2 pax lang din kami, planning to go around August pa. Let me know if 4k talaga yung boat, or can be arranged with the hotel/inn para sharing nalang. Thanks!

    2. Ivy

      nothing in the area is publicly used, as the time goes by people chose to use land transpo, so as far as I can remember it was used last way back 2003. Dont worry, boats are cheap though, you just have to know how to bargain. Most boats are the ones used for fishing… would suggest to rent that one instead…. as they are cheaper compared to the tour boat. Its not a dirty boat at all, most local fisher men only used it like 2-4 times in a week, trust me I grew up in the area ^_^

      1. jay

        i trust you! haha thanks! 🙂

  2. cuba carino

    interesting….i’ll definitely would love to visit this on Sept. 2016

    1. Hello are you planning to go alone? Or with your group? Im planning to go alone po kasi.can i tag along? Any definite date po? Please contact me 09167988683 Louise Del rio on fb or email me @[email protected] thank you

  3. Hannah

    how much are the rates of the boats? if we plan to go and there’s only the two of us, is it also 4000? or there are cheaper options? Thanks! Looking forward to hearing from you. Planning to visit this Dec 22

  4. Yonese Gonzales

    Hi, pano kung di kami manggagaling sa manila? and ang gusto naming iavail ay yung activities and tutuluyan. how much will be the cost? please reply asap. thank you. 🙂

  5. Roe

    I plan to go this coming March 22-24. Dya any updated rates? =D

  6. Dana

    hi who’s ging to bulalacao on feb 9/10/11? bka pwedeng share sa boat 🙂

  7. Hi!

    where exactly is the terminal of the van going to Bulalacao?

    Thanks… 🙂

  8. Marisse

    ay sorry andito rin pala info.. thanks

  9. Marisse

    Hi ask ko lang po.. san po kau nag tau ng tent? or san po kau nag stay during ur trip.. thanks

  10. Sometimes, places like this are far better than famous destinations such as Boracay. It’s more fun when you and nature are in absolute bonding. And I think you get to experience it in this kind of places.

    Directions on Web

  11. jee

    Is this place good for solo travellers?

  12. Kay

    Hi,

    Can you recommend any tour guide who can take us island hopping, and to visit the caves, waterfalls and other tourist spots?

  13. riz

    wow ganda ng rock formations. Gs2 ko makapunta d2. 🙂

  14. Very lively photos. Just in case, I would prefer a short trip and that’s by air plus a very cheap itinerary..

  15. Dunna

    Hello 🙂

    Came across your blog here and I am very interested to visit this place. Do you have contacts on this place? We plan to go there this Holy Week. Would you advise?

    I like your website by the way. =) I love to travel and I wonder if me and my friends can join you on some of you trips =)

    Would love to hear from you soon =) Thank you =)

  16. Phoebe

    Amazing place! Thanks for this! 😀

Comments are closed.