Bantayan island is known for its pristine turquoise water beaches and great laid back island ambiance. It’s beauty attracts visitors from all over the world. But how to do you get there? Where’s an affordable beach front resort to stay? Where to eat? What to do? Questions I myself asked and researched online but despite my best efforts, kept falling on outdated or lacking information. So today, in this article I will be detailing everything you need to know to not struggle like I did.

How to get to Bantayan Island?

From Cebu city, go to the cebu north bus terminale in sm cebu city and purchase a ticket from the ticketing booth for 260 pesos bound for Hagnaya port or 299 to Santa Fe. (A bus leaves every hour) The trip from the bus terminal to the port should take anywhere from 3 to 5 hours depending on the traffic situation.

Once in Hagnaya port, line up and purchase your ferry ticket and pay the 25pesos environmental fee. There are 2 shipping companies you can choose from, Island shipping corp. (300 php) and Super shuttle ferry (359php). The trip takes about an hour.

Once in Santa Fe, proceed to the entrance of the terminal and pay an additional 25 pesos environmental fee then take a tricycle to your resort or hotel. Be careful, the mandated tricycle fare around Santa Fe is 30 pesos only. Do not fall for scams.

My favorite hotel in Bantayan Island

If you’re as thrifty as I am, you’re going to love the option I’m sharing below.

I’ve visited Bantayan more than once, and for each trip, I do my best to book my stays for even cheaper than the last time.

Here is my top 1 favorite affordable hotel on the island :

Anaya Beach Resort

A peaceful, quiet beach resort located in the heart of Santa Fe, just 700 meters from the port. This resort was worth every penny due to its prime location and the tranquility it offers. I booked my room through Agoda for about 2,300 pesos a night (roughly 40 USD), which I thought was quite reasonable for a beachfront stay. The rooms were spacious, the doors felt sturdy and secure, and the bathroom had a heater, plus they provided plenty of towels. The only downside? The Wi-Fi didn’t reach my room, which, as every digital nomad knows, is a total nightmare.

Island tours

If it’s your first time and you’re on a tight budget, I’d recommend skipping the tours from the agencies—they tend to overcharge. If you want to explore the island and visit all the beautiful tourist spots, you can easily rent a tricycle for 700 pesos (around 13 USD) and just pay for the entrance fees.

I highly suggest doing both the land tour and the island-hopping tour. For the island hopping, you can easily go DIY style and save a lot compared to what a travel agent would charge. I paid only 1,200 pesos (21 USD) for the boat and 300 pesos (6 USD) per island.

Just take a quick 30-peso tricycle ride to the island-hopping port near Anika Beach Resort. Most tricycle drivers know where it is.

Where to eat on Bantayan island ?

As a foodies, the first thing I thought about after docking was “where do I eat today?”. The best decision I made was restaurant hopping throughout my stay and not limiting myself to just one restaurant.

Here are my top picks:

1- Big Jel’s Restomeat

This seafood restaurant is a spacious alfresco eatery with a wide range of delicious yet affordable options. It’s located less than 5 minutes from the port, right in the heart of the famous MJ Square. To get there, simply flag down a tricycle and ask them to take you to the restaurant or to MJ Square.

My favorite dish was their baked scallops. The portion was huge, it was absolutely mouthwatering, and most importantly, it was affordable.

2- Kadlawon Café (Kota Beach Resort)

This beautiful restaurant reminds me of the classic Filipino films. It’s a sophisticated spot nestled inside Kota Beach Resort, with a diverse menu that mainly highlights the best seafood the island has to offer. While dining, you can enjoy the stunning view of Kota Beach and feel its refreshing breeze. I highly recommend going there for an early dinner so you can watch the sunset while enjoying a hearty meal. The prices range from 200 to 1000 pesos (4-20$), and they also offer great barkada (group) deals that are definitely worth considering.

3 – Amihan beach cabanas

I had the best salad ever at their restaurant. The vibe was unmatched, and the view felt like a scene from paradise. They played great music while I enjoyed my chicken salad and sipped on my iced Americano. The staff were incredibly helpful, and the food was very reasonably priced. I would 100% recommend it!

4- Santa Fe Beach Club

Santa Fe Beach Club definitely deserves a spot here because of their famous mango waffles that completely stole my heart. The restaurant has an aesthetic beachfront setup and serves great food. I highly recommend trying their mango waffles and cheesy halo-halo. The prices are very affordable, but getting there can be a bit tricky—it’s best to take a tricycle instead of walking, no matter how close it may seem.

How much time do you need to fully enjoy the island?

Bantayan is a relatively small island, and you can experience the best it has to offer in just three days. Here’s a suggested itinerary to make the most of your stay:

• Day 1: Explore the island by tricycle, visit scenic spots, and soak in the local atmosphere.

• Day 2: Go on an island-hopping adventure and discover Bantayan’s stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters.

• Day 3: Enjoy the island’s nightlife, try local delicacies, and unwind before heading back.

How much will my stay cost ?

The cost of your trip to Bantayan depends on your choice of accommodation, activities, and personal preferences. However, to give you an idea, here’s how much I spent during my stay:

• Hotel (3 nights): 6,900 PHP
• Transport (Cebu to Bantayan & back): 1,500 PHP
• Food: 6,000 PHP
• Tours & activities: 3,500 PHP
• Souvenirs: 2,000 PHP

Final Thoughts

I hope this guide makes your trip to Bantayan Island smoother and more enjoyable! I know how frustrating it can be to dig through outdated or incomplete info, so I put this together to save you the trouble.

If you found this helpful and want to support me in creating more travel guides like this, you can help out by signing up for a free Klook account using my referral link. It won’t cost you anything, but it helps me fund my travels and keep sharing useful tips!

👉 Click here to sign up on Klook!

Thanks for reading, and enjoy your adventure! 🚀✨