Camiguin Adventure: Catarman

Our adventure today takes us about 649 kilometers southeast of Kilometer 0 in Manila to the town of Catarman. It is known as the oldest town in the province of Camiguin. It was founded in 1622 under the patronage of San Roque. The name Catarman means a point or cape. 

Catarman

Catarman History

Historically, the province of Camiguin and Misamis Oriental and was governed from Cebu from the 18th century to the 19th century. When Misamis Oriental gained provincial status, Camiguin became part of its territory and was called Partido de Catarman. 
Catarman - Camiguin Island

Welcome to Catarman

One of the public rides the town can offer

The island of Camiguin was frequently subjected to natural calamities. Volcanic activities were one of the major causes of problems for the townspeople. During the eruption of Mt. Vulcan on October 10, 1870, the town of Catarman lay in ruins. Catarman was transferred to the area of Guiob a year after.
Sunken Cemetery - The most popular tourist site in Catarman

 In 1906, Catarman and the other municipalities were abolished and were integrated as a barrio of Mambajao to create a single municipality out of the entire island. However, the municipality of Catarman was re-established in 1912 and would remain so to the present time.

Places to visit in Catarman:

Santo Nino Cold Springs

Sunken Cemetery

Old Gui-ob Church Ruins

Bura Soda Springs

Why visit Catarman?

Catarman is one of the towns in the province of Camiguin. Catarman is where you'd find several of the well-known places in the province. An example of this is the Sunken Cemetry and the Guiob Church Ruins. There are also several springs to visit here like the Bura Soda Springs and the Santo Nino Cold Springs.

Getting to Catarman:


Airline companies offer flights to Cagayan de Oro Airport (Laguindingan Airport).
From there ride a van to Agora Market.  From there that will bring you to the Balingoan Port in Cagayan the Oro.
van fare to Agora: P200
van fare to Balingoan Port: P150
Board a fast craft going to Benoni Port.
Fast craft fare: P550-750
From Benoni Port in Camiguin, you have a variety of transportation choices. 
(It's a wise choice to haggle first before acquiring someone's services.)
Motorcycle: P400-500 a day
Motorela (tricycle): P800-1000 a day
Multicab: P1500-1700 a day

Our rented Multicab

In our case, we had a prearranged tour. We rented a multi-cab to tour us around the province for two days.

2-Day Catarman Itinerary:

Day 1:

6:00AM Flight Manila-(Laguindingan Airport) Cagayan De Oro*
*If you want to maximize your travel to Camiguin, better book an early flight to CDO.
7:30AM ETA Languindingan Airport Cagayan De Oro
7:50AM Take a cab to Balingoan port in CDO/ purchase ferry tickets*
*The earlier you purchase tickets the higher the chance that you'll get to Camiguin earlier.
Cab fee: P150
8:30AM Departure to Benoni Port in Camiguin
Fastcraft Fee: P990
Ocean Jet Fastcraft Schedules:
8:30AM -10:30AM CDO Macabalan Port -Benoni Port 
4:00PM - 6:00PM Benoni Port -CDO Macabalan Port
Ocean Jet Website

10:30AM ETA Benoni Port Camiguin*
*We highly suggest that you prearrange a local tourist guide /driver to fully enjoy the trip. In case it's your second time on the island we would highly suggest that you rent a motorcycle and discover the island yourself. Here's a link with rates and requirements that would surely help in case you want to rent a motorcycle:
Camiguin Motorcycle Tours

Prearranged tour:
11:00AM ETA Santo Niño Cold Springs/swim, photoshoot, order lunch
Entrance Fee: P20
12:00NN Lunch 
Lunch budget: P500
1:00PM ETA Bura Soda Springs / swim, photoshoot
Entrance fee: P20
2:00PM ETA Giob Old Church Ruins/photoshoot, pray, rest
Donation/Entrance Fee: P20
3:00PM ETA Sunken Cemetery/photoshoot, ride a boat to the cross, swim, dive
4:00PM ETA Walk Way to the Old Volcano and Stations of the Cross / photoshoot, pray
5:30PM ETA Check-in at Pabua's Cottages / rest, change outfit, snacks
Overnight rent: P800- P2200 Check out the room rates here: Pabua's Cottage Rent
7:00PM Departure to Ardent Hibok-Hibok Hot Spring Resort 
7:30PM ETA Ardent Hibok-Hibok Hot Spring Resort / swim, photoshoot, relax
9:00PM Head back to Pabua's Cottages / dinner
Dinner budget: P500
10:00PM Zzz

Day 2:

6:00AM Wake up and prepare for a trip to White Island*
*Ask Kuya Polo if he could recommend a trusted boatman for the trip.
6:30AM Departure to White Island
Boat rate: P400
7:00AM ETA White Island / snorkel, photoshoot, dive, breakfast
Breakfast budget: P150
8:00AM Return to Pabua's Cottage -Check out, Pack up
8:30AM Departure to PHILVOLCS
9:00AM ETA PHILVOLCS / photoshoot, check out displays
10:00AM ETA Katibawasan Falls / photoshoot, swim, snacks
Entrance fee: P15 adult -P6 children
11:00AM ETA Provincial Animal Breeding Center/ Ostrich Production Center / photoshoot
11:30AM ETA The Lovers' Secret Bridge / photoshoot
12:00NN ETA J&A Fishpen and Taguines Lagoon / lunch, relax, zipline
Lunch budget: P500
2:00PM ETA Giant Clam Nursery and Kabila White Beach / snorkel, check out displays
Entrance fee: P25
3:00PM Departure to Benoni Port
4:00PM ETA Benoni Port - buy tickets for Malacaban Port CDO
Fastcraft Fee: P990
7:00PM ETA Malacaban Port CDO -proceed to airport*
*I assume you booked a flight back to Manila
8:30PM Departure to Manila
10:30PM ETA Manila

Budget Breakdown:*
*airfare not included

Estimated budget: P9,000

Cab fee to Malacaban Port : P100
Fastcraft fee Malacaban Port CDO - Benoni Port Camiguin: P990
Tour Guide Fee: P1700
Sto. Nino Cold Springs entrance fee: P20
Lunch Budget: P500
Bura Soda Springs entrance fee: P20
Guiob Old Church Ruins entrance fee: P20
Pabua's Cottage Rent: P1500
Dinner Budget: P500
Boat Rate: P400
Breakfast Budget: P150
Katibawasan Falls entrance fee: P15
Lunch Budget: P500
Giant Clam Nursery entrance fee: P25
Fastcraft fee  - Benoni Port Camiguin - Malacaban Port CDO: P990

Total expenses: P7,430*

*You could save up by minimizing your food budget.

Ratings:

Crowd
Cleanliness
Overall Ratings


Location: Catarman, Philippines

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