Beyond Cebu

• Lake Danao Park Camotes Island

• Santiago Bay sunset

• Santiago Bay

• Bukilat Cave

• Buho Rock

• Santiago Bay

Discover the beauty of the Camotes Islands

If the 1^st Spanish explorers were to arrive on the Camotes Islands today they would observe not a lot has changed in 500 years. Why would you want to change anything when you have amazing unspoilt white sandy beaches and tropical forests all surrounded by blue tropical waters the locals feel blessed already. It’s so easy to forget all the modern comforts of home when you’re staying on a paradise like this. No wonder the locals are so friendly and happy; they know they are on a good thing.

If you’re a regular traveller, you’ll know that it is expensive to stay on a tropical paradise, not so with Camotes. Surprisingly it is affordable  to stay in a beautiful island like this; sometimes you just need to know where to find hidden gems. Away from the crowds and mainstream tourism, Camotes is only a couple of hours away from Cebu City. Enjoy a piece of seclusion and delight in one of the world’s most undiscovered paradises with some of the Philippines best beaches.

Camotes Resorts

Don’t expect 5 star amenities at the resorts in Camotes, Mother Nature has provided all that you could ever need or want. Camotes Islands only has half a dozen or so resorts on the island providing affordable yet simple accommodation. Most of the resorts have their own restaurants, as outside the hotels there isn’t a lot of choice. Below is a list of some Camotes resorts complete with prices and contact details and info

Things to see and do

If your dream holiday is about laying in a hammock surrounded by gorgeous white sand beaches, this could be the place for you! One of the best beaches to see is Santiago Bay with its stunning beauty. Visit Arquis Viewing deck for a beautiful view of the ocean. Lake Danao is a fresh water lake and the largest in the Visayas there you can enjoy its peaceful surroundings. Camotes is a great place to hire a motorbike and go exploring the islands.

Festivals

Soli-Soli Festival in San Francisco (3rd weekend in March) named after a plant which is abundant around Lake Danao (used in handicrafts) The street dancing revolves around the Soli- Soli.

People who've been here

Places to eat

The resorts have their own restaurants as outside the resorts there isn't much options. If you're staying at Santiago Bay there is a small restaurant on the beach which serves cheap seafood.

How to get from Cebu to Camotes

From Cebu City Golden Star Fast Ferries has twice daily fastcraft leaving 7am  (3 hours) and 4.30 pm service (2 hours) opperating during the Philippine summer (tel (32) 318 5581, from Mandaue (banca) at 5.30 am from  Ouano Pier (3 hours) and Super Shuttle Ferries ( tel 32 232 3150/231 0639/345 5581) from  Danao (a town one and half hours north of Cebu City)

Consuelo (Camotes) departs from Danao at  6.30 am (daily) approx 2 hours

Poro (Camotes) departs from Danao at 1.00pm (daily)  approx 2 hours

History

Again the name Camotes came from a misunderstanding with the Spanish and the local natives. The Spanish asked what was the name of the islands but the natives thought they were asking what they were digging for (sweet potatoes - Camotes) so they replied Camotes!