2024 Camotes Islands Travel Guide: Itinerary, Attractions & Costs
Camotes Islands is a group of islands northeast of Cebu composed of four municipalities including San Francisco, Poro, Tudela, and Pilar. Camotes is undoubtedly one of the best Cebu tourist destinations with its pristine beaches, enigmatic caves, and fresh natural pools.
Whenever we want to escape the bustling cities of Cebu, Camotes is almost always our top option. So, we made this Camotes Islands travel guide for everything you need to know, from transport options to itinerary, top attractions, where to stay, and budget breakdown.
How to get to Camotes Islands, Cebu
Option 1 (RoRo): Cebu → Danao → Consuelo, Camotes
1. Take a bus or jeep from Cebu City to Danao Port
From SM City Cebu take a minibus or jeep going to Danao City. Or, go to Cebu North Bus Terminal and take a bus going to Danao City. Tell the driver or conductor that you’re going to Danao Port, where you’ll ride a ferry to Camotes Islands.
2. Ride a RoRo from Danao Port to Consuelo Port, Camotes Islands
From Danao Port, buy your tickets from Jomalia Shipping. A one-way economy ferry ticket to Camotes Islands costs ₱300 per person. Travel time takes about two hours.
Jomalia Shipping ferry schedule from Cebu to Camotes Islands (daily)
5.30am
8.30am
11.30am
2.30pm
5.30pm
Option 2 (Fast Craft): Cebu → Liloan → Poro, Camotes
1. Take a bus or jeep from Cebu City to Liloan (Pier 88)
From SM or Highway Mandaue, take a jeep or minibus to Liloan. Tell the driver or conductor that you’re going to Pier 88 in Liloan, where you’ll take a fast craft to Camotes Islands.
2. Ride a fast craft from Liloan (Pier 88) to Poro, Camotes Islands
From Pier 88, buy your fast craft tickets from OceanJet. Travel time is approximately 1.5 hours.
OceanJet rates to Camotes Islands
- ₱600 (tourist)
- ₱1,000 (business class)
OceanJet schedule to Camotes Islands (daily)
- 8.30am (Cebu to Camotes)
- 1pm (Camotes to Cebu)
Camotes Islands fare breakdown 2024
Via Danao:
Cebu City to Danao (jeep) = ₱50
Danao Port to Consuelo Camotes (RoRo) = ₱300
Via Liloan:
Cebu City to Liloan (jeep) = ₱30
Liloan to Poro (Fast Craft) = ₱600 (tourist); ₱1,000 (business class)
Total transport cost to Camotes Island from Cebu City = ₱350 to ₱1,050 per person (depending on your chosen transport option)
Sample 2-day Camotes Islands itinerary
Day 1
6am – Depart from Cebu City
7am – Arrive at Danao Port
8.30am – Ferry to Consuelo, Camotes
11am – Arrival in Camotes
12nn – Lunch
2pm – Check-in + settle down
3pm – Swimming in Santiago Bay
6pm – Dinner
7pm – Chill
9pm – Call it a day
Day 2
7am – Sunrise + breakfast
8am – Island tour
11am – Prepare for check-out
12nn – Check-out
2.30pm – Ferry to Danao Port
5pm – Arrival in Danao
6pm – Danao to Cebu City
8pm – Home
Top attractions in Camotes Islands, Cebu
We visited Camotes Islands on two separate occasions with different sets of travel buddies. We rented a motorbike and toured the island on our own during our first time. But on our second visit, we rented a multicab with a local driver that brought us to the top attractions in Camotes.
Here are some of the must-visit places in Camotes Islands to add to your itinerary:
1. Santiago Bay
On both our trips to Camotes, we chose to stay in Santiago Bay. This top tourist attraction in Camotes Islands is an ideal place to stay as it is close to the famous white sand beach and modern comforts with some of the best Camotes resorts found here.
We stayed in Santiago Bay Garden and Resort, one of the best Cebu beach resorts with a swimming pool that overlooks the sea.
Address: Santiago Bay, San Francisco, Camotes Islands, Cebu, Philippines, 6050
Entrance Fee: Free
2. Lake Danao
Lake Danao is a top tourist spot in the municipality of San Francisco. You can hike around the area or ride a boat across the calm, freshwater lake surrounded by lush greenery. There are local vendors selling snacks, too, if you wish to eat here.
Address: Lake Danao Park, San Francisco, Camotes Islands, Cebu, Philippines, 6050
Entrance Fee: ₱15 (adults); ₱5 (kids)
3. Bukilat Cave
Camotes Islands is famous for its cave systems like Bukilat Cave in the town of Tudela in Poro Island. It is one of the largest caves in Camotes where you’ll see an enormous chamber of stalactites and stalagmites. The rock formation at the center also looks like a mini cathedral. Did you know that during the 70s, masses were actually held inside the cave?
Address: Tudela, Poro, Camotes Islands, Cebu, Philippines, 6050
Entrance Fee: ₱50
4. Paraiso Cave
Paraiso Cave is a more developed and maintained cave in Camotes. It is actually within a resort, which is why the entrance fee is a little more expensive than the rest. But just look at the natural pool that awaits you here?
Address: Mankahilo, Consuelo, San Francisco, Camotes Islands, Cebu, Philippines, 6050
Entrance Fee: ₱100 (adults); ₱50 (kids)
5. Timubo Cave
Another cave that’s worth exploring in Camotes is Timubo Cave within Lake Danao Walking Trail. This cave has an underground river flowing through it where the locals of the neighboring town of Sonog get their fresh water.
Address: Lake Danao Walking Trail, San Francisco, Camotes Islands, Cebu, Philippines, 6050
Entrance Fee: ₱15
6. Mangodlong Rock
Mangodlong Rock is a popular Camotes tourist attraction located inside Mangodlong Rock Resort. You can marvel at this karst rock formation as you laze by the beach.
Address: Himensulan, San Francisco, Camotes Islands, Cebu, Philippines, 6050
Entrance Fee: ₱20, but guests who stay at Santiago Bay Resort and Mangodlong Rock Resort may access it for free.
7. Buho Rock
Buho Rock is another famous Camotes attraction in the municipality of Poro. It is within the Buho Rock Resort, and visitors come here for the adrenaline-pumping cliff-diving experience.
Address: Buho Rock Resort, Poro, Camotes Islands, Cebu, Philippines, 6050
Entrance Fee: ₱20
8. Tulang Diot Island
Tulang Diot Island is an unspoilt paradise with fine white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters. It’s truly worth visiting in Camotes if you want peace and total seclusion away from throngs of tourists.
Address: Tulang Diot, Esperanza, San Francisco, Camotes Islands, Cebu, Philippines, 6050
Entrance Fee: ₱10 (environmental fee); ₱400 (round-trip boat ride for 4 pax)
Where to stay in Camotes Islands
For us who’ve been to Camotes a few times, the best place to stay here would be Santiago Bay. It is beautifully located on the famous white sand beach with easy access to top Camotes attractions. To help you out, here are some of the best Camotes resorts and hotels we recommend:
Resorts and hotels near Santiago Bay
- Santiago Bay Garden and Resort (From ₱1,800 per night)
- Homa Resort and Spa (From ₱3,200 per night)
- Swisslagoon Restaurant and Hotel (From ₱3,100 per night)
- Camotes Cay Hideaway (From ₱3,100 per night)
Resorts near Mangodlong Rock
- Mangodlong Rock Resort (From ₱2,300 per night)
- Mangodlong Paradise Resort (From ₱3,500 per night)
- Ocean Heaven Resort (From ₱3,800 per night)
Camotes Islands budget for 2D1N (per person)
Transportation: ₱700 (round-trip)
Motorbike rental: ₱300-₱500 (one day)
Attractions: ₱330 (entrance fees)
Accommodation: ₱900 (one-night stay)
Food and drinks: ₱1,500 (main meals)
TOTAL: ₱3,930 per person
For a weekend trip to Camotes Islands, a budget of roughly ₱4,000 per person would already be enough. You can still save if you opt for cheaper accommodations and buy affordable local food instead of eating out.
On both our Camotes Island getaways, we had so much fun with friends. We explored the different natural attractions, plunged into the natural pools, and enjoyed the white sand beach to ourselves. If you want to experience more of the island, we suggest that you extend for a few more days.
After Camotes Islands, why not explore Bantayan Island and stay in one of the Bantayan resorts? Or, go scuba diving in Malapascua Island and relax in one of the Malapascua resorts? And, before you fly out of Cebu airport, visit the Cebu malls to indulge in some Cebuano delicacies like Cebu lechon.