Philippines Travel-Secret Tip Camiguin
Camiguin lays in the North of Mindanao. In this relatively small Island (once around the Island is 65 km), there is a number of waterfalls and springs and also seven volcanoes.
For tourism, Camiguin is not a place to think about. It is an Island which the Government does not intend to develop; other Islands are prioritised. But this must not really be a disadvantage. For the ones who can spend their holidays without the standard luxurious facilities, they surely can have a very nice time in Camiguin. Very impressing is the hospitality of the Camiguenos; that‘s maybe one of the reasons why the very few visitors like to come back to Camiguin (Camiguin is pronounced similar to Come again). Strangers will be greeted with Hi Friends, compared to Hi Joe in the rest of the country.
You can start your travel from Cagayan de Oro or Balingoan. From Cagayan de Oro to Camiguin are daily ships at 7.00 AM or 8.00 AM. Travel time 3 hours. From Balingoan to Benoni on Camiguin, there are ships one can take from around 7.00 AM up to 4.00 PM. They leave when they are full with passengers. Fare is 30 P. From Cagayan de Oro to Balingoan, there are buses from 5.00 AM until late evening with destination Butuan. To go back, there are always buses- best in the morning.
Most of the tourists prefer to stay in Agoho. This town lays around 5 km away from Mambajo, the capital of the independent province, Camiguin, since 1966. In Agoho there are some beach resorts where you can stay for very low prices. For example the Camiguin Seaside Lodge, a nice resort with 16 cottages, restaurant and motorbike rental services(500 P/day), price per cottage with bath and fan 300 P or the Jasmin by the Sea cottage/fan/bath 250-300 P, well maintained resort of Swiss Management, Restaurant, a bit out of Agoho in Bug-ong.
From Benoni you can take a Tricycle or a Jeepney to Agoho, a special ride is about 150 P. After having tried to handle the fare price, you can get the ride for 100 P if you agree with the driver to pick up some other passengers.
You can see the most of the island if you hire a motorbike. With the motorbike you can go almost everywhere even if it can no more be passed by cars. (It is really recommended)
Katibawasan Falls
The Katibawasan Falls plunge from the height of 50 meters into the depths. The water is clean and fresheningly cool. A toilet is there, but food must be brought up to there. The best time to visit the falls is in the morning then it is possible to sunbathe, because the waterfall is surrounded by trees and walls of rocks. Starting point of travel: Mambajo. Entrance fee 4 P.
Ardent Hot Springs
The crystal clear water in the beautiful swimming pool is 40 °C !!! warm. You should imagine to lay in a bath tub with real hot water and it is possible to swim around. But you should not stay longer than 15-30 minutes. This should be good for people who have skin diseases, arthritis and rheumatism. There are three different pools. In the upper pool, there is a little waterfalls where you can have your back be massaged. The facility is well-maintained; there are possibilities to buy drinks and food. On the weekend it is a popular destination for day-trippers.
Tuwasan Falls
The Tuwasan Falls can be reached from Catarman, around two kilometres from Catarman there is the turn-off from the road that goes around the island leading to the falls 5 km away. With the motorbike you can go about 3.5 km. From there on you have to walk. It starts with a going down to the Dinangasan River. When you reach the river, you have to cross and follow the river upstream and cross again. The paths are less recognisable, so that one wonders from time to time if you are on the right way. Besides you have to jump from rock to rock also in crossing the river- it’s a real adventure! The Tuwasan Falls lays in a natural and untouched environment. The water is so freshening, crystal clear and clean that one can drink it without any hesitation.
Santo Nino Cold Springs
Also from Catarman you can reach the Santo Nino Cold Springs. In the freshening and cool pool, which is around 1.5 – 2 m deep, you can swim nicely. There are picnic-cottages, toilets and a few stores where you can buy snacks and drinks. The Cold Springs is a popular day trip destination for Filipinos on the weekends. For children there are tyres to borrow for swimming with. Entrance fee 10 P.
Hibok-Hibok Volkano
The most known volcano and still active is the Hibok-Hibok volcano in Camiguin, which is 1,320 Meters high. The last eruption happened on December 5, 1951 without any signal. There were around 2,000 deaths.
To climb the volcano is possible. Experienced guides can be hired for 300 P from the resorts and the Tourist Office. The event starts from the outside of Esperanza through tall cogon grasses and fern groves and then over boulders and hardened lava to the peak of the volcano. It is better to start with the volcano climbing at 5 o’clock in the morning to be back in the evening on the same day. If one wants to take the approx. 45-min. descent to the crater which is covered with moos, one should spent a night up there. One can also tent near the crater. A pullover can be useful.
