Camotes Islands is known as the “The Lost Horizon in the South” because of its pure beauty not known to many Filipinos. The Camotes islands are situated in between Leyte and Cebu provinces. It is part of Cebu but geographically, it is near the Leyte province. Camotes consists of four islands with five towns; Pacijan Island (San Francisco), Poro Island (Poro and Tudela), Ponson Island (Pilar) and Tulang Diot, a small island barangay in San Francisco. The islands have a fresh natural environment that will surely entice you. If you are looking for a place to relax, commune with nature, and find tranquility… this is the place you should be.
The islands can be reached in just 2 hours thru a fastcraft (Golden Express) from Pier 1 Cebu City. It is very accessible, that’s why the number of tourist visits in the islands has dramatically soared up. In 1521, a few days after Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan discovered the Philippines for Spain, history dawned over Camotes islands. After the historic Mass in Mazaua (Limasawa) Leyte, the expedition’s official chronicler Pigafetta wrote on his journal that the flotilla of five ships dropped anchor on the coast of Polo (Poro), near Pozon (Ponson) and Ticobon (Pacijan) islands, to wait for Kolambu, the chieftain of Mazaua. The group then proceeded to Zubu (Cebu) where Magellan erected a wooden Cross to symbolize Spain’s Christianization in the Far East. Today, sun-worshippers and nature pilgrims have discovered the charm of Camotes. They come to revere its supremely beautiful beaches and lake; and revel in its rich culture and history celebrated in songs and stories by a warm and friendly people.
CAMOTES BEACH RESORTS
Santiago Bay Garden and Resort - Camotes Island
Tropical bliss
The peaceful village of Santiago, San Francisco is Camotes’ first tourist enclave, home to Santiago Bay Garden and Resort, a 2.5 hectare of lush greenery. This 19-bedroom resort is charmingly tucked in a profusion of landscaped exotic foliage overlooking a wide, white sandy beach and a dazzling blue ocean. The resort successfully and effortlessly blends nature with friendly hospitality. It is a few minutes from the town and the ports of San Francisco and Poro.
Mangodlong Rock Resort - Camotes Island
A taste of paradise
Nestled in the serene fishermen’s village of Mangodlong, Heminsulan, San Francisco, the resort stands on 2 hectares of extensive coconut-shaded garden close to the beachfront. Across the resort and separated by a blue sea is a coral islet with tropical huts spread out, connected by a sand bar from the beach. The resort offers an ideal combination of intimacy and laid-back island atmosphere. It is a few minutes from the town and ports of San Francisco and Poro.
Vall Hall Resort in Camotes Islands, Cebu 
Location: Brgy. Puertabello, San Francisco, Camotes, Cebu.
Lot Area: 10,000 square meters
Frontage: 50 meters
This beautiful beachfront resort is located in Barangay Puertabello, just 4 kilometers away from the town proper of San Francisco. Since there are no traffic in the islands, you can actually reach the site in just 8 minutes from the town proper. This lot is very much accessible. The pumpboat from Danao to Camotes stops over in Brgy. Puertabello.
The lot is rectangular in shape with a beautiful landscaped terrain. It has nice view of the Camotes Sea and the nearby island of Poro. The magnificent and unique rock formations under the cliff forms a little cave-like structure and the water lapping towards it is perfect for swimming, diving and other water activities.
The resort has a total of 20 furnished rooms with own toilet and bath. Each room can be rented for P1,000 to P1,400 per day. The resort also features 2 clean swimming pools with breathtaking views of the sea. There are cottages scattered around the property. Also included in the package are restaurants, furnitures, motorcycles, jetski and others.
There is continuous and ample supply of water and electricity. There is also a mobile phone signal either Globe or Smart and an internet connection through wireless broadband. This wonderful beach resort is an attractive business opportunity that you should not pass.
There is continuous and ample supply of water and electricity. There is also a mobile phone signal either Globe or Smart and an internet connection through wireless broadband. This wonderful beach resort is an attractive business opportunity that you should not pass.
Resort, Buho Rock, Bukilat Cave and Tudela Port
Buho Rock - the abandoned resort in the town of PoroSuroy Suroy Sa Sugbo
After lunch at Mangodlong Rock Resort, we travelled about 20 minutes further north to see Santiago Bay Garden and Resort, the very first tourist enclave in Camotes. Situated in the peaceful village of Santiago, the resort is a 2.5 hectare of lush greenery, with 19 world-class cottages, charmingly tucked in the profusion of landscaped exotic foliage overlooking a wide expanse of fine white sand, and a dazzling blue ocean. The establishment, which is probably managed by the same owners as Mangodlong (they share one brochure) is conveniently divided into two: the sandy swimming area, and the cliffy hill with the classier cottages. It is quite a stretch of a place, perfect for those who love their treks in caves and hills. From the cliffs, you can come down the grounds and explore the caves, some of them have decorative tables and benches. Like Mangodlong, entrance to the premises is P15 (a silly $ 0.35).
After sitting under huts, looking out to the seas, we headed back to the town proper of San Francisco. I walked the main area where the market is. There were little stores facing the sea, and finally some tindahans (stores) that sell toiletries, the brands of which I’ve never heard til now. After a short walk around the municipal hall, we proceeded to a curious little resort called Buho located in the town of Poro (where we arrived from our fastcraft from Cebu City). Now, Buho Rock Resort is an abandoned establishment, but it’s beauty inspires. From the viewing deck, you need to walk a steep flight of winding stairs to get to the main structure down below. There, you can enjoy a dive, which is probably a good 20-30 feet from your drop-off point, then swim your way towards the nearby shore, and go up the stairs. More and more tourists have been visiting this place thus, the barangay townsfolk have manned the place to collect entrance fees – PhP2 – or a ridiculous $0.05!
Next stop was a major cave in the town of Tudela called Bukilat Cave! There’s a well-built stairs that lead you to a body of water (the sea of course). From inside this cave, you can walk further on until you get to a clearing of cool clear water. We saw a small group bathing there. Entrance: P15 - $0.34! Our other visits included a walk around the town proper of Tudela – the park, the church, the port.
Camotes is such a nice place and it is like a paradise not only for us,who live in Camotes,but for those who wants to escape the busy days and hassles in the cities.
After lunch at Mangodlong Rock Resort, we travelled about 20 minutes further north to see Santiago Bay Garden and Resort, the very first tourist enclave in Camotes. Situated in the peaceful village of Santiago, the resort is a 2.5 hectare of lush greenery, with 19 world-class cottages, charmingly tucked in the profusion of landscaped exotic foliage overlooking a wide expanse of fine white sand, and a dazzling blue ocean. The establishment, which is probably managed by the same owners as Mangodlong (they share one brochure) is conveniently divided into two: the sandy swimming area, and the cliffy hill with the classier cottages. It is quite a stretch of a place, perfect for those who love their treks in caves and hills. From the cliffs, you can come down the grounds and explore the caves, some of them have decorative tables and benches. Like Mangodlong, entrance to the premises is P15 (a silly $ 0.35).
After sitting under huts, looking out to the seas, we headed back to the town proper of San Francisco. I walked the main area where the market is. There were little stores facing the sea, and finally some tindahans (stores) that sell toiletries, the brands of which I’ve never heard til now. After a short walk around the municipal hall, we proceeded to a curious little resort called Buho located in the town of Poro (where we arrived from our fastcraft from Cebu City). Now, Buho Rock Resort is an abandoned establishment, but it’s beauty inspires. From the viewing deck, you need to walk a steep flight of winding stairs to get to the main structure down below. There, you can enjoy a dive, which is probably a good 20-30 feet from your drop-off point, then swim your way towards the nearby shore, and go up the stairs. More and more tourists have been visiting this place thus, the barangay townsfolk have manned the place to collect entrance fees – PhP2 – or a ridiculous $0.05!
Next stop was a major cave in the town of Tudela called Bukilat Cave! There’s a well-built stairs that lead you to a body of water (the sea of course). From inside this cave, you can walk further on until you get to a clearing of cool clear water. We saw a small group bathing there. Entrance: P15 - $0.34! Our other visits included a walk around the town proper of Tudela – the park, the church, the port.
Camotes is such a nice place and it is like a paradise not only for us,who live in Camotes,but for those who wants to escape the busy days and hassles in the cities.
