Bantayan Island.. My Home Town
Bantayan island has been dubbed as the quiet version of tourist favorite Boracay, which is considered by many as one of the best beach destinations in the world.
Located just west off the northern tip of Cebu in Southern Philippines, Bantayan is known for its white sand, crystal clear waters, and friendly locals. It is composed of three municipalities – Sta. Fe (where most of the resorts are), Bantayan and Madridejos.
The island got its name during the Spanish regime, when watchtowers (“bantayan” in Tagalog) were built around it to serve as lookouts for the invading Moros from Mindanao.
Bantayan island is the ideal place for beach-lovers who are not into the party scene, and those who want to do some soul-searching. Most foreign and local tourists visit Bantayan during the Holy Week, and the island has since been called the “Lenten Capital of the Visayas.”
It's also very old fashioned and peaceful on Bantayan Island, and life is much slower here as there are no big city shopping malls, hotel chains, mega movie theaters or metro discos, etc. (get your fill of those on Cebu’s Mainland)
Island Life here is slower and more relaxing, but that’s really the beauty of it all, as some roads are still yet to be paved, and locals who farm & raise livestock live very simply in bamboo & coco wood houses; the warmth and friendliness of the local people here only serves to make Bantayan a more unique & very special place for all who visit.
Bantayan Island is a beautiful Island, and currently Cebu's semi-secret little Island Paradise (small numbers of travelers over the years have slowly been putting the word out) located just off the northwest tip of Cebu's mainland.
Largely un developed and definitely not over crowded and over priced with the commercialization of some other Islands; it’s a perfect place for those seeking peace & quiet, blue skies & clean air, with spectacular turquoise water & great white sand beaches, along with some of the most beautiful sunrise & sunsets in the world!
Probably one of the best things about Bantayan island is its lack of noise – no loud music from bars, no masseuses and vendors along the shoreline, and barely any kids running around.
The beaches are divided among resorts, which are mostly small and are relatively quieter than the ones in Boracay and other places in the country.
So, savor the peace and quiet while it lasts. Pick a spot on the beach and wait for the sun to rise. Take a barefoot stroll. Look into the horizon and listen to the waves. You will not be able to do any of these in the hustling and bustling city of Manila.
Bantayan island is best known for its “buwad danggit,” which is not too salty and overpowering compared to other types of dried fish.
Go to any restaurant or resort to try this dried fish, which is best enjoyed with an extra runny sunny side up and garlic rice.
While on the island, stay away from meat and sample not only the buwad danggit but also the vast array of seafood. Almost everything here tastes fresh, from the scallops and squid to the “aninikad,” an exotic shellfish.
Located just west off the northern tip of Cebu in Southern Philippines, Bantayan is known for its white sand, crystal clear waters, and friendly locals. It is composed of three municipalities – Sta. Fe (where most of the resorts are), Bantayan and Madridejos.
The island got its name during the Spanish regime, when watchtowers (“bantayan” in Tagalog) were built around it to serve as lookouts for the invading Moros from Mindanao.
Bantayan island is the ideal place for beach-lovers who are not into the party scene, and those who want to do some soul-searching. Most foreign and local tourists visit Bantayan during the Holy Week, and the island has since been called the “Lenten Capital of the Visayas.”
It's also very old fashioned and peaceful on Bantayan Island, and life is much slower here as there are no big city shopping malls, hotel chains, mega movie theaters or metro discos, etc. (get your fill of those on Cebu’s Mainland)
Island Life here is slower and more relaxing, but that’s really the beauty of it all, as some roads are still yet to be paved, and locals who farm & raise livestock live very simply in bamboo & coco wood houses; the warmth and friendliness of the local people here only serves to make Bantayan a more unique & very special place for all who visit.
Bantayan Island is a beautiful Island, and currently Cebu's semi-secret little Island Paradise (small numbers of travelers over the years have slowly been putting the word out) located just off the northwest tip of Cebu's mainland.
Largely un developed and definitely not over crowded and over priced with the commercialization of some other Islands; it’s a perfect place for those seeking peace & quiet, blue skies & clean air, with spectacular turquoise water & great white sand beaches, along with some of the most beautiful sunrise & sunsets in the world!
Probably one of the best things about Bantayan island is its lack of noise – no loud music from bars, no masseuses and vendors along the shoreline, and barely any kids running around.
The beaches are divided among resorts, which are mostly small and are relatively quieter than the ones in Boracay and other places in the country.
So, savor the peace and quiet while it lasts. Pick a spot on the beach and wait for the sun to rise. Take a barefoot stroll. Look into the horizon and listen to the waves. You will not be able to do any of these in the hustling and bustling city of Manila.
Bantayan island is best known for its “buwad danggit,” which is not too salty and overpowering compared to other types of dried fish.
Go to any restaurant or resort to try this dried fish, which is best enjoyed with an extra runny sunny side up and garlic rice.
While on the island, stay away from meat and sample not only the buwad danggit but also the vast array of seafood. Almost everything here tastes fresh, from the scallops and squid to the “aninikad,” an exotic shellfish.