Friday, June 18, 2010

Part1: Cebu-Bohol Trip (Day 1) - To Cebu!!

On the weekend celebration of Filipino's independence, we head to explore the provinces of Cebu and Bohol. I am very pleased with the trip as we managed to experience different things here, though with a limited time, maybe we could just visit it again.




How to get there in Cebu?

Cebu can be reached through plane via Mactan International Airport.  If you're on a tight budget and you don't mind few days of journey, try going to Cebu via ferry. Meanwhile, in Cebu, taxis are everywhere. You may also like to take a jeepney, that is, if you know where your destination is.




On our very first day, we head ourselves to Pier 1. We're planning to go to Bohol via ferry, and as from other blogs, it's just an hour or two away from Cebu. There are different Pier locations of different shipping lines, I suggest, make sure you know the company shipping line where you would like to buy your ferry tickets, and of course you should be aware of their schedule.

For your convenience, I'll be posting <soon> the list of shipping lines and schedules available from Cebu to Tagbilaran (and vice versa).

We bought our tickets from MV Ocean Jet costing us Php500.00 one-way Tagbilaran to Cebu route. They have discounts for round trip tickets for Php800.00. Why didn't I buy roundtrip? It's because I'm planning to take the Cebu-Tubigon route via MV Starcraft.  Tubigon is also in Bohol and just an hour away in Cebu. Tubigon port is much closer to Danao, where we would take our adventurous feet first. Hehehe.






Anyway, we're done in buying our tickets to Ocean Jet in Pier 1. Where's MV StarCraft? I've asked passengers' helpdesk assistance and no one could tell me where it is  (how helpful). I'm thinking it's supposed to be like other shipping line where they have their own booth for passengers to buy ticket. But I see none! Pier 1 ticket booth is just small for me not to see it, right?

And then, I saw two guys wearing MV Starcraft shirt. You're our savior! I asked them, "Manong, san po ung MV Starcraft?" (Do you know where's MV Starcraft?) And then the guy spoke in Bisaya (Cebuano language) which I didn't understand. While he's uttering it, he's pointing out a maroon van. All i can understand is "maroon!" Aaah, to maroon van! Okay, now I understand. Looks like MV Starcraft doesn't have their own booth.



Upon reaching MV Starcraft's van, we've been told that they do not book in advance. We're planning to go to Bohol via Tubigon on our 3rd day, very early morning. I already saw from the net that MV Starcraft has a 5:45 am schedule and we would like to have more time on our itenerary. They just told us to be in the port very early, at least an hour ahead of schedule. The van wouldn't be available that early so just stick around the Pier and you'll see it somewhere close. Challenging eh?!

TIP: If you'll be taking the MV Starcraft, just always ask the guys roaming around Pier 1, where to buy tickets.

After buying tickets, we take a cab again to check hotel accomodations available. We don't have bookings as we're thinking there are lot of hotels around. We asked taxi driver to bring us to Sampagutia Suites Hotel in Plaza Garcia. Maybe he overheard the Plaza Garcia, to our dismay, he brought us to Sampaguita Suites in Fuente Osmeña Circle, we found it out when we were already inside the hotel.  And to our disappointment, there's no available room on both branches.

TIP: It's a holiday/long weekend! Book your hotels in advance! Hehehe!

Walking along Osmeña Circle and exhausted, we found the Elegant Circle Hotel. Much expensive than Sampaguita, the only consolation is we can check in early and its already available.

Elegant Circle Hotel
Fuente Osmeña, Cebu City
Economy Room Php 995 for 2 pax
Php 350/additional pax
With aircon, cable tv, cr, two single beds.
They also have standard rooms, deluxe rooms, etc.



We were hungry and we then proceed to Joven's Grill and Seafood (just walking distance from our hotel). Buffet style/eat-all-you can for only Php 120.00 for four dishes, and Php 170.00 for everything including drinks and desserts. 



My friend focused on eating their mixed seafoods, and sadly she got an extreme allergy afterwards. Nothing happened to the three of us, I guess, just be careful on their seafoods. But the food is great though, for me.













You may want to check these too:
Part2: Cebu-Bohol Backpacking Trip (Day1) - The Cebu City Tour
Part3: Cebu-Bohol Backpacking Trip (Day1) - The Sky Experience Adventure
Part4: Cebu-Bohol Backpacking Trip (Day2) - Kawasan Falls Experience
Part5: Cebu-Bohol Backpacking Trip (Day3) - Off to Bohol
Part6: Cebu-Bohol Backpacking Trip (Day3) - E.A.T. Danao Extreme Adventure
Part7: Cebu-Bohol Backpacking Trip (Day3) - Chocolate Hills & Bohol Tours
Part8: Cebu-Bohol Backpacking Trip (Day3-4) - Panglao's Dumaluan Beach & Bohol Beach Resorts
Part9: Cebu-Bohol Backpacking Trip (Day4) - Balicasag and Virgin Island Escapade
Part10: Cebu-Bohol Backpacking Trip (Day5) - Bohol Bee Farm
Cebu-Bohol Ferry Schedule

39 comments:

enola said...

cool, this girl is truly passionate about giving information. such a good site to visit when you want to travel across the country. keep it up! let's go batanes!

Unknown said...

nice! very informative, visiting this site before travelling will surely give you some detailed and helpful tips for every place in the country.

adventurousfeet said...

@enola right! to batanes!
@jason thanks!

Anonymous said...

Right information, complete details (great help for us travelers), and very nice pics. Kudos to the writer. However please always check your grammar.

adventurousfeet said...

thanks anonymous, i'll keep that in mind, i must admit i'm really not a good writer hehe.

Anonymous said...

A few grammar errors don't really matter! What's important is that clear information be given, which you are able to do! So thank you!!!

Don't mind that comment about about grammar too much. ;)

Anonymous said...

Very useful & informative. Awesome! =)

adventurousfeet said...

thanks for visiting! hope it helps your vacation :)

Anonymous said...

Hello! Would like to ask if you have MV Starcraft's contact number? Thanks!

adventurousfeet said...

Hi,

Not sure if this is still the number, i just saw this from net but I haven't tried contacting them. 09222713493

Anonymous said...

all in all how did u spent on the trip? thnks..

adventurousfeet said...

it's a 5days trip, we're just four, and the two of us left after 3.5 days, I actually spent around Php10-11k (plane not included) including all my pasalubongs.

Anonymous said...

thnks... d n kayo ng mactan tour? pag dlawa lng ba... panu ung packge sa sasakyan sa bohol? thnks..

adventurousfeet said...

Nope, but it's an option too, pedeng isama yun. Sa gabi kasi nagskywalk adventure pa kami kaya nagpahinga lang muna kami sa hotel after ng cebu city tour. But if you start your tour early morning kaya talaga ung mactan tour, we started ours after lunch na.

hmmm, per van/car ang rent sa bohol eh so fixed rate sya , malalayo po ang mga sites kaya hindi feasible magcommute lang

Aya said...

To adventurousfeet,
Hi! Thank you for your great report about the port of Cebu. I was lucky to find your blog. I'm gonna visit Tagbilaran via Cebu from Nov. 7th, which is this weekend, but I haven't found out "how to" and "where to" buy OceanJet tickets at the port of Cebu. According to your blog, OceanJet ticket booth is placed in Pier 1, right? I'm not making reservation, but I suppose all I need is to go directly to the ticket booth at Pier 1 more than 1 hour before the departure? This is my 2nd trip to the Phillipines and the very 1st time to take ferry, which makes me pretty nervous...!! hehe... I hope you reply to this comment(^o^)/ Thank you!

adventurousfeet said...

Hi Aya,

thank you for visiting my blog, and thanks for visiting the Philippines! :)

Yes, Ocean Jet is located in Pier 1. Just take a cab and tell the driver to drop you off at Pier 1 in Cebu. More than 1 hour before the departure would probably enough. Just always watch your time so it would not mess with your plans. And besides, I've already posted lists of ferry schedules and where it is located, their website is posted too for your other options.

Here it is:
Cebu to Bohol Ferry Information

Enjoy your trip and have fun there! :)

Aya said...

Hi adventurousfeet,

I'm so glad you responded to my comment! Sorry, I've missed to check out "Cebu to Bohol Ferry Information" page. But now I have!
Yeah, I'll try to get there with enough time to spare. Hmm, just in case OceanJet tickets are sold out, I keep in my mind to go to Pier 4 for Weesam...(Cuz I'm planning to take the very 1st ferry in the morning.)

By the way, I like the way you write and take photos. Very humorous and fun to read!

Again, thank you so much.
Can't wait till I go to the Philippines!! Yippy!

adventurousfeet said...

thanks aya! Welcome again to the Philippines!

Unknown said...

Thanks, thanks sa info.. I'll be in Cebu & Bohol this coming weekend and all infos are very useful for my trip..Its my 1st time in this beautiful place & totally no idea how to book/buy ticket to Bohol via Tubigon..Hope I can share pagbalik here in Singapore to those People wanted to visit Cebu and Bohol. God Bless

adventurousfeet said...

enjoy you're vacation! you'll surely have fun there!

Anonymous said...

How much is your total expenses all in all?

adventurousfeet said...

Hi,

ill just post my comment on my Part 5 blog on cebu-bohol

hmmmm... for this five days trip,
the first 3 1/2 days, we were group of 4. the last 1 1/2 days, we're just two so the rest of our expenses (including the balicasag and bohol bee farm tour) we're subdivided only into two. Roughly it's around 10-11k/head (plane not included).

if you're in a group, it would be very much cheaper!

Anonymous said...

nice to visit your site for i was looking some infos on how to spend my three days in my cebu bohol trip this coming june. im really interested in the beaches in panglao

adventurousfeet said...

i hope you'll enjoy your stay in cebu and bohol! :)

itsmeau said...

wow this is really helpful :-) thank you so much for the informations, we are scheduled to go to Cebu next month and your blog would really be a big help :-) Thank you again...more backpacking for you in the future :-)

Anonymous said...

hi this is the contact number for MV STARCRAFTS 09223810116 and 09067896363
THANK YOU AND INJOY YOUR TRIP... WE ALSO HAVE BOUND FOR CEBU TO GETAFE departure time from CEBU to GETAFE 7.30am , 10.30am, 5pm then CEBU TO GETAFE 6am,9am,3.30

Anonymous said...

Hi in case gosto nyo mag tour sa Bohol meron tayong MV STARCRAFT 1hour only cebu to tobegon our schedule from cebu to tobegon 5:45am,7:00,8:30,10:30am,12:30,2:00pm,3:30pm,5:30pm and tobegon to cebu 7:00am,8:30am,11am,12:30am,2pm,4:00pm,5:45,7:45 contact number for MV STARCRAFT 09223810116/09067896363
by Fatima

Anonymous said...

Rent a car tobegon bohol for van 5 to 8 pax is only 3500 that is good for 1day drop anywhere its alright....
3 to 4 pax 2500 inquire this number 09435847316 contact person toni and fati

Anonymous said...

MV Star Crafts Daily Schedule – Sea Highway Carrier, Inc. for Cebu – Tubigon route:

Cebu Pier 1 Departure Tubigon Pier Departure
5:45 a.m. 7:00 a.m.
7:00 a.m. 8:30 a.m.
8:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m.
10:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m.
12:30 p.m. 2:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m.
3:30 p.m. 5:45 p.m.
5:30 p.m. 7:45 p.m.
MV Star Crafts Daily Schedule may change without prior notice

CONtact number for MV STARCR 09067896363 look for fatima

fatima said...

To all passenger we are now accepting advance booking for MV STARCRACFT please contact 5205212 or 09435847316 look for Fatima.. Thank you bound for CEBU TO TUBIGON vice versa TOBEGON TO CEBU only one hour travel....We also have Jetafe to Cebu vice versa our schedule From cebu to GEtafe 6am,9am,3:30pm Getafe to Cebu 7:30am,10:30am,5pm. Thank you
Cebu to Tubigon schedule
MV Star Crafts Daily Schedule – Sea Highway Carrier, Inc. for Cebu – Tubigon route:

Anonymous said...

You want to rent a car in bohol? try to contact this number driver very accommodating, friendly most of all honest try to contact this 09262917163 and 09435847316. For 2 to 4 pax rate is 2500 5 to 7 pax 3200 for 8 to 13 pax 3500 pls contact me so i can help you....



fatima said...

hi additional schedule for MV STARCRAFTS from cebu to tubigon 7:50am,11:10,2:40,6:45 then tubigon to cebu 6:25,9:20,1:10,5:00pm contact number 09067896363

Anonymous said...

just jjust want to ask lang po if meron kau num ng elegant circle hotel..tnx

Bohol Motorcycle Rentals said...

So how much is the total amount of your travel to bohol

Unknown said...

Hello po may cheaper pa po na rent a car 4 3 person isang bata po..for bohol vacation,,

Unknown said...

Sobrang detalyado ng blog.. Amazing.. ^_^

Hi po pwede ko po ba mahingi yung complete itinerary and budget for this trip :) We're planning kasi to go to the palces mentioned for the whole blog. I hope you can help me. Thanks in advance.

gary said...

What an awesome trip!!

keep up the great work you are doing!!

Tom said...

Thanks for the informative post! Do check out our coverage on Travelling from Cebu to Bohol by Ferry as well!

Happy Travels Everyone!

Tom,
2bearbear.com

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