Surigao-Siargao Trip
It’s already summer and I know that a lot of you are looking for that once-in-a-year unforgettable out-of-town trip. Well, for me, isa ito sa mga yun. I know this is a super late blog post about my trip to Surigao-Siargao because you know, work, pero this is it. I’ll be laying down some basics (expectations included) and how-to’s for this trip.
First off, you need to book a plane for this (unless keri mo ang matagalang byahe like days). Our ticket was booked months before this trip (thanks to Sir Devs) kaya medyo mura yung nabook namin. If you’re not on a tour package, better yet do some researching first to atleast know what, where and how you’re going around the city (good thing we had Pepper and Enay for this one).
Day 1
So after a one and a half hour plane ride, we arrived in Butuan City where Pepper (who flew a day before because of a confusion on CebuPac’s website) was waiting for us for the hotel where we will be staying for the first night. Pepper surveyed the hotels in the city and Wayfarer’s Dormitory had the cheapest offer. We got a room with 3 bunk beds which was good since we were 6 in the group. From the airport, you just have to ride a jeepney for about 15-20 minutes (their version is a smaller one like the ones in Cebu). Don’t give in to the tricycle drivers’ offer especially if you’re on a DIY trip. Uso dapat ang pagtitipid.
Below is a map I edited beautifully for you para hindi na kayo mahirapan hanapin ang dorm. Love you guys!
First night was for settling down and planning the days ahead while we were having some beers on the side. By the way, the dorm serves meals as well so hindi na kayo mahihirapan pa lumabas. Medyo pricey compared to fastfoods pero kung fastfood hanap mo, sana hindi ka na nag-Surigao. Charot!
Dinner while planning for tomorrow.
Since the trip we were planning to have was multi-city, medyo effort and delikado if commute would be the option we’ll choose. Besides hindi namin kabisado ang lugar kaya medyo mahirap mag-risk. So we decided to hire a vehicle for the whole trip including our travel to Siargao. It was a Toyota Innova which could fit all 6 of us. The vehicle was for 9000php all in so it was pretty cheap considering the places we wanted to go to. Plus Kuya Gary, our driver, was very accommodating and funny so it wasn’t hard talking and asking him for favors. He sometimes did some touring himself too.
Day 2
First stop was Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig, Surigao Del Sur. From our hotel, it was an estimated 3 hours and 40 minutes drive. (Yes guys. When I said multi-city, I meant it.) It’s one of the most visited spots in Surigao Del Sur so you should have this on your list.
Entrance to the falls.
Cottages near the falls in case you decide to stay for the whole day.
The main attraction.
We wanted to stay longer but the third stop was a 2-hour drive from where we were, so we decided to pack up and leave the place after an hour. Good thing we decided to rent a vehicle because the stops are in secluded areas (meaning wala pong bumabyaheng deretso sa falls).
Second stop (before we head for another long drive) was the International Doll House. This one’s just a few minutes away from Tinuy-an Falls. From the name of the place itself, the owner is fond of collecting original and expensive dolls. Medyo creepy inside mga mamshies so if you’re not fond of dolls because there’s this super slight possibility of it being actually alive, then just stay outside.
Steep stairs to the Doll House. Watch your step!
The clown dolls are really creepy!
And of course, Barbie Dolls!
Third stop was the Enchanted River in Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur. This one’s quite famous for its mysterious depth since according to tsismis, no one’s been at the bottom of this river. According to more tsismis, the son of the previous mayor attempted to scuba dive to reach the bottom but was found dead after. Pero after researching, it turned out it was really all tsismis. However, in 2014, a doctor-diver really did die in the river while doing a documentary about the caves in the Enchanted River but found it hard to escape the strong current and lost oxygen supply. He was the brother of a former City Vice Mayor of Cebu.
Before this trail, there are stores at the main entrance where you can buy souvenirs and stores which can assist you with your food. Sa kanila na bibilhin lahat tapos sila na din magluluto. Very reasonable naman yung price.
Entrance to the Enchanted River.
The river was not so enchanting that day. Probably because of the number of people swimming. But we still did what we could to enjoy.
There were huge fishes under the water so I was kind of paranoid they’d bite me so I wore my aqua shoes. lol Life jackets can be rented at the entrance for 20php.
We also rented a small kubo where we stayed and ate.
We left the place before dark since the next stop would be Surigao Del Norte port which will be the jump off point to Siargao. Travel time was about 7 hours. Yes, 7 long hours of travel. I mentioned multi-city, right?
With all the stop overs for dinner, coffee, sleep (yes we all slept inside the car including our driver while we were on hazard on a parking lot somewhere in Surigao Del Sur because we were all super sleepy), and more coffee, we arrived at Surigao City Port at around 1 in the morning. Since the ferry doesn’t leave until 5 in the morning, we decided to stay somewhere near the port. We then discovered that there were people sleeping on the ferry already while waiting for it to depart (mygad kung san san pa kami pumunta pwede naman palang matulog sa boat). The ferry ride takes about 3-4 hours from the port to Siargao and at some parts of the ocean, the ride can be really scary because of huge waves.
While waiting for the boat to depart.
Huge waves on some parts of the ferry ride. The waves were so huge, the sides had to be closed because the water was coming in. I was so scared I wanted to call my parents but there was no signal. lol
At last, we arrived the the Port of Dapa in Siargao! First things first, we needed to eat. From the port, just a few steps you’ll see stores and carinderias wherein you can eat for a very affordable price. Then, we needed to get a place to stay. We talked to one of the tricycle drivers and he was accommodating to help us look for one on a very cheap price.
Rode this tricycle where all 6 of us tried to fit in.
It’s a 15 to 20-minute ride from the port to General Luna. Was able to find a good room for 6 within Cloud 9 area.
Before lunch time, we prepared for the tour. We visited 3 islands: Naked island, Daku island and Guyam island.
Everything looked like a painting!
Naked Island
Daku Island
You can already request manong bangkero to help you with your lunch in the island.
Guyam Island
After the island tours, we went back to our room and prepared to discover the night life in the island. There’s not much, to set your expectation. But there are bars open to help you unwind before you hit the bed.
The next morning, my friends tried surfing. There are a lot of kuyas who’ll assist you near the shore. Prices range from 300 up, but of course you can always use your charm.
We left the island around noon to give time for the travel to the airport. Same route will be taken so basically the travel time is not that hard to predict. But traffic can also be experienced in Surigao City as well as Butuan City so better to a lot extra travel time.
Below is a summary of the travel you’ll have for the whole trip:
Same travel time going back but, as advised, please provide extra travel time. You’ll never know what can happen and you don’t want to miss a flight.