Camiguin Guide
Camiguin is gaining fans at an exponential rate. It’s no wonder, as it is one of those islands in the Philippines that has something for beach bums and for those looking for more active things to do in Camiguin. The “Island Born of Fire” is the place with the most volcanoes per square meter in the world, and that, besides giving it magic, translates into waterfalls, hot springs, natural pools, and hiking possibilities. If you feel like it, you can climb to the top of a volcano! Due to this volcanic origin, the beaches of Camiguin are not white sand, but don’t hit the panic button. Just a few kilometers from its shores, you have two islands that offer some of the most spectacular beaches in the Philippines. Want to know more? In this Camiguin Guide, we tell you everything.
If you are looking for an island with local charm, not crowded at all, beaches, and also other possibilities beyond the sea, you’ve hit the nail on the head! Camiguin is, possibly, one of the most complete islands for your trip to the Philippines. Its complex and beautiful terrain makes it special and promises beautiful motorbike rides, waterfalls, pools, great places for snorkeling and diving, and even the occasional historical vestige. Plus, to put the icing on the cake, just a few minutes from Camiguin by bangka you have two beach paradises: White Island and Mantigue Island.
With this Camiguin guide, you will be able to get the most out of this small but interesting island. We promise to tell you what to do, how to get there, where to sleep, and many more details that will make you fall in love with Camiguin as much as we did.
THINGS TO DO IN CAMIGUIN
It was already hinted at in the introduction, but Camiguin is one of our favorite islands. This little piece of land is known as a “Little Hawaii”, with imposing green landscapes, waterfalls, and dark beaches, given its volcanic origin. Spend at least 3 full days touring it because, honestly, there is so much to do in Camiguin:
- Road trips around Camiguin: It might sound simple, but it’s not. The best thing you have to do in Camiguin is to travel both its coastal road and its interior roads. The mountain landscapes with sea views, rice fields, and small villages will win you over from minute one.
- Waterfalls: With so many mountains, it won’t surprise you to know that in Camiguin you have a lot of waterfalls to bathe in. From the well-known (and, unfortunately, somewhat urbanized) Katibawasan to others more hidden like Binangawan Falls, you are going to be amazed by its lush nature.
- Snorkeling and diving: In Camiguin, you won’t lack that marine component as you have several sanctuaries to snorkel and enjoy the flora and fauna below the surface. In addition, Camiguin is one of the best places for diving in the Philippines.
- Hiking: Didn’t we tell you that in Camiguin you have everything? Well, it is also one of those islands where you can stretch your legs. The best-known trek is the one that goes up to the top of Mount Hibok-Hibok, from where you can contemplate its crater. There are also other easier hiking routes.
- Island hopping: Due to its volcanic origin, the sand on the beaches of this island is dark. If you have that picture-perfect white sand image in your head, you will have to hop over to two neighboring islands: Mantigue and White Beach.
- Hot springs and natural pools: Waters with healing properties emerge from the bowels of the earth where you can take a relaxing bath. The Ardent Hot Springs are the most well-known and perfect for a day after discovering what to do in Camiguin.
In this Camiguin guide, we have made just a small selection. If we have sparked your wanderlust, take a look at our article:
ISLAND HOPPING IN CAMIGUIN
While it is not a boat tour through several islands as in the case of Palawan, from Camiguin you can explore two spectacular islands that will win you over from minute one:
- White Island: This huge sandbar is a wonder. The shape of its fine white sand changes depending on the time of year you visit, but it will always gift you turquoise waters to take a dip in and, above all, a magnificent view of the volcanoes of Camiguin. To get there, you just have to go to the boat terminal in Yumbing.
- Mantigue Island: A little bigger than White Island, here you will have shade to take shelter and, most importantly, beautiful reefs where sea turtles are rarely missing. Therefore, do not hesitate to bring your snorkeling gear, although you can also rent it there.
You can visit these two islands on the same day, but our advice is to split it into two days and dedicate at least 4 hours to each one. You won’t regret it! What we tell you in this Camiguin guide is just a preview. Here you will find all the information about island hopping in Camiguin:
HOW TO GET TO CAMIGUIN
You can get to Camiguin on a direct flight from both Manila and Cebu. The other simplest options are the daily boats departing from the port of Jagna (Bohol) and from Balingoan (in Mindanao). In this Camiguin guide we give you a small summary, but in this article we tell you in detail everything about how to get there, including the popular transfer from Siargao to Camiguin:
WHERE TO STAY IN CAMIGUIN
With its growing (but moderate) popularity, more and more hotels are popping up in Camiguin. Most of them are concentrated in Mambajao and the barangays (neighborhoods) of Agoho and Yumbing. You can find very humble hostels and, although there are not many pure luxury resorts yet, special hotels or resorts with views of the rice fields or located in the beautiful mountains of this volcanic island.
To prevent you from wasting time looking for the best place to sleep in Camiguin, we have created this complete guide where you can see our recommended hotels ordered by price.
HIBOK-HIBOK TREKKING
One of the most unique experiences that Camiguin offers is the trekking to the summit of the Hibok-Hibok volcano. With its more than 1,300 meters in height, the panoramic views it offers of the entire island are truly incredible. The path, moreover, is quite an adventure among lush vegetation and steep paths. Do you dare? For us, it was a wonderful experience and, obviously, it could not be missing in this Camiguin Guide.
WHERE TO EAT IN CAMINGUIN
Camiguin will make you fall in love from the heights of the Hibok-Hibok volcano, under its waters surrounded by turtles, or sunbathing on White Island. But watch out, it will also do so through your taste buds. There are many more interesting places to eat on this island than it might seem at first glance. We have prepared a complete guide with the most recommended places for dinner, lunch, or breakfast. You’re in for a treat! In addition, we show you the menu of each of them to make it much easier for you to choose where to eat in Camiguin. Bon appétit!
TIPS FOR VISITING CAMIGUIN
- HOW MANY DAYS ARE NECESSARY TO VISIT CAMIGUIN? As you may have seen, there are quite a few things to do on the island, so our advice is not to dedicate less than 3 full days, that is, excluding transfers.
- BEST TIME TO VISIT CAMIGUIN: Unlike the rest of the Philippines, the best time to go to Camiguin usually occurs from June to November or December. The climate in the Philippines, however, is not an exact science. October is a great month to visit the island, as a very beautiful festival is celebrated: the Lanzones Festival.
- HEALTH IN CAMIGUIN: Camiguin has a hospital, but its health infrastructure is not the best. In case something happens to you, you would have to be transferred to Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, or Manila, which have better hospitals. The key to not gambling with your health (and your money) is to travel with good travel insurance to the Philippines. Here is a 5% discount for being our reader.
- MONEY IN CAMIGUIN: In Mambajao you have a few ATMs, but, as always, we recommend traveling with enough cash. You never know if they are going to be broken or have enough money. If you have money in euros or dollars, you can exchange it at the Palawan Pawnshop.
- HOW TO GET AROUND CAMIGUIN? If you have the corresponding license and experience, the best way to discover the island is to rent a motorbike, and this usually costs about 300 pesos a day. If that’s not the case, don’t worry, you can use public transport (jeepneys, motorelas, and tricycles) or hire the services of a jeepney, a tricycle, or a motorbike driver.
- WHERE TO EAT IN CAMIGUIN: Although it is not a very touristy island, there are more and more delicious places to eat. Places we like: La Dolce Vita, Hayhay Café, Luna Ristorante Italiano, or The Beehive. Also, in Camiguin, you will find a lot of carenderias and barbecue spots to eat for very little money.