You’re the best, Camotes: A ‘Biyahe ni Drew’ Itinerary

 

Upon hearing the word “Camotes,” for sure, one thing pops out of our minds- the root crop kamote or sweet potato! Yes! Camotes Island boasts of various camote delicacies every tourist will surely enjoy but it has attractions and destinations you will be rooting for as well!

How to get there?



Board a plane from Manila to Cebu. From there, you will need to travel for 60 minutes to Danao Port. Once you are there, you would need to spend at least two more hours of boat ride to reach Camotes Island.

Biyahero tip: Since going to Camotes Island would probably consume 4 hours of your time, you can book the earliest flight from Manila to Cebu and the latest flight back so your day won’t be spent just by travelling.

Where to go and what to do?



Rock formations and bats?these are the things we usually encounter in caves. But when you visit Camotes Island, you will definitely experience a different kind of cave hopping!

Timubo Cave
20 minutes away from San Francisco, Camotes

If you want to try a different twist to the typical swimming activity with your barkada, this is the perfect place to go. Here in Timubo Cave, you will find a natural fresh water pool right inside the cave. The temperature inside is also warm so you do not have to worry about getting cold! Isn’t that cool?

Tangub Cave

If you are in for some adventure, go spelunking in Tangub Cave. This is one of the biggest and deepest caves in the island. Some of its area remain undiscovered because only 300 meters of the cave have been explored by local tour guides. If you pass through this cave, it may lead you to Buho rock formation where you can go cliff diving! There are also small natural pools inside where you can swim with your family and friends.

Cliff Diving
Buho rock formation
15 minutes away from Poro Town Proper

Are you looking for an activity that will push you to great heights? Then, cliff diving is for you. You just have to climb your way up the Buho rock formation and after taking in a deep breath, jump towards the clear waters! For only P20, you can already dive as long as you want. But remember to ensure your safety before trying this one out.

Mactang beach

Mactang beach is where the battle between Lapu-Lapu’s and Ferdinand Magellan’s troops took place. Now, it is a very peaceful spot where you can swim and even catch crabs when the tides are low.

Where to stay?



Starting at P 1,000 for an overnight package, you have the options to stay in Pito’s Sutokil Restos that offers a native hut. You can also check out Santiago Bay’s Garden Resort or go to Mangudlong Rock Resort with its own beach front.

What to eat?

Sutokil



Sutokil is a combination of dishes with grilled tuna, fish soup, and fresh fish or seafood with vinegar.
 Sutokil came from the combination of three words: “su” for sugba which means grilled in Bisaya, “tu” for tuwa or soup, and “kil” for kilawin.

Camote delicacies



It may be a running joke but Camotes Island will not be named as such if it does not offer camote as a treat to its visitors. Here, a wide array of delicacies made from camote will surely fill your appetite. One of their bestsellers is the camote crinkles.

“Parang nakakain ko, camote macaroons. Lasang macaroons siya,” Drew says.

Another must-try is the camote pulvoron which is made from camote flour. To create camote flour, you will have to cut a sweet potato in strips and dry it. After drying, it is milled to be powderized.

Whether you are a thrill-seeker or just a traveler who wants to escape from the stressful world, Camotes Island is always open to welcome you. True enough, hindi ka rito mangangamote. ?Gerald Vista/BMS