Siargao itinerary

Siargao is far different from the usual beach destinations in the Philippines. It still has its raw but simple ambience that is quite different from that of Boracay or Puerto Galera. Like Palawan, it has its off the beaten track places that are more known to the locals than the usual tourists. Personally, I would want Siargao to remain unchanged by development (except for the roads that could really hurt one's tail) as I don't want to happen to Siargao what happened to places like Boracay--overexposed and overused plus displaced locals all for the name of tourism development that are mostly unregulated and undisciplined. But am digressing…

Travelling to Surigao City from Davao will take about 7-8 hours which is quite an improvement from 10 hours. of travel about 4 or so years ago. Thanks a lot to the improved roads. We took the night bus to save time (you know, do the zzzzzzzzzz while the bus zooms away). Somebody suggested to rent a van but we deemed it dangerous to travel at night in a van, and of course, since we were traveling with 9 guys in a group with only 3 gals, the van would make us tight sardines inside it compared to a more comfortable airconditioned bus.
Hereunder is our itinerary:
03/19/2008 (Wednesday)
730pm-8:00pm – assembly at Mister Donut (beside gate of Ecoland terminal)
9:00pm–330am Davao - Butuan (Bachelor Bus aircon bus)
4am-620am(03/20/0 – Butuan – Surigao Bus terminal (Bachelor Bus de luxe)
aircon bus: P448(Davao-Butuan),deluxe bus: P119 (Butuan-Surigao)
Note: Jeepney ride from Surigao city terminal to downtown or Surigao port is P7.50 per person

03/20/08 (Thursday)
8am-11am Luneta Park, San Nicolas Church and Jollibee (for lunch)
12nn-410pm – Surigao City – Dapa, Siargao Is. (Roro-Montenegro Shipping Lines) P151.00 economy/P259 aircon
415pm-440pm – Dapa-General Luna(Jadestar Beach Resort) –
P500 per van or P150 per habal2
Jadestar Beach Resort rate:
P1,500 per cottage with aircon and bath (6-8pax)

03/21/08 (Friday)
Whole day island tour –P3,500 per van
Magpopongko Natural lagoon, Taktak falls, Pansukian Resort and mangrove forest, and Tuason Pt. (Cloud 9)

03/22/08 (Saturday)
Island hopping (3 islands + Sohoton cave) – P3,500(negotiable), (3 islands only) – P1,500

03/23/08 (Sunday)
5am-545am – GL-Dapa
6am-930am – Dapa-Surigao City
(Roro-Montenegro Shipping Lines) P151.00 economy/P259 aircon
brunch at Chowking upon arrival in Surigao City
1130am-2pm-Surigao-Butuan (Bachelor aircon bus. Aircon bus for Surigao-Davao will leave at 230pm)
230pm-800pm Butuan-Davao (Bachelor aircon bus)
aircon bus: P148 (Surigao-Butuan), P485 (Butuan-Davao)
Home sweet home!