I spent around a week exploring parts of Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands. It has been a wonderful experience discovering what these provinces had to offer. Most of the beaches and places I've been to are local secrets and have yet to be tainted with tourism because of its relatively remote location and lack of development. But these places' natural and raw beauty are their greatest strength.
Expenses
Surigao City
P500 - Aircon room Firma's Lodge
P200 - Non-Aircon van to Surigao City from Butuan airport
P957 - Food and water
P48 - Internet
P204 - Transportation
P100 - Lantsa to San Jose, Dinagat Islands
P2009 - Total for 1 night and transit
Dinagat Islands
P1000 - 2 nights in Pink Lodge
P100 - Transportation
P185 - Food and water
P25 - Internet
P1500 - Tour to 4 islands
P100 - Lantsa to Surigao City
P2910 - Total for 3 days and 2 nights
Siargao
P250 - Ferry from Surigao City to Siargao
P300 - 1 night in MNRB Pension non-aircon room with cable TV
P1000 - 2 nights in Mems aircon room
P696 - Food and water
P170 - Transportation
P37 - Internet
P203 - Dapa to Socorro boat trip round way
P50 - Magpupungko Rock Pool fee
P800 - Island hopping to Naked Island, Daku Island, and Guyam Island
P10 - Guyam Island fee
P550 - Habal-habal rent
P265 - Ferry from Dapa to Surigao City
P3061 - Total for 4 days and 3 nights stay
Butuan
P205 - Surigao City to Butuan aircon bus
P500 - Wayfarer's Inn 1 night
P60 - Transportation
P60 - Internet
P401 - Food and water
P75 - Terminal fee
P1301 - Total 1 day and 1 night stay
I would have loved to stay longer in each place but I only had a week to explore these places. There's definitely more to see in Butuan and Surigao City. I only managed to visit a few places in these two places.
Itinerary
For this trip I was more interested in exploring more of Siargao and Dinagat Islands that is why I stayed longer in these places. I used Butuan and Surigao City as transit points to Siargao and Dinagat. In Surigao City I only went to Marble Beach which was a different kind of beach compared to the ones I've grown accustomed to. In Butuan, I just visited the museum of the balanghays that were used by the Filipinos way before the Spanish conquistadors came.
In Siargao, I went to Magpupungko Rock Pool, and three islands namely Daku, Guyam, and Naked. I planned on seeing the stingless jellyfish in Socorro. But I aborted my trip because it was too expensive for a solo traveler. I went to Socorro town looking for other tourists that wanted to go but there was no one going.
In Dinagat Islands, I went to some islands namely Cab-ilan White Beach, Biray-Biray, Bita-og, and Lalaking Bukid. I also visited places that were on San Jose proper such as Islander's Castle and Sta. Cruz beach, where all the locals get some sun, sand, and just have a good time with friends and family. I would love to return to Surigao and Agusan del Norte to explore more of its beautiful places.
Expenses
Surigao City
P500 - Aircon room Firma's Lodge
P200 - Non-Aircon van to Surigao City from Butuan airport
P957 - Food and water
P48 - Internet
P204 - Transportation
P100 - Lantsa to San Jose, Dinagat Islands
P2009 - Total for 1 night and transit
Dinagat Islands
P1000 - 2 nights in Pink Lodge
P100 - Transportation
P185 - Food and water
P25 - Internet
P1500 - Tour to 4 islands
P100 - Lantsa to Surigao City
P2910 - Total for 3 days and 2 nights
Siargao
P250 - Ferry from Surigao City to Siargao
P300 - 1 night in MNRB Pension non-aircon room with cable TV
P1000 - 2 nights in Mems aircon room
P696 - Food and water
P170 - Transportation
P37 - Internet
P203 - Dapa to Socorro boat trip round way
P50 - Magpupungko Rock Pool fee
P800 - Island hopping to Naked Island, Daku Island, and Guyam Island
P10 - Guyam Island fee
P550 - Habal-habal rent
P265 - Ferry from Dapa to Surigao City
P3061 - Total for 4 days and 3 nights stay
Butuan
P205 - Surigao City to Butuan aircon bus
P500 - Wayfarer's Inn 1 night
P60 - Transportation
P60 - Internet
P401 - Food and water
P75 - Terminal fee
P1301 - Total 1 day and 1 night stay
I would have loved to stay longer in each place but I only had a week to explore these places. There's definitely more to see in Butuan and Surigao City. I only managed to visit a few places in these two places.
Itinerary
For this trip I was more interested in exploring more of Siargao and Dinagat Islands that is why I stayed longer in these places. I used Butuan and Surigao City as transit points to Siargao and Dinagat. In Surigao City I only went to Marble Beach which was a different kind of beach compared to the ones I've grown accustomed to. In Butuan, I just visited the museum of the balanghays that were used by the Filipinos way before the Spanish conquistadors came.
In Siargao, I went to Magpupungko Rock Pool, and three islands namely Daku, Guyam, and Naked. I planned on seeing the stingless jellyfish in Socorro. But I aborted my trip because it was too expensive for a solo traveler. I went to Socorro town looking for other tourists that wanted to go but there was no one going.
In Dinagat Islands, I went to some islands namely Cab-ilan White Beach, Biray-Biray, Bita-og, and Lalaking Bukid. I also visited places that were on San Jose proper such as Islander's Castle and Sta. Cruz beach, where all the locals get some sun, sand, and just have a good time with friends and family. I would love to return to Surigao and Agusan del Norte to explore more of its beautiful places.
Posts
Wow!! I can't believe it can be this affordable pala if you just DIY.
ReplyDeleteI love to exp[lore Siargao. I think mas makakabura ako since I have relatives in Surigao. Perhaps summer of next year.
ReplyDeleteI hope I was also able to visit Surigao and Butuan. I've been to Siargao and I like the place.
ReplyDeleteSo all in all, 10 - 15K would be enough for a good and memorable vacation. Surely I'll contact you when I get home.
ReplyDeleteI love the place of my mother - Surigao City! My last visit there was last July 2011. Wish to visit Siargao next year with my family.
ReplyDeleteAt my age today, I can only be envious of you people who are having lots of fun travelling. I have done some travelling around the country in my younger days but those were all business trips and not as enjoyable if I may say.
ReplyDeleteAre you telling me I can go to these place with just 10k in my pocket? The boyfriend and I will be traveling again soon, I will def use this itinerary! :D
ReplyDeletePretty affordable accommodation. 500 for an air con room. Siargao is in my list, now I know my budget.
ReplyDeleteWow, thanks for the breakdown of expenses and itinerary. This will help for those who want to travel here :D
ReplyDeleteLove to exlpore and discover somehing beaifl with these islands.
ReplyDeleteHaven't had the chance to visit Siargao and Dinagat Islands yet, but they're definitely on my bucket list! Thank you so much for sharing your itinerary and expenses breakdown. This really helps a lot, especially for first-time visitors interested to know how much budget is needed. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat type of food did you have? Were there food stalls or restaurants or you had to bring food and cook them in the island? Ohh I wonder how stingless jellyfish look like. :)
ReplyDeleteI have heard so much about these places. It is interesting to know that the trip can really be affordable.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to those places but from your photos (love the photo of Guyam Island) and your detailed expense report, it's affordable for the everyday Juan to travel to these places. It's also a great resource for budget travelers and backpackers if they are planning their trips.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the first time travelers of the places you've went will be guided with the prices. It's so useful and can make this site the reference of your spending in Siargao, Surigao, and other places.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this! I will bookmark the page for future reference since I'm planning to go there five months from now :)
ReplyDeleteGood read! If i may ask, would it be possible to camp around Dinagat and Siargao? Also, are there any markets/locals that sells food that we can cook? Thanks! ;)
ReplyDelete@dopeboy: the markets sell food but I don't know if you can cook, I didn't see anybody doing it e, you can always ask :D
ReplyDeleteThanks, cause we're planning to camp around the beach. Pero kung hindi naman pwde. Hindi nalang kame mgddala ng tent. hehe
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteDo you have the contact number of your tour operator for Siargao islands and magpupungko?
Thanks! :)
@Bam: for island hopping 09128716169, for magpupungko 09187574677, you dont have to book anything in advance as you can easily get tours from there na mismo, thanks for dropping by!
ReplyDeleteHi, going solo in may - any tips for female solo traveller? can i do all these in 3 days?
ReplyDeletepossible but you won't have enough time to enjoy each place as the trips to them takes a few hours
DeleteHi Sir, do you have a recommended tour guide or boatman in Dinagat? Thanks
ReplyDeletehi yung boatman ko is kuya jojo, eto number niya 09996686293, pero you can go to the tourist center for boat rentals, mas ok kung group kayo para tipid :D
DeleteThank you so much for sharing your itinerary and expenses. Would try to visit Siargao before this year ends. By the way, Skyjet Airlines now have direct flight from Manila to Siargao daily! Ive heard good reviews from this airline too!
ReplyDeleteHi Aice Vhel, we will be visiting Dinagat Island this October 27- 30, maybe you wanna join us?. :)
DeleteHi Joshua Berida, do you still have your habal habal contact in your dinagat island? thank youu. :)
ReplyDeletehis contact number is 09362153206 or 09996686293, kuya Jojo
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