This is what we call “the next Boracay”, without the crowd! It’s my sandbar heaven! We stayed at Budyong Beach Resort. Even though we read bad reviews in other websites, I still feel that this resort offers the best beachfront, one of the cheapest in accommodation rates and very accessible to the nearby restos and quaint market.
FACILITIES: Budyong beach resort is very basic. Rooms are in cottages or “huts” located in a sprawling beach lot with lots of palm trees and other foliage. They do have a small resto, but the food isn’t good (and expensive too). They have roomy cottages with big bathrooms (no heater, sorry). Rooms have aircon, balconies with either 2 double beds or 2 single beds, 1 queen with single and so on. Choose cottage numbers 10 and 11 for the best sandbar and ocean views, only steps away from the shoreline! Do bring your own pillows because they only have around 1 or 2 pillows per bed.
RESTAURANT: Like I said, there is a resto but the food is lousy and expensive. However, nearby restos such as Hard Kock Cafe, buffets and market bbq’s are mere 5-min walk away. There is also a cheap burger station nearby.
BEACHFRONT: Powdery white sand and heavenly sandbars in the afternoon! Great for boogie boarding!!! Clean clean clean!!! It’s the best rustic island getaway!
PRICE: Budyong beach cottage 10 or 11 is at 1,300 pesos per night. Can accommodate 2 to 4 pax. Extra bed is at 150 pesos per night.
HAPPINESS FACTOR: 90% It would have been great if the staff of Budyong is more attentive. But it’s ok. I looooove the beach here! Must go back!
HOW TO GET THERE: Manila to Cebu via plane (Cebu Pacific offers the cheapest); Cebu airport to Hagnaya port (north of Cebu) via rent-a-van or bus (3 hours). Hagnaya port to Sta. Fe Bantayan Island via ro-ro (ferry boat) at 145 pesos per pax (1 hour). Tricycle or pedicab ride from the port to Budyong beach resort (15 mins). Call 032-4385700 look for Vicky.
MUST-TRY: Tour around the town of Bantayan to see the oldest church in Visayas! Ask around. Also, talk to a fisherman to just cook meals for your group. 1,000 pesos for lunch/dinner can afford you a caserole of rice for the whole gang, with inihaw fish, shrimps, bbq pork, softdrinks etc. Can feed 7 people! PLUS, hire a boat (banca) to bring you to VIRGIN ISLAND and have your picnic lunch right there!
quirkyqwerty
Do the cottages in Budyong Beach Resort have private bathrooms? Thanks.
By: maryflor on March 25, 2009
at 5:52 pm
Hi there maryflor! yes, all cottages in Budyong Beach Resort have private bathrooms. I suggest that you get cottage 10 and 11 as they have the best spot (beachfront). Enjoy!
By: quirkyqwerty on March 28, 2009
at 1:18 pm
Sorry, I should have asked you these questions in my previous message.
Did you walk in Budyong Beach Resort? Or, did you make a reservation first? I actually called them (I’m from Canada) to make a reservation and they told me to do a 50% deposit via bank transfer, but the only thing that I’m kind of worried about is not getting a confirmation receipt i.e. via e-mail – they said that they didn’t have an e-mail address or anything. Did they seem legit when you were there? Any advice??? Thx again!
By: maryflor on March 31, 2009
at 5:52 am
hi maryflor! i’ve been there twice so they’re ok. about the deposit, they are probably asking you to send 50% because you’re a foreigner. i suggest that you call and do pencil booking only (they dont know this term though)..or if u have a filipino friend (or if you speak filipino) just call, leave your name ( don’t speak english), say you’ll be staying during so-and-so dates and that you will pay when u get there. i never had to send any deposit to them. it’s true, they dont have internet access…it’s a pretty remote rustic island (but that’s why people go there). there are a lot of foreigners who go there (usually europeans). or if you want, i can help you out and book for you..if you’re worried that sending a 50% deposit won’t guarantee anything, since they cant even send email confirmation. i think they still know me. hehe.
By: quirkyqwerty on March 31, 2009
at 2:35 pm
the funny thing is that they I spoke cebuano to them and they still asked me for a 50% deposit.
did you walk in yourself there? or did you make a reservation first?
By: maryflor on March 31, 2009
at 4:38 pm
i just called beforehand, but i wasnt asked for a 50% deposit.. hmmm. when are you going anyway? maybe your booking dates are somewhat filled up thats why they’re making sure that you are coming. let me know your booking dates, how many persons etc. i will try to help you out. i totally understand why u dont feel comfy sending a whopping 50% deposit w/o any assurance.
By: quirkyqwerty on April 1, 2009
at 3:08 am
Hi!
How can I contact the resort where you stayed in?
By: Joy Alover on April 1, 2009
at 8:09 am
Hi Joy! For Budyong Beach Resort in Bantayan Island (Cebu), you may call 032-4385700, look for Vicky. Note that they don’t have internet access there. It’s a pretty remote province, but it’s totally safe. Best to be there during hot summer days!
By: quirkyqwerty on April 1, 2009
at 10:24 am
Hello
We are planning to go there with my friends and they’re asking for 50% down payment. I doubt on this one. Will you please help me?
Do I need to trust them and deposit 50% to their account?
By: ming on April 5, 2009
at 7:38 am
Hi Ming! Maryflor (who posted comments on this entry too) had the same experience just recently. She did deposit and Budyong Beach confirmed. In my experience just this January, I was not asked for a deposit (probably because it was not yet the peak season). Budyong Beach is legit so I think it’s ok. I think they are just making sure that visitors who book will really go because March, April and May are the peak months for summer. Enjoy!
By: quirkyqwerty on April 10, 2009
at 3:54 am
Thanks so much again for your help and offer. I actually just bit the bullet & sent them the 50% deposit and they just confirmed with me that they already received it – so that’s good then
Another question – does Budyong Beach Resort provide you with towels and hairdryer? Is their electricity 24 hours???
By: Maryflor on April 8, 2009
at 12:25 am
Hi Maryflor! Sorry for the late response. That’s good to know! I think they are being more careful now when it comes to reservations.
Yes, they do provide towels but I did not like them as they were thin and not that soft. I’m a bit picky when it comes to towels so I just used them for wiping my feet.
No hairdryers so you should bring your own (220 volts with flat plugs). And yes, their electricity is 24 hrs. There was one time we experienced fluctuation but it just lasted 10 mins.
By: quirkyqwerty on April 10, 2009
at 3:43 am
@Maryflor…Also I do hope you go there before Summer ends. No later than the month of May. You won’t enjoy Bantayan Island if it’s rainy. Do check the weather in Cebu to be sure…you can ask Budyong Beach resort for the kind of weather they are having now.
Enjoy!
By: quirkyqwerty on April 10, 2009
at 3:48 am
Thanks so much, you’ve been so helpful
Yes, we will be in Bantayan @ Budyong Beach Resort no later than May so the weather should be good 
Thanks for answering my question regarding the hairdryer/towels – I was just about to ask you if the plugs were the flat kind or the round kind – but you were bang on and answered that question as well!
By: maryflor on April 12, 2009
at 10:58 pm
no problem at all! i hope you’ll have tons of fun…it’s one rustic island getaway. do visit virgin island also!
take care. il be posting a new entry about this place i went to last week (Coron, Palawan). thanks again and have fun!
By: quirkyqwerty on April 13, 2009
at 10:16 am