Green Adventure at Bojo River Alouguinsan Cebu

Your great green adventure starts here at Bojo River in Aloguinsan Cebu. Aloguinsan has a town population of about 27,000 residents. It is located on the western seaboard of Cebu, facing the the island of Negros. From Cebu City, it is 72 kilometers (via Toledo City) and 58 kilometers via Carcar City.

Experience a slice of authentic Cebuano culture in Bojo, a river village two kilometers from the town center. Local fishermen anf their families are protecting the Bojo River Nature Reserve, which includes the 1.4 kilometer-long Bojo river and its riparian zone – home to about 61 bird species and remarkable native flora. Local guides will padlle you down the river in a traditional baroto, while they interpret the river’s rich natural and cultural heritage. If you want to trek, a 400 meter long boardwalk cutting across a mangrove forest and a 150 step natural trail carved on a hillside will bring you to a gazebo overlooking the river landscape.

How to go to get there:

Transport and tours are available in Cebu City.
1. You can take a V-hire (van for hire)
2. Rent-a-car, or a bus, going to Toledo City (Cebu South Bus Terminal in Cebu City)
3. Public Buses (Cebu South Bus Terminal in Cebu City)
4. Bring your own transportation and take the Pinamungajan or Toledo City or the Awayan, Carcar routes via Valencia route with the same estimated travel time.

Travel time: approximately 1 to 2 hours

Vehicle Rates:

Citilink to Toledo Terminal
V-Hire
Php100.00

Toledo to Aloguinsan
PUJ
Php 35.00

Citilink to Pinamungajan
V-Hire
Php 100.00

Pinamungahan to Aloguinsan
Tricycle
php15.00

South Bus Terminal to Carcar
Bus
Php 50.00

Carcar to Aloguinsan
Habal-habal
Php 150.00

Tour Packages for the Bojo River Eco-Cultural Tour

Duration: 3 hours
Rates:
5 persons – Php800.00/head
6-10persons – Php550.00/head
11-15pax – Php530.00/head
16-20pax – Php500.00/head
20-30pax – Php480.00/head
30-50pax – Php450.00/head

Package includes orientation and lecture on mangroves,  ecology and bird wildlife lecture, handicraft (mat-weaving) demo, a buffet lunch and a snack (cool drink and freshly-baked salvaro, a native pastry) and a cruise down the river. The tour is organized by the Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association (BAETAS).

Schedule: Daily and depends on the tide.

The money you paid goes directly to the local communities who run the tours. It funds environmental protection projects, income for the families, subsidy for their children’s education and funding for basic services in the community. Thus, it will help communities to be sustaining and self reliant.

Available Accomodation:

Al Maxi Apartelle
- It is a pension house with 3 units.
- Every unitn has its own living room, kitchen, toilet and bath.
- Rate is 1,200 per unit per day (4 persons max per unit)
- Contact number: 0910 429 9687

Blue House
- Located in a leafy street
- Two-story house has 4 rooms with a common living room, dining room, kitchen and toilet and bath
- Rates: P2,800 per day for entire house

Volare
- A native house-inspired building a few minutes from the town center
- 3 bedrooms with a common living room, dining room, kitchen and toilet and bath
- Rates: 1,200 pesos per day for entire house or P350 per room per day (2 persons max per room)
- Contact no.: +63 32 4699066

Hidden Beach
- room: 600 pesos good for two
- you can cook outside the room, common CR and no running water but beach and location is nice.

They have other beaches but it’s reachable by bangka only, remote and secluded and NO facilities even bed.  You have to bring your own tents and other stuff. If you are up for adventure then this place is for you.

Siargao Island: The Surfing Capital of the Philippines

Big waves coming from the Pacific Ocean and a strip of surfing enthusiasts braving these waves, Siargao Island is a picturesque of a charming sun-bask island at the northeast tip of Mindanao.  Ideal for summer escapades, Siargao is known as the Surfing Capital of the Philippines where annual surfing competitions, both local and international, are preferably held in this tear-drop shaped island. Aside from the high clean waves that the place is best known for, other main attractions in Siargao include its wide array of white sand beaches, rich marine resources, seafood restaurants, mangrove rivers, unspoiled islets, and the warm hospitable locals of Siargao.

Surfing Capital of the Philippines

Facing the vast Pacific Ocean, Siargao’s shores are always a reflection of great waves, which are considered by many as an ideal place for surfing competitions, both for local and international events. Siargao Island is dubbed as the Surfing Capital of the Philippines as the locals and foreigners flock in this small island in Mindanao just to beat the waves and enjoy the sparkling bluewaters of Siargao.  One of the best surfing destinations in Siargao is the Cloud 9 wherein mounted hollow tubes of waves are considered by international surfers as perfect for ultimate surfing. Among surfing competitions annually held in Siargao are the Cloud 9 National Surfing Competition, Billabong Surfing Competition, and Siargao International Surfing Competition. Local surfers and foreign surfers from the different parts of the world are fixations in the island during this kind of events.

Location

Siargao Island is located at the eastern part of the Surigao del Norte, a province situated at the northeastern tip of Mindanao. To its east is the Pacific Ocean, while its western and southern areas are surrounded with mangrove forests. Aside from being the Surfing Capital of the Philippines, Siargao has also the largest mangrove forest in Mindanao.  The total land mass of Siargao was estimated at around 437 kilometers.  It has seven municipalities – Santa Monica, San Isidro, Burgos, Dapa, General Luna, Del Carmen and General Luna.

Meanwhile, Siargao Island can be reached through sea and air travels. Air Philippines and Cebu Pacific Airlines have flights from Manila to Surigao City and Cebu to Surigao City. From Surigao City, one can just simply take the fast craft vessels in going to Siargao Island. For sea travels, shipping lines such as Cokaliong, Super Ferry and Sulpicio Lines have trips from Manila-Surigao City and Cebu-Surigao City.  Philtranco Bus Liners have also land trips in going to Surigao City from Manila.

Where to Stay

Due to the growing number of tourists flocking in the island, various beach resorts have also been cropped-in to meet these needs. The following are some of the many beach resorts in Siargao Island where one can relax during the entire stay:

Jadestar Beach Resort. Located near the Cloud 9, this beach resort offers various package accommodations.  There are accommodation cottages that are equipped with air conditioners, while other cottages have fans.  Cottages also have TV sets with cable channels. Surf board rentals and laundry services are also offered in Jadestar. Island hopping activities and island tours are also available in Jadestar; however, these are mostly not included in the package accommodation fees.

Ocean 101 Resort. Facing the idyllic view of Siargao waters, Ocean 101 is just within walking distance from Siargao’s famous surfing destinations such as the Cloud 9.  Located at Catangnan, General Luna, Ocean 101 has air conditioned and non air conditioned rooms.  Its second floor accommodation rooms have a common bathroom.  Among the amenities in Ocean 101 are DVD player, surf boards for rent, cable TV system, surfing trainer, massage services, and videoke and pool facilities. Ocean 101 has also its in-house bar and restaurants that offer local delicacies as well as international cuisine.

White Sands Paradise Beach Resort. Located at Baybay, Burgos, White Sands Paradise Beach Resort has a view of the beach and just within walking distance to the surfing destinations of Siargao. Bathroom and TV with DVD player are available. Food and drinks are available at the resort’s bar; however, to those who wish to cook their own food, the resort’s kitchen can be used by guests. Van rentals are also available for island tours.