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.

Pagudpud Island Philippines – More than worth the Trip

Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte is one of the most popular destinations for urban dwellers especially those coming from Metro Manila. Whether on a long road trip with friends or a back pack adventure through public buses, the journey is an adventure by itself and the destination, all worth the effort.

On a good day, Pagudpud is 10 hours drive from Metro Manila, if you go through the more scenic through the North Luzon Express Way – Pangasinan – Ilocos corridor in the west of Luzon island. The town of 17,000 people is known for its breathtaking beaches which are still inconsiderably unaduletarted and its closeness to nature. A great escape indeed from the hectic life and the smog of the metropolis.

Most people go to Pagudpud bringing tents, but there is already a sprawling line of decent pension houses, inns and family hotels run by local folks like the popular Saud beach resort. If you want five-star accommodations, there is none in Pagudpud, but if want to sit back and blend into the rural laid-back charm of a community of friendly Ilocanos then this place is for you.

Unlike other beach destinations, Pagudpud ius more than the beach. Yeah, there is swimming, boarding even kayaking but the town offers more than a tan. It brings out the warmth of the local people seen through the rows of towering coconut trees, humble nipa hut homes and the local sari-sari stores when you can have a small barn talk with the locals.

The trip to Pagudpud is not uneventful. A road trek through the Ilocos provinces will bring you to historic towns like in Tarlac or in Vigan, Laoag and the land of the Marcoses, Batac. You can even drop by the world-famous Bangui wind turbines, the town just before Pagudpud. For public commuters Farinas Lines or Philippine Rabbit buses from Cubao can bring you to Laoag or Tugegarao in Cagayan, which is just a tricycle ride away from the paradise of Pagudpud.

Ilocos means great food so do not forget to drop by popular restaurants like Preciosa in Laoag or even the common pop and pop eateries you pass by along the highway.

Pagudpud is indeed an escape. And, along with the towns and the people around it, become a wonderful paradise for the weary urbanite.