Planning a trip to Masbate this 2024? Let this Masbate Travel Guide Blog with DIY Itinerary, list of top things to do in Masbate, tourist spots and tips, help you in planning an amazing Masbate Adventure!
Located off the the island of mainland Luzon, Masbate is an archipelagic province in Bicol Region and is composed of 3 major islands - Masbate, Ticao and Burias Islands.
Why visit Masbate? An emerging eco-tourism site in the Philippines, Masbate is known for its annual Rodeo Festival. Aside from that, there are also many tourist spots and attractions and awesome things to do in Masbate that are waiting to be explored. From beaches to islands, farms, sandbars, waterfalls and many fascinating natural and man-made attractions, Masbate is definitely a must-visit for adventure seekers.
In this Masbate and Ticao Island Travel Guide 2024, I will share to you some useful information on how to get there, transportation, hotels in Masbate City, top things to do in Masbate and Ticao islands, sample DIY itinerary, contact persons and more. I hope this travel guide blog will help you in planning a memorable Masbate adventure!
2024 MASBATE TRAVEL GUIDE BLOG FOR FIRST-TIMERS (UPDATED) - Things to Do in Masbate, Tourist Spots & Places to Visit
I've been to Masbate City 3 times. The first time was in 2011 when I did a solo adventure in Masbate. I then visited again during the celebration of Rodeo Festival 2017 when I also visit Ticao Island. The last time I was there was in 2018 as I was invited to judge their annual Lapay Bantigue Dance Festival. This travel guide has all the tourist spots and attractions in Masbate City as well as the activities I did during my previous visits.
How to get to Masbate City?
From Manila, Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines have several flights daily to Masbate City, the capital city of the Province of Masbate. From Cebu, there's also a flight going to Masbate City via Cebu Pacific Air.
A more affordable option is to travel by land and sea. From Metro Manila, you may take buses like the RoRo Bus and Bicol Isarog Bus that will take you directly to Masbate City. Bus fare is around ₱900 to ₱2,000 pesos depending on the type of bus. Travel time is from 16 to 18 hours.
If you wish to bring your car from Metro Manila to Masbate City, you may drive to Pio Duran Port in Sorsogon. From there you may take a RoRo boat to Masbate City.
Transportation in Masbate
Going around Masbate City, you may take tricycle or jeepney to go to nearby towns. For island hopping, I highly recommend that you go to the City Tourism Office of Masbate City in Masbate City Hall so they could assist you in arranging the boat for your island hopping adventure in Ticao Island.
Where to Stay? Hotels in Masbate
As Masbate's capital city, Masbate City offers a wide array of accommodations to choose from. There are several affordable and budget-friendly hotels, guest/pension houses and inns, and beach resorts for you to stay in. In my recent travel to Masbate City during Rodeo Festival 2017, we stayed at Balay Valencia.
Balay Valencia
During our Rodeo Festival trip to Masbate City, we stayed at Balay Valencia Hotel. This hotel is an old house that was converted into a nice and charming bed and breakfast hotel. Centrally located at the city proper, Balay Valencia is along Ibanez street near the Rodeo Arena, park, city hall, provincial capitol, restaurants and fast food chains, banks, and other business and commercial establishments. A good hotel that is near to everything. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
Balay Valencia
Address: Ibañez Street, Masbate City, Masbate, Ibañez St, Masbate City, MasbateTelephone Number: (056) 333-6530
Other Hotels & Resorts in Masbate
- Asia Novo Boutique Hotel √ See discounted room rates & availability
- Ticao Island Resort √ See discounted room rates & availability
- GV Hotel Masbate √ See discounted room rates & availability
- Francjoreen Beach Resort √ See discounted room rates & availability
- Ticao Altamar Boutique Resort √ See discounted room rates & availability
Top Best Things To Do in Masbate and Ticao Islands (Tourist Spots and Attractions)
Here are my top best things to do in Masbate and Ticao Islands as well as the must-visit tourist spots and best places to visit that you should include in your Masbate itinerary. Please click on the links below for more photos and to know more about these destinations.
- Enjoy a good swim at Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary and Sandbar.
- Have a relaxing swim at Bituon Beach in Mobo, Masbate.
- Stroll around Masbate City and enjoy the simple and laidback way of life in the city.
- Ranch Tour at Sese Brahmans Ranch and Fazenda de Esperanza.
- Experience Rodeo Festival held every April.
- Be amazed by Catandayagan Falls in Ticao Island.
- Fall in love with Halea Nature Park in Monreal, Ticao Island Masbate.
- Island hopping at Borobangcaso Islet and Rock Formation.
- Visit the Santo Entriero at Villa Bayot.
- Have a relaxing walk at Mangrovetum Boulevard in Masbate City.
- Visit Masbate City Cathedral or the Cathedral-Parish of Saint Anthony of Padua.
- Bring Home Some Deliciously Creamy “Pasalubong” when you visit Masbate.
- Be amazed by the stunning view of Masbate City from San Antonio de Padua Seminary.
- Enjoy swimming at Bugsayon Marine Park.
- Walk along the lush mangrove forest at Pawa Mangrove Park.
- Enjoy the view of Masbate and the cool breeze of air at Mayong Payong Mountain Peak in Mobo, Masbate.
- Visit the Sta. Filomena Shrine in Bantigue. She's one of the most revered saints of the Masbatenos.
- Join the festivities at the annual Lapay Bantigue Dance Festival
Sample DIY Masbate Itinerary (3 Days & 2 Nights)
Here is my sample 3 days and 2 nights Masbate Itinerary via DIY (do-it-yourself). If you wish to visit other island or other towns, you may tweak this itinerary by adding more days, tourist spots and attractions in Masbate.
DAY 1
- Arrive in Masbate City
- Check-in at the hotel/resort √ Click here to see the list of hotels and resorts in Masbate
- Travel to the town of Milagros
- Visit Fazenda de Esperanza
- Ranch Tour at Sese Brahmans Ranch
- Travel back to Masbate City
- Buy Carmelado along the way
- Arrive in Masbate City
DAY 2
- Island hopping adventure (Ticao and Masbate Islands)
- Halea Nature Park in Monreal
- Catandayagan Falls
- Borobangcaso Islet and Rock Formation
- Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary and Sandbar
- Back in Masbate City
DAY 3
- Masbate City tour
- Visit Villa Bayot, Masbate City Cathedral, Mangrovetum Boulevard and Capitol Building
- Check-out from the hotel
- Buy pasalubong (Carmelado and Milk Drinks)
- Go to the airport
- Fly back to Manila or Cebu
NOTE: You may adjust this itinerary depending on how many days you plan to visit Masbate and Ticao Islands. You may also add one or two more days if you will be attending the events and festivities during Rodeo Festival or Lapay Bantigue Dance Festival.
Masbate Travel Tips and Reminders
- The best time to visit Masbate and Ticao Islands is during the summer months (from March to May) or during the dry months (from October to January). But as long as there is no typhoon or strong rains, you could do island hopping.
- You may also consider visiting Masbate City during Rodeo Festival which happens in the month April every year.
- For island hopping, boat rental varies. It depends on the size and capacity of the boat. Our boat costs 8,000 pesos which could accommodate 30-40 persons. You may ask the City Tourism Office for assistance.
- Bring all you need when island hopping. There are no stores on the islands, except for Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary and Sandbar.
- Always practice "leave no trace" principle. Do not leave any trash on the islands. Please take all your trash back to the main island.
- Take a lot of photos. Enjoy and have fun!
Masbate Trip Budget and Expenses
Summary of Basic Expenses
- Accommodation - PHP 500 - 1,000 per night depending on the hotel
- Boat Rental - PHP 3,000 - 8,000 depending on the size and capacity of the boat
- Buntod Reed and Sandbar entrance fee - PHP 20.00 per person
- Halea Nature Park entrance fee - PHP 25.00 per person
- Airfare - PHP 2,000 - 3,000 per way depending on the season
- Food expenses - PHP 500 per person per day
Masbate City Tourism Office Contact Details
For assistance, visit the City Tourism Office of Masbate City in Masbate City Hall and they will gladly help you in arranging your your visit in Masbate City.
You may also contact them through Masbate City Government's Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/CityGovernmentOfMasbate or visit their website at www.cityofmasbate.gov.ph.
There you have it! My top things to do in Masbate, tourist spots and best places to visit in Ticao Island for your Masbate itinerary! I hope this Masbate Travel Guide Blog help you plan an awesome Masbate Adventure! Enjoy, have fun and safe travels!
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Hi. Malapit lang po ang Ticao Island sa Buntod Island?
ReplyDeletemay travel protocol ba sa masbate
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know the vaccine requirement for travel to Masbate.
ReplyDelete