A 48-hour budget travel itinerary for Bislig, Surigao del Sur

If you’re planning to spend 48 hours in Bislig, Surigao del Sur while sticking to your travel budget, check out this recommended itinerary and list of travel tips from GMA News TV’s newest travel show hosted by Drew Arellano, “Biyahe ni Drew.”

If you think you know Mindanao, think again. The unassuming city of Bislig offers the three items on Drew’s travel checklist: nature, adventure and fresh seafood!

Quick facts

• Bislig can be found in Surigao del Sur, on the eastern side of Mindanao.
• Brgy. Mangagoy, Bislig City is the largest barangay in the Philippines, in terms of land area
• Language: Cebuano

View Bislig, Surigao del Sur in a larger map

How to get there
There are no direct flights to Bislig from Manila. If you’re coming from Luzon or the Visayas, book a flight to Butuan City, Agusan del Norte or—as Drew did—to Davao City.  Land travel from Butuan to Bislig takes three to four hours.  If you’re coming from Davao, it’ll take four to five hours.

If you’re taking the Davao route, stop over at Malagos Garden Resort. The establishment grows its own vegetables and makes its own cheese. A set meal costs P275 per head.

What to see
Tinuy-an Falls | Entrance Fee: P8 per head
Known as the “Niagara of the Philippines,” Tinuy-an Falls is the whitest, foamiest, mistiest waterfalls in the Philippines. It’s 100 meters wide and 26 meters tall, and tourists can swim in the water and picnic at the edge. The name Tinuy-an means “babalik-balikan,” or “a place you’ll keep going back to.” We agree.

How to get there: Take a 30-minute ride from Bislig proper via habal-habal (a motorcycle modified to carry several passengers) to Tinuy-an falls. It’s not the most comfortable ride in the world, but it’s an adventure!
Price: P200, to be split between up to six passengers.

Enchanted River, Hinatuan | Entrance fee: P20
One hour (and some rough roads) from Bislig proper is the Enchanted River, located in the nearby town of Hinatuan. Its name comes from its otherworldly blue waters and how, according to legend, people were unable to catch the fish that swam here. These days, the law prohibits fishing in the Enchanted River—but you can swim with them. Dive in!



International Doll House Tour | Entrance fee: P20
Over 500 dolls are housed in this unique museum found in Barangay Cumawas, Bislig–Korean dolls, Russian dolls, you name it. Proceeds from the entrance fee go to children in need and to relief operations for areas hit by storms. It is located beside Ocean View Restaurant.

What to do

Mud skim boarding at Chocolate beach | Entrance fee: free
The dense beach of saltwater and mud is a perfect training ground for beginner skimboarders—you don’t sink as easily. All you need to bring? Soap for a good bath afterwards.

Party at Espiritu Street
If Manila has Malate, Bislig has Espiritu Street. Hit up Kada’s Point Bar and Resto for some comedy—the gay impersonators lip-synch badly on purpose for a slapstick effect. Drew loved it!

Where to eat
Highland Function Farm, Bislig City | Price range: P200 per head
Address: Purok 3 John Bosco District, Mangagoy, Bislig, Surigao del Sur
Contact: (086) 853-3355
Here, they serve lutong bahay (home cooking) made with fresh ingredients.

Ocean View Restaurant | Price range: P200 per head
Address: Purok 6, Barangay Cumawas, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, 8311 Bislig, Surigao del Sur
Contact: (63)868534061, (63) 910-321-2568
After eating, climb 250 steps for a panoramic view of the sea! The International Doll House Tour is nearby, as well.

Gail’s Resto and Coffee Shoppe | Price range: P500-600, for sharing
Be sure to order Mutya ng Bislig (P600), a creamy soup with a whole crab floating in the bowl.

Hinatuan Fish Cage and Resort | Prices start at P600 per kilo
Going to the Enchanted River? A short boat ride away (P200, round trip) takes you to the Hinatuan Fish Cage and Resort, where you can catch your own seafood and eat it, too! Giant crabs, lobsters, fish—you name it, they’ve got it.

Where to stay
Drew recommends: Paper Country Inn
Address: Osmena St., Tabon, 8311 Bislig, Surigao del Sur
Contact: (086) 628-2313; (086) 853-3079
Amenities: air conditioned, private CR, breakfast
Price: Suite P1,750/night
Deluxe P1,100/night
Standard P900/night
Economy P500/night

For sharing: Pensionne La Salle
Amenities: twin bed, air conditioned, with hot and cold shower
Price: P950/night

For solo travelers: Casa de Babano Pension House
Amenities: in-house restaurant
Price: P700-900

Drew’s Budget (the actual amount Drew spent on his two-day trip)
Transportation: P8,149 (But you can save if you get a promo fare!)
Food: P1,855
Accommodation: P1,750
Activities: P185
Total: P11,939

For more budget-friendly travel adventures, tune in to “Biyahe ni Drew” every Friday at 10:00 PM on GMA News TV Channel 11! Like the program on Facebook or follow them on Twitter to stay updated on the latest tips and destinations. –Cristina Tantengco/PF, GMA News Online