Although I didn’t have the best time during the long ferry ride from Iloilo to Cuyo, my excitement shot up when we finally arrived in Cuyo Island. It was finally THE MOMENT! My first time to set foot in Palawan Province and on my way to explore this tiny remote island all by my lonesome. I already had a good first impression of Cuyo after seeing this long and inviting white sand beach conveniently lying beside the pier … beckoning to be discovered.
First glimpse of Capusan Beach in Cuyo Island
Cuyo was popularized by the Philippine romantic drama film “Ploning,” starred by veteran actress Judy Ann Santos. After taking a walk along the beach and the streets of Cuyo Town proper, I could sense why the island was the perfect setting to film such a beautiful story … how the seascapes of Cuyo could bring out the romance of life in a typical coastal village in the Philippines.
Movie trailer of Ploning, which was shot entirely in Cuyo
Cuyo Poblacion Baywalk
Capusan Beach
View of Cuyo Pier from Capusan Beach
Cuyo Fortess Church
For the stopover in Cuyo island, the Milagrosa ferry took around six hours, which was ample time to wander around some of the tourist spots in Cuyo. Within walking distance from the pier was the Cuyo Fortess Church. This massive church was first built in 1683 by Augustinian recollects to double as a house of worship and fort against Muslim raiders.
Surprised to see the Cuyonon sign ”Dayon Camo” at the church since it’s also the same way we say “Pasok kayo” or “(You’re welcome to) Come In”
After asking permission from the parish priest, I climbed up the stairs and walked along the pathways on top of the fortress walls. The topmost level of the bell tower had a great view of the whole church complex, the town plaza, and a few outlying islands.
Cuyo Town Plaza and Gym
School beside the Cuyo Fortress Church
View from the church belfry
Capusan Beach
Beside the pier is a charming baywalk and a white sand stretch named Capusan Beach. The beach was great for a short stroll. Some of the other passengers went to the northern end to take a dip. There were some interesting photographic subjects in Capusan like this flock of migratory birds and two wrecked boats I saw.
Deep footprints at the northernmost end of Capusan Beach
Can’t resist the self-portrait photo-op at the I (HEART) U vandal
Locals trading fish at the beachfront
Since I had four more hours to explore Cuyo, I wanted to visit a few spots around the island, particularly Magsaysay town situated at the other side of the island. I approached a tricycle driver and asked him how much it would cost to take me to Quijano Beach in Magsaysay. The driver offered me P400 for the round trip transfers. I told him it was too expensive. Luckily, a habal-habal (single motorcycle) driver was nearby and offered me only P200 for the ride.
Quijano Beach and Magsaysay Town
It took 1 hour and 15 minutes from Cuyo Town Proper to Quijano Beach in Magsaysay Town. The road from Cuyo to Magsaysay town proper was bearable but the section from Magsaysay to Quijano Beach was very rough.
Magsaysay Municipal Hall
Church in Magsaysay town
Magsaysay Town Plaza
It would have been better if the beach was excellent but the sand fell short of my expectations. Quijano Beach had a strong yellow-orange color sand, which was a bit coarse. The beach was super calm during my visit but I read online that it’s an excellent windsurfing spot during months of October to April. There was a high-end resort at the beach called Quijano Windsurfing Retreat.
Brought my heavy backpack with when I was in Cuyo town for safety reasons. My only companion for the day ;(
Beachfront cottages of Quijano Windsurfing Retreat
Tabunan Beach and Pier
Tabunan Beach is nearer to Cuyo Town Proper, around 10 minutes by motorcycle / habal-habal. The driver charged me an additional P50 for the ride. It used to be a popular local hangout place but my habal-habal driver told me that they have actually grown tired of bumming out at the beach … ALL DAY ALL YEAR :) A few kilometers off the coast was Bisucay Isand, which had a very long and inviting white sand beach. The locals back in town told me there’s a passenger pumpboat departing Cuyo Pier for Bisucay Island daily at around noontime.
Yellowish sand of Tabunan Beach with Bisucay Island in the far distance
Bisucay Island
Really loved the twin beaches and the picturesque pier / wavebreaker structure in Tabunan
White Sandbar in the middle of the bay
Here’s a video I took when I was at Tabunan Bay:
Cuyo Town Proper
I asked my habal-habal driver to drop me off at an intersection I spotted earlier lined with a few old houses. He told me some of these houses, now used for commercial purposes, appeared in the movie “Ploning.” I went in a carinderia/local eatery near a school for a proper meal (compared to eating instant noodles at the boat). A serving of adobo, one cup of rice, and a bottle of Coke for just P55 did the trick.
Wooden houses in Cuyo Poblacion
Nikky’s Pension House located beside the Baywalk, one of the budget places to stay in Cuyo
Cuyo Municipal Hall
Palawan College of Arts and Trades – Cuyo Campus
Cuyo Public Market
Thick rain clouds on my way back to Cuyo Pier for the Cuyo to Puerto Princesa Leg of my ferry crossing
Oh! and Amanpulo Resort, the most exclusive/expensive resort in the Philippines, is actually within the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Cuyo. Just made some wishful thinking to visit the island as a day trip while I was planning the trip :) The ultra luxury resort, however, is still a few more hours by boat and an expensive plane ride from the main Cuyo Island.
"A Day in Cuyo Island" is part of the Survivor Palawan (12 days) series
In the Philippine Ilonggo dialect, ambot ah literally means "I don't know." After graduating in college, I decided to hold off pursuing my profession and embarked on a free spirited journey of adventure and self-discovery. My travels have led me to many places across the Philippine Islands and South East Asia. I don't know where this path will take me but I'm certain I'll get a lifetime of stories out of it.
This is by far the most inviting Cuyo Island hideaway I wanna visit someday. I first saw this in the blog of Estan Cabigas and then yours Marcos. Thank you for sharing this.
Thanks again Sir. I’m really glad to see your comments in my blog :) I was also inspired to visit Cuyo because of Estan and Angel (Lakwatsero.com). Next time, I’m hoping to spend a few days in Cuyo so I can visit the other islands as well.
with all these photos you shared, it makes me wanna go to Cuyo island soon! I just don’t know if I could bear the long ferry ride… Kudos to you, you had patience for such a long ride… :)
Kaya yan Mervz :) I came prepared if ever I get super bored din, had my ipod loaded with hours of music and movies to keep me entertained.
For some reason, i have been “missing” your blogs. Now I have to check out your other travel journals. This is good! Stunning photography to match good narratives. Btw, is Cuyo really that “clean”? I noticed in all the pics that the places look so sanitized.
Hehe, thanks for stumbling at my blog. I really appreciate that you like my write-up too, it’s nice to know that other people also appreciate my story.
There were parts of Cuyo that weren’t clean particularly the part of Capusan Beach that was nearer to the pier and a part of Tabunan Beach. I think the garbage was brought there because of the current. The streets of the town proper itself were clean.
hi marcos,,vince here,,,cuyonin thanks for featuring cuyo sa blog mo,,,,,,sna mbasa pa to ng ibang cuyonin,,,,
Ahh… thanks for dropping by vincente :) Ganda ng Cuyo!
sir marcos request sana ma featured mo rin ang roxas palawan almost part ng norther palawan na feature mo na sana ma feature mo din yung roxas ^_^… i half ilonggo and half Kagayane’n…aabangan ko tong story na to salamat ganda kasi ng mga story mo bout sa places na napuntahan mo laking roxas kasi ako sana ma featured lang salamat again
Ahh… the only memory I have of Roxas was the bus terminal. I have yet to explore the rest of the town. Could you suggest some nice places to visit?
Marcos,
Thanks for sharing you experience when you visit Cuyo, Palawan. I know someone residing there, kaya dapat invite nya ko dun sa province nya ha ha ha! Na-excite ako makapunta dun, how much na spend mo?(if I may asked)… Text ko na nga un friend ko regarding your blog :) God bless!
Cool. Posted my itinerary here: http://www.ambot-ah.com/palawan-12-day-itinerary-budget-and-expenses-diy-backpacking/
great pix and great blog! napadaan lang here…awww…how i wish i can be brave n travel solo ;)
thanks hana :D
One of my dream destinations to visit in the Philippines. Sana makapunta din ako dito. Nice photos.
I’m sure you can. Ikaw pa!
Taking the boat in a couple of days (from Iloilo to Puerto Princesa). Thanks so much for all the details and for recording your experience. I hope you had a wonderful time and have learnt to overcome your ‘talking to other travellers’ shyness a little!
I really did! now that I’ve traveled more, I did get to be more open to new people … it’s still a work in progress :)
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.
Hello, Im from Cuyo Island too. Thank you for visiting our island. I really missed my hometown since Im studying here in Manila. Aww, maganda pa rin ang Cuyo. Thank you po talaga, atleast I was able see Cuyo through your blog. Pagbalik camo uman sa ameng banwang Cuyo :)
wow! I AM PROUD TO BE CUYONO! angtinlo ingan! nice!
I’m from Brooke’s Point, Palawan, “Home of the Biggest Pearl in the world”! Although the Pearl is now in New York Museum valued at USD 75Million and weighing 14 pounds!. We have “Ocean Spring” Where you can find Potable water in the ocean.. and lot more! By the way, what cam are you using? Your pictures are so crisp & vibrant! Thanks & long live!
I have yet to visit Brooke’s Point but I’ve taken down some notes if ever that day comes.
I’m using a Nikon D40.
im from cuyo too. i’m glad u enjoyed ur stay there.. matamang salamat kanimo. :) (maraming salamat sayo) :)
You’re welcome Anne ^_^
Mark thanks for featuring my hometown… My beloved Cuyo… I hope you had a great time. Sayang nga lang, you’re alone. You should try and experienced to befriend true blooded Cuyonon… you will discover how really nice and very kind Cuyonon people is.. Matamang salamat! Abante Cuyo!
My pleasure. Hope to meet one someday :D
hi marcos, i’ve been in palawan for 5 years, i traveled back and forth from manila because of my job.. mostly i stayed in the main land.. but ive only been to 2 of their beautiful islands (Coron and Culion), by third week of april im going to visit cuyo island for the first time, and i am excited about it.. thnx for your blog and the pics for some sneak preview of the place..
Cool! I actually haven’t been to those two islands :) dying to visit them as well.
Thanks, Marc! Best travel review about our hometown so far. I’m glad you’ve got the chance to visit our place. Hopefully those who will be coming to our town because of your blog will also keep it clean and take good care of Cuyo the way Cuyunons have taken care of it. Basipang makabalik ka pa ra uman sa ameng banwa sa madarason nga adlaw kalidyos (P.S. You might also want to experience Holy Week in our town).
My pleasure Tin-tin. I’d love to go back. It’s only a boat ride away from my hometown, hehe.
taga cuyo po ako…salamat sa pagdaan sa aming munting paraiso at pagpost sa website mo!