1 STAYCATION GUIDE: WHERE TO STAY IN BISLIG CITY (MANGAGOY)

Selfie at the terrace at Tyffany's Inn.

There are no fancy hotels that you can find in Mangagoy Bislig City. That's why when I was searching for staycation prior for my trip, it was easy for me to find a place. I don't need to check on reviews, the important are accessible to most of the tourist spots, an air-conditioned room, (please don't judge me I can still sleep on budget fan rooms but if I were to choose I want a place where I can really sleep), and of course budget friendly.

You have many options where to check in around Mangagoy. I was calling for several hostels and inns, but unfortunately, some of the phone numbers posted are no longer active. In fact, I have emailed Casa de Babano which is more popular staycation in Bislig. Then I called Tyffany's Inn but it was just ringing so I texted them. Fortunately, I received a callback from them.

TYFFANY'S INN

This is a 3-storey building located in Castillo Street. Originally, we booked for a single AC bedroom for 600 PHP and we had an agreement that payment will be paid in full upon arrival. Although sometimes they require paying half of the price through a bank transfer but you can actually settle for an arrangement. Just make sure to update them three days before check in.

When we arrived we checked the room first and it is small. So we asked for an upgrade and glad that they still available two-bedroom at the third level for 800 PHP/day. Not bad! And it's near the terrace so perfect view to see the life in Bislig. Tyffany's has free wifi but only at looby, reception area. However, if you have a postpaid line, Globe and Smart have good internet connection.

Actually the room cost only 750 PHP but if it is included with breakfast then additional 50 PHP. You can contact Rachel at 0907-608-7403 for booking.

This is the 800 PHP room. I think they called it Matrimony.

Tyffany's Inn room.

Another selfie at the terrace.

OTHER ACCOMMODATION IN MANGAGOY BISLIG:

CASA DE BABANO:

It is more popular staycation in Bislig as I mentioned earlier. It is situated in Caramcam street also in Mangagoy. They have fan room at 275 PHP. For booking, you can contact them at 0986-853-2097 / 0975-200-9704.

Casa de Babano in Bislig

PENSION LA SALLE:

According to our guide, this pension house is one of the best in Mangagoy when it comes to facilities. It has also a higher satisfaction rate with good reviews from guests. It is situated in Espiritu Street at rates starts at 500 PHP. For booking contact: 0986-853-8890.

SLEEP INN:
It is located in Castillo street and price starts at 150 PHP. Sadly I don't have a contact number but this inn is just along the street where Tyfanny's Inn located.

YOLANDA INN:
Contact: 0986-628-2327
Email: yolandainn@yahoo.com

You might want to check this link as the local government of Bislig listed all the lodging houses in Bislig/Mangagoy with contact numbers.

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This post is part of my Bislig, Surigao del Sur Trip happened on my birthday July 26 - 29, 2015. And this is my first time to set foot in Mindanao.

■ Trip Itinerary: Getting to and from Bislig City via Bancasi Airport in Butuan
■ Staycation Guide: Where to stay in Bislig City/Mangagoy
■ The Enchanted River
■ Sibadan Fish Cage
■ Tinuy-an Falls
■ Hagonoy Island and Bon-bon sandbar
■ Hinayagan Cave
■ Staycation in Bislig City
■ Where to eat in Mangagoy

0 TRIP ITINERARY: GETTING TO AND FROM BISLIG CITY VIA BANCASI AIRPORT IN BUTUAN

At the Bislig Marker in Bislig Baywalk

Bislig City is said to be the "Booming City by the Bay" and I couldn't disagree more because this growing City has a lot of things to offer. Although one of my favorite places in Surigao del Sur is not really part of Bislig yet this is the closest place you can stay with numerous inns and hostels.

Enchanted River is the main reason why I wanted to visit Surigao del Sur. I have no idea how to get here and haven't set foot in Mindanao. When I was college I saw a picture of this magical river and I didn't know that it can be found in the Philippines. I thought it was somewhere in Europe or in Americas. Geeesh! I must explore the Philippines more. Anyway, make the story short, I promised to visit this place someday and I wanted to make it happen right on my very special day! And of course when I have work to finance my travels.

The time has come to witness its real beauty right before my eyes, thanks again to piso-fare promo. I was able to book a flight at a lower price. I learned Bancasi Airport in Butuan City is the closest airport to get to Bislig City, although Davao would be another option but land transfer takes longer time to travel compared from Butuan.

Bancasi Airport in Butuan

R4 mini cab.

Cramped! This mini-cabs are just like in MOA.

HOW TO GET TO BISLIG CITY FROM BUTUAN:
Don't be confused with Mangagoy (Ma-nga-goy) and Bislig, they're just technically one place. So either you say Mangagoy or Bislig, drivers will drop you off in one place. Mangagoy is one of the Barangays of Bislig City but here where most of the transient houses and establishments are situated. Therefore, it would be better to say you are going to Mangagoy if you are coming from Butuan.

We arrived at Bancasi Airport (Butuan) around 9 AM, then we rode an R4 mini-cab to get to the terminal where you can find vans that will bring you to Mangagoy. Please note that there are plenty of mini-cabs parked at the airport, those vehicles have different signs (R2, R3, R4 up to R12). "R" means road, and make sure to ride the R4 as Road4 passes through the city terminal.

Cool mini-cab graffities.

These are the vans piling outside the terminal.

Also do not entertain people that offer van for hire at the airport because it would cost you more money. I'm not saying those are illegal, those are private vans for hire.

VIA VAN:
When we arrived at the terminal, the driver dropped us right in front of the van bound to Mangagoy. There are other vans bound to Barobo and San Franz. By the way you also have an option to ride van bound to San Franz, and then from San Franz you can ride another van bound to Mangagoy. As of this writing, fare is 240 PHP (Butuan - Mangagoy). And because we were cramped with four people per row I asked the driver if I could pay another seat. The travel time is 4 hours and they actually dropped us off right in front of Tyffany's Inn where we stayed in Mangagoy.

This is the van waited for us bound to Mangagoy.

Photo op inside the van, when boring strikes. :)

Cramped, and so cramped ride. Thanks I paid another seat.

VIA BUS:
Bachelor Express is your choice. You can also ride an R4 from the airport and tell the driver to drop you off at Bachelor Express Terminal. They have buses that travel straight to Mangagoy. Travel time is 5 - 6 hours so if you are not in a hurry and you just want a relaxed road trip then taking bus is perfect for you. And likewise as van, you can also ride this bus bound to Davao just in case no more trip to Mangagoy, then alight at San Franz (San Francisco), then you can find van there that travels to Mangagoy.


MANGAGOY/BISLIG BACK TO BUTUAN:
You can ride a tricycle and tell them to bring you at the terminal. Note that if you wish to ride a van that go straight to Butuan for a hassle-free travel then you have to be at the Mangagoy terminal early in the morning before 10 AM. Otherwise, you can ride van bound to San Franz then from San Franz, another van bound to Butuan like we did.

Somewhere in Agusan del Sur en route to Surigao del Sur

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This post is part of my Bislig, Surigao del Sur Trip happened on my birthday July 26 - 29, 2015. And this is my first time to set foot in Mindanao.

■ Trip Itinerary: Getting to and from Bislig City via Bancasi Airport in Butuan
■ Staycation Guide: Where to stay in Bislig City/Mangagoy
■ The Enchanted River
■ Sibadan Fish Cage
■ Tinuy-an Falls
■ Hagonoy Island and Bon-bon sandbar
■ Hinayagan Cave
■ Staycation in Bislig City
■ Where to eat in Mangagoy

0 FIRST TIME IN MINDANAO. SOON THE ENCHANTED RIVER AND TINUY-AN FALLS

At last I’m excited that I will finally set foot to the promising land of Mindanao. Though not this year, but in a couple of months’ time there will be crossing out in the bucket list. Thanks to Cebu Pacific for another “PISO-FARE” salvo last night. I think this is one of the perks for the people working graveyard shift. Although if I understanding correctly these kind of promos happened only during Holiday season.

Anyway I know that whenever I heard about Mindanao, first thing comes on my mind is Mt. Apo. But not this time, if I only have the patience to browse my Facebook post about years ago I posted a promise that I’ll go see the ever-majestic Enchanted River. That’s why Butuan would be the first stop.

ENCHANTED RIVER: 

Before Drew Arellano featured about this river on his TV show I already promised that one day I’ll go to Mindanao just to witness the stunning beauty of Enchanted River. I haven’t started blogging yet that time but I used to read blogs from respected travel bloggers. And when they featured about the pristine beauty that only exists in Mindanao I know I have the utmost reason to go here beside Mt. Apo.

I heard that this river has immeasurable depth and there have been numbers of diving expeditions just to know how deep it is but no one succeeded. Huh! This is such a mystery and I just can’t wait to go here. 

The Enchanted River of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur | Photo: www.philippinetouristattractions.com

TINUY-AN FALLS:

This falls is dubbed as the “Niagara Falls of the Philippines” and considered the widest in the country. I think my mentor back in college that if I will visit Mindanao to come see the Enchanted River, I shouldn’t forget to include on my list to check this falls. It means that I’ve been dreaming of Enchanted since college? Huh. I just can’t get over about the river though. Anyway she told me that Tinuy-an Falls would also give you a different kind of excitement measuring about 95 meters wide and 55 meters in height. Wow so basically do I need to go to the border of Canada and the US just to see the Niagara when we already have here in the Philippines?

Tinuy-an Falls of Bislig, Surigao del Sur | Photo: www.pinoyadventurer.com 

BRITANIA GROUP OF ISLANDS:

I haven’t gone to Hundred Islands in Pangasinan yet so don’t expect me that I know this Britania Group of Islands. Honestly never heard about it until today. Thanks to my friend who lend me her card and told me about this one that it should be included on my itinerary. I googled it and jizz, I must be dumb, Britania has something to say, this place has 24 scattered islets around Lianga Bay with pristine and powdery sands. So it’s like Boracay + Hundred Islands. Creep I should go here. 

Britania Group of Islands of Surigao del Sur | Photo: www.lakwatserangparuparo.blogspot.com

So these are the tourist spots that surely on my list. I’m not sure if I have enough time to visit all these, haven’t research yet or if in case two days is enough then please suggest other things to do while in Surigao del Sur. I shall update my itinerary soon. As of the moment I’m really excited to set foot in Mindanao.   

Let me hear your thoughts, please comment below.