Surigao del Sur Travel Guide 2022 | Caraga’s Enchanting Jewel

November 17, 2022November 18, 2022 Rex Lim Lim 2022, ADVENTURE, BEACH, beaches, BLOG, BUDGET, featured, GUIDE, HOW TO, ITINERARY, landmarks, mountains, PARK, TOURIST SPOTS, TRANSIT PINAS, TRAVEL GUIDE

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Surigao Del Sur: Caraga Region is not just about Siargao Island in Surigao Del Norte, but it also hosts clear turquoise waters, fine white sand beaches, sand bars, pristine waterfalls, fresh seafood, enchanting rivers, and hospitable people in places you didn’t know existed in the first place – Surigao Del Sur!

In this travel guide, let us take you to the charming yet unimposing province of Surigao Del Sur and why it is definitely worth the visit!

What to Expect in this Travel Guide

Table of Contents

Where is Surigao Del Sur?

Surigao Del Sur is located in Caraga Administrative Region along the northeastern coast of Mindanao facing the Philippine Sea. It is bounded on the northwest by the province of Surigao del Norte, on the southeast by Davao Oriental, on the west, and southwest by Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur.

Situated west is the Diwata Mountain Range, isolating the province from the rest of Mindanao. To the east lies the Philippine Sea. The Mindanao Deep, one of the deepest trenches in the world, is situated a few kilometers east of the coastline.

How to Get There

From Manila, the nearest airport hub to access the province of Surigao Del Sur is via Butuan-Bancasi Airport in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.

Via Cebu Pacific Air

Butuan-Bancasi Airport operates daily Cebu Pacific Air from Manila and Cebu (As of November 17, 2022, valid until January 31, 2023)
- MNL-BXU – 4x Daily

Flight Number	Depart MNL	Arrive BXU
5J785	04:15 AM	06:05 AM
5J793	08:55 AM	10:45 AM
5J787	04:45 PM	06:45 PM
5L789	06:10 PM	08:00 PM

- CEB-BXU – 4x Daily

Flight Number	Depart CEB	Arrive BXU
DG6925	06:00 AM	07:10 AM
DG6921	02:30 PM	03:40 PM
DG6923	05:25 PM	06:35 PM
DG6927	07:25 PM	08:35 PM

Via Philippine Airlines

Butuan-Bancasi Airport operates daily Philippine Airlines from Manila and Cebu (As of November 17, 2022 valid until January 31, 2023)
- MNL-BXU – 2x Daily

Flight Number	Depart MNL	Arrive BXU
PR2967	05:00 AM	06:30 AM
PR2938	01:20 PM	02:50 PM

- CEB-BXU – 3x Daily

Flight Number	Depart CEB	Arrive BXU
PR2361	08:00 AM	08:55 AM
PR2335	03:05 PM	04:05 PM
PR2393	06:45 PM	07:45 PM

Where to Stay

BUTUAN CITY

RedDoorz near SM City Butuan, Butuan City, Butuan, Philippines

RedDoorz @ EM Pensiontel Butuan City – Vaccinated Staff, Butuan, Philippines

My Dream Hotel, Butuan, Philippines

Go Hotels Butuan, Butuan, Philippines

BISLIG CITY

GLC SUITES, Bislig, Philippines

Paper Country Inn, Bislig, Philippines

Nus bnb, Bislig, Philippines

HINATUAN

Enchanted River Rock Island Resort, Hinatuan, Philippines

BRITANIA GROUP OF ISLANDS, SAN AGUSTIN

Arena Blanca Resort, San Agustin (Surigao del Sur), Philippines

Camp Soteria Resort:Pacific Ocean on your doorstep, San Agustin (Surigao del Sur), Philippines

CASA LOVENA BY THE SEA, San Agustin (Surigao del Sur), Philippines

Getting Around Surigao Del Sur

Buses and vans are the main mode of transportation getting in and around the province. The main bus terminals in Butuan City are in Robinsons Butuan and Langihan Bus Terminal. Every municipality has its own integrated bus terminal where you can transfer rides or use as a meet-up place for your guide.

For a more hassle-free trip going to places, you may contact the following persons:

Transit Pinas suggests availing of Kuya Edchie Robles services to maximize your trip in Surigao Del Sur. His day tour rate starts at 1500php per day for 1-2 pax aboard his tuktuk service with the following destinations on a 2D1N trip:
- DAY 01
  - Tinuy-an Falls
  - Enchanted River
  - Sibadan Fish Cage
  - I Love Bislig Signage
  - Doll House Museum
  - Sian Falls
- DAY 02
  - Britania Group of Islands (Hagonoy, Naked, Boslon, and Hiyor-Hiyoran)
  - Libuacan Cold Spings
  - Bogac Cold Springs
  - Wakat Cave
  - Bao-Bao Falls
- Contact Details:
  - Mobile: 0926 552 9636 / 0938 199 5953
  - Facebook: Edchie D Robles
Another contact is Micaella Mezo who is from Brgy. Britania.
- Contact Details:
  - Mobile: 0956 038 8361
  - Facebook: Mica Ella J. Mezo
- Island Hopping Rate: 1800php/boat

Things to do in Surigao Del Sur

Go island hopping in Britania Group of Islands

Clear turquoise waters, fine white sand, sand bars, and fresh seafood – this group of islands in San Agustin has captivated us with its beauty. Another selling point? The island hopping experience here is remarkably more affordable compared to other destinations! Read more: Britania Islands, Surigao Del Sur | San Agustin’s Best-Kept Secret

How To Get There:

From Bancasi Airport in Butuan City, there are two options:
- Via Bus
  - Outside the airport, there are multicabs that go directly to Langihan, ask the driver to drop you off at the bus terminal. (50php/head, 10-15 minutes travel time)
  - At Langihan Bus Terminal, take any buses bound for Barobo or Mangagoy/Bislig, then alight at Barobo. (3-4 hours, 250-300php/head)
  - At Barobo, transfer to another bus/van bound for Tandag, and tell the driver to drop you off at Salvacion Crossing in San Agustin. (100-150php/head, 45mins to 1 hour travel time)
  - At Salvacion Crossing, register (50php/head) and meet your contact

- Via Van
  - At the airport parking area, there are vans going directly to Tandag City, then ask to be dropped off at Salvacion Crossing in San Agustin. (400-450php/head)
  - At Salvacion Crossing, register (50php/head) and meet your contact

Be mesmerized by the white curtain walls of Tinuy-an Falls

Tinuy-an Falls is the widest multi-tiered waterfall in the country at 95 meters. Moreover, it flows in three levels, with the second level towers at 55 meters. Amidst the thick jungle foliage, Tinuy-an stands majestic as if it is made by man because of the sheer size of the precipice where the water flows down. Read more: Tinuy-an Falls, Surigao del Sur | Bislig’s Majestic White Wall

How To Get There:

From Bancasi Airport in Butuan City:
- Outside the airport, there are multicabs that go directly to Langihan, ask the driver to drop you off at the bus terminal. (50php/head, 10-15 minutes travel time)
- At Langihan Bus Terminal, take any buses bound for Barobo or Mangagoy/Bislig, (5-6 hours, 350-450php/head)
- From Mangagoy, the center of trade and commerce in Bislig City where the bus terminals are, you can charter a motorbike (habal-habal) or tuktuk to take you to the waterfall

Get bewitched by the Hinatuan Enchanted River

Long been considered sacred by the locals, the Hinatuan Enchanted River is still an enigma that piques the curiosity of tourists all around the country. Barely long enough to be considered a river, the Hinatuan Enchanted River is about 300 meters long and opens up to an estuary where salt water from the Philippine sea mixes with the spring water from the river. Read more: Hinatuan Enchanted River, Surigao Del Sur | The Unfathomable Rio Encantado

How To Get There:

From Bancasi Airport in Butuan City:
- Outside the airport, there are multicabs that go directly to Langihan, ask the driver to drop you off at the bus terminal. (50php/head, 10-15 minutes travel time)
- At Langihan Bus Terminal, take any buses bound for Barobo or Mangagoy/Bislig, ask to be dropped off at Hinatuan (5 hours, 353php/head)
- From Hinatuan town proper, you can charter a motorbike (habal-habal) or tuktuk to take you to the enchanted river

Itinerary and Expenses

3-Day Backpacking Adventure
Surigao Del Sur-Agusan Del Sur-Agusan Del Norte

DAY 01

0430 Manila NAIA Terminal 3
0615 Butuan Bancasi, Multicab to Langihan Terminal (50php)
0645 Langihan Terminal, Breakfast (95php)
0730 Depart for Hinatuan via Bachelor Express Bus (353php)
1200 Hinatuan Bus Terminal, meet Kuya Edchie, lunch (1500 per day, 100php lunch)
1300 Hinatuan Enchanted River (100php/head) Durian Coffee 105
1400 Depart for Bislig City
1530 Tinuyan Falls (50php/head entrance fee), (105php snacks)
1645 Depart for San Agustin
1830 Dinner at Barobo (100php)
1940 San Agustin (50php entrance fee), habal to Brgy. Britania (40php)
2000 Check in at Joan’s Resort (1000php fan room)
2200 Lights-off

DAY 02

0700 Wake up call, breakfast (100php)
0945 Start of Britania Island Hopping (1800php)
1010 Hagonoy Island (100php sample Tuyom and Saang)
1045 Naked Island
1130 Boslon Island
1215 Hiyor-Hiyoran Island
1245 Back at Joan’s Resort, tidy up
1330 Salvacion Crossing, van to Payasan Crossing (60php)
1410 Payasan Crossing, Lianga, lunch (130php)
1430 Depart for Brgy. Mabuhay, Prosperidad, Agusan Del Sur
1515 Bega Falls Jump Off, start trek (30php)
1530 Bega Falls
1620 Ascend back
1900 Butuan City, check in at My Dream Place (1000php)

DAY03

0900 Breakfast
1000 Agusan Del Norte Provincial Capitol, Butuan City Hall, National Museum
1200 Bus to Carmen (85php)
1245 Carmen, lunch
1340 Tricycle to Vinapor (50php)
1400 Vinapor Blue Waters Resort, (500php/30 minutes Cave Pool Rental)
1630 Depart for Tagcatong Crossing (60php)
1700 Bus to Bancasi Airport (85php)
1815 Butuan-Bancasi Airport, Dinner (100php)
2030 Depart for Manila
2215 Arrival in Manila

Surigao Del Sur: PH#74!

This is part of my PH82 journey, a personal project to visit all 82 provinces of the Philippines.