Backpacking Philippines: Ploning's Cuyo Island in Palawan

Ploning's Cuyo Island in Palawan

Having an incurable disease called wanderlust and insatiable appetite for art films (where he eagerly awaits schedules of CineEuropa, Eiga Sai and other film festivals), Tutubi was already setting his sights on isolated Cuyo Island group in Palawan when he heard about the movie Ploning co-produced by Judy Ann Santos, endeared as Juday by Pinoys, with the teaser trailer released showing location shots in Cuyo.

Cuyo is actually a group of 45 isolated islands part of the province of Palawan and yet too far from any land, between Palawan and Mindoro. The island lacks tourist facilities although there's said to be an inn and pension house, no pricey resorts and hotels that cater to mainstream tourists. There are said to be a few European retirees living on the island cherishing a slow paced life away from the rest of the world.

Ploning movie review to follow should Tutubi get to see the flick and no, this is not an advertisement for the movie :P

Cuyo Travel Information:

Cuyo town is home to an old Spanish fort, Cuyo Fort and a centuries old church.

Typical activities, as narrated by Tutubi's friend who grew up on the island, include snorkeling, beach bumming, island hopping, diving. The presence of strong winds is also ideal for kitesurfing, kiteboarding, wind surfing (boardsailing) that can give Boracay's Bulabog beach a run for its tourism money, though Cuyo is more laid back than the overrated tourist-infested island.

Other interesting islands nearby are Pamalican Island, home to the über-pricey and ultra-exclusive Amanpulo Resort, picture-perfect Pandan Island with its black volcanic rocks, the fine beach of Seland Island and Bisucay Island with coral garden good for snorkeling.

Similar to Boracay's Mt. Luho, you can also climb Mt. Aguado for a panoramic view of the whole island while Quejano beach holds promise once resorts start to mushroom in the area.

Where to stay in Cuyo:

if you have the budget, go for Amanpulo. No information yet on resorts, hotels, inns and other lodging available. Cheap homestays can be arranged though like what Tutubi is planning in the future.

How to get to Cuyo Island, Palawan:

Sea Air flies to Cuyo Island from Puerto Princesa every Tuesday and Saturday (flight time 50 minutes) and from Manila - Busuanga - Cuyo also every Tuesday and Saturday (travel time: 130 minutes, due to the stopover)

Ferries to Cuyo Island can be from Coron, Puerto Princesa City and Iloilo. Schedules and costs will be posted here once available.

Labels: Mimaropa, Palawan, Southern Tagalog

posted by GingGoy @ 9:31 PM,

10 Comments:

At Apr 28, 2008, 11:45:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Co-produced by Juday? I love her! Anyway, is this a new film?

(:
At Apr 29, 2008, 11:56:00 PM, GingGoy said...: kyels, didn't know you're really such a fan of filipino movies and music. yes, it's a new film to be shown tomorrow, April 30
At May 2, 2008, 12:36:00 PM, dr_clairebear said...: i was in pamalican as resort doc a few months ago, and from there cuyo is supposed to be 5 hours away by pump boat. hear that it's supposed to be beautiful, too.

would you know how much the fare is to cuyo via sea air roundtrip? :) one route is to go via iloilo, but the fare to iloilo by plane is around 4k, plus an 8 hour ferry trip. 8P
At May 4, 2008, 10:07:00 AM, Anonymous said...: galing after donsol, cuyo what's next ganda talga ng pilipinas
At Aug 31, 2008, 12:13:00 AM, Anonymous said...: MERON PO BA KAYONG ALAM NA HOMESTAY JAN? IF MERON PO, HOW MUCH?...THANKS PWEDE PO PAEMAIL N LANG NG REPLY SA ARCHIEPERUNA@YAHOO.COM OR PAKITEXT NA LANG PO SA 0922-779-2040. SALAMAT ULI.
At Nov 11, 2009, 6:23:00 PM, Ulrich von Schroeder said...: Cuyo Group of 45 Islands. Cuyo Island is a group of 45 islets with a total land area of 50 square metres. It lies south of Mindoro and between Northern Palawan and Panay. The biggest island in this group is Cuyo with an area of 22 square miles and is about 9 miles long. Cuyo is divided in three municipalities, namely Cuyo, Agutaya, and Magsaysay. Cuyo is the oldest town in Palawan. Cuyo has a culture of its own which was preserved since more than 350 years. In the year 2008, the total population of the Cuyo Island is almost 25’000. Cuyo is divided into two island groups. Up north is the Quiniluban group to which Pamalican island is part and where the 89-hectare, ultra-exclusive Amanpulo Resort belongs. To the south are the Cuyo islands, where the three municipalities, namely Cuyo, Agutaya, and Magsaysay are located. Magsaysay is the location of the Quijano Windsurfing Retreat, also exclusive but in another sense.
At Mar 31, 2010, 12:19:00 AM, Anonymous said...: hi what ferry do you recommend from cuyo to coron? thanks!
At Feb 22, 2011, 11:02:00 PM, Anonymous said...: can't you not write about another island without bashing boracay?
At Feb 23, 2011, 10:52:00 PM, GingGoy said...: anonymous, milagrosa and montenegro shipping lines offer 16 hours and 14 hours travel time from puerto princesa ferry to cuyo palawan according to new friends

anonymous, uh...no?
At May 12, 2011, 1:54:00 AM, Victoria Peralta said...: Now there exists a Beach Resort on Cuyo Island. The Quijano Windsurfing Retreat is a Boutique resort with just a few beautiful cottages with sea view, for the exclusive pleasures of our guests who appreciate privacy, delicious food, and unspoiled nature. Reservation / Inquiries: Victoria Peralta +63 929 603 3275
info.philippineswindsurfing.com
Rates for one cottage between May and September circa 40 US$ – 70 US$
Rates for one cottage between October and April circa 60 US$ – 100 US$
Same price for single or double occupancy. Food is not included.
Occupancy per cottage maximum two adults & children.
For package deals including meals consult our home page.
Banquet facilities for up to 40 guests. We serve the best food on Cuyo.
Cash payments accepted in Pesos, US$ and Euro [no credit cards].
Cuyo has no money exchange. Western Union transfers are possible.
Mobile phone provider Smart / Internet access with Smart Bro UBS stick.
Learn kiteboarding with highly qualified IKO level 2 Instructor.
The guests of the Quijano Windsurfing Retreat can fly Non-Stop from Manila to Cuyo by Fish-Plane
(Exclusively for the guests of the Quijano Windsurfing Retreat)
Manila to Cuyo (1 hour 30 minutes)
1 passenger / 25 kg baggage = 15‘000 Pesos
2 passengers / 50 kg baggage = 20‘000 Pesos
Cuyo to Manila (1 hour 30 minutes)
1 passenger / 25 kg baggage = 25‘000 Pesos
2 passengers / 50 kg baggage = 40‘000 Pesos
The honey moon place for people in Love
www.philippineswindsurfing.com

Ploning's Cuyo Island in Palawan

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