CHEAPEST WAY TO GO IN BOHOL from CEBU CITY

I went the port several times, hearing positive and negative sentiments about riding in the said port bounding for cebu city. This post, i'll give the whole information about everything you need to know in Tubigon Port and other related topics.

Tubigon

It is ranked as first class municipality, 50 kms from the capital of the province, growing economic place, and a hub among shipments from Cebu City, Regional capital of Region 7.

Seeing improvements of this place every year makes you confident that tubigon "can provide guest an alternative service from the city" since it has business shine such as Alturas, Bohol Quality (BQ), and McDonalds.

What to expect

If you are a first timer to enter this town, expect for a traffic from the barangay of Cahayag until the center of the town. I don't see it as a negative of the town. It is a good indication of a productive economic flow for the town. More business, more industry, more jobs, big contribution of taxes, more fundings for projects of infrastructures are expected!

The place isn't a city. Expect that people in the town has not yet "fully adopted the city lifestyle." For me, I say 40% adopts the new progressive lifestyle to that town and 60% remains the towny lifestyle. That is a great number for a town!!

Most of the people (as I observed) has more link to the information, culture and entertainment in Cebu City than Tagbilaran City. Geographically wise, the former is nearer than the latter or since hearing Cebu is more greater than Tagbilaran which is a downside among the residents. I see the mentality as a "innovative betrayal." Why do I emphasize it?

First, in economic side. Since people of the town appreciates more in Cebu than Tagbilaran, all of their dreams and plans are into Cebu City. Meaning, if they appreciate more in Cebu's stuff and services, they won't be expected to be proud of in Tagbilaran. They buy stuff more in Cebu than Tagbilaran. Remember, the people in the town make other province more richer than ours.

Lastly, their intonation and usage of words adopts more of a "cebuano" accent and terminologies. I made some comparison between people from Tubigon and some neighboring towns. Mostly, they have a concrete manifestation of clingy adoption of cebuano words which is not good to them since they are Boholanos.

Overall, expect Tubigonons a diverse culture between Cebu and Bohol. Don't worry, they still remain the blood of hospitable and helpful citizens!

Why Tubigon Port is the alternative way for Cebu?

1. It is more cheaper riding for a fastcraft than departing in Tagbilaran City. One way ticket from Tubigon saves half of the price than Tagbilaran City
2. If fast craft in Tagbilaran will cost 2 hours of travel (except if you are riding Supercat, it only cost 1.5hour travel time but the most expensive fast craft for cebu city ever!), departing for Tubigon will only cost you 1 hour!
3. Aside from a cheaper price, Tubigon has trips bound for Cebu EVERY HOUR

Sample itinerary to Cebu City from Tagbilaran City via Tubigon

7am: Depart from hotel to Dao Terminal

• NOTE, if you want a budget friendly expense, ride a tricycle from your hotel to DATODA. From DATODA, you will reach to Dao Terminal or known as "Integrated Bus Terminal." If cheaper way, you will only cost 16php. If you are riding tricycle from your hotel, it depends on the driver and the place. Just prepare 50php for it but it is not the right price. If they convey you because of following the right fare, report it to the City Government of Tagbilaran thru their Social Media Accounts and/or their hotline.

• If riding straight to tricycle, it cost 5-10mins. If riding via DATODA, it cost 15-20mins.

7:30am: Dao Terminal to Tubigon

• Better ride Southern Star Bus, found left side of the terminal. Colorum Van for hire can also be found in the said area depending on their availability since they are illegal! Haha! If you want a faster ride, colorum vans hit on your list but if you are not in a hurry, Southern Star bus is for you!

Fares:

• Southern Star: 45php for ordinary (1 hour and 10-15mins) and 50php for aircon (1hour)
• Colorum vans: 50php(45mins since they are always in a hurry)
• Not colorum vans: 80php(legal vans, 50-60mins)

8:35am: Arrival in Tubigon

• proceed to the left side of their cultural center because the ticketing outlet of Star Craft(the hourly trip fast craft for cebu) is located. Don't expect that you can seat in the assigned place, you'll be seated first come first serve basis. That's the cons of riding fast craft in Tubigon, no proper system!!!! If you want such, better tide Fast Cat. Their trips are not hourly.

Fares are approximately 250-300php on both fast craft. After buying the ticket, there is still municipal fee to be paid that will cost 5php.

9am: Departure from Tubigon to Cebu City

• after buying tickets, there are tricycles bound to the port proper. The fare will cost 8php. You can't expect that you ride alone the tricycle yet since they are many passengers like you, the tricycle will depart immediately :)
• upon arrival in the terminal, terminal fee is also set that will cost 20php
• if riding starcraft, the craft is not clean, old and smelly. Sorry for the vulgar info. Unlike fast cat, clean, new and fresh. You can experience the fast craft experience like Supercat that has Attendants!

10:10am Arrival in Cebu City!

Sample itinerary to Tagbilaran City from Cebu City via Tubigon

12:30pm: Pier 3, Cebu City

• Terminal Fee will cost 25php

1pm: Departure bound for Tubigon, Bohol

• Price for the fast craft is the same mentioned on the previous itinerary. If riding star craft, sometimes, you will seat on the designated seat provided in the ticket. Sometimes, it wont be followed.

2:10pm:Arrival in Tubigon, Bohol

• upon reaching the gate of the Port of Tubigon, tricycle are waiting for you. 8-10php is the fare i guess since I give 10 php and no change was given yet sometimes, I have received 2php change haha!

• beware of passengers that are aligning to the door of the ship. They are always making trouble in the trip. The crew of the fast craft(star craft to be specific) has no will to mediate the passengers to wait when the ship is docked in the port. Hoping that they will change such system for the safety of the passengers.
• you must be hurry in getting tricycle, especially at night, since the vans and bus are "alas puno" where the vehicle will depart if their vehicles are full.
• they will send you to the vans parked outside McDonalds. If you want a cheaper price, just walk where Southern Star bus parked. Don't mind the annoying dispatchers forced you to ride van mistakenly saying they offer cheap fares. Some are true to their claim they offer cheap fare, some are "fraud" since the conductors of the vans still asks 80php as the dispatchers told you they offer 50php. Its your discretion and "diskarte" to believe the dispatchers or not. To be saved, just ride Southern Bus! Fares are thesame :)

3:20pm: Arrival in Tagbilaran City

• if you want cheaper fare, have a short walk to Island City Mall where multicabs going to Agora will be found. It is located near the main entrance staircases, right side. You can see it immediately since there are many jeepneys parked in the same place that are bound for Loboc. Be mindful and ask ahead to the dispatchers. The fare cost only 8php. Upon arrival in Agora, the center of the city, ride a tricycle bound to your hotel. That is the cheapest way going to your hotel.
• if you want an easy way going to your hotel, hop in a tricycle and its a little bit pricey yet these guys know whats the right fare. So, report to the City Government if they are not following the prescribed fare approved by the city government.

3:30pm: Arrival in the hotel

Overall insights

• Personally, if I have an unplanned trip to cebu, I will immediately go to Tubigon since their tickets are not allowed to be advanced booked.

• If I have a little budget, I rather go Tubigon than Tagbilaran.

• However, their is a little chaos of system in Tubigon in terms of seating assignments.

• Overall, departing for Cebu via Tubigon makes you experience the partly view of the Bohol. Places such as Cortes, Maribojoc, Loon, and Calape will be seen as your trip going on. The magnificent ruins of Church, the scenery ricefields of tubigon, the seaview of Maribojoc and Loon, the Abatan River, those are the few expected views to be expected in the trip.

Enjoy your trip and your future unexpected trip!