Santiago Bay: The Prime Garden and Resort of Camotes


The best place to stay when going to Camotes, Cebu in the Philippines is probably Santiago Bay Garden and Resort or known concisely to locals as Santiago Bay. It is the most sought after beach resort because it offers a salient ambiance that comes with its relaxing mood and sumptuous food. It is a peaceful village situated in a 2.5 hectare land in the southwest of Pacijan Island. It has an overlooking view of Santiago White Sand Beach and its clear blue waters.

Santiago Bay is the most interesting place to be when traveling to Camotes. Early booking is suggested to avoid being referred to other resorts such as Mangodlong Rock Resort, a sister resort of Santiago Bay which is also a very nice resort, or to other low end resorts. Santiago Bay is almost always fully booked especially on weekends. Americans, Koreans, Japanese and many other nationalities prefer Santiago Bay because of its accommodating staff full of hospitality and knows how to please the customers. Language is not too bad as they have been encountering foreigners now and then. The price of the delicious food is well worth it as they offer a decent price of their breakfast meals at around P80.00 and viands such as Beef Steak, Pork Chop, Calamares at around P140.00-180.00. They also offer Pizzas with prices around P150.00-200.00.

High end rooms at Santiago Bay

High end rooms at Santiago Bay

Nice view of Santiago White Sand Beach

Nice view of Santiago White Sand Beach

Standard Rooms

Standard Rooms

Logo of Santiago Bay

Logo of Santiago Bay

Santiago Bay from the beach

Santiago Bay from the beach

Deluxe Rooms

Deluxe Rooms

Hawaiian Pizza at P150

Hawaiian Pizza at P150

Corned Beef with Egg for Breakfast

Corned Beef with Egg for Breakfast

The first time I visited Santiago Bay in 2007, there were only 19 rooms to choose from. Currently, they have 43 rooms with P1000 for a non-air-conditioned rooms, P1400 for standard air-conditioned rooms and a lot more varieties of sizes and locations with the highest at P6000 for a “Villa Family” room. The room is usually good for 2-4 persons depending on the size (and of course the price). An additional person is charge P150 for non-air-conditioned rooms and P200 for air-conditioned rooms. This is the payment for the use of an additional mattress.

Souvenir Shop

Souvenir Shop

Lisa with breaded pork

Lisa with breaded pork

Relaxing at the Dining Area

Relaxing at the Dining Area

Dining Area

Dining Area

Santiago Bay is linked to Ocean Deep, a PADI diving entity found at their sister resort at Mangodlong. Diving cost is around $25 per dive. They also have a souvenir shop (named Souvenier Shop ^_^) near the street. It sells swim wear, shirts, necklaces, bracelets, guides for tourists such as maps and travel books. A very relaxing swimming pool that deceives most visitors on its depth is a new addition to the amenities inside Santiago Bay. The pool’s depth is 2 feet (near the stairs) to 6 feet (near the curve). Beds made of wood used for sunbathing or sleeping during the night is available near the pool and the rooms. Dad and lad’s bar is open during peak season and it offers tropical drinks as well as famous wines and spirits.

Chill and Relax at this Swimming Pool

Chill and Relax at this Swimming Pool

Function Hall

Function Hall

Landscape

Landscape

Undeveloped Area

Undeveloped Area

Unused Fountain

Unused Fountain

The Future Reception Area

The Future Reception Area

Sunbathing Beds

Sunbathing Beds

Shower Room

Shower Room

Stairs going to the beach

Stairs going to the beach

Pedestrian entrance gate

Pedestrian entrance gate

Entrance gate for vehicles

Entrance gate for vehicles

Dad and Lad's Bar

Dad and Lad's Bar

Food Counter

Food Counter

Banana Boat and Kayak for rent

Banana Boat and Kayak for rent

What amazed me most in Santiago Bay is that I found someone who has exactly the same name as I have – “Mark Anthony Maranga”. He is a chef and his mother is also a crew there. His father has a motorcycle outside the resort available for rent. You may want to avail their service or borrow their motorcycle if you like. Just ask any of the crew at the resort.

Santiago Bay is 20 minutes away from Consuelo Port and 15 minutes away from Mangodlong Rock Resort. It is accessible by motorcycle that costs a minimum fare of P50. Across the pedestrian gate near the reception area are “motorcycles for hire” at P500 + 2 liters of fuel (around P54 /liter) for a day use. After you tour Santiago Bay, I strongly suggest to rent a motorcycle (opt for the one owned by Maranga) and visit Camotes’ interesting wonders such as Arqui’s Viewing Deck, Danao Lake, Causeway, Baywalk, St. Joseph Church, Santiago Catholic Chapel among many others. You can contact Santiago Bay at their office in Mandaue City, Cebu at telephone number +63 32 4203385.


This page is last updated on Jun 16, 2011 @ 2:47 pm
About the author
Mark Anthony Maranga Mark Anthony Maranga is an Educator-Parent to his 3 Homeschooling Kids. He sells Ice Cream and Balloons in Mandaue City, Cebu. Exploring the Philippines tourist attractions together with his family is his passion; they are learning without borders.

  1. Richard Juevesano says:

    Hi.. Good day. I want to reserve a room which is the oceanview room for 1 room only. We will be there this coming saturday.. Please reply me via email. Thanks

  2. Mike says:

    Hi Mark
    Thank you for such an informative review and excellent photos of Santiago Bay Garden Resort.

    Very helpful as we are going to stay there next month.
    Cheers
    Mike & Ren

  3. Victorino Agungal says:

    Hi All! i was here Santiago Bay very well recommended but for those groups with tight budget do not i repeat DO NOT go to Ruffo’s Lavisores resort located further of santiago bay after the Payag resort.

    People were fooled by collecting to much extra fee’s .

    • Grace says:

      Hi… did you stay in Santiago Bay garden resort? is it a beachfront?

      i want to know if you have their cellphone number so i can book my stay. im from Manila. Thanks.

  4. paz cuaresma says:

    We are definitely going to Camotes on May 30. Can you tell us if the Bayview is near the Consuelo Port? Can we walk or do we need to take a multicab etc. ? We would like to have breakfast there.

  5. Buf says:

    Do you have available rooms good for more or less 15 persons for this holy week? Thanks!

  6. Bernice Segismar says:

    can i ask for a contact number of santaigo white beach?..

  7. Jay Villarmia says:

    hi mark! I’m just wonderin’ if this resort has direct acces to the white sand beach. I noticed kasi from the photos that there is a stair from the resort to the beach. Is that the only acces?

    • Hi Jay,

      From the resort, the stairs is the shortest access going to the white beach. The other is through the main road.

    • dee says:

      Can you pls post a picture where I see white sand beach from the main road access. The stairs seem to be dangerous if you have kids around. When you say main road, does it mean you have to go out of the resort just to go to the beach?

  8. Lorebel DAclan says:

    i would like to inquire if there are rooms that can accommodate 6 persons and how much would that be?

  9. michelle seth buenconsejo says:

    pls email me your pricelist.. thanks!

  10. hello,

    just want to inquire if you still have promos available for the accomodation??? how much?? we are planning to visit camotes very soon.

  11. glennis says:

    kuya i just want to ask.. if magkano ang room na good for 10 persons?? pwede po ba mag reply to this no. kuya 09325826868.. cause we will goin this coming friday!! we are out of time to ask how much… tnx and god bless

  12. Liz Lim says:

    Hi there. I’d like to know if outside food is allowed? if so, what would examples of them be? (chips, canned goods, noodles). Thanks.

  13. Abigail says:

    hi, my friends and I are planning to go to Camotes this weekends. I just wanna ask where is the cheapest place to stay for one night. We are four and we have only a small budget since we are still students. Can you advice us a good place to stay during the night??? Thanks a lot.

    • Abigail, there are budget resorts near Santiago Beach (the long white-sand beach near Santiago Bay). I don’t know the name of the resorts but I know most students who are on a tight budget go there.

  14. caryll says:

    hi po..ask ko lang..kung ilang tao pwede sa isang room?hehe

  15. Paz says:

    We want to see Camotes Island….. but my kids and I are afraid to ride the “habal-habal”. What other option do we have ? Thanks

  16. maris says:

    hi i just want to inquire if how much the rent on your banana boat and kayak, thanks 🙂

  17. rose ann dysoco says:

    hello! my family are planning to go to camotes, i just want to ask how much is the rooms..thank you

  18. Mherz Calamba says:

    Had a great time with my friends! Budget a person if you live from cebu city would be just 2000php for food, lodge and fare.. we had 2days and 1night. The rooms are neat.. the place is clean and well kept.. the beach is awesome with a long shoreline, white sands. Food??? So cheap, fresh and yummy!!! A less expensive vacation with an amazing experience! WE LOVE CAMOTES!!! =)

  19. kristine says:

    good day! my friends and i are planning for a trip to camotes island. i would like to ask for the room rates in your resort? Im looking for a response from you as soon as possible. thank you ^_^

  20. james roda says:

    hi sir, tana lang ko kung unsa mga sked sa barko padung camotes ug unsa barko mo larga pag weekends? tnx

  21. irish mendoza says:

    hi gud eve! ask lng ko latest schedule sa pump boat from danao .nd cn we ask for a room gud for 5-6 person which affordable,just for 1 nyt ,tnx

  22. remelyn durano says:

    Hi,
    Good day!!
    this is melyn!!
    how much is the standard room!!and how many people it can accommodate!!because we’re planning to go there this coming april 2 to 4!
    thank you!


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