Join Viajeros in an exciting journey across Marinduque

The smallest province in southern tagalog but it will give you one of the most pleasurable experience in the Philippines.

HOW TO GET THERE?

Option 1: (Manila-Marinduque)

Ride a bus from Cubao bound to Marinduque. Jac Liner offers daily trips for only P880

Option 2: (Manila-Dalahican Port Lucena-Balanacan Port Marinduque)

Ride a bus from Cubao or Buendia (near LRT station) en route to Lucena Grand Terminal, Lucena (there are some buses that are bound straight to Dalahican Port)
Take a jeep or trycicle to Dalahican Port
Ride a RORO or fastcraft bound to Balanacan Port, numerous jeepneys are there bound to different municipalities.

Cost:

Bus: P220-regular P168-student
Jeep: P15
Trycicle: P160
RORO: P130-P260 (STARHORSE)
Fastcraft: P280-P312
Terminal fee: (Dalahican): P24-P30

Option No. 3 (ManilaOriental Mindoro – Marinduque)

Ride a bus from Cubao or Buendia to Batangas Port
Buy a ticket bound to Calapan Pier (Fastcraft or RORO)
From Calapan, ride a Van bound to Pinamalayan (PVANS)
Take a tricycle to Pinamalayan Port
Ride a large boat to Gasan Port, Marinduque (11:00am)

Cost:

Bus: P130-P170
Fastcraft: P200-P280
RORO: P192-P220
Van: P100-P120
Tricycle: P10
Large boat: P250
Terminal fee (Batangas): P24-P30

WHEN IS THE PERFECT TIME TO VISIT? 🤔

The Philippines is a tropical country which means this country only has 2 seasons in a year, Summer and Rainy. It is recommended to go between the months February and June to avoid high chances of rain. It is best to visit in a very sunny weather for you to enjoy the summer heat, clear skies and great view of the islands. It is of course, safer to ride the boat, which is their main mode of transportation for this island is an hour away from the big major island of Marinduque.

GETTING AROUND IN MARINDUQUE

Jeepneys are available to take passengers from one town to the next.
Tricycles are the best option to get around the town. The commercial center of Boac can be explored by foot and there’s a slim chance of you getting lost. Request a map from your hotel or head to the Municipal Hall, and request for a Tourist Map from the Tourism Officer.

It is highly suggested that you reserve a hotel if you are arriving late at night or in the wee hours of the morning or at least make sure you know which hotel/hostels you prefer to stay at so you won’t have a hard time locating it.

PLACES TO SEE IN MARINDUQUE:

Maniwaya Island

This island can be accessed by traditional motorized banca only and the boat trip proved to be a huge thrill for me. We rented a boat from the town of Torrijos which took us almost 2 hours going to Maniwaya Island, part of the town of Sta. Cruz. The excitement made it worthwhile. So did our destination.

There is also quick way of going to Maniwaya Island. From Balanacan port, take a jeep going to Sta. Cruz. From the main town ask direction going to Buyabod port, but trips to Maniwaya island is not regular, so you better

It is said that the island got its name from the Filipino word maniwala (believe) – so yes, you have to see it to believe it.

Tres Reyes Islands

Tres Reyes Islands is also known as the “Three Kings” – a chain of three islands off Gasan coast where the main island is named “Gaspar Island”.

It is famous for its pure white sand and clear blue watersperfect for diving. Gaspar Island can be reached only by boat.

Poctoy Beach

White Beach or Poctoy Beach is located in Barangay Poctoy in the municipality of Torrijos.

This is one of the finest beaches in the Marinduque Island. It is surrounded by crystal clear blue waters and fine sand. Local fish caught are often sold along the beachfront.

Bathala Cave

The Bathala Caves are one of the popular tourist sites of Marinduque Island. This massive cave system can be found in the mountains of Santa Cruz on private property.

To get to the caves, you must ask the property owner for permission and they usually charge a small fee. It is best to visit the caves with a tour guide as there are rugged landscapes and terrain that needed to be hurdled.

The Caves offer a fantastic view, especially during sunset and sunrise when one of the caves in the system named “Cathedral Cave” lights up entirely, showing off its amazing lines. Another must-see is the “Python Cave” known to house a multitude of snakes.

Paadjao Falls

The quiet province of Marinduque is blessed with magnificent waterfalls surrounded by foliage of forest and cool shade of trees. It is one of the reasons why many tourists love the place. Aside from the breathtaking view of the falls, trekking to the falls offers you a pleasurable experience and a trip back to nature.

Red Mountain

Red Mountain is the site of the Battle of Pulang Lupa during the Philippine-American War. It takes a long hike to reach the top, and once you’re there, a full 360 degree view of the surrounding Marinduque Area and valleys await you.

The mountain got its name “Red Mountain” as attributed to the amount of bloodshed in the fierce battle involving Filipino and American forces during the War.8

Malbog Sulfur Springs

Malbog Sulfuric Hot Spring Resort is located at the foot of the mountain in Brgy. Malbog, Buenavista, Marinduque. The hot spring has sulfur content popularly used for skin care and treatments. Despite its rotten-egg like foul, many locals and tourists visit this place for body relaxation and healing of skin conditions. Some are even bringing home bottles of sulfuric water.

Many believed that this sulfuric hot spring was discovered during the Spanish period. It is a spring of sulfuric water coming from Mt. Malindig which was later on developed to be a resort for everyone.

Palad Sandbar

This place is really not usual to all countries and apparently, there are a lot of sand bars in the Philippines. One of which can be found near Maniwaya Island, the Palad Sandbar. It is basically a bunch of Sand in the middle of the sea creating an Island-like spot but it is so small. When it is low tide, the sand is above the water while during the high tide, the sand is underwater.

Ungab Rock Formation

Ungab Rock formation is located on an island where there is a rock formation by the shore where the tour guides will let you swim and take pictures for a while. This location is one of the most iconic places located in the province of Marinduque. This mass of rock was never reconstructed nor renovated in any manner. Next will be the snorkelling site, This is a small place near the shore where small fishes can be seen. Do not expect colourful corals or fishes under this spot.

Boac Cathedral

FESTIVALS IN MARINDUQUE 🎊🎉💃🏻

MORIONES FESTIVAL

One of the oldest religious festivals in the Philippines. The Moriones Festival is a dedication to the half-blind Roman soldier, Longinus, who pierced Jesus in his side with a lance while he was on the cross. Legend has it that when some of the blood of Jesus fell into his eyes his sight returned. Upon experiencing this miracle, Longinus became convinced that Jesus was truly the son of God and converted to Christianity. The festival re-enacts the search for Longinus by centurions—adorned in colorful costumes—for this crime, with one member of the local community playing Longinus who is captured and recaptured several times over the course of the festival in a playful game of cat and mouse.

Every town in Marinduque has a version of the festival, but Boac, the capital of the province, is typically the place to stay.

GASANG GASANG FESTIVAL

A street dancing festival in Gasan town similarly inspired by the Moriones and the Sinakulo, passion plays. Accompanied by the beat of festival drums, contingents from the different barangays compete for the best in costume and choreography. The drama revolves around the morion tradition and the Resurrection and takes place on Easter Sunday

BILA BILA FESTIVAL

Celebrated in Boac town during the town Fiesta (Dec. 8). This festival celebrates the life cycle of butterflies, the butterfly farming industry being one of the town’s more unique industries. This street dancing festival promotes government efforts to make Marinduque the butterfly center of the Philippines

WHAT ARE THE BEST DELICACIES AND SNACKS? Hi

Delicious Miki

Marinduque produces one of the best miki noodles in the country. It is fresh miki, which, when cooked, stays firm and has its own flavor, so cooking and seasoning it to make it delicious is practically effortless.

Panganan

These are called fried “fingers” made from arrowroot flour

Bibingka

Ask any of the vendors in the Boac public market why their heavy snack is called ‘bibingkang lalaki’ (male bibingka), and they’ll giggle before telling you: “May itlog kasi, eh.”

Coconuts and their by-products are a main source of income in Marinduque. This carries over to the food. Bibingkang lalaki is made with tuba (coconut wine) instead of yeast, which keeps the inside of the bibingka moist and pudding-like.

Other kinds of bibingka found in Marinduque include bibingkang kanin, made with whole grains of rice, and the bibingkang pinahiran of Sta. Cruz municipality, on top of which vendors spread a thick, sweet syrup.

Arrowroot Cookies

Arrowroot cookies are the most popular pasalubong from Marinduque, and are made from the root crop that grows all over the island. In other parts of the Philippines, these cookies are known as ‘uraro.’ However, Marinduqueños use the name ‘arrowroot,’ which they pronounce briskly, the syllables mashing together: “Arurut!”

The flavor of Marinduque’s arrowroot cookies will be familiar to anyone who’s tried uraro in the past—mildly sweet with a touch of vanilla—but the stiff ridges add a nice crunch to contrast to the flaky center.

Sampililok

Suman sauce, “a syrupy version of panutsa or coconut sugar cooked in gata or coconut milk”

Niyubak na Saging

A version of nilupak which uses brown sugar

Let’s Enjoy Paradise