A Quick Day Tour Experience in Calapan Mindoro

Have you ever visited Calapan, Mindoro?

Let me give you a brief background about Calapan. Mindoro is known as the seventh largest island in the country and is divided into two provinces – Occidental and Oriental Mindoro. Calapan is the largest city in the island and is the gateway to Mindoro if you’re coming from the north.

Mindoro is often visited by the tourists because of its beaches and dive resorts which are mostly located in Puerto Galera, near Calapan. It is known as tropical paradise as well as a provincial beauty that offers adventurous and relaxing activities. Although Calapan is the gateway, people rarely know what the tropical city offers. Luckily, I got a chance to do a quick one-day tour to see and experience Calapan.

How to get there?

Take a bus ride from JAM Liner – Buendia Terminal going to Batangas port. You can also ride a PhilTranco bus going to Calapan. What’s the difference? JAM Liner will only drop you off in Batangas Port while PhilTranco bus will bring you directly to Calapan by riding a RoRo as well. It will take 1 1/2 hour – 2hrs travel time to get there.

Ride a FastCat RoRo from Batangas port going to Calapan, Mindoro. Why FastCat? Because it’s FerryFast, FerrySafe, and FerryConvenient than any other RoRo. Based on my experience, the travel time is truly much much faster than any RoRo.

What can I see/experience in Calapan?

1) Silonay Mangrove Conservation Area & Ecotourism

During our day tour, we went to Silonay Mangrove Conservation Area & Ecotourism. If you are looking for a peaceful, quiet place, Silonay Mangrove is a great spot for you. It’s a 42-hectare mangrove paradise where you can go kayaking or bird-watching. There’s a 350-m bamboo boardwalk that leads to a 6-meter high tower where you can see a panoramic view of the paradise and Silonay river.

Entrance Fee: Php 50

2) Sanaka Banana Chips Factory

Banana Chips are one of the favorite local snacks here in the Philippines and Mindoro is one of the major producers of bananas which makes the province able to produce this snack. We were able to witness how banana chips are being made by local sellers and also got to taste them as well. It’s so delicious that I bought 1 kilo of it for pasalubong.

3) Auntie Lola Restaurant

If you’re looking for a place to eat, I recommend Auntie Lola. We had our sumptuous lunch there during our tour and I love their bulalo.

4) Baco Infinity Farm

This is my must-see place in Mindoro! Baco Infinity Farm is located in Baco, near Calapan. I actually don’t know why is it called “farm” because I don’t see any farm but rather an infinite stream up from the mountain. The water is so clean and clear. It is definitely  Mindoro’s best-kept nature beauty and I recommend that you experience this place. There are available tables/nipa huts for rent in the area.

5) Isel’s Halo-Halo

After a long day tour, we got refreshed by Isel’s Halo-halo. Their halo-halo reminded me of Razon’s halo-halo. You got to try it when you’re in Calapan. We had it for take out so I wasn’t able to take a photo of the place.

So those are things I experienced in Calapan in one day. Planning to go there soon? Check Calapan City Tourism Facebook page to know more about the place. You can watch my vlog here – https://youtu.be/hlrp_R9fyMY. For transportation, I recommend FastCat for RoRo, Jam Liner or PhilTranco for the bus ride. Follow them on Facebook to know the trip schedules.

Spotted PH Team

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