The province and city of Batangas are only a short distance from the country’s capital, Manila, making it an easily accessible destination for tourists. Here you will find Taal Volcano and Taal Heritage City, although the province also has fantastic beaches and attractions for visitors of all ages. From here, you can head south to see other popular tourist destinations in the country, such as the tropical island of Boracay. This island with white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters is easily accessible from Caticlan, a small tourist town that serves as a hub for the area thanks to ferry and air links.
Travel options from Batangas to Caticlan
To go from Batangas to Caticlan, you have to cross two straits and an island if you want to go by road. There are bus services that cover as much distance as possible by road, but this is not a direct route as it involves two buses and a ferry, and traveling over winding roads adds to the distance. There are two other options that offer better solutions: one is by plane, the other is by ferry, although each has its downsides.
From Batangas to Caticlan by ferry
We’ll start with the ferry option because considering all the details, it’s the easiest way to travel from Batangas to Caticlan. It’s easy as there are direct ferries that depart from Batangas Harbor to Caticlan Pier. It can be said that it is a door-to-door service. First of all you would have to get to the port of Batangas and once in Caticlan find a way to get to your destination but these are cities with important hubs for the region which means there are always taxis and public transport both to and from the port cities.
Taking a ferry from Batangas to Caticlan is not necessarily the fastest way to get from one place to another. The duration of the tour is approximately 9 hours, although it may vary slightly in case of bad weather. Ferries usually run all year round, so service is generally guaranteed even if you choose to travel out of season.
There are currently two ferry companies operating the Batangas to Caticlan route: 2GO and Starlite Ferries. This means that there are many output options, so you can choose the one that best suits your plans. There is not much difference between the two companies as they both offer different accommodation options on the ferries and the prices are very similar. Some travelers find the 2GO service a bit more exclusive than Starlite. For 2GO, accommodation options are Super Value Class (cheapest), Tourist Class, Cabin for 4 and Suitroom for 2. However, on the Starlite, the options available are Reclining Seat, Economy Bunk Bed and Cabin for 4 people.
If you want some privacy while cruising, or if you get seasick while traveling by boat, it’s best to travel in a four-berth cabin, especially if you’re traveling with friends or family. The ticket is more expensive, but the comfort you enjoy is worth it. If you want to save money, you can consider buying a Super Value Class ticket, but consider the Tourist Class option, which offers more comfort for a few euros more.
Ferry tickets from Batangas to Caticlan with 2GO can be purchased via the website 12Go.asia where you can easily compare prices and timetables before choosing a ticket type.
Flights from Batangas to Caticlan
Refueling Cebu Pacific aircraft before flying to Caticlan © 12Go.asia
If you don’t like the idea of spending 9 or 10 hours on a ferry, the next best option to get from Batangas to Caticlan is by plane. But, as we mentioned earlier, it’s not as easy as crossing the ferry. For starters, there is no airport in Batangas, so you’ll need to fly back to Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport. There are public buses that can take you to this airport, but you need to change on the way and it can be a hassle if you are not used to these changes. You can also take a taxi from Batangas to the airport, but it is much more expensive. If we add the price of the air ticket to this, the trip is much more expensive than by ferry.
Still, it should take less time to travel by bus to Manila airport and catch a flight to Caticlan than by ferry. Also, if you tend to get seasick, this may be the best way to get to Caticlan. The flight takes only one hour and lands in the same city of Caticlan. Good to know that Caticlan Airport is called Godofredo P. Ramos, but it was also known as Caticlan Airport. In recent years, it has taken the name of Boracay Airport as it is the closest airport to Boracay Island, so you can find any of these three names if you choose to fly to Caticlan by plane.
The good thing about flying from Batangas to Caticlan is that there are five airlines that serve this route. This competition helps keep prices down and offers more choice throughout the day, so it’s very easy to find a flight that suits your travel plans. Airlines serving this route include Cebu Pacific, Cebgo, Philippine Airlines, Philippines AirAsia and SkyJet.
Due to the low price and practicality, we recommend taking the ferry from Batangas to Caticlan and paying a bit more for a cabin for four if you want more privacy. If you don’t like traveling by boat or if you’re seasick, it’s best to take a bus from Batangas to Manila and from there take a plane to Caticlan.