16/01/2022
Roadtrip: Manila-Iloilo-Manila
Dec 2021 - Jan 2022
Part 1
MNL -Batangas-Calapan-Bulalacao-Caticlan-Iloilo (28 hours incl the 12-hr layover in Bulalacao)
Because we wanted to take our Maltipoo, Boss, to see his lolo and lola, we braved the long land-sea-land travel from Manila to Iloilo. To our surprise, it wasn't as hard as we imagined it to be. Chronicling our experience for those who may want to take the same route in the future.
Drive from Taguig to Batangas RoRo Port - 2 hrs (This includes the 20-min Starbucks wait at Shell, SLEX. Our Fast Cat ferry to Calapan doesn't leave until 12MN but we had to be there at least 2 hours before to process requirements for our car.
It may be a little confusing if it's your first time so take note of the following. We bought our ticket online so we only had to worry about these:
1. Pay your arrastre and terminal fee at the small window right next to the weighing area by the entrance to the RORO port.
2. While the port authorities inspect your car, you may already get off and process the clearance for your pet. Present the medical certificate for domestic travel from your vet to the Bureau of Animal Quarantine and secure a permit to travel.
3. Follow directions and queue up for your entry into the ferry. Present your arrastre, terminal fee receipt, animal permit and your ticket upon entry.
Ferry ride from Batangas to Calapan - 2 hours - Cost 2500+ inclusive of fees for an SUV, its driver plus 2 passengers
1. You have the option to get an AC or an open-air ticket. You can go up and relax in the passenger area if you choose to. Since we have a pet and they are not allowed in the passenger area, we stayed in the car until we were ready to roll off.
Drive from Calapan port to Bulalacao port - 4 hours
Calapan is in the northernmost part of Mindoro and Bulalacao is in the southernmost. Nothing noteworthy aside from the multiple curves. It was dark in the wee hours of the morning so we had to slow down a bit.
Ferry Ride from Bulalacao, Mindoro to Caticlan, Malay Aklan - 4 hours - Cost 4600+ inclusive fees for an SUV, its driver plus 2 passengers
Fast Cat deactivated their online booking for this leg because they wanted to prioritize those who were stranded because of typhoon Odette so we had to buy our ticket onsite. We got there at 7AM but because of the long queue, we couldn't get to the 10AM trip. We had to wait for the next trip which is at 10PM.
So we wouldn't get overly tired, we went to Southdrive Resort, which is just 5 minutes away from the port. We got a family room for 2500 pesos and ordered lunch in their mini cafe. We checked out at 7PM and went back to the port to do the following:
1. Secure the permit to travel for our Maltipoo by presenting the same doc from the vet to the Bureau of Animal Quarantine.
2. Pay for our tickets.
3. Pay for the arrastre and terminal fee. Both payment windows are next to where we pay for the tickets so they are hard to miss.
4. Wait to get boarded.
The sea was rougher than usual so we were a bit slower. We got to Caticlan within around 4.5 hours.
Drive from Caticlan port to Iloilo - 4 to 5 hours depending on the time of travel
For those driving here for the first time, prepare to drive along a long stretch of intestine-like road. Be very careful as there are a lot of sharp curves and you may find yourself face-to-face with huge trucks on their way to the port. There are also a number of ongoing construction projects; Waze can redirect you to alternate routes.
Enjoy the view. Stop over eateries along the way if you get hungry. Look for those huts with a line of parked trucks. The more trucks you see, the yummier the food 😄
