If you are visiting the Philippine’s Caraga region and will be staying in Butuan, there is a number of hotels and accommodations in the city. You may stay in a classy but expensive Butuan Grand Palace Hotel, Hotel Oazis or Almont City Hotel. If you are a backpacker or budget traveler, choose Gloreto Guest House as it has the cheapest rates for an overnight stay in Butuan City.

Gloreto Guest House Location

Gloretyo Guest House is located in Ilang-Ilang st., Ochoa Ave., Butuan City. This cheap Butuan city accommodation is just a few minute multicab ride away from Butuan bus terminal, Butuan National Museum and Gaisano mall. If you are coming from Butuan’s Bancasi airport, Gloreto Guest House can also be reached via multicab.

Gloreto Guest House Butuan Published Room Rates

Matrimonial Bed (Queen Size) 1099.00 P
Single Bed 799.00 Php
Twin Bed 999.00 Php

Tip: Book your discounted Gloreto Guest House room HERE. I only paid 642.50 Php instead of 799 Php for a Single Bed room.

Warm Welcome

After a long bus-ride from Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur, I arrived in Butuan bus terminal at 4:50 PM. I took a special multicab trip (50 Php) to Gloreto Guest House and arrived at exactly 5:00 PM. I immediately headed to the reception area and was warmly welcomed by the receptionists.

Single Bed Room

The receptionist assigned me to a single bed room on the second level of the hotel. The room smells good and is generally clean. It comes with an air-conditioning unit, an old-fashioned cable TV and a mini table that can serve as a work area. The bed and one pillow are just okay. Basic toiletries such as shampoo, soap and bath towel are provided.

I was good with the room but the toilet and bath surprised me. There is an issue with the toilet flush and the faucet needs to be replaced. Good thing is that there is a hot and cold shower with an okay-ish water pressure. I could not complain and reminded myself that I was in a budget hotel.

Related Blog Post: Budget Hotel in Iloilo City: 88 Plaza Hotel

Overall, I was fine it with it. The room is clean and I had a good night sleep.

Missed Complimentary Breakfast

Gloreto Guest House Butuan offers complimentary breakfast from 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM. Since I was too tired from my Hinatuan trip, I woke up past 9:00 AM the next day. Well, I missed the complimentary breakfast!

Surprisingly, one of the staff knocked on my door and asked if I want the breakfast. It made my morning since I will not have to spend for breakfast outside.

I was very thankful to the staff for the room-serviced complimentary breakfast.

Recommended Budget Hotel in Butuan City

Gloreto Guest House is definitely not the best hotel in Butuan City but it is the cheapest and most affordable. The room is clean and customer service is superb. You will not need to worry about your security as there is a guard manning in the hotel. If you are a backpacker or a budget traveller, I would definitely recommend Gloreto Guest House.

Gloreto Guest House Butuan City
Online booking (discounted rates) HERE
Address: Ilang-Ilang st. Ochoa Ave. Butuan City
Contact Number: (085) 816-0701

The majestic Enchanted River is located in municipality of Hinatuan in the province of Surigao del Sur. If you are planning to visit Enchanted River, unfortunately, there is no airport in Surigao del Sur. However, Enchanted River is accessible via Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City or Butuan City airport. Geographically, the Bancasi airport in Butuan is the nearest airport to Enchanted River.

How to get to Enchanted River from Manila

1. Manila City to Butuan City

Bancasi Airport, Butuan City (Agusan del Norte)

The fastest route to Enchanted River is via Butuan Airport. Book a flight from Manila to Butuan. The Philippine based budget airline Cebu Pacific has 3 flights daily from Manila to Butuan. Alternatively, you may also book your Butuan flight via Philippine Airlines. Travel time is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Tip: Book the earliest flight to Butuan so that you’ll arrive in Hinatuan on or before noon time.

2. Butuan City to Hinatuan (Surigao del Sur)

Once you arrive in Butuan’s Bancasi Airport, you may ride a bus or van to Hinatuan terminal.

By bus – From Bancasi airport, just locate the multicabs in the area and tell the driver that you are going to Butuan bus terminal. Fare is 10 Php per person. In Butuan terminal, ride a bus (Bachelor bus lines) bound to Bislig. Just tell the driver to drop you off the Hinatuan terminal. Bus fare is approximately 200 Php and travel time is 5 to 7 hours.

By van – Walk few meters from the Bancasi airport’s departure area and you will find vans bound to several municipalities and cities. Just look for the van headed to Bislig or ask the driver if the van is passing through Hinatuan Terminal. Fare is 350 Php and travel time is approximately 4 to 5 hours.

Since I didn’t want to waste time, I decided to ride a van instead of a bus. I soon later regretted it as the van had numerous stopovers, just like the buses. I also learned from the owner of Marky’s Hostel, the accommodation where I stayed during my Hinatuan visit, that vans do not provide accident insurance to its passengers unlike with buses.

Tip: If you are on a budget and after security and safety, ride a bus going to Hinatuan. Note though that most of the buses are non-airconditioned.

3. Hinatuan Terminal to Enchanted River

In Hinatuan terminal, habal-habal drivers will approach you and offer their service to Enchanted River. A two-way trip from Hinatuan terminal to Enchanted River costs 300 Php good for 2 persons. Habal-habal travel time to Enchanted River from Hinatuan terminal is approximately 30 minutes.

Enchanted River in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur

Tip: You may also arrange Tinuy-an trip with your habal-habal driver for an additional price. In my case I paid 1,200 Pesos for Enchanted River and Tinuy-an falls trip. I was offered a cheaper rate than the standard tour rate which is 1,500 Pesos.

Enchanted River Entrance Fee + Other Fees

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Since I’m alone, I did not rent for a shed or a cottage. I just paid the 40 Php for the entrance fee including the environmental fee.

Enchanted River Operating Hours

Note that the river is open to the public daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM only.

Tip: Plan your visit on a weekday and during the morning. The area gets crowded during weekends and during noon time and afternoon.

Enchanted River Itinerary and Budget

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Other travel tips / Things to consider

There are no ATMs in Hinatuan. Ensure to bring enough money before traveling for Enchanted River.
You can do Enchanted River and Tinuy-an falls in one day. It is highly recommended to spend a night in Hinatuan to rest.
The mobile and internet signal in Hinatuan proper are fairly decent but expect poor internet signal in Enchanted river and Tinuy-an falls.
Habal-habal can only accommodate 2 persons. Hire multiple habal-habal if you are travelling in a group.
Swimming is allowed on a certain part of the river. Local tourism has prohibited swimming in the deeper part (darker blue) of the river to ensure that fishes are protected.
Do not wear sunblock if you are planning to swim in the river. Locals say that sunscreens can be toxic to the fishes and other sea creatures in the river.
And, please include your habal-habal driver in your lunch or snacks. If you have spare money, give them tips. The tourism industry in Surigao del Sur is struggling since the declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao.

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