Michi Photostory: 3 Days at Calaguas White Sand Resort: Our Honest Review, Expenses, Food & Island Experience

When people say that traveling around the Philippines can sometimes cost as much as traveling to nearby countries, we used to think it was just an exaggeration. But after visiting destinations like Batanes, Davao, Bohol, and now Calaguas Island, we realized there is some truth to it.

Of course, every trip depends on your destination, travel style, and comfort preferences. But once you add transportation, accommodation, meals, and other travel expenses, a local getaway can surprisingly come close to the cost of an international trip.

For comparison, we previously traveled to Taiwan with a similar budget, which helped us understand why many Filipinos make this comparison. It doesn’t mean local trips are always more expensive, but it shows that exploring the Philippines can also require careful planning, especially for island destinations.

For our 3-day, 2-night Calaguas Island trip, we spent ₱11,500 per person for the Calaguas White Sand Resort package. This included boat transfers, environmental and terminal fees, processing fees, accommodation, and full-board buffet-style meals.

However, transportation to and from the jump-off point was not included. We also stayed in hotels before and after our island trip, which added to our total travel expenses.

Choosing Our Calaguas White Sand Resort Package

Before booking, I searched for accommodations in Calaguas Island and noticed that Calaguas White Sand Resort had some of the highest ratings. I checked their website, but I was surprised to see that all available dates seemed fully booked until June.

Waah! I thought I had to search for another resort. Luckily, we decided to call them directly, and thankfully, they still had available rooms for our travel dates.

We reserved three rooms for six people. To confirm our booking, we needed to pay a 50% downpayment through bank transfer. The remaining balance was required before boarding the boat, but we decided to settle ours a few days before the trip.

I also want to mention that our original reservation was only for six people. Since the booking was already confirmed, my husband made a separate reservation. But during our stay, he joined us in the Rose Room, so our family of three ended up sharing the room together.

Calaguas White Sand Resort Package Rates

The resort offers different accommodation options depending on your budget:

· Glamping Tent – ₱10,500 per person

· Cabana (Non-Air-Conditioned) – ₱9,700 per person

· Premium Air-Conditioned Room – ₱11,500 per person

· Deluxe Sunset Air-Conditioned Room – ₱12,500 per person

We also found other Calaguas tour packages priced around ₱5,500 per person, including round-trip van transfers from Manila. The main difference is that most budget-friendly packages involve camping or tent accommodations.

Could we have spent less? Definitely. But since we were traveling with senior citizens, comfort was our priority. We chose Calaguas White Sand Resort for a more convenient and relaxing experience, and for our family, the additional cost was worth it.

If you are planning your own Calaguas trip, your biggest decision will be whether you prioritize saving money or having a more comfortable stay.

In this post, I’ll share our experience at Calaguas White Sand Resort, including the rooms, food, facilities, activities, and whether we think the package was worth the price.

Traveling to Calaguas Island

As mentioned in my previous posts, we traveled from Cubao to Daet via DLTB bus. We stayed at One Platinum Hotel before heading to Vinzons Port using our rented van.

Since we booked the Calaguas White Sand Resort package, the process at the port was simple. We only needed to fill out the boat manifests and wait for boarding. The call time was 7:00 AM, so make sure to arrive early. Boats follow their schedule, and you wouldn’t want to miss your departure.

After around two hours of traveling by boat, we finally arrived at Calaguas Island.

First Impressions of Calaguas White Sand Resort

Upon arrival, we were welcomed with refreshing drinks and snacks. Our rooms were already prepared, so we were able to check in immediately.

But then reality hit us: there was no electricity during the daytime, no phone signal, and no WiFi connection on the island. It was definitely a different experience from our usual vacations, but it also gave us the chance to disconnect and enjoy the island more.

Even though everyone paid the same ₱11,500 package rate, our room assignments were different.

Our Rooms at Calaguas White Sand Resort

For my family of three, we stayed in the Rose Room. This was the biggest among the three rooms we booked, but the lighting was not the best because it had limited windows for natural sunlight. My son also slept on the sofa bed.

My brother and sister-in-law stayed in the Lily Room, which was the smallest room among the three.

Meanwhile, my mom and aunt stayed in the Sunflower Room. Among all the rooms, this was my favorite because it had more windows, making the room brighter during the day.

One thing to note about the Lily and Sunflower Rooms is that their bathrooms do not have windows. During the daytime, the rooms can become very dark, so bringing your own flashlight is highly recommended.

Food During Our Stay

I already shared some of the food photos in my previous post, but here is the complete list of meals served during our stay.

Breakfast: 7AM to 9AM
Merienda: 3 PM to 5PM
Dinner: 7PM to 9PM

Lunch: 12PM to 2PM

Day 1

Lunch: Laing, Ginataang Crab, Fried Chicken, Fresh Melon

Merienda: Ginataang Bilo-Bilo

Dinner: Ginisang Ampalaya, Nilagang Buto-Buto, Grilled Pusit, Fresh Mango

Day 2

Breakfast: Fried Rice, Sunny Side Up Egg, Danggit, Longganisa, Salted Egg, Coffee

Lunch: Fried Fish, Chicken Tinola, Pinakbet, Pineapple

Merienda: Turon

Dinner: Grilled Chicken, Chopsuey, Squash Soup, Watermelon

Day 3

Breakfast: Fried Rice, Tocino, Omelette, Dilis

Lunch: Grilled Liempo, Chicken Afritada, Sinigang na Shrimp, Fresh Mango

Our scheduled check-out and boat departure were at 10:00 AM. However, because of the low tide, we were unable to leave immediately. The resort provided a complimentary lunch while we waited for the water level to rise.

One thing to keep in mind during your stay is that drinks served during meals are not cold. If you prefer to have cold drinks with your meals, you can buy your own ice and prepare your drinks ahead of time. It is a small detail, but something worth knowing so you can manage your expectations before your trip.

Island Hopping Experience

Aside from relaxing on the beach, the resort also offers additional activities for guests.

We decided to try private island hopping, which costs ₱5,000. Some members of our family also enjoyed a relaxing massage for ₱600 per person.

The island-hopping experience was a great addition to our trip and allowed us to explore more of the beauty surrounding Calaguas.

Staying Connected in Calaguas

One thing to prepare for when visiting Calaguas is limited connectivity. There was no regular phone signal and no WiFi at the resort. However, if you really need internet access, you can use their piso WiFi or visit some sari-sari stores that offer internet access.

For us, the digital detox was actually part of the charm of being on the island.

Final Thoughts: Is Calaguas White Sand Resort Worth It?

Overall, we truly enjoyed our 3-day stay at Calaguas White Sand Resort. The beautiful white sand, clear blue waters, delicious meals, and peaceful atmosphere made this trip memorable for our family. While it was not the cheapest island getaway, choosing a comfortable room instead of camping made the experience more enjoyable, especially since we were traveling with senior citizens.