One can venture to Butuan by air, sea or land. Air travel is by far the safest method as both Cebu Pacific and Philippines Air(PAL) both have exceptional safety records. The air schedule fluctuates, but generally there are 4 flights arriving at Bancasi(BXU) Airport-two from Cebu and two from Manila. It is a good idea to text/call your contact in Butuan just prior to boarding as the planes won’t fly if the weather is bad in Butuan. Upon arrival, there is an information kiosk near the baggage turnstyle, and the staff speaks English. The bathrooms generally do not have toilet paper, but are clean. You may expect to be approached by numerous porters, and they are quite reliable. Give them your claim stickers and they will take good care of you-they work on tips. If you don’t have transportation, the kiosk staff will arrange it for you and they won’t rip you off. If this is your first visit, we can meet you at the airport and provide a quick tour of our area, just pitch in for the fuel. The city proper is about a 20 minute drive.
By boat, Nasipit port is about 35 minutes from the city. The ships can be fun, but there are a couple cautions to consider. This country has an abhorent safety record, and rescue boats are few. Butuan has a Coast Guard office but no boat. The ships are all reconditioned and are generally at least 30 yrs old. The restaurants aboard the vessels are decidedly inferior, and if you are in a cabin, the crew will abruptly encourage you to disembark.
Venturing to Butuan by land has many issues to consider, and I am happy to discuss via email.
Hello,
Just discovered your blogsite days before I’m going to Butuan. I will first fly to Davao where a family friend will meet me and take me to their home in Tagum. My fiancee is in Butuan and she advised me to consider flying to Davao and taking the Bachelor Bus (I’ve ridden them many times) from Tagum to Butuan after visiting with my family friends in Tagum. I will have a traveling companion for my trip to Butuan, but just thought I’d get your American-living-in-Butuan perspective on my travel plans. I should be arriving in Butuan on July 1.
My flights are already booked and I have some gifts for the family in Tagum, so I either take the bus, or fly back to Manila and then to Butuan. I’ve visited San Fran and out the the Barobo areas before. But I read about some NPA activity farther south between San Fran, though nothing on the main highway during daylight. But if you don’t think it’s the best time to take the bus from Tagum to Butuan, I’d have no problem going back to Manila and then flying into Butuan, but then this brings me back to why I decided to fly into Davao — the weather.
Just a short comment about my most recent visit to Butuan. I had the pleasure to meet and chat with Greg and Joy while I was there last month. I found them to be most hospitable and very knowledgeable about the city. I also had a tour of Gregs work shop and saw his most recent project. All in all I found Greg and Joy and my entire experience in Butuan to be most enjoyable. This having been my second visit but surely not my last.
Good luck in the upcomming dive season and I hope to see you next year when I return.
Mike
Hi Mike,
Thank you for your kind words. Meeting people from all over the globe is easily the most enjoyable aspect of presenting this website. We look forward toyour next visit to our little corner! Thanks again, Greg
HI!!! just wondering how to get to butuan city in air or in land ,im from iloilo city.. tnx
U can accomplish this task better than we can. We are happy to pick you up at the ports upon arrival. We have the same access to travel info that u do. Thank you
I will be on my way back to Gingoog city, on January 17 I will arrive, I guess we are neighbors sort of speak. I live 17k outside of Gingoog city towards Butuan. So not really very far away from you, I do a lot of shopping in Butuan as it is the close city to my home. But these days I am working in Taiwan, as I had a few issues in the Philippines as had to go back to work. need cash to complete my projects.. I hope to get a chance to meet you and yours..
Greetings!
We are a low-key bunch here! We always appreciate visiting with new arrivals. asiaislandic@yahoo.com is our email. Thank you, Greg
Look forward to meeting!
Nice to find your blog here…I sent an email to your address with some questions you migh be so kind to answer for me..
peace & wellness to all
john