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dona choleng: a resort review 

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Before we went to Cagbalete, I have texted a number of resorts in the area and among those who responded, Dona Choleng offered us the cheapest room for two. The staff and the owner are also very prompt in responding to my queries especially when we were asking for directions when we arrived at Sabang Port. I didn't bother looking for other resorts since responsiveness to texts/calls was most important in case of emergencies, like little direction-blind me getting lost in the island. :-)

​ROOM PRICES ARE REASONABLE DESPITE CAGBALETE'S POPULARITY


​Compared to other beach destinations, I would say Cagbalete is mid-priced. Not one of the cheapest definitely, since it has already gained significant popularity in the recent years. Based on Dona Choleng's website, their cheapest room called Bali Hut costs P2,000 and can accommodate up to 6 pax. However, we still had to pay the same price even if there's only two of us travelling. This is where it got expensive. During our visit, they offered us a Bali Hut for only P1,800 since it was probably off-season. 

The rooms are designed bahay kubo style with beds and double decks made of bamboo so it really has a very traditional Pinoy feel. The rooms do not have any airconditioning but since walls are made of light materials, it feels cool inside. The huts also have enough windows for ventilation. 

There are also ample electric sockets for your gadgets but note that electricity is only available between 6PM and 6AM. 

If you are staying in a Bali Hut, by the way, you won't have access to a private toilet and bath. Guests will have to use the common bathrooms around the resort. They have several but these are located towards the back of the resort. 
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Tips:
  • If you are travelling on a lean season, try to negotiate room prices. If this is still beyond budget, you have the option to camp out for only P500 per night. 
  • ​If you would like to stay in the huts near the beach area, you will have to walk about a couple of meters to get to the toilet and bathrooms. There are other Bali Huts located near the amenities, so if you would like to stay a few meters closer to them, ask the staff about it.
  • Better yet, if you would like to have your own toilet and bath, you have the option to choose Dona Choleng's more premium rooms like Casa Marisyl or Casa Maybel. You may also visit their website at www.donacholeng.com for more information.

​CLICK HERE TO BOOK AT DONA CHOLENG CAMPING RESORT.

tents are big and comfortable

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Since we did not have enough budget to book the Bali Hut, we opted to camp out, which costed P500 per night plus P100 entrance fee. Since Bali Huts did not have a private toilet and bath, sleeping in a tent is basically the same minus the comfortable bed. They also provided us with a banig .

Compared to the tent we had in Padre Burgos, the tents in Dona Choleng are bigger and can accommodate 3-4 comfortably. 

Security-wise, since the tents didn't have locks, we just brought our valuables with us always. Everything else, we just left behind.

The only downside is that the tent given to us already has holes, possibly due to wear and tear. I got a bit worried when it started to drizzle in the middle of our sleep.

Tips:
  • Don't store food inside your tent. The sand has a lot of fire ants and antik/hantik so if you don't want them infesting your tents, you can probably ask the kitchen personnels to keep your food for a while.
  • Bring inflatable pillows for comfort, if you have one.
  • Make sure you place the tent under the trees in case it drizzles.

amenity-wise, dona choleng is above basic


​​Dona Choleng has ample toilet and bath so even if it gets crowded (we were there on a weekend), you won't have to wait in line. They have at least 6 common ones -- 2 near the restaurant and 4 near the reception area. 

The resort also offers other activities, as well, apart from swimming like kayaking and beach volleyball. They also have massage facilities by the beach. Showers are also available near the beach area if you would like a quick rinse.
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By the way, they also have a karaoke machine, which is a major plus point for me and for all divas (and mga feeling divas like moi) out there! Haha! :-) Note that electricity is only up by 6PM so this is the only time you can use the machine. 

dona choleng has resort-accredited tour guides


If you are the kind of person who values security more than others, you would probably appreciate that Dona Choleng has their own accredited tour guides and boatmen. You will see them walking around the resort, talking to guests and helping Dona Choleng's staff in taking care of guests and cleaning up. The few ones I remember are Ate Flora (contact number below) and the adorable young Kenneth in his cute Aldub shirt :-) Kenneth is only in highschool but he probably knows a lot more about the Philippines than most of us do. Despite his limited access to the internet, he finds his way to read and research about a lot of things. Probably the most resourceful kid I've met in my life. I actually found another blog talking about him. You can read it up here --> Backpacking in Cagbalete.
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comfort rooms are clean and has a good supply of water


Yes, clean and green. These common toilet and bath are newly painted and relatively newer than the others. In fact, I think some cubicles are still under construction when we were there last February 2016.

Water is also very clean and supply is non-stop. Flow of water in tap is very strong. Although they don't have showerheads, the pails, tubs and the dippers are new and very clean. :-)
Picture

food is affordable


Food is surprisingly affordable in Dona Choleng. Might be a bit high for a provincial price but still cheaper for a resort price. They also have a good variety of sandwiches and rice meals, which are mostly seafood but they also have chicken and pork dishes. Sizzling plates are also available. :-)

the way to dona choleng can be confusing and muddy...


...And this is why you'll need a tour guide. You will pass by the public market, eskinitas (small lanes), residential areas and public schools. If you are not familiar with the area, you might get confused. Plus, the tour guides at the port can be quite insistent in helping you out. They won't charge you for anything but they will ask for a tip/donation.

​The paved roads do not reach the resort since according to the tour guides the lots we passed through are private properties and it was up to the owners (and the resorts) if they would like to have it developed. 

Another problem is if it rains, the road can get very muddy and water rises up to knee-deep during non-stop pours. During our visit, some parts were ankle-deep and this was still the residue from last week's rain. Water does not subside quickly.

The resort has its own shuttle service

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Picture
Since Dona Choleng has a shuttle service, we didn't have to walk back to the port. The only problem is since there was only 2 of us taking the trip back, we had to hire the shuttle for a special trip and pay P200. Since we didn't want to walk along the muddy terrain again, we took the shuttle. 

If you are coming from the port, you only have to pay P15 per head. Not sure about the minimum number of pax so please ask the resort beforehand (contact number below). 

When I asked Dona Choleng about options going to the resort other than by foot, they only mentioned the private boats. They did not mention anything about the shuttle service possibly because there were not much guests when we arrived (we got there on a Friday).

if you would like to book a room at dona choleng, click here.


OTHER USEFUL LINKS:

  • Cagbalete Island: A Travel Guide
  • ​Cagbalete Island: Budget and Suggested Itinerary
  • Cagbalete Island: How to Get There

WHAT TO SEE IN CAGBALETE:

  • Yang-In Sand Bar
  • Fish Sanctuary
  • Ilog Bukana (San Jose River)
  • A Walk Along Cagbalete White Sand Beach

OTHER DESTINATIONS IN QUEZON PROVINCE:

  • Polillo Group of Islands
  • Borawan
  • Kwebang Lampas/Puting Buhangin
  • Dampalitan Island

WHERE TO STAY IN CAGBALETE

  • Dona Choleng Camping Resort
  • Villa Noe Beach
  • Joven's Blue Sea Beach Resort
  • Villa Cleofas
  • Aguho Playa

key contacts

  • Dona Choleng: 0932 852 5489; 0926 654 9958
  • Ate Flora (Tour Guide): 0930 244 9782
  • Kuya Danny (Owner of M/B Doy-Day* island hopping boat): 0921 590 6817
*M/B Doy-Day is owned by husband-wife tandem Kuya Danny and Ate Flora Ocampo. The boat was named after their youngest son and daughter named Doy-Doy and Day-Day :-)


 
If you have any comments or questions, feel free to post them here:
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  • Home
  • Explore Philippines
    • Luzon >
      • Metro Manila >
        • Updated List of 2022 Staycation-Approved Hotels
        • Staycation at Shangri-La at the Fort
        • 10 Most Spectacular Christmas Displays in and Around Metro Manila for 2022
      • Benguet >
        • Baguio >
          • 10 Cozy and Instagrammable Airbnbs and Hotels in Baguio
          • Best Hotels Near Session Road and Burnham Park
      • Mountain Province >
        • Sagada >
          • Blue Soil Hills
      • Batangas >
        • Vivere Azure Resort
      • Cavite >
        • Tagaytay >
          • Vineyard in Tagaytay
          • Twin Lakes Hotel Review
          • Harry Potter Themed Airbnb
          • Relaxing at Nurture Wellness Village
          • 10 Things to Do and Tourist Spots to Visit
      • La Union >
        • Best Hostels and Resorts
      • Albay >
        • Cagsawa Ruins
        • Daraga Church
        • Tabaco Church
        • IshiAya Garden Bistro
        • Cheap Accommodations in Legazpi City
        • Mayon Volcano
        • Mid-Priced to Premier Hotels in Legazpi City
      • Sorsogon >
        • Subic Beach
        • Tikling Island
        • Juag Lagoon Fish Sanctuary
        • Calintaan Cave
        • Sorsogon - More than just the Butandings
        • Pink Sand Beach
        • Cheap Accommodations in Sorsogon City
      • Quezon >
        • Cagbalete Island >
          • Cagbalete Island: A Travel Guide
          • Cagbalete Island: Budget and Suggested Itinerary
          • Cagbalete Island: How to Get There
          • Cagbalete Island Beach Resorts
          • A Review of Dona Choleng Camping Resort
          • Cagbalete Fish Sanctuary
          • Yang-In Sand Bar
          • Ilog Bukana at San Jose River
          • Cagbalete White Sand Beach
        • Budget and Itinerary | Padre Burgos and Pagbilao
        • Borawan Island
        • Where to Stay and Eat in Mauban
        • How to Get to Mauban from Manila or Lucena
        • Tips and Suggested Itinerary for Pahiyas Festival 2015
        • Things to Do (or Eat) in Lucban, Quezon
      • Palawan >
        • El Nido >
          • Small Lagoon
          • Top 5 Spots in El Nido
          • Cheap Accommodations in El Nido
          • Mid-Priced to Premier Hotels in El Nido
        • Coron
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      • Iloilo >
        • Budget Accommodations in Iloilo City
        • Isla de Gigantes >
          • How to Get to Isla de Gigantes
          • Tangke Salt Water Lagoon
          • Cabugao Gamay
          • Cabugao Dako or Cabugao Grande
          • Antonia Beach
          • Bantigue Sandbar
      • Bohol >
        • Panglao >
          • Dolphin Watching and Island Hopping
          • Top Things to Do for Overnighters and Daytrippers
          • Coco Vida Bar and Restaurant
          • South Palms Resort
          • Mithi Resort and Spa
          • Halamanan Residences
          • Buzzz Cafe of Bohol Bee Farm
          • Bohol Bee Farm Resort
          • Alona Vida Beach Resort
          • New Panglao International Airport
          • Luxury Resorts in Panglao
          • Affordable Beachfront Resorts in Panglao
        • Loboc >
          • Loboc River Cruise and Floating Restaurant
          • Tarsier Conservation Center
        • Bohol Day Trip Travel Guide from Cebu
        • Bohol Chocolate Hills
        • Bilar Man-Made Forest
        • Day Tour | Countryside Tour
        • The Mangrove Forests of Maribojoc
        • Cheap Accommodations in Tagbilaran City
      • Cebu >
        • Oslob >
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          • 6 Things to Do in Oslob
          • How to Go to Oslob from Dumaguete
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          • Tumalog Falls
          • Sumilon Sandbar
          • Oslob Church and Cuartel
          • Cheap Accommodations in Oslob
        • Malapascua >
          • How to Get to Malapascua Island
          • Budget and Suggested Itinerary
          • Ocean Vida Resort
          • Travel Guide
          • Where to Stay
          • Where to Stay near Maya Port
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        • Cebu City | Bayfront Hotel Review
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        • Apo Island >
          • Apo Island: A Travel Guide
          • Apo Island: Budget and Suggested Itinerary
          • Cheapest Way to Experience Apo Island
          • Resorts and Homestays in Apo Island
          • Oslob-Apo-Bais-Siquijor in 6 Days
          • Apo Island: A Photo Gallery
          • Ronor's Lodging: A Homestay Review
        • Cheap Accommodations in Dumaguete City
      • Siquijor >
        • Siquijor Travel Guide
        • 7 Must-Do and Must-See in Siquijor
        • A Review of Islandia Beach Resort
        • Kagusuan Beach
        • Salagdoong Beach
        • Lazi Church and Convent
        • Cambugahay Falls
        • St. Francis of Assisi Parish
        • Santa Maria Church
        • Enchanted Balete Tree
        • Cheap Accommodations in Siquijor
        • Mid-Priced to Premier Resorts in Siquijor
    • Mindanao >
      • South Cotabato >
        • One Night Travel Guide to Lake Sebu
        • Dolores Lake Resort
  • Discover the World
    • 15 Beautiful Places in France
  • Travel Tips
    • How to Cancel Agoda Bookings
    • 8 Most Beautiful Islands in the Philippines
  • Contact Me