Bantayan, municipality of the Philippines in the province of Cebu
Bantayan is a municipality on a small island off the coast of Cebu in the northern Philippines. The island has white beaches, clear water, and a quiet way of life with simple houses built from local materials.
The municipality was originally founded by fishermen and played an important role in local trade due to its convenient location. Spanish missionaries arrived in the 1600s and built a church that still stands today, reflecting the long history of the place.
The name Bantayan comes from watchtowers built during Spanish times to defend against pirate attacks. These structures still shape the island's appearance and remind visitors of its past as a place of protection.
The best time to visit is the dry season from December to May, when the weather is sunny and the seas are calm enough for boat trips. Once there, you can get around using jeepneys, tricycles, or rented motorbikes to explore different beaches, mangrove parks, and historic churches.
The municipality is known for producing dried fish called danggit, which is sun-dried and a local specialty sold in markets throughout the island. This traditional craft is a daily sight and shows how central fishing is to island life.
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