The Old Church Ruins in Camiguin (also known as Old Spanish Church Ruins and Guiob Church) is an iconic landmark on the island that has stood the test of time following the volcanic eruptions of Mt Vulcan and Mt Hibok Hibok.
I have put together this complete guide to the Old Church Ruins in Camiguin including where to find them, how much it costs, and what to expect when you arrive.
OVERVIEW – OLD CHURCH RUINS IN CAMIGUIN
Let’s start this guide with all the essentials you should know, such as the Old Church Ruins location, how to get there, and more.
WHERE ARE THE OLD CHURCH RUINS IN CAMIGUIN?
The Old Spanish Church Ruins are located in Catarman on Camiguin Island.
From the main tourist area of Mambajao, it’s approximately a 10-minute drive to reach the Old Church Ruins Camiguin.
Click here to see the location on Google maps.
HOW TO GET TO THE OLD SPANISH CHURCH RUINS?
The best way to get to the Old Church Ruins Camiguin is to rent a scooter in Mambajao and make your own way to this historical Camiguin tourist spot.
I rented my scooter from Camiguin All In One for 350 pesos per day. They have many scooters to choose from and they can also help you to organize round-the-island tours in Camiguin.
Alternatively, there are tricycles and shared van options available to get around Camiguin Island. A 10-minute tricycle ride from Mambajao to Catarman will cost around 100 pesos whereas the shared van is only 40-50 pesos.
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OLD SPANISH CHURCH ENTRANCE FEE
The Old Spanish Church Ruins entrance fee is 50 pesos.
WHAT IS THE OLD CHURCH RUINS CAMIGUIN HISTORY?
The Old Church Ruins in Camiguin are all that remain of the Guiob Church, also known as the “Old Catarman Church,” which was built in the early 16th century.
During the Spanish colonial era, the Guiob Church was constructed by Spanish friars to serve as a place of worship. It played a vital role in spreading Christianity in the region.
However, the church’s history took a tragic turn in 1871 when the nearby Mt. Vulcan erupted, burying the town of Catarman, including the church, in volcanic ash.
This eruption caused widespread destruction and claimed many lives, leading to the abandonment of the town.
Despite the devastating incident, the ruins of the church were preserved and turned into a historical landmark.While the original structure was never fully restored, efforts have been made to reinforce and stabilize the remaining walls.
Today, the Old Church Ruins are a popular tourist attraction in Camiguin.
The BEST Hotel in Camiguin
Need a place to stay? Bintana Sa Paraiso is conveniently located in Camiguin.
Whether you’re here to explore or relax in comfort, this is an excellent option!
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE OLD CHURCH RUINS CAMIGUIN
Let me elaborate on what to expect and the Old Spanish Church Ruins description.
There are three stone structures that still remain standing following the volcanic eruptions on the island which is why the Guiob Church Ruins in Camiguin is a historical landmark. From the road, it looks like an old fortress with its high walls and tall columns.
The walls of the Camiguin Church Ruins, over time, have become covered in vines and moss which clearly gives you an idea of how old this church is.
Large trees also surround this historic site which are some of the biggest trees I have seen and they form a dense canopy above the ruins. See the image above for scale!
See More: Best Things To Do In Camiguin
The Guiob Church was built sometime in the 16th century during the Spanish era before it met its demise during the eruption. Hence the name Old Spanish Church Ruins.
Before you leave the Old Spanish Church Ruins you will find a couple of local vendors selling Lanzones fruit.
If you haven’t tried Lanzones yet in the Philippines make sure you try them here. The locals were kind enough to offer a free taste test and they even showed us how to peel and eat the fruit.
My friends and I spent around 30 minutes exploring the Old Church Ruins in Camiguin before continuing on to visit the Sunken Cemetery and the Mt Vulcan Viewpoint.
WHERE TO STAY IN CAMIGUIN
Camiguin Island has countless accommodation options to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to fit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend.
Luxury: Bintana Sa Paraiso
I personally stayed at Bintana Sa Paraiso and can’t recommend this place enough!
They have 2 properties, one is on the beachfront in Mambajao and the other is high in the mountains in Binunsarun.
It’s currently one of the best 5-star accommodations in Camiguin featuring a restaurant, swimming pools, sea views, and mountain views!
The rooms are modern and spacious with private bathrooms, air conditioning, flat-screen tv, and a kitchenette.
Mid Range: Tongatok Cliff Resort
Tongatok Cliff Resort is your second-best pick for accommodation in Camiguin.
Located on the cliffs overlooking Tongatok Bay, the resort features a restaurant, room service, bar, garden, terrace, and free wifi.
The units are fitted with air conditioning, a flat-screen tv, a private bathroom, a large patio, and ocean views!
Budget: Pabua’s Cottages
Pabua’s Cottages is the best budget accommodation in Camiguin, featuring beautiful gardens, a shared kitchen, free wifi, and room service.
The units are basic but perfect for a few nights’ stay, featuring a seating area, flat-screen tv, large bed, air conditioning, and a private bathroom.
Recommended for solo travelers, couples, and friends.
FOR MORE OPTIONS, SEE MY COMPLETE GUIDE ON WHERE TO STAY ON CAMIGUIN ISLAND
WHAT TO PACK FOR THE PHILIPPINES
When visiting the Philippines, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:
Must-Have Travel Essentials
Hidden Money Wallet
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Reusable Water Bottle
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Travel Backpack
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Quick-Dry Travel Towel
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Portable PowerBank
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More Philippines Travel Guides
Click the button below to view all articles related to the Philippines!
FINAL THOUGHTS – GUIOB CHURCH IN CAMIGUIN
I hope you enjoyed reading this article about Camiguin Old Church ruins and if you have any questions at all about the Old Spanish Church Ruins in Camiguin, please leave me a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
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THANKS FOR READING
Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!
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