The Old Church Ruins in Camiguin (also known as Old Spanish Church Ruins and Guiob Church) is an iconic landmark on the island which 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.
Table of Contents
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.
OLD SPANISH CHURCH ENTRANCE FEE
The Old Spanish Church Ruins entrance fee is 10 pesos.
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Entrance to the Old Church Ruins Camiguin
Old Spanish Church Ruins
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE OLD CHURCH RUINS CAMIGUIN
There are three stone structures that still remain standing following the volcanic eruptions on the island which is why the Old 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 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 → 13 Things To Do In Camiguin
Old Church Ruins in Camiguin
Coral fossils embedded into the walls
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.
Old Church Ruins Camiguin
Taste-testing the Lanzones fruit
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. Breakfast is also included for all guests.
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, flat-screen tv, a private bathroom, a large patio, and ocean views! Breakfast is also included for guests.
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 ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY, SEE MY COMPLETE GUIDE ON WHERE TO STAY IN CAMIGUIN ISLAND.
WHAT TO PACK FOR THE PHILIPPINES
When visiting the Philippines, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you;
- Sunscreen – the Philippines sun is very strong, so make sure to pack some high-quality sunscreen.
- Quick-dry travel towel – the most compact and lightweight towel for traveling.
- Reusable water bottle – stay hydrated by bringing along a reusable water bottle.
- Backpack – The Nomatic 30L Travel Pack is the ultimate backpack for everyday adventures.
If you’re interested in taking awesome photos and videos on your travels, this is the camera gear that I use and recommend;
- GoPro HERO10 – the most popular camera on the planet for action-packed adventures.
- Canon EOS R – perfect for traveling, this is the most affordable, compact camera on the market.
- DJI Mini 3 Pro – take your photos and videos to new heights with this user-friendly drone camera.
MORE PHILIPPINES TRAVEL GUIDES
- Philippines Guide: 3 Weeks Philippines Itinerary
- Cebu: 15 Things To Do In Cebu
- Bohol: 31 Epic Things To Do In Bohol
- Siargao: 15 Things To Do In Siargao
- El Nido: El Nido Island Hopping
- Coron: Coron Island Hopping
- Boracay: 15 Things To Do In Boracay
- Siquijor: 3 Day Siquijor Itinerary
- Bantayan: 15 Things To Do In Bantayan
- Malapascua: 11 Things To Do In Malapascua
- Camiguin: 13 Best Camiguin Tourist Spots
- Romblon: 12 Epic Things To Do In Romblon
- Tablas: 10 Things To Do In Tablas
- Carabao: 7 Best Things To Do In Carabao
- Dumaguete: Best Dumaguete Tourist Spots
- Sumilon Island: Sumilon Island Itinerary
TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!
- BOOKING.COM – search and book accommodation worldwide
- SKYSCANNER – compare and book cheap flights to anywhere
- VIATOR – find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world
- BOOKAWAY – book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance
- RENTAL CARS – search all rental cars in your next destination
- GROUP TRIPS – join one of my epic small group trips
- TRAVEL INSURANCE – purchase World Nomads travel insurance
- TRAVEL MONEY CARD – get a Wise card today for free
Looking for more? Check out my Travel Resources page for further help with your trip planning!
FINAL THOUGHTS
I hope you enjoyed reading this article 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.
For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.
THANKS FOR READING
Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!
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