Costa Aguada Island Resort

I have never had such conflicting feelings and thoughts towards a place a stayed the way I had during our stay in Cost Aguada, we booked for 3 nights and arrived on Dec 30th wanting to spend the new year in somewhere different, and different it was! We were very well received at the port in Pulapandan and the trip was easy and short, about 30min to the island, there the crew where waiting for us, David the resort manager was waiting for us at arrival and took us in the tourist cart to the resort, there we were received by staff at the entrance singing and dancing for us and welcoming us in with fresh coconut juice on arrival, the scenery on the 2.5km journey from the cost to the resort in the cart was breathtaking that my wife and I at that point were discussing whether we need to stay more than 3 days. ||We were checked in and were given a nice room facing the sea, simple, clean and nice, lovely terrace surrounded by bamboo trees, a paradise! ||Staff were just amazing throughout, each and every one of them, loving, caring, attentive, smiling and they even took the trouble of taking us down to the small village for the new year celebration so we do not celebrate the new year alone, that was very nice and touching. ||We were the only ones in the resort, some may look at it as a disadvantage, yet I think it was perfect, it felt as if we had the entire island to ourselves, my wife and I felt connected to each other more than ever before! ||The island is small and it is a lovely experience to walk around the island on foot, hike the entire island circulating it, it should take you around 3.5 hours with easy persistent walk, it’s worth it! ||Lovely swimming pool, there is a decent pool table and tennis table with few other games as well, the restaurant is huge and very nicely decorated. ||Sounds everything is perfect, why the one star then??!!! ||Guess it is due to low occupancy rate and many staff celebrating the new year that there was no food supply from mainland, not only the food was overpriced, which I do not object on understanding that it will cost getting the food over from the mainland to the island, yet there was mainly no food almost at all, the first day the food served to us was apparently old and almost stale, the second day it was even worse, on the third day, we were told that many staff are suffering the hangover of the new year eve and many did not report to work, there was no one to cook for us, when we found one staff who is willing to prepare something for us, he went inside the kitchen and came out with a small piece of vegetable saying this is what is left in the kitchen (my wife is vegetarian), we agreed for him preparing pasta for us with the vegetable he found, the pasta was served with few grams of the veg only, it was so little amount that we can barely see it in the dish, it took us a minute of mining in the dish to see traces of it! that was only for one meal, the other meals there were simply no food and no staff! we were left to starve, I ended up eating coconut almost the entire stay, when we asked why there was no food, they told us that the sea is high and they couldn’t get supply from mainland, it was a sheer lie, the same day they sailed to fetch a local family checking-in, locals in the village have made several trips that day, the sea was very calm during this time of the year, we ourselves went on the boat the next day on our way Gimiras. ||This could be perfect have they not left us stranded without food, we are very simple in our requirements and we do not even object that AC only worked on our last day despite we were told that it will work at certain hours every day, we would not even object whether they do not have much food variety or on the fact that our room was only done the first day, the other 2 days was left undone guess due to lack of staff as well, but to give your customers the tom hanks cast-away experience and charge them for it (with no Credit Card facility), and then lie to them by not providing the only peace of veg on the resort and blaming it to sea condition is just not acceptable! either you are equipped enough to accept guests, or go do your handover on your expense not on the expense of others!

This place is what you need to get away from it all. The place is quiet and relaxing. Sure there are better, more high-end island resorts but for its price, Costa Aguada is well worth it. From Bacolod city proper, it took us about an hour by land and 30mins by boat to reach the island. Another 10 to 15mins jeepney ride from the island port to the main resort. When my wife and I arrived, we were warmly welcomed which included free drinks. We were only their second couple who were checked in the island resort ans it felt like we rented a private island resort for our own for a very low price. All their staff, including their Manager were very accommodating. A cozy room with a view of the sea. Supply of Hot and Cold drinking water. During our stay we felt like we were one with Nature. Perfect as it may seem, there were some things that can be improved. During our stay, not all amenities were available since the main Pavillion and a recreational area were still under construction. The pool location (adult and Children) was great but it may need cleaning. No TV/Cable in rooms. Electricity had rotation schedules, Very weak to no cellular signal. This last bit did have its benefit. Having no cellular signal, we had less distraction and were able to enjoy all the things the island had to offer. The food, were priced just right. Though they were delicious, seafoods were not fresh. Beach water is clear but there were some trash on the shore. If you are wondering if the place is Instagramable? It definely is.

If you want to really, really get away from it all, come off the grid, then this is the place to go. ||||THE ACCOMMODATION||The resort has tried to commune with nature regarding the constructions and they have done very well by using natural material available on the island. The cabins or cottages are very comfortable and well laid out for room and places to put things. The bathroom has all you need, a generous basin, pegs to hang towels, soap holder, the shower area also is large. Cold water is okay.||Firstly there is the greeting by the staff as your banca arrives from Sebaste Port. They ring a big bell and the island staff all stand on the shore awaiting your arrival. A garland for around your neck.||The front verandah on each cottage is fantastic. Beach front was a great view and it was extremely comfy sitting there with a cold beer or a hot coffee. Aircon is available at night to help you sleep, but it got too cold in the middle of the night and the fan is enough.||||FOOD||The menu was comprehensively large but the food was really good as well.||The dining hall was an unbelievable construction of timbers. You have to see it to appreciate the angles. The menu was amazing for a place that must get all its supplies from the mainland. Western food and Filipino food available at almost any hour.||You can bring your own food and drink if you think the a la carte is too expensive. It was expensive, but when you think they have to bring everything in, you can understand why. ||||GETTING THERE||Well the booking page has got it about right. You take a banca from Ortiz to Jordan for 14 pesos, then you have a choice of multi cabs and tricycles which will take you to San Miguel. From there you will need to catch another tricycle. Me? I just asked the tricycle at Jordan how much to Sebaste Port and he said 500 php and I said OK. I mean who wants to change three times to get to one place?||The resort supplies a van at a cost of 1350 php and if there are more than 5 of you, that's a good deal. For two of us - too expensive.||||RESORT BEACH - THINGS TO DO||The beach at the resort is nice and if you like to fish, then bring your lines because there is a breakwater a few metres out and you can spend a peaceful afternoon there, or a full day casting a line. It's rather immaterial if you catch anything - the sheer relaxation is enough.||Island hopping was available and there was also a pool, basketball court, children's playground and some nature walks if that's your thing.||The resort will drive you into the village for 500 php. We didn't have time to go, which was a shame, as they say they have some handcrafts for sale there.||||ISLAND HOPPING||Island hopping is about 1500 and they will pack a lunch for you from the menu. (extra cost) However, we had a breakfast at 8.30, left at 9.00, and returned at about 12.45. We didn't really need a meal while we were out. We had lunch when we returned. Just some water for the trip was okay. You can only visit two islands and the Nagarao Island was not worth it. Just go that nearest one, Us-usan, and spend the whole time there. It's beautiful. The next time I would go there and take a lunch.||Forget about snorkeling. Nothing to see. All the coral reefs are gone.||||THE WRAP||If you are the type of holiday traveller that loves to take pics of your food and your fun and post it on Facebook on the run, this is not the place for you. If you love to chat to friends on Messenger about the great time you are having - this is not the place for you. If you want to watch your favourite TV show every night - forget it. Go elsewhere!||There is no phone signal, or at least a weak and intermittent one. No WiFi. Power is on at restricted times. ||If you want to get away from your emails, your work worries, your consistently annoying phone calls, then book a couple of nights at Costa Aguada. If I didn't have some scheduled commitments I would stay a week. By that time you will be completely cured of anxiety and stress.||||I DIDN'T LIKE||||I took my girlfriend. Double or queen beds should be just about standard in at least 35% of the rooms to cater for couples. Two single beds just doesn't work for a romantic getaway. They said they have a honeymoon suite and can move mattresses around, but it didn't make sense to have to specifically ask for what is a common sleeping arrangement elsewhere.||||The small bottles of water for your island hopping should be free. Especially as there were only two of us. They cost 6 pesos in a supermarket. It would just be a nice touch. If water to drink is supplied to your room free, why charge for small bottles taken on an island hop that will be charged at 1500 php?

I traveled with my co-workers and we had enjoyed our stay there. The room was great. A bamboo house-like is cozy. The place is so peaceful.I recommend this for those who want to find peace and relax, away from all the stress at work. The staff were very accommodating. It feels like we own the place. HAHAHA! Plus you will enjoy the tour around the island. I couldn't say more but it was a thumbs up for us. :) God bless!

We stayed here for 4 nights in February 2017. The resort is quite beautiful but hauntingly empty. It's a bit eerie. Staff were fantastic and food was decent, but portions were quite small. ||||I think it's a fine resort but the primary reason I wouldn't go back is because of the beach. It's filthy. Trash is floating in the water and lines the rocky shores. That's right, rocky shores. This is not a sandy beach. And to add to the fun, the water is full of jelly fish. I get that none of this is the hotel's fault (except the trash) but given the sheer number of beautiful beaches in the Philippines, there are better places to go.

When we arrived, we were the only two at the resort. There had been rough seas and this had cleared out the resort and we were the first to arrive after the seas had settled. See everyone arrives by panga boat, and if the seas are too rough it is almost impossible to get there. We were welcomed by a staff sing-a-long. Soon a group of 12 arrived, but once they left we were alone again. They were remodeling half the cabins in anticipation of a 100+ group of Hobie Cat enthusiasts / convention. Food was excellent and everyone was working hard getting ready for the large crowd. This is a very expansive property and takes many staff to keep up with the maintenance. the beach and pool were both great and safe for swimming. Everything is on Generator so be prepared for no power during the daylight hours.

We just love the Island. Best place for a trail run! Has an airstrip but not develop yet. Food and Staff was amazing. Welcome their guest with singing staff and giving ice cooled coconut water! We will be back!

My husband and I booked two nights here, under the impression that it was still a nice resort based on the limited reviews we could find online. It should have tipped us off that the place was nearly empty except for us. From ants swarming our food, a filthy pool and outbuildings (including a shower that squirted brown water), a squaking lizard keeping us up all night in the thatched roof of our room, to almost no activities available at all, we were severely disappointed and checked out after one night. It is advertised as an "eco resort" but I honestly think it is an excuse to limit electricity and A/C during the day. The promised activities included kayaking, snorkeling, horseback riding, a zoo that included sea turtles, etc. The kayaks were broken; the water too cloudy to snorkel; no animals in the literally dilapidated "zoo"; the solitary sea turtle was barely visible in the murk of its enclosure; and we cancelled the horseback riding so we could escape after breakfast. I'm sorry to say that this place must be barely operating on the coattails of its heyday...the magazine at the front desk was still the original Time Magazine Princess Di issue. We didn't evaluate this experience in context of Western expectations. We were so relieved to move on to the next place on our itinerary, which had concrete floors, one twin bed and a bucket shower. The only way I would recommend Costa Aguada is as an overnight backpacking adventure for the non-germaphobe...except that they still charge resort prices. See photos for proof.