Leticia by the Sea
Located on Talicud Island, and from the same ownership of Casa Leticia, comes yet another resort to the Samal Island area. One of the features that stands out is the exclusive rental of the resort. Capacity is limited to 20 people, but if you’ve got a good size group the cost is very affordable to have the place all to yourselves.
Talicud Island, a separate islet that belongs to Island Garden City of Samal, has long been a hidden paradise for those who crave for a remote getaway while still being able to go back to the city within two hours of boat travel.
Here, portions of land are bought by families who build their own private retreats or public resorts. One of these is the yet unknown Leticia by the Sea, which was easily coined by the owners who also own Casa Leticia (and the famous Tsuru and Hanoi Restaurants). I will predict, however, that it won’t be long before tourists will come visit this place, by its sheer beauty alone, thanks to the De la Paz family who took pains in creating a dream haven.
Two years ago, Ray de la Paz bought a potential piece of land raw with lush vegetation, jutting coconut trees and a strip of white beach. Inspired by a vision in mind, he slowly built a hidden paradise by carefully following the land’s terrain and rocky cliffs so as not to drastically alter the environment. Cottages were built overlooking a spectacular view of the turquoise sea.
Although these houses, scattered in a rolling landscape of colourful gardens and trees, were more of Balinese influence, everything else was of Filipino touch. Open cabanas protect your sleeping quarters with a white flowing curtain while affording you a view of the open sea and the cool breeze. The cottages, pavilion with a view deck and dorm were constructed with coco lumber, amakan, hard wood bamboo and nipa, complemented with interesting artifacts and antiques he bought from his province in Negros. Antique day beds, old lamps, tarnished bancas, ship rudders, an old river boat for hauling sugar cane, cabinets and an ethnic head statue are strategically placed all over the place to give you a rustic but cozy atmosphere.
Many activities can be done in this dreamy sanctuary…hiking, snorkelling, diving, kayaking, just cozing up with a book in a hammock by the beach…or if you are like me, engaged in photography.
The family welcomes visitors on tour or exclusive rental of the place. For an overnight package of P10,000, inclusions are accommodation good for 15 people (charge of P500/head in excess), to a maximum of 20, an exclusive use of the resort and its sports facilities (kiddie pool and kayaks), kitchen and cooking amenities, boat transfers, plus a resident cook and a helper to assist you.
Five public boats from Davao leave for Talicud Island in Sta. Ana Pier from 10am to 3pm. Another route is by barge from Sasa in Davao to Samal, followed by a 30-minute ride from Babak to Kaputian, and lastly, a 10-minute banca ride just across Talicud. Boat reservations and charters can be arranged upon request at Casa Leticia office at (092) 2240501, mobile nos. 09177025427, or email stay@casaleticia.com for inquiries.
by Jojie Alcantara
I’ve added this to the Samal Island resorts list. I think the first number should be (082) 2240501, BTW.
Casa Leticia
J. Camus Street, Davao City
Phone: +63(82) 224-0501, Fax: +63(82) 221-3585
stay@casaleticia
www.casaleticia.com
Article/photo credit (and a lot more photos): Jojie Alacantra | Leticia by the Sea.
Randy,
I went to Talicud Island last summer and stopped at the Isla Reta Resort. Very nice but not so easy to get there. This was across from Kaputian and the town was Sta Cruz.
Hi Kevin – good to hear from you. I hope all is well.
Talicud Island is some place I want to visit, but I doubt it will be on my next trip. Leticia by the Sea will probably get business because of the reputation of Casa Leticia, so I’m guessing good portion of that will come from locals, as opposed to foreigners.
I hope to do some posts on my trip to Samal last summer.
Hi Kevin – looking forward to them.
How’s the Bisaya going?
Slow going lately. I had Mathcounts competition last weekend and I took a inservice class yesterday. I’m trying to study in spare time but it’s hard. How about you?
Plodding along. I seem to miss a lesson every couple or few weeks. That usually sets me back. My retention of the vocab is not good unless I practice a lot. Which really means I’m not really retaining, I guess.
Hi Randy, first thanks for visiting my blog and for the comment. About the Talicud Island, i had a very bad experienced on that island when i was in High School. We went there with our classmates and our teacher in Religion. We enjoyed the whole day swimming but when we went home, we boarded on a separate boat. I was with my other classmates and school mates. My teacher and some students were also on the other boat. Their boat sunk when we were in the middle of the sea because of the big waves and it was raining also. All of them died including my favorite teacher in Religion. That’s is why i am scared to board a small boat until now.
HI Katherine – that’s a terrible experience. I can understand your fear of small boats after having gone through that. I guess there have been some bad accidents in that area over time. I wonder why there aren’t life jackets worn on these small boats. I remember when we took the boat over to Paradise Island, we did not wear life jackets. I didn’t really give it a second thought. Possibly they offered?
Hi Randy, I am back!! The body of water between Samal and Davao is actually open to swells because the prevalent winds here are either northerly (amihan) and southerly (habagat). If winds are sustained, then the swells build up. Also, if winds are southerly, the swells are bigger because the opening to the gulf is in the south. Therefore Talikud becomes dangerous on a sustained strong southerly wind pattern. I also notice that current here is strange. If wind is against current, the swells or waves become short and choppy. The bangka ride will be a very wet ride I would imagine. Based on this, I think life jackets must be mandatory, but I don’t know if it is strictly implemented. Also, passenger carriers should have strong rules of hauling out for maintenance checks and approval. But this is Philippines. Sad to say, when bad things like this happens, that’s the time people do a lot of fingerpointing and there will be a short interval of strict implementation of rules. I must point out though, this is not unique to Philippines only. We’ve seen this happening in other countries as well. Even in NZ where boaters go out without proper safety equipment (one charter boat didnt even carry ropes for towing when they got stranded). The difference there is that they have coast guards, Orion planes, rescue vessels and helicopters to search and rescue.
Hi Ellen – welcome back, you were missed! I know that you’ve been really busy, in addition to the internet problems you were experiencing.
I think I’ll be wearing a life jacket from now on after that explanation, even if I am the only one
I figured the rules, if any, were pretty loosely followed.
You know I haven’t actually crossed from Davao to Samal that many times so far. Hopefully someday it will be common place for us.
Don’t worry Randy. It is very seldom we have sustained strong winds here. Squalls may pass and it usually is for half an hour only. Just look up to the skies and you will know what they day will be like.
Thanks, Ellen. I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it after I’ve done it more than a couple of times. Most of my trips, I imagine, will be by the RORO. That shouldn’t be as susceptible to the weather, at least I hope not.
just want to ask if a WIFI connection is available at the resort. thank you.
Hi Mara – we’ll see if anyone can answer that question for you, as I’ve not been there myself. Seems most of the resorts don’t advertise whether they have wifi or not, and that is a question that I’d appreciate knowing, too.
It was winter in Europe -The weather in the Phils was brilliant-on one morning we could visit Leticia by the sea. We thought that paradise was the only in our thougts Now we know rhere is another one ;LETICIA BY THE SEA. A MARVELOUS PLACE .green is the grass , the houses typical Philippino – the love for nature – the love for the trees- the extreme cleanliness- the fantastic foods- the blue water and sand beaches- the onforgatable old antique furniture- the badrooms in a interesting architecture man made with showers like a waterfall – the person who developed this idea is a artist. I hope I can finish my life in this overwelming beautiness -Leo Delaleeuw – Belgium
Hi Leo and thanks for the glowing review of Leticia by the Sea.
Truly makes me want to visit there soon. I know it is a favorite of many.
I hope you can realize your dream and life close to there. What a wonderful dream to look forward to.
could we have bon fire??
Fine with me, but you might want to check with the owners/management. I do not know what their policies are.
Contact information is listed in the article.