I arrived in Con Dao at 10.30 am and this wasn’t my first time on the island, so I knew there were some green carts operating as taxis. But this port is different from the one I was before 5 years ago when I reached the island from Vung Tau. This time I reached it from Soc Trang.
Once we leave the ferry there are these white carts taking people to the port entrance. I didn’t know that was their purpose because the walk wouldn’t be that long and I have never seen carts available just to move people from the boat to the port entrance haha. So, I made the mistake of asking the white cart’s driver to take me to my hotel. That was an expensive ride!!! There is a taximeter and I was the only one on that big vehicle. I ended up paying 100K for a trip that lasted not much longer than 5 min. Expensive… anyway, I reached my destination, a camping spot just by the jungle further from the busiest part of Con Dao, but I loved the vibe. So green, so many jungle sounds, the water dripping from a creek running right next to the spot, what a place. Very basic but everything I like: surrounded by nature. I recognized the boy as he was the same person who owned the hostel where I had been in 2019. I was like wow I remember you. Didn’t you have a hostel in Con Dao before? And he confirmed. Funny haha.
I have a bungalow for myself. The bathroom was outside and breakfast was included, a very well served breakfast. A meal for me!
After resting because I had been awake since 5 am and had vomited onboard the boat, I was ready to explore in the afternoon. I rented a motorbike for 150K dongs a day and that’s how I explored the island for 4 days. In 2019 I didn’t rent a motorbike even for 1 day, so this time I got to know the island all around. So happy I did. Renting a motorbike is absolutely the best way to explore the island as someone solo, otherwise, by taxi, it would be too expensive.
Dam Trau Beach
On this day I went to Dam Trau Beach. The weather wasn’t promising, but I wasn’t expecting much from the weather in Con Dao honestly. At least it didn’t rain… To get to this beach I rode across some beautiful landscapes. There are parts of the street right next to the ocean and that is a nice view to ride along.
The beach has a 3K dong entrance fee haha. Was not expecting it, but anyway, just a significant amount. This beach is right next to the airport and you can see the planes departing, therefore flying really low. It is a nice occasional sight. The beach is wide and clean actually. The colors didn’t shine through but it was still a nice stroll around. The water is at a welcoming temperature and because there is no sun, I preferred to stay in the water. There are some nice beautiful trees growing on rocks to the right side. Beautiful to witness their roots growing on the tall rocks. I went further into the jungle to reach Hidden Beach or Bai Suoi Nong.
How to get to Con Dao islands?
Hidden Beach or Bai Suoi Nong
This beach is not so hidden because it is clearly seen from Dam Trau beach and probably accessible through the sand during low tide. I walked a few minutes in the jungle to reach it but I couldn’t even see much of it. Once the trail finished and I saw the beach at last, I also saw a local sitting on a chair. He is a National Park ranger and is there to verify if I have a ticket to access Con Dao National Park. No, I don’t. He doesn’t even let me proceed further and tells me to not take pictures. I have to buy the ticket to be there!! Hell no! I went back the same way. The beach isn’t so amazing that deserves a ticket just for itself. What a stupid idea, the beach is right next to an accessible beach, and is absolutely empty. Lol whatever. Not sure which one of the National Park tickets would be possible to use here.
Con Dao National Park tickets
Yes, there is something I should mention about Con Dao National Park. Each day you have to buy a new ticket in case you access an area within the National Park. Each ticket costs 50K dong and is specific to a certain area of the National park. I found this silly… Couldn’t they just have a ticket for multiple days?? I have paid for the Con Dao National Park ticket 3 different times. I thought it would be valid for 24 hours and I would be able to use it in another spot the next day, but I was wrong.
The following day I explored other parts of the National Park, so I had to buy a ticket this time.
You can read more about day 2, day 3, and day 4 in Con Dao islands HERE.
