South Cebu Adventure: Travel Guide and Itinerary

Tara sa Cebu!

There are a lot of attractions and activities to do in Southern Cebu that you surely want to see and try. From chasing some waterfalls, swimming with the gentle giants, beach bumming in white-sand beaches, to canyoneering, this trip will surely satisfy the adventurer in you.

Kawasan Falls, Badian Cebu

How to get there

There are several ways to get to the towns of Southern Cebu. There are bus lines and vans that can take you from Cebu City to the towns of Southern Cebu. South Cebu is also accessible in some nearby provinces like Negros Oriental and Bohol.

Mactan-Cebu International Airport

FROM MANILA
The fastest and most convenient way to get to Cebu would be by air. The travel time from NAIA to Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) is around 45 minutes. There are also ferries that can take you to Cebu from Manila but for longer travel time.

• By air, PAL, Cebu Pacific, CebGo and AirAsia have Manila to Cebu flights. Cebu Pacific and AirAsia usually have promo flights that are cheaper.
• By sea, If you don't like flying, you can take a ferry from Manila to Cebu for a 22-hour travel time. You can check 2Go Travel for pricing and schedules.
• Once you reach Cebu, go to South Bus Terminal and ride a bus bound to Bato the last stop for all the buses going South. There are two routes the buses take. Take via Barili route if you are bound to the towns Barili, Moalboal, Badian, Malabuyoc, Ginatilan and Samboan and via Lilo-an for Oslob.

Tagbilaran Port

FROM BOHOL
Cebu is also accessible from neighboring province Bohol by regular ferries and fast crafts.

• Go to Tagbilaran City Tourist Port to ride either a regular ferry or a fast craft. The travel time for regular ferries is around 5-6 hours while fast crafts are only 2 hours but it's much expensive.
• See directions above for bus ride in South Bus Terminal going to Southern Cebu

Dumaguete is seen in Bato

FROM NEGROS ORIENTAL
The southernmost town of Cebu is Santander. From there, you can see the island of Negros Oriental. You can reach Santander from Negros Oriental by fast crafts and even pump boats.

• Go to Sibulan Port in Sibulan and ride a ferry going to Lilo-an Port in Santander. Travel time is around 30 minutes.
• From Santander ride a tricycle going to Ceres bus terminal in Bato. From there you can ride a bus to the southern towns.

Where to Stay

Most of the towns in Southern Cebu are coastal towns so you will find a lot of resorts and accommodations where you can stay. Here are some places you can stay in each town.

MOALBOAL

• Ester Homestay (Basdaku): +63 927 578-5983 (Recommended)
• Club Serena Resort (Basdaku): +63 920 902-8888 / +63 928 507-2026
• Ravenala Beach Resort (Basdaku): +63 917 550-0102
• Moalboal Backer Lodge (Panagsama): +63 917 751-8902 / +63 908 607-6240
• Sunshine Pension House (Panagsama): +63 921 689-1865 / +63 927 305-1105
• Maya’s Native Garden (Panagsama): +63 915 480-9610 / +63 32 4743084

BADIAN

• La Playa Resort (Matutinao): +63 932 475-1194 / +63 927 808-0972 (Recommended)

  La Playa Resort in Matutinao, Badian

GINATILAN

• Shiratani Beach Resort (Poblacion): 032 516-1485
• Candawog Little Resort (San Roque): 032 478-5729

SAMBOAN

• Villa Isabela (Ponong) : +63 916 370-9104 / +63 921 200-2327 (Recommended)
• Gorion Beach Resort (Ponong): +63 999 335-7310 / +63 923 603-9238

  View from Villa Isabela, Ponong, Samboan

OSLOB

• Chateau de Tan-Awan (Tan-Awan) : +63 917 912-7783 / +63 929 785-6976 (Recommended)

Attractions and Activities

There's just a lot of things to do and attractions to see in Southern Cebu, your itinerary will be full and jam-packed. Here are the things you can do and attractions you want to see in Southern Cebu.

• Chasing Waterfalls - There are a lot of waterfalls in Cebu. Some of it is already developed so it's accessible to go there. Almost all towns in the Southwestern part of Cebu have a waterfall. Probably the most popular among tourists is the Kawasan Falls in Badian and Tumalog Falls in Oslob. But, there are more waterfalls that are worth to see in Southern Cebu like Mantayupan Falls in Barili, Montañeza Falls in Malabuyoc, Inambakan, Kampael, & Bugnawan in Ginatilan and Aguinid, Binalayan (Hidden), & Dao Falls in Samboan and there's more!

  Inambakan Falls, Ginatilan

• Town Tour/Visit Heritage Sites - Cebu is not only rich in natural wonders but also in heritage structures. Visit the century-old churches in Malabuyoc, Ginatilan and Samboan and some heritage structures in Oslob like the Cuartel, Baluarte and Immaculate Conception Church.

  Heritage Sites in Poblacion, Samboan

• Whale Shark Watching - Oslob is very known to many tourists and travelers because of the whale sharks. If you want to see and experience swimming with the gentle giants, then this is the place to be. You can read more about whale shark watching in my article here.

  Whales sharks in Tan-awan, Oslob

• Tour Sumilon Island - Bluewater Sumilon Island is a small private island resort in Oslob. Staying here is quite expensive, ranging from PhP 10,000.00 and up. But you can have a day tour option to explore, or just to relax on the island. It's beautiful sandbar is open to the public, but, you need to hire a boat to get here. You can read more of our day tour experience in this article.

  Sandbar in Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort, Oslob

• Beach Bumming in Cangcua-Ay - Aside from the whale-sharks, Sumilon Island and Tumalog Falls, there's another spot in Oslob where you can relax and chill after your adventures. A private beach inside Villa Modern Deluxe resort. Read more about this instagram perfect beach in this article.

  Chilling in Cangcua-Ay Beach, Oslob
• Canyoneering in Badian - This is the most exciting and extreme activity in Southern Cebu. Go downstream canyoneering in Kanla-ob river in Alegria to Kawasan Falls in Badian. This is really a must-try activity that you should experience. You can also go upstream canyoneering if you're up for more challenge. You can read more about downstream canyoneering in this article.

  Downstream canyoneering in Badian

• Hike to the Highest Peak in Cebu - Watch the sunset or sunrise in Osmeña Peak, the highest peak in the province of Cebu. Osmeña Peak is in Mantalongon, Dalaguete which is considered the summer capital of Cebu. Read more about Osmeña Peak here.

  The highest peak in Cebu

• Discover Moalboal's Marine Life - The best diving spots are found in Moalboal. Pescador Island on Panagsama Beach is considered a diver's paradise because of its rich marine life. But, If you don't feel to go diving or snorkeling, you can always go beach bumming in the Basdaku White Beach.

Sardines run in Panagsama Beach, Moalboal

Itinerary

4 days won't be enough to fully experience South Cebu. So Here's a 5-day 4-nights itinerary. This itinerary starts from Samboan (chasing waterfalls), then Oslob (whale-shark watching and Sumilon Island tour), then Badian (canyoneering and hike to Osmeña Peak) and then to Moalboal (Pescador Island).

• Day 1 - Arrival in Cebu
• 7 AM - ETA Mactan-Cebu International Airport
• 8 AM - ETD South Bus Terminal (bound to Samboan 4-5 hour ride)
• 11 AM (Optional) - Stopover Barili for Mantayupan falls
• 1 PM - Lunch/ Town tour in Samboan/Ginatilan
• 8 PM - Rest, stay in Samboan
• Day 2 - Chasing Waterfalls!
• 6 AM - Wake up call/Breakfast
• 7 AM - Samboan: Aguinid, Binalayan and Dao Falls
• 12 NN - Lunch
• 1 PM - Malabuyoc: Montañeza Falls and Mainit Spring
• 3 PM - Ginatilan: Inambakan, Kampael and Bugnawan Falls
• 6 PM - Dinner/Rest
• Day 3 - Whale Sharks and Day Tour in Sumilon Island
• 4:30 AM - Wake up call
• 5 AM - ETD Samboan to Oslob (an hour ride via Sunrays bus)
• 6 AM - ETA Brgy. Tan-awan, whale shark resorts
• 6:30 AM - Whale shark watching
• 7 AM - Finish whale shark watching/Breakfast
• 8 AM - Go to Puerto Sumilon port in Bancogon (5-10 minute tricycle ride)
• 8:30 AM - ETD Puerto Sumilon to Sumilon Island (15 minutes boat ride)
• 8:45 AM - Day tour in Sumilon Island Resort
• 4:30 PM - Last trip of the boat from Sumilon to Bacongon/Go back to Brgy. Tan-awan
• 6 PM - Rest, stay in Samboan
• Day 4 - Canyoneering and Hike to Osmeña Peak
• 5 AM - Wakeup call/Breakfast
• 6 AM - ETD Oslob to Badian (2-3 hour bus ride)
• 9 AM - ETA Badian Resort/Gear up for Canyoneering
• 9:30 AM - Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls (3-4 hours depending on group pace)
• 12:30 NN - Finish Canyoneering/Lunch in Kawasan Falls
• 1:00 PM - Back to resort, relax for a bit
• 2 PM - Ride out to Mantalongon for Osmeña Peak
• 5:30 PM - Watch sunset in Osmeña Peak
• 7:30 PM - Back to resort, stay in Badian
• Day 5 - Moalboal and Going Home :(
• 6 AM - Wakeup call/Breakfast
• 6:30 AM - ETD Badian to Moalboal (45 minutes to an hour bus ride)
• 7:30 AM - ETA Moalboal Resort/Gear up for diving or snorkeling
• 8:00 AM - Pescador Island and Sardines Run
• 11 AM - Finish diving or snorkeling
• 12 NN - Lunch, prepare and pack up
• 1:00 PM - ETD Moalboal to Cebu (3-hour bus ride, but depends on traffic in the city)
• 4 PM - ETA Cebu City
• 4:30 PM (Optional) - Buy Pasalubong

Dipping in a pool in Mainit Spring

Expenses

Here's a breakdown of what it'll cost per day on a 5-day South Cebu Adventure. This only includes expenses that are necessary like fares, food, tour guides, entrance fees and accommodation. Tips and other expenses like "pasalubongs" are not included.

• Day 1: Cebu and Samboan
• Taxi Fare (airport to bus terminal): PhP 150 - 200 (it's traffic!)
• Lunch: PhP 150.00 per person
• AC Bus Fare (Cebu to Samboan): PhP 182.00 per person
• AC Room Accommodation (Villa Isabela): PhP 1000.00 per night good for 2 = PhP 500.00
• Tricycle Fare (resort to town roundtrip): PhP 20.00 per person
• Dinner: PhP 50 per person (it's really cheap in Cebu)
• Total: PhP 902.00 (not including the taxi fare)


• Day 2: Samboan, Ginatilan and Malabuyoc
• AC Room Accommodation (Villa Isabela): PhP 500.00 for 12 hours stay good for 2 = PhP 250.00
• Tricycle Fare (resort to town roundtrip): PhP 20.00 per person
• Breakfast: PhP 75.00 per person
• Motorcycle Rental (waterfalls tour in Samboan, Ginatilan and Malabuyoc): PhP 500.00 per person
• Agunid, Binalayan, and Dao Falls entrance fee: PhP 20.00 each waterfall per person = PhP 60.00
• Lunch: PhP 50.00 per person
• Mainit Spring Entrance Fee: PhP 20.00 per person
• Inambakan Falls Entrance Fee: PhP 10.00 per person
• Dinner: PhP 100.00 per person (We really got hungry after that adventure!)
• Total: PhP 1085.00


• Day 3: Oslob
• Bus Fare (Samboan to Oslob): PhP 50.00 per person
• Resort Entrance Fee (with locker): PhP 100.00 per person
• Whale Shark Watching: PhP 600.00 per person
• Breakfast: PhP 120.00 per person
• Tricycle Fare (Resort to Bacongon Port): PhP 25.00 per person
• Sumilon Island Day Tour (with lunch): PhP 1500.00 per person
• Tricycle Fare (Bacongon Port to Brgy. Tan-awan): PhP 25.00 per person
• Fan Room Accommodation (Chateau de Tan-Awan): PhP 700.00 per night good for 2 = PhP 350.00
• Dinner: PhP 120.00 per person
• Total: PhP 2890.00


• Day 4: Badian and Dalaguete
• Breakfast: PhP 120.00 per person
• Tricycle Fare (Oslob to Bato): PhP 180.00 = PhP 90.00 per person (special trip)
• Non-AC Bus Fare (Bato to Badian): PhP 62.00 per person
• Canyoneering + Osmeña Peak Tour: PhP 2000.00 per person
• Lunch: PhP 100.00 per person
• Fan Room Accommodation (La Playa Resort): PhP 500.00 per night for 12 hours good for 2 = PhP 250.00
• Dinner: PhP 60.00 per person
• Total: PhP 2682.00


• Day 5: Moalboal and Cebu
• Breakfast: PhP 75.00 per person
• AC Bus Fare (Badian to Moalboal): PhP 30.00 per person
• Tricycle Fare (Moalboal town to Panagsama beach): PhP 100.00 / 2 pax = PhP 50.00
• Resort Entrance Fee: PhP 75.00 per person
• Boat Rental for Island Hopping: PhP 1800.00 / 2 pax = PhP 900.00
• Lunch: PhP 120.00 per person
• Bus Fare (Moalboal to Cebu): PhP 116.00
• Total: PhP 1366.00


• Total Expense: PhP 8,925.00

  What are you waiting for? Let's go!