Hello Hivers!
South Cebu has been our home for the last 4 years. Our move to this part of the Philippines had been triggered by a simple road trip. Allow me to take you on a journey to see not-to-be-missed sights around our area. I should warn you though that these destinations are only the tip of the iceberg for there are over 100 waterfalls in Cebu alone. There's more to see.
Serendipity made it possible for us to experience living on both sides of the island. We are currently living by the sea in the small diving town of Moalboal.
Over the years, I have amassed a collection of travel videos while playing tour guide to friends and family who visited us. Fasten your seat belts and let me take you for a ride. Play the video to start the journey.
How To Get Around
On our first South Cebu Road Trip, we rented a car and drove down from Cebu City for 2 and a half hours to stay in Argao, our first rest stop. We were traveling with an active toddler then and to gain freedom in exploring roads less traveled, a car rental was convenient.
Our destinations: Argao - Dalaguete - Oslob - Santander - Samboan- Allegria - Badian - Moalboal - back to Argao via Ronda Road (Ylaya Taloot Road)
Having lived here for many years, I highly recommend staying in Moalboal. There are more sights to see on this side of the island, a more lively social scene, and more restaurant options. With the existence of the new road in Badian, you could easily access Osmeña Peak and the vegetable farms of Dalaguete.
Travel By Bus
For a cheaper mode of transport, you can also travel by bus at Cebu South Terminal going to Bato / Liloan via Barili. Ceres bus is a popular bus line traveling this route. Taking buses is the most practical way for a solo backpacker or couples to travel together.
View from Eli Rock, Boljoon
You can travel the whole loop and see all of the sights in three days.
A couple we met staying in Argao did the full loop by bus in one day. They stopped at certain points for the activities- whale shark watching and Kawasan falls on their first day and continued with the bus that dropped them back to Argao. They arrived back in the hotel just in time for late dinner. They hiked the Osmeña Peak trail the next morning and took the bus back to Cebu City that afternoon.
Mantalongon, Vegetable Basket of Cebu
Touring by Van
For big groups of 10, there are organized van excursions that will take you throughout all of the sites including Sumilon Island, Oslob whale shark spotting, Badian Canyoneering, Kawasan Falls, Osmeña Peak including food, transport, and accommodations with pick-up from Cebu City (Airfare excluded). My brother and his friends have booked a group tour for themselves and they were charged per person.
Slow Travel
A road trip for 7 days is meant for slow travel. The kind where you keep driving to explore off-beaten paths, where you can linger longer at a beachside restaurant to enjoy conversations with foreign volunteers working with children in remote areas. Those moments when you stumble upon a captivating stream in the middle of nowhere while searching for a tourist attraction recommended by residents.
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Oslob Town
A car rental will cost about Php 1500 per day. We received a better rate for renting a car the entire week via Cebu Easy Rent A Car. Please note that this price might have changed after the quarantine.
Just bring 2 valid IDs, a copy of your house bill, a security deposit, an extra delivery fee for easy pickup and delivery of the car at your hotel or the airport. They'd often request your details via SMS before booking.
We hired their services twice and both experiences were excellent. We drove their manual Kia Picanto and it was functional enough for us.
Drive from the City
The drive from Cebu City is fairly easy, occasionally avoiding big buses driven by what appears to be former race car drivers. 🙂 There are road expansions but the further you go, it is reduced to a single lane each way. For this reason, be on the lookout for tricycles at a snail's pace followed by an even much slower trisikad/pedicab. Most of them move around without lights so it is best to avoid driving at night.
Ylaya Taloot Road, Ronda
Just like anywhere in the Philippines, driving here requires a good amount of patience and fast reflexes.
The traffic build-up is generally expected until Naga, during busy days until Carcar. The roads open up to a much lovelier drive afterward. Canopies of ancient trees lined up on either side of the highway with the generous presence of rice paddies, a view of the sea to one side, and the green mountain on the other.
Ideas in Planning Your Very Own Road Trip
It takes 4 hours from Mactan International and Domestic Airport to Moalboal. Whenever I picked up guests from the airport, we always stopped at SM Seaside for a quick bite before the long road travel. This saves us time because it is located right along the SRP (South Road Properties) that is connected to the Natalio B. Bacalso South National Highway. This also gives them a chance to exchange money and purchase whatever they need (toiletries, clothes, flip-flops, etc.) in advance.
Parilya, Il Corso
With more time to spare, enjoy a lunch by the sea in Parilya at Il Corso.
We always take a brief stop in Carcar Market for its popular chicharon (fried pork rinds) and *Lechon *(slow-roasted baby piglet) stalls. Persuasive salespersons will thrust their Lechon trays to you for a tempting taste test. I never leave this place empty-handed.
In Carcar, at the roundabout, take the turn towards Barili and enjoy the cliffside drive on the way to Moalboal.
Stopover for a gyrocopter ride in Ronda and see the coast of Tanon Strait from the sky.
Snorkel at the beach in Moalboal, swim with sea turtles, and learn how to scuba dive while you are beautifully swarmed by millions of sardines. If you're lucky, a whale shark might make an appearance.
Drive to Kawasan Falls for an adventurous morning of canyoneering. The whole activity takes 3 hours and it's wise to pre-book with a reliable canyoning operator. Cambais Falls is another less touristic alternative. Relax in Lambug Beach or drive up to Cosina Organica in Alegria for lunch followed by an afternoon swim with sea turtles below the restaurant.
Check out Samboan the next day and visit more waterfalls.
Drive around the southern tip towards Oslob for Tumalog Falls, Cuartel Heritage Park, and Sumilon Sandbar. I purposely skipped Oslob Whale Shark Watching because I do not support any type of tourism that directly impacts wildlife.
Take a boat trip towards the sandbar of Sumilon Island.
A quick stopover at Bodo's Bar and Restaurant in Alcoy (Triple B Resort) for coffee or cold drinks to enjoy the sea views before heading to Barrio Kusina.
Enjoy a sumptuous lunch at Barrio Kusina tucked between Alcoy and Dalaguete right along the main highway.
Turn left to Dalaguete towards the hills of Mantalongon. Enjoy a short 1-hour return hike on Osmeña Peak. Navigate your way back through narrow meandering roads towards Badian. This drive offers amazing views of vegetable farms.
Should you decide to visit the ornately designed Simala Shrine in Sibonga, a strict dress code is required before entering the gates. No public vehicles are passing through these areas but some habal-habal drivers could take you there waiting at the junction. Instead of taking the roads of Dalaguete, a detour cutting through the mountains along Ylaya Taloot Road is more practical.
My Takeaway
Now that tourism is easing a bit, here is an overview of sorts that might help in jump-starting your travel plans should you wish to visit the southern part of Cebu, Philippines.
I have been spending a lot of time editing videos for fun. The video above gave birth to this unplanned blog post. Once I started, I got carried away.
With the recent #WATP Who Are They Philippines article, I was happy to be dragged away from my computer for a change. I spent the day with 
While Yohann and I were mesmerized by huge sea turtles swimming in the clear water, visible from the deck where we stood, it made me realize that many times, I have taken for granted the fact that we live close to nature.
What is your favorite spot in the southern part of Cebu? Is there any particular restaurant in the south that you recommend?
"I am an old soul who simply loves coffee, who finds joy and beauty in both tangible and the unseen."
Curiosity and imagination lead to unexpected experiences. Interested in Nature, Places, Roads Less Traveled, Minimalism, Authentic Living, Anything French, and International Cuisine. Feel free to follow her, re-blog, and upvote if you enjoy her content.