A Day on Cebu for Only P2,600.00 All-in (With Canyoneering and Osmeña Peak)
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Cebu is a large island that is not running out of travel destinations to go to, so we booked a trip going to this island for February 21, 2017. We already have a 9-day itinerary for Cebu and nearby places including Dumaguete, Siquijor and Bohol, but just a month before our trip to Cebu, the only commercial airline going to Siargao that time, which was Cebu Pacific, had a promo which was hard to resist, mainly because Siargao is a more difficult place to travel since there were only few trips going to that island rather than Cebu. Hence, we booked a 5-day Siargao trip on the middle of our Cebu trip. Ideally, atleast 5 days must be spent when visiting the beautiful island of Cebu, however on our case, since we are now having Siargao as our main destination on our new itinerary, our Cebu trip was split on to two separate days, February 22, and February 28. Even though we only had limited time in Cebu, we still tried to make the most out of our trip.
Preparation
Preparation will help you save money and will give you less hassle when travelling because you can choose the lowest prices of the things that you will need in your trip, so before going to Cebu we prepared four things:
- Accomodation
- Canyoneering and Kawasan Falls Guide
- Transportation
- Itinerary
Accomodation
Today, there were a lot of ways to pre-book an accommodation without actually going to their site, one of it is by using Airbnb, which was what we used to book a condotel type unit at Crown Regency Hotel and Towers. We have to stay at Cebu for two nights (February 21 - February 23) before our Siargao trip, and the listing that we booked costs P5478 for two nights. There were a lot of cheaper place to stay at Cebu, but most of them were already booked so make sure to plan your trip as early as possible. Facilities such as swimming pool, and gym were also some factors why we chose to stay at Crown Regency Hotel and Towers. Unfortunately, we weren't able to enjoy those facilities since we were only able to use the hotel for sleeping, and most of the time we were outside the hotel since we were exploring the beauty of Cebu. Good thing, we got a a very nice view of Cebu from our unit since it is located at the 20th floor of the hotel. It was also very cozy and spacious for us, a group of 6 persons. Also, the place is very accessible to everything that you need while you are in Cebu. In fact, there is a shop/convenience store at the ground floor of the hotel where you can buy overruns of your favorite apparel brand.
If you go to Badian, Cebu, you can see a lot of tarpaulins along the sides of the highway offering Canyoneering and Kawasan Falls tour, but since we believed that planning your expenses before hand will help you save more money, we secured our guides for Canyoneering and Kawasan Falls adventure before going to Cebu.
A tour guide is required when visiting Canyoneering and Kawasan Falls. The cost of tour guide may vary depending on the number of members of your group, and your tour guide itself. Prices may go up to as much as P3000.00. But for us, a group with 6 members, we were able to secure our guides for only P1500.00 per person. It was the cheapest offer you can get that time, and it was offered by Highland Adventures PH. Their offer was inclusive of environmental fees, motorcycle ride from their place in Badian to the jump off point of Canyoneering trail, one action camera (just bring your own memory card), one dry bag, one bamboo raft at Kawasan Falls, a bottle of water and Fudgee Bar incase you get hungry along the trail, and a complete meal at the Kawasan Falls.
Transportation
We came up with three options for what mode of transportation wee we going to use while in Cebu. Our first option was to commute all the way but we realized that it was the most expensive option. According to some people who has been to Osmeña Peak before us, habal-habal or motorcycle ride would cost from around P500.00 to P1000.00 roundtrip from Dalaguete, but if you're willing to have a co-passenger at habal-habal it might cost for as low as P100.00 per person per way if you're from Dalaguete. While the fare for a habal-habal ride from Osmeña Peak to Kawasan Falls if you're willing to have a co-passenger might cost P400.00 per person. According to them, this prices varies depending on how good you can talk to the drivers of the habal-habal. This was exclusive of the bus ride that costs P100.00 per way. In total, commuting would cost atleast P700.00 per person from Cebu City to Osmeña Peak and Kawasan Falls, and vice versa.
COMMUTE
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COMMUTE + TOUR
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RENT A CAR
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Bus from Cebu South Terminal to Dalaguete = P100
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Bus from Cebu South Terminal to Dalaguete = P100
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Innova = P2500
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Habal-Habal from Dalaguete to Osmeña Peak = P100
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Tour additional fee for Osmeña Peak = P400
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Gas = P1000
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Habal-Habal from Osmeña Peak to Kawasan Falls = P400
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Total = P3500
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Bus from Badian to Cebu South Terminal = P100
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Bus from Badian to Cebu South Terminal = P100
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Persons = 6
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Total/Person = P700.00
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Total/Person = P600.00
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Total/Person = P583.33
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Comparison of transportation fares to Osmeña Peak and Kawasan Falls
Another option came up when Highland Adventure PH, our tour guide at Canyoneering and Kawasan Falls, offered us a tour to Osmeña Peak for an additional P400.00 only to our original tour which costs P1500.00. If we confirmed to that offer, our Canyoneering + Kawasan Falls + Osmeña Peak tour would cost P1900.00. We almost confirmed to that offer because it was quite cheaper than commuting. However, we were able to find a vehicle that we could rent during our stay on Cebu, it was at Cebu Cabahug Rent-A-Car. We rented one of their Innova units which costs P2500.00 for a day. This would cost us, a group of 6 persons, an amount of P583.33 per person including the gas fee. They also delivered the vehicle to us on the airport on our arrival day which allowed us to save money for not paying a transportation fare from airport to our hotel. Lastly, this option is more convenient because the vehicle is spacious for us, with this we can also control our own time and we can go wherever we wanted, and we could also leave some of our belongings inside the car while on the tour, so we opted this option. The Innova was also reserved before we went to Cebu because we might have a hard time finding a car to rent when we do it when we just arrived on Cebu, and most probably the units you preferred were already reserved by others when you do it.
Day 0 - Arrival
We arrived at Cebu Airport at around 9:00PM. I wasn't expecting this because our flight was delayed for only less than an hour, but Cebu Pacific still gave us complementary food consisting of biscuits, cookies, cake bars, candies, and a bottled water. However, we were not able to eat those foods because we were already craving for Cebu Lechon that time.
The Innova that we reserved before going to Cebu was delivered to the airport which was what we used to go to our accommodation at Crown Regency Hotel and Towers. We were just supposed to check-in and drop our belongings on our unit because we were already hurrying to eat Cebu Lechon. However, when we got in to our unit, our jaws dropped and we spent a bit more time than what we were supposed to do because the place simply amazes us. We forget our hunger for Cebu Lechon for a while, and took some group photos before finally going to the place where we will satisfy our cravings.
We went to Maxwell Hotel to try Cebu's Original Lechon Belly. They offer Cebu Lechon in original and spicy flavors. It was my first time to taste and see a lechon in spicy flavor, but most of the restaurants in Cebu that offers lechon has this flavor. We ordered two orders of 1/4 kilograms of spicy lechon which costs P160.00 per order, and one order of 1/4 kilograms of original lechon which costs P150.00. An order of 1/4 kilograms of lechon is good for 2 persons, and since we were 6 in our group, we ordered three lechons of that measurement on that night. I am the kind of person who doesn't want spicy foods that much because I have a low tolerance to those kind of foods, which was the reason why we had an order of original lechon, but their spicy lechon just tastes perfect. Its spiciness is very tolerable, just right to make its taste very rich. People who doesn't want spicy foods that much, like me, should also try their spicy lechon. Aside from lechon, we also ordered their special kind of rice which was covered by coconut leaves called Puso or Hanging Rice. It was also my first time there to see that kind of rice, and it only costs P5.00. Cebu Lechon is perfect to be eaten with Puso, that's why we ordered a total of six Puso for our group. Our cravings was satisfied by Cebu's Original Lechon Belly.
Since we had our own car that time, on our way back to the hotel, we decided to take the long way to have a short road trip. We saw Cebu IT Park and The Church of Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple before finally going back to hotel and rest.
Since we had our own car that time, on our way back to the hotel, we decided to take the long way to have a short road trip. We saw Cebu IT Park and The Church of Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple before finally going back to hotel and rest.
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| Pico Osmeña, Dalaguete, Cebu |
Day 1 - Osmeña Peak, Canyoneering, and Kawasan Falls
We woke up at around 3:00AM so we can leave the hotel by around 4:00AM and escape the Cebu City Traffic which normally starts at around 6:00AM. According to those who have been to Badian, Cebu, the Canyoneering trail might took half day to finish, depending on how fast you do it. That is why we decided to make Osmeña Peak our first destination, and spend the rest of the day at Canyoneering and Kawasan Falls.
The biscuits, cookies, and cake bars from the complimentary food of Cebu Pacific served as our breakfast for that day, which we ate while we were on our way to Osmeña Peak. If you don't have a packed food with you, you better find for a place to eat your breakfast while you are still around the city because you may have a hard time finding a place to eat outside the city on that early, since most of the stores outside the city was not open for 24 hours and operates on normal working hours.
To go to Osmeña Peak, we used Waze to give us directions until Dalaguete, and from there we just asked the locals about the directions going to Osmeña Peak. That time, Waze could not send directions until Osmeña Peak. We also tried searching Mantalongon Market, but I discovered that aside from the Mantalongon Market at Dalaguete, there is also another Mantalongon Market at Carcar which was what Waze could only give directions that time, so be careful about using Mantalongon Market as your Waze pin. If you brought your own car with you, don't think twice about bringing it until Osmeña Peak, as the road going there was already established, there were only minimal part of the road which was not yet cemented, but was undergoing construction when we went there. There were also parking spaces before the start of the trail where you can safely leave your vehicle while you were on the Osmeña Peak.
We arrived at the start of the trail at around 9:00 in the morning. From their parking spaces, you will be able to see a noticeable house with a green roof, it is where you should pay for the environmental fee which costs P30.00. The climate up there was different, its so cold up there especially during evenings and mornings, so you might think of bringing your jackets or sweaters with you. You could also rent a jacket from the house where you will pay your environmental fees, but if you think that you could conquer the cold, you could go there without jackets or sweaters just like what we did. From that house, you could also settle your guides if you're not comfortable about the trail going to Osmeña Peak. However, guides are optional and not required for Osmeña Peak as it only needs around 15 minute walk from the start of the trail, depending on how fast you do it, to get to the highest peak of Cebu.
When we got to the peak, we saw their own version of sea of clouds, the "Sea of Fog!" Just kidding! But seriously, it was full of fog up there when we went there, that you could barely see the other chocolate hills-like peaks. They said that the "Sea of Fog", as we call, normally occurs during evenings and morning, and the skies were clearer during afternoon. So if you want to see a better view of the place, you might plan going there in the afternoon. Else, if you want to see the "Sea of Fog", you might do what we did, go there in the morning, or have an overnight at the peak, there were also tents that could be rented when you decided to make an overnight stay there, just make sure that you are ready for the very cold weather. Even though the fogs were present for most of the time when we went there, because of the strong winds which made it colder, the fogs moves very fast and there were still short times that the fogs were not blocking the view. On those times, we were able to see how high our location was as we were able to see the sea from afar. Because of the different climate up there, there were also soil that was quite wet which makes it sticky and slippery. Be careful about it, and make sure to wear proper footwear. We spent almost an hour up there appreciating the beauty our nature has to offer, and finally left the place at around 10:00 in the morning.
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| On our way to Badian from Osmeña Peak |
From the Osmeña Peak, we went to Badian, Cebu and just asked the locals for directions on how to get there. We arrived before 12:00NN at Highland Adventure PH's site, our tour guide for Canyoneering and Kawasan falls. We were asked to change our footwear on their site as there were muddy, and watery conditions on the Canyoneering trail. The footwear that we used were provided by them as they have a wide collection of footwear to be borrowed from, but you can still opt to use your own footwear if you're willing to use it in mud and water. From their site we rode a motorcycle which brought us to the start or jump off point of the Canyoneering's trail. Our vehicle was left secured on their site.
From the jump off point we had a few minutes of walk on a trail that was full of mud before reaching the river. That part of the trail was really slippery as everywhere you step into was just mud. For me, that part was the hardest part of the Canyoneering trail as all of my colleagues slipped there. Me too almost slipped at many points because aside from its slippery condition, that part of the trail is also the part where we were descending to reach the river. But upon reaching the river, all the pains and exhaustion we felt seemed to fade away. It seemed that the water in there has a magical power which made us relaxed and gave us strength to continue the trail. And even though it was just the beginning part of the river, we had that feeling the our hard work paid off.
The river on the Canyoneering trail until Kawasan Falls is very unique compared to other rivers outside Cebu because its water is color blue. I said that it can only be compared to other rivers outside Cebu because along the way, when we were heading to the southern part of Cebu, we saw a lot of rivers that is blue in color. Aside from its blue colored water that seemed to be you're at a huge swimming pool when you are in there, it also has a noticeable clear and very cold water, colder than your ex-relationship's heart! Just Kidding! But it was really cold and it took sometime before I comfortably stay on the water.
From the jump off point we had a few minutes of walk on a trail that was full of mud before reaching the river. That part of the trail was really slippery as everywhere you step into was just mud. For me, that part was the hardest part of the Canyoneering trail as all of my colleagues slipped there. Me too almost slipped at many points because aside from its slippery condition, that part of the trail is also the part where we were descending to reach the river. But upon reaching the river, all the pains and exhaustion we felt seemed to fade away. It seemed that the water in there has a magical power which made us relaxed and gave us strength to continue the trail. And even though it was just the beginning part of the river, we had that feeling the our hard work paid off.
The river on the Canyoneering trail until Kawasan Falls is very unique compared to other rivers outside Cebu because its water is color blue. I said that it can only be compared to other rivers outside Cebu because along the way, when we were heading to the southern part of Cebu, we saw a lot of rivers that is blue in color. Aside from its blue colored water that seemed to be you're at a huge swimming pool when you are in there, it also has a noticeable clear and very cold water, colder than your ex-relationship's heart! Just Kidding! But it was really cold and it took sometime before I comfortably stay on the water.
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| Sliding at Canyoneering on Badian, Cebu |
There is a part of Canyoneering trail where there are several vendors of grilled foods such as barbecues, hotdogs, and more, so you better bring some money with you and put it in your dry bag. That part of the trail was where we took a break to have a 5 minutes rest. During that time, my friends bought barbecues because it was really nice to eat barbecues after doing the activities we had, we also doesn't have a decent meal yet on that day, but I don't feel so much hungry that time yet, maybe because of the waters that I swallowed on every slide, jump, and dive I did, so I just grabbed a bite from my friend's food. After eating, we threw our barbecue sticks properly, there were garbage cans and bags on the area where you can throw your wastes. Do not throw your sticks in the water, you might get stabbed by your own doings during cliff jumping when you don't throw your wastes properly.
We made the most out of that trip that we even arrived at the Kawasan Falls at around 7:00 in the evening. According to our guides, it was a record that a group just arrived at the Kawasan Falls that late. Around that time, the surrounding was already dark and jumping on the falls was not allowed anymore. Aside from diving on the falls, we also haven't had the chance to try the rope swinging, and riding a bamboo raft there. But since it was dark, we had the chance to see the show of the bunch of fireflies which was very mesmerizing to our eyes.
The meal, which was inclusive of the tour, was ready when we arrived at the Kawasan Falls. That meal served as our dinner for that day, it was also the first decent meal we had that day, that's why I was really looking forward for that meal that time. All throughout our Canyoneering trip, I was thinking for another lechon night, I was hoping that there will be a lechon for our dinner, but there was none. I can't remember what exactly all the foods were, what I just remember is that there was Chicken Inasal and Sinigang na Hipon which made me realized that lechon was not the only good food in Cebu because our meal was very delicious, perfect for our first decent meal for that day, and the serving was very great, it was actually big for the six of us even though we were very hungry that time, that is why we were able to share some of our foods for the people staying there, to our guides, and even to the dog there. And in return, that dog accompanied us until we reached the tricycle which was what we used to go back to Highland Adventure PH site.
Back in Highland Adventure PH, we took our shower before we finally head back to our hotel. There were plenty of shower rooms in there, so you shouldn't worry if you go there in a big group. After shower, we thanked our guides and Highland Adventure PH for guiding us on our Canyoneering and Kawasan Falls adventure before going back to our car. While we were walking towards our car, we were looking up in the sky because the sky of Badian, Cebu was very clear that the Milky Way was almost visible to our eyes. That time, we saw the most beautiful shooting star in our lives, it was red in color with a fantastic tail following it. It was truly amazing! We silently made our personal wishes that time, and created a circle in the middle of the road to make a group hug, and of course we wished that we may have a stronger friendship for the rest of our lives. That day was truly one of the most well spent day of our lives.
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| Crown Regency Hotel and Towers |
Leaving Cebu
On the night when we were heading back to our hotel from our Dalaguete - Badian adventure, we asked Cebu Cabahug Car Rental if we could return the Innova on the morning, instead of returning it right away when we reached Cebu. We asked this because it was already late at night and we weren't in our hotel yet that time. Luckily, they agreed without asking us for additional fees.
On the morning, we fixed ourselves, arranged the hotel to make it look like how it looked when we got there, and packed our things. We used the Innova until Mandaue City and return it to its owner. Mandaue City is nearer to the airport rather than our hotel which was located at Cebu City. From there, we just booked two Uber cars and used the promo code in Cebu which made our trip free going to airport to head for our Siargao trip.
Thank you Cebu for that wonderful experience! I wish we could stay for few more days or maybe weeks. Surely, we will come back soon to use our original 9 day itinerary.
Expenses Summary
On the morning, we fixed ourselves, arranged the hotel to make it look like how it looked when we got there, and packed our things. We used the Innova until Mandaue City and return it to its owner. Mandaue City is nearer to the airport rather than our hotel which was located at Cebu City. From there, we just booked two Uber cars and used the promo code in Cebu which made our trip free going to airport to head for our Siargao trip.
Thank you Cebu for that wonderful experience! I wish we could stay for few more days or maybe weeks. Surely, we will come back soon to use our original 9 day itinerary.
Expenses Summary
Day 0: Arrival Day
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Fare:
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P0.00 (because we rented a car which fetched us from the airport)
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Lechon Belly:
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P78.33/person
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Puso (Hanging Rice):
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P10.00/person
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Hotel (1 night):
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P456.50/person
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Total/Person (Day 0):
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P539.83
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Day 1: Osmeña Peak,
Canyoneering, and Kawasan Falls
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Car Rental:
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P416.67/person
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Gas:
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P166.67/person
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Environmental Fee:
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P30.00/person (Osmeña Peak)
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Highland Adventure PH:
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P1500.00/person
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Hotel (1 night):
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P456.50/person
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Total/Person (Day 1):
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P2569.84
“We still have P30.16 left! We did it!”
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OVERALL TOTAL
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3109.67
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