How to get to Barili Cebu and it's famous Mantayupan Falls

Mantayupan Fals, Barili, Cebu

Barili

For years, I have been passing through this place not knowing what it has to offer. I have always considered Moalboal as my all time favorite in the south and in going there buses will always do a quick stop at one of Barili's landmarks, the Shamrock building. If you have enjoyed Moalboal's white beach and corals or enjoyed a quick dip at the fresh cold waters of Kawasan Falls in Badian then most likely you would also want to check out what this town can offer.

Barili Rice Fields

My first checking of the place was when my work team got invited to a barangay fiesta. After all the eating and chitchatting, our host wanted to show us around and decided to take us to Mantayupan Falls. I have heard about the falls from friends who have visited the place but did not think it was worth checking specially that I have been going back and forth to Kawasan whenever family friends would come over to Cebu.

We took our motorbikes with us going to the site, passing through wide-open rice fields, on a well paved road and at the end of it, is the multi-tiered Mantayupan Falls. Although the falls, does not give you a wide swimming area and a crystal clear water compared to Kawasan, It's unobstructed view of the 98 meters water falls make up for it's beauty. There are no constructed cottages around the falls itself giving you a great nature's feel.

How to get there

From any part of Cebu City

First step is to get to the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT).

• If you are not familiar with the city and doesn't know where it is located, you can always take a taxi for convenience in travel.
• If you know the place, head down to the Cebu south Bus Terminal (CSBT) via jeepney.

*Fare:         Taxi                   =                Php 80.00 (+ -)

                   Jeepney             =                Php 7.50

Arrival at Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT)

Upon arriving at the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT), you can always choose from the three Bus Companies plying for the Barili route. The CERES BUS, LIBRANDO BUS, and the ROUGH RIDERS BUS. I personally recommend taking the CERES Bus Lines, but you can take any of the three.

Note: 

• Make sure to read the Bus route signage. All Buses that has Barili, Badian, Moalboal can be taken for the trip.
• Ceres Bus and Rough Riders Bus can be found inside the Cebu South Bus Terminal, while Librando Bus can be found at it's own terminal located right across the Cebu South Bus Terminal.
• Take the left side seats of the bus to get the best road side views
• Travel time is 2 hours for the bus then another 10 mins. if you go to Mantayupan Falls on a motorbike.

*Bus Fare : Cebu City - Barili = Php. 70.00
Check Bus Schedules HERE.

Arrival at Barili's Shamrock Building - Bus stop

CERES bus stop Shamrock Building

Tell the bus driver or the conductor to drop you off at the Shamrock building. Most buses will make a stop over of the place so you will not miss it.

Once you get down from the bus, go across the street and you will find a lot of tricycles and motorbikes for hire that can take you to the falls.

*Fare: Php. 20.00 per head

Mantayupan Falls

For those who will bring their own vehicles, the landmark to make the left turn for the falls would be the 7/11 store or the road going to their public market. You can always ask the locals for directions and they would be happy assist. Parking area is at the entrance of the falls.

*Roosting area available
*Overnight rooms with aircon are already available
Room rates : Needs confirmation but most likely would range from Php. 1000.00 - 1500.00

*Falls Entrance Fee : Php. 20.00

  Parking Fee : Php. 20.00 : 4 wheels

Other things you can do and check in Barili

1. Go stair-climbing on it's 400 steps stair starting right at the entrance of Mantayupan falls.
2. Take a quick dip at it's fresh water springs (Boloc-Boloc Spring/ Tinubdan)
3. Hike it's mountains historical mountains
4. Go swimming at Sayaw beach and Candugay

Candugay - Tinubdan - 400 steps stair to the falls water source

Don't forget to have a taste at it's Halo2x, Otap and Ice cream from the Milk Station

Halo2x - Shamrock Otap - Barili Milk Station

For questions and suggestions feel free to message me using the comment box below, and if you think that this guide helped you, please do share it or click on the Facebook like button at the upper right part of the page. Thanks!

    

How to get to Siquijor Island, The Philippines and Experience a truly Island Beauty

My visit

It's my second time to visit the Island. The first one, was way back 2007 and we arrived on the Island quite late in the afternoon. My first impression then as soon as we arrived at the Port was that, it was going to be a laid-back Island. There was not much people at the Port which you usually see on regular ports. Not much motorbikes for rent you see today lining up as soon as you get out of the port's gate. We even had a hard time getting jeep to take us to where we wanted to stay which was in Salagdoong Beach.

St. Francis de Assisi Church, Siquijor

The island, in my younger years, was always featured in several local TV station documentaries because of certain practices by some people doing faith healing down to the sometimes exaggerated ones like black magic. However, once  you arrive to the place, seeing all it's beauty and it's people, you would know and feel that what you hear is not always true.

I so love the place

The roads around the Island are mostly well paved along with a breath of fresh air and sceneries of rice fields or long stretches of virgin white beaches. The people make the most of it's beauty as well. They are very warm with how they accept visitors.

Next Big thing

Renting a motorbike, going around the island  and seeing it's place accessibility getting worked on by the day gets me excited for the future of the Island and I can't wait to visit it again really really soon.

Cambugahay Falls, Siquijor

For my recent trip, I didn't focus on getting to all the tourist spots on the Island because anywhere on it is... I wanted to just take my time and enjoy the beauty that was literally in front of the room where I stayed. The San Juan white beach, stretching for as far as my eyes could see.

Siquijor

Is a fifth income class island province located in the Visayas region of the Philippines. It is the third smallest province in the country that has six municipalities (Siquijor, Larena, Lazi, Maria, San Juan, Enrique Villanueva)

Century Old Balete Tree and the Lazi Convent

How to get there

The fastest and easiest way in getting to the Island is through Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. If you are from the other parts of the Philippines, take an airplane to Dumaguete City.

Another gateway for people who will have problems getting an airplane, a bus or a boat that is direct to Dumaguete, would be through Cebu City.

For travelers going through Cebu, you'll have three options. You may take another plane going to Dumaguete or head down to Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) and take a CERES bus. Oceanjet fastcraft from Cebu also goes to Siquijor but will pass Tagbilaran Bohol > Dumaguete City > Siquijor first. 

Most local travelers passing through Cebu, will opt to take the CERES bus lines as they offer more trips compared to the other available transportation options mentioned. See bus schedules HERE.

Note:

• CERES bus travel time to Dumaguete City can take 4-5 hours depending on the traffic.
• CERES bus will be transported to Negros Island on car-carrying ferries (RORO). 

CERES Bus on RORO to Negros Island

*CERES: Cebu - Dumaguete = Php. 215.00
*RORO: Cebu - Negros = Php. 70.00

Dumaguete City

Once you arrive at Dumaguete City, if you took the plane, you may charter a tricycle going to Dumaguete port. If you took the CERES bus from Cebu, it will pass by the Dumaguete port area as well. Tell the bus driver or Conductor to drop you off at the highway closest to the port.

Dumaguete Port to Siquijor island

The port offers multiple shipping lines plying for Siquijor. There are small fast crafts available but for safety and convenience take either the Oceanjet fast craft which is bigger and cleaner compared to the others or the normal regular cruising BIG boats as the waves going to the island can sometimes get quite an adventure.

*Oceanjet: Dumaguete - Siquijor = Php. 210.00

Arrival at the Siquijor Port

The port for ships from Dumaguete is located at Siquijor, Siquijor which is the provincial capital of the island. Once you are outside of it, if you want to be able to save money for transportation and you are up for a regular backpacker adventure, you can easily rent a motorbike so you can check on cheap resorts on the Island and decide where to stay. Vans, Jeepneys and Tricycles are available as well.

*Motorbike rental for 24hrs. = Php. 300.00

Recommendations: 

• Buy the things you need in Siquijor, Siquijor area as there is a big difference of item prices in resorts already.
• Rent motorbikes if you know how to drive for easy access to all the places in the island.
• Ask for a free map of the island from the tourism help desk directly located at the gate entrance of the Siquijor port.
• Cheap beach front resorts can be found at San Juan and it's closest to the Port area. 

San Juan, Siquijor

For questions and suggestions feel free to message me using the comment box below, and if you think that this guide helped you, please do share it or click on the facebook like button at the upper right part of the page. Thanks!

    

San Juan Beach Front - Century Old Balete Foot Spa - Cambugahay Falls

How to get to Mt. Manunggal and The Monolith, Balamban Cebu, The Philippines

Wanna go camping, trekking, or just plain nature tripping that is not so far from Cebu City?

Check out Mt. Manunggal and The Monolith.

Most of us have different work/schedules/loads and can't afford to get away from them for days, however, if you want to just get a quick breather, the place is worth to consider.

With just an hour away from the City, you can already do a day hike an overnight camp that's guaranteed with great views and adventure. On top of it, consider the possibility of meeting new people with the same interest for the outdoors not to mention that it's FREE. - Well, except ofcourse for your food and fare. 

Mt. Manunggal

Is located in Barangay Magsaysay, Balamban Cebu, The Philippines. The mountain has an elevation of 1,003 meters above sea level overlooking the sea of Cebu and Negros Islands. It is a historical site as it is where the plane carrying a Philippine President crashed in 1957. You will see part of the crashed plane's engine and a monument of the late President on your way to the campsite.

Safety

• Overall the campsite is safe. There are houses close to the area you can go to if assistance is needed.

What to expect

• Since the place is considered a historical site where a commemoration gets to be held for the late President, some structures like comfort/shower rooms - you can use for free, are present in the area. 

• A road going to the campsite from the transcentral highway that ends with a good parking area is available.

• The campsite gets to be foggy at times and expect some moist to build up on your tents.

• There are dogs in the area so keep your food items in check.

Note: Some of the dogs are good ones and can guide you to The Monolith. Please do take care of them.

Things to bring

For Campers :

• Sim Sealed Tent  - Food and Water - First Aid kit - Camping Jacket

• Camping Knife - Flashlight/Headlight - Cooking sets if needed

For Day Trekkers/Hikers:

• Hiking shoes - Food - Water -  First Aid kit - Poncho or Waterproof Jacket

IMPORTANT: Please do consider the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace (LNT)

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Ground
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize the Effects of Fire
6. Respect Wildlife and Farm Animals
7. Be Considerate of Others

Getting to Mt. Manunggal's Campsite

Taking your own vehicle

If you want to bring your own vehicle, take the transcentral highway. To better give you a sense of direction and it's location, you will need to pass the "Welcome to Balamban" road signage before turning right for the road going to Mt. Manunggal.  A direction signage going to Mt. Manunggal is available at the right side of the road. If you are not able to see it, you can always ask the locals and they'd be happy to give directions.

Taking the Public transportation

1. Get to the Ayala Center Cebu's PUJ/PUV terminal then take a Van going to Balamban. Tell the driver to drop you off at the corner road going to Mt. Manunggal. (Ayala PUV terminal is the one right across Quest Hotel)

2. From the drop off road going to Mt. Manunggal, you can either hike up to the campsite or take a Habal2x(Motorcycle for hire).

Note: If you choose to take the hike up to the campsite, it could take 2 or more hours before you reach it depending on your speed as although you will be walking through a barangay road, the hike will be quite a climb. Estimated distance from the Transcentral corner road to the campsite is 5KM.

Fare:

V-Hire :  Php 120.00

Habal2x:  Php 70.00 + -  (Negotiation needed)

Additional information: The place is accessible for a hike through many trails, like the Tagba-o and Cantipla in Tabunan however it is recommended to have a guide when taking them.

Getting to The Monolith

From Mt. Manunggal's campsite a walk down  and a technical climb for about 30-40 mins will get you to The Monolith. There is not much people who have been to the rock formation as one of the locals told us that the trail leading to it was just recently cleared.

Recommended: Ask owners of the houses in the campsite if they can provide you a guide.