True Blue Malapascua Island

Discovering an island in one day is quite impossible right?Like, you have to drown in the google searching to which island can offer a small paradise that would give you a sweet and serene relaxation in just one day.

Anyhow, I found a wishful island to everyone who aim to end their stress once in a while. 

Malapascua Island is a small island located in northern most tip in Cebu, Philippines. It would take a 3-4 hours  and 30 minutes aways from the city. Malapascua Island is known for wide white sand beach, beautiful coral gardens, coral walls and excellent dive spots. There is also a famous Monad Shoal is an underwater plateau where thresher sharks and manta rays can be regularly sighted.

Getting to the island would take a 20-30 minutes ride of boat. 

Seeing the island from afar felt so warm and peaceful. I was amazed with the very clear water.

 The first time I set my foot to the island, small fishes were approaching me ready to pamper my tired feet. I felt like I dipped into a clean, clear and cold water, so relaxing.

My friend and I is really enjoying the area of the beach we discovered, so virgin, no resorts, no cottages, few people only palm trees, fine, soft and white sand with the beautiful view of the running clouds and chasing the wave of the sea. It was home for me. :)

There are too may scenic views that you'll get to discover in Malapascua Island for one day.  You just have to ride a habal-habal then they will bring you to their scenic view they brag the most. They have mangroves, lighthouse and private resort were according to the care taker most of the Filipinos Celebrities do check in for a quick vacation.

There are so much adjectives to describe the Malapascua Island and all I can say for you to truly believe and love even more the Island, you must see it for yourself.

Hot & Cold Water in Malabuyoc

Going to Malabuyoc Hot Spring and Falls

Want to go in one place where you can able to visit two most visited tourist spots at the same time? And want to travel in a one place where Hot Spring is just beside a cold flowing waterfalls?

Then try going to Montaneza, Malabuyoc. Montaneza is the first barangay in the Municipality of Malabuyoc located in Southern part of Cebu. A more than 3 hrs drive away from the city then you'll get to visit a hot spring and a cold flowing waterfalls in a one place. 

Mainit hot spring has 4 pools with different degree of hotness. Well, I dare you to dip yourself in 42.6 degree Celsius hot spring. 

Going to Montaneza Falls, is just walking distance from Mainit Hot Spring, however you have to pass through a cave for you to be able to see the beauty of Montaneza Falls. It is fully developed and so you don't need to worry entering into a cave because it has a stairs that will lead you to the falls. There are a lot of "watchers" who monitor the people around so you may ask them anytime.

Just a warning, be careful with the falling rocks if you go on top of the falls. They actually close it since there were an accident happened before.


Entrance Fee is only 20 pesos for the Hot Spring and the Montaneza Falls.

Mini-Canyoneering Adventure

Cebu is known to be one of the most visited province in Visayas. Aside from it's famous cultural events and foods that brag not just in the country but likewise Internationally. Cebu is also one of the most beautiful itinerary for adventures.

Cebu is typically associated with beaches. There are too many famous and beautiful beaches you'll find in Cebu. White sand, crystal clear beach, name it and you have it in Cebu.

But don't you know that Cebu is not just famous in Beaches? Yeah, you got it right. Based on the survey and research in google and any social media sites, Cebu has 99 falls. Imagine! 99 Falls! It would take more than a year to discover that. Well, there are numerous falls in Cebu that has been familiar and visited with locals and foreigners, like Kawasan Falls in Badian and falls in Alegria. Especially now, it has been known for a Canyoneering Adventure.

But with just a little research, you'll be surprise that there are also falls that offers an adventure. One of it is in Malabuyoc, the KABUTONGAN MOUNTAIN RESORT.

Kabutongan Mountain Resort is located in Malabuyoc, it's kinda hard to find the exact place to drop off since it is not yet familiar even with some of the locals living in Malabuyoc.
The falls has it's four levels and it would take more than an hour in trekking. And guess what? They offer a Mini-Canyoneering (called it on my own). For only 50 pesos for the rental of their life vest and with a tour guide which by the way, it's really up to you if you will give them a guide fee. Then you'll be able to trek til the last level of Kabutongan. Make sure to bring a waterproof bag for your belongings or you can leave it to the caretaker of the resort. And, I would say waterproof camera is the best buddy for this adventure, since there are areas that you really have to soak into the falls.

It would take almost 15-20 minutes walk going to the falls, you'll get to pass by a barrio with a very friendly locals who will give you the sketch to the falls without even asking. I really, admire their hospitality and concern to us. They even gave us tips about the falls. It's easy to find the falls since you just have to follow the flow of the running water going to the falls.

                                                                      (LEVEL 1)
The first view you'll get to see in the Resort are their tiny cottages that looks like you are in a garden. And then at the back of the cottages is the first level of the falls. It has a deep part so you can freely jump into it, just make sure you know how to swim.

                                                               (LEVEL 2)


The start of the canyoneering is going to the second level of the falls, there is a tiny falls yet deep that you'll be needing to wear your life vest.

                                                                 (LEVEL 3)
And going to the third level is really hard, it's either you'll access the forest doing wall climbing or you'll access the falls doing rock climbing, we prefer the wall climbing in the forest since it's easier because there is a rope that will guide and protect you, but when we got back, of course we tried the rock climbing into the falls, indeed a great canyoneering experience.

The last level, the fourth level of Kabutongan Falls is really mesmerizing, the clean, cold and clear water is tempting us to soak. It has a tiny falls but we didn't go in there because according to the guide it's too deep and dangerous. You can also try to jump into their 15 feet high and 30 feet depth, that is, if you are fearless enough then go!

                               (LEVEL 4 -My bestfriend, who did try to jump into that 15 feet high)

My adventure in Kabutongan Falls is really an adrenaline rush, a perfect start for first timer adventurist.

A must recommended to friends who love adventure.

How to get in there:

*South Bus Terminal - find the signage going to Malabuyoc, or Alegria (fare - 150+)
*Drop into the Church of Malabuyoc in the center or in the proper of Malabuyoc
*Ride a tricycle going to Kabutongan Falls (fare -8) (Note, never ride a habal-habal because most of the drivers are not from the Malabuyoc and they will collect 50-100 pesos. And before you ride a tricycle, ask the driver first about Kabutongan Falls)


Adventure Tip:

Going to a new place means you are a stranger so frankly speaking, their are a lot of dishonest persons just to get a money from you. So before you travel don't just search the place but likewise search the people, their culture and familiarize the name of their places. Pretend that you have been there many times so they won't "be able to cheat on you" :D

HAPPY TRAVELING . . .