Exploring South Cebu on a Budget

Want to explore South Cebu on a budget? There are so many things to explore at Cebu especially on the South. If you are a nature lover and you want a DIY travel on a budget, then this blog is definitely for you! Just this weekend my family and I went for a quick trip to explore South Cebu. After a week's work, it's time to refresh and have my Vitamin N - "Nature"!

In doing a DIY travel on a budget, you should consider bringing these items: packed food, snacks, drinks, (just in case you can't find a food stall or "carinderia"), be ready to try different food and delicacies in the area where you're going. Extra clothes are essential too in case you find a good place to swim :), you should have an internet connection on your cellphone for the Waze or Google maps, of course, check the car as well (gasoline, water etc).

From Cebu City, we went straight to our first stop... Baluarte Park. It took us almost 2 hours to get there. You will pass by Cebu South Road (Talisay City, Minglanilla, Naga City, Carcar City and finally, Aloguinsan). 

At Carcar City, we passed by a line of locals selling "Bibingka" or rice cake which is cooked under a coconut husk. Priced at 20 pesos for 4 pcs in a pack. If you buy 3 packs, they will give it to you at a price of 50 pesos. So delicious, the sugar is just right. I love its soft and fluffy texture too. 

Carcar's Bibingka (Rice Cake)

The Baluarte Park is just at the back of their Municipal Hall, which is near Aloguinsan Market (you can also buy food there for a picnic). It is a "Park on a Hill" that houses the famous ruins of the Aloguinsan watchtower which is the "Baluarte" or stronghold during the Spanish Era. The park is good for morning or late afternoon strolls either with the family, loved ones or alone to reflect. If you are like me who is fascinated with the sea, mountains, and trees, Baluarte offers nice landscape and a fantastic view of Cebu's blue-green sea! It has a minimal entrance fee of 20 pesos for the adults and 10 pesos for the kids (for the park's maintenance of course.)

Baluarte Ruins

From Baluarte Park, it took us just 9 minutes to get to our next destination... Hidden Beach Resort (still in Aloguinsan). Entrance fee is only 50 pesos per head and we rented a table at 150 pesos where we can eat or lunch. Not an elegant resort but just enough for you to experience and take a dip in Cebu's crystal clear and calm waters. 

After our lunch and taking our Vitamin Sea, heading our way to our final destination... Simala Church or the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist in Sibonga, Cebu. It is an hour and 16 minutes travel from Aloguinsan to Sibonnga via Santander - Barili - Toledo Road. We again passed by Carcar City and they said that Carcar's Chicharon is the best. At Carcar, it was priced at 600 pesos per kilo of a chicharon. I only bought 1/4 kilo for 150 pesos just to have a taste and see for myself. I'd say that it is not cheap because from where I came from, Bulacan, we also have chicharon which is famous in our place. Carcar's chicharon was good, but it was not as crunchy as what we have back in our town (Bulacan). #JustSaying, I still like our very own "Bikoy's Chicharon" as we can buy as cheap as 13 pesos up to 120 pesos for the Backfat Special Chicharon.

While munching the Chicharon, we made it into our last destination. Simala Church at last! We intentionally planned to get there in the late afternoon because during Saturday's, they have an ongoing mass at 10:30 am and we don't to go there with so many people (optional if you want to hear mass). It is a church so there are no entrance fees. We are so amazed by the church's structures! Feels like we're in Rome!

There is a dress code because it is a church, so you should wear pants, jeans or any decent clothes. NO sleeveless shirts, please! You may also buy religious items there such as rosaries, statues etc. Here's is our quick trip at Simala Church:

Now time to go back to Cebu City. And you shouldn't miss buying Carcar's Lechon. We stopped by at Carcar City's intersection and bought a so juicy, tender and delicious Lechon for only 350 pesos a kilo! Cebu City's price for a Lechon is 150 pesos (the cheapest) for 1/4 kilo, while at Carcar, you can have it at 90 pesos! 1/2 kilo is just right for a family of 4 (with 2 kids) and bought Pu-So (hanging rice) for 5 pesos per piece. Bought 8 pcs of hanging rice and it is so filling for a dinner.

Carcar's Lechon

There's so much more to explore in Cebu (South side). If you have a vehicle, the gasoline (diesel) is just 320 pesos for so many kilometer travels. But if you are going to South Cebu via bus, you can ride buses near E-Mall or Elizabeth Mall at Cebu City. I'd say it is much convenient to travel if you have a vehicle because it will save you money from riding buses and habal-habal. 

If you want to experience nature at its best, travel South of Cebu! Follow me on my next adventures as Baliwagenya explores more of Cebu! www.facebook.com/Baliwagenews Tara na, let's explore the Philippine islands!

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