If you’re bored with the usual Southern Cebu tours and are looking to experience something new and different, we know just the perfect town for you. Located a little over a hundred and twenty-five kilometers (125 km) from the city, is a sleepy town called Malabuyoc. It has everything you need for fun, excitement, and adventure. The town has great beaches, natural wonders, and people who are friendly and warm.
Let’s take a little trip down history, as you might be wondering where did the town get its name “Malabuyoc”? The story behind that is that long ago, the town grew a lot of fruit-bearing trees such as mangoes, lanzones, cacaos, and many others. Due to the fertile soil on the town’s grounds, when in season, the trees would be bent heavy with its fruits. The local word for bent is “buyok”, which appropriately describes the abundant trees during the fruit-bearing seasons. Hence the town getting its name to be Buyoc, and eventually, that name evolved into Malabuyoc.
The town’s annual feast day on the 10th of September, celebrating its patron saint San Nicholas de Tolentino. The festivities include the Binuyocan Festival, and the town’s 14 barangays would parade the streets. A lot of visitors come to the town during the fiesta and have loads of fun. 🙂
The Aranzana Springs are a number of freshwater springs situated in Brgy. Aranzana. These springs flow straight to the river, which the locals use for washing clothes and drinking. Some of the springs also flow towards tiny pools created by the locals for dipping and swimming.
Tourists will know where the springs are located along the river since the water coming from the spring are colder and clearer. The Aranzana Springs surely sounds like a nice place to visit when you plan your itinerary around this town. Take a dip in these untouched natural beauties (river and springs) in the town of Malabuyoc.
Getting there: Take a bus headed to Malabuyoc from the Cebu South Bus Terminal, be sure to tell the conductor/ driver to drop you off at the Western Union in town. The road going to the springs is just beside the outlet, also you can ask around the locals for proper directions.
Montañeza Beach is a public beach located along the South National Road in Brgy. Montañeza. It’s a small beach that only the locals and a few visitors have knowledge about. What makes the beach different from other beaches around the island, is the fact that instead of white sand are pebbles and rocks on the shoreline. Also while you’re here, stick around for the sunsets – it’s absolutely breathtaking.
Looking to try a hot natural bath, after long hours on the road? Be sure to drop by the Mainit Springs in Brgy. Montañeza. The springs are only a few kilometers away from the public beach – and is guaranteed to amaze you. There are four different pools to choose from – each with a different size and temperature. The hottest natural pool has a temp of 42.6 degrees celsius, the ladies would love a hot bath in here for sure.
Getting there: Take a bus headed to Malabuyoc from the Cebu South Bus Terminal, be sure to tell the conductor/ driver to drop you off at the town. You will need to take a motorcycle ride or habal-habal to get to the Mainit Springs.
Less than a kilometer away from the hot springs is Brgy. Montañeza’s amazing waterfalls. The falls features several smaller drops and a major one that looks impressive from different points of view. Montañeza Falls is definitely one of Cebu’s well-kept secrets.
The trail getting to the final drop of this waterfall is quite exciting and not for the faint-hearted. The falls attract many adventure and thrill-seekers. You will have to crawl through holes, climb though carved footpaths and walk through knee-deep water to reach this amazing beauty.
Getting there: Take a bus headed to Malabuyoc from the Cebu South Bus Terminal, be sure to tell the conductor/ driver to drop you off at the town. When you get to the town, you can take a motorcycle ride or habal-habal to bring you to the jump-off point of the falls, it’s actually the same place where you start off when going to the Mainit Springs.
Read: Alegria Travel Guide
Located at the tip of the Malabuyoc town, at the Brgy. Looc, another waterfall is waiting for you to discover. The Kabutongan Falls also known as Looc Falls, is considered to be one of Cebu’s most challenging natural wonders.
For you to reach the main drop, you’d have to climb up slippery slopes, walk slowly through waist-deep water, swim across deep natural pools and then crawl up boulders and tree branches. This trail isn’t for beginners and you’d have to wear a life vest. Also, those who’d wanna go through this trail would be needing assistance from an experienced tour guide.
Getting there: Take a bus headed to Malabuyoc from the Cebu South Bus Terminal, be sure to tell the conductor/ driver to drop you off at the town. When you get to the town, you can take a motorcycle ride or habal-habal to bring you to the jump-off point for the Kabutongan Falls. At the jump-off point is where you can hire a guide and rent a life vest. Trekking to the falls will take you an hour or so.
Read: Guide to Cold and Hot Springs in Cebu
Approximately 127 km from the Cebu City proper is the town of Malabuyoc.
CAR: The fastest and easiest way to get to the worn is through a private or rental car. Then just search Malabuyoc Cebu on Google Maps or Waze, and the app shall give you the fastest route. The drive can take up to 4 hours, but trust that it’s worth it. 😉
BUS: From the Cebu South Bus Terminal, take the bus headed to Malabuyoc. Enjoy the ride and let the conductor know where you’d like to be dropped off. I suggest get down at the town proper and ask the locals for directions to the places you’d like to visit.
Now we all have an idea of how much we can do in this little town down south. You don’t need to spend much, to enjoy and have awesome fun times with your friends and families. 😉
Also, what other tourist spots or attractions did we forget to mention in this article? Do send us a message or comment down below so we can add it to this list. Peace!
