Trip to the North of Cebu – Part 1

“To travel is to take a journey into yourself.” - Danny Kaye

There are times when the stress of city life can become too much for anyone. During these times, a good road trip may be the best treatment you can have. So, we listed a number of places you can visit if you intend to go on a road trip to the northern part of the island of Cebu.

Trip to the North – image source: courtesy of Peter Parcon

Liloan

Our journey starts in the town of Liloan. The name of the town came from the whirlpools created due to the ebbs and flows of water at the bay. The term liloan means “a place where a lilo is present.” The town is home to a number of landmarks including the lighthouse at Bagacay Point and the San Fernando Rey Parish Church. If you love extreme adventure activities, you stop by Papa Kit’s Marina & Fishing Lagoon and go wakeboarding. You can also try their zipline or go horseback riding.

Trip to the North – image source: courtesy of Peter Parcon

​Aside from these places, you can also drop by Titay’s Rosquillos and try the rosquillos and other delicacies available in the town. Dropping by the plaza can become a food bonanza where you can try delectable treats like lechon, seafood, rice cakes, and, of course, the masi of Liloan. 

Trip to the North – image source: pinterest.com

Compostela

The next town on the list is Compostela. The town was named after the hometown of a Spanish friar. It has a number of impressive resorts where you can spend the night. While it may be relatively unknown among tourists, the town is actually home to the Mulao River, which is gradually becoming popular among river trekkers. The residents of the town also celebrate the Queseo Festival or the Cheese Festival since the town offers a cheese that come from carabao milk.

Trip to the North – image source: pcc.gov.ph

​If you want to take a break from the city, you have the option to stay at some of the resorts in the town, including the Stakili Garden Beach Resort or Estaca Bay, Green Lagoon Park, or Boardwalk Beach Resort, among others. You should also not leave the town of Compostela unless you get the chance to taste the queseo, which is cheese made from carabao milk.

Trip to the North – image source: Stakili Beach Garden Resort Facebook Page

Danao

Danao City will be our next stop in our road trip to the north of Cebu. The city of Danao once served as the northern end of the Cebu railroad that ran down to the town of Argao. While much of the beaches in Danao are not as impressive as a number of other places on the island, the city is home to an eco adventure park where you can try your hand in some extreme sports. One famous adventure park in the city of Danao is the Danasan Eco Adventure Park.

Trip to the North – image source: Danasan Eco Adventure Park Facebook Page

​Danao is also known for its sugar industry. In fact, one resort in the city is named after the old method of milling sugar cane, which is called “intosan.” The old railroad used to move sugar cane from Danao to the port of Cebu. Since you are already in Danao, you can also try some of their local delicacies, the tinap-anan, kiseo and kasahos. The Tinap-anan is smoked fish cooked in ginger and vinegar before it is grilled. The Kiseo is also cheese made from carabao milk while the Kasahos is carabeef jerky.

Trip to the North – image source: pinterest.com

Carmen

The town of Carmen was originally called Bugho, but miscommunication between a resident and a Spanish chronicler changed the name to Carmen. According to stories, the Spaniard asked a woman for the name of the place. The woman thought the Spaniard was asking for the name of the necklace she was wearing and answered Birhen sa Carmen.  The most famous tourist attraction of Carmen is the Durano Eco Farm & Spring Resort. The place features natural spring pools ideal for people who are sensitive to chlorine.

Trip to the North – image source: Durano Eco Farm & Spring Resort Facebook Page

​Another tourist spot locals and visitors can look forward to in the town of Carmen is the Cebu Safari, which is expected to be opened by October or November 2017.  The 100-hectare development is owned by Michel J. Lhuillier and will be the biggest zoo in the entire archipelago. The zoo will feature a number of animals including zebras, white tigers, horses, giraffes, flamingos, and vultures, among others.

Trip to the North – image source: sugbo.ph

Catmon

Your next stop in your trip to the north of Cebu is the town of Catmon. The town got its name from the katmon trees that are abundant in the area. It is also home to the second highest peak in the island of Cebu, Mount Capayas or Mount Kapayas. You may want to stay a while at the town of Catmon since the place has a number of beaches that can bring out the beach-lover in you.  Aside from the beaches, you can also find a number of waterfalls and hot springs at the town.

Trip to the North – image source: cebu-bluewaters.com

​You can also stop at the Duko-Duko Eatery in Barangay Macaas and try the specialties of the house, their pochero and native chicken. The place is actually one of the preferred stops of people driving up north since they serve great-tasting dishes at a reasonable price. You should also not leave the town until you get to taste the budbod kabog or the suman of the town of Catmon.

Trip to the North – image source: courtesy of Peter Parcon

​These are just the first five places you can visit if you are planning to have a road trip to the north of Cebu. While you normally breeze through these places since you would already have a specific destination to go to up north, it may be worthwhile for you to stop and stay a while. 

Trip to the North – image source: courtesy of Peter Parcon

​Are you planning a road trip to the north of Cebu? Tell us about your plan on the comments section below.