Kabukalan Spring, Badian, Cebu, Philippines
Central Visayas

CEBU [Badian]

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Kabukalan Spring, Badian, Cebu, Philippines
Extraordinary and stunning.
Literally an epitome of paradise.
The only thing missing are faeries frolicking by its enchanting water. It actually felt like I was transported to Tolkien’s Middle-earth.
📍Kabukalan Spring

🇵🇭BADIAN ADVENTURE PRIMER🇵🇭

✈️🛳🚌 How to get to Badian, Cebu:
⏺ Take a plane from Metro Manila to Mactan-Cebu Airport (e.g. Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia).
⏺ Hail a taxi to get to South Bus Terminal.
⏺ Ride a bus with the signboard Bato via Barili and alight at the town of Badian (travel time: 3.5 – 4 hours).
⏺ Alternatively, you may fly via Philippine Airlines or Cebu Pacific to Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport then ride a tricycle to Sibulan Port. Take the fastcraft bound for Liloan Port, Santander (travel time: 20 – 30 minutes depending on sea condition). Transfer to a bus en route to Cebu City then alight at Badian (travel time: 1.5 – 2 hours).
 
Kawasan Falls, Badian, Cebu, Philippines
After our waterfall circuit in Alegria the day before, our motorcycle driver picked us up from our accommodation before 6:00 AM and we drove to the nearby municipality of Badian.
📍Kawasan Falls
Kabukalan Spring, Badian, Cebu, Philippines
It was still quiet when my friend and I reached the registration area. Boy were we so early. We wanted to avoid the crowd so we could have a peaceful pictorial at Kawasan Falls. Considering there’s a feud between Badian and Alegria in terms of canyoneering routes, motorcycle drivers from other municipalities are not allowed to enter the premises of Kawasan Falls. Our ride was intercepted by the staff when we settled the registration fee. It’s either we transfer to another motorcycle driven by a Badian local or walk. We opted for the latter option since we’re almost close to the first level of Kawasan.
📍Kabukalan Spring
🏄🏝🚴 Sites to Explore/Activities: 
 
⏺ Kawasan Falls
📌Remind the bus conductor to drop you off at the bus stop going to Kawasan Falls.
📌Hire a motorcycle that will take you to the jump-off.
📌Walk a few meters to get to the waterfall. You need to walk farther for a few minutes to reach the second level of Kawasan.
 
⏺ Kabukalan Spring
📌Trek for about 10 – 15 minutes from the second level of Kawasan Falls to reach Kabukalan.
📌There is no need for a guide as the trail is pretty much straightforward.
 
Kawasan Falls, Badian, Cebu, Philippines
It seems like I no longer need to introduce this waterfall because it’s one of the most popular and most photographed waterfalls not just in the Philippines but in the world.
Kawasan Falls, Badian, Cebu, Philippines
Nothing has changed after all these years. The place still looked the same as when I first saw it in 2015. Beautiful and surreal. Some people actually call this waterfall “Gatorade Factory” due to the water’s color.
Kawasan Falls, Badian, Cebu, Philippines
We were the only visitors during that time. A few more minutes passed and tourists started arriving. We then climbed up to get this top shot of Kawasan Falls.
Kawasan Falls, Badian, Cebu, Philippines
We continued our walk and we would pass by small swimming pools on our way to the second level of Kawasan.
Kawasan Falls, Badian, Cebu, Philippines
This part on the right side of the second tier of Kawasan Falls felt magical yet creepy. I would have swum but I didn’t dare.
Kawasan Falls, Badian, Cebu, Philippines
We trekked a few hundred meters upstream from the second level and just followed the river. You will notice more small pools of turquoise water along the way.
⏰⏳ SAMPLE ITINERARY (Southern Cebu):
 
DAY 1
5:00 PM ETA Mactan-Cebu Airport
7:00 PM ETA accommodation
 
DAY 2
4:00 AM Check-out / ETD for South Bus Terminal
5:00 AM ETD for Sibonga
7:00 AM ETA Simala Church
9:00 AM ETD for Dalaguete
10:30 AM ETA Dalaguete / check-in
11:30 PM Osmeña Peak
1:00 PM Lugsangan Peak
3:00 PM Kandungaw Peak
5:00 PM Head back to accommodation
 
DAY 3
5:00 AM ETD for Oslob
7:00 AM ETA Tumalog Falls
9:00 AM ETD for Bato Terminal, Santander
10:30 AM ETD for Samboan
12:00 PM ETA Samboan / check-in
1:00 PM Explore Samboan’s waterfalls
6:00 PM Head back to accommodation
 
DAY 4
5:00 AM Wake-up call
6:00 AM Explore Ginatilan’s waterfalls
8:00 AM Check-out / ETD for Alegria
9:30 AM ETA Alegria / check-in
11:00 AM Explore Alegria’s waterfalls
5:00 PM Head back to accommodation
 
DAY 5
5:00 AM Wake-up call / check-out / ETD for Badian
7:00 AM Kawasan Falls
8:00 AM Kabukalan Spring
10:00 AM ETD for Moalboal
11:30 AM ETA Panagsama Beach / check-in
1:00 PM Pescador Island
5:00 PM Head back to accommodation
 
DAY 6
5:00 AM Wake-up call
6:00 AM ETD for Basdaku Beach
7:00 AM ETA Basdaku Beach
11:00 AM Check-out / ETD for Barili
1:00 PM ETA Mantayupan Falls
3:00 PM ETD for Cebu City
5:00 PM ETD for Mactan-Cebu Airport
 
💰💶 ESTIMATED BUDGET (for a solo traveler exploring Southern Cebu): Php 10,000 – Php 12,000 (exclusive of airfare)
***Expenses may vary depending on the type of accommodation you will avail and personal consumption of food and other necessities. If traveling alone, you will solely shoulder the guide fees, tricycle/motorcycle transfer and tour rates and boat rental fees.
 
Kabukalan Spring, Badian, Cebu, Philippines
We didn’t have any guide as our motorcycle driver from Alegria was not allowed to come with us. So we continued walking in the wilderness until we reached this portion. A staircase on the right side of this photo would lead you to another piece of paradise.
Kabukalan Spring, Badian, Cebu, Philippines
Finally, I thought to myself the moment we were welcomed by the best part of our Badian trek. Undoubtedly, this was the highlight of our trip in Badian. This was where we stayed the longest. The spring was tempting me to take a swim but it was so cold. Besides, I was already satisfied with the photos we took.
Kabukalan Spring, Badian, Cebu, Philippines
I was spellbound and speechless.
There were no humans in the area aside from us and for someone with a sixth sense, the otherworldly aura was so intense. The supernatural energy was just immensely moving and powerful. This unforgettable experience felt very dreamlike, indeed.
Kabukalan Spring, Badian, Cebu, Philippines
We walked farther from where we were to get a different angle of the spring. This pretty much reminds me of Surigao’s Enchanted River during high tide.
Kabukalan Spring, Badian, Cebu, Philippines
We heard giggling and shouting from the developed part of Kabukalan Spring just a few meters away. We followed where the sounds were coming from and we were greeted right away by the sight of tourists wearing life vests and helmets as this was part of the canyoneering route. We rested for a few minutes while watching the unwavering feat of kids jumping into the cold water of the spring.
Kabukalan Spring, Badian, Cebu, Philippines
Kabukalan Spring is actually the water source flowing downstream to Kawasan Falls. I’ve been seeing photos of this place online but since I haven’t tried canyoneering, I didn’t know where exactly this place is. That’s why before this adventure leg transpired, I promised myself that I would get to Kabukalan Spring, no matter what.
📜✏️ Tips/Reminders:
📌The trek to get to these waterfalls is relatively quick and easy.
📌Being a mainstream tourist destination, Kawasan Falls is frequented by travelers from various parts of the world so expect it to be jam-packed especially during weekends and holidays. It is advisable to visit early in the morning (between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM) to avoid the crowd.
📌You may inquire at the registration area if you opt to do canyoneering.
📌Please keep in mind that buses with “Bato via Oslob” signboard will pass by Sibonga, Dalaguete and Oslob while buses with “Bato via Barili” signboard will pass by Barili, Moalboal, Badian, Alegria, Ginatilan and Samboan. Both routes meet at Bato Terminal in Santander.
📌You can hire a van if you are traveling with a group to save on time.
📌Expect rain and muddy roads/trails during monsoon season (June-February).
📌Always observe the LNT principles.
 
☎️ Contact:
📌Van for hire: Kuya Tata (09776350200)
Kabukalan Spring, Badian, Cebu, Philippines
We went back here at the most captivating portion of the spring and took more photos since only a handful of the tourists passing by normally stopped at this spot to shoot pictures.
Kabukalan Spring, Badian, Cebu, Philippines
We went down the stairs and captured more photos before bidding goodbye to the last leg of our Badian adventure.
Kabukalan Spring, Badian, Cebu, Philippines
We trekked back to Kawasan and the now-crowded swimming area at the main cascade of the waterfall was no longer a delightful view. Thank the gods we woke up early to see this waterfall or else we would be having a hard time getting solo shots amidst the endless influx of visitors.
Kabukalan Spring, Badian, Cebu, Philippines
Just like Palawan, Cebu has been listed as one the best islands in the globe by travel magazines. And upon seeing these breathtaking spots with my own eyes, I could never ever argue why it was voted as one of the world’s best.

***For other destinations in Cebu and Central Visayas, you may visit this link.

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