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A photo that says that it was the tallest waterfall in the province of Cebu piqued my interest in visiting the place. It was just an hour away from the city and, since I had a day to spend, a little adventure would good on a Sunday. With a pinch of adventure, we chased the water trail in Barili.  A day is always enough for an adventure in Cebu. The town of Barili is the midpoint that connects the southwestern side of Cebu to rest of the province. Its landscape rolls from mountains to farmlands to the sea that gives the town a unique collection of attractions. However, most of these attractions fall under the shadows of the high-adrenaline adventures offered by its neighboring towns. It is more popular as a quick midway stop for buses to and from Cebu. Similarly, a quick stop in Barili will surely give you an adventure that will complement the thrilling adventures of Southern Cebu. Mayana Falls Mayana Falls was not in our radar until our habal-habal driver mentioned it to us. The falls is within a private compound that was converted into a resort that offers a peaceful nature escape. Our guide told us that it was also their first time to visit the resort and the falls as they have never been there because it was privately owned. The resort offers cottage accommodation along the downstream flow of the falls. Each cottage has its own spring pool.  Mayana Falls is located within the compound of a private resort in Barili. Mayana Falls is tucked well within the hinter area of the resort. You need to traverse down the resort’s pathways to get to the falls. Water cascades along a huge boulder creating a steady stream on the sides of its rock face into a series of shallow pools. One can enjoy a quick dip in its cold waters and enjoy communing with nature.
The falls itself is not as majestic but the overall ambiance of the place makes it a cool place to disconnect from the humdrum of city life. Mayana by Blue Space perfectly created a nature space. Since the place is private, expect to pay an entrance fee to access the waterfalls area. Oh… and don’t forget to interact with their resident monkey. Mantayupan Falls Mantayupan Falls is the tourism icon of Barili. Standing at a height of 98 meters, it is believed to be the highest waterfall in the province. The place was developed by the local government so access to the waterfalls is easy with its walkways and bridge. The hanging bridge form part of the attraction because of the added adrenaline thrill as you trek to the first waterfall.  Mantayupan Falls is believed to be the highest in Cebu, standing at 98 meters. There are two levels that are accessible to the public. The first level of Mantayupan is just a few meters walk from the entrance. Surrounded by dense foliage, three cascades break out from foliage into a shallow pool from a height of 14 meters. The hanging bridge on the left side give the spot that additional flair in pictures.  Standing at the entrance of the Mantayupan Falls park.
The main cascade of Mantayupan Falls can be accessed by crossing the hanging bridge. Water cascades from a height of 98 meters into a shallow basin. One can enjoy a cold dip in its waters at the designated swimming area. Visitors spends more time here because of the beauty of its cascade surrounded by greens, not to mention that it has more idyllic spot for photos.  Water cascades into a shallow pool where there is a designated area where guests can swim. It was good to see that Mantayupan Falls was developed for tourism. It offers complete facilities for its guests so visiting the falls is easy and convenient. This spot is a great spot to explore when you make a quick stop in Barili. You get to enjoy the beauty of nature in Barili that would complement your south west Cebu adventure. Sayaw Beach From the cascades of Barili’s mountains, we headed to enjoy the seawaters of Barili. Sayaw Beach is one of the popular beach spots in Barili. This beach spot can easily be accessed because it sits along the main highway and it is just a couple of minutes away from the bus stop.  Sayaw Beach is a great beach spot for a quick chill in Barili. The beach sits in a cove and has white sand shoreline. It is a private resort and there are available huts for day trips and cottages for those who want to spend the night in Barili. There is an adjacent beach cove that is connected by a concrete pathway. There is also a small port for small boats to dock on. There is a store in the resort where you can buy snacks and drinks.  Getting a little beach vibe at Sayaw Beach. Sayaw Beach was a peaceful sanctuary if you are looking for a quick beach escape. I enjoyed getting tanned while enjoying the afternoon sun by the shore. Unfortunately, the beach is a bit rocky so you need to wear the right footwear if you intend to swim. There are basic facilities that you can use in the resort. What I liked best is the chill vibe of Sayaw Beach as I enjoyed the afternoon sun and the cool sea breeze. POST TRAVEL NOTES More than just a bus stop for travelers, Barili is a destination that is worth a day or a few hours of visit. The town is also blessed with natural beauty that you can enjoy. These attractions may be under the shadows of the other famous attractions and activities in the area but it can definitely complement your planned adventures. I suggest that you travel early so you can enjoy a couple of hours to discover Barili.  From the highest falls to the highest peak of Cebu, this is going to be fun. There are a lot of pass-through or bus stop destinations in the Philippines that deserve a second look. These “stops”, if seen from a different angle, can give your trip a different vibe that can complement and even enhance your adventure. All we need is to make a stop, explore the area, and enjoy what the place has to offer. I guess, it is time for me to also start checking out these “quick stops”. #MahalinNatinAngPilipinas Getting there: Major local and international airlines have direct flights to Cebu. You can take a cab to the South Bus Terminal where you can take a Ceres bus to Bato via Barili. Tell the bus ticket teller that you will be going down the Poblacion of Barili. You can then hire a habal-habal to explore the waterfalls and the beach spots.
1 Comment
8/21/2024 06:09:10 pm
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Marc del Rosario
I believe in education, entrepreneurship, and caring for the environment. 
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