Oslob, Cebu Itinerary & Projected Expenses

I’ve been longing to travel solo and it did come true just recently, my destination – Oslob, Cebu! After hearing a lot of stories and viewing so many photos about Oslob, I finally decided that I want to visit the place. The first thing that actually caught my attention to this wonderful place in the south of Cebu is the whale watching activity. Those gentle giants that I’ve only got to see on photos and videos are now coming into reality.

And as soon as the news came out, a lot of my friends had been messaging me already telling me to give them my itinerary for my “Oslob’n Adventure” The truth is I was just 70 percent ready with my itinerary and decided to finalised everything once I arrived in Oslob. Ate Regine of Isyian Beach Resort (Regine 0923-467-2401), the place that I’ve rented, help me a lot in finalizing my schedule.

I decided to do a three-day trip to Cebu that started Sunday, I thought that would be great for most of the people are already leaving off a tourist spot on a Sunday, making it less crowded when I visited a place. And because I’m a thrifty flyer, I also booked my flight 6 months ago via Air Asia, making me spend half the usual price. I also picked an early flight to Cebu and a late flight back to Manila. And on booking a place to stay, which I booked 2-days before my flight, I picked a simple nice air-conditioned room that got a high reviews on Agoda. Because I wouldn’t be staying long in the room, I thought a simple and decent room could be just fine, less in the pocket and will make me eager to get up and explore early. Will tell you more about my experiences in a different blog post, but for now let me share you my Itinerary and possibly your projected expenses for this trip. The itinerary is very light and your expenses would vary on what other services or stuff you will be buying.

Day 1 – Travel to Oslob, Cebu

• 08:30 ETD Manila to Cebu
• 10:00  ETA Cebu City
• 10:30  Mactan Airport to South Cebu Terminal
• 11:00  Brunch
• 12:00  Travel to Oslob
• 15:30  Arrival at Apartment (Isyian Beach Resort, Looc Oslob Cebu)
• 16:00  Rest
• 17:00  Heritage Tour – Visit Cuartel, Baluarte, Quartel Beach, Oslob Municipal Hall
• 19:00 Dinner at Oslob Public Market (Try the BBQ stands, I love the Chorizo)
• 20:00  Back to Apartment
• 21:00  Turn off Lights

Day 2 – Waterfalls & Sumilon Island

• 06:00  Woke up & Eat breakfast at the Apartment (part of the package)
• 07:00  Travel to Aguinid Falls, Samboan Cebu via habal-habal
• 08:00  Arrival at Aguinid Falls
• 10:00  Off to Sumilon Island
• 10:30  ETA Blue Water Sumilon Island Resort Pavillion
• 11:00  ETD Mainland to Sumilon Island
• 11:15  ETA Sumilon Island
• 12:00  Buffet Lunch at Sumilon Island (Included in the package)
• 13:00  Start of Activities in Sumilon Island
• 17:00  ETD Sumilon Island to Mainland
• 17:15  ETA Mainland
• 17:30  Travel to Oslob Public Market for Dinner
• 18:00  Dinner at Oslob Public Market
• 19:00 Back to Apartment
• 20:00  Turn off Lights

Day 3 – Whale Shark Watching & Exploring Cebu City

• 06:00  ETD Apartment to Oslob Whale Shark Viewing Site
• 06:30  Arrival at Viewing Site
• 07:00  Start of the Whale Watching Activity
• 07:30  End of Whale Shark Watching
• 08:00  ETD to Tumalog Falls
• 08:30  Tumalog falls trekking
• 09:30  ETD Tumalog Falls to Apartment
• 10:00  Breakfast at Apartment
• 11:00  ETD Apartment to Cebu City via Ceres Bus
• 15:00  ETA Cebu City (Explore Cebu City)
• 18:00 Dinner
• 19:00 Mactan International Airport
• 21:00  ETD Cebu to Manila
• 22:00  ETA Manila

My Expenses

• Airfare via Air Asia (Bought on Sale)                                               Php 2,644.60
• Apartment via Isyian Beach Resort (includes breakfast)             Php 2,741.40

Total: Php 5, 386

Day 01

• Taxi from Airport to South               – Php 220 + 10 (entrance fee for the taxi at South Terminal)
• Bus to Oslob via Ceres Bus               – Php 143
• Tricycle Ride to Market                    – Php 10 x 2
• Dinner & Snack                                  – Php 200

Total : Php 593.00

Day 02

• Entrance fee at Aguinid Falls          – Php 20
• Tip for two guides                              – Php 100 x 2 (depends on how much you want to give)
• Sumilon Island                                   – Php 1,500 (includes Buffet Lunch)
• Habal-Habal Fee                                – Php 600 (Whole day service for two location)
• Dinner                                                   – Php 200

Total: Php 2,520.00

Day 03

• Whale Shark Viewing                         – Php 500 (with goggles)
• Habal-Habal Fee                                  – Php 300
• Bus Fare                                                 – Php 140
• Dinner                                                    – Php 200

Total: 1140.00

Total Expenses: Php 4,253 (without airfare and hotel)

Few more tips:

1. It is better to do the whale shark watching on a morning in a weekday for it is less crowded.
2. Also, hiring a habal-habal service for your trip would be less hassle than waiting for a bus or tricycle in the area. I think those are the only choices of transportation in the area. Ask your apartment owner for recommendation.
3. There are just a few small restaurants and eatery in the place, better if you could just buy foods in the market or cook it on your own. Most of the apartments allow one to use their kitchen for cooking.