Traveler's Couch shares to you 5 Reasons why you should visit one of Cebu, Philippines' promising towns - Oslob which is known for the Whale Shark Viewing adventure, iconic structures (Oslob Church, The Ruins) and wonders of nature (Tumalog Falls).
1) Budget-friendly Destination!
Yes it is! You can explore the town of Oslob without worrying too much of the expense - visiting most of the attractions are actually (or almost) for FREE! Below are some of the rates you might consider when traveling to this town (rates are subject to change, these are just estimations as of this writing):
- Rountrip Bus Fare via Ceres Bus (Airconditioned) - USD 7 / Php 290
departing South Bus Terminal in Cebu City to Oslob Town Proper.
- Accommodation, choose from USD 16 / Php 700 to USD 35 / Php 1,500 per room per night
You can stay in "Payag ni Sebastian" having above room rates (rooms good for 2 persons only, excess will have additional USD 4.60 / Php 200 per head). It's a mid-type accommodation which offers regular room size. WHY STAY HERE? This is just situated at the town proper so most of your needs are just within reach (few walks away). PLUS, you'll have that infinity pool (refer to below photos, click to enlarge) for a good afternoon or night swimming.
 |
| PHOTO: Oslob Accommodation - Payag ni Sebastian's Infinity Pool |
 |
| PHOTO: Oslob Accommodation - Payag ni Sebastian's Infinity Pool |
 |
| PHOTO: Oslob Accommodation - Payag ni Sebastian's Infinity Pool |
 |
| PHOTO: Oslob Accommodation - Payag ni Sebastian's Infinity Pool |
- Food, ranges from USD 1.50/ Php 50 to USD 5 / Php 200 per meal
When staying in Oslob town proper, expect more of a Cebuano cuisine, known by locals as "Carinderia". The food expense would really depends on your cravings, whether more of meat or seafoods or a typical Filipino meal. USD 2.74 / Php 120 is already a good meal rate when eating in a Carinderia.
- Attractions' Fees
Below are the entrance fees or charges for the spots you can visit in Oslob (as of June 2014):
*Oslob Town Proper Attractions - FREE (Church, The Ruins, Town Plaza, Bayside)
*Tumalog Falls Entrance Fee (per person) - USD 0.50 / Php 20
*Whale Shark Watching (per person) - USD 12 / Php 500 for Local Tourist, USD 35 / Php 1500 for Foreign Tourist
*Sumilon Island Sandbar Visit (per group) - USD 35 / Php 1500 boat rental (unconfirmed)
2) Attractions just minutes away!
Oslob is one of those well-blessed towns in Cebu, where the attractions are just minutes away from the other. Let's start from the Town Proper, where the Oslob Church, The Ruins and Town Plaza Bayside are situated ("Payag ni Sebastian" is also at the town center).
Please click below photos to enlarge or view in High Resolution.
 |
| PHOTO: Oslob Church - Cebu, Philippines |
 |
| PHOTO: Oslob Church - Cebu, Philippines |
 |
| PHOTO: Oslob Ruins - Cebu, Philippines |
 |
| PHOTO: Oslob Ruins - Cebu, Philippines |
 |
| PHOTO: Oslob Town Plaza - Cebu, Philippines |
 |
| PHOTO: Oslob Town Plaza - Cebu, Philippines |
From the town proper, it's a 15-20minute ride heading to Tan-awon, Oslob where you can have the Whale Shark Watching experience. There are local/public jeepneys from the town proper that will pass by the Whale Shark Briefing Center. It is highly advisable to arrive at the briefing center not later than 10AM as there will be no whale feeding beyond 11AM.
 |
| PHOTO: Oslob Whale Shark Watching - Cebu, Philippines |
 |
| PHOTO: Oslob Whale Shark Watching - Cebu, Philippines |
 |
| PHOTO: Oslob Whale Shark Watching - Cebu, Philippines |
 |
| PHOTO: Oslob Whale Shark Watching - Cebu, Philippines |
 |
| PHOTO: Oslob Whale Shark Watching - Cebu, Philippines |
.jpg) |
| PHOTO: Oslob Whale Shark Watching - Cebu, Philippines |
 |
| PHOTO: Oslob Whale Shark Watching - Cebu, Philippines |
 |
| PHOTO: Oslob Whale Shark Watching - Cebu, Philippines |
After that great swim experience with the gentle giants, you can choose either to proceed to Sumilon Island Sandbar or Tumalog Falls - both are just again minutes away from the Whale Shark Briefing Center. If you'll take the Sumilon Island Sandbar, you may have to ask assistance from the locals around (this post will be updated for further details on getting to the sandbar) but be cautious with the rate they are asking.
 |
| PHOTO: Sumilon Island, Oslob - Cebu, Philippines |
As with the other option, the entrance of Tumalog Falls (named after the Barangay of Tumalog, Oslob) is around 15-20 minute motor ride from the Briefing Center. From there you can negotiate with a local motorist (on standby along the highway) as how to get to the entrance of Tumalog Falls (drop off & pick-up as well for your own convenience), within a reasonable rate. From the entrance (where you will have to pay the entrance fee first USD 0.50 / Php 20 per person), you can opt for a 20-minute walk going to the waterfalls or you can take another motorbike that costs around USD 1.2 / Php 50 one-way.
 |
| PHOTO: Fresh Buko Juice offered at the entrance of Tumalog Falls, Oslob- Cebu, Philippines |
PHOTO: Tumalog Falls, Oslob - Cebu, Philippines
 |
| PHOTO: Tumalog Falls, Oslob - Cebu, Philippines |
 |
| PHOTO: Tumalog Falls, Oslob - Cebu, Philippines |
 |
| PHOTO: Tumalog Falls, Oslob - Cebu, Philippines |
 |
| PHOTO: Tumalog Falls, Oslob - Cebu, Philippines |
 |
| PHOTO: Tumalog Falls, Oslob - Cebu, Philippines |
TRAVEL TIP: When heading back down to the town, you can also request to the motorist to have a stop over along the way, where you can take a picture of the beautiful Sumilon Island.
 |
| PHOTO: A View of Sumilon Island in Oslob - Cebu, Philippines |
3) Perfect for a Weekend Getaway!
For people looking for a perfect weekend getaway (Saturday & Sunday off) - take this Oslob Cebu experience with you! Here's a suggested 2D/1N itinerary:
-------- Saturday --------
09:00 AM - Depart from South Bus Terminal, Cebu City
12:00 NOON - Arrival in Oslob Town Proper
12:30 PM - Check-in (Payag ni Sebastian)
01:00 PM - Lunch Time!
02:00 PM - Explore Oslob Town Proper (Oslob Church, The Ruins, Town Plaza)
05:00 PM - Sunset Swimming (Infinity Pool, Payag ni Sebastian)
07:00 PM - Dinner Time! (Town Proper)
08:00 PM - Fun Time!
-------- Sunday --------
05:30 AM - Sunrise Viewing at the Infinity Pool, Payag ni Sebastian
07:00 AM - Breakfast Time!
08:30 AM - Oslob Whale Shark Watching
10:30 AM - Tumalog Falls
12:30 PM - Lunch Time!
02:00 PM - Check-out (Payag ni Sebastian)
02:30 PM - Heading back to to South Bus Terminal, Cebu City
You can add-up Sumilon Island Sandbar visit within your Sunday schedule (arrive back in the City at night).
4) Accessible!
Cebu City is just around an hour flight from Manila, the Philippines' Capital. Once you arrive in Cebu, head to Cebu South Bus Terminal (~30-minute taxi ride from the Mactan Cebu International Airport) and hop on an Oslob-bound bus. Depends on the traffic, it will be a 3-4hr bus trip to Oslob. There is an hourly trip for buses traveling from the City to Oslob (and vice versa).
 |
| PHOTO: Bus Transportation in Cebu, Philippines |
 |
| PHOTO: Map on getting to Oslob, Cebu, Philippines |
5) More to see around neighbouring towns in Cebu!
Oslob is situated at the southern part of Cebu Island - known for it's natural wonders and attractions.
 |
| PHOTO: Famous Attractions in Souther Part of Cebu, Philippines |
You can do a trekking to Osmeña Peak - Cebu's highest point located in Dalaguete, Cebu. CLICK HERE to know more about this unique mountain range.
 |
| PHOTO: Osmeña Peak - Dalaguete, Cebu, Philippines |
 |
| PHOTO: Kawasan Falls - Badian, Cebu, Philippines |
COME and VISIT Oslob!
It's More Fun here in Cebu, Philippines!
Thanks for visiting Traveler's Couch, comments are highly appreciated.
Special thanks to my friend Marvy Omega for the GoPro Shots at the Whale Shark Watching!
About the Author
