10 Best Things to Do in Carcar, Cebu
WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE?
The City of Carcar is originally a small seaside settlement and was known as “SAYLO” or “SIALO”. It is situated within two big rivers; Minag-A and Carcar river.
The settlement was called “Saylo” because it lies at the outskirts, and out of the water way leading to Mowag a larger riverine community along the Carcar River
10 Things to Do in Carcar City, Cebu
1. Visit Carcar City Museum
- Description: The very first museum put up by a local government unit in South Cebu is this facility in Carcar City.It contains galleries featuring objects with historical, cultural and artistic relevance.
- Location: Carcar Square, Carcar City, Cebu
- How to Get There: Simply go to Cebu South Bus Terminal and look for buses bound for Carcar. Be sure to inform the conductor to drop you off at Carcar Museum.
- Entrance Fees: FREE
2. Take a Picture inside Mercado Mansion
- Description: The Mercado Mansion is a heritage house located in Carcar, Cebu, Philippines. It is a two-storey bahay-na-bato painted Mediterranean blue owned by the Mercado clan along Cebu South Road. It was declared a Heritage House by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines in 2009. Wikipedia
- Location: Carcar Square, Carcar City, Cebu
- How to Get There: Simply go to Cebu South Bus Terminal and look for buses bound for Carcar. Be sure to inform the conductor to drop you off at Mercado Mansion.
- Entrance Fees: FREE
3. Light a Candle at St. Catherine of Alexandria Church
- Description: This church was built on a higher ground for greater security. The exterior of the church are somewhat spanish in design.
- Location: Santa Catalina, Carcar City, Cebu
- How to Get There: Simply go to Cebu South Bus Terminal and look for buses bound for Carcar. Be sure to inform the conductor to drop you off at Carcar Cathedral.
- Entrance Fees: FREE
4. Watch Some Art at Paulina Constancia Museum of Naive Art
- Description: This is a location where you can view the permanent collection of Paulina Constancia’s Art.
- Location: Bacsije, Ocaña, Carcar City, Cebu
- How to Get There: Simply go to Cebu South Bus Terminal and look for buses bound for Carcar. Be sure to inform the conductor to drop you off at Codilla Store in Carcar, few meters after Ocana Central Elementary School. Bus fare is PHP 50.00 (one-way) and travel time is about 2 hours. From there, ride a tricycle going to the naive farm.
- Entrance Fees: by group admission and appointment only
- Operating hours: 7AM to 5PM daily
- Contact number: 0917-328-9512
5. Taste the Carcar Lechon
- Description: I am not a fan of lechon but for the lechon-lovers, they say that this has a one-of-a-kind taste.
- Location: Carcar City, Cebu
- How to Get There: Simply go to Cebu South Bus Terminal and look for buses bound for Carcar. Be sure to inform the conductor to drop you off at Carcar City Proper. There are a lot of lechon vendors in the city proper.
6. Eat their Famous Carcar Chicaron Delicacy
- Description: Their chicharon has variations; spicy or regular & fatty or non. Either way, they are the best.
- Location: Carcar City, Cebu
- How to Get There: Simply go to Cebu South Bus Terminal and look for buses bound for Carcar. Be sure to inform the conductor to drop you off at Carcar City Proper. There are a lot of chicharon vendors in the city proper.
7. Guadalupe Mabugnao Mainit National Park
- Description: The park occupies 57.50 hectares in Central Mantalongon and was established in June 17, 1972. There are hot springs and pools that were developed specifically to attract tourists and boost tourism.
- Location: Brgy. Guadalupe, Carcar
- How to Get There: Simply go to Cebu South Bus Terminal and look for buses bound for Carcar. Be sure to inform the conductor to drop you off at Carcar City Proper. Once you reach the city center, you can hire a motorcycle to bring you to the Guadalupe Mabugnao Mainit National Park.
- Entrance Fees: Php 10.00 for Adult, Php 5.00 for student, Php 100.00 for foreigner.
8. Mainit Mabugnaw Cave of Carcar
- Description: The Mainit Mabugnaw Cave is one of the caves in the Guadalupe Mainit Mabugnaw National Park. It is the highlight of the national park.
- Location: Brgy. Guadalupe, Carcar
- How to Get There: Simply go to Cebu South Bus Terminal and look for buses bound for Carcar. Be sure to inform the conductor to drop you off at Carcar City Proper. Once you reach the city center, you can hire a motorcycle to bring you to the Guadalupe Mabugnao Mainit National Park. After reaching the entrance to the national park and paying for the admission fee, you can follow a trail going to the cave.
- Entrance Fees: Php 10.00 for Adult, Php 5.00 for student, Php 100.00 for foreigner.
9. Join the Carcar Annual Festival
- Description: The Kabkaban Festival is celebrated in honor of the patroness of the town, St Catherine of Alexandria. The ritual dances during the festival were once performed to drive away evil spirits and omens.
- Location: Carcar City, Cebu
- How to Get There: Simply go to Cebu South Bus Terminal and look for buses bound for Carcar. Be sure to inform the conductor to drop you off at Carcar City Proper.
- Celebrated Every: November 24 and 25 of each year
- Entrance Fees: None
10. Carcar City Plaza
- Description: A Jose Rizal Monument stands in the middle with the national hero’s words inscribed in Cebuano. It is surrounded by the Spanish-period church and convent and outstanding examples of American civic architecture.
- Location: Carcar City, Cebu
- How to Get There: Simply go to Cebu South Bus Terminal and look for buses bound for Carcar. Be sure to inform the conductor to drop you off at Carcar City Proper.
- Entrance Fees: None
IMPORTANT NOTE: The rates, contact details and other information indicated in this post are accurate from the time of writing but may change without Shellwanders’ notice. Should you know the updated information, please message me on Facebook.
MAP TO LOCATE THE PLACES PROPERLY
REMINDERS, TIPS AND NOTES
1.Study Your Location
Every location is unique and so are the rules while trekking on it. Carry a map with you all the time so that you know exactly where you are so that you can find your way back.
2.Medical Kit
Stuff your bag with all the necessary medicines and medical tools.
3.Emergency Contacts
Remember “Prevention is better than cure.” This is just a precautionary step. I genuinely do not want to see you in any trouble at all
4.Please Inform
“Leaving a simple text to your family or trusted friends.” If something unfortunate happens, your loved one’s will find you.
5.Plenty Of Essentials
Carry at least 3 liters of water and plenty of nutrition bars. They are light and filling till the time you find any other source.
Have you ever been to the places I’ve listed above? Go and try them yourself!
Always remember to “Develop your One Days to Day Ones!“
XOXO,
