10 Best Things to Do in Santander, Cebu
WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE?
Santander, officially the Municipality of Santander, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 17,857 people. Santander is the southernmost municipality of Cebu province about 134 km south of Cebu City with travel time taking about 3–4 hours. -wikipedia
10 Things to Do in Santander, Cebu
1. PAY A VISIT TO SANAYON OR IGWARON SITE
- Description: It was built to honor the town’s abundance of harvest. Sanayon comes from the word ‘sanay‘ which means multiple or abundance of harvest.
- Location: Pasil, Santander
- How to Get There: Simply go to Cebu South Bus Terminal and look for buses bound for Bato-Oslob or Bato-Oslob via Dumaguete buses.
- Operation Hours: All day, Everyday
- Entrance Fees: Free
2. SAY A PRAYER AT ST. GABRIEL THE ARCHANGEL PARISH
- Description: Did you know that the church of Santander is more than just a religious building? It is also a symbol of its people’s awakening that led Santander to where it is today. Santander is the only town in Cebu province with St. Gabriel the Archangel as patron, known as the messenger of God
- Location: Pasil, Santander
- How to Get There: Simply go to Cebu South Bus Terminal and look for buses bound for Bato-Oslob or Bato-Oslob via Dumaguete buses.
- Operation Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Entrance Fees: Free
3. INDULGE IN THE HISTORY OF THE BALUARTE
- Description: There are two Baluarte or watchtowers in Santander. It can be found in Poblacion and Liloan.
- Location: Santander
- How to Get There: Simply go to Cebu South Bus Terminal and look for buses bound for Bato-Oslob or Bato-Oslob via Dumaguete buses.
- Operation Hours: 24/7
- Entrance Fees: Free
4. JOIN THE CELEBRATION OF TOSTADO FESTIVAL
- Description: Every year, Tañonganons celebrate the Tostado festival. It is an annual celebration that highlights the town’s farming and marine resources. Also, Tostado Festival used to be called Sanayon festival.
- How to Get There: Simply go to Cebu South Bus Terminal and look for buses bound for Bato-Oslob or Bato-Oslob via Dumaguete buses.
- When is it Celebrated?: Every April
- Entrance Fees: Free
5. BRING HOME A LOT OF TASTY TOSTADO AFTER TASTING IT
- Description: A tostado is essentially a cookie, though research has failed to trace these cookies came to be baked (and well loved) as such in the town. The cookies made of sugar, flour, eggs, baking soda and shortening have been sold in their place for as long as they can remember.
- How to Get There: Simply go to Cebu South Bus Terminal and look for buses bound for Bato-Oslob or Bato-Oslob via Dumaguete buses.
6. UNWIND AT PEBBLES BEACH RESORT
- Description: Pebbles Beach Resort is one of the best beach resorts in Santander that offers the best view of the Negros island and Siquijor.
- Location: Lilo-an, Santander
- How to Get There: Simply go to Cebu South Bus Terminal and look for buses bound for Bato-Oslob or Bato-Oslob via Dumaguete buses.
- Entrance Fees: PHP 50.00 per person
- Contact Information: (032) 480 9005 , Facebook
7. SWIM AT BONGA VILLA BEACH RESORT
- Description: The resort has a restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, a garden and private beach area in Santander. There’s a terrace and guests can use free WiFi and free private parking. All rooms in the resort are equipped with air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a kitchen, a dining area and a private bathroom with free toiletries, a bidet and a shower.
- Location: Liloan – Canlumacad, Santander, Cebu, Philippines, 6026
- How to Get There: Simply go to Cebu South Bus Terminal and look for buses bound for Bato-Oslob or Bato-Oslob via Dumaguete buses.
- Contact Information: Contact them at (032) 480 9045
8. LOCATE THE DIVING SPOTS
- Description: Santander is rich in white-sand and white-pebble beaches with crystal clear waters. It’s an ideal spot for diving and snorkeling.
- Location: Lilo-an, Santander
- How to Get There: Simply go to Cebu South Bus Terminal and look for buses bound for Bato-Oslob or Bato-Oslob via Dumaguete buses.
- TIPS: Contact resorts as most resorts offers diving packages.
9. LEARN HOW TO SWIM AT MARINE VILLAGE DIVE HOUSE
- Description: The resort has a restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, a garden and private beach area in Santander. There’s a terrace and guests can use free WiFi and free private parking. All rooms in the resort are equipped with air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a kitchen, a dining area and a private bathroom with free toiletries, a bidet and a shower.
- Location: Liloan – Canlumacad, Santander, Cebu, Philippines, 6026
- How to Get There: Simply go to Cebu South Bus Terminal and look for buses bound for Bato-Oslob or Bato-Oslob via Dumaguete buses.
- Contact Information: Contact them at (032) 480 9045
10. CHILL AND DIVE AT NOBLESSE RESORT
- Description: This resort offers impeccable service and all the essential amenities to invigorate travelers. To name a few of the hotel’s facilities, there are 24-hour room service, free Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24-hour front desk, express check-in/check-out, luggage storage.
- Location: Liloan Beach, Santander, Cebu
- How to Get There: Simply go to Cebu South Bus Terminal and look for buses bound for Bato-Oslob or Bato-Oslob via Dumaguete buses.
- Contact Information: Contact them at Facebook
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,
Kleinberg Fletcher Tabel
You never cease to surprise me with your avid research miss lodi! I only knew Santander as a destination point going to Dumaguete until now. Never have I realized how interesting the place can be and worth travelling too! Wish this pandemic thing is over so I can escape the slowly re-emerging hustle and bustle of Cebu City and unwind at the southern tip of the island. Thank you so much much for this fascinating and helpful blog.