Osmeña Peak is most famous for being the highest point on Cebu Island and it’s one of the best adventures to be had in the South Cebu region in the Philippines!
Due to this attraction being one of the most popular Cebu tourist spots, the best time to visit is early in the morning for sunrise, and this way you will beat the crowds.
I have put together this complete guide to visiting Osmena Peak including how to get there, how much it costs, and what to expect when you’re there.
Also, at the bottom of this post, I have included some useful information on where to stay, recommended Cebu tours, and other points of interest in the area.
Table of Contents
WHERE IS OSMEÑA PEAK?
Osmena Peak is located in the Badian mountain region in South Cebu, Philippines.
Click here to see the location on Google maps.
Badian is 100km south of Cebu City and public buses run every hour on a daily basis from Cebu South Bus Terminal to Moalboal, Oslob, and Badian. The cost of the bus is around 150 pesos.
It’s best visited from the nearby beach towns of Moalboal or Oslob, which is between 50km – 60km away and approximately 1.5 hours drive.
Must Read → 15 Things To Do In Cebu
HOW TO GET TO OSMEÑA PEAK CEBU
The best way to reach Osmena Peak Cebu is to rent a scooter in Moalboal or Oslob and make your own way up to the hillside village of Mantalongon in the Dalaguete region.
There are many scooter rental stores in Moalboal and Oslob where you can get your hands on some wheels for around 400 pesos per day with a full gas tank.
The majority of the roads in this region are tar-sealed though I came across many washouts and potholes along the way which I had to slow right down for.
These mountainous roads are also very windy with a lot of blind corners. I highly recommend purchasing travel insurance, especially when riding on the roads in the Philippines. Safety first!
Note: I recommend loading the pin location on Google maps before you make tracks out here as the phone network coverage up in the mountains is very weak and you may lose signal.
‘Maps Me’ is a great offline map application that you may want to consider downloading from the app store which would work best in scenarios like this.
Another option is to take the public bus from Cebu City to Mantalongon, a small city located on the top of the mountain and the journey time is around three to four hours depending on traffic.
From the bus station in Mantalongon, you can hail a habal-habal (motorbike taxi) and kindly ask the driver to take you to the jump-off point which is a short 5km up the road. The cost of a habal-habal is around 100 pesos.
Alternatively, you can rent a car for the time you plan to spend in Cebu and travel around at your own pace.
Search All → Car rentals in Cebu
At the summit
OSMEÑA PEAK TOUR
If you would prefer to book a tour to visit the peak, there is one that I can highly recommend which also includes a visit to the famous Kawasan Falls.
It’s a full-day tour that starts in Cebu City with a hotel pick-up, a guided tour to Osmeña plus Kawasan Falls, and then returning back to Cebu City.
All this for less than $30!
Book Now → Osmeña Peak & Kawasan Falls Tour
View of Moalboal
Have you got travel insurance for the Philippines? We all know accidents can happen and having World Nomads Insurance will save you thousands of dollars if something goes wrong.
ARRIVING AT OSMEÑA PEAK IN CEBU
There is an allocated parking lot located near the entrance where you can park your scooter or car and the parking fee is by donation.
From the car park, follow the stone path up to the registration office to get your entrance ticket.
The Osmena Peak entrance fee is 30 pesos which includes a guide if you would like one but it’s not necessary as the trail is clearly marked and can be easily navigated on your own.
Related Article → Casino Peak Hike in Cebu
OSMENA PEAK DAY HIKE
The hike is a short fifteen to twenty minutes along a narrow, rocky path passing by thinly forested areas and farmer’s crops. I recommend wearing closed-in shoes for the hike, though flip-flops would suffice.
Along the trail, there are two make-shift huts selling souvenirs such as fridge magnets, t-shirts, and other things of the like. They also have eskies full of cold drinks, fresh fruits, and other light snacks.
The summit is only a further five minutes from this point, though the trail gets much steeper for the last fifty meters of the hike and it can be a bit of a scramble to the reach top.
Must Read → 3 Week Philippines Itinerary
Souvenir stores
Scramble to the summit
WHAT TO EXPECT
The most famous and best viewpoint in Cebu is ultimately what you can expect when you arrive at the summit.
At 1,013 meters above sea level, enjoy panoramic views of the coastlines on both sides of Cebu Island and of course, the most fascinating hill formations that you will have likely never seen before.
These interesting rocks, hills, peaks, whatever you want to call them are other-worldly and it boggles me as to how they came to be…
From the summit, these dominant peaks are seemingly endless as they stretch across the land like the spine of a Stegasaurus dinosaur.
Some say these rolling hills are reminiscent of the Chocolate Hills in Bohol as the landscape is quite similar. Though each of these spots is unique to its location.
In the deep valleys below, you can see vividly green fields of farmer’s crops and on a clear day, you can spot the neighboring islands of Negros and Bohol.
I had all intentions of making it to the summit for a sunrise hike but due to poor weather conditions, I ended up arriving at the viewpoint just before noon and there were quite a few tourists around.
Although I had to wait my turn to get photos, this didn’t take away the beauty that surrounds the peak.
IS IT WORTH IT?
Hell yeah, it’s worth it!
No matter how many pictures you’ve seen on social media, it still lives up to its name of being the best viewpoint in Cebu.
It’s an absolute must-visit destination to add to your South Cebu Itinerary and I guarantee it’s even better through your own eyes.
Another option is to camp at the top for only 50 pesos, though you’re going to need your own tent and camping gear. This is definitely something I will consider doing if I visit again one day.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit, weatherwise, is in the summer months between March and May. There is little to no rainfall during this time and you’ll most likely have a better chance of catching a banger sunrise or sunset.
I visited in the month of August and the weather was pretty shit and unpredictable. Though this is also considered low season and there were noticeably fewer tourists around.
Also, try to time your hike for a weekday as opposed to a weekend. Saturdays and Sundays are when most Filipinos have time off work and they flock to these Cebu tourist spots in the hundreds.
The view from the top
BEST TOURS IN CEBU
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST
There are many other Cebu tourist spots that are definitely worth checking out on the same day.
See below for my suggested one-day South Cebu itinerary:
- Early morning Kawasan Falls canyoneering adventure
- Followed by the Casino Peak hike
- Then sunset at Osmeña
Or…
- Sunrise hike to Osmeña
- Followed by the Casino Peak hike
- Then the Kawasan Falls canyoneering adventure
Kawasan Falls
WHERE TO STAY IN MOALBOAL
Moalboal has hundreds of accommodation options to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to fit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Dolphin House Resort Moalboal
Dolphin House is the best luxury accommodation in Moalboal. A stone’s throw away from the ocean, this accommodation offers a swimming pool, restaurant and bar, free wifi, and ocean views. There are double rooms, triple rooms, family rooms, and bungalows available at Dolphin House Resort. Snorkeling, diving, activities, and bike rental can also be organized at reception. Best place to stay for families, friends, and couples.
Mid Range: Pescadores Seaview Suites
One of the most recommended places to stay in Moalboal. For less than $40 a night, Pescadores Suites offers double rooms, twin rooms, and a garden villa. There are an outdoor swimming pool and sun terrace, restaurant, mini-market, table tennis, billiards, board games, karaoke room, and wellness spa. Great place to stay for friends and couples.
Budget: Chief Mau Hostel
The best budget accommodation in Moalboal! Centrally located just minutes from the beach, Chief Mau hostel offers dorm rooms and private rooms for as little as $8. The owner Trish is super lovely and goes out of her way to make all of her guests feel welcome and comfortable. There is a shared lounge with hammocks, a billiards table, and an in-house restaurant and bar serving up the best western food in Moalboal. There is free wifi throughout the property. Perfect for solo travelers and friends.
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN MOALBOAL, SEARCH ON AGODA OR SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
WHAT TO PACK FOR THE PHILIPPINES
When visiting the Philippines, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you;
- Sunscreen – the Philippines sun is very strong, so make sure to pack some high-quality sunscreen.
- Quick-dry travel towel – a must for drying off after a dip in the ocean or lying out on the sand.
- Reusable water bottle – stay hydrated by bringing along a reusable water bottle.
- Dry bag – protect your gadgets from any water damage while you’re at the beach.
If you’re interested in taking awesome photos and videos on your travels, this is the camera gear that I use and recommend;
- GoPro HERO10 – the most popular camera on the planet for action-packed adventures.
- Canon EOS R – perfect for traveling, this is the most affordable, compact camera on the market.
- DJI Mini 3 Pro – take your photos and videos to new heights with this user-friendly drone camera.
MORE PHILIPPINES TRAVEL GUIDES
- Philippines Guide: 3 Weeks Philippines Itinerary
- Cebu: 15 Things To Do In Cebu
- Bohol: 31 Epic Things To Do In Bohol
- Siargao: 15 Things To Do In Siargao
- El Nido: El Nido Island Hopping
- Coron: Coron Island Hopping
- Boracay: 15 Things To Do In Boracay
- Siquijor: 3 Day Siquijor Itinerary
- Bantayan: 15 Things To Do In Bantayan
- Malapascua: 11 Things To Do In Malapascua
- Camiguin: 13 Best Camiguin Tourist Spots
- Romblon: 12 Epic Things To Do In Romblon
- Tablas: 10 Things To Do In Tablas
- Carabao: 7 Best Things To Do In Carabao
- Dumaguete: Best Dumaguete Tourist Spots
TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!
- BOOKING.COM – search and book accommodation worldwide
- SKYSCANNER – compare and book cheap flights to anywhere
- VIATOR – find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world
- BOOKAWAY – book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance
- RENTAL CARS – search all rental cars in your next destination
- GROUP TRIPS – join one of my epic small group trips
- TRAVEL INSURANCE – purchase World Nomads travel insurance
- TRAVEL MONEY CARD – get a Wise card today for free
Looking for more? Check out my Travel Resources page for further help with your trip planning!
FINAL THOUGHTS
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions at all about Osmeña Peak in Cebu, please leave me a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.
THANKS FOR READING
Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!
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Many thanks!
PIN IT FOR LATER
Hey Jonny,
Love you blog post but could you let them know that using Maps Me if you are driving to Osmeña Peak is not advisable. I used Maps Me since its so convenient in the mountains but the route it took me to was not accessible by a vehicle, its quite dangerous and very rough roads. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to hike up Osmeña Peak and Casino Peak which I was so excited to hike to! But I’ll try again next time! Just wanted to let you know so your readers and future readers of these amazing blogs would be informed! Thanks a lot for your very detailed and awesome post!
Thanks for the feedback and sorry to hear you weren’t able to make it. The roads are in need of improvement in that region. Enjoy the rest of your trip!