Cebu is often associated with some of the country’s most beautiful beaches, crystal clear blue waters, powdery white sand and gorgeous sunsets by the bay. In this regard, the Queen City of the South has been considered as one of the beloved summer capitals in the country.

However, there is so much more to the Queen City of the South than having a slew of the country’s most gorgeous beaches. With Cebu rich in natural resources, it is inevitable for the city to be peppered with neighboring mountains covered with a rug of trees and greenery. In fact, camping has been one of the popular activities showcased in Cebu with some of the campsites only thirty-minutes away from the city. When it comes to camping in the Queen City of the South, you get to have an excellent set of options that either take you to the beach or the mountainsides. In this regard, you get to experience an excellent mix of camping excursions–all in one city.

With that said, Cebu is one of the premier places in the country if you have been looking to experience the great outdoors. If you have been planning on a camping trip, Cebu is an excellent choice as some of the camping sites are very accessible and are perfect for a family camping trip. Intrepid individuals who are looking for a bit of an adventure have something in store as well as there are campsites that require a bit of trekking that are sure to excite adrenaline and adventure junkies. In the same way, those with a penchant for beachside camping would not find themselves left out as Cebu has exciting glampsites as well. However, before we get to the curated list of the Queen City of the South’s best campsites, read on below why camping might be a good activity to do this weekend:

REASONS TO GO CAMPING THIS WEEKEND

As one of the favorite weekend activities out there, camping offers an avenue to de-stress, relax and immerse yourself in nature away from the perpetual hustle and bustle of the city. With modern living becoming one of the primary stressors in life, individuals have found more and more reasons to escape to the mountainsides or beaches and set up camp for a few days. If you have been having a difficult time getting away from the city’s hassle, here are compelling reasons to consider camping on the weekend:

1.) It lets you see the stars

The stars are unappreciated in the city where light pollution is prevalent. As a result, we rarely get to see the stars or perhaps, we never do at all. With the glare and sky glow of urban living, it is pretty difficult to make out the stars in the sky. However, camping out in the woods allows you to see the sky like you never have before. In lieu of the seemingly endless blank sky above us, the sky in the woods is a rich blank canvas peppered with innumerable stars. It is indeed a sight to behold and one that takes your breath away. If you have never seen the sky like this before, you are definitely in for a treat when you go camping.

2.) It helps you sleep

One of the known symptoms of stress is having a hard time falling asleep. In this regard, it is inevitable for some individuals to rely on sleep-aids such as melatonin pills just to knock themselves out for the night. However, it has been scientifically proven that a week of camping sans your electronic devices not only allows you to disconnect but resets your melatonin level to be in sync with the rising and setting of the sun as well. So, if you have been having trouble sleeping, camping might just help you address that problem.

3.) It allows you to breathe truly fresh air

One of the best things about camping is getting to breathe truly fresh air. You will immediately notice this the moment you reach the wilderness as the place is devoid of pollution and smog. Getting to breathe fresh air is not an opportunity that you can easily come by in the city as the air you breathe inside is full of dust, fumes and other particles and pollutants that are trapped inside the walls of the structure you are in. Camping away from an urban setting allows you to fill your lungs with clean oxygen. As a result, you get to breathe more deeply and lift your mood and energy level.

4.) It allows you to spend time away from people

Camping gives you a semblance of solitude–even if you were travelling in a group. When you are out in the wilderness, you disconnect yourself from emails, text messages, social media, phone calls, co-workers and everyone else. It is the perfect time to truly relax, bask in the warmth of the sun and just immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. It is also an effective way to recenter yourself before you head back to the concrete jungle and urban playground.

THE BEST CAMPSITES IN CEBU

a.) Chalet Hills, Busay

Newbies and novices to the outdoor lifestyle might want to ease themselves into camping by dipping their toes into something that is not quite as challenging as the other items in this list. Chalet Hills may not be as challenging as the other mountains listed here, but it is worth the stop if you want to go camping within proximity of the city. Getting to Chalet Hills is relatively easy, you can either walk from Mountain View, walk past the Temple of Leah and go further until you reach the third basketball court. Alternatively, you can hire a motorcycle to get you to the foot of the hill and take a five minute hike up and set up camp.

b.) Osmena Peak

No list of Cebu campsites is ever complete without including the Queen City of the South’s most famous camping spot. Towering at 1013+ MASK, Osmena Peak is the highest campsite in Cebu and is undoubtedly, the coldest one in the island as well. However, despite its height, it is actually easy to climb and would take you around fifteen to twenty minutes to get to the top from the foot of the mountain. To get there, you can simply take a bus ride from Cebu City to Dalaguete that takes about 3-4 hours then take a motorcycle to the  Mantalungon Public Market. If you are up to a challenge, you may opt to walk from here which is about an hour or two away from the foot depending on your pace.

c.) Mt. Hambubuyog

Seasoned trekkers who are looking for a challenge might want to set up camp at Mt. Hambubuyog which has been named as one of the toughest and most challenging hikes in Cebu. It takes about nine hours to reach and the last stretch of the trail is rather steep which means your knees will reach your chest on every step. To get to Hambubuyog, you need to take a 4 hour bus ride to the south then a motorcycle to Inambakan Falls which is where your jump off will be.

d.) Kan-irag Peak

Also known as Sirao Peak, Kan-irag is one of the most popular campsites in Cebu because of its accessibility and proximity to the city. To get there, you only need to trek via Budlaan in Talamban. However, bear in mind that the trek might be a little tiresome with the trail difficult for beginners. If you wish to experience camping in the wilderness without straying too far from the city, Sirao Peak is a good choice. You can witness some of the most beautiful sunrises here and eat fresh sweet corn for breakfast.

e.) Mt. Naupa

Known as one of the easier and more established campsites in Cebu, Mt. Naupa is a favorite camping ground for kids. As the campsite is stable, setting up your tent would be easy and convenient to do. To get there from the city, simply take a KMK bus from SM Cebu then ask to be dropped off at Gaisano Minglanilla. From there, you can ride a motorcycle to the foot of the peak.

f.) Bacalla Woods Campsite

If you wish to try an unconventional alternative to a tent, you might want to try camping in a hammock which is one of the famous features of Bacalla Woods Campsite. This campsite in Naga allows campers to choose between a tent, hammock or a room in the camp. However, what makes this place so fascinating is the fact that you can find so many activities to enjoy that you would forget you do not have cell reception at all. One of the famous attractions of this campsite is the infinity swing which has been said to entice many individuals into their campsite.

With these peaks and campsites at your disposal, you have a lot of options when it comes to camping in Cebu. However, wherever you might choose to go, always remember the golden rule of camping: Leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time and take nothing but pictures. With that said, you are sure to have a grand time exploring the great outdoors.