The first thing that will probably come to your mind when you think of Cebu is the majestic view from the top of Osmena Peak, the beautiful underwater scene of Pescador Island in Moalboal, the colorful field of flowers in Sirao, or the turquoise blue water of Kawasan Falls. But beyond all these popular destinations, there are less-crowded towns in Cebu that offer great scenery to tourists. One of these towns is located at the southernmost tip of the Cebu island called Santander.
This town is known for its clear blue waters and interesting diving spots. Additionally, it is also the gateway to the neighboring islands and regions in the Philipines such as Negros, Siquijor, Bohol, and Dapitan.
Related: Santander Diaries: How I Ended Up Moving Here
What You Need To Know About Santander, Cebu
Santander was originally called Tañong before the Spanish settlement. Later, it was renamed Santander – a city on the northern coast of Spain.
Travelers often don’t stay for long in this town. This is because it is mostly known only for its seaports that connect to the provinces of Siquijor, Negros Oriental, and Zamboanga. Nevertheless, there are actually a few interesting spots to explore in this quiet town. Its strategic location makes it the best place to stay if you want to explore South Cebu or its neighboring islands. It is the next town to the famous whale shark watching location in Oslob which is just 10 minutes away. On top of that, Dumaguete Airport is also just 30 minutes away.
The locals
People living in Santander are called Tañonganon. The main livelihood in Santander is farming and fishing. The waters in this part of the country are rich fishing grounds. Since Santander is located just right on the tail of Tañon Strait, it is a perfect destination for divers who want to explore the rich marine ecosystem beneath the waters of Cebu and Negros Island.
Tostado Festival
Santander, Cebu is also known for the Tostado Festival. It is celebrated annually to highlight Santander’s abundance of farming and marine resources. In this festival, a famous local cookie called Tostado is showcased.
Tostado is a Spanish term that means toasted. However, in Santander Cebu, tostado refers to a type of cookie that is baked instead of toasted. This cookie is made from flour, eggs, sugar, baking soda, and shortening.
Seaports
There are currently three major seaports located in Santander, Cebu. The port in Barangay Talisay provides transportation for passengers to Tampi, San Jose, Negros Oriental via barges. Meanwhile, Barangay Liloan has two ports: one for fastcrafts and another for barges ferrying passengers to Sibulan, Negros Oriental and Larena, Siquijor.
Connectivity
ATMs
There are only 4 main ATMs in Santander, Cebu. Below are there locations:
- At the face of the Municipal Hall of Santander
- BDO Unibank, Inc. in Pobloacion, Santander beside 7/11
- ATM inside 7/11
- Beside R&L Transient Inn in Liloan, Santander (near Maayo Shipping port)
Bring enough cash with you just in case these ATMs are offline. Remember, cash remains the most preferred payment method in the Philippines. Although, some stores already accept e-wallet payments like Gcash or Maya.
Alternatively, you can also make a withdrawal in Palawan Pawnshop, Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshop, or MLhuiller Pawnshop in Poblacion.
How To Get There
Santander is easily accessible from either Cebu City, Dumaguete City, Siquijor, and Dapitan City.
How to get to Santander from Cebu City
From Cebu South Bus Terminal, look for buses bound for Bato-Oslob or Bato-Oslob via Dumaguete buses. There are 3 major bus transport services to choose from; namely Ceres Lines (yellow bus), Sugbo Transit, and Sunrays Bus Liner. The bus ride from Cebu City to Santander typically takes around 4-5 hours, depending on traffic conditions.
Find an affordable lodge in Cebu City to stay in for the night you plan to catch an early morning bus to Santander. There are various budget-friendly accommodations scattered around the city, ranging from guesthouses to hostels.
How to get to Santander from Dumaguete City
From Dumaguete City or Dumaguete City airport, ride a pedicab or ‘easyride’ bound for Sibulan, Negros Oriental. Easyride fare usually costs around PHP 12-20. On the other hand, you can charter a pedicab for Php 100-150 pesos. From Sibulan, ride a fast craft or ferry to Liloan Port in Santander. It’s only a 20-minute ride and the boat fare costs PHP 70
Related: How to book your ferry tickets from Liloan to Dumaguete or Dumaguete to Liloan
How to get to Santander from Siquijor
From Larena Port in Siquijor, ride a ferry bound for Liloan, Santander. Travel time is about 2 hours. Please refer to Maayo Shipping Inc. for exact rates and schedules.
How to get to Santander from Dapitan City
From Pulauan Port in Dapitan City, ride a ferry bound for Bato, Samboan. Please refer to the updated rates and schedules on Lite Ferries Shipping’s website. Santander is less than 10 minutes away via tricycle or habal-habal
How To Get Around Santander
Santander is a small town and getting around is easy. There are 10 barangays with barangay Poblacion as the central district. It’s where you will find most shops, schools, and other establishments.
Most of the popular tourist destinations in the southernmost part of Cebu are located in Oslob and Samboan. The famous whale shark watching area and the breathtakingly beautiful Tumalog Falls. These are just some of the destinations you can find in Oslob. Meanwhile, Samboan is home to a couple of majestic waterfalls.
Public Transportation
The main mode of transportation is tricycle or habal-habal (motorcycle-for-hire). It usually costs around PHP 20-50.
Rent a motorbike/scooter
If you want to explore this town on your own, you can rent a motorcycle and scooter by contacting Santander Cebu Motorcycle and Scooter Rental.
Where To Stay in Santander, Cebu
Here are the lists of hotels, pension houses, and resorts in Santander, Cebu.
Dodz Apartelle
Bulilit Pension House
- 0916 538 3261
Eden Resort
Pebble Beach Resort
Noblesse Resort
Marine Village Diving House
Bonga Villa Beach Resort & Spa
- Website
- (032) 480 9090
The Farm Resort
ABF Seaside Tourist Inn
- 0977 842 7332
New Ocean Terrace Beach Resort
- +63 915 302 7416
Watersport Beach Resort & Dream Divers
Where to Eat in Santander, Cebu
Like any other city and municipality in Cebu, you can easily find carenderias and restaurants everywhere. You can find most of the bakeshops, mini restaurants, food stalls, burger kiosks, and much more in Poblacion which is the center of trade in this town.
- Belgian Bistro
- Felice Ristorante Italiano
Must-see Spots in Santander, Cebu
There are a few places in Santander that are worth visiting. In my opinion, Santander is an underrated municipality in Cebu. This is also because a lot of people don’t really have any idea what to see in this place. However, there are a few interesting spots that are unique in this place.
Here are some of the interesting spots you should visit in Santander, Cebu.
Diving Spots
Santander is rich in white-sand and white-pebble beaches with crystal clear waters. It’s an ideal spot for diving and snorkeling. It is near world-renowned dive spots such as Apo Island, Balicasag Island, and Sumilon.
Contact any of the resorts below to start your adventure!
If you are a non-diver and want to learn and get a certification, Santander houses some of the best diving schools and resorts.
Watch baby sharks in Pasil, Santander
Igwaron Site or Sanayon
This site was built to honor the abundance of harvest in Santander. Sanayon comes from the word ‘sanay’ which means an abundance of harvest. Igwaron/Sanayon Site has an observation deck where you can see Cebu’s neighboring islands – Bohol, Sumilon, Siquijor, and Negros.
Across the street, there’s a staircase leading to a spot with the Sigbin landmark.
Liloan Baluarte
Baluartes or watchtowers are a common sight in south Cebu as they used to be important edifices in the 1800s. These structures were used by Christian Spaniards against Filipino Muslims when the latter had a resistance in the Spanish colonization in Mindanao. One of these watchtowers, the Liloan Baluarte, is located beside Pebbles Beach Resort.
Watch the sunset at the southern tip of Cebu | Pebbles Beach Resort
Pebbles Beach Resort is one of the best beach resorts in Santander that offers the best view of the Negros Island and Siquijor. If you want to see the view at the southern tip of Cebu, this is the best place to go. It’s also the best location to watch the sunset.
Nearby Attractions
Santander is the gateway to some of the most beautiful tourist destinations in South Cebu. Here are just some of the nearby attractions you can visit.
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