Catmon: Esoy Hot Spring

LOCATION:
Catmon, Cebu (northern part of Cebu)

FESTIVAL:
Budbod Kabog Festival (February 10)

FEES: (as of February 2014)
Bus Fare from North Bus Terminal to Catmon (est. 80.00)
Entrance (150.00)
Vest (25.00)
Cottage (250.00 - 350.00)
Motorcycle Fare from Hi-way to Esoy Hot Spring (30.00)

OTHER PLACES TO VISIT:
Imelda Aroma Paradise Mountain Waterpark
Catmon Stone Church
Huna-huna Beach Resort
Las Flores Beach Hotel & Resort
Catmon Seaside Park Resort
Banzon Beach
Lumanoy Caves and Spring
Mt. Tabayag 
Duyan Hot Spring
Binongkalan Beach Resort

A few of months ago, my cousins and I decided to go out for a trip. It was our first bonding experience since I finished college. Too bad our other cousins were busy and nowhere near the site.

My mom grew up in Catmon. It's a municipality situated in the Northern part of Cebu next to Carmen. From Cebu City, you'll pass by a few municipalities before reaching the center town of Catmon. Next to Cebu City comes Mandaue City, heading north you'll pass by Consolacion, Lilo-an, Compostela, Danao City, and Carmen. If you are from Toledo City (like me), you may travel via different route. Going North, you will pass the municipalities of Balamban, Asturias, and Tuburan. In Tabuelan, there is an intersection, going North and going East. You should head east which is bound for Sogod, once you reach the national high way, travel south, the next municipality is Catmon. 

Last February 16, 2014, we decided to visit ESOY HOT SPRING in Catmon, Cebu - my birth place. One of my cousins had introduced the idea of visiting the hot spring located in a mountainous barangay of the municipality.

Esoy Hot Spring not only has the "hot spring", but also has the river and the falls. The scenery was marvelous. The hanging bridge was what scared me the most (because I weigh heavier than most people and because I'm afraid to fall off of it). You would really think twice about the bridge (I did). You'd wonder if it is sturdy. However, the fun started when I was able to cross the bridge (whew, I was still alive). 

Once you cross it, your adventure begins. 

Along the huge rocks by the river, you need to either move around it or climb it just so you can reach the falls. But even so, I don't recommend you to bring anything else other than yourself. I brought with me my phones for picture-taking purposes (stupid idea), but because I had a hard time climbing over the rocks (I'm pretty short), I had to cross the river and got my phones real wet, as in soaking wet (luckily both still work).

To reach the falls, a 7-minute trek is all you have to endure. Here are some of the photos I took before my phones took a dip.

 

cousins

From Cebu, you may ride a bus going north with a fare ranging from 60.00 to 100.00 pesos. Once you arrive in Catmon, you could ask for directions. The Hot Spring is a couple of kilometers going up the mountains. Although you may reach it by foot, I advice you to ride the motorcycles. The fare ranges from 25.00 to 35.00 pesos. Once you get there, an entrance fee of 130.00 to 150.00 will have to be paid, which is inclusive of the vest. They sell drinks and chips.