Attractive tourist spots that coexist with nature - Carmen.

© CEBU navi SAKURA ｜ vol.14 Mar.-Apr.2018

A hidden gem for nature lovers and a safari park for all the adventure seekers lies in the Sierra of this small northern town.

Safari and Adventure Park

Welcome To the Wild!

Carmen, Cebu is a small town 50 kilometers north of Cebu and is also home to the Cebu Safari and Adventure Park, the country’s premier safari and adventure park. After a two-hour drive to the north, you’ll reach the town of Carmen and from there, it will take another 15-20 minute drive to get to the park. Finding the park is not a hassle, as the locals know the place well and there are signs to point guests in the right direction. The park is situated in Barangay Corte, a mountain barangay in Carmen.
Upon entering the main reception area, you will notice the staff hustling to address guests’ admissions and inquiries. After paying, you will receive your wristband and then proceed to the briefing area. Here, the guests are informed of the park’s do’s and don'ts. After the short briefing comes an adventure waiting to be discovered!
A tram is available to bring guests to the various drop-off points and will also pick-up guests heading to their next stop. Photographers are also on-standby around the park to capture guests’ special moments with the animals. The whole tour lasts about 3-4 hours. And when you are done, you can check the photos taken by the park photographers and purchase them in the reception area.
If you are wondering how big this park is, it covers 170 hectares of land and houses nearly one thousand animals. The construction began 10 years ago and is set to fully operate in April. Once completed, the park will also feature more animals such as lions, bears, kangaroos, and many more. A hotel will open in the park for guests who wish to stay the night and observe nocturnal animals. Construction for a 1.2 kilometer zipline is also ongoing.

Kids and adults can feed the animals with foods prepared by the staff!

Oddly, these orangutans prefer corn over bananas!

The park is still in its preview stage. It’ll be open to everyone in March or April.

There are many trams to take you from one stop to another.

【Information】

■ How to get there
Traveling via private vehicle will get you to the park in no time, though public transportation is also available from the North Bus Terminal. In the terminal, look for buses that will go through Carmen. Once on board, ask the driver to drop you off at Carmen National High School. The road beside the school leads to the park and here, you can hire a habal-habal to take you to the park for P60/person.

■ Entrance fee
The entrance fee is P600 - P800(with lunch). Children between 2 to 3 feet tall will receive a 50% discount. There is no charge for children under 2 feet tall.

■ Contact information
Globe / TM: +63995.8353460
Smart / TNT: +63921.5111666
email: sales@cebusafari.ph

Cold spring water flows into the pool, so get your swimwear ready!

Durano Eco Farm and Spring Resort

Nature’s Bounty

After 15-20 minutes from arriving in the town of Carmen, along the way to Cebu Safari and Adventure Park, you will pass by another popular destination in the town, the Durano Eco Farm and Spring Resort. This resort is popular for its multi-layered pool, with water coming from a spring.
In the entrance of the resort is a display of bonsai welcoming all the guests from the owner’s personal collection. An entrance fee of P60 will be collected before entering the resort. The best time to visit the resort is on weekdays or the early morning, as the place is usually packed with guests on the weekends. The resort is open from 7am to 7pm, and is open for overnight stays.
Upon descending the 165 steps leading to the pool area, you will start to hear the relaxing sound of water cascading down the multi-layered pool and the casual chirping of the area’s birds. You’ll also see the cabanas and the treehouses beautifully built in their respective areas. And as you take the last few steps of the stairs, an enchanting view of the pool area, the rushing river, the towering mountains, and the lush green trees will embrace your arrival.
There are 8 multi-layered pools, in the area with various depths ranging from 2 to 9 feet deep. The water flowing from the spring is colder than regular water, so this place is the perfect destination on a hot summer day. As you take a dip into the water, you will suddenly feel serenity among the sounds of the bustling trees and the rushing river healing your tired body and soul. Truly, this spring resort is a nature lover’s paradise.

In the lush green entrance is a sign reminding everyone to keep the resort clean. *Please pay the entrance fee before entering the resort.

Mango trees surround the parking lot providing shade to passersby.

The bonsai displayed in the entrance seem to welcome the guests.

Multiple springs in the area supply the water for the pool

Tree houses are available for those who wish to spend the night in the spring resort.

【Information】

■ Entrance fee
Entrance fee P60
Two-story treehouse P1,000-P1,500
Three-story treehouse P1,000-P2,000
Cabana P950-P1,500
■ Contact information
0917-506-8335