Waterworld Cebu: Central Visayas' largest waterpark

A new park has started splashing in Cebu last December 14, 2019. WaterWorld Cebu, which claims to be the largest waterpark in Central Visayas, is located on the foot of the Marcelo Fernan Bridge in Mandaue City. The park is home to 10 extreme slides, a wave pool, a spacious water playground with 11 child-friendly slides, and three function rooms which can accommodate up to 220 people. It is surely a place for everybody from kids to kids at heart.

Here is our guide to WaterWorld Cebu.

Location/Getting There

WaterWorld Cebu is located on the foot of the Marcelo Fernan Bridge at the UN Avenue, Opao, Mandaue City.

Vehicles from Northern Cebu may take Cebu North Road then turn left at the Butuanon Bridge junction to UN Avenue and head straight to Marcelo Fernan Bridge. At the foot of the Bridge, go to the access road to reach WaterWorld Cebu.

Vehicles from Southern Cebu may take Cebu South Road heading to the Central Nautical Highway through Natalio Bacalso Ave, Imus Ave, Lopez Jaena Street, and MC Briones Street. Then, turn right at the Butuanon Bridge junction towards UN Avenue and head straight to Marcelo Fernan Bridge. At the foot of the Bridge, go to the access road to reach Waterworld Cebu.

Vehicles coming from Mactan island including those from the Mactan Cebu International Airport may take M.L. Quezon National Highway and head towards Marcelo Fernan Bridge to UN Avenue. At UN Avenue, make a u-turn and head back to Marcelo Fernan Bridge. At the foot of the Bridge, go to the access road to reach Waterworld Cebu.

For those commuting from Cebu City, you can take a PUJ with 01K route and hop off at the Cebu North Bus Terminal. There, you can take any of the buses that head north and disembark at the foot Marcelo Fernan Bridge right in front of the Waterworld Cebu. Alternatively, you can take 01K and hope off at the PUJ terminal in Parkmall then ride a PUJ with MI-02B route which plies the Mandaue-Maribago route or 23 which plies the Mandaue-Punta Engaño route. Inform the PUJ driver that you will hop off near the foot of the bridge (in the Mandaue side).

Those commuting from Northern Cebu may ride on buses or jeepneys heading to Mandaue and hop off at Pacific Mall Mandaue and then head to their PUJ terminal and ride any of the jeepneys that go to Mactan island (Lapu-lapu).

Commuting from Waterworld Cebu back to your place is a little bit of a hassle as most public transports are already in full capacity once it reaches the foot of the bridge. For those going north, you can ride the bus (usually standing as seats are already filled). For those going back to Southern Cebu or to Mactan island, your best bet is also to ride the bus and then hope off across Pacific Mall Mandaue. At Pacific Mall Mandaue, you should be able to find public transport heading to Cebu City or to Mactan island.

For those who prefer ride-hailing apps, going to your place from Waterworld Cebu is difficult to book as UN Avenue is a traffic chokepoint. You may wish to leave earlier than the 5pm closing time to avoid traffic congestion and be able to book a ride.

Park Schedule

As of the writing of this post, the following park schedule applies:

• Ticket selling starts at 9:00 AM
• Gate opens at 9:00 AM 
• Waterpark closes at 5:00 PM 
• Food World and Tiki Island Bar opens at 9:00 AM 
• Barbecue Bay opens at 9:00 AM 
• Snack Shack opens at 10:00 AM 

Entrance Fee

WaterWorld Cebu is currently offering a promotional rate which is half of their regular rate. There is no exact date as to when the promotional rate will lapse so I encourage you to visit WaterWorld while it lasts. The place is surely a great treat for the kids and kids at heart. The rate covers all-day unlimited use of all slides and attractions. 

Promo Rate (Rates apply until further notice) 

• Local Weekday Rate: Php 400.00 (for local Philippine residents)
• Local Weekend/Holiday Rate: Php 500.00 (for local Philippine residents)
• Non-Local Weekday/Weekend/Holiday Rate: Php 1,000.00 

Note: 

• Kids 3 feet and below are FREE.
• The rate also applies to those who will not swim but wish to enter the waterpark.
• Local Philippine residents - all individuals (including foreigners) RESIDING in the Philippines. Proof of residency must be presented upon ticket purchase. 

Rentals 

• Lockers – Php 100 for the whole day 
  Safeguard your valuables with WaterWorld Cebu’s automated lockers equipped with RFID technology. The lockers are not that big but should fit your electronic devices and other valuables.
• Tables – Php 400
  You can rent a table if you come as a group for a comfortable stay. The table can accommodate 8-10 people comfortably and are located at the Upper and Lower Deck facing the slides and near the food outlets. Table reservation can be made by contacting their sales office at 09177907911 or by messaging them on Facebook
• Aqua Suites – Php 2,500 for day use only (good for 10 pax)
  WaterWorld Cebu also has Aqua Suites to give your visit that extra special getaway vibe. The Aqua Suites are fully air-conditioned with a TV, sofa and a private comfort room. Booking may be done by contacting their Sales Office.

Cashless Waterpark 

WaterWorld has employed cashless transactions inside the waterpark. You will have to get a reloadable Wristband Wallet for a minimal deposit of Php 100 pesos. All remaining wristband balances including the deposit can be refunded before the closing of the waterpark at any of the loading stations located at the WaterWorld Cebu Entrance Area, Splash Shop, Food World, and Tiki Island Bar. 

Schedule of Operations, Slide Rules, and Regulations

As per our experience, not all slides/rides operate at the same time. Lifeguards and staff are approachable, and you can always ask them for the schedule. It would be nice if WaterWorld Cebu can place a monitor which provides which slides are open and which are close in realtime at the Tiki Lounge where the tables are located. I hope that they also make the most of their PA system to announce the schedule every now and then. 

Swimming Attire

Wearing proper swimwear is strictly imposed when engaging in all water slides and pool activities. 

ALLOWED 

1. Board Shorts 
2. Swimsuits 
3. Bikinis 
4. Rashguards 
5. Full body Swimsuits 
6. Swimming Diapers 
7. Goggles 

NOT ALLOWED 

1. Regular Diapers 
2. Undergarments 
3. Jeans 
4. Jackets 
5. Halter Dress 
6. Denim Shorts and Boxer Shorts 
7. Long Skirts 
8. Garments with Sequins and Beads 
9. Knitted, Lace and Cotton Fabrics 
10. Jewelry 

Food and Drinks 

There are 4 food outlets inside the waterpark which offer a variety of food choices. The menu they offer is leaning towards fast food so don’t expect much. For us, we did have Boodle Fight Set which is good for 10 from Barbecue Bay. Unfortunately, some of the barbecues came in raw. Also, the Linagpang soup tastes mediocre.

The four food outlets are the following:

• Food World - offers different cuisines such as Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and American 
• Barbecue Bay - serves grilled pork, chicken and many more 
• Tiki Island Bar - has a variety of drinks such as fresh juices and fruit shakes as well as delectable desserts including cakes, halo-halo, etc. 
• Snack Shack - burgers, fries, chips, and the likes 

Prices for their meals are in the range 100 to 300++ excluding drinks. Please note that outside food and drinks are STRICTLY PROHIBITED inside the waterpark. They would, however, allow you to bring Celebratory Cakes. Lechons are also allowed with a corkage fee of Php1,000.00. There are no alcoholic beverages in the waterpark. 

Slides/Rides/Activities 

Extreme Slides

• Dare Drop Speed Shooter 
• Mat Racer 
• Tornado Twister 
• Space Hole 
• The Loop 
• Family Roller Coaster 

Dare Drop and the Speed Shooter, which are the tallest slides at  15 meters high,  offers adrenaline junkies the best experience. I personally recommend that you take these two first. After this, every other slide is easy-peasy.

Wave Pool

The wave pool can create waves as high as 1.5 meters. The wave pool can accommodate more than 1000 people. 

River Rapids

A lazy river with a total length of 400 meters. This is a good activity for you to chill and enjoy.

Water Playground

This is the place for the small ones. The water playground comes with 11 child-friendly slides.

Summary and Comments

WaterWorld Cebu is a new destination to be in Cebu. As a waterpark, it is indeed the best in Central Visayas. There are rooms for improvement but then, in general, it did meet our expectations. The food quality could be improved. It would be nice if announcements on which slides are open is done consistently using the PA system. Also, the stair steps on the Dare Drop and Speed Shooter tower are not rough enough which may become slippery. Kudos to the p

I hope this guide helps you enjoy most of WaterWorld Cebu! Adios amigos!

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LSS (Laag Sa South): #TeamLaagan Southern Cebu Adventure

The island of Cebu is home to numerous cities and municipalities, each of which has its own unique character. From historical sites to breathtaking sceneries, colonial architectures to modern structures, beaches to mountain resorts; Cebu is a true heaven for tourists and adventurers. Much about the Cebu that you know comes with the fun. But more than being a metropolis of fun and entertainment, Cebu is a place to explore history, nature and oneself. For our latest adventure, #TeamLaagan decided to take another uncharted trip to the southern strip of Cebu. Laag Sa South (LSS) was another memorable and enjoyable journey for the gang.

Carcar and its Museum

The City of Carcar is known for its delicious ampao (rice crispies). Carcar which is considered as one of the four heritage cities in the country is home to various architectures originating from the American colonial era. One of these structures is what houses now the Carcar City Museum. The building was once used as a public bath during the American occupation and was later used as an infirmary and a prison during the Japanese occupation and the reigns of WW2.

The museum is an eloquent structure principally in white. It is a two storey building with the remnant of the old pool still seen at the back of the museum. Inside, you will see artifacts, old documents and pictures which showcase the rich cultural history of the city. After a short stroll and picture taking, we decided to move forward to our next destination, the Saint Michael the Archangel Church in Argao. But before this, we dropped by to the public market to buy the famous ampao and chicharong baboy.

Saint Michael the Archangel Church and Argao Nature Park

After the short stop in Carcar, we headed to our next destination, the Saint Michael the Archangel Church of Argao. Just a few kilometers from Carcar, Argao is combination of coastal plains and mountainous terrains. We took a 25 pesos PUJ ride from Carcar to Argao and were dropped on the street connecting the Church to the national highway. The Saint Michael the Archangel Church has stand for almost two centuries now. Folklore says that during an attempted bombing of the church, the canons were not able to shot since something has blocked them. It is said that it was Saint Michael himself who protected the church from destruction.

     

After the visit to the iconic Saint Michael the Archangel Church, we decided to check Argao Nature Park. The park has been in existence for a couple of years now but it still gets a relatively small number of visitors. The park houses a huge replica of Mary holding a huge rosary. There is a manmade lake, a hanging bridge, caged animals, a recreational center, Blind massage and other stuff. We visited Argao Nature Park because we wanted to try the hanging bridge and zipline. Sad to say, these two facilities were under maintenance when we went there. We simply enjoyed our stroll at the park. It was relaxing and the place is really good.

     

Dalaguete’s Obong and Luyang Spring

     

After the short stop in Argao, we went straight to Dalaguete to take a dip at the famous Obong Spring. The spring which is found near the shore has varying salinity throughout the day. When it is high tide, the water tastes more salty and it is easier to float. When the tide is low, the spring’s water is really cool and is less salty making it a more tedious to swim. The spring is found in Barangay Obong. There is a huge signage along the national road on the entrance towards this natural pool. Entrance fee is 5 pesos and tables and cottages are available for as low as 100 pesos. There is also a grilling station for those who are sinugba lovers. As the place is quite known already, it can sometime get crowded. The best time to visit is early in the morning or late in the evening when most visitors would have left already.

     

There is also a smaller spring which is not so know called Luyang. It is still in barangay Obong. You can ask the locals for direction as you have to walk towards it as there is no road for vehicles to pass. The spring actually has the same outlet as Obong. You can even traverse from Obong towards Luyang which I believe would be fun.

     

Tingko Beach of Alcoy

     

After the soothing dip in Obong spring, our group decided to visit another affordable destination. That is Tingko Beach in Alcoy. We actually rode on the tricycle with our wet clothes. The trip from Obong to Tingko is around 20 minutes. Tingko boasts a stretch of white sand. If you want to experience a mini boracay that is close to Cebu, you can always try Tingko. There are also more expensive beaches along the stretch where water sports and other activities are being offered. They also also have accommodations. If you are actually planning to go Oslob for whale watching but finds the room rates there too expensive, then you can stay here as a good alternative.

     

At home in Dalaguete

After Tingko, we decided to stay in the house of a friend in Dalaguete. We did not inform them that we will be staying there so it was actually a gamble. Thankfully, we were welcomed and allowed to stay. We spent the night in Dalaguete and traversed to Luyang spring in the morning to take a short dip. After that we went to the last part of our journey which is to visit the famed Osmeña Peak.

     

Osmeña Peak

      

Osmeña Peak is the highest elevation of Cebu. It is found in Mantalungon, Dalaguete. The barangay is actually dubbed as the vegetable basket of Cebu. On your way to the peak, you’ll be seeing farms planted with vegetables of all assortments. The view is relaxing to the eyes and if you have spare time, you can always buy fresh harvest and cook it for a sumptuous “utan bisaya”. Arriving to the foot of the peak, you will be asked to register. There is no entrance fee. If you want also to make your journey easier, you can have a guide to help you. We actually tapped the help of a guide and asked him to lead us to what he referred as a much treacherous path towards the peak.

 

Truly, it drained my energy and it was really a relief when we were able to reached the top. Kapoy! Super Kapoy! Going to the top is really fun (specially if you choose the difficult path) and the beauty of being on top of the world este of Cebu is a moment of success that you will surely savor. The beauty up there is just spectacular.

#TeamLaagan Southern Cebu Adventure was Awesome!

LSS was another fun adventure for #TeamLaagan. On top of that, we were able to explore much of Southern Cebu without spending that much. After LSS, we are back to square one. We are now on our planning board and are thinking of where to go next. You have any suggestion? Let me hear them in the comments. 

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Exploring Olango: The Project SAGO Experience

Olango is an island situated to the east of Mactan and Metropolitan Cebu. The place is home to the Olango Wildlife and Marine Sanctuary. While the island is within proximity to Metropolitan Cebu, the number of local tourists who get to visit the island is tremendously low. Olango is a nature’s frontier and as a Cebuano, I cannot afford not to visit this place. Finally #TeamLaagan decided to enjoy an overnight escapade in the island. And there comes Project SAGO which stands for Summer Adventure: Go Olango. With less than a day of preparation and decision making, we activated our traveller modes and went without even having an itinerary. What I love with unplanned getaways is that they are usually filled with surprises.

Getting to the Island (Goodbye Island Hopping)

At first, we wanted to avail the service of a private Bangka so we can do the usual island hopping which most tourists would do when they are to check Olango and its neighbouring islands. The previous plan was overruled by the idea of an overnight stay. Certainly, it will be less expensive and we can enjoy more of what Olango has to offer. From Mandaue, we rode on a PUJ to the ferry terminal near Movenpick Hotel (Php 9.00). We went on a Saturday but much to my surprise, the ferry terminal is not congested. Indeed, the island receives just a handful of visitors. We paid for the terminal fee (Php 5.00) and the fare for the ferry ride (Php 15.00). Our group has waited for about 15 minutes before we were able to hop into the motorized Bangka that would take us to Olango Island. The trip was more or less half an hour and was surely enjoyable. I personally love the waves and the picturesque view of Mactan Island as we move farther from it.

The Epic Fail Part (Tricycle, Cemetery and Shalala)


Upon arriving in the port of Olango, we did our usual group picture. It was past 2 pm and we still don’t know where to go. We rode on a tricycle which was a little pricey considering that they get a few passengers. Each of us paid 9 pesos for a roughly 1.5 km ride.  We went in proximity to the cemetery since one of us has relatives living there. We were hoping that we could stay for the night and save the cost of finding a place for accommodation. Sad to say, it appeared like we were not welcomed. Well, those were not my relatives but I was not pleased by how inhospitable they were to us. We were ignored. We decided to just proceed to find a good beach. We wanted to plunge into the water. Damn, the Philippines is too hot! A local directed us to a beach named Shalala. Going there, we paid 20 pesos per passenger. There were 10 of us and we have had to squeeze ourselves on a tricycle only to find out later that we will be asked for 30 pesos each. (Yes, we are tihik and we usually aim to minimize our expenses!) After tirelessly bargaining, I managed to convince the driver to have it at 20 pesos per passenger. Phew! To add up to our dismay, we ended up disappointed with Shalala. The place has no view and the swimming area is surrounded by mangroves. There was really no view at all. (I have nothing against Shalala. It was a good place but not just the place that one would love to stay.)

Olango Paradise Island Resort, The place to be!
After all the disappointments, I suggested to the group that we’ll just head straight to the San Vicente Marine Sanctuary. Again, we paid 20 pesos each for a tricycle ride and we really have to squeeze ourselves the second time around on a single tricycle. Since it’s already late, the activities that can be done in the sanctuary are limited to swimming and sightseeing. Fortunately, we saw that there is an adjacent resort. That is Olango Paradise Island Resort. We checked the resort and we were amazed. The place is what we have been looking for. It has its own exclusive access to view the Bird Sanctuary and it was just beside the Marine Sanctuary.

         
The staff and crew of OlangoParadise Island Resort were very accommodating. We settled for three tents along the beach for our overnight stay (Php 350.00 each). The resort offers lots of activities. There is boating, water sports, bird watching and so much more. There is also a good bar and bistro which offers mouthwatering dishes and fresh buko juice. They have cosy air-conditioned rooms and cottages where you can relax and unwind. The pool was still under construction when we visited. They property is huge so strolling around it is really enjoyable. During our stay, the resort owners were there. I was really impressed how hospitable and accommodating they were. We did have a little chit chat and I am positive that the place will surely become more awesome in the future. Hopefully, the momentum and the spirit of putting a place that is pro costumer and pro nature will never fade away. We did lots of stuff in the resort. (Nothing illegal... hahaha) I enjoyed most the bird sanctuary trail. (Tips: The resort charges a corkage fee of 500.)

Bird Sanctuary and the Marine Sanctuary

The marine sanctuary is a place to visit. There is a minimal entrance fee and fees for various activities like fish feeding, snorkeling and swimming. There is not much to do in the Bird Sanctuary but make sure you have your camera and a sharp eye. The place is so awesome that even if you don’t get to see birds that often anymore, it is still worth a visit. By the way, a thrift shop where you can buy souvenirs and stuff is found close to the Marine Sanctuary.

Project SAGO Wrap-up

The experience was awesome. #TeamLaagan shared lots of laughs and unforgettable memories in Olango. If you want a place to stay, Olango Paradise Island Resort is the place to be. Olango should receive more support from local tourists and people should know that beyond island hoping, there are lots of things that you can do in Olango. Project SAGO was another awesome feat for #TeamLaagan. Kudos!

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