Toledo City - A Presentation

[Panserhansen]

After 1 1/2 years in Cebu City, I've now been two years in the province between Toledo and Balamban. Toledo City has developed a lot since I first set foot here. About two and a half years ago, the only grocery store was Prince Warehouse, only selling dry goods, hermetics etc.

Since then, Metro(left) and Gaisano Grand Mall(right) have been built, making it more convenient to shop. You won't find the same selection as in Rustan's or SM, but much better than before. You will find wine, but often no cheese. You can find taco, but no ground beef. You may find anchovies and olive oil but not salami or Dr Pepper. Sometimes you have to visit two supermarkets to find everything you need. And soon you'll learn how to fill up your cooler when going to Cebu for some shopping.

The local wet market is still there, selling fresh meat, fish, fruits and vegetables.

Since then, a few new restaurants has popped up. Before, the most advanced you could get was Jollibee or fried chicken from the stalls. Now, the selection is much better. Caesar's is the most popular place for expats. Cheap and good food, always cold beer - SMB 35 peso.

In addition to Caesar's you have Ocean Fresh(chinese), Jollibee, Mang Inasal, Calda Pizza, Kawayan Grill, Café Royal, and some carenderias. A new restaurant has opened in the new hotel, but I haven't eaten there yet. The new hotel is down by the pier. Although it's open, we're waiting for the swimming pool to open. The plan is to build a big swimming pool and have a cafe here, really looking forward when it's open as the view to Negros is wonderful.

You could stay at this hotel, or several other pension houses. Aleus Lodge is pretty good, as well as Shem pension house with a small pool. If you don't mind staying 8 km south of the city, you could try the newly opened "The Ranch" in barangay Bato. Prices are 1800-2800 for a room. As a day tourist in the pool, you pay 100 peso.

From Bato and further south, there are plenty of beach resorts, several with a swimming pool. The beach is ok, but not Boracay standard. It's usually pretty quiet in most of the resorts. I you continue 12 km further south from The Ranch, there is a beautiful beach two km before Aluguinsan; Hidden Beach. It's not a resort so don't wave goodbye to your taxi driver, as you will be stranded. Which might be a good idea?

Continue through Pinamugajan to Aluguinsan, which is the last "town" before you head up the mountains towards Barili. Great place for some pictures and a stroll in the nice park with a majestic view..

From here, you could take the road to Barili. The road was in pretty bad condition a few years ago, but almost fixed now and should be driveable unless it's heavy rain. If so, it's best to take the Naga road from Toledo. After a while, you will reach a T-junction. Carcar is left and Barili/Moalboal right. In Barili, you could stop at the Mantayupan water falls, which is a bit more rugged than the more known Kawasan Falls. Entrance is dirt cheap and you can buy some beer or food there. A little warning; If you are not too comfortable with stairs and/or slippery rocks, I would rather choose the more developed Kawasan Falls. Be very careful if you're traveling with small children.

What else does Toledo City offer? It's 90 minutes to Cebu City. A taxi will quote you 1500-1600 peso one way. Take a V-hire from Citilink with the locals and pay 100 peso only, but if you're a big guy I would recommend paying for two seats. A private V-hire can also be negotiated. You can take the ferry to San Carlos, Negros. Fast craft 45 minutes, slow ferry where you can bring your vehicle, 2 hours+. About 200 peso.

Several banks and ATM's in town. Metrobank accepts up to 10.000 peso several times a day. Internet is good when it works, but expect some days without(maybe 5 %), and have a backup like Smart Bro. New fiberoptic lines has been dug all along the road and will soon be offered. No taxis, unless you can find one returning to Cebu - otherwise use your own vehicle or the V-hire back to Citilink, Cebu - where you can take a taxi to your destination.

OK, that's it for now - will add some more later on.

Edited June 11, 2012 by Panserhansen

[MikeB]

I think Kawasan Falls is still closed for the removal of unauthorized structures, reopening date unclear. Really a beautiful place. Do you have many blackouts over there? Great review thanks.

[Jollygoodfellow]

And I always visioned Toledo as a tiny little place in the jungle. Learn something new every day. The picture of the beach looks good too. Looks like I will have to put this on my list of places to visit. :thumbsup:

[OldUgly&Cranky]

i have been there many times as my wifes family have a house in aloguinsan and your right it really has grown i love the area theres a beach near Pinamugajan called hidden paradise which is awesome not crowed at all and a great spot for a picnic !! also in aloguinsan theres a really nice park behind city hall Baluarte park which is very nice , i even went to the cock fights in town !!! now its been a few years since i have been there i even was looking at buying a house there maybe tomorrow i will post some pics i have of the area tom i would recommend it my friend !!!

[Mike S]

Excellent report and has sure wet my appetite to visit some of these places you read about but never go to ..... thank you for that information .... :thumbsup: :tiphat:

[Panserhansen]

Thanks for nice feedback. The picture is in fact from Hidden Beach.

The thing with Toledo, is that some of these places are quite hidden. If you just drive through town, you might think of it as a boring city. Same with Naga and other towns you usually drive through. When you know the side roads, things get more interesting.

If you go from Toledo towards Balamban, you cross the river after Grand Mall. The road turns right, and after 400 meters there's a junction where you go right. Continue here a few kilometers and you'll end up at Malubog lake, I made a short clip on Youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLPzblXWPbk

I talked to one of the barangay guys here, who said you can catch Tilafia or Snake head fish here. Notice the raft, who can be rented for a small amount. Climate is a little cooler. If you ever traveled the Transcentral Road, you will see the lake around the 28 km mark if I am not mistaken. If you go from Toledo towards Asturias, 1 km after Balamban there's a new "Wild West Centre" where you can visit fish ponds, ride ATV's or like I do - buy fresh prawns from the ponds. They actually go get them for you while you wait, so cannot complain about the freshness. 370 a kilo, scampi sized. Add 80 peso and they cook them for you. No pictures yet.

Below is a blurred pic taken from Adventure cafe, where you can enjoy a 250 meter zip ride 25 meters above the jungle.

This is 18 km from Cebu City. I like this valley, it reminds me a little bit of Tuscany.

And this is the countryside just across the road

And our sunset, 1 minute from where we live

These are the reasons I like the province life. Fresh air, nice scenery. But I sure miss the city now and then, mostly food, restaurants and the nightlife a young man of 40 miss. Although there is a little nightlife in Toledo, it's quite limited and nothing to write home about. My hope is that Toledo will end up like Dumaguete, with a better selection of sea side restaurants, and at least one deli.

Oh, I forgot the dolphins.

[Jack Peterson]

Brilliant Post, Thank you for shareing, Refreshing to see some Positive things written along with the Usual, whine and Anti PI Posts, Life really is what you make it and here we can see some contentment. Red tape and Corruption we can't do much about but a happy life is there for us, We just have to Find it. :)

Regards Jack P :tiphat:

[OldUgly&Cranky]

i heard a story about hidden beach from a local that during ww2 that the Japanese wouldnt go into the caves near there because of the poisonous snakes !!! i really love that beach it reminds me of the movie cast away !!! perfect for getting away from the crowded beaches of boracay or puerto galera i think im going to have to make a trip back there thanks for post its great to see other peoples travel tips thanks again !!!

[Adventurer]

nice post but when I visited Toledo once I never seen a white sand beach like the one in the first post? is it just the light or something? :541:

[i am bob]

Beautiful, isn't it? Toledo City was actually my original destination when I thought of moving to the Philippines. It must have been fate because my "Special Someone" is originally from Toledo but now calls that much distant metropolis of Lutopan home... That is, when she isn't in school in Cebu working on her degree in SpEd... Gawd but I can't wait until I am finally in-country!!!