Dr. Emilio Osmeña Botanical Garden: Travel Guide To Cebu’s Beautiful Botanical Garden Resort

Truly, Cebu has never run out of new things to explore and enjoy. With a few numbers of tourist attractions located in the mountainous part of Cebu City, like in Busay and Sirao, you can always enjoy Cebu in different ways. Perhaps a visit to the mountainous part of Cebu City would render you a day full of exciting adventure, since there are a lot of beautiful tourist spots to see and food place to enjoy here, such as Sirao Garden Flower Farm, Sirao Peak, Tops Skyline Garden, Temple of Leah, Lavie in the sky and the newest overlooking restaurant – the Balay sa Busay. And of course, the newest favorite and breathtaking Botanical Garden – Dr. Emilio Osmeña Botanical Garden.

It was only yesterday when I had a chance to visit this trending and Instagram-worthy spot in Busay. Honestly, I’ve been planning to go here, just before they opened it to the public about 3 months ago, but I always didn’t have leisure time because of my busy schedule. Truly, just like any tourist spots located in the mountainous part of Cebu City; this Botanical Garden has become trending on different Social Media platforms because of its unique features, and perfectly snuggled in the mountain part of Busay. Indeed, it is a perfect place to simply relax and escape from the hustle and bustle of the City life.

The Dr. Emilio Osmeña Botanical al Garden is a newest Resort and botanical garden located in the mountainous part of Cebu City in Brgy. Busay. Nestled along the Cebu Tops Road; right after Balay sa Busay and before reaching Lavie in the Sky, and Tops Skyline Garden. You would definitely find this place, since it has a road sign on the right side after reaching Balay sa Busay. Moreover, Dr. Emilio Osmeña Botanical Garden has the most unique features because of its circular innate beauty; the circular swimming pool, and along with it are tables and chairs. Likewise, it is surrounded with an iconic wooden Wigwams, like the famous one in Scotland.

Just before we reached the Dr. Emilio Osmeña Botanical Garden Resort, we notice the lush green forest from where the road sign is. Frankly, I didn’t expect that the road is very accessible by motorcycle and four wheels. Hence, it wasn’t actually that hard to get to the said Botanical Garden. And just before we arrived at the entrance, we’ve seen the Botanical Garden perfectly in a bird’s eye view; there, I was stupefied by its amazing view like the one in a movie. I was excited.

At the entrance, I was asked to pay the entrance fee for only Php 100.00, which comes with a free use of resort amenities, such as the circular pool, parking, tables and chairs, grilling station, and good for 24 hours. Additionally, children below 5 years old can enjoy the Resort for free. Likewise, you’re free to bring your own food, since they don’t charge for Corkage fee.

And since I was also planning to stay overnight, I also pay for the Sheds; this is the only accomodation they have, since they don’t have the usual room we have in mind. Perhaps this is the highlight of this Resort, since it looks really unique, which looks like a wooden Wigwams or some called it a wooden tent.

Shortly, after paying the entrance fee and sheds for only Php 200.00, I immediately check the wooden tent. That time, the only available sheds were number 16 and 14. I chose the latter, since it has a view of the circular pool, and seemed perfect for me. Inside the sheds; there’s a small bed, which is good for two people. Moreover, the space is just enough to comfortably move yourself. The room doesn’t have an air conditioned, but who would not love to be hugged tightly by the mountain breeze, right? Perchance, it is even better than an air conditioned room.

There were a wide range of plants labelled with their botanical names, particularly the beautiful flowers that are in full bloom around the Resort. Perhaps this why they call this place as a Botanical Garden Resort because of the plants around the Resort.

It was around 3:30 PM when I arrived. And, I was happy because it wasn’t that crowded. After making sure that my things are safe, and the sun has started to move below the horizon. Then, I went outside of my sheds to explore what this Botanical Garden Resort has to offer. There, I found out that there’s actually a few numbers of food stall located close to the Circular swimming pool.

I was hungry that time, and so, I order for a combo snack, which comes with an Oreo smoothie, Cheeseburger and fries. Truly, that time was a pure relaxation while having my luscious snack, and seeing the kids swimming in the circular pool.

A few moments later, the dark night has come. I began experiencing the cold mountain breeze. There, I realize and I was worried, because I didn’t bring my sleeping bag or any blanket, so I won’t suffer from the cold breeze when I sleep. The good thing was, I had my jacket with me.

It was around 8:00 PM when I decided to have my dinner before going back to my humble abode to sleep. At that time, there were even guests who arrived at the Resort. Shortly, after dinner, I decided to sleep; though, I heard an annoying noise outside as a group of friends are having a good time. Despite the noise, I was able to rest while the cold mountain breeze has lulled me into a deep slumber.

On the next morning, I woke up early. Then, I went outside to go to the toilet to pee. Indeed, It was really cold, but I couldn’t impede the plea of feeling to pee. Shortly, I was ambling around, I decided to get to the upper portion of the Resort to enjoy the stunning view.

There, I witness again how beautiful this Botanical Garden is just before I decided to leave the place and go home. Truly, this is a place that I would definitely go back and tell my friends how stunning this place is.

How To Get To Dr. Emilio Osmeña Botanical Garden

The easiest and most convenient way to get to Dr. Emilio Osmeña Botanical Garden is via Cebu City. There are daily flights to Cebu from Manila, Davao and other part of the Philippines with Major Airlines (Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Asia). From the Mactan Cebu International Airport, ride a taxi going to JY Square in Lahug.

Tipid Tips:
There’s a MyBus outside the airport near the exit gate on the right side. From the Airport, the drop off point is in Parkmall and SM Cebu. The fare is Php 50.00. Trip schedules are from 7:00AM to 9:00PM with a 30 minute interval. You can ride My Bus from the Mactan Airport to SM City Cebu.
Then from SM Cebu City, ride a Jeepney or Taxi going to JY Square in Lahug. The Jeepney fare from SM City Cebu to JY Square, Lahug is around PHP 8.00, but don’t forget to look for 04L Jeepney. And for the Taxi, the fare from SM City Cebu to JY Square, Lahug is around PHP 90.00-130.00, depending on the traffic flow.

Also Check: Getting Around Cebu City And Nearby Cities: 9 Modes Of Transportation That You Can Use.

From JY Square, Lahug.

By Motorcycle:

Hire a Habal-Habal driver (Motorcycle for hire), and tell the driver to drop you off at the said Botanical Garden, which I know that all motorcycle drivers near the JY Square Mall are familiar about the Botanical Garden. Estimated fare is Php 100.00 per person (max of 2). Upon reaching the Resort, the driver will give you free of charge for waiting, which is only good for 1 hour. But, the exceeding hour will no longer free as they ask for an extra Php 50.00. So, make sure to ask your driver about it beforehand. Travel times are approximately 30 minutes from the city proper.

By a Private Car:

Perhaps getting to Dr. Emilio Osmeña Botanical Garden in a Private Car is the most convenient way and highly recommended. You just have to use your google map, or just follow the road sign going to Balay sa Busay or Tops Skyline Garden.

By Taxi

Personally, I really don’t recommend to hire a Taxi to get here because it can be really expensive. However, if you’re after for convenience and you have enough budget – then, why not. Possibly, your taxi driver won’t give you a metered reading system. That being said, you have to ask your driver beforehand to avoid misunderstanding with the taxi driver in regard to your fare to get here.

Dr. Emilio Osmeña Botanical Garden Travel Tips

• The entrance fee is only Php 100.00, which comes with a free use of resort amenities, such as the circular pool, parking, tables and chairs, grilling station, and good for 24 hours. Additionally, children below 5 years old can enjoy the Resort for free.

• The Dr. Emilio Osmeña Botanical Garden is not yet truly done. In fact, the slides is not yet ready. Additionally, you’ll be seeing progress in the coming months, since there will be more wooden tents to be built around the area.

• Presently, there are around 20 wooden tents around the area. That being said, it is very limited. Hence, if you’re planning to go here and you plan to stay overnight. I suggest that you go here early in the morning to have a big chance of renting one of their wooden tents, or you can choose which one that you’d like to rent. Also, they don’t have any reservations, only first come first served basis.

• You can bring your own camping tent, and it is a free of charge. You just have to inform them.

• There are food stalls in the Resort, which serves a boat load of food items – from snacks to meals. However, you can still bring your own food, since they don’t have Corkage fee.

• If you’re planning to stay overnight, please bring your own blanket, as it gets very cold at night. Also, bring a mosquito repellent as I’ve seen mosquitoes enjoying the sheds as well.

• Please bring your own Powerbank, or make sure that your gadgets are fully charged before going here, as the sheds don’t have an available electrical socket. However, there’s an electrical socket near the Guardhouse, hence you can ask them.

• They have enough space for parking either for motorcycle or four wheels.

• They have separate toilet for male and female. Additionally, they also have a dressing room.

• Please remember to Leave No Trace (LNT) behind. Take good care of our mother nature. Just enjoy the place, but be responsible enough. Don’t break its innate beauty.

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