Alcantara Municipality, Cebu

Municipal building of Alcantara, Cebu Province. A huge 'Kugtong' fish stands in front of the building's fountain.

Southeastern Alcantara Municipality

Alcantara Municipality is about 85 kilometers Southeast of Cebu City, the province's capital. It takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes by car or public transport. Traveling to Alcantara is easy since it has a paved road--from Cebu City all the way to the town center.

Alcantara used to be called 'kugtong', a name of a big freshwater fish that used to thrive in the springs of this municipality.

However, when the conquistadores arrived on the island, they renamed it into 'Alcantara' after a town's name in Spain. In 1830, it became a municipality separating itself from its adjacent towns, namely, Ronda and Moalboal.

Alcantara is considered a fifth class municipality of Cebu Province, Philippines. Based on the 2010 census, the municipality has around 14 thousand residents and certainly it is growing.

Barangays
Compared to other municipalities, Alcantara has only a few number of barangays subdividing it into nice barangays.

• Cabadiangan
• Cabil-isan
• Candabong
• Lawaan
• Manga
• Palanas
• Poblacion
• Polo
• Salagmay

The people of Alcantara are mainly farmers and fishermen. The top products that come from this municipality are the very famous “baboy damo”, root crops, abaca, and of course fish products like the famous freshwater fish called “giant gourami”.

Alcantara is also home to many tourist attractions that would captivate you. You can even ride horses around the hills of Palanas and take in the spectacular view of the mountains. 

Apart from its natural beauty, the town also offers diverse cuisine - mostly centered around seafood dishes like Kinilaw (raw fish dish with coconut milk) and Laing (taro leaves cooked in coconut milk).

There are also various local delicacies that can be found in the markets, such as suman (rice cakes), bibingka (rice cake) and tapa (dried salted beef). 

Alcantara is a great place to explore and experience the true beauty of Palanas. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing weekend getaway or an adventurous outdoor experience, Alcantara has something to offer.

From exploring the historical sites within the town to hiking up Palanas mountain and enjoying the spectacular views of Alcantara Bay, there’s something to suit everyone’s tastes here.

Whether you choose to stay in one of its many beach resorts or hotels, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to experience the culture and cuisine of Palanas.

From delightful seafood dishes like kinilaw (raw fish dish with coconut milk) and laing (taro leaves cooked in coconut milk), to mouth-watering desserts like biko (sweet rice cake) and halo-halo (shaved ice dessert), Palanas has something delicious to offer.

And after a day of exploring, don’t forget to try their famous Saging na Saba (banana cooked in banana leaves with brown sugar) or the iconic Halo-halo for refreshment! 

For those looking for an adrenaline rush, Palanas also has plenty of activities to choose from. From exploring the numerous caves, canyons and waterfalls to go-karting with friends or diving in some of Palanas’ world-renowned coral reefs, there are plenty of opportunities for adventure seekers.

Brief Facts & Figures
Region
Cebu Province is one of the top provinces in the Philippines. Cebu is located in the Central Visayas of Region 7. The Provinces is mostly composed of beautiful tropical clusters of islands.

District
Alcantara Municipality belongs to the Second District of Cebu Province. The municipality also has the legacy of Spanish culture but what remains are the structures and religious practices.

Total Area
Alcantara Municipality sits on a total land area of 35.20 square kilometers including the beautiful seaside areas in the South of Cebu Province.

Zip Code: 6033
Dial Code: 32

Saint Augustine Church's altar in Alcantara

Travel Attractions

Alcantara is famous among visitors not only for its nice beaches but also because of its natural environment, historical sites and structures, local customs, simple and relax living conditions, among other interesting features.

Chapel of Alcantara

Church in Alcantara
The parish church of Saint Augustine is a popular church located in the Poblacion of this municipality. Just recently, people were talking that the statue of Mother Mary inside the church 'moved' her head towards the direction of Bohol, another neighboring island.

People are saying this is a miracle. However, the church is still investigating to see if this phenomenon is really true or not.

Alcantara Festival

Just like every towns in the country, Alcantara Municipality also celebrates annually its festival called 'Bahandi', a Cebuano term for 'wealth' in the English language. The municipality is blessed with an abundant and diverse marine resources.

Aside from its famous beaches, the diverse marine produce of Alcantara is the major source of livelihood among the residents in the area. The fisher folks go out to fish everyday specially during night time and early morning, which they will directly deliver to the local fish markets in the town or neighboring places.

Second, the people of this blessed municipality celebrates 'Bahandi' to be grateful for their fertile land. Alcantara people can both fish and till their soil as sources of livelihood and income.

In this tropical soil, they can plant anything adaptable to the soil's nutrients, such as corn, pumpkin, fruit trees, coconut trees, among many tropical plants and vegetables.

"Bahandi" festival is basically a celebration of good life, great harvest, and thanksgiving. In addition, it is also a celebration of fishing and farming culture in the area.

Bahandi is celebrated in the last week of August annually. This celebration honors its patron saint San Agustino.

Getting to Alcantara Municipality

Get a bus from Cebu South Bus Terminal. Take the bus taking the route to Moalboal Municipality and get off in Alcantara Town.

Taking a taxi is the fastest but it would cost you around 2,500 pesos.

There are also V-Hires (Vans) that run faster than buses do. They only make quick and limited stops along the way and so it saves you time.

Beaches in Cebu Province

By being part of Cebu, Alcantara is proud of its nice beaches and resorts. Make sure that you have contact already your accommodation if you decide to stay longer close to the beach or tourist area.

You can find more nice beaches in the following link:
https://www.travelingcebu.com/white-cebu-beaches.html

Finally,  make sure to bring enough cash, sunscreen and water with you as you explore the sunny beaches of Alcantara. Enjoy your stay!

Don't forget that Moalboal Municipality also has some great beaches such as Basdaku Beach, Panagsama Beach, and White Beach. Traveling by bus or V-Hire is the preferred way to reach these beaches, as they only make quick and limited stops along the way and so it saves you time.

If you're looking for a beach with more atmosphere and activities, then head over to Moalboal's White Beach. This beach has several restaurants, bars, resorts, souvenir shops and dive centers where you can rent equipment. There are also plenty of activities such as snorkeling, diving and swimming available at White Beach.

No matter what beach you choose to visit, make sure you stay safe in the sun by wearing a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher protection.

Enjoy your stay!