Badian Municipality

The famous Kawasan Falls in Badian

Badian Municipality

Badian Municipality is about 97 kilometers from Cebu City on the southwestern side of the province. It has a hilly topography making it attractive to look at.

Badian has the dry seasons from February to September, and rainy months start from October up to January.

From Cebu City, you can easily take choices of public transports, but the best among them is through a big bus from Cebu South Bus Terminal.

Moalboal Municipality bounds the Municipality of Badian on the North; Municipality of Alegria on the South, Dalaguete and Argao Municipalities on the East, and by Tanon Straight on the West.

Badian is composed of 19 barangays with a total population of 32,588. 

Tourism plays a major role in the municipality's economy. It has pristine beaches and attractive diving spots for tourists to enjoy. Most notable ones are Lambug Beach, Basdaku Beach, Kawasan Falls and Balay sa Agta Caves. 

Badian is also known for its natural springs, hot and cold, which is believed to be beneficial if soaked in the water. Thus, they are named as "hot baths". The municipality of Badian is a home to many marine species like whales and dolphins.

Apart from tourism industry, catching fish in the sea serves as one of the major sources of income for the locals.

Residents also produce various handicrafts such as mats and baskets made from buri leaves, hats, bags and others. These are sold to local markets and tourists alike. Badian is also known for its sugarcane production, coconut products, banana chips and dried mangoes. 

The municipality of Badian is well-known for its wonderful natural beauty and the hospitality of the locals. It's definitely worth a visit to explore the amazing culture and landscape of this municipality! 

Visitors can also enjoy activities like swimming, snorkeling and diving in clear blue waters. Various boats are available for hire for island hopping experiences around the area.

There are many tourist spots that can be explored such as the Kawasan Falls and Osmena Peak, which offer stunning views of the town and its surroundings. Nature lovers can also find various trails for bird watching or to explore caves and waterfalls. 

Badian offers plenty of local restaurants where guests can sample dishes like sinugba, kinilaw and other local delicacies.

The nightlife scene is also vibrant with bars and pubs offering music and entertainment.

There are also various souvenir shops where visitors can buy items like woven fabrics, jewelry and wood carvings that can be taken home as a reminder of the wonderful time spent in Badian! 

Brief Background

The name “Badian” is said to be coming from the plant called ‘badyang’. This is an edible succulent plant that is quite abundant in the area and mostly in tropical regions. The story has it that a certain Spanish officer could not pronounce correctly the term, which is ‘badian’, due to language differences.

Anyway, that what the story is being told and how the municipality is still being called today.

In 1825, Badian got separated as a parish from Barili during the Spanish occupation. Changes have been done to its unique church such as separating the belfry from the top of the structure to its side to remove the pressure on the three columns.

However, the church is still in its elegant and original form with wooden retablo (a painting or other image above and behind the altar).

Badian Travel & Resources

Badian Municipality has all sorts of resources you can imagine. We can start a quick introduction of the following…

Natural Resources
Of course, Badian has all kinds of agricultural products including, coconuts, fruit trees, fertile soil, rivers, falls, beaches, endemic plants, animals, clean air, soil, and some minerals underneath.

Human Resources
Badian population has a significant degree of educated and professional people. Some have skills on various sorts of trade and crafts. You can find various shops that display products such as furniture, home decors, and other local products that skilled and professional member of the community has been producing.

Tourism Resources
Badian is more popular regarding travel or as an adventure destination. The balanced topography (hills, plains, sea or beaches, etc.) offers guests and visitors of the area myriad of sites for exciting or relaxing activities.

Particularly, Badian is known both locally and internationally for its canyoneering activities – such as river trekking, falls jumping; and also the beach areas that have fantastic panorama and sandy beaches.

Kawasan Fall's second tier, Badian

Political Unit - Barangays

Badian Municipality is a 3rd municipal income class municipality in the province of Cebu. Its almost forty thousand population as spread over the 29 barangays which comprise the municipality. Here are the names of the barangays:

Alawijao, Balhaan, Banhigan, Basak, Basiao, Bato, Bugas, Calangcang, Candiis, Dagatan, Dobdob, Ginablan, Lambug, Malabago, Malhiao, Manduyong, Matutinao, Patong, Poblacion, Sanlagan, Santicon, Sohoton, Sulsugan, Talayong, Taytay, Tigbao, Tiguib, Tubod, Zaragosa

Poblacion is the main center of the municipality wherein you can find the bigger population, more businesses and other resources coming from the other barangays or from other places including Cebu City. It is where you can visit a hospital, marketplace, schools and governmental offices.

In the market area, you can purchase kitchenware, second-hand clothing (called ‘okay-okay’), handmade furniture, electronics, livestock feeders, general supply products, and another simple for home-use products.

Of course, you can find many restaurants the offer local dishes being supplied by the fresh sea goods and domestic livestock and poultry.

Exciting Badian Features

As aforementioned, Badian Municipality has one of the most interesting features in the province due to its resources (natural environment), such as the hilly parts, beach areas, rivers and waterfalls and the flat lands. Therefore, you can find many resources for your travel there. Let us check out some of them below.

Travel Destinations

• Kawasan Falls
• Matutinao River
• White Beaches
• Cebu International Golf and Resort
• Terra Manna Beach and Camping Resort
• Lambug Beach
• Crab hunting in the mangroves
• Canyoneering Tours
• Badian Island Beach Resort and Spa
• Pescador Island
• Osmena Peak
• Fish ponds

Some descriptions are general while some items mentioned specific and favorite places in the municipality.

Now, if you started to get interested and plan to visit the municipality, you probably need to learn how to get there, if you do not know yet.

Getting To Badian Municipality

Given that you are in Cebu City, you can head for the Cebu South Bus Terminal where you can choose a bus that is marked Bato via Barili. Just asked any passenger or conductor (‘konduktor’) who is managing the passengers and collecting the fares.

Make sure that you take the ‘Bato via Barili’ bus or else you will be going to the opposite side of the province. For your drop off, just tell in advance the conductor.

You can also hear him (usually a guy) shouting the names of every stop reminding everyone their respective stops. Ceres Liner is the recommended bus company for this destination.

Hotel & accommodation

You can find some accommodation in the Poblacion of Badian. However, you also have choices of renting a room, guest house, tent, or a villa in most and specific beach resorts.

For example, you can rent a basic overnight room in Lambug Beach, Kawasan Falls, or a nice accommodation on Badian Island at Badian Beach Resort and Spa property.

For those looking to live a luxurious experience, you can rent out a villa at the South Badian Beach Club. There are also plenty of camping sites in Campo Juan and Can-umantad. You can find all this information in the local tourist center or online through booking websites or hotel providers.

No matter which accommodation you choose, you can be sure to find spectacular views and plenty of activities. Badian is known for its activities such as snorkelling, diving, trekking trips and a wide selection of water sports. You can also find some nice restaurants offering local and international cuisine. 

In conclusion, Badian offers plenty of accommodation choices that cater to different needs and budgets. Whether you are looking for a luxury experience or just something more affordable, there is something for everyone in Badian.

So why not plan your next holiday and take advantage of the beautiful scenery and activities that this part of the Philippines has to offer? You won't regret it! 

Thanks for visiting this page. Have an incredible and memorable travels!