THE REASON
Growing up on small islands such as Mactan and Cebu, I have always found fine, white-sand beaches, to be very accessible.
So instead of the beautiful beaches in my hometown, I gravitate towards the cool mountain breezes, green or sometimes bald hills, colorful collection of flowers, and a wide spread of greenery I pass by when driving to Busay and beyond.
When the boyfriend came over to Cebu to celebrate his birthday, I admit I was the one who decided on visiting Terrazas de Flores instead of going to wherever he may be more interested in.
My reasoning? I was giving him a different setting and special flowers on his natal day!
LOCATION
Departing from Cebu City, Terrazas de Flores is found on the left side of Cebu Transcentral Highway in Barangay Malubog. My guesstimate is that it takes approximately 20 minutes or so starting from JY Square Mall in Lahug to arrive here, assuming there is no unusual traffic. Due to a driving mistake on my part, it took us almost an hour to reach the place.
From the map above, Terrazas is past the turn off for Tops Lookout (along with Delice), La Tegola Restaurant, and Temple of Leah to name a few landmarks that people usually visit when they use this highway.
TRANSPORTATION
Earlier, I read in some blogs that public commute is feasible via the habal-habal. This is a motorcycle usually ridden in areas with steeper, narrow roads and packed beyond its passenger capacity – sometimes having 4 to 6 or more passengers! A car is safer – or even the humble Philippine jeepney if one passes in this part of the route.
A taxi would be expensive as this is not on a regular route to pick up passengers going back to Cebu City after the drop off. This place is about 9 km from JY Square Mall, which sits near the preferred road the locals use to go up Busay. You ought to spend more than just a 30-minutes visit to get a feel for the botanical garden.
TIP: If you are not bringing a vehicle, or have issues with expensive public commute, arrange beforehand for your round-trip transportation. You cannot be sure you can hitch a ride back to Cebu City or to your next destination.
We drove up past mid-afternoon. This was more convenient as it gave us a longer window of time for enjoying the visit and sights since we did not need to leave immediately after sundown.
I hoped we would get to see the setting sun from our perch, but alas, hills on the western side blocked the fiery sun’s passing. Sunset-viewing does not seem feasible hereabouts, but you are still rewarded with a partial view of hills and mountains spreading towards Western Cebu.
THE TERRACES OF FLOWERS
Multiple rows of plants and accompanying blooms (helped by a few signs proclaiming its scientific identification), and small wooden signs with quotes to ponder on are scattered around. Wooden benches are strategically placed for your comfort and viewing pleasure of the surrounding area.
Casual arrangements of table and chairs by the side of the ascending driveway is thoughtfully provided, though it is not conducive to sitting for longer periods of time – for that purpose I recommend the cabanas.
Open cabanas with hanging curtains to block out the sun’s rays dot the incline at various points. An electric fan is provided inside. Sitting in the cabanas which can accommodate at least 4 people also provides a cool respite from garden exploration.
(Update: I read that cabanas have a fee or is offered free-of-charge for a certain amount of consumed orders at the cafe, but I do not have info at the time of my visit as we did not do much sitting around except for the meal we had.)
The terraces are structured on a moderately steep incline. You can manage them without having to be an athletic visitor as long as you pace yourself. If you have some issues with your breathing or walking under the hot sun which usually blesses Cebu, take the easier route and walk under the covered stairway (located at one end of the terraces) .
Another option is to start at the upper parking area and take the terraces’ winding path. Check out the observatory deck or partake of refreshments and hang out at the cafe – its location at a higher elevation enables you to look down at a partial scenery below.
THE CAFE
The café at the top of Terrazas is open till 08:00 P.M.
On the path leading to the airy café with its huge windows (which can be closed with screens after dusk has fallen) are more seating arrangements for the cafe customers and even a man-made waterfall tinkling merrily as you pass by. Several fairy lights bedeck the plants leading to the cafe, making it an attractive sight.
By the way, I heard from one of the friendly security guards that there were some couples who do their romantic dates and extend their stay past the cafe’s closing times. It seems to be safe inside the walls enclosing Terrazas as you can still take shelter in the cabanas, but do not expect to be able to view the garden via these lights at night. The fairy lights are limited (for now?) to the cafe area and the covered staircase.
Cafe interior and views near its entrance
We paid Php 100 per pax as our admission fee (Equivalent to USD $1.87 during the date of the visit).
Considering we could park the car, and that Php 40 of the fee was consumable when applied to cafe orders, this was reasonable price for the visit.
TIP: At the time of this writing, they only accept cash payments. Make sure to bring enough cash for payment of the admission fee and whatever you may order from the cafe. Some items are bit pricey. There is no ATM here.
I had wanted to eat pizza which some recommended to try out but the dough was not available. I was a little disappointed too as those items we queried as options were mostly out of stock too. With eating establishments which may not always get a high number of customers every day, inventory is usually an issue especially if you have numerous items on your menu.
We ended up with rice and pasta dishes, which were thankfully, tasty and filling for our starving selves. The culmination was dessert from their selection of home-made ice cream and gelato.
TIP: Try their chocolate home-made ice cream! The flavor reminds me of “tablea” (chocolate tablets used to make the local sikwate or hot chocolate drink we pair with sticky rice cakes, bibingka etc.) – it is not overly sweet and the chocolate taste is more “obvious” than the usual chocolate.
After the meal, we returned to the garden below as the sun had already set. How would the terrazas look like as twilight fell over the island? The atmosphere is still cozy and as long as the possibility of mosquitoes and curious bugs does not faze you (bring insect repellent!), it is a restful, quiet place to linger.
RECOMMENDATION:
Despite the cooler clime and regularly blowing breeze, I was still perspiring while going around the flower terraces, pedestrian walkway and covered staircase. Good exercise! I highly recommend this place to visitors who want to enjoy simple and pleasing arrangement of flowers and plants in a botanical garden and who also want time away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
In my humble opinion, other flower gardens (which shall remain unnamed!) on this route are regrettably kitschy as more time passes. Not so for Terrazas de Flores. Extra points as it is ideal for photo sessions or just for the simple pleasure of hanging out with friends and shooting the breeze.
As a responsible visitor or tourist, I assume you will appreciate the labor which goes into making this botanical garden (7 years) and that you will be careful about the plants and flowers you come across and paths you explore. Please do not trample on the former, and do be responsible not to leave garbage on the latter.
To better appreciate the terraces, attempt to look at it from more than one point of view. Assuming you started from the top (where you may have parked or been dropped off), you can view the hills from the cafe or observatory. Traverse the terraces row by row, so you can leisurely behold the plants you pass by. As you reach the lowest level, look up to the sky, pan your eyes below and side to side – note the sweeping beauty of the botanical garden’s living treasures.
A factor in Cebu’s favor is that you do not have to travel so far or for long to enjoy either the sea or the mountain. Colder temperature, fresher air, eye-candy flowers, tasty food and a relaxing atmosphere is within arm’s reach on a typical day. Enjoy this blessing!
Visited: August 2018.
All images © 2018 Catherine Herrera.
The Phlippines is blessed with such a beautiful land and amazingly warm people. I always love coming back to the Philippines every year.