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Travel story: Cebu City to Moalboal. On January 12, 2024, we set off on an unforgettable scooter adventure: from Cebu City all the way to Moalboal — around 90 kilometers that took us through busy towns, impressive mountains and finally to the coast. Our ride for the trip was a Yamaha NMax, rented from RC Motorental Cebu. The scooter had decent storage and was comfortable overall, but for a trip this long we would have liked a bit more engine capacity. The 155cc was enough, but on the winding mountain roads a little more power would definitely have helped.
Info: If you’re less adventurous or have a lot of luggage, you can also book a private transfer by car, SUV or minivan. We recommend booking online on this platform…*
Starting in Cebu City: Through dust and traffic
The day started promisingly. We set off in the morning, when the weather was still reasonably friendly — cloudy, but dry. The first part of the route took us from Cebu City via Talisay and Naga City. This stretch wasn’t particularly appealing: heavy traffic, a lot of dust and the typical hustle of the larger cities. Especially in Carcar City it was busy — no fun for scooter riders. But after Carcar the scenery changed dramatically.
Up into the mountains: From Carcar City to Guadalupe
Once we had left Carcar behind, the real adventure began. The road got quieter, the air clearer, and we headed into the mountains. Up here, time seemed to slow down. The winding roads gave us fantastic views of the green highlands and deep valleys. But just as we wanted to enjoy the breathtaking view from Tan-awan Gorge Viewpoint, the weather turned — and how!
Rain and cold: A blessing to be prepared
Up in the mountains it first started to drizzle lightly, but that quickly changed. The rain grew heavier and the temperature dropped noticeably. The air that had been pleasantly fresh suddenly felt ice-cold — we were very glad we had our rain jackets* with us. Anyone traveling in Cebu should never go without rain gear, especially when heading into the mountains! This unexpected cold and the heavy rain really tested us. Still, we took a short but necessary break at Tan-awan Gorge Viewpoint to soak up the wild beauty of the surroundings before continuing on to Barili.
Sayaw Beach: A brief bright spell on the coast
After the descent from the mountains, in Barili we were back in lower-lying areas. The rain slowly eased off, and we made a short stop at Sayaw Beach, where the climate was noticeably milder. The warmer sea breeze was a relief after the cold mountain air, and we used the chance to let our wet clothes dry a little. A small snack and a view of the water — the perfect rest stop.
Final stretch: Along the coast in the dark and rain
The last part of our ride ran along the coast toward Moalboal. Unfortunately the rain soon started again, and it got dark as well. That combination demanded full concentration, because the roads weren’t well lit and we constantly had to watch for potholes and slippery stretches. Typhoon Odette also left plenty of roadworks and damage along the coastal sections. The ride dragged on and, with the miserable weather, slowly wore on our nerves.
Arrival in Moalboal: Exhausted but happy
After several hours of riding we finally reached the center of Moalboal. Our first stop was the large 7-Eleven near the bus station, where we rewarded ourselves with a refreshing break. Frozen and soaked, that first sip of cold lemonade simply felt good. Shortly after, we checked in at Dolce Vita Resort — our retreat for the next few days. Late check-in went smoothly, and the warm shower at the resort was the perfect recovery after this exhausting ride.
Verdict: A ride full of challenges and beauty
The scooter ride from Cebu City to Moalboal was definitely an adventure — especially because of the weather change and the shifting landscapes. The traffic and dusty streets in the cities were tiring, but once we reached the mountains and the coast, the effort paid off. The Yamaha NMax was fine for this tour, but if you’re planning longer distances, you should consider a scooter with more engine capacity. Rain gear is a must, and even though the ride dragged on in the dark at the end, it was an unforgettable experience.
For anyone planning a similar trip: leave early, be ready for any weather, and give yourself enough time to enjoy the beauty of the route! It’s also really advisable to already have solid motorcycle or two-wheeler skills, especially if the weather isn’t ideal!
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