ABOUT ARGAO

The municipality of Argao rests in the southern portion of the province of Cebu. Since its founding as a town in 1608, Argao has grown from a sleepy fishing and farming town to a tourist destination today with many promises. As modernization and fast-paced developments happen to more and more municipalities in the province of Cebu, Argao strives to catch up with the strings of changes happening around the Philippine islands, proving to the rest of the country what it is worth, but also very mindful of its rich socio-cultural and environmental heritage, making certain that whatever change happens the identity of Argao for which it is known is still preserved, thus ensuring that the future generations can still view Argao in all its historic splendor. Argao has always been described as one of the most interesting places in the province and in the past it was known for its public stone buildings roofed with tiles. Argao remains one of the few towns in the country that still has traces of Spanish and early-American influences. This is evident not only from its old church, but also from its venerable houses made of tisa, which is said to have been imported straight from Spain. These include eighteenth century houses and buildings to age-old socio-economic activities and livelihoods that started during the Spanish era, or even farther than that. A walk in the poblacion proper would undoubtedly allow anyone a glimpse of what has been. Aside from its historicity, Argao is also blessed with an abundance of nature’s attractions, from beaches with pristine water and white sand, deep and intricate caving systems where only a portion has been explored by cave experts, to majestic and lush-green forests seated at the top of Argao’s famed Mt. Lantoy, where also an abundance of rare wildlife reside. The Argao Tourism Commission has identified destinations, heritage monuments and buildings, livelihoods activities, and natural splendors that will cater to any group of tourists or visitors. Even people who simply want to relax and get away from the city can surely benefit from what Argao has to offer. Romantic, historic, and so much more, Argao is one town in the province of Cebu, that both local and foreign tourists should not fail to visit.