Start your morning not with a cup of coffee, but with a hike at Starbucks Banawa.
What’s your go-to Starbucks order? For residents of Banawa, it’s an early morning workout.
While the world-renowned coffee shop has dozens of branches in Cebu, there isn’t one in Banawa. Instead, Starbucks Banawa is a peaceful stopover atop a mountain.
This is considered the most accessible hiking trail in the city, located meters away from the Spartan Trail. Despite many deeming the Spartan Trail as a grueling and intense trekking route, Starbucks Banawa is a hotspot for trekking in Cebu for beginners.
The climb takes about an hour, and the path is passable enough for inexperienced hikers. Most of all, the dazzling view of the city makes the trek worth it every time.
You may be asking though, why is it called a “Starbucks”?
A WITTY NAME
When you get to the trail, you’ll find that it’s actually spelled Starbuk’s. The “buk” is basically short for “bukid”, a Cebuano word for mountain or hill. It used to be a private property that the owners improved for the frequent hikers nearby.
Other hiking trails along the way followed suit, showcasing Filipino humor by using coffee shop-inspired names like Boss Coffee (from Bo’s Coffee) and Kopi Ben (from Coffee Bean).
Starbuk’s is arguably the most popular, though, with hiking groups and locals being very familiar with it. It serves as a resting area, with cottages and tables where you can relax and recharge after a long hike.
You can’t order a Caramel Macchiato or a Barista Drink here, but there are some budget-friendly snacks and beverages. These are prepared by vendors at the nearby sari-sari stores.
Pancit Canton and instant noodle soup are among the bestsellers that frequent visitors avail while they rest. Other stores also offer silog meals and Filipino food classics like binignit and puto maya. Filipino street food dishes are available as well, like fish balls and kwek-kwek.
You are allowed to bring your own food to eat, but remember to clean up after as they have a Clean As You Go policy.
GOING TO STARBUCKS BANAWA
Technically, the area is under the jurisdiction of Barangay Tisa, but most people will say it’s in Banawa because of the starting point which is at Paseo Arcenas.
From the entrance of the subdivision between McDonald’s and Ettas, keep going straight until you reach the uphill slope near the Ridges Subdivision, leading to the Good Shepherd Cemetery.
This is where the climb begins. It will get steeper, but it’s not entirely difficult. The path is narrow and requires a lot of strength and discipline for you to reach the top.
Frequent visitors have mentioned that there are snake holes along the path, so watch out for natural elements around the area.
Once you’ve finished the narrow path, you will find a sign saying “Welcome to Starbuk’s” hung from the top of two poles, signifying your arrival. Travel time from the entrance to the Starbuk’s trail should be around 45 minutes to an hour.
The path can still be a bit difficult to navigate for beginner trekkers, so it is recommended that you climb up the mountain as a group, preferably with one member who has already been there.
A FEW REMINDERS
- Possibly overcrowded
Starbuk’s has become a popular hiking trail among many Cebuanos, so expect that there will be a bunch of other people already there early in the morning. If you plan on visiting, make sure to go as early as you can.
- Preparations
As mentioned, hikers will have to traverse a pretty steep hill to get to Starbuk’s, so make sure to wear outdoor shoes with good traction for climbing. Go for lightweight sneakers with sharp or rough soles.
- Parking
For hikers planning to bring personal vehicles, motorcycles and cars may be parked at the parking lot of Concentrix.
*****
If a friend from Cebu ever invites you to a Starbucks in the mountains, you better warm up because you are about to have a bit of a workout. Regardless, this rustic and simple hangout spot with a stunning view and ambiance is the perfect introduction to hiking in Cebu.
Starbucks Banawa has no entrance fee, no environmental fee, and the starting point is easy to get to via public transportation. With dozens of enthusiasts already visiting this spot, you might just want to take part and experience it yourself.
