The journey to Soul Sierra is, in itself, a transition—a deliberate climb away from the hustle of Metro Cebu and into the cool, misty embrace of the city’s highlands. Situated in the scenic area of Babag, Soul Sierra is more than just a resort or a garden; it is a dedicated holistic wellness and healing retreat. It embodies a philosophy of mindful living, self-discovery, and deep connection with the environment, born from a desire to translate the serene energy into a Filipino context.
The moment of arrival is characterized by a profound shift in atmosphere. The air is noticeably cooler and cleaner, carrying the scent of pine and rich earth. The stunning panoramic overlooking city view, particularly breathtaking at night when the city lights twinkle like scattered diamonds, immediately establishes the property as a sanctuary elevated above the daily grind.
Soul Sierra’s core experience revolves around recharging the soul and achieving balance. The activities are deliberately structured to cater to the mind, body, and spirit.
- Mindful Practices: The retreat is famed for its award-winning yoga studio, which hosts classes for all skill levels. Beyond physical poses, the center offers deep, therapeutic practices such as Sound Healing, where carefully chosen frequencies and vibrations from instruments like crystal singing bowls are used to facilitate deep relaxation and meditation.
- Energetic Healing: The Japanese practice of Reiki is a cornerstone of their offerings, utilizing gentle touch to channel energy, promote stress reduction, and encourage the body’s natural healing processes. For those seeking deeper spiritual work, they often hold Cacao Ceremonies, an ancient Mayan and Aztec tradition that uses ceremonial-grade cacao to open the heart, promote inner healing, and facilitate introspection and awakening.
- Community and Connection: The essence of the Soul Sierra experience is one of freedom, gratitude, and being “high on life.” It encourages visitors to step away from their screens and connect with their loved ones, with nature, and most importantly, with themselves. Special events like the Soul Fest further foster this community spirit, bringing together experts for workshops on various physical therapy and wellness principles.
Whether participating in a rejuvenating workshop, taking a contemplative walk, or simply enjoying the vista, the overall Soul Sierra experience is designed to be a detox for the modern soul, leaving guests feeling grounded, refreshed, and mentally clear.
The Botanical Gardens: A Sanctuary of Sight and Scent
The botanical gardens at Soul Sierra are arguably the retreat’s visual masterpiece and its most accessible feature. Unlike meticulously manicured parks, this space is designed to harmonize with the mountain landscape, making it feel like a discovered paradise rather than a constructed one.
A Naturalistic Design Philosophy
The garden’s layout is a testament to naturalistic design. It stands out by deliberately retaining surrounding natural elements, most notably the ancient rock formations and the existing topography. This integration gives the space a raw, organic, and truly unique mountain aesthetic. The pathways are designed for leisurely exploration, encouraging visitors to walk slowly, observe keenly, and simply be present in the environment.
Diversity of Flora
Soul Sierra boasts one of the most beautiful flower gardens along the Cebu Transcentral Highway. The air is often rich with the scent of blooming life, showcasing a stunning biodiversity:
- Orchids and Flowers: Dozens of different species of vibrant orchids, flowering shrubs, and tropical blooms are carefully cultivated throughout the property, providing a continuous display of colour.
- Herbs and Succulents: Sections of the garden are dedicated to various herbs, which are often used in the restaurant, connecting the garden directly to the culinary experience. Succulents and other resilient mountain plants add textural contrast to the softer flowers.
The spacious area is not just a display but a living, breathing component of the healing experience, offering dozens of picturesque locations perfect for photography, meditation, or quiet contemplation. The natural lighting and elevated setting ensure a breathtaking canvas at all times of the day, particularly during the golden hour of sunrise and sunset.
Artistic and Contemplative Features
To add personality and a narrative layer to the natural beauty, statues and art installations are strategically placed throughout the garden. These features often reflect the retreat’s spiritual and holistic themes, serving as gentle reminders to pause, reflect, and find deeper meaning in one’s surroundings.
A key part of the garden experience is its connectivity to the outdoor accommodation, specifically the former Soul Camp, now transitioning into Soulscape. This area provides access to open-air experiences like bonfires and a vantage point for star-gazing, extending the garden’s tranquility into the night.
The Garden Restaurant
The dining experience at Soul Sierra’s Garden Restaurant is a critical component of its holistic promise, emphasizing clean food, plant power, and conscious consumption. It is a culinary journey that has evolved to meet a broader audience while staying true to its roots.
From Vegan Focus to Inclusive Comfort
The restaurant’s original concept was centered on a strictly vegan menu, aligned with a focus on pure, plant-powered nutrition. Over time, in response to guest demand and a desire for more inclusive dining, the menu has expanded to incorporate responsibly sourced meat and seafood dishes. Guests can now enjoy:
- Vegan and Vegetarian Delights: A variety of nourishing, creative dishes remain at the heart of the menu, appealing to those who adhere to plant-based diets or simply want lighter, healthier options.
- Filipino-Inspired Comfort Food: The newer offerings include meat dishes, such as chicken, duck, and tilapia, often prepared with a distinctly Filipino flavor profile. This inclusion caters to a yearning for comforting, familiar tastes, ensuring that the experience feels like a warm, domestic embrace.
The Farm-to-Table Connection
The hallmark of the kitchen is its commitment to farm-fresh ingredients. By utilizing produce grown on-site or sourced directly from local, sustainable farms in the highlands, the restaurant ensures the highest quality and nutritional value. This direct connection from the garden to the plate reinforces the theme of connecting with nature and promotes a powerful sense of mindful consumption. Every dish, whether plant-based or otherwise, is prepared to be both delicious and health-promoting.
Atmosphere and Setting
The restaurant’s setting is a major draw. Diners are seated in a naturally-lit space, often outdoors or under open-air pavilions, that is completely surrounded and serenaded by nature. The gentle rustling of leaves and the cooling mountain breeze enhance the dining experience, transforming a simple meal into an act of self-care and appreciation for the environment. It is a place where every bite is enjoyed in a state of relaxation, making the meal a deliberate part of the overall wellness retreat.
Accommodation Options: Your Mountain Sanctuary
Soul Sierra provides a range of accommodation choices designed to suit different group sizes and desired levels of luxury, all unified by the spectacular mountain and city views.
The Helix: The Luxury Mountain Staycation
For the ultimate luxurious escape, The Helix serves as the property’s main hotel/guesthouse. This is an ideal option for large families, corporate teams, or groups of friends seeking a private, amenity-rich retreat.
- Size and Capacity: The Helix is a substantial rental, featuring four well-appointed bedrooms designed to accommodate a large group, with a total capacity that can reach up to 25 people.
- Exclusive Amenities: Guests of The Helix enjoy a host of private facilities, making their stay fully self-contained:
- Private Swimming Pool: A spectacular spot for a refreshing dip while overlooking the Cebu City skyline.
- 360-Degree Viewing Deck: A dedicated elevated space offering unparalleled views of the mountains during the day and the city lights at night.
- Bonfire Pit: A perfect setting for intimate evening gatherings, storytelling, and marshmallow roasting under the stars.
- Complete Kitchen: Allowing for self-catering, though the experience often includes premium services.
- Premium Services: A stay at The Helix typically includes an elevated experience: a complimentary breakfast, the option of booking a private chef for custom meals, a relaxing complimentary massage, and a special guided tour of the property’s gardens and hidden spots.
Booked primarily through platforms like Airbnb, The Helix is marketed as an exclusive and all-encompassing mountain hideaway.
Soul Camp / Soul scape: Glamping and Tenting
For a more rugged, back-to-nature experience without sacrificing comfort, the camping and glamping area, previously known as Soul Camp and now transitioning to Soulscape, offers varied outdoor stays.
- Teepee Huts: This is the glamping option, offering the perfect blend of outdoor feel with comfort. The teepees are equipped with complete beddings for two people and, importantly, come with access to private bathrooms. A stay in a teepee often includes a complimentary breakfast.
- Tent Rentals: For a standard camping experience, guests can rent tents suitable for two persons, with options to include or forego beddings.
- Bring Your Own Tent (BYOT): Soul Sierra is friendly to independent campers, allowing guests to bring their own tents for a minimal per-person fee, making it an accessible option for budget-conscious travelers.
The campsite area is fully serviced with essential shared amenities, including common toilet and bath facilities and outside sinks for washing. The atmosphere here is centered on peace and quiet, especially after 11 PM, to honor the tranquility of the mountain. It is a kid and pet-friendly space, encouraging family and pet bonding in the great outdoors. Kawa baths, a unique traditional open-air bathing experience, are also an anticipated feature of the Soulscape offering.
How to Get There: Navigating the Cebu Highlands
Soul Sierra is located in Babag Uno, Busay, Cebu City, high on the Transcentral Highway. Its elevated location is what gives it its stunning views, but it also dictates the methods of access.
Travel Time and Distance
The travel time from the heart of Cebu City to Soul Sierra typically ranges from 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending heavily on the traffic conditions in the city proper and the speed of travel on the winding mountain roads.
Transportation Options
Getting to Soul Sierra requires a private arrangement, as public transport routes do not directly service the retreat area.
Private Car or Taxi
- Self-Drive: The most convenient way is to use a private vehicle. Navigation is best managed with apps like Waze or Google Maps by searching for “Soul Sierra, Babag, Cebu City.” The roads leading up are paved, though they are often winding and steep.
- Taxi/Ride-Hailing: While one can take a regular metered taxi, ride-hailing apps like Grab may not be able to pin the location accurately due to the retreat being located outside their standard service boundaries. If taking a taxi or booked car, it is essential to communicate clearly with the driver to head to the mountain area of Busay, specifically near landmarks like Mountain View Nature’s Park or Temple of Leah, and then navigate the final stretch to Babag. You may have to negotiate a round-trip rate, as finding a return ride can be challenging.
Motorcycle Taxi (Habal-Habal)
- Jump-off Point: The most popular and often fastest way for a small group or solo traveler is to hire a “Habal-Habal” (motorcycle taxi). These are readily available near JY Square Mall in Lahug.
- Fare Negotiation: It is necessary to negotiate the fare before the ride begins, specifying a round trip (waiting time included) or a one-way fare. The ride can be quite an adventure, as these drivers are accustomed to the steep terrain.
Soul Sierra Van Service (Check in Advance)
- For larger groups or special events, it is highly recommended to contact Soul Sierra directly in advance. They sometimes offer van or shuttle services for guests, especially for those staying at The Helix or for large event bookings. This is the most hassle-free option.
Due to the remote nature of the location, prior booking and confirming transportation details are crucial for a smooth and enjoyable visit to Soul Sierra.
Soul Sierra is a deeply rewarding destination that marries the wild beauty of the Cebu highlands with a philosophy of wellness and mindful living. From its immersive healing experiences to its fresh, nourishing cuisine and the stunning 360-degree vistas, it is a complete retreat for anyone seeking tranquility and self-reconnection.
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