Lantawan Ruins
Coastal ruins in Tuburan combining an old pirate-watch sentry point and a WWII-era Japanese hideout tunnel.
The overview
About Lantawan Ruins
The Lantawan Ruins sit on a coastal rise in Sitio Panas, Barangay Daan Lungsod, on grounds now occupied by the largely inactive Lantawan Resort. The site takes its name from "lantawan," meaning a place for watching or observing, and local accounts describe it as a former sentry point used to keep watch over the coastline against seaborne raiders in earlier centuries; part of the structure is also remembered locally as an old lighthouse, though its exact original form is debated. Built into the same rise is a dug-out pit that local accounts say was excavated during the Japanese Occupation and used as a hideout from strafing aircraft during World War II, reached by ladder into the opening. Between the two features, the ruins layer together a coastal watch-point and a wartime shelter on the same small stretch of shoreline. The resort around the ruins has seen little upkeep in recent years, and access ladders and paths have reportedly deteriorated, so conditions on the ground can vary visit to visit. It's a quick add-on stop for anyone already touring Tuburan's coast, more for the history and the sea view than for developed facilities.
What makes it worth it
Highlights
- Former coastal sentry/lookout point
- Dug-out WWII-era hideout pit
- Sweeping views over the coastline
- Reached via the old Lantawan Resort grounds
- Layered Spanish-era and WWII history
- Quiet, undeveloped setting
- 1 Check locally before visiting, since the resort grounds are poorly maintained and ladders into the tunnel opening have reportedly been damaged. Wear closed shoes for uneven, overgrown terrain and go with a local guide or habal-habal driver who knows the grounds. Location approximate — confirm on arrival.
Wayfinder route
How to get there
From Cebu City North Bus Terminal, take a bus or van to Tuburan (roughly 2-3 hours). From town, take a habal-habal to Sitio Panas, Barangay Daan Lungsod, and the former Lantawan Resort grounds (about 15-20 minutes).
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Entrance Fee
Free
Opening Hours
Daylight hours
Duration
1 hour
Difficulty
Moderate
Best Time to Visit
Dry season (December-May); morning for cooler walking and better light for photos.
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