Butterflies may be small, but seeing dozens of them flying freely around a garden is an experience worth making time for. In Cebu City, the Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary and Art Gallery offers visitors a closer look at these delicate creatures while also preserving the artistic legacy of Cebuano painter Julian Jumalon. Read on to discover what to expect, how to get there, and how much a visit costs.
A Home to 54 Butterfly Species
Located along Julian Jumalon Street in Basak, Cebu City, the sanctuary is a 1,460-square-meter botanical garden home to around 54 types of butterflies and numerous fruit and flowering plants.
The garden also serves as a breeding area, so visitors may spot caterpillars, cocoons, and pupae among the leaves. Since the butterflies are not kept in large numbers at all times, the experience is more like exploring a living garden than walking into an enclosure filled with butterflies.
Meet Julian Jumalon
The sanctuary was established by Cebuano artist and lepidopterist Julian Jumalon, who developed a lifelong interest in butterflies alongside his work in the arts.
Jumalon was trained by renowned Filipino artists Fernando Amorsolo and Guillermo Tolentino. Apart from oil painting, he also worked in silk-screen printing, sculpture, and stamp design.
The Artist Behind Lepido-Mosaics
One of Jumalon’s most notable contributions was the development of lepido-mosaic, an art form that uses butterfly wings to create detailed images.
His collection includes lepido-mosaics depicting historical and political figures, as well as scenes from old Cebu. Among the works displayed are pieces featuring Pope John Paul II, former US President Lyndon B. Johnson, Lapu-Lapu, and a nostalgic depiction of Colon Street.
Explore the Art Gallery
The sanctuary is more than a butterfly garden. Inside the property is an art gallery featuring Jumalon’s paintings, lepido-mosaics, silk-screen posters, and other works.
The gallery also houses various collectibles, including native instruments, dolls, old matchboxes, keychains, and other items collected by the Jumalon family. Visitors can also learn more about the artist’s life and his work with butterflies.
See Butterflies Up Close
After exploring the indoor exhibits, visitors can head into the garden where butterflies fly among the plants and flowers.
You may see butterflies resting on leaves, moving between flowers, or flying above the garden. Other insects, including grasshoppers, can also be spotted around the property.
Visitors are encouraged to avoid touching the butterflies, caterpillars, and pupae. These are part of the sanctuary’s breeding process and need to be left undisturbed.
Visit the Hatchery
At the back of the garden is a hatchery where visitors can see more preserved specimens, including butterflies, beetles, and scorpions. There are also displays featuring Philippine animals and information about the life and work of Julian Jumalon.
A pupae tree is another part of the garden where visitors can observe butterfly pupae as they develop.
Take Photos Around the Garden
There are designated spots where visitors can take photos, including a kiosk and a life-size butterfly structure.
The garden itself also provides plenty of natural backgrounds for photos. Just remember to avoid disturbing the butterflies and plants while taking pictures.
How To Get There?
Location: J.N. Jumalon Street, Basak, Pardo, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
By Car: From Cebu City proper, head south along N. Bacalso Avenue and continue toward Basak. Look for the turn leading to Julian Jumalon Street, then follow the road into the residential area. The sanctuary is located along Julian Jumalon Street and may be easier to find using the address or Google Maps/Waze pin 7VQ8+V3X, Julian Jumalon St., Cebu City. Since it is tucked inside a neighborhood, check your navigation app as you get closer and follow the directions to the exact location.
By Commute: From Colon or other parts of Cebu City, take a jeepney or modern jeepney heading toward Basak or the nearby areas along N. Bacalso Avenue. Get off at a convenient point near the Basak area and take another local ride going toward Julian Jumalon Street. You may also use a motorcycle taxi or taxi from the main road for the final part of the trip, especially if you are unfamiliar with the residential streets. It is best to show the driver the Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary and Art Gallery location on Google Maps to avoid confusion.
Entrance Fees
The entrance fee is ₱100 for adults, ₱50 for children, and ₱80 for senior citizens, based on the price upon writing. Rates may change, so it is best to confirm with the sanctuary before visiting.
A Small Sanctuary With a Big Legacy
The Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary and Art Gallery offers a different kind of Cebu experience, combining nature, local history, and art in one visit. For those looking for a quiet place to learn about butterflies while discovering the work of one of Cebu’s notable artists, this hidden garden in Basak is worth adding to the list.
