Cebu is known as the “Queen City of the South” because of its commercial potential and beautiful tourist spots. Cebu is also known for its historical tourist attraction. If you want to know more about the Spanish period then this Cebu travel guide is for you. Its capital Cebu City is considered the oldest city in the Philippines and it’s known as the oldest settlement established by the Spaniards. You can also do some water activities here because there are a lot of waterfalls and some beaches.
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How to get to Cebu?
You can go to Cebu by either air or water.
When you are going to Cebu by air, taking either an international or domestic flight will most probably take you to the main airport which is Cebu-Mactan International Airport. Once you get there, you can take a taxi to where you are staying. But if you would need to wait before you can get a ride, you can just call a Grab (it is like an Uber most Southeast Asian countries use). If you are going to its capital, Cebu City, it would take you around 45 minutes to 1 hour.
When you plan to go through water, you can take a ferry. The price of the ferry would depend on where you came from. You can visit the website of the 2GO group to have a clear idea of how much you will be needing.
Where to stay in Cebu?
Deciding where to stay in Cebu depends on why you are going to Cebu.
Work and Play (Cebu City)
If you are visiting to work and play, then find a place in Cebu City.
If you are there for work then I.T. Park is the best place to go. It has a strong internet connection and a lot of cafés where you can go for a meeting. Not to mention, you can just walk or bike to go to places. The most popular hotel here is the Avida Towers.
If you are here to party and go clubbing, then Mango Square is the place to go. Mango Square is known for its wild and lively nightlife. Citadines Cebu City close to Mango Square and has a 5-star rating on tripadvisor.com.
Traveling (Moalboal)
When you are traveling, Moalboal is a great place to stay in. Moalboal is the most popular place in the southern part of Cebu. There is also a lot of popular attraction you need to try in Moalboal. You can just search for hotels online or rent a place on Airbnb that would fit your budget.
Relax (Bantayan Island)
If you will go to Cebu to relax and forget about work then Bantayan Island is the best place to go to. It is a tropical island located in the northern part of Cebu. You will surely forget your troubles if you sunbathe on the white sand beaches or swim in the crystal clear waters. You can choose from a lot of hotels and resorts or rentals on Airbnb that would fit your budget.
Where to go in Cebu?
Moalboal
Moalboal is the most popular tourist destination in Cebu because a lot of tourist spots and attractions are located here. The most popular attraction here is their diving and snorkeling sites. Here, you would get the chance to swim with sardines and other various colorful fishes. You will also be able to see many giant turtles and corals in Moalboal. And if you are not interested in diving or snorkeling, there are a lot of instagramable places you can visit.
Kawasan Falls
Kawasan Falls is the most popular falls on the island of Cebu. The most popular attraction here is canyoneering. You can also try cliff diving on many different levels of heights. If you have your doubts, don’t worry, the tour guide will jump first to show you that it is safe. You can also just swim and enjoy the crystal clear turquoise water if you are really afraid of jumping off of cliffs.
Since this is the most popular falls in Cebu, expect that there will be a lot of tourists in this spot. There are a lot of waterfalls that you can try which are less crowded, some of them are not even present on maps. You can try the other waterfall first but just don’t forget about Kawasan Falls.
Bantayan Island
Bantayan Island is known for having wonderful beaches. You need to visit this place if you are looking for a place to relax in Cebu. Go for a swim in the clear water or go for a calming walk around the beach. You could also enjoy the nightlife in Bantayan. Explore their night market by yourself, go on karaoke and drinks with your friends or get to know and mingle with the locals and other tourists. And if you are looking for an adrenaline-pumping experience, then you should try sky diving in Bantayan Island.
Osmeَña Peak
Osmeña Peak is the highest peak on the island of Cebu. The best time to visit the peak is in the afternoon because it is very foggy and cold during the early mornings. The hike will not be very hard, it will only take you around 20 to 25 minutes to reach the top. Once you reach the peak, you can take as many pictures as you like. You will notice the scenery is similar to the chocolate hills in Bohol.
I.T. Park
I.T. Park might be the most modernized part of Cebu. It has very clean streets and a very modern look. If you are going to Cebu to work, I.T. Park is perfect for you. Everything is within walking distance or a short bike ride. There are also a lot of cafes with a strong internet connection which is perfect if you are a freelancer. Everything here is not about work, you should also experience the nightlife here. The best place to go is Sugbo Mercado where you can choose from a lot of different foods and drinks.
What to do in Cebu?
Visit historical sites
If you want to learn more about the history of the Philippines, you should definitely visit Cebu. Here, you will be able to visit a lot of heritage sites that will help widen your knowledge about Philippine history. You can visit historical landmarks such as Magellan’s Cross, Fort San Pedro, and Cebu Heritage Monument. You can also visit religious sites like Cebu Taoist Temple, Basilica Del Santo Nino, and Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. You can also learn more things in museums like the Cathedral Museum of Cebu and Museo Sugbo.
Appreciate the flora and fauna
There are also a lot of places where you can be in the moment and admire the beauty of nature. When I say flora, I am referring to some of the botanical gardens you can see in Cebu. Take unlimited photos in botanical gardens like Evo Nature Camp, Sirao Flower Garden, and Buwakan ni Alejandra. Share the wonderful view on your Facebook or Instagram account.
And when I say fauna, I am referring to places where you can see tons of animals. There are Cebu Safari and Adventure Park where you can see and learn about various animals, from mammals to birds, large to small, and wild to tame. There is also Cebu Ocean Park if you want to see more of the aquatic animals. You would see stingrays, sharks, crocodiles, and of course various shapes, sizes, and colors of fishes. You can also swim with whale sharks in Oslob and sardines and turtles in Moalboal.
Canyoneering
You should try Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls. This adrenaline-pumping activity is something you will never forget. It involves starting on short trekking then swimming on a river. After that, you would walk and go through challenging terrain. But going through all that is worth it because you can enjoy and jump at the clear waters that are waiting for you. You would do a lot of walking, swimming and jumping in this activity which would surely make you feel alive.
Picture
And of course, you need to take some of the memories with you before you leave Cebu. You can consider going to a place without taking any photos as a travel experience that never happened at all. There are a lot of places and experiences you need to remember when you visit Cebu. Share those places, experiences, and things you’ve learned with other people who can’t travel.
Where to eat in Cebu?
La Vie in the Sky
La vie in the sky is located at Cebu Tops Road, Cebu City. If you are into French cuisine and wines, you should try this place. This place is also perfect for romantic dinners for couples. The view at this place got a lot of compliments from past guests.
The Pig & Palm
The Pig & Palm is located at Msy Tower Pescadores Road, Cebu City. If you like eating pork then this is a place you should definitely try because their dishes are mostly pork. You should try their grilled sea bass and pork belly. You should also try their cocktails if you will eat here during the evening.
Smooth Café
Smooth café is located at Panagsama Road, Moalboal in Cebu. This café has a 5-star rating at tripadvisor.com. The most popular food here is their burger. This café is also vegetarian friendly and has gluten-free options.
CookPub
CookPub is located at Island Central Mactan, MEPZ Ecozone, Lapu Lapu in Cebu. This is a Korean restaurant that also has a 5-star rating at tripadvisor.com. You can expect great Korean foods and great service from the staff.
Sugbo Mercado
Sugbo Mercado can be found in I.T. Park in Cebu City. It is a food market where you can choose and buy different foods and drinks at an affordable price. The most popular food here to try is their Lechon belly. Sugbo Mercado is open from Thursday to Sunday from 5 PM to 1 AM
We hope that this Cebu Travel Guide helps!
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