Cebu Guide
Although it’s not exactly the most beautiful destination you’ll encounter during your trip to the Philippines, if you decide to stop by, this Cebu Guide will be of great help. Whether you’re in Cebu on a layover heading to another city or have decided to explore it, here you’ll find everything you need to know. Oriental temples, historical sites, beaches, shopping malls, and excursions to beautiful mountains are waiting for you. Are you coming to Cebu with us?
Cebu City is the 2nd most important city in the Philippines. Located in the Central Visayas, on the island of the same name, it is a hub that you will probably pass through several times during your trip. If you have a few hours, our advice is to try to make the most of them and discover a little piece of it, as it will help you get a more global view of the archipelago. In Cebu, you have historically important places worth making time for, as well as interesting natural spaces. Keep reading this Cebu Guide and discover its must-sees.
THINGS TO DO IN CEBU
What is said to be the oldest church in the Philippines, the best-preserved ancestral houses, a Taoist temple… Cebu offers more plans than you probably imagine! In this Cebu Guide, we list the most interesting ones:
- Basilica del Santo Niño: home to the most famous statue of the Child Jesus in the Philippines. Brought from Spain by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, it is the most venerated in the country.
- Magellan’s Cross: although what you’ll see is a replica, you can see the first Christian symbol that arrived in the Philippines.
- Fort San Pedro: built in the 16th century under the command of the Spanish explorer Miguel de Legazpi, this defensive structure can still be visited in the heart of Cebu City.
- Casa Gorordo and Yap Sandiego Ancestral House: these ancestral houses in perfect condition will help you understand how Filipinos lived in colonial times. The first one is especially interesting.
- Taoist Temple: although its construction is very recent, it is an emblem of the Chinese community in Cebu and a very picturesque place.
- Shopping: in Cebu, you have several huge shopping malls where you can get souvenirs from your trip. In SM Seaside City you have a branch of Kultura Filipino, which is, in our opinion, the best store to buy souvenirs.
- Mactan: on the neighboring island to Cebu (connected by 2 bridges and where the airport is located) you can enjoy beaches and incredible resorts.
To discover them all, don’t hesitate to read our very complete article:
DAY TRIPS FROM CEBU
Although this guide focuses on Cebu City, the island of Cebu itself has a lot to discover. If you want to dedicate a few days to it, you won’t regret it. Basing yourself in the city, you could fit in excursions such as:
- Osmeña Peak: at 1,013 meters high, it is the highest peak on the island, but the most beautiful part is the landscape, made up of a lot of jagged mountains that will remind you of the Chocolate Hills.
- Sirao Flower Garden and Temple of Leah: yes, the famous Instagram photo of the huge hand surrounded by flowers is here! The second is an ostentatious recreation of a Roman temple built for love.
- Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls: this is possibly the coolest activity in this Cebu Guide. Canyoning down this turquoise river and reaching the most famous waterfall in the Philippines is suitable for everyone.
- Bohol: yes, although we advise you to spend at least a couple of days on the island, you could also see the most important parts of Bohol from Cebu City on a day trip.
There are many more! You will find them all in:
MOALBOAL, ADVENTURE IN CEBU
We believe it is necessary to dedicate a section to it in this Cebu Guide since it is, in our opinion, the jewel of the island. This small town southwest of Cebu City is one of the best destinations for snorkeling and diving in the Philippines. In fact, just by swimming a few meters from the shore, you can enjoy an incredible sardine run and sea turtles in the wild without paying anything.
In addition, Moalboal is a great base to enjoy some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the archipelago. Kawasan Falls are the most well-known, but there are dozens! Our advice is to dedicate at least a couple of days to it and really make the most of it. You have all the information you need by clicking here:
SINULOG FESTIVAL
If you plan to travel in the month of January, try to pass through Cebu during the third weekend! That is when the Sinulog is celebrated, one of the most important festivals in the Philippines. In honor of the Santo Niño, you can enjoy unique parades that have nothing to envy the carnivals of Rio de Janeiro. We were lucky enough to experience it, so we couldn’t leave it out of this Cebu Guide. Discover all about it in:
HOW TO GET TO CEBU
Well-connected internationally and with tons of destinations in the Philippines, getting to Cebu is a relatively simple task. Since it has an international airport, it can be your starting point for an incredible trip through the Philippines. Plus, it boasts a large port with several terminals and a couple of bus stations, with connections to different places within Cebu island itself and other islands in the Visayas, Mindanao, and Luzon. Since fitting it all into this Cebu Guide would make it endless, in this article we give you very detailed instructions on how to get there from many points in the Philippines:
HOW TO GET FROM CEBU AIRPORT TO THE CITY CENTER
Cebu Airport is one of the main hubs of the country and you will most likely use it during your trip through the Philippines. The large cities of the archipelago can be somewhat overwhelming and, for this reason, we have created this guide in which we tell you in detail how to get around from there. Click here to know HOW TO GO FROM CEBU AIRPORT TO DOWNTOWN.
STAY IN CEBU
Whether you are going to base yourself in the city to discover everything it has to offer or, simply, you are passing through between different places, you are interested to know which area is best to sleep in. Cebu City is quite a large city and traffic, although it does not reach the levels of Manila, can become a nightmare. In this article, you will find our personal recommendations for any situation and budget:
TIPS FOR VISITING CEBU
- WHEN TO VISIT CEBU: the dry season in Cebu runs from December to May. The hottest months are April and May, so if you are going to do city tourism, you might feel quite hot. January is a good month because, as we have told you, the Sinulog is celebrated. If you consider it, book accommodation well in advance.
- GETTING AROUND CEBU: this city is a little better organized than Manila, but still does not have a very efficient transport system. If you don’t want to complicate things too much, you can take any white taxi, which are reliable and use the meter, so it works out quite cheap. Grab, the Uber of Southeast Asia, also works very well in Cebu. If you are traveling alone and want to save money, you will have to navigate the network of jeepneys and buses in Cebu. This page can help you orient yourself a lot, but the best thing is to ask because Filipinos will always be willing to lend you a hand. MyBus buses may also interest you, as they connect points such as the airport, the port, or the largest shopping malls.
- WHERE TO EAT IN CEBU: the possibilities are truly endless. From Filipino food joints to high-level international cuisine restaurants. Recommended places are Persian Palate (in Ayala Mall), Planet Vegis (vegan Filipino food), Circa 1900 (top-notch), Rico’s Lechon (lechon is famous in Cebu), and Golden Cowrie (fusion Filipino food).
- MONEY IN CEBU: the city is one of the few places where card payment is widely accepted. In addition, you have plenty of ATMs, including one from HSBC, the only one that does not charge a fee. We tell you more about how to withdraw money and exchange without commissions in Money in the Philippines.
- HEALTH IN CEBU: luckily, in Cebu, you will find good hospitals like the Chong Hua in Mandaue, which is very modern. However, from experience, a simple visit can be very expensive. That’s why we always travel with good travel insurance for the Philippines. Here is a 5% discount on yours.