Cebu Guide
Although it’s not exactly the most beautiful destination you’ll come across during your trip to the Philippines, if you decide to stop there, this Cebu Guide will be a huge help. Whether you’re in Cebu on a layover before heading to another city or have decided to explore it, you’ll find everything you need to know here. Asian temples, historical sites, beaches, shopping malls, and excursions to beautiful mountains await 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 transportation hub that you’ll probably pass through several times during your trip. If you have a few hours, our advice is to make the most of them and explore a little of the city, as it will give you a broader view of the archipelago. Cebu has historically important places that are worth making time for, as well as some fascinating natural areas. Keep reading this Cebu Guide to discover its must-see attractions.
THINGS TO DO IN CEBU
The church said to be the oldest in the Philippines, some of the best-preserved ancestral houses, a Taoist temple… Cebu offers more things to do than you might 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 statue in the country.
- Magellan’s Cross: although the cross you’ll see is a replica, it represents the first Christian symbol to arrive in the Philippines.
- Fort San Pedro: built in the 16th century on the orders of 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 beautifully preserved ancestral houses will help you understand how Filipinos lived during colonial times. Casa Gorordo is especially interesting.
- Taoist Temple: although it was built fairly recently, it is an emblem of Cebu’s Chinese community and a very picturesque place.
- Shopping: Cebu has several huge shopping malls where you can buy souvenirs from your trip. SM Seaside City has a branch of Kultura Filipino, which, in our opinion, is the best store for buying souvenirs.
- Mactan: on the neighboring island of Mactan, which is connected to Cebu by 2 bridges and is home to the airport, you can enjoy beaches and incredible resorts.
To discover them all, be sure to read our very comprehensive article:
DAY TRIPS FROM CEBU
Although this guide focuses on Cebu City, there is a lot to discover on the island of Cebu itself. If you want to spend a few days exploring it, you won’t regret it. With the city as your base, you could take day trips such as:
- Osmeña Peak: at 1,013 meters high, it is the highest peak on the island, but the best part is the scenery, made up of countless 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 was taken here! Temple of Leah is an extravagant recreation of a Roman temple built for love.
- Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls: this is possibly the coolest activity in this Cebu Guide. Canyoneering down this turquoise river and reaching the most famous waterfall in the Philippines is suitable for everyone.
- Bohol: yes, although we recommend spending at least a couple of days on the island, you can also see Bohol’s most important sights on a day trip from Cebu City.
There are many more! You’ll find them all here:
MOALBOAL, ADVENTURE IN CEBU
We believe Moalboal deserves its own section in this Cebu Guide because, in our opinion, it is 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, simply by swimming a few meters from the shore, you can witness an incredible sardine run and see sea turtles in the wild without paying anything.
Moalboal is also a great base for visiting some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the archipelago. Kawasan Falls is the best known, but there are dozens more! Our advice is to spend at least a couple of days there and really make the most of it. You’ll find all the information you need by clicking here:
SINULOG FESTIVAL
If you’re planning to travel in January, try to be in Cebu during the third weekend! That’s when Sinulog is celebrated, one of the most important festivals in the Philippines. Held in honor of the Santo Niño, it features unique parades that rival those of the Rio de Janeiro Carnival. We were lucky enough to experience it ourselves, so we couldn’t leave it out of this Cebu Guide. Read all about it here:
HOW TO GET TO CEBU
With good international connections and routes to tons of destinations throughout the Philippines, getting to Cebu is relatively easy. Since it has an international airport, it can be the starting point for an incredible trip around the Philippines. It also has a large port with several terminals and a couple of bus stations, with connections to different places on the island of Cebu itself and to other islands in the Visayas, Mindanao, and Luzon. Since including everything in this Cebu Guide would make it far too long, this article provides very detailed instructions on how to get there from many places in the Philippines:
HOW TO GET FROM CEBU AIRPORT TO THE CITY CENTER
Cebu Airport is one of the country’s main transportation hubs, and you’ll most likely use it during your trip around the Philippines. The archipelago’s large cities can be somewhat overwhelming, so we’ve created this guide explaining in detail how to get from the airport into the city. Click here to find out HOW TO GET FROM CEBU AIRPORT TO DOWNTOWN.
WHERE TO STAY IN CEBU
Whether you’re going to use the city as a base to discover everything it has to offer or are simply passing through while traveling between different destinations, you’ll want to know the best area to stay in. Cebu City is quite large, and although its traffic doesn’t reach Manila levels, it can still become a nightmare. In this article, you’ll find our personal recommendations for every situation and budget:
TIPS FOR VISITING CEBU
- WHEN TO VISIT CEBU: Cebu’s dry season runs from December to May. The hottest months are April and May, so if you’re planning to go sightseeing, you may find it very hot. January is a good month because, as we mentioned, Sinulog takes place then. If you’re thinking of visiting at that time, book your accommodations well in advance.
- GETTING AROUND CEBU: the city is a little better organized than Manila, but it still doesn’t have a particularly efficient transportation system. If you don’t want to make things too complicated, you can take any of the white taxis. They are reliable and use the meter, so fares are quite affordable. Grab, Southeast Asia’s version of Uber, also works very well in Cebu. If you’re traveling alone and want to save money, you’ll have to navigate Cebu’s network of jeepneys and buses. This page can be very helpful for finding your way around, but the best thing to do is ask, as Filipinos will always be happy to lend you a hand. MyBus services may also be useful, as they connect places such as the airport, the port, and the largest shopping malls.
- WHERE TO EAT IN CEBU: the options are truly endless, ranging from Filipino eateries to upscale international restaurants. Recommended places include 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 (Filipino fusion food).
- MONEY IN CEBU: the city is one of the few places where card payments are widely accepted. You’ll also find plenty of ATMs, including one operated by HSBC, the only one that doesn’t charge a fee. We explain how to withdraw cash and exchange money without paying fees in Money in the Philippines.
- HEALTH IN CEBU: fortunately, Cebu has good hospitals, such as the very modern Chong Hua Hospital in Mandaue. However, in our experience, even a simple visit can be very expensive. That’s why we always travel with good travel insurance for the Philippines. You can get 5% off your policy here.