Travel Guide In Cebu – From big city charm to pristine white beaches, it’s not hard to see why Cebu City is such a popular tourist destination. It is a place that combines history – it is the oldest city in the Philippines – with great restaurants and entertainment, set in a lush natural environment.
Known as the Queen City of the South, Cebu City is the largest urban area on the island of Cebu. It is part of an archipelago in the South China Sea south of Manila in the Visayas region of the country. A mountain range runs through the center of the island, and the city of Cebu is located in the middle of the southeast coast. The combination of mountains and sea provides many fresh ingredients for delicious local cuisine.
Travel Guide In Cebu
You might be surprised by the Latin flavor you find in some parts of the city, but with Spanish colonization, Cebu City was the first trading post between the Philippines and Mexico. Put all the ingredients together and Cebu City offers you an environment, culture and culinary delights to explore.
Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Cebu City
You’ll want to take advantage of Cebu City’s island location by enjoying the water, including the soft white sands of Larawan Beach in Talisay City and Marigondon Beach in Mactan Island. In addition to relaxing beach life, you can dive to see coral reefs, watch whale sharks and enjoy some of the best fishing in Asia. There are many resorts along the coast with private beaches.
With local, Spanish, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese and other Asian influences, Cebu City cuisine offers a wide range of delicious options made with local ingredients, including fresh seafood. From the cheapest street food to the best restaurants, you’ll find plenty of options at all price points.
As the country’s oldest urban center, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to connect with Cebu City’s history. Magellan’s Cross was originally planted in 1521 in downtown Cebu and you can walk down Colon Street, the oldest street in the country.
The beautiful surroundings of Cebu City and Cebu Island offer a wide range of outdoor sports, including excursions such as cave diving under Talisay or Bantayan, cliff diving and canyoning, or jumping from the island’s many waterfalls down to the river. You can go mountain biking, rock climbing, skydiving and more.
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Cebu City offers everything you need for shopping, including the huge and famous SM City Cebu and Ayala Center Cebu with its beautiful park. You’ll also find plenty of other shopping options, from street vendors to themed stores. Many of them include entertainment facilities such as the large ice rink at SM Seaside City Mall.
Located in the heart of Cebu City, this centuries-old cathedral is the oldest Roman Catholic church in the Philippines and is historically fascinating. The weathered and weathered building symbolizes the birth and spread of Christianity in the country. From the frescoes to the statues, everything in the interior reflects this important role – especially the impressive image of the Santo Niño. Nearby is the Ferdinand Magellan Cross, which commemorates the explorer’s arrival in the Philippines in the 16th century.
Although Christianity spread widely in the Philippines when the Portuguese arrived, other religions continued to flourish. This Taoist temple is amazing today, with a huge dragon statue welcoming visitors from the mountain. A replica of the Great Wall of China forms the entrance, where tourists and worshipers enter the colorful chapel. Go where you will find a library, well-wishers and balconies – where you can enjoy a great view of Cebu.
Strategically located in the middle of the first Spanish city in the Philippines, this fort has overlooked the waters of Cebu Pier for centuries. As you wander around the impressive fortifications, your imagination will run wild as you learn about the long history of military defense in the Pacific. Just outside, Plaza Independencia celebrates the country’s independence from the Spanish and is the perfect spot for a little R&R.
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Hundreds of years ago, Colon Street was the first street built in the Philippines. Today, it is a buzz of vendors, shops and jeepneys. With the sights and sounds of today’s city, it can be hard to imagine a typical day in the past century, but a walk reveals lasting evidence and layers of history. Look for roadside memorial stones overlooking historic sites and deepen your understanding of the country.
A short trip from Cebu City, it is the closest resort to Coral Island across the bridge. Enjoy beaches with sparkling waters, relax at a resort, or use Mactan as a base for island hopping. Snorkeling and water sports are the most popular activities here, and boat rentals to travel the Straits of Bohol can easily be arranged. Maybe try something new like deep sea diving or water skiing!
Make the most of Anzan’s tropical setting, where you can enjoy the terrace and city views from Panorama Heights and dine on Italian and Mediterranean dishes starting at ₱400. At Larsian, enjoy classic Asian and Filipino cuisine, including mouth-watering barbecue dishes with entrees starting at ₱250, in a casual, family-friendly atmosphere. For an elegant and modern ambiance and pan-Asian prices, choose the Marriott Hotel’s Garden Cafe, where entrees start at ₱900.
The dry season from December to May is the most popular with tourists, although there is occasional rain and fewer storms during the rest of the year. Temperatures typically range from 75 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, with May being the hottest month.
Cebu Travel Guide 2022
Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) is a modern facility serving domestic and international flights. It is located in Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan Island, more than 9 kilometers from Cebu City along the Nautical Central Highway. MyBus offers daily scheduled service to SM City Mall for ₱25. An official yellow taxi to town usually costs around ₱400-500.
You will need patience and persistence when negotiating the traffic in and around Cebu City, and be warned that you cannot drive your car into the surrounding wastelands. Cebu City is home to a busy port with ports to Manila, Butuan City and other places; some boats are available. The Central Nautical Highway runs along the coast of Cebu Island, connecting Cebu City to Mandaue City to the north and Naga to the south. The Cebu-Toledo Wharf Road runs through the mountains across the island connecting the city of Toledo.
Cebu City is a hub for buses throughout the island, including the air-conditioned Ceres Liner to Bato and other destinations. Other major companies are Jegans, Gabe Transport and Metrolink.
Colon – This downtown area is centered around Colon Street, said to be the oldest and shortest street in the country. Here you’ll find most of the city’s historic sites, such as the historic San Pedro Fort and the famous Magellan’s Cross, as well as plenty of value hotel options like the Cebu Century Hotel.
Quick Travel Guide To Cebu Philippines For First Time Visitors
Fuente Osmena – This park in the city center, in the middle of the Fuente Osmena traffic circle, is a meeting place for the locals. It’s also a business district with shopping and dining options at the trendy Mango Square Mall and Robinsons Galleria Cebu, as well as the Carcar Public Market, which is great for cheap street food.
Mactan Island – This surrounding island is where you’ll find some of the best beaches in the area. There are many hotels and resorts here, like Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa, that have connections to water-based activities.
If you want to get around like a local, opt for a jeepney. These brightly colored and specially designed buses cover the whole city 24 hours a day, but it is not possible to check timetables or routes in advance. The routes are printed on the side of the bus and the fare is ₱7. The bus route is only north-south, so options are limited. Rapid bus and hybrid electric train systems are being planned and built for the city, and service is planned to begin in late 2017 or 2018.
Taxis are everywhere in Cebu City and you can avoid too much trouble by choosing one of the many white taxis with prices printed on the side. Don’t forget to use extended services. A trip within the city should be ₱100 or less.
Cebu City Travel Guide 2022
Driving in the crowded streets of Cebu City is not recommended, especially when there are many taxis in the city and parking is very limited. Renting a car allows you to easily explore outside the city of Cebu Island – as long as you are patient and leave enough time to leave the city limits. Small rental prices start around ₱3,600 and local companies include Safe Ride Car Rental and Cebu Easy Rent-A-Car.
In addition to shopping malls in the Cebu Business Park and the North Sea Reclamation Area, you will find a large market with local goods.