The island-province of Cebu sits in the centre of the Philippine archipelago and is served by international and domestic flights to and from Mactan-Cebu International Airport. It’s location makes it the ideal place to be for island-hopping in the Visayas.
The Cebu metropolitan area is the country’s second largest, and along with its more upmarket Maktan Island has been a very popular destination with many international travellers for many years. To cater for this demand, Cebu now has an extensive collection of shopping malls, restaurants, fast food outlets, casinos, golf courses, resort type hotels and lively bars.
Travellers who come to Cebu do so to enjoy its white-sand beaches and spectacular diving. The best diving spots can be found off the northern tip of Cebu at Bantayan and Malapascua islands, as well as on the southwest coast at Moalboal.
If you can manage to drag yourself away from the beach, take the time to visit some of the landmarks.
Cebu is also the country’s oldest Spanish colonial city and has several historic landmarks, including the original cross planted by Magellan in 1521 when he baptised the first group of Filipino natives into the Catholic faith. The cross is now housed in a roofed kiosk in Magallanes Street. Downtown Cebu is dominated by Colon Street, the oldest street in the Philippines, dating back to the 16th century, which is lined with stores, shopping malls, office buildings and movie theatres.
How to get to Cebu
Mactan-Cebu International Airport located on Mactan Island in Lapu-Lapu city caters to both international and domestic flights to Cebu. International flights include direct flights to Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, China, Malaysia, Qatar and Taiwan. Domestic flights include all major destinations in Philippines. Around 20 flight fly between Manila and Cebu daily.
Fast Facts
Best time to travel:
January – February & September – December
Places of interest:
Magellan’s Cross – historic site
Basilica Minore del Santo Niño – Cebu’s holiest church
Museo Sugbo & Casa Gorordo Museum – museums
Mainit Springs – natural springs
Cebu Cathedral
Fort San Pedro
Kawasan Falls
Carbon Market
