Cebu Travel Guide 2024: Itinerary, Budget, Things to Do, Tourist Spots, More

Traveling to Cebu? This Cebu Travel Guide 2024 is the only manual you need to plan your trip to the nature adventure capital of the Philippines.

Cebu is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the Philippines, alongside El Nido, Coron, and Boracay. With its white sand beaches, stunning waterfalls, world-class dive sites, beginner-friendly mountains, and so many unique things to do, it is no surprise.

👉Get Klook’s Cebu Pass to access Cebu’s top attractions!👈

If you have heard about Cebu, you’re probably thinking of canyoneering in Badian, sardine running in Moalboal, and swimming with giant whale sharks in Oslob. These are fun outdoor activities in Cebu that will make your visit memorable. But if you’re looking for more, there’s more to Cebu.

If you want to explore the best of Cebu, use this Cebu Travel Guide as your manual.

Badian Cebu Canyoneering — Canyoneering in Badian is one of the top things to do in Cebu.

WHAT'S IN THIS POST?

How to Plan Your Cebu Trip

This Cebu Travel Guide is a product of more than a decade of experience exploring Cebu. By the end, you should have a good idea about traveling to Cebu as I cover the following aspects:

Best time to go to Cebu
How to get to Cebu
Getting around Cebu

Cebu’s top tourist destinations
- Best things to do
- Top tourist spots
- How to get there
- Where to stay
Food in Cebu
- What to eat
- Where to eat
Internet in Cebu

Cebu nightlife
Cebu itinerary
Cebu budget

Most tourists explore Cebu for 3-7 days, which I believe is very short given what it has to offer. However, if you want to experience all the best of Cebu, I recommend staying for at least 10 days.

The best way to plan your Cebu itinerary is to divide it into two parts: South Cebu and North Cebu.

South Cebu is where you can find Moalboal, Badian, and Oslob. It’s also known for breathtaking waterfalls and mountains, which are great for day hikes.

North Cebu, meanwhile, is where you can find Bantayan Island, Malapascua Island, and Camotes Island. It is more popular for relaxation as it has dozens of white sand beaches. North Cebu also has well-known outdoor activities, including thresher shark diving.

Both North and South Cebu have several good dive sites.

Moalboal Sardine Run — Swimming into bait ball of sardines in Moalboal, Cebu

Best Time to Visit Cebu

The best time to visit Cebu depends on what you want to do and what you want to experience. In general, there’s no bad time to visit Cebu. But if you want to understand how our weather works and what events you can enjoy, here are some answers to your questions.

When is Cebu’s peak season?

Cebu’s peak season is in January due to the annual Sinulog Festival, the biggest religious festival in the Philippines. A few days before the festival, which happens on the 3rd Sunday of January, most hotels are fully booked. Booking flights and ferry trips to Cebu closer to the festival day can also get a little bit difficult.

December is also another peak season in the Philippines. It’s common for Filipinos from abroad and those who live/work in the city to return to their hometowns to celebrate the holiday season. Typically, this phenomenon happens between December 15 and January 1.

Sinulog Season — Sinulog season in Cebu starts in the first week of January. (Photo by Mario Manlupig / CEBU INSIDER)

It’s also important to note that Cebu is a jump-off point for other provinces in the Philippines, which is why it’s dubbed “the gateway to a thousand journeys.” Expect flights and ferry trips to be fully booked for a few days around Christmas time.

Christmas holiday rush in Cebu — A typical Christmas holiday rush at Fuente Osmeña Circle, Cebu City. (Photo by Mario Manlupig / CEBU INSIDER)

In fact, in December 2022, I was not able to go back to my hometown for Christmas because all direct flights and ferry trips were booked. It happened to me again in December 2023 because I just never learned.

What months are typhoons in Cebu?

According to the weather bureau PAGASA, almost 70% of typhoons in the Philippines occur from July to October.

Note that transportation, especially airplanes and ferries, is highly dependent on the weather. In the worst case, you might experience canceled trips due to unfavorable weather conditions. Don’t fret! Your safety should always come first.

What is the weather like in Cebu?

The Philippines has two seasons: rainy (tag-ulan) and summer (tag-init). The rainy season is from June to November, while the summer is from December to May. Nevertheless, the weather in the Philippines can be tricky and could throw a curveball on your travel plans no matter what. It’s important to prepare yourself and be flexible.

For example, when it’s rainy season, it doesn’t mean it’s not sunny and hot anymore. In the same way, when it’s summer season, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t rain.

In Cebu, April is the driest month of the year. May is the warmest month, with an average temperature of 26.8°C or 80.3°F. Meanwhile, January is the coldest, with an average temperature of 25.0°C or 77.0°F.

October is the wettest month in Cebu, so if you want to avoid the rainy season, avoid it. However, rain or drizzles could still occur even in the driest months.

What is the best month to visit Cebu?

The best months to visit Cebu are from December to May. Hot, humid weather in the Philippines usually begins in the latter part of March and ends at the end of May, which means these are the country’s driest and hottest months of the year.

Most websites recommend the months between December and May. I wouldn’t necessarily object. However, I must remind you that December is still pretty rainy and “stormy.” Many of the most destructive typhoons in the Philippines happened in December.

Typhoon aftermath in Malapascua Island, Cebu — The aftermath of Typhoon Odette (Rai) in Malapascua Island. The typhoon struck Central Visayas in December 2021. (Photo by Mario Manlupig / CEBU INSIDER)

January to the first half of March is generally okay. But expect that there would still be rain here and there.

Driest and hottest don’t always mean it’s the best option. Summer days during these months can be unbearably hot for people not used to this scorching climate.

You might think these months are bearable for locals who have lived in the Philippines all their lives. It’s a misconception! It’s honestly a nuisance for many of us.

We navigate through these hottest months by going to the mall, swimming at the nearest pools or beach, or staying indoors where there’s air conditioning or a fan.

What do you wear in Cebu?

Breathable clothes made from materials like cotton, linen, silk, and bamboo are best for hot and humid weather in the Philippines. It’s generally hot in Cebu throughout the year with a mean annual temperature of 27.1°C or 80.78°F, so bring light clothes (tank tops, shorts, T-shirt, etc.).

There are “cold” places in the Philippines, but nothing crazy, especially if you come from places with snow. For example, the coldest city in the Philippines is Baguio in Benguet.

Baguio City’s average annual temperature is 20.6 °C or 69.0 °F. The lowest temperature recorded in Baguio in the summer of 2024 is 12.8 °C. If you come from cold regions, that should be bearable.

Typical Filipino wear — A typical daily Filipino wear in low land areas. And then there’s always that guy who’s clad in a jacket. (Photo by Mario Manlupig / CEBU INSIDER)

How many days is enough in Cebu?

As I mentioned, most tourists spend 3-7 days in Cebu. However, I believe you need at least 10 days to explore the best of Cebu, including Moalboal, Badian, Oslob, and the rest of South Cebu. If you want to explore the depths of Cebu, I recommend spending at least 10 days here to experience all its world-class attractions.

If you are still planning your trip to Cebu, check out our Cebu Itinerary for 7 Days and 6 Nights and explore more itineraries.

Which part of Cebu is the best to stay in?

If you plan to stay longer or are a digital nomad or remote worker needing a reliable internet connection daily, staying in Cebu City is optimal. Popular places to visit in Cebu, such as Moalboal and Oslob, are only 3-4 hours bus ride away.

The best areas to live in the city would be Cebu IT Park, where I’ve been based for three years now, and Cebu Business Park. These well-maintained CBDs have pretty much everything you need, such as fitness gyms, coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, hotels, malls, coworking spaces, and public transportation. Bars are also within reach.

Alternatively, some tourists stay in the downtown area. Fuente Osmeña Circle or Mango Avenue (officially known as General Maxilom Avenue) are good options if you want to be close to Mango, Cebu’s well-known red-light district, and historical sites such as Fort San Pedro and Basilica del Santo Niño.

If you don’t like to stay in the city and would rather live near the most popular attractions, Moalboal is your best option. From there, you can visit Badian (canyoneering) and the rest of South Cebu, where waterfalls are quite common.

Panagsama Beach Moalboal Cebu Philippines — An aerial shot of Panagsama Beach in Moalboal, Cebu

Moalboal is a more developed tourist destination with dozens of options for accommodations, restaurants, coffee shops, and cafés. If you are looking for good nightlife, Moalboal is pretty vibrant, especially on weekends and holidays. It also has that island life vibe you might be looking for.

Bantayan Island and Malapascua Island are great options if you are looking for rest and relaxation away from the city. These islands now have decent internet connections and mobile data signals.

Paradise Beach, Bantayan Island, Cebu — An aerial shot of Paradise Beach in Santa Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu

How to Get to Cebu

There are two ways to get to Cebu: by plane or ferry. Depending on where you come from in the Philippines, your only option might be a plane or ferry.

If you are coming overseas, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) serves various international flights. Find out all the details below!

By Flight

Air travel is the most convenient way to reach Cebu. From Manila and Clark, Pampanga, you can take a one-hour flight on Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, or Air Asia.

If you are coming from other tourist destinations such as Coron, El Nido, Puerto Princesa, Siargao, and Boracay, there are regular hour-long flights, too. Boutique airlines Sunlight Air and AirSwift also have flights to Cebu from select destinations.

Coron to Cebu flight — A propeller plane I took from Coron to Cebu on February 21, 2024. Propeller planes are a very common mode of transportation connecting islands here. (Photo by Mario Manlupig / CEBU INSIDER)

Local Flights to Cebu

All flights to Cebu land at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) in Lapu-Lapu City (still part of Cebu Province). Here are some flights to Cebu and vice versa:

Manila to Cebu (Check flights!)

Clark to Cebu (Check flights!)
El Nido to Cebu (Check flights!)
Coron to Cebu (Check flights!)

Puerto Princesa to Cebu (Check flights!)
San Vicente to Cebu (Check flights!)
Boracay to Cebu (Check flights!)

Siargao to Cebu (Check flights!)
Dumaguete to Cebu (Check flights!)
Camiguin to Cebu (Check flights!)

Davao to Cebu (Check flights!)

More domestic routes are available from different parts of the Philippines to Cebu.

International Flights to Cebu

The international airlines that land at Mactan-Cebu International Airport include Air Busan, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Emirates, EVA Air, Jeju Air, Jin Air, Lucky Air, Scoot, Sichuan Airlines, Silk Air, TigerAir, T’way Air, and XiamenAir. Here’s a list of international flights to Cebu and vice versa:

Busan to Cebu (Check flights!)
Hong Kong to Cebu (Check flights!)
Seoul to Cebu (Check flights!)

Singapore to Cebu (Check flights!)
Tokyo to Cebu (Check flights!)
Shanghai to Cebu (Check flights!)

Taipei to Cebu (Check flights!)

By Ferry

Ferries are cheaper than airplanes, especially if you are traveling to Cebu on short notice. Several ferries go to several different parts of Cebu. Ferries to Cebu City dock at Cebu Pier.

The travel time of ferries depends on how far your destination is. It could be just 30 minutes, 3 hours, 10 hours, or even 2 days and 1 night if you come from Manila.

From Cebu Pier, you need to take a taxi to Cebu North Bus Terminal or Cebu South Bus Terminal, depending on your next destination.

Here’s a list of ferry trips that dock at Cebu Pier in Cebu City:

Manila to Cebu vv (Check trips!)

Bohol to Cebu vv (Check trips!)
Surigao to Cebu vv (Check trips!)
Dumaguete to Cebu vv (Check trips!)

Siquijor to Cebu vv (Check trips!)
Iloilo to Cebu vv (Check trips!)
CDO to Cebu vv (Check trips!)

More ferries travel to Cebu from different parts of the Philippines, especially Visayas and Mindanao.

Getting Around Cebu

Transportation can be daunting for tourists in general. But if you try to learn the basics, you will get used to it.

In Cebu City and neighboring cities, the main modes of transportation are modern jeepneys, traditional jeepneys, taxis, and habal-habal (motorcycle taxis). There are also buses that transport passengers to certain parts of Metro Cebu.

Jeepneys are usually packed, especially during rush hours. If you are not comfortable with it, use the ride-hailing app Grab (an Uber counterpart) or motorcycle taxis (habal-habal) like Move It, Angkas, JoyRide, and Maxim. These services can take you around Cebu’s tri-cities Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Lapu-Lapu City, to as far as Talisay City, Minglanilla, Naga, Consolacion, and Liloan.

If you visit tourist towns in Cebu like Moalboal, Badian, and Oslob, vans and buses are available throughout the day. When visiting islands like Bantayan Island and Camotes Island, you need to take a bus or van and then a ferry. To get to smaller islands like Malapascua Island and Sumilon Island, you need to take a bangka (outrigger boat).

To get around smaller towns and islands, tricycles and habal-habal are the most common mode of transportation. However, you can also rent a scooter for 300-500 PHP (~6-10 USD) per day if you want to explore places at your own pace. There are car rentals and chartered vehicles with drivers to take you around Cebu.

For more information about the different modes of transportation in Cebu, read the article Transportation in Cebu: How to Get Around Cebu!

Cebu’s Top Tourist Destinations to Visit

As the Philippines’ nature adventure capital, Cebu has everything–from stunning islands and white sand beaches to adventure parks and fun outdoor activities. If you are wondering where to go, what to do, and how to get there, here’s a list of the top places to visit in Cebu:

1. Moalboal

Moalboal Cebu Travel Guide — An aerial view of Panagsama Beach’s snorkeling area (left) | A giant sea turtles on Panagsama Beach (top-right) | An aerial view of Basdaku or White Beach (bottom-right)

One of the most popular places to go in Cebu, this small resort town is known for its various diving and snorkeling spots. Some of Moalboal’s underwater wonders include millions of sardines, large green sea turtles, live coral reefs, a mermaid statue, and even giant whale sharks. Moalboal also has a vibrant local nightlife.

For a complete guide, check out this Moalboal Travel Guide!

Things to Do in Moalboal

Swim with millions of sardines and large green sea turtles at Panagsama Beach
Freedive the mermaid statue at Panagsama Beach

Dive or snorkel at Pescador Island
Camp at White Beach
Party on weekends

Check out the Top Things to Do in Moalboal!

Moalboal Tourist Spots

Basdaku or White Beach
Basdiot or Panagsama Beach

Pescador Island
Busay Cave
Mushroom Rock

How to Get to Moalboal from Cebu City

To get to Moalboal from Cebu City, take a Ceres Liner bus or a van for hire (v-hire) at Cebu South Bus Terminal. The fare is 200 PHP (~4 USD) for bus and 220 PHP (~4.5 USD) for v-hire. Travel time is about 3 hours. You can also charter a private vehicle to take you to Moalboal from Cebu City or Mactan Airport.

Read this article on How to Get to Moalboal for a more detailed guide!

Where to Stay in Moalboal

Pawikan Boutique Hotel – Best Midscale Resort in Moalboal (Check room rates!)

Maayong Hostel – Best Hostel in Moalboal (Check room rates!)
Tauig Beach Resort – Best Beach Resort in White Beach, Moalboal (Check room rates!)
Chef Mau Hostel (Check room rates!)

Sambag Hideaway Bungalows (Check room rates!)

Check out more accommodations in Moalboal!

Best Moalboal Resorts

2. Badian

Badian Cebu Travel Guide — An aerial view of Kawasan Falls (left) | Tourists jumping off cliffs during canyoneering activities (top-right) | An aerial shot of Lambug Beach (bottom-right)

Located right next to Moalboal is Badian, which is known for its famous Kawasan Falls and canyoneering activity. Although tourists mostly visit the town for the famous Kawasan Falls and canyoneering, Badian has more wonderful tourist spots you should visit.

If you are looking for a 2-day Moalboal and Badian itinerary, check out our South Cebu Itinerary for 2 Days!

Things to Do in Badian

Go canyoneering from Canlaob River to Kawasan Falls

Zipline at Zip Stream Aerial Adventures
Play golf at Cebu International Gold and Resort
Watch glorious sunsets at Malabago Curvada

Swim at Kansanto Spring
Do various water activities at Eskapo Verde Resort

Badian Tourist Spots

Kawasan Falls

Lambug Beach
Badian Island
Badian Highlands

Dapdap’s Floating Cottages

Check out Badian’s Top Tourist Spots!

How to Get to Badian from Cebu City

To get to Badian from Cebu City, take a Ceres Liner bus at Cebu South Bus Terminal. The fare is 250 PHP (~5 USD). Travel time is about 3 hours and 30 minutes. You can also charter a private vehicle to take you to Badian from Cebu City or Mactan Airport.

Read this article on How to Get to Badian for a detailed guide!

Where to Stay in Badian

Badian Island Wellness Resort – Best Luxury Resort in Badian (Check room rates!)
Soul Travellers Dagatan Castle – Best Hostel in Badian (Check room rates!)

Cuestas Beach Resort and Restaurant – Best Value Resort in Badian (Check room rates!)
Eskapo Verde Resort (Check room rates!)
Banamboo (Check room rates!)

Check out the Best Hotels and Resorts in Badian!

3. Oslob

Oslob Travel Guide — Swimming with giant whale sharks is Oslob’s top attraction (left) | An aerial shot of Sumilon Island (top-right) | The sheer size of Tumalog Falls (bottom-right)

Oslob is located near the southernmost tip of Cebu. This small tourist town is known as the residence of several whale sharks in the province. Tourists would visit Oslob just to get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to swim with these gentle giants. Oslob town is also your jump-off point to Sumilon Island.

Check out this Oslob Itinerary for a more detailed itinerary and budget!

Things to Do in Oslob

Swim with giant whale sharks
Do various activities at Bluewater Sumilon Island
Go scuba diving at Sumilon Island

Check out the Top Things to Do in Oslob!

Oslob Tourist Spots

Tumalog Falls
Tan-awan Cangcuay Beach Resort

Cuartel Ruins
Museo Oslob
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church

Sumilon Island Sandbar
Sumilon Island Lighthouse
Sumilon Island Baluarte

How to Get to Oslob from Cebu City

To get to Oslob from Cebu City, take a Ceres Liner bus bound for Bato via Oslob. Tell the driver/conductor to drop you off at the whale shark activity center or your desired location. The fare is about 300 PHP (~6 USD) for an aircon bus. Travel time is 4 hours. You can also charter a private vehicle to take you to Oslob from Cebu City or Mactan Airport.

Read this article on How to Get to Oslob for more details!

Where to Stay in Oslob

Island Front – Bancogon Resort and Restaurant (Check room rates!)
Melronz Inn (Check room rates!)
RRJ’s Beach Resort (Check room rates!)
Germaroze (Check room rates!)
Sharky Hostel Oslob (Check room rates!)

Check out the Best Resorts in Oslob!

4. Bantayan Island

Bantayan Travel Guide — Snorkeling in Hilantagaan Island (left) | A beautiful sunny day on Kota Beach (top-right) | An aerial shot of Paradise Beach (bottom-right)

Home to beautiful white sand beaches, Bantayan Island provides a peaceful island getaway if that’s what you want. Apart from the beaches, there are so many incredible sights to see and things to do that you can include in your Bantayan Island itinerary. One of my favorites is the island hopping in Virgin Island and Hilantagaan Island.

For a comprehensive guide, check out our Bantayan Island Travel Guide!

Things to Do in Bantayan Island

Island hopping in Virgin Island and Hilantagaan Island
Skydiving
Kite-surfing
Cliff-diving at The Ruins

Check out the Top Things to Do in Bantayan Island!

Bantayan Island Tourist Spots

Kota Beach
Paradise Beach
Balidbid or Baigad Lagoon
Omagieca Mangrove Garden
Ogtong Cave
Sts. Peter and Paul Parish
Kota Park

Check out more of Bantayan Island’s Top Tourist Spots!

How to Get to Bantayan Island from Cebu City

To get to Bantayan Island from Cebu City, take a Ceres Liner bus at Cebu North Bus Terminal bound for Hagnaya Port (Cebu City to Bantayan Island Bus Schedule). Some buses go directly to Santa Fe, Bantayan Island. You can also charter a private vehicle to take you to Hagnaya Port from Cebu City or Mactan Airport.

If you are taking a bus directly to Santa Fe, you still need to get off at Hagnaya Port to pay for your ticket to Bantayan Island yourself (Hagnaya to Bantayan Island Ferry Schedule). Bus fare is 305 PHP (~3 USD) and ferry fare is 350 PHP (~7 USD). Travel time is about 4-5 hours.

Read this article on How to Get to Bantayan Island!

Where to Stay in Bantayan Island

Amihan Beach Cabanas (Check room rates!)
Anika Island Resort (Check room rates!)
The Coral Blue Oriental Beach Villas and Suites (Check room rates!)
Sunrise Beach Club Resort Amanacer (Check room rates!)
SMAK’s Hotel (Check room rates!)

Check out more accommodations in Bantayan island:

5. Malapascua Island

Malapascua Island is a diver’s paradise. It’s known for its world-famous thresher sharks where they appear 365 days a year. For non-divers, Malapascua Island is still worth visiting, especially if you enjoy tranquil white sand beaches.

For a comprehensive guide, check out our Malapascua Island Travel Guide!

Things to Do in Malapascua Island

Scuba diving with thresher sharks
Island hopping
Cliff-diving at Lapus-Lapus Cliff
Dive Gato Island’s underwater tunnel
Party on weekends at Hippocampus Beach Resort

Check out the Top Things to Do in Malapascua Island!

Malapascua Island Tourist Spots

Bounty Beach
Langob Beach or North Beach
Logon Beach
Guimbitayan Beach
Malapascua Island Lighthouse

For more detailed planning, check out our Malapascua Itinerary for 3 Days and 2 Nights!

How to Get to Malapascua Island

To get to Malapascua Island from Cebu City, take a Ceres Liner bus at Cebu North Bus Terminal bound for Maya Port (Cebu City to Maya Port Bus Schedule). The fare is 330 PHP (~6.5 USD). Travel time is 3.5 hours. You can also charter a private vehicle to take you to Moalboal from Cebu City or Mactan Airport.

At Maya Port, proceed to the Tourism Office to pay for the 75 PHP (~1.5 USD) ecological fee. Then go to the entrance of the boat parking to pay for your 200 PHP (~4 USD) boat fee to Malapascua Island (Maya Port to Malapascua Ferry Schedule).

Read this article on How to Go to Malapascua Island for a more detailed guide!

Where to Stay in Malapascua Island

Evolution Dive and Beach Resort (Check room rates!)
Tepanee Beach Resort (Check roo m rates!)
Hippocampus Beach Resort (Check room rates!)
Angelina Beach Resort (Check room rates!)
Crown Malapascua (Check room rates!)

Check out more accommodations in Malapascua Island:

6. Camotes Island

Camotes Island (or Camotes Islands as it should be called) is a group of islands namely Poro, Pacijan, Ponson, and Tulang Diot islet. Camotes is known for its majestic caves with blue natural spring water pools and white sand beaches. It’s also a popular place for dolphin watching, freediving, and cliff-jumping.

For a comprehensive guide, check out our Camotes Travel Guide!

Things to Do in Camotes Island

Cliff-diving at Buho Rock Resort
Scuba diving
Dolphin watching
Enjoy various water activities at Lake Danao

Check out the Top Things to Do in Camotes Island!

Camotes Island Tourist Spots

Bukilat Cave
Paraiso Cave
Heaven Cave
Timubo Cave
Amazing Island Cave
Santiago Bay Beach
Mangodlong Rock Resort Beach
Bakhaw Beach
Heminsulan Beach
Tulang Diot Island

For more detailed planning, check out our Camotes Island Itinerary for 3 Days and 2 Nights!

How to Get to Camotes Islands

To get to Camotes Island from Cebu City, you can take a Ceres Liner bus at Cebu North Bus Terminal (Cebu City to Camotes Bus Schedule). All passengers will be required to get their ferry ticket once at Pier 88 in Liloan (Liloan to Camotes Ferry Schedule). The fare is 130 PHP (~2.5 USD). Travel time is 2 hours.

Alternatively, you can take a Ceres Liner bus at Cebu Nort Bus Terminal and tell the driver/conductor to drop you off Danao Port. The fare is 70 PHP (~1.5 USD). Travel time is 1 hour. You can also charter a private vehicle to take you to Danao Port from Cebu City or Mactan Airport.

At Danao Port, take a ferry to Consuelo Port (Danao to Consuelo Ferry Schedule). The fare is 220 PHP (~4 USD). Travel time is 2 hours.

Read this article on How to Go to Camotes Island!

Where to Stay in Camotes Islands

Homa Resort Hotel (Check room rates!)
Villa Marquez (Check room rates!)
Sunset Vista Seafront Guest House (Check room rates!)
Azure Camotes Resort Hotel (Check room rates!)
RC Hutspot Tourist Inn (Check room rates!)

Check out the Best Hotels in Camotes Island!

7. Cebu City

Cebu City Cebu Travel Guide — Magellan’s Cross (top left), Sirao Garden (top right), Fort San Pedro (bottom left), Temple of Leah (bottom right)

Dubbed “Queen City of the South,” Cebu City is the second most important city in the Philippines. If you plan to stay in the Philippines longer, Cebu City is one of the best places to live if you want access to the beach and nearby destinations such as Bohol, Siqujior, and Dumaguete. While many would choose to miss the city, the city’s rich cultural history makes it worth exploring.

Things to Do in Cebu City

Cebu City cultural heritage tour (Magellan’s Cross, Fort San Pedro, Yap-San Diego Ancestral House, Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Basilica Minore del Santo Niño)
Cebu City mountainside tour (Temple of Leah, Tops Lookout, La Vie in the Sky, Sirao Garden, Buwakan ni Alejandra, Terrazas De Flores Botanical Garden)
Explore Cebu City’s nightlife
Sinulog Festival (every 3rd Sunday of January)

Check out the Best Things to Do in Cebu City!

Cebu City Tourist Spots

Check out Cebu City’s Top Tourist Attractions!

How to Get to Cebu City

To get to Cebu City, you can take a plane or ferry whichever is available or convenient for you. For more information about local and international flights, check out the How to Get to Cebu section above. To get around Cebu City, you can also charter a private vehicle!

Where to Stay in Cebu City

Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino (Check room rates!)
Quest Hotel (Check room rates!)
Marco Polo Plaza Cebu (Check room rates!)
Mad Monkey Cebu City (Check room rates!)
Nomad’s Hub (Check room rates!)

Cebu Itinerary and Budget

Since there are so many things to do in Cebu, it’s best explored in two parts: North Cebu and South Cebu. Here’s a sample Cebu itinerary to give you inspiration:

Day 1: Arrival at Mactan Airport

Day 2-4: Camotes Islands

Day 5-7: Bantayan Island (with Virgin Island)

Day 8-10: Malapascua Island (with Kalanggaman Island)

Day 11-13: Moalboal (with Pescador Island and Badian)

Day 14: Alegria + Malabuyoc

Day 13: Ginatilan + Samboan

Day 14: Oslob (with Sumilon Island)

This trip to Cebu roughly costs 25,000 PHP (~500 USD), including meals, accommodation, transportation, scooter rentals, tour fees, entrance fees, and environmental fees.

For a more detailed schedule of activities and breakdown of expenses, check out our Cebu Itineray for 7 Days and 6 Nights.

If you’re still planning for your ultimate Cebu trip, read our North Cebu Itinerary and South Cebu Itinerary!

Cebu Travel Guide FAQs

If you still have concerns, you might be asking these same questions. Read on to learn more about traveling to Cebu.

1. What are the travel requirements going to Cebu?

As of July 10, 2024, there are no more travel requirements to enter any point of Cebu and the Philippines in general. No more vaccination certificates and COVID-19 tests are required.

2. Is it okay to travel to Cebu now?

Yes, it’s okay to travel to Cebu now like many other tourist destinations in the Philippines. The COVID-19 pandemic is officially over as announced by the World Health Organization. It is definitely okay and safe to travel to Cebu now.

3. Which is better Cebu or Boracay?

Cebu and Boracay each have their own sets of strengths and weaknesses. If you like a crystal-clear white sand beach and crazy island nightlife, Boracay Island is better. If you like dozens of white sand beaches, nightlife, unique fun activities, and access to the city, Cebu is the better option.

4. Is Cebu good for tourists?

Yes, Cebu is good for tourists. It was not named as one of the best islands in the world for nothing. In Cebu, you get access to crystal-clear white sand beaches, picturesque islands and islets, imposing waterfalls, and of course, fun activities like swimming with whale sharks, canyoneering, swimming with millions of sardines and green sea turtles, skydiving, and scuba diving with thresher sharks. Cebu won’t disappoint a wanderlust like you!

5. What is Cebu famous for?

Cebu is famous for a lot of things. It is the oldest city in the Philippines where Christianity started in the country. Cebu is home to Spanish-era churches, forts, and historical structures. Cebu is also famous for its world-class islands, rich marine life, and beautiful white sand beaches.

Your Ultimate Cebu Travel Guide

Cebu is definitely worth exploring if you are visiting the Philippines. There’s no other place in the country where you get a nice balance of luxury, history, nightlife, and nature.

If you are still planning for your trip to Cebu, be sure to check out some useful guides to help you: