Cebu is a popular destination in the Philippines. It has so much to offer, from beautiful beaches to endless waterfalls. Cebu City, a massive metropolis, has many things to offer. However, the best places to visit in Cebu are the mountains and the coast. In this guide, I will share the Best Cebu Tourist Spots as well as the Best Things to Do in Cebu. In one day, you could swim with whale-sharks, hike up to a viewpoint, and watch the sunset at the beach. Cebu has something for everyone.
AWESOME THINGS ABOUT CEBU
Cebu is so full of things to do that most tourists choose to do just one or two and then move on to another island. This is a BIG MISTAKE because you can spend an entire day in Cebu and have amazing adventures! In this blog I will list all the best things to see and do in Cebu that I have personally experienced. Click on the links in the article to read the individual blog posts that I have written about these top tourist attractions in Cebu.
KAWASAN CANYONEERING
One of Cebu’s most popular tourist attractions is canyoneering. You can descend the canyons to Kawasan falls by Gatorade blue water.
You can book with many tour companies for your Kawasan Fall canyoneering adventure in Cebu. However, these are often big groups and can range in quality as it’s tough to see the ‘reviews’. Booking in advance is best with an online tour that has over 1000 positive reviews. There are two main options I recommend:
Oslob Whale Sharks & Kawasan Falls Canyoneering – This combo-tour is a great way to enjoy a guided tour of the two most popular activities in Cebu.
Canyoneering takes place in the jungle. A helmet and life vest are required. You will be accompanied by a guide as you jump into the water to begin float down the canyon. This takes about 2 hours to float, jump, and climb down to Kawasan Fall.
The biggest jump was only 50ft, but it was optional. The biggest jump required to continue downstream was only a few metres. About half-way through, the float and swim stops and you begin to trek in the jungle. It’s a great experience, and it is safe.
You will finally arrive at Kawasan falls. Here, you can end the experience with an epic jump from the top. You don’t need to jump, you can walk down easily. However, it is tradition to end with a jump. You can now relax and enjoy Kawasan falls.
WHALE SHARK INTERACTION
Oslob, Cebu is a unique place to experience the thrill of swimming with whale-sharks. As you leave Tan-awan shores, the anticipation grows. Local guides take you less that a kilometer away from the shore to where whale sharks gather. The whale sharks come to feed on small shrimps that fishermen give out, which is why they have friendly encounters. Here, the local guides will let you out with your snorkel on while you hold onto the boat.
Once in the water it’s impossible not to be impressed. These huge creatures move with an elegance that is impossible for their size. But remember, respect is paramount – keeping a safe distance is crucial, as is refraining from touching the animals or using flash photography.
INAMBAKAN FALLS
Inambakan Falls has a 100-ft waterfall which plunges into a large pool of blue waters. Surrounded by lush jungle, it is a truly amazing scene. Inambakan Falls is a memorable adventure because of the multi-level trek that leads to different pools and falls. Inambakan Falls takes four hours to reach from Cebu City. When I went, I was in Moalboal. It took me less than one hour to get there on my motorbike.
The main waterfall is about 100ft high and crashes down into a pool of blue water. The limestone cliffs are stunning behind the waterfall. The orange color contrasts so beautifully with the deep blue of the pool.
We swam into the cave behind the waterfall and explored the rocks around the main pool, before jumping into the pool beneath. This is a place where you could spend hours exploring. It’s an adventure all by itself. Inambakan has five levels, so this is only a part of the adventure.
The third level is a great spot. The pool is deep enough to allow cliff jumping. It sits against a backdrop of palm trees. It’s a little piece of paradise in the middle of a jungle. Inambakan Falls, a full-day adventure, is one of my favorite tourist destinations on Cebu.
SUNRISE HIKE TO OSMENA PEAK
From Alegria we organized a motorcycle to take me, a friend and the driver to Osmena. It cost only $10 for each person to return, and the journey took 1.5 hours. It was a very uncomfortable option, but it was a budget one.
You could drive here, but it would cost much more. We had to leave at 4 am to reach the summit before sunrise. The Peak offers panoramic views that span jagged cliffs, the ocean and jagged cliffs. We were told to go at sunrise, and were blown away by the views from the summit after a 20-minute hike.
MAINIT HOT SPRING IN MALABUYOC
Mainit Hot Springs is a 15-minute bus trip away from the small village of Alegria. The cost of the ride is less than $1. You can reach the hot springs after a short trek through the jungle. They are surrounded by lush vegetation and a waterfall. The Hot Springs were steaming. The springs were so hot that we could barely sit in them. They ranged from 38 to 42 degrees Celsius.
KABUTONGAN WATERFALL TREK
Kabutongan Falls is one the most magical adventures in Cebu. The trail follows a narrow stream of blue water up the canyon to reach Kabutongan Waterfall. You will find a cave hidden behind the waterfall, as well as several different cliff jumps!
The trail is short (30 minutes) but some sections require rope (it has been installed). It is possible to hike without a tour guide, but they are vital for protecting natural areas and keeping you safe.
The rock wall that wraps around the waterfall hides it. You can swim down into the pool to get closer. You can even swim directly under the waterfall, on the left. The water inside the cave has a beautiful blue tint and the cave extends about 20 meters. It was one of the highlights of my trek.
CAMBAIS FALLS
Cambais Falls is a beautiful waterhole located in the hills of Alegria. It’s less that an hour away from Moalboal, and there are other great waterfalls in the area to make a day of epic adventure. Cambais offers a variety of waterfalls and cliff jumping options, as well as great swimming spots.
Cambais Falls has two distinct levels. On the first level a large, milky-blue pool is surrounded with ferns and boulders. The waterfall on this level is more of a pour, as it pours over a limestone cliff without extreme force. It drips off the limestone in a series of lines, creating a beautiful scene. There are many things to discover on this level, including a few caves and lots of rocks to jump from.
This first level has a solid cliff-jump. You can jump straight from the waterfall starting at about 7 meters, and then increasing to 10 meters. Landing is a bit tricky as the waterfall isn’t very deep. You need to find the right spot. Check the depth of the water before jumping.
SWIM WITH THE RESIDENT TURTLES
Moalboal is home for hundreds of turtles. I encountered turtles every day when I was swimming and snorkeling near a drop-off. Moalboal, one of Cebu’s most popular tourist destinations, is a result of this.
Turtles are everywhere near Moalboal, but the best place to find them is between Tongo Point at Moalboal and Main Beach. You can also find turtles in other spots around the south of Cebu. However, I have only personally swum alongside them in Moalboal.
HIMBABAWUND FALLS
The Himbabawud Falls in Busay is a stunning series of waterfalls just 40 minutes away from Cebu City. To reach the falls, you must first drive to Lava Mountain River Farm. Then, trek through the river for 45 minutes to reach Himbabawud Falls.
This is a wild waterfall trek on Cebu. You will often be completely surrounded by green as the water of the stream, which you follow all the way to a waterfall, is waded through. This was my favorite and it’s close to Cebu City.
