Cebu Island is a part of Visayas archipelago. Cebu Island in the province Cebu stretches from north to southern 225 km and is surrounded 167 smaller neighbouring islands. Cebu Island has narrow coastlines, limestone plates, coastal plains and rolling hills. The rugged mountain ranges reach 1000m. This is a wonderful place to spend your Philippines vacation.
Cebu City is the capital of Cebu Province. Known as the ‘Queen City of the South, the city of Cebu is the oldest in the Philippines. Cebu City is a commercial, economic and educational hub for the Visayas. Cebu’s rapid growth has made it a global hub in furniture manufacturing, tourism, business-processing services, and heavy industries.
Cebu is known for its white sand beaches and historical sites. It also has a number of churches, museums, and various churches. Cebu Island achieved independence from colonial control in 1946. Historic monuments to its colonial history include Magellan’s Cross (also known as the Magellan’s Cross), Fort San Pedro and Basilica Minore del Santo Nino.
Chocolate Hills is a major tourist attraction in the Philippines. A day trip to Bohol is possible. These cone-shaped karst karsts consist of approximately 1500 grassy limestone hills spread over a 50 square km (20 square mi) area. They turn brown during the dry season. Cebu, the island and city, has a lot to give tourists. Its natural surroundings, its historic, religious and cultural sites and its relaxing beach resorts are just some of what it offers.
Before Your Flight
Here are some things to consider before you leave for Cebu. This will help you to relax and enjoy your vacation without the stress of planning.
Cheap Flights
There are multiple flights available daily from Manila to Cebu. If you’re on a tight budget, it is best to choose budget airlines like Cebu Pacific or AirAsia. Another travel hack for some is to fly from Clark, as flights are cheaper there than in Manila.
The best way to find the best prices on flights to Cebu is to use platforms like Skyscanner. The prices of these airlines can range between Php 2,100 and Php 5,000 for roundtrip flights, but roundtrip flights from Clark are as low at Php 1,200 or Php 3,000.
Weather in Cebu
Cebu has pleasant weather around the year when you will find an average temperature between 22°C to 32°C. You should check the weather and season before you travel to Cebu, as the Philippines is prone to tropical storms and weather depressions.
The best time to visit Cebu is between the months of December and May when the temperature ranges from 28°C to 26°C. During this period, you can travel and explore Cebu in comfort.
Cebu’s Best Places to Visit
Cebu is an ideal location for a relaxing holiday. It has mountains, beaches and waterfalls, as well as other attractions that will make the trip worthwhile. Here are some of Cebu’s best places to see during your vacation:
Fort San Pedro
Fort San Pedro, which dates back to 1738, is one of Cebu’s oldest buildings. It is also the smallest fort within the Philippines. It is believed to be the country’s first Spanish fort. This stone fort is a testament to Cebu’s long history. The fort’s scenic beauty will captivate you. The fort’s three bastions are also home to fourteen cannons.
TOPS
TOPS is both a panoramic mountain view and an event venue, offering a 360-degree panoramic view of Cebu City. This place was opened in 1985 and has been a tourist attraction ever since. This iconic landmark of Cebu displays the unsurpassed beauty of the place during the daylight hours. TOPS is located 2000 feet above sea-level, offering a bird’s eye view of the city.
Kawasan Falls
Kawasan Falls is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Cebu. It offers a serene and tranquil environment for you to relax and enjoy. This waterfall is popular with tourists and offers activities like rafting and diving off cliffs. This multi-tiered, magnificent waterfall is located along the southwest coast. This place is a great combination of adventure and fun, with lush greenery and stunning landscapes. You can choose to walk uphill and get a better view of the second and third tiers.
Taoist Temple
The Taoist temple, a popular landmark on Cebu built in 1972 by the Chinese community, is a well-known landmark. This colourful multi-leveled temple complex is located in the Beverly Hills subdivision. The temple is 110 feet above the sea level. It takes 81 steps to get there. You can also see a facade that mimics China’s Great Wall. You will also find a library, a souvenir store, and a wishing-well while exploring the complex.
Cebu Activities
Cebu offers a wide range of activities to make your trip memorable. Here’s a list of fun things to do during your visit to Cebu:
- Take an adventure tour to Kawasan waterfalls to experience thrills, excitement and adventure in the midst of beautiful rock formations and stunning canyons. You can also spend time in the jungle while swimming and floatin’. You can jump from a height of up to 50 feet into the water below for an adrenaline-pumping experience.
- Oslob offers a unique opportunity to swim with whalesharks under the supervision and guidance of guides. Over the years, the practice of feeding small shrimps to whale sharks has led to many friendly encounters. Snorkel down and you can see this majestic creature swimming gracefully. To ensure your safety, keep a safe distance and do not touch the shark.
- Spend your time at Tops where you can get a 360-degree panoramic view of Cebu City. This secluded spot in the hills offers peace and beautiful scenery far from the city.
- Go on a hike to Osmena peak. It will take you about 2 hours to get there, but from the top you can see the breathtaking sunrise. The area surrounding the peak is also a sight to behold.
- Spend some time at the Taoist Temple where you can learn about Chinese architecture and pray. A wishing well is also present, which is said to grant wishes. Enjoy the scenic beauty of the temple complex. It is believed that 81 chapters from the Taoist scriptures are represented by the 81 stairs to reach the Temple.
- Savour the culinary delights in Cebu such as sutkil (a type of fried rice), lechon (a type of roasted pork), and many others that will give you an authentic taste of this region.
- Explore the Basilica del Santo Nino – the oldest church on Cebu – and admire the amazing painting and architecture of Sto. Nino, the man who was associated with Jesus Christ’s religious image.
