Dec
28
Cebu Travel Guide
Filed Under Philippines
A trip to Cebu
Once a major haunt for sex tourists but now an important commercial hub, Cebu in the Southern Philippines is bustling with lovely beach resorts and rip-roaring entertainment. Set the heart of the Visayas region, visitors can forget the overpopulated Manila and opt for this new-faced and hipper destination. There are many historic jewels to gasp at, while spine-tingling sports are on offer for the enthusiastic lot. Those not into adrenaline-pumping activities can laze around on the beach amid sweet mango trees, or listen to guitar playing locals to while away the hours in this exotic town.
Flights to Cebu
The only two ways to get to the island of Cebu is to fly or take a ferry. Mactan International Airport operates a number of flights to and from Asian destinations. From here, hotel shuttles can be arranged for a pick-up.
By sea, ferries leave from Manila to Cebu, taking about 22 hours. The services are provided by WG&A Superferry, Sulpicio Lines, and Negros Navigation. You can expect a luxurious trip with restaurants, cafés and full bars. Once on the island, you can explore on foot.
Sightseeing in Cebu
There are countless things to keep you busy in Cebu. Beach bums can spend a full day perfecting their overall tan on the beach, but should make sure they do some sightseeing as well. One of the city’s historical gems is Magellan’s Cross, a beautiful cross planted in 1521 by Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer. Also, don’t forget to check out Fort San Pedro, the oldest fort in the country.
Museum lovers will find an array of museums scattered in the city. Located within Fort San Pedro, the National Museum features the fascinating remains of the San Diego shipwreck and interesting information on the history of the locals. If antique collections of sculptures and paintings are your cup of tea, a visit to Rizal Museum and Library will definitely be worthwhile.
Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
This exotic island oozes aromatic, mouth-watering local dishes. Local cuisine is big on chilli peppers and vinegar, so expect something hellishly hot. Try kinilaw, a Cebuano styled salad with plenty of chilli and special local vinegar made from coconut sap.
Nightlife in Cebu is very lively, but those looking for ladies of the night might be disappointed as the city has been revamped into a sex-free partying hub. Dodgy go-go bars can still be seen on Mango avenue, while jazz and blue fans will find several establishments with live music. The more energetic types will enjoy Arena, a dance club hosting party-goers that move their hips to loud, pumping beats until the early hours.
Fun by day - shopping and activities
Cebu is ideal for the active lot as there is a dizzying array of outdoor activities on offer. The scuba diving is famous here, while spelunking can be done at Cave Busay where you can say hello to bats and observe beautiful stalagmites. Those with adventurous souls can go jungle trekking around the Kawasan Waterfalls or join a group of motorcyclists and tour the city’s countryside.
Shopping isn’t too vibrant but antique lovers will find a plenty of quality goodies in Cebu, while Cebu’s rattan furniture is second-to-none. Maribago is the centre of the island’s guitar-making industry and the best place to pick up a quality hand-crafted, shell-inlaid guitar for your boys back home.
Daytrips
Of course, Cebu’s beaches are also a major complement to its urban highlights, and there are plenty to choose from within easy access of the city as a day trip. Mactan Island is hugely popular, and is actually linked to the city by a bridge. It offers hundreds of beach resorts, underwater fun and watersports. Sun-lovers looking for solitude should head to the lovely beaches of Mahawak, Kawit and Mahayahay, which could grace a postcard on any souvenir rack.
Excellent scuba diving and snorkelling is found north of Cebu in Sagod, with its caves, stunning beaches and great dive sites. Just a bit further north from Sagod is Capitancillo Islet and its amazing 3km coral reef. Gato Islet has lagoons, while Moalboal on the southwestern shore and nearby Badian Island are both world-famous diving destinations.
Hiring a boat to tour the outlying islands is a great way to spend a day on the open sea. Many kinds of boat are available, as well as dozens of different tours. There are also some great hiking options on Cebu Island and neighbouring Negros Island. Mountains peaks such as Montepeller and Osema are very popular on Cebu Island, topping out at around 3,000m.
Must-see attractions
Nature fans and bird watchers won’t want to miss the Olango Wildlife Sanctuary, a preserve for the Philippines’ greatest concentration of migratory birds. Throughout the winter and spring seasons, exotic and rare birds flock here by the thousands as they head south from Siberia’s harsh winter weather.
For a taste of the Spanish colonial era, check out San Pedro Fort, the oldest and smallest fortress in the Philippines. This was the base for the first settlement of Spanish colonists, and features incredibly thick high walls dotted by classic watchtowers. For another side of Cebu’s culture, visit the Taoist temple in Beverly Hills. Have your fortune told or witness an authentic Taoist ceremony on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The National Museum is arguably Cebu’s most relevant museum as it contains the remains of the shipwreck San Diego. It’s a fascinating look into the maritime heritage of the Philippines, and a great complement to the other more culturally oriented museums of the city such as the Rizal Memorial Library.
Best time to go
Temperatures in Cebu don’t vary too much throughout the year, averaging between 26°C and 38°C. The winter season, from October through February, brings the coolest conditions with the mercury dropping as low as 18°C at night. Summer begins in early March and exerts its hot steamy weather until May, when the monsoon rains threaten to bring welcome relief. June to October is quite rainy, though often in the form of dramatic afternoon thunderstorms. December to May is the ideal time for a visit.
Rainy day suggestions
When it rains in Cebu it pours, so head into one of the city’s many interesting museums to learn more about Philippine culture and nature. Julian Jumalon’s Butterfly Sanctuary is full of extraordinary free-range butterflies, with a decent art gallery as well. The Southwestern University Museum and University of San Carlos Museum are great for relics, historical exhibits, and other amazing artefacts documenting Cebu’s rise over the centuries.
Comments
Leave a Reply
-
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
