Cebu is the island in the central Visayas region of the Philippines which is considered to be a perfect place for underwater enthusiasts. Cebu is the place where you can get up-close to coral reefs, sea turtles, various fish and even whale sharks. The capital city of the island Cebu City is also worth to visit as here you can find various tourist attractions from colonial era.
Cebu Attractions
Santo Niño Basilica
Santo Niño Basilica is a basilica in Cebu City. Founded in the 1565, Santo Niño Basilica is the oldest Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines. The church is built on the spot where the image of the Santo Niño de Cebu was found during the expedition of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.
Magellan's Cross
Magellan's Cross is a cross planted by the order Ferdinand Magellan upon arriving in Cebu in 1521. The cross is housed in a chapel that was built on site next to the Santo Niño Basilica, just in front of Cebu City Hall.
Miguel Lopez de Legazpi Monument
Miguel Lopez de Legazpi was a Spanish navigator and governor who established the first Spanish settlement in Cebu. He made Cebu the capital of the Spanish East Indies in 1565 and then transferred it to Manila 6 years later. Miguel Lopez de Legazpi Monument is standing in Plaza Independencia which is a symbol of independence and freedom and one of the most significant sites in the history of Cebu.
Fort San Pedro
Fort San Pedro is an old fortification in Cebu. The fort was built for military defense purposes by the Spanish under the command of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. Fort San Pedro is located at Plaza Indepedencia. Part of the fort now is a museum displaying various Spanish artifacts like documents, paintings, and sculptures.
Taoist Temple
Taoist Temple is one of the highlights of Cebu. The temple complex, located in the Beverly Hills Subdivision, comprises several pavilions and other structures, various beautiful sculptures and even a replica of the Great Wall of China.
As Taoist Temple is located up the hill, its spacious balcony offers scenic panoramic view of Cebu City and the nearest to it Mactan and Bohol islands.
Kawasan Falls
Kawasan Falls is a group of cascading three-layered eleven waterfalls in the mountains of Badian in Cebu. Located at the secluded canyons along Matutinao River that is believed to have some of the cleanest water in the Philippines, the Kawasan Falls boast clear turquoise blue waters.
Panagsama Beach
Panagsama Beach is a beach in Moalboal, a town in the southwestern part of Cebu Island. Panagsama Beach itself is just a small strip of sand but the area around it is where most of the resorts, restaurants and dive shops are located. If you have a plan to go for diving in Moalboal, staying at Panagsama Beach is the most convenient choice.
Cebu Transportation
Port of Cebu
Port of Cebu is a seaport located in Cebu City. It is the largest domestic port in the Philippines, mostly serving routes in the Visayas and Mindanao.
If your next destination will be Bohol Island that is located nearby, you can take a ferry there from the Port of Cebu. Ferry schedule can be found and tickets can be booked here: Ferry from Cebu to Bohol.
Cebu Buses
Cebu Island is well served by the network of yellow colored buses.
Cebu South Bus Terminal serves passengers who are bound for the Southern part of Cebu Province (Moalboal, Oslob, etc.). For taking a bus to the destinations north of Cebu City, you need to take a bus from Cebu North Bus Terminal.
Cebu Airport
Mactan Cebu International Airport (CEB) is the second busiest airport in the Philippines. The airport serves Cebu and the Central Visayas and receives plenty of daily domestic and international flights so you will never be short of options for getting to Cebu by air.
A number of airlines serve the route Manila - Cebu which is the busiest domestic route in the Philippines.
Cebu Airport also receives international flights from various destinations in Asia:
- Flights from Singapore to Cebu
- Flights from Bangkok to Cebu
- Flights from Hong Kong to Cebu
- Flights from Taipei to Cebu
- Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Cebu
If you will be arriving at Cebu Airport on an international flight, you might need to exchange some money to local currency (PHP). What currency exchange options you have at the airport? Check here: Currency Exchange Rates at Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB).
Domestic Travel
More transportation options for traveling to/from Cebu can be found with the use of this search form.