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Travel guide
Cebu
4 days · 8 things to do
Best time to go: January to May (dry season)
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Welcome
Cebu, in a few days
The oldest city in the Philippines, founded in 1565, on an island 200 kilometres long where you can swim among millions of sardines one morning and watch thresher sharks the next. In between: turquoise canyoning and some of the country's most famous roast suckling pig.
- Day by day
- D1 Day 1 2 things
- D2 Day 2 2 things
- D3 Day 3 2 things
- D4 Day 4 2 things
- Worth sorting before you go
- Words that help
- The practical page
- Packing checklist
The trip
Day by day
Map of the sights (numbers follow the suggested order). It prints with the base map.
D1
Day 1
2 things to do · at your own pace
- Morning · Basilica of the Santo Niño free · about 45 minFounded in 1565 where Legazpi's soldiers found the Santo Niño statue given by Magellan in 1521; the coral-stone church is 18th century.
- Afternoon · Magellan's Cross free · a few minutesAn octagonal kiosk of 1834 sheltering a tindalo wood casing around the remains of the cross planted in 1521 for Rajah Humabon's baptism.
🛏️ Where to sleep · Golden Prince Hotel & Suites€45 a night
D2
Day 2
2 things to do · at your own pace
- Morning · Fort San Pedro · about 45 minA small triangular bastion fort begun in wood by Legazpi in 1565 and rebuilt in stone in the 18th century, two sides facing the sea.
- Afternoon · The Moalboal sardine run · about 2 hThree hours south-west, millions of sardines school year-round just off Panagsama in shallow water, close enough to swim among with a mask.
🛏️ Where to sleep · Quest Hotel Cebu€55 a night
D3
Day 3
2 things to do · at your own pace
- Morning · Canyoneering to Kawasan Falls · half a dayThree to four hours down the Kanlaob river canyon at Badian, jumping, sliding and swimming, ending at the turquoise pools of Kawasan Falls.
- Afternoon · Osmeña Peak · about 2 hThe island's highest point at 1,013 metres, above Dalaguete: a narrow ridge surrounded by dozens of sharp, conical karst hills.
🛏️ Where to sleep · Harolds Evotel Cebu€50 a night
D4
Day 4
2 things to do · at your own pace
- Morning · Whale sharks at Oslob · about 1 hAt Tan-awan, fishermen have fed whale sharks with shrimp every morning since 2011; visitors watch from boats and snorkel for a timed half hour.
- Afternoon · Thresher sharks at Malapascua · half a dayOff this small island at Cebu's northern tip, thresher sharks rise from deep water most mornings to Monad Shoal to be cleaned by wrasse.
🛏️ Where to sleep · Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino€70 a night
Before you go
Worth sorting before you go
📶 eSIM data
Online the moment you land, no roaming bill.
Get one · Holafly
Online the moment you land, no roaming bill.
Get one · Holafly
🛡️ Travel insurance
Health, luggage, cancellation.
Cover it · Ekta
Health, luggage, cancellation.
Cover it · Ekta
💳 Fee-free card
Pay at the real rate, with no exchange markup.
Open one · Revolut
Pay at the real rate, with no exchange markup.
Open one · Revolut
🚐 Airport transfer
A private car at a fixed price from the moment you land.
Book it · GetTransfer
A private car at a fixed price from the moment you land.
Book it · GetTransfer
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Good to know
Flavours & local habits
🍽️ Worth tasting
- Adobo: meat braised in vinegar, soy and garlic, the dish every family claims to make best.
- Lechon: whole roast suckling pig, the centrepiece of any celebration.
- Sinigang: a sour soup made with tamarind, with pork, prawns or fish.
- Halo-halo: shaved ice layered with beans, fruit, jelly, ube and evaporated milk.
- Calamansi: a small local citrus squeezed over almost everything, and into juice.
⚠️ Best avoided
- Check the typhoon forecast before booking between June and November.
- Take ferries and bangkas run by established operators, and make sure there are life jackets on board.
- Drink bottled water only, and cover up on the boat: the sun at sea burns fast.
- Agree the fare for tricycles and boats before you set off.
Getting by
Words that help
English ↔ Tagalog
| English | Tagalog |
|---|---|
| Hello | Kumusta |
| Thank you | Salamat |
| Please | Pakiusap |
| Yes | Oo |
| No | Hindi |
| Excuse me | Pasensya na |
| Goodbye | Paalam |
| Do you speak English? | Marunong ka ba mag-Ingles? |
| I don't understand | Hindi ko maintindihan |
| How much is it? | Magkano ito? |
| Where are the toilets? | Nasaan ang banyo? |
| The bill, please | Yung bill, pakiusap |
| Help! | Saklolo! |
| Cheers! | Tagay! |
The essentials
The practical page
CurrencyPhilippine peso (PHP)
BudgetAbout €60 a day, mid-range
Best seasonJanuary to May (dry season)
PlugA/B/C · 220V
Tap waterBottled only
TippingAppreciated, around 10%
Emergency911
EntryVisa-free for 30 days with a passport valid six months beyond arrival, for EU, UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens, with proof of onward travel. Everyone must also register online on eTravel within the 72 hours before arrival.
HealthHepatitis A and typhoid are recommended. Malaria is present in some rural areas, including parts of Palawan, so ask about prophylaxis for your route. Dengue occurs across the country: use repellent.
Scan to open this guide online, always up to date.
https://offwegooo.com/en/guides/cebu
Don't forget
Packing checklist
Have a good trip.
Guide made on offwegooo.com · Photos via Pexels · Details are indicative, check before you leave.