The Queen city of the South, Cebu has everything to please a tourist; versatile, with plenty of attractions, this is the most favored tourist destination in Philippines.
Lovely beaches with white sand, an interesting history as the origin place of Christianity in Asia, a major port since way back in history; these are all just a few attractions that make tourists flock to Cebu by the thousands. Add to this the fact that Cebu is a metropolitan city with a bustling nightlife and shopping scene and easily accessible by cheap flights from all over the world; it’s no wonder this city is one of the most admired tourist places in Philippines.
Reaching Cebu
Though Manila has the biggest airport in Philippines, most tourists book their flights to Cebu, which, incidentally, has the second biggest airport. This is because Manila can be too crowded and Cebu with its beaches and water sports is more attractive as a place to visit. Since it’s well connected to many major cities all over the world, it’s easy to get cheap flights to Cebu too. Flights to Cebu land at the Mactan Cebu International airport and from there you can reach the city by taxi. However, it’s better to book your hotel when you book your airline tickets and request a free transfer from your hotel as most hotels in Cebu offer this facility.
Cebu for Tourists
With plenty of beaches and fine weather, Cebu is known for its party atmosphere and vibrant nightlife; however, the city also has its share of historical attractions making it attractive to culture lovers. Main places to visit include Magellan’s Cross, Lapu Lapu Monument, Fort San Pedro, Basilica of Santo Nino, Casa Gorordo Museum, the Tops lookout and Santa Rosa Falls. Kids will love the Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary, Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary and the Mactan Island Aquarium. Adults and children can have wild fun at the Sky Adventure in Crown Regency as well as the Jungle Entertainment in Mactan Island.
Once you’re done with the sights, don’t start packing up. Cebu’s a place where the party scene and nightlife just can’t be skipped. When you book your flights to Cebu, make sure you schedule your return after you’ve allocated some time for the dining, drinking and partying experiences in this city. Cebu’s also a great spot for fun activities like scuba diving, snorkeling and bird watching.
When to go
There is no fixed tourist season in Cebu because weather conditions are usually consistent throughout the year with December being the month receiving maximum rainfall. Moreover, since there are fests throughout the year, you could book cheap tickets to Cebu any time during the year provided you book in advance.
Where to stay
When you book your flights, make sure you book your accommodation too because you may not get the room of your choice if there is a fest in Cebu around the time you are visiting. You can select from a wide range of choices for accommodation starting from dormitories with all modern amenities to splendid resorts where you can get pampered.