Guide to Cebu
Cebu virtual tour
Cebu Island attracts diving enthusiasts and those who want to swim with whale sharks. In addition, here you can master such water sports as wakeboarding and wakesurfing.
The most famous beaches are not in Cebu, but in the satellite islands. Malapascua Island is among the best resorts in the world, and Puo Island beckons tourists with its unspoiled beauty. Those with a modest budget choose Bantayan Island, which is famous for its beaches with fine white sand, clean water, and affordable hotels.
Researching the ratings of attractions in Cebu, you will see that many of them are associated with the name of the navigator Magellan. He was the first European to set foot on these lands and was killed here by a Lapu-Lapu chief who did not want to lose control of the island. Cebu has Magellan's tomb, Magellan's cross, and sculptures of both participants in the fatal battle. St. Augustine Church houses the country's oldest Christian relic, an icon given by Magellan to Cebu's Queen Juana. Those who are fond of history and architecture will be interested in visiting Fort San Pedro, built by the Spanish. It is considered to be the oldest and smallest fortress in the Philippines that has survived to this day.
Photos of Cebu
Interesting places in Cebu
Many of the sights in Cebu are in one way or another associated with Magellan's name. It's not surprising, because he was the first European to set foot on the island and died here. A self-guided tour of Cebu City is best done on your own with a route in mind. As for booking an excursion to one of the neighboring islands, you should contact a travel agency. Fans of shopping and Cebu City nightlife fans will find most of the shopping centers, malls, discos, and clubs concentrated here.
Flight ticket prices
Traveling to Cebu from Europe requires one or two layovers, typically in Doha, Dubai, Istanbul, or Singapore. There are no direct flights, but convenient connections are offered by Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Scoot, Philippine Airlines, and Singapore Airlines. Flights arrive at Cebu-Mactan International Airport.
Ticket prices vary depending on the season and departure city. From Warsaw, fares start at €610, from Frankfurt — €640, from Prague — €620, from Paris — €665, from Bucharest — €650, from Rome — €670, and from Cluj — €625. Prices can increase during high season, so booking in advance is recommended.
The best hotels in Cebu
If you're planning to stay in a budget guesthouse and your travel dates don't coincide with national holidays and festivals, you don't have to book in advance. Many of these places are not listed online, and you can always negotiate a better price on the spot. Minimum nightly rate: 8.5 USD per bed or 15 USD for a private room for two people. A standard double room in a 4* hotel (e.g. Cebu City Marriott) will cost from 50 USD per night.
.Travel budget
Food, excursions and
entertainment on the island of Cebu are available to tourists with any
budget, but
the flight will be quite expensive. To reduce
expenses, try to buy tickets as early as possible. It is also useful to subscribe
to the newsletter of the airline you are interested in to stay up-to-date
with favorable offers.
Inexpensive accommodation should be looked for upon arrival, since not all hostels and
guesthouses are presented on the Internet. But a room in one of the best hotels in Cebu is worth
booking in advance.
| The budget for a trip to Cebu | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | from 2000 USD | Accomodation | from 15 USD per day |
| Average check in a restaurant | 500 PHP (about 10 USD) | Transportation fare | from 8 PHP (about 0.17 USD) |
| Excursion | 1500 PHP (about 30 USD) | ||
| Total: About 2535 USD for a week for two people, including two meals a day and at least one excursion per day. | |||
Cebu: tips for tourists
Visa to Cebu
Citizens of EU countries, Canada, and the UK are granted a visa-free regime for up to 30 days. A return ticket or a ticket to another country is required.
Cebu Airport
The Cebu Airport is located on the island of Mactan, in the city of Lapu-Lapu. It is the second largest airport in the country and receives domestic and international flights. Please note that there is a service fee of PHP 550 per person before passing through security.
Airport transfers to Cebu
It is possible to get to Cebu without a transfer by cab, but there are often traffic jams on the bridge where the cars travel. The trip will cost around PHP 200. A second option is to take a shuttle bus to the pier (8 PHP) and then take the 15 PHP ferry to Cebu.
Transportation in Cebu
There is a bus service on Cebu Island. Ticket prices vary depending on the route, and a ride within the city limits will cost you 8-10 PHP. You can take a ferry to one of the neighboring islands for around 15 PHP. Cab services are also available in Cebu.
Car rental in Cebu
You can rent a car at the airport or at one of the three rental locations in Cebu City. The average cost is PHP 1110 (about 25 USD) per day, and a deposit will be temporarily blocked on your bank card depending on the model of car.
Safety in Cebu
Theft is common in Cebu, so keep valuables, documents and large sums of money in the hotel safe. If you decide to go scuba diving or other extreme sports, listen carefully to the instructors and follow their recommendations.