Cebu Island Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Cebu showing a beach and general coastal views
Discover Spanish-era monuments, relax on pristine beaches, explore scuba-diving sites and hike to mountain peaks when vacationing on this magical Filipino island.

Visit Cebu Island, a stunning island destination that has a wide range of adventure, natural and historical attractions. Explore a city filled with colonial landmarks, soak up the sun at glorious beach resorts, spot multicolored aquatic creatures and travel around picture-perfect islands. Cebu Island sits at the heart of the Philippines’ Visayas region. It consists of the main island plus over 150 islands and islets.

Energetic Cebu City is the island capital, its major transport hub and the oldest Spanish settlement in the Philippines. Spend time visiting historic sites such as Magellan’s Cross, the 16th-century Minor Basilica of the Holy Child (Basilica Minore del Santo Niño) and Fort San Pedro. Learn about island history at the Museo Sugbo and enjoy thrilling pursuits, including a 38-story high roller coaster, at the Sky Experience Adventure. Shop for everything from fresh fish to handicrafts at the Carbon Market.

Sit beneath a palm tree, soak up the sun and try various watersports at the beaches that pepper the island’s coastline. Badian, Moalboal and Oslob, the gateway for whale shark swimming tours, are all worth visiting. Just a short drive from Cebu City is Mactan Island. Find upscale all-inclusive resorts and boundless opportunities for diving, jet-skiing, parasailing and windsurfing activities.

Join an island-hopping trip, visit more blissful beach resorts and uncover unbeatable dive spots. Off the island’s northern tip are the unspoiled yet tourist-friendly Bantayan Island and Malapascua Island. Hop between the four islands of the Camotes Islands, often called the Lost Horizon due to their unblemished natural beauty. Visit indigenous homes and sample coconut wine on Olango Island.

For further adventure, hike to the summit of Osmeña Peak and be rewarded with panoramic views. Go canyoneering in the Matutinao Valley and cliff-jumping in Medellin. Marvel at stalagmites, stalactites and curious rock formations at Binuthan Cave and Igotan Cave, among other caves.

Reach Cebu Island by flying to Mactan-Cebu International Airport from major Asian cities. Get around via buses, taxis and ferries, which depart regularly from Cebu City. Stay overnight at all-inclusive resorts, guesthouses and luxury hotels suitable for all budgets.

Where to stay in Cebu Island

Cebu City featuring a statue or sculpture

Downtown Cebu

3.5/5(5 area reviews)

Downtown Cebu is noteworthy for its churches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and Magellan's Cross.

Downtown Cebu
Philippines Taoist Temple which includes religious aspects and a temple or place of worship

Lahug

4/5(17 area reviews)

Lahug is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Cebu Taoist Temple and Waterfront Cebu City Casino while you're in town.

Lahug
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Punta Engaño

3/5(4 area reviews)

Though Punta Engaño may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Magellan Monument and Jpark Island Waterpark.

Punta Engaño
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North Reclamation Area

4/5(8 area reviews)

While visiting North Reclamation Area, you might make a stop by sights like SM City Cebu and Pier 4 Cebu Port.

North Reclamation Area
Carmelite Monastery featuring a statue or sculpture

Mabolo

2.5/5(3 area reviews)

While there might not be top attractions in Mabolo, you can explore the larger area and discover places like SM City Cebu and Ayala Center.

Mabolo
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Basdiot

5/5(1 area review)

While visiting Basdiot, you might make a stop by sights like Panagsama Beach and Naomi's Bottle Museum.

Basdiot
Quest Hotel & Conference Center
Quest Hotel & Conference Center
3 out of 5
Archbishop Reyes Avenue, Cebu, Cebu
The price is Rp826.368 per night from 1 Jun to 2 Jun
Rp826.368
per night
1 Jun - 2 Jun
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Cebu. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
"Nice hotel"

Reviewed on 19 May 2024

Quest Hotel & Conference Center
Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu
Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu
5 out of 5
Punta Engano Road, Lapu-Lapu, Cebu
The price is Rp4.417.244 per night from 23 May to 24 May
Rp4.417.244
per night
23 May - 24 May
Stay at this beach resort in Lapu-Lapu. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,007 reviews)
Excellence!
"It was a perfect vacation for me and my sisters..the place is so relaxing, breathtaking views and in tuned with nature. Food is great. Service is excellent. We were pampered. Kudos to Team Eloisa of Acqua, Team Lisa of the main lobby lounge and Housekeeping Sir Juvy!"

Reviewed on 10 May 2024

Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu
Plantation Bay Resort and Spa
Plantation Bay Resort and Spa
5 out of 5
Marigondon, Mactan Island, Lapu-Lapu, Cebu
The price is Rp2.622.948 per night from 30 May to 31 May
Rp2.622.948
per night
30 May - 31 May
Stay at this beach resort in Lapu-Lapu. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 4 outdoor pools. Popular attractions SM City Cebu and Magellan's Cross are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
"Orbitz Customer Service has been very helpful all the time. I encountered problems during my stay but Orbitz never failed me. They are very accomodating and is always willing to resolve the issue"

Reviewed on 16 Apr 2024

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
88th Avenue
88th Avenue
3.5 out of 5
Gov. M. Cuenco Ave, Cebu, Central Visayas
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Cebu. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour fitness centre. Popular attractions SM City Cebu and Waterfront Cebu City ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (57 reviews)
"Very nice and convenient"

Reviewed on 19 May 2024

88th Avenue
Citadines Cebu City
Citadines Cebu City
4 out of 5
Baseline Center Juana Osmena Street, Cebu
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Cebu. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness centre and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (288 reviews)
"Everything is good"

Reviewed on 16 May 2024

Citadines Cebu City
Hayat Skytower
Hayat Skytower
5 out of 5
Cebu Veterans Dr, Cebu, Central Visayas
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Cebu. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions SM City Cebu and Waterfront Cebu City Casino ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (11 reviews)
First time stay
"This is a new hotel. The staff is very pleasant. The food here is outstanding. Bar services are also very good. Very affordable. Located in the hills overlooking the city."

Reviewed on 3 May 2024

Hayat Skytower
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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