On the island of Cebu there are several beaches that are perfect for photo shoots, swimming, passive relaxation, and a picnic. There are no equipped beaches in the city of Cebu itself: those who decide to stay on this island for a couple of days to splash around in the clear sea water are better off choosing Mactan Island. There are city and paid beaches, but in the first case, finding a place in the sun will be problematic: the free beaches are crowded with locals.
The most popular among travelers are the following beaches of Cebu island(within Mactan Island):
- Maribago Blue Water. Entrance here is paid (from 2000 pesos/person). The indicated price includes lunch and dinner in one of the hotel restaurants. By the way, there are only 3 restaurants here. The beach itself is not very large: there is practically no sea here. The sand on the beach is fine, clean, without shells and stones. Umbrellas, sun loungers, and towels are available to visitors. If desired, you can use the swimming pool or order a massage at the SPA salon. On weekdays, Maribago Blue Water operates until 17.00, on weekends - until 21.00.
- BeachImperial Palace Resort and Spa. Thanks to the presence of a water park, a children's room, and equipped playgrounds, this place is perfect for a family vacation. The beach on site is small but clean, equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas. Those who want to combine swimming in the sea with a visit to the water park must purchase a subscription (from 3,500 pesos/person). The downside of the hotel is its location: the road to the center of the island takes about 30 minutes.
- BeachPlantation Bay Resort and Spa. The beach is located on the territory of one of the most luxurious hotels in the country of 7000 islands. The beach area is small but picturesque, with clear water. Tides are rare here, and the descent into the water is gentle. Those who want to go diving/snorkeling do not have to rent a boat: the interesting underwater world is located directly next to the beach. The price for entry to the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa beach is from 2000 pesos/person. This also includes a light lunch with non-alcoholic drinks at one of the local restaurants. Tourists who plan to organize a beach holiday here are better off taking light snacks with them: food prices in hotel restaurants and shops are very high.
Those who are interested in uncrowded beaches of Cebu island, can visit the following places:
- Lambug Public Beach(Badian Island). From Cebu City you can get here by regular bus: the journey will take about 3 hours. There is no need to pay for entry. Lambug Public Beach is not a tourist place: the sand here is clean and the water is clear. There is a hotel on the beach where you can book a room with TV and air conditioning. Many tourists camp here for a couple of days. In this case, it is better to take food with you: there is no food market nearby, and prices in stores are high.
- Basdaku Beach(Moalboal). The bus ride from Cebu takes about 2 hours. To reduce the time for further transportation, you can rent a bicycle/motorcycle. Entrance to the beach is paid (5 pesos). For parking a vehicle, you are charged 20 pesos (motorcycle) or 50 pesos (car). The coastal zone is a mix of sand and corals. On weekends, Basdaku Beach is crowded: people come here to swim in the cool water, play volleyball, and go snorkeling. If desired, vacationers can rent a room in one of the hotels, or stay in a tent.
- Tingko Beach(Alcoy). A cozy beach with golden-white sand, warm water, and picturesque views of the nearby islands. Tourists often stop by this beach on their way to Oslob. For those looking for privacy, it is better to visit this place on weekdays: on weekends there are always a lot of vacationers on the beach who like to organize noisy karaoke in the evening. On the beach you are allowed to fry fish/meat over a fire. It is better to bring the necessary ingredients with you: on Tingko Beach there are shops with food and souvenirs, but the prices here are much higher than in the food markets of Cebu. If you want to stay overnight, you can rent a hut (from 300 pesos). Such simple housing will not be able to protect against theft: it is better not to leave things here.
A separate point should be made beaches of Cebu island, which are located in Malapascua. But there are two features here:
- The road from Cebu to Malapascua is long and takes more than 4 hours. This picturesque island is located in the northern part of Cebu: the Cebu-Maya bus departs from the northern bus terminal every day at 6 am. Afterwards you should transfer to the boat. Local barkers often persuade tourists to use a private boat, but it is better to ignore such tricks: public transport runs almost every 30 minutes.
- Hotel prices in Malapascua are quite high. For example, a room with a fan and hot water will cost from 2000 pesos/night. Prices for more attractive housing start at 4.5 thousand pesos/night. However, this does not stop travelers: the snow-white beaches of Malapascua are crowded almost every year. One of the most famous places for passive recreation is Bounty Beach: here you can play volleyball, have a photo shoot, order snorkeling, and swim in warm sea water. There are also deserted beaches in Malapascua: you can find out about their location from local residents.
Cebu is one of the key resorts in the Philippines, where comfort, relaxation on heavenly beaches against the backdrop of palm trees and golden sand, and a rich excursion are combined. On the island, tourists will find secluded lagoons with clear water, modern hotels with a full range of services, magnificent colonial architecture from the times of Spanish rule and picturesque natural beauty.
Cebu is considered a real paradise not only for lovers of quality beach holidays and exotic views, but also for divers - coral reefs with rich marine flora and the ruins of sunken ships attract underwater divers from all over the world. Even if you dive with a mask, in the azure water you can see amazing inhabitants of the depths of the most unusual shapes and colors.
How to get to Cebu
There is no direct connection between Russia and the island; you will have to fly with a rather long layover in Dubai, Singapore, Doha, Beijing, Abu Dhabi or Novosibirsk. The shortest flight duration, including connections, is offered by Singapore Airlines - 16 hours one way; with Emirates Airlines you can get there in 18.5 hours.
The best option is to fly to Manila and from there on local flights to Cebu-Mactan. Transportation is provided by Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines. Travel time is from 50 minutes to 1.5 hours. The average price for a flight on the Manila - Cebu-Mactan route is 2065-7800 PHP. Prices on the page are for October 2018.
Tourists traveling to the resorts of the islands of Mactan, Bohol and Leyte also arrive at the Cebu-Mactan air hub.
Search for flights to Manila (closest airport to Cebu)
On a ferryboat
You can also travel from the capital of the Philippines to the island in about 20 hours by ferry, which departs once a day. The service is provided by 2GO Travel office. website in English Ferry fee starts from 780 PHP.
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Airport
About 40 km from the capital Cebu City, Cebu-Mactan International Airport is located on Mactan Island. They offer to get to the city for 220-270 PHP by taxi - this is the most convenient and fastest option. The bus will cost much less, but you will have to change to internal transport to get to the hotel, since it arrives at the SM Seaside City Cebu shopping center, bypassing the center. The average cost of renting a car at the airport is from 3380 PHP per day.
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Districts of Cebu
The island stretches for 225 km from north to south, its width does not exceed 60 km. The territory of Cebu is crossed by low mountain ranges, gradually descending to the ocean. Most settlements are concentrated on the coastline.
The main resort area is Cebu City and the surrounding area. There are numerous hotels in the city itself and within a radius of no more than 5 km, architectural landmarks in Downtown, and modern shopping malls and offices in Uptown. For a more secluded holiday, you should prefer the areas of the city. Badiana and Alcantara, located on the western side of the island, or go north of Cebu City to Borbon.
In the central part of Cebu there is the Central Cebu Protected Landscape (national park), where you can look at the picturesque tropical landscapes and get acquainted with the flora and fauna of the region.
Transport
Public transport in Cebu is represented by city jeepney buses with a capacity of up to 25 people, tuk-tuks for 3-4 people and taxis. Intercity communication is quite well developed, mostly transport runs along the coast, picking up passengers at stops and highways. Some travelers rent a motorbike, although this service is not as widespread here as in other regions of Southeast Asia.
The cost of a taxi ride in Cebu City is from 100-150 PHP. Prices can be fixed for the entire route or by meter.
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Cebu has an excellent ferry service - you can reach any of the Philippine islands by sea (all ships depart from the piers of Cebu City). The routes are operated by OceanJet (office site in English), Weesam Express (office site in English), Supercat (office site in English).
Cebu Hotels
In Cebu City, it is better to stay closer to Downtown so that attractions and ferry crossings are within walking distance. In Moalboal, Alcantara, Badian and Mactan Island, it is preferable to choose a hotel closer to the coast and beaches.
The Philippines has very affordable hotel prices. In a city four-star hotel with a swimming pool and spacious rooms, a night will cost 3000-5000 PHP for two, a 2-3* hotel or apartment will cost from 1500 PHP, for a “five-star” you will have to pay from 5500-7000 PHP. Guesthouses cost 500 PHP per night. Often the price tag does not depend on proximity to the ocean - for example, in Moalboal, right next to the White Beach, they offer rooms for 1500-2000 PHP.
Beaches of Cebu
The best swimming areas are grouped in the southern and western parts of the island. There is no beach in Cebu City itself (only a port), so travelers staying here go to the nearest island of Mactan, where the most popular beaches include Blue Water Maribago (entrance fee - from 1500 to 2100 PHP) and Imperial Palace Resort and Spa ( with a water park, entrance fee - 3500 PHP), located at the hotels. The price includes lunch or dinner, towels, sun loungers and umbrellas. The swimming areas are well equipped, and tourists are offered water activities: boating and jet skiing.
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For a more relaxing and budget-friendly holiday, you should go to Alcoy on Tingko Beach or to Moalboal on White Beach and Panangsama Beach - there are few tourists here, there are many eateries for locals, where they cook grilled fish and Filipino dishes. In some places there are sun loungers for rent for a reasonable amount, but you’ll have to entertain yourself on your own, and it’s not very convenient to relax with children, since they won’t have anything to do other than build sand pies. The infrastructure is also lame: there are not changing rooms everywhere, and in most cases there are toilets only in cafes.
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It is believed that the small islands located around Cebu are ideal places for swimming that fit the definition of “bounty”: white sand, clear blue water and slender rows of palm trees. The beaches on Malapasca, Bantayan and Badian meet these criteria.
It is necessary to take into account that all beaches in tourist areas at hotels are paid, on public beaches there are many Filipinos on weekends, and in remote towns you cannot find a full-fledged infrastructure.
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Diving in Cebu
In the waters surrounding the island of Cebu, an almost complete range of tropical marine life frolics: from the ubiquitous motley riffraff to exclusive specimens, so diving here is quite developed.
The Moalboal resort (literally “boiling stream”) is located on the southwest coast of the island, a three-hour drive from Cebu City. From the local Panagsama beach, boats depart daily for daily diving and tourists depart every minute for snorkeling. Popular dive sites: Pescador Island 2 km from the coast, Cape Copton, Saavedra, Bas Diot, Cape Tongo and Badian Island.
On the southern side of Cebu, the site of Capitancillo Island is interesting - the rounded wall is covered with beautiful corals and gorgonians, there are manta rays, tuna and groupers.
Other sites: Quatro Island, which is famous for its caves and walls with corals (up to 150 m), the sunken island with the Kimod reef with sharks, manta rays and rays, as well as Gato Island, where many people scurry in the tunnel below it between November and May sharks and sea snakes.
Shops and souvenirs
Among the major shopping centers in Cebu, Ayala Center Cebu on the street should be highlighted. Cardinal Rosales Ave and Robinsons Galleria Cebu on st. Sergio Osmena Blvd. next to Pier No. 4, where you can buy anything - from branded clothing and famous Philippine pearls to standard souvenirs. But for authentic things - terracotta dishes, hand-made fabric or original jewelry made from shells, it is better to go to special places - small shops or markets, for example, Carbon Market. Paintings made from scrap materials: sand, wood, leather, stones, straw, as well as original furniture made of rattan and bamboo are widely popular among tourists.
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Cuisine and restaurants of Cebu
Cebu has an incredible number of restaurants and eateries offering Filipino and Pan-Asian cuisine. Almost all establishments offer visitors a wide selection of seafood dishes.
In Philippine cuisine, meat, poultry and fish dishes play a key role. The highlight of the region is desserts made from tropical fruits: “halo-halo”, “puto”, “ginataan”, “macapuno”. If we discard stereotypes, then durian sweets will seem like a good delicacy.
In an expensive hotel restaurant, dinner or lunch with alcohol for one person will cost from 950 to 4500 PHP (depending on the exoticism of the dishes). In a city cafe, a full meal will cost 400-1000 PHP; in fast food chain restaurants, prices fall within the range of 100-400 PHP. The street food culture is very well developed - the markets offer quite impressive portions of the most incredible dishes for less than 180 PHP.
Guides to Cebu
Entertainment and attractions in Cebu
Interesting places - natural and man-made - are scattered throughout the island: for tropical beauty you should go deep into Cebu and to little-visited areas of the coast, for architecture - in the cities.
Cebu City
Of the noteworthy attractions, the main Cathedral of Santo Niño, where the image of the baby Jesus brought by Magellan, is kept. The building was built in the 18th century in a mixture of Moorish, neo-Romanesque and classical styles. Nearby in the chapel there is a Magellan cross (the navigator brought it to the islands as a symbol of Christianity).
It will be interesting to look at the Taositic temple built by the Chinese in 1972 in the prestigious Beverly Hills area of Cebu. Like a bright flower, it stands out with its pagoda roofs, eye-catching color contrasts and artful landscaping.
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Island
Not far from the town of Moalboal there is one of the main natural attractions of the island - Kawasan Falls, where a road leads through gorges covered with lush vegetation. The path to the cascades turns into a real adventure, especially if you wade through two-meter ferns and overcome bridges hanging over the abyss.
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The Talima Marine Sanctuary off Olango Island is a real underwater kingdom of exotic fish and corals, among which lie the remains of a sunken ship. For the sake of such a spectacle, it’s even worth learning the basics of diving.
For lovers of eco-tourism and extreme sports, there is a direct route to the Central Cebu Protected Landscape Nature Reserve, where visitors will find the Danasan Eco amusement park, offering walking and horseback riding, trekking, ATV rides, sport climbing, bungee jumping and wakeboarding.
Mactan
On the island of Mactan there are two interesting antagonistic monuments: monuments to Ferdinand Magellan and his killer, Chief Lapu-Lapu, as well as the tomb of the famous discoverer of the Philippine archipelago.
The best time to visit Cebu is from January to May, when there is the least rainfall and the sun shines almost every day. The rainy season begins in June and ends in December - during this period it is not very comfortable to be on the island due to 100% humidity and constant downpours.
Cebu is a great place for those who come here for a beach holiday. Here you can swim with sharks, go diving, and just lie on one of the sandy beaches.
Bantayan Island
Bantayan Island is located north of Cebu Island. With an area of almost 100 square meters, this island is considered one of the best in the world thanks to its crystal clear waters and white beaches.
In Bantayan you will also find one of the oldest Philippine churches, built more than 400 years ago during the Spanish colonization. In addition, seafood lovers will find a wide variety of dishes at relatively low prices in Bantayan.
Among the thousands of Philippine islands, Malapascua is one of the most visited places by divers thanks to its unique inhabitants - fox sharks. The island is very small, with a simple and clear infrastructure, which is still under development. If you want to escape civilization and immerse yourself in the nirvana of beautiful nature, this is the place for you. There are no cars or ATMs here. Only beautiful beaches, clear sea and starry skies. 
It is said that if Spanish conquerors had arrived on this island in modern times, they would have found Camotes exactly the same as they were 350 years ago. This says a lot. Here you will find not only beautiful beaches, but also green forests and the azure water of the ocean that gently washes this paradise. 
Camotes is made up of four separate islands: Pacjian, Ponson, Poro and Tulang. Visit each of them and choose your favorite!
Maolboal
Just two to three hours away from Cebu there is a place called Maolboal. The main tourist activity of this peninsula is diving. Here, swimmers will find a stunning reef with a variety of marine life. And for the lazy, there is a long sandy beach. 
Star anise
One hundred kilometers south of Cebu City there is the stunningly beautiful island of Badian. It boasts some of the best beaches in the central Philippines. Badian Beach, with its white sand and lush green backdrop, stretches for miles, making it an ideal destination for both diving enthusiasts and those who simply enjoy sunbathing on the beach. 
Oslob
Within the municipality of Oslob in the province of Cebu lies the charming island of Sumilon. This island is a great place for those who have already swam, seen enough of Kawasan Falls and are ready to just relax, lying on the shore with a good book. 
Tingco Beach, Alcoy
This beach is not very popular among tourists, but it is perfect for those who live in Cebu for quite a long time and do not want to spend a lot of time on the road. 
We recently returned from an unforgettable trip to Cebu Island in the Philippines. This place is ideal for beach holidays, divers or just lovers of snorkeling. We had heard about the magnificent beaches in Cebu and its surrounding small islands, and we could not wait to experience this paradise and tropical place.
Most tourists prefer a beach holiday in Cebu (Philippines) on the small islands of Badian and Macan. Northeast of Cebu lies the small island of Malapasca, which was recently recognized as one of the best resorts in the world. Between Cebu and Leyte Island there is a large population of sharks. So this place is very popular among shark safari lovers.
The islands of Puo and Bantayan are known to travelers for their white beaches with fine sand and crystal clear water. We decided to go on vacation to Cebu on the adjacent satellite island of Makan, to be close to civilization, entertainment and a magnificent beach.
Flights to Cebu (Philippines): selection and flight
On the advice of friends, we decided to purchase air tickets to Cebu ourselves on a free website. After we entered the departure location and destination, dates and number of people, the system offered us several flight options to the Philippine island. We decided to purchase air tickets to Cebu on Silkair and Singapore Airlines with a transfer in Singapore at Changi Airport. The total travel time was 18 hours, including transfers. Changi Airport itself is fantastic. No wonder it is recognized as the best airport in the world. We have never seen this level anywhere else. There are gardens, swimming pools, hotels, a cinema, exhibitions and free city tours. But we didn’t see everything; we didn’t have enough time.
The airlines are practically no different; Silkair is a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines. So we were provided with a comfortable flight with all the amenities. The flight attendants in national costumes were very polite and helpful. Drinks and food were served throughout the flights. Passengers could watch entertainment programs.
After landing at Cebu airport, it didn't take us long to get to our hotel. The airport is located right on the same island where our hotel is - on the island of Makan, which is an integral part of Cebu City and is separated by a strait.
Cebu Hotels
Cebu has a huge number of hotels, including famous world brands, but they are located in the city center. For a beach holiday, hotels located in its southern part, or on Macan Island closer to the eastern coast, are more suitable, since this is where the beaches for vacationers stretch.
For lovers of a budget holiday, there are inexpensive hotels in Cebu, where you can stay for two weeks for 25-45 thousand rubles for two. To see their location, you can use the free service on.
We stayed at a great hotel on the beachfront in Cebu called .
This is a real paradise on earth. And although we got the most budget rooms in the Deluxe rooms in the wing overlooking the garden and not the sea, we were in no way deprived of the comfort and perfection of the prevailing atmosphere. The hotel rooms are simply magnificent and huge, furnished with the latest furniture with a huge plasma TV, a minibar, a small veranda and everything else that is completely conducive for a relaxing and relaxed holiday. The hotel has premier deluxe rooms, bungalows, suites, suites with spa, and also rooms, like ours, only in the sea view wing. The hotel simply has a huge territory, a private beach, several restaurants, bars, a spa salon, a fitness center, a medical center, and a laundry.
Holidays in Cebu: what to do
Whale Shark Watching
Cebu Island in the Philippines is one of the few places where you can spot huge whale sharks. Many people have probably seen these huge spotted and clumsy sharks on TV, but few people know that this is where you can watch them in the wild. We took the ten hour day tour. The cost of the tour was $50 per person, there were tours that were more expensive. The price includes transfer, breakfast and lunch, as well as a boat trip, entrance fees and snorkeling equipment. There are many brave divers around who swim with sharks and film their dives. In general, whale sharks are quite friendly towards people.
San Pedro
This is another attraction of Cebu. The Spanish town of San Pedro is located in the southern part of the island, and it is famous for the fact that the famous Spanish navigator Magellan landed here. After this, a fort was built here and a Spanish colony was formed. The fort still stands today and is one of the hallmarks of the island of Cebu. It occupies about two thousand square meters. The walls are made of stone and fully embody the Spanish style in architecture. The area is very well-groomed, with neatly trimmed lawns, shrubs and flower beds. Tickets can be purchased with round-trip transfer, 5-hour tour and paid admission for $115 per person.
Tour to Balicasag Island
You can diversify your holiday in Cebu with a day tour to Balicasag Island. Visiting this island left us with some of the most unforgettable memories. We also purchased this tour online, as it was recommended to us by the guests of our hotel. The cost of a day stay is quite high at $150 per person, but includes a thirty-minute motorboat transfer to the island. The island stretches over about 25 hectares and we have never seen anything like it until now. This is a real tropical paradise with crystal clear water, clear as a tear. Here you can watch dolphins, go diving, snorkeling or just relax on the snow-white sand under a palm tree on the beach. There are many cafes on the shore where locals will happily feed you fresh seafood delicacies.
What to do on vacation in Cebu
You can have an interesting holiday in Cebu in the Philippines in different ways. Temple, history and architecture lovers can visit the Taoist Temple, Leah Temple, Basilica of Santo Niño, Sirao Flower Museum, Casa Gorordo Museum and Sugbo Museum.
Holidays in Cebu, the oldest city in the Philippines and the island of the same name, form the ideal combination for a beach holiday and learning about the history of colonization. The tropical islands nearby are ideal for day trips. They are not alike and there is always something new and unusual waiting for you. Scuba diving will introduce you to the inhabitants of the ocean, and meeting whale sharks will remain in your memory for a lifetime.
Cebu hotels are suitable for all categories of vacationers. The Philippines is known for its low prices. For example, here you can eat seafood for 100 rubles. And the biggest expense item during your vacation will be air tickets to Cebu. But if you approach this matter responsibly, then you can buy them in advance and not expensively.
