Santander
The southern tip of Cebu: Liloan port and the short crossing to Negros, pebble beaches, calm mornings and views of Negros and Siquijor. A quiet base next to Oslob and Sumilon.
Cebu, Philippines
Your friendly pocket guide to Cebu.
Turquoise beaches, cool mountain trails, old stone churches and the best lechon you will ever taste. Find where to go, what to do and how to get there.
Explore Cebu
Pick a mood. We'll show you where.
Sogod
A quiet town on the north-east coast where the white sand begins. Beach days on the Camotes Sea, a roadside waterfall, a cold spring and an old church, about two hours from Cebu City.
Gibitngil Island
A quiet island village a short boat ride off Medellin in North Cebu, with clear water, limestone cliffs, sandbars and colourful cottages on the rocks. Simple, local and far from the crowds.
Balamban and Mt. Manunggal
Cool mountain air, a winding highway with big views and a quiet memorial where President Magsaysay's plane went down in 1957. An easy hike and a great first camping trip from Cebu City.
Sagada
A cool mountain town in the Cordillera, known for the hanging coffins of Echo Valley, Sumaguing Cave, sunrise over a sea of clouds and pine-scented hikes.
Chocolate Hills
Over a thousand grassy hills rolling to the horizon in the heart of Bohol, an easy day or overnight trip from Cebu by fast ferry, with tarsiers and the Loboc River on the way.
Malabuyoc
A quiet heritage town on Cebu's southwest coast: a coral stone church from the 1830s, an old watchtower by the sea, and waterfalls and hot springs in the hills behind it.
Mactan Shrine
The seaside park where Lapulapu defeated Magellan in 1521. See the bronze Lapulapu statue and the 1866 Magellan Monument, then eat fresh seafood next door.
Limasawa Island
A small, quiet island off Southern Leyte where the first Easter Mass in the Philippines was held in 1521. Climb to the hilltop cross, snorkel clear water and enjoy slow island life.
Carbon Market and Larsian
Cebu City's oldest and biggest market by day, smoky barbecue skewers and puso at Larsian by night. A cheap, tasty and very local food trip in the heart of the city.
Sutukil in Lapu-Lapu
Pick your fish, have it grilled, simmered in soup or served as kilaw. How sutukil works at the seafood restaurants beside the Mactan Shrine, and how to order well.
Liloan
A coastal town just north of Cebu City, famous for Titay's rosquillos since 1907. Add a 19th-century church and an old lighthouse with sea views for an easy half-day trip.
Cebu at a glance
One long island, a hundred kinds of trips.
Cebu stretches nearly 200 km from tip to tip. Start in the city, then head south for sardines and waterfalls, or north for white-sand islands.
Beyond Cebu
Fly out to the Philippines' icons.
Cebu is a great base. Boracay, Siargao, Palawan and more are a short flight or ferry away. Here is how to get there and what to expect.
Siargao
The surfing capital of the Philippines: Cloud 9 waves, a green lagoon, tidal rock pools and tiny palm islands, about an hour by direct flight from Cebu.
Batanes
The northernmost province of the Philippines: rolling green hills, wild coastlines, old stone houses and a slow, gentle way of life. A trip you plan ahead and never forget.
Boracay
The Philippines' most famous white beach, now cleaner after its 2018 rehabilitation. Sunset sails, calm turquoise water and an easy short flight from Cebu.
Ready-made trips
No planning stress. Just follow the booklet.
Cebu City heritage walk
Magellan's Cross, Basilica del Santo Niño, Fort San Pedro, then sunset dinner at Tops Lookout.
See the itinerarySouth Cebu adventure loop
Canyoneering to Kawasan Falls, the Moalboal sardine run and sunrise on Osmeña Peak.
See the itineraryNorthern island escape
Slow days on Bantayan's white sand, then dawn dives with thresher sharks off Malapascua.
See the itineraryTravel tips
Good to know before you go
Cebu pasalubong: what to buy and where
Dried mangoes, otap, rosquillos, danggit, chicharon and guitars: the best Cebu pasalubong, where to buy them cheaply, and how to pack them for the flight home.
Money in Cebu: cash, ATMs, cards and GCash
How to handle money in Cebu: when you need cash, ATM fees and limits, money changers, cards, GCash and other e-wallets for visitors, tipping and the scams to avoid.
Hiking in Cebu: the best trails for every level
From 20-minute sunrise climbs to full-day ridge treks: Cebu's best hikes by difficulty, plus guides, fees, heat, rain and how to leave no trace.
At a glance
Welcome to Cebu
Cebu City & Mactan
South Cebu
North Cebu
Bantayan & Camotes
Best timeDec to May
MoneyPeso, cash
Cebu Pocket Guide2
Tourist Booklet
The Cebu Pocket Guide
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Free printable guide
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An island map, how to get around and the best spots in every region, in one printable guide.
- Island map
- Buses and ferries
- Top spots by region