Your friendly pocket guide to Cebu.

Dauin, Negros Oriental

Apo Island

A tiny volcanic island off southern Negros with one of the Philippines' most famous community-run marine sanctuaries. Snorkel with green sea turtles over healthy coral, the respectful way.

Malapascua, Daanbantayan, North Cebu

Monad Shoal (Thresher Shark Dives)

The underwater plateau off Malapascua where thresher sharks rise at dawn. What the dive is like, who can do it, what it costs, how to pick a shop and what to do if you do not dive.

Panglao, Bohol

Panglao Island

Bohol's beach island: white sand at Alona, turtles and reef walls at Balicasag, an underground lagoon at Hinagdanan and an easy fast-ferry trip from Cebu.

Barangay Magsaysay, Balamban, Cebu

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, Mountain Province

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.

Carmen, Bohol

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.

Cebu City, Cebu

Fort San Pedro

The triangular Spanish fort beside Pier 1, where Cebu's story as a city began in 1565. Thick coral-stone walls, three bastions, a quiet garden courtyard and a small museum, for a low entrance fee.

Malabuyoc, South Cebu

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.

Barangay Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City

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.

Downtown and Fuente Osmeña, Cebu City

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.

Beside the Mactan Shrine, Lapu-Lapu 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, Metro Cebu (north)

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.