Things to do in and around Cebu: Philippines

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In The City

Cebu City is very laid back and although activities are limited, you can still manage to have a great time. Meet the locals and hang with them!

Some of the things you can do are...

Eat. For a list of some restaurants you can try, click here.

Photo from: Lechon Cebu

Next, Go Downtown.

See some historical sites such as the Basilica del Sto. Niño, Magellan's Cross, Fort San Pedro, Yap-San Diego Ancestral House and Casa Gorordo Museum. Grab a Cebu map to find these places. There's just walking distance from each other! You can get a jeepney (you have to try riding them!) Get the one with code: 04C from Mango Square Mall and just tell the dispatcher/driver to drop you off Sto. Niño. From there, you can walk to every other place on the list.

(For more about Cebu's public transportation, check this page.)

Photo from: CELI Photo from: SiDive

Then, Head Up.

See the city from atop the mountain. Drive up to Tops or even just Mountain View or Mr. A. You can take a habal-habal from the foot of the road in Lahug. There's loads of them outside JY Square Mall. It will cost only Php 50 one way. If you're a foreigner, they're surely going to rip you off. Bargain. Bargain. Bargain. Or have a local friend with you for help :-) Day time or night time, it's a good view of the city.

Photo from: ilink.ph

A Temple in the city.

If you would like to see a Chinese Temple, you can visit Taoist Temple. Take a habal-habal from the corner of Sudlon Street, Lahug. It will only cost you Php 10 one way.

Photo by: Alaz Mal

If you're around Mactan,

And you'd like to visit a historical site, you can go to the Lapu-lapu Shrine. Just take a jeepney from Marina Mall that goes to Punta Engaño and tell the driver to drop you off the shrine.

Photo from: Pagcor

That's how a typical tour around the city would look like. Other things to do in around are:

Sand Trap for a relaxed afternoon by the pool
Hang out in coffee shops in Ayala Terraces Mall
Bowling in SM Mall
Paintball!
Mactan Shooting Range

The Nightlife

If you’d like to stay longer in the city (or you have no choice -- I don’t know), then you’re most likely interested in the nightlife. Some like it classy, some like it just whatever, some like it chill. Here are some places to go:

Bars / Resto-Bars:

Manggahan
The Outpost
Tonyo's Grill
Turtle’s Nest
Formo
Scrapyard
Joker’s Arms (Pub)
Emerald Isle Irish Bar
Politics
Maya
The Distillery
Gilt
Mr. M
MO2
Yo.u Bar (Mango)

Karaoke:

Clubbing:

Have fun!

P.S.
There is a casino in the Waterfront Hotel.

Special Events

Booze Cruise

At least once a month, we organize a Booze Cruise designed for both locals and travellers to meet and enjoy the sun and the sea! And of course, the booze. We hop on a boat, sail away and stay somewhere in the middle of the sea. This is a whole day event so we meet in the morning and sail back by sunset.

You are encouraged, but not forced, to drink. Some are allergic to alcohol or prefer not to drink and we respect that. You are still welcome to come join us and have fun! If you want to snorkel, you can bring your gear!

Stay updated on the Facebook Fan page for the announcement of the next booze cruise!

Check out this video made by one of the people who joined us, Ian Robinson:

CPDRC Dancing Inmates

If you haven’t heard of them yet, watch this video:

That’s only one of the many dance routines they perform. Catch them every last Saturday of the month. Meeting area is in the Capitol Building at 1pm. They have a bus that will transport you (for free) from the Capitol to the CPDRC. For reservations, contact the Office of the Governor at (032) 253 9613 or (032) 254 1882.

This is a free event. You don't need to pay for the passes/IDs.

Sinulog Festival

Experience the grandest festival of the country! It's celebrated every third Sunday of January, with a whole day of a parade of dancers and street parties! When is it best to come? Parties happen all week but it builds up from Friday and ends with a bang on Sunday. Expect to need Monday as a rest day from a long weekend of sleepless nights and partying. Book hotels and tickets ahead of time. The world will be in Cebu!

Sinulog 2012

Google for more details and check out pictures to get a glimpse of what you'll witness ;-) Don't miss it!

Northern Cebu

Heading up? The North Bus Terminal will be your starting point. Several buses, minivans and v-hires travel to the Northern parts of Cebu and even to Bacolod, Negros Occidental. Most buses have trips every 30 minutes or every hour. Check out some of the places you can go to from the list below, arranged from the closest to the farthest place from the city:

Talamban
Trekking
Budlaan Falls
Danao
Adventure Park
Catmon
Hot Spring
Waterfalls
Camotes Island
Beaches
Caves
Bantayan Island
Beaches
Malapascua Island
Beaches
Diving (Thresher Sharks)

Danao

Up for some sports/recreational activities? Danao's Danasan Eco Adventure Park offers activities such as:

Wake Boarding
Wall Climbing
Mountain Climbing
Rock Climbing
Horse Back Riding
Rappelling
Caving
Camping
Trekking
Zip line (400m)
Waterfalls
Grotto
ATV Rental
Bike Park


Karsten looking really happy (Photo by: Atty. Kim Castro)

For inquiries, contact them through their Facebook Fan Page
or through these numbers:

Tel. No: (032) 234 0773
Mobile: (63) 926 622 9212

How to get there:

From the North Bus Terminal, you can take the Ceres bus to Danao. You may also take the jeepney from the Mandaue Highway, the Rough Riders bus by Sun Gold across SM or the V-Hire in SM. From the Danao terminal, take a habal-habal up the mountains. It's about an hour ride.

Fare (one-way):

Non-air conditioned Ceres bus: Php 40
Air-conditioned Ceres bus: Php 50
Rough Riders Bus: Php 40
V-Hire: Php 50
Jeepney: Php 30
Habal-habal: Php 200

Don't forget to try eating at the local fish market.
Devour delicious, fresh sea food!

Photo by: Karsten Kirstätter

Catmon

Climb through the rocks, swim a little and reach up to a small waterfall; explore a little cave; and take a dip in the hot spring. Esoy Hot Spring is a great place to spend your day.

Photos by: Karsten Kirstätter

How to get there:

Take the bus/minibus from the North Bus Terminal to go to Catmon. Ask the dispatcher/driver to drop you off the corner of Duyan, Catmon which goes up to Esoy. Get a habal-habal to drive you up.

Fare (one-way):

Air-conditioned bus: Php 80
Non-air-conditioned bus: Php 70
Habal-habal: Php 25

Fees/Rentals:

Entrance Fee (Foreiger): Php 300
Entrance Fee (Local): Php 100
Table: Php 500
Life Vest: Php 50 (required)
Aqua shoes: Php 50

Tip:

You don't need to rent the aqua shoes. It's an easy, fun climb!

No reservation, no entry. Call them at (032) 430 9250. They have limited number of tables for guests so make sure you call a day or two ahead.

Photos by: Karsten Kirstätter

Bantayan Island

Discover the white sand beaches of Bantayan Island.

Photo by: Jill Enriquez

How to get there:

Take the the bus or v-hire in the North Bus Terminal going to Hagnaya. Travel time is about 3 hours. From there, take the ferry that will cross to Bantayan (about an hour boat ride). Ferry schedules may be viewed here. When you get there, you can use the tricycle to go around. Motorbike rentals are also available there.

Fare (one-way):

Air-conditioned Bus: Php 150
Non-air-conditioned bus: Php 120
V-Hire: Php 150
Ferry: Php 170

Places to stay:

Tip:

You can also just bring your tent and camp in Sugar Beach (with toilet and shower) to save on accommodation! You pay about Php 100 to pitch a tent.

Photo by: Jill Enriquez

You can stay there for as short as 2 days. If you'd like to visit another island, you can cross to Malapascua Island. Just take the banca from Sta. Fe and you'll get there in about 2 hours or so. It's Php 2000 - Php 3000 for the entire banca so it would be cheaper if you travel in a group.

Malapascua Island

Experience paradise -- the unspoiled beauty of Malapascua Island. And if you're a diver, you'll like it even more since you can find thresher sharks here!

Photo by: Karsten Kirstätter

How to get there:

Take the bus from the North Bus Terminal to Maya, Daanbantayan. It will take you about 4 hours to get there. Then you take the ferry from the Maya wharf, which leaves every hour or two, depending on the number of passengers. They usually wait till there's at least 10 passengers. Be careful, they might try to convince you to take special ferry trips for various exaggerated excuses. Anyway, if you'd like to skip waiting and go ahead, you can hire a boat for yourself for a special trip. You'll get there in 30 minutes.

Fare (one-way):

Air-conditioned bus: Php 170
Non-air-conditioned bus: Php 160
Ferry: Php 80
Special Ferry Trip: Php 800 - Php 1000

Where to stay:

Other Diving Shops:

Photo by: Karsten Kirstätter

Tips:

Travel in a group to get cheaper accommodation.
Last trips are about mid-afternoon (both ways) so it's best to travel in the morning.

If you don't dive, all there is for you is the beach. So, this will be the best place for you if you're looking a few days of solitude.

Talamban

Less than an hour from the city is a opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to experience chasing waterfalls.

Budlaan Canyoneering

Entry coming soon.

Southern Cebu

Going Down! Find your bus at the South Bus Terminal if you're heading south. There are routes that go to the Southwest, the Southeast and even to Dumaguete! Check out some of the places you can go to from the list below, arranged from the closest to the farthest place from the city:

Southwest:

Aloguinsan
Beaches
River
Barili
Beaches
Mantayupan Falls
Moalboal
Beaches
Diving
Badian
Kawasan Falls
Camping Resort

Southeast:

Dalaguete
Osmeña Peak
Hiking/Camping
Boljoon
Historical/
Cultural Sites
Oslob
Whale Sharks
Tumalog Falls

Tip:

If your itinerary would include crossing from east to west or vice versa, change buses once you reach Carcar!

Barili

Check out one of the tallest waterfalls in Cebu; the gem of Barili - Mantayupan Falls.

Photo by: Rey Buaya

How to get there:

Take the bus that goes to Moalboal or Bato-Oslob from the South Bus Terminal. Get off the first bus stop at the Shamrock building in Barili. It will take you less than 2 hours to get there. In front of the bus stop is a street that will lead you to Barangay Campangga, where the waterfalls is. There's a sign that says "Mantayupan Falls This Way" so it wouldn't be difficult to find it. Take a habal-habal to the entrance of Mantayupan Falls.

Fare (one-way):

Air-conditioned Bus: Php 100
Non-air-conditioned bus: Php90
SBT Terminal Fee: Php 5
Habal-habal: Php 25

Fees/Rentals:

Entrance Fee: Php 15
Table: Php 150
Life Vest: Php 10
Floaters: Php 10

Sayaw Beach (optional stop-over):

How to get there:

From Mantayupan Falls, you can take the habal-habal to the market. Then take a jeepney to Sayaw.

Fare (one-way):

Habal-habal: Php 25
Jeepney: Php 7

Fees/Rentals:

Entrance Fee: None
Table/Cottage: Php 150

Oslob

Oslob can give you an opportunity to swim with the whale sharks or locally called the butanding. There's also a beautiful, serene waterfall you can visit -- Tumalog Falls.

Butanding

Photo by: Karsten Kirstätter

How to get there:

Hop on the bus that goes to Oslob from the South Bus Terminal. Ask the dispatcher/driver to drop you off Tan-awan, Oslob. They know a lot of people go there for the Butanding so they'll drop you off just right where you need to be.

Fare:

Air-conditioned bus: Php 175
Non-airconditioned bus: Php 165
SBT Terminal Fee: Php 5

Snorkeling Fee:

Local: Php 500
Foreigner: Php 1000

Tips:

It's best to go early to catch the whale sharks in the morning. The first bus to Oslob is at 3 a.m. If you find it an inconvenience to travel this early, you can stay overnight in the town at a place called Fridel's Lodge for only Php 200 per head. Then just get a tricycle in the morning from there to Tan-awan. Getting the whole trike (fits 3-4 people, depending on size) to yourself would cost just about Php 100.
There's a few places there lined up who'll try to convince you to go with their guides for the whale sharks. Just choose the one with cheaper/free amenities like the cottage and life vests - it's on the left side with a sloping driveway.

GUIDELINES WHEN SWIMMING WITH THE WHALE SHARKS:

Never touch a whale shark as ailments may be passed on to them from us humans.
Keep a distance of at least 5 meters to allow them to swim about freely.
Do not use the flash when taking pictures.
Avoid using lotion or sunblock.
Refrain from splashing into the water.

Note: There has been a lot of controversy regarding the whale sharks in Oslob as a tourist attraction. Read more about it on sharksavers.org.

Tumalog Falls

Photo by: Karsten Kirstätter

How to get there:

If you're coming from the city, just take the bus to Oslob from the South Bus Terminal. If you're coming from swimming with the whale sharks, you can take a jeepney. Ask the dispatcher/driver to drop you off the corner of the street that goes up to Tumalog falls where you can get a habal-habal to take you up to the entrance of the falls. Then you'd have to walk down the steep slope. I warn you, it's quite steep! But totally worth it.

Fare (one-way):

Air-conditioned bus: Php 175
Non-airconditioned bus: Php 165
SBT Terminal Fee: Php 5
Habal-habal: Php 30
Jeepney: Php 8

Fees:

Entrance Fee: Php 20

Tips:

Bring food! It's a nice place to have a picnic.
From Oslob, it's easy to hitch-hike to go visit the other towns (like Boljoon or Dalaguete) or even back to the city if you're lucky! Flag down one of those trucks and talk to the friendly drivers.

Photo by: Horst Kirstätter

Western Cebu

Are you a Rock Climbing Enthusiast? Cantabaco in Toledo is your haven. The bolted limestone wall holds about 29 routes with 5.11-5.14 levels of difficulty.

How to get there:

Take the v-hire from CitiLink (close to the South Bus Terminal) to Toledo. Ask the driver to drop you off Cantabaco.

Fare (one-way):

V-Hire: Php 50

Local Guide:

Contact Raymund Daculan for more information and assistance at (+63) 939 1600 178. Also call to check for availability.

Looking for a get-away to the countryside to unwind but still have the comforts of city living? Check out The Ranch Resort!

They have 7 swimming pools in the resort, a zipline with rope courses, a bird aviary, a bee farm and Arabian horses for horseback riding.

Group Packages (6-7 pax):

Php 1,500 per person inclusive of breakfast, lunch and dinner, room and use of pools.

Php 1,900 per person inclusive of transportation, room, breakfast, lunch and dinner and use of pools.

For more information, you can call them at either numbers:

Tel.No: (032) 318 9599
Mobile: (+63) 917 910 9880
(+63) 922 826 2653