Cebu travel blog — The fullest Cebu island travel guide for a great trip on a budget to Cebu for the first-timers

You should spend about 2 days and 1 night in Bantayan, enough to ride a motorbike to discover all this island. There are 2 activities that I think you should not be miss when visiting Bantayan is island hopping Virgin Island/Sillon island, the same name (Sillion is the name that locals who often call and fish feeding). The beaches in Virgin island doesn’t have to say it, the name says it all, and the fish here are too great, not inferior to the islands in southern Thailand!

Besides Camotes and Bantayan are the two most famous islands, there are still some beautiful islands and beaches in northern Cebu, such as Malapascua Island, Kalanggaman Island …

Malapascua

Malapascua is also an ideal dive point. It is a tiny island, about half an hour by boat from the north of Cebu Island. The greatness of diving in Malapascua is the opportunity to encounter long-tailed shark. It is a difficult experience to ignore if you are an adventurous person, interested in strange things. Besides, this island also possesses poetic, clear beaches, a relaxed and fun atmosphere. Unfortunately, the number of tourists coming here is increasing, but don’t worry too much because Malapascua still retains its own charm.

The south of Cebu

In this section we will introduce destinations in southern Cebu. Although these places are mostly small islands around Cebu, but each destination has its own unique and attractive features. In the previous section we went to Camotes islands with beautiful coconut paths, with a rock jumping experience in Buho Rock and explore the beautiful island of Bantayan with island hopping to Virgin island. Now, it’s time to going to a very unique place, Oslob, to see whale shark, visit the luxurious resort of Sumilon right near Oslob, and discover the island of Bohol of more than 1 million inhabitants …

Oslob

As a small urban area located in the south, about 2 hours by bus from central Cebu, Oslob is famous for swimming and diving with whale sharks. This is the whale shark watching area that have been commercialized. They raise fish in a concentrated manner to serve tourism. Oslob is not like other places in the Philippines like Donsol – is a place that whale shark that naturally resides.

As a popular tourist destination, Oslob attracts a lot of tourists by the opportunity to swim with whale sharks. Every morning, whale sharks are fed and in the meantime, you can swim with them under the deep blue ocean water. It was an amazing experience, but on the other hand it was a major disadvantage. Because whale sharks easily find food in Oslob in the morning, it is natural that they do not force to migrate far away, meaning that they no longer do anything. The attractive advantage of invisible tourism affects the local ecosystem – the thing we don’t expect.

Getting to Oslob

You go to the South Bus Terminal in Cebu City, take the bus to Oslob. The bus ticket with air conditioning is 180 Peso. The bus will stop right at the entrance gate of Oslob Whale Shark Watching area, very convenient.

My experience for Oslob is still the same as other tourist destinations in the Philippines, you must depart from early if you do not want to wait for a few hours to getting on the bus or take a boat to see the fish.

Cost

Ticket prices for whale shark watching in Oslob for foreign tourists is 1.000 Peso, you will be lent glasses. Swimwear is prepared by yourself.

Some useful tips

• Explore Oslob in a morning is enough, the afternoon you can visit Sumilon Island nearby.
• Do not use sunscreen, for fear of adversely affecting fish. So, if you are afraid of sunburn, just bring your swimsuit but is kind of long swimsuit.
• Guests are advised not to touch the fish body, as this is an action that could harm fish. Whale sharks do not eat people but if it is found to be threatened, they will “put their weight crush you”.

Sumilon Island

The next destination on the tour of Cebu is Sumilon Island, only 10 minutes from Oslob by jeepney. Sumilon is a private island, beautiful and gracious, full of tourist services such as dining, resorts, shuttle boats … depending on your purse. The best itinerary is spend a full day for Oslob and Sumilon, and then get back to Cebu.

Getting to Sumilon

If from Cebu city, you go to the South Bus Terminal, take the bus to Bancogon Dock/Sumilon island. When you want to get back, just stand at the roadside, wave the bus with Cebu City label that running back to Cebu. The price of 180 Peso for Ceres Link bus with air-conditioned.

Oslob -> Sumilon

Outside gate of Oslob Whale Shark Watching, there are a series of jeepneys waiting for you to travel from Oslob to Sumilon, costing about 100-150 Peso/way for 7-8 people.
Once you reach the Blue Water Sumilon Resort gate, you buy a boat ticket to Sumilon Island.

Once you reach the Blue Water Sumilon Resort gate, you will buy a boat ticket to Sumilon Island.

There are 2 packages to choose from to visit Sumilon Island:

Package 1: Only visit the tail part of the island is Sandbar, if you want to save money then choose this package as well. Because Sand Bar is also very beautiful. Price is 1.500 Peso/boat carrying about 5-6 people.

Package 2: Visit the whole island, have lunch buffet, swimming pool, bathroom, lighthouse, including Sand Bar … Very worth it. Price is 2.000 Peso/person for weekends and 1.500 Peso/person for weekdays.

Oslob and Sumilon are the best couple for 1 day. If you have good financial conditions, you can book a room to stay at Blue Water Sumilon Island, that is wonderful, otherwise return to Cebu or catch the bus to the next destination on your itinerary. If you stay overnight, the next morning you can climb to the top of Osmena. Osmena Peak is Cebu’s highest point. However, this destination is not interesting.

Kawasan Falls

The final destination in Cebu we will introduce is Kawasan Falls. Located in the southwest of Cebu Island, near the famous Moalboal coast, Kawasan Falls is considered the pearl of the Philippines, probably because of its turquoise water.

The charm of Kawasan Falls is not only its magic blue water, but also the journey through the forest, there are sections you will have to jump from the cliff, 5m, up to 15m high, down the cool water, take a raft on the Kawasan stream, swing the Tarzan style … So the best way to enjoy Kawasan Falls is to buy an adventure tour with your own tour guide.

Getting to Kawasan Falls

Depart: Go to the South Bus Terminal in central Cebu City, take a bus to Kawasan Falls. Ticket price 120 Peso/person, travel time about 2-3 hours.

Return: Standing along the road, and find the bus with Cebu word then wave. If you continue to go to Moalboal, catch the bus with the word Moalboal.

The best experience to get to Kawasan Falls in the best conditions (time, vehicle, etc.) is you must get up very early. The day we went to Kawasan, we got up at 6AM and got to the bus stop, have breakfast was also at 7:30AM. Line up for a long time until 9AM to catch a bus, but the bus also is not air-conditioned, but do not dare to wait more because we can miss the whole trip.

Buy Canyoneering Adventure and Kawasan Waterfalls Private Tour

If you just come, passing the waterfall gate, and only looking at the waterfall and return, it’s too much waste for a super-attractive and suspenseful Kawasan. As we said above, you have to climb the cliffs, wade over the streams, jump from rock … to understand why Kawasan Falls is one of the famous destinations in the Philippines.

Buses usually drop you at the Matutinao Church gate, which is also the gate to enter Kawasan Falls. There will be a lot of men offer you Canyoning Falls tours. You can buy from his tour: Jerwin: +639355314072 / Tour JOEPRO Shop.

If Jerwin changes his number, you can ask a motorbike taxi to take you to Joepro shop, which is also very near the Kawasan gate. Tour price is about 1.200 Peso/person, depending on the number of people/groups. You will be equipped with helmets, dedicated shoes, tickets to the Kawasan gate. After buying a tour, you get in the car with your tour guide to the Kawasan gate, the management board will stamp on your hand, means you bought a ticket, and start your journey!

Moalboal

Moalboal has two fascinating beaches, White Beach and Panagsama Beach. Located in the southwest of the island is the village called Moalboal. The only reason that attracts visitors to this place is the experience of diving with good facilities and not bad accommodation. You will also find luxury resorts, not only that but also backpackers have a full selection of eating and staying in Moalboal. If you’re tired of diving, you can leisurely admire the beautiful Kawasan waterfall or drop your soul on the White beach.

Nalusuan Island

Located in southeastern Cebu, Nalusuan is like a windy paradise with a blue sky and super clear water. Is one of the smallest of the islands in the tourist islands of Cebu. You can scuba dive, watch the fish swim, colorful coral reefs right at your feet or enjoy delicious seafood parties.

Cebu City

Cebu City is the center of the province – one of the largest and oldest cities in the country. Curiously, the biggest trading point in Cebu is trading quite well with other places on the island as well as other localities in the Philippines. Inside the city there are a few attractions to visit (including Fort San Pedro), but definitely not the highlight of your trip. Cheap hotels won’t find it around. If you still want to stay, look in the neighborhood above. As mentioned, you can continue the journey starting from Cebu – by boat, you will reach all the islands around it, and if you take the bus you can travel any place in Cebu only a few hours.

Fort San Pedro

Fort San Pedro was built in the 18th century, which used to be a military defense and shelter of many famous revolutionaries. This fortress is being put into tourism, currently exhibiting many valuable historical artifacts, unique sculptures …

Colon Street

As the Philippines’ oldest road, centralize houses from the US occupation, the road became bustling and crowded at night with stalls of clothing, souvenirs, street food … being the point Visit the favorite of many visitors.

Magellan Cross

Which is placed in Cebu City in 1521, marking the presence of Christianity here, also considered an important historic symbol of Cebu. If you want to explore historical sites, you should come here once.

In addition to Fort San Pedro, the Cross of Magellan, Lapu-Lapu Statue and Magellan memorial, Guitar factories… in Cebu city are also worth visiting places.

If you have more time, you should not miss the churches such as San Augustin, Notre Dame Cathedral, Basilica of Del Sto Nino, University of San Carlos, The Capitol Building and Cebu Museum …

Cebu travel blog: What to eat?

As an intersection of many cultures, Cebu cuisine is so rich and diverse, easily satisfying even the most picky tourists. Good food, attractive specialties can not miss when traveling to Cebu, the Philippines must mention the street food like lansiao (also known as No. 5 soup), bakassi (eel), tuslob buwa (pig brain),… especially the lechon (marinated pork).

Lechon is a well-known dish that captures the hearts of diners, nowhere in the world is there a delicious Lechon recipe like in Cebu. Lehchon is a whole pig is roasted on charcoal, then chopped with crispy skin, greasy, this dish usually appears in most festivals and anniversaries in the Philippines. Lechon is definitely must eat food in Cebu.

Cebu island travel blog: Shopping in Cebu

Cebu has a lot of big shopping centers such as SM City Cebu, Ayala Cebu Mall … In these centers, you can buy a lot of things, from Filipino specialties to fashion, electronics and family appliances… Also, you can visit some cheap shopping places such as Colon Night Market, Sugbo Mercado Night Market, Tambayan Foodpark Bulacao, Carbon Market, Tinda Locale Street, Taboan Public Market, Labangon Public Market… in Cebu to buy souvenir items, enjoy street food.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in and from Cebu you can refer to

• 3 Day Cebu Highlights Tour
• Private Cebu Rediscovery Tour
• Cebu City Private Day Tour with Simala Shrine
• Cebu Private Car Charter
• Cebu Day Trip from Bohol
• Private Mactan-Cebu Airport Transfers (CEB) for Cebu or Mactan Island
• Private City Transfers between Moalboal and Cebu City/Mactan
• Private City Transfers between Hagnaya Port and Cebu City/Mactan
• 3G/4G SIM Card (PH Airport Pick Up) for the Philippines from Globe

Are you looking for a Cebu itinerary 3 days? Let’s read: What to do in Cebu for 3 days & How to spend 3 days in Cebu perfectly?