Where to stay for yourself. Cebu City in the Philippines: budget accommodation, food, sightseeing What to do in Cebu Philippines

Cebu Island is a province of the Philippines. The island is located east of Negros Island west of the islands of Leyte and Bohol. On one side it is washed by the Bohol Strait, on the other (from Negros) by the Tanon Strait. There are interesting cities near Cebu: Danao, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Talisay. There is an international airport on Mactan Island that serves this region.

Between the 13th and 16th centuries, the island of Cebu was known as Zubu or Sugbo and was inhabited by Muslims and animist tribes. The appearance of Ferdinand Magellan in these parts in 1521 marked the beginning of Spanish colonization. Magellan established friendly relations with Rajah Humabon and erected a wooden cross on the shore of the island of Cebu. Raja Humabon and his wife converted to Christianity and received new names, Carlos and Juana, and with them 700 more Cebuanos were converted to Christianity. About two weeks later, a quarrel occurred between the Spaniards and the inhabitants of the island of Mactan, where another chief Datu Lapu-Lapu reigned. Magellan was killed in the battle. The first Spanish city was Cebu. In 1595, the University of San Carlos was already founded in the city, and in 1886 the city began to engage in foreign trade. At the end of the 19th century, Spanish dominance gave way to US dominance. During World War II, the island of Cebu, like the entire country, was occupied by Japanese troops. All these events influenced the characteristics of the local language. The Filipino language is a mixture of English, Spanish and the local dialect.

How to get to Cebu Island:

There is no direct connection between Russia and the island, but you can fly with a long layover in Dubai, Singapore, Doha, Beijing, Abu Dhabi or Manila. A short flight including connections is offered by Singapore Airlines, which takes about 16 hours one way; with Emirates Airlines you can get there in about 18 hours. A convenient option is to fly to Manila and from there on local flights to Cebu-Mactan. We have previously flown from. The airports are equipped with modern equipment and there is a variety of transport to get from the airport to the city. Do Russians need a visa and where to withdraw cash without commission? read -

There are two ways to get from Manila to Cebu:

• by air with local airlines Phillippine Airlines/Cebu Pacific Air, flight time 1.5 hours
• by Cebu Ferries, Negros, Elgreco, travel time 20 hours. Ferries from Cebu operate in two directions. Flight tickets can be booked in advance on the Supecat and Oceanjet websites. Prices: to ORMOC island 4 times a day from 1000 pesos ($17), to Tagbilaran island 9 times a day from 800 pesos ($13).

City and areas of Cebu

Cebu has low mountain ranges that gradually descend to the ocean. Most settlements are located on the coastline.

The main resort area is Cebu City and the surrounding area. In the city of Cebu itself and within a radius of no more than 5 km there are numerous hotels, in Downtown there are architectural attractions, and in Uptown there are shopping centers and offices. The quieter holiday areas of Badiana and Alcantara are located on the western side of the island, or you can 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.

On the streets you can find water dispensers with drinking water. You won't find traditional glasses there. Water needs to be poured into a bag, it is located in the water pump. Read also about the features of local markets and supermarkets

Lapu Lapu district and Mactan city on video

A short Jeepney ride around Lapu Lapu

District Oslob

A great way to have a good time is to visit the Oslob area and swim with a whale shark. It takes 4 hours to get there from Cebu City by bus. During the day on the road you can admire the surroundings, you will really like it.

Favorable Seasons in Cebu

The climate in the Philippines depends on the winds. From May to October it is humid and windy, and from November to April there are dry winds. Cebu has a tropical, hot and humid climate. The average annual temperature is +26.5 °C. 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.

Restaurants and cafes in Cebu

Beaches of Cebu Island

You definitely need to know that most beaches are private. Details about the beaches:

• There is only a port in Cebu City itself, so travelers go to Mactan Island, where Blue Water Maribago beaches are among the most popular entrance fee- from 1500 pesos and Imperial Palace Resort and Spa with water park, entrance fee - 3500 pesos. Mostly all beaches are located at hotels.
• A more relaxing and budget holiday in Alcoy on Tingko Beach or in Moalboal on White Beach and Panangsama Beach.
• White sand, clear blue water and slender rows of palm trees. You can admire this on the beaches of Malapasca, Bantayan and Badian.
• The Oslob area has beautiful beaches, but they are also private. Oslob beaches in the photo and video below.

Slums and homeless people in Cebu

Unfortunately, like everywhere else in the Philippines, there is a sad picture of poverty. Homeless people in the city and suburbs, homeless mothers with children wandering around the city. And there is a striking contrast between the almost dense slums and high-rises.

And if you drive in a car, you will notice people begging at every traffic light. You can see how homeless people live in the short video below.

Cebu City is becoming increasingly popular among tourists every year. Curious travelers come to the city to get a closer look at the sights of the colonial era. Active tourists stop in the city for the night and, having refreshed themselves and rested, go on for a walk through the tropical forest and to picturesque waterfalls. Tourists in Cebu City often try to combine the business part of their trip with shopping and a cultural and entertainment program. Whatever purpose brings travelers to the ancient city of the island, they all need somewhere to spend the night.

Cebu City, despite its age and large size, is actually a young resort. There are plenty of hotels here. Available as five star hotels belonging to leading hotel chains and budget hostels. Prestigious hotels are located in the central part of the city. Regular travelers do not give them preference because the nightly bill in such a place can leave a huge hole in their budget. For lovers of comfort and luxury, it is more profitable to rent a small villa in the suburbs. It won't be much more expensive, and if you're lucky, even cheaper than a room in a five-star hotel. Those who still prefer comfort in the city center and do not want to waste their time looking for a hotel upon arrival in Cebu City can book a room in advance. Almost all multi-star hotels in the city are accredited in international reservation systems.

In the center of Cebu City are four star hotels. However, the greatest demand among average tourists is for rooms in three-star hotels and lower-status hotels. For tourists planning to stay in Cebu City for one or a couple of nights, budget guesthouses may be a good option. Most of them are concentrated in the shopping area of ​​the city near the Ayala Center shopping and entertainment center.

Regarding booking a room in a guesthouse or hostel, then this should be done only if you are interested in a specific hotel or if your trip to Cebu City will take place during a festival or grand celebration. It is also worth considering that inexpensive hotels and Philippine guesthouses often do not display information about themselves on the Internet. And if such information is available, the price per night indicated in it is ten percent higher than in reality. And you can always bargain on the spot. You shouldn’t be afraid of the unknown at all; even in an unfamiliar city it’s hard to stay overnight in the open air. Especially when the locals are hospitable people who speak a language you understand and will always tell you where to find a suitable hotel.

It should be noted that this option is suitable for travelers from Russia. Unlike Ukrainians and Belarusians, they do not need to apply for a visa to travel to Cebu City. Russian tourists can stay in the Philippines without a visa for a month. But travelers from Ukraine and Belarus must present a hotel reservation to obtain a visa. Some of them take the risky decision and book accommodation for one night. If they successfully obtain a visa, tourists go on a trip. And once there, travelers either stay in the chosen guesthouse or look for a more suitable option while traveling lightly.

Budget hotels in Cebu City

Guest house Robes Pension House

This cozy hotel is close to tourist attractions at 41 Landon St. A double room with air conditioning but shared shower costs just 700 pesos. For a room with hot water you will have to pay 800 pesos. The rooms are clean and equipped with everything necessary for unpretentious tourists. In the morning, visitors are offered a light breakfast for 70 pesos. If you wish, you can walk a little further down the street and safely have a bite to eat in a decent cafeteria.

Cebu Century Hotel

A simple hotel with a policeman constantly on duty at the entrance is located at the intersection of the oldest Colon street with Pelaes St. street. Within walking distance from the hotel there is the Magellan Cross, the National Museum and other places of interest to travelers. A double room at this hotel costs 740 pesos.

Guesthouse Tr3ats Guest House

For young travelers, a good option would be a guest house located at 785 Vicente Rama Avenue in the very center of the city. Just a few minutes' walk from the guesthouse is the Ayala Centre, market, fast food and the Capitol. There is a restaurant and mini market on site. The clean rooms are air conditioned and have either a private or shared bathroom depending on the room category. A double room in this guest house will cost 900 pesos, and a bed in a men's or women's room costs 400 pesos.

Star hotels

Best Western Plus Hotel Lex Cebu

A four-star hotel in the heart of Cebu City awaits those who come to the city on business or with an excursion program. It is located on Escario Street Cor Juana Osmena Ext. After a tiring walk around the city, you can relax in a spacious and cozy room.

For those wishing to relax, there is a swimming pool on site. At your own discretion, you can choose accommodation with breakfast or without meals. You will have to pay for a double room in this worthy location 2800 pesos.

There are still many hotels in the city. Tourists, having read the reviews, can always find a place to stay that suits their needs.

Most of Cebu's beaches are not located on the island itself. There are basically no beaches around the city of Cebu; its coastal zone is occupied by the port. The nearest island beaches require a taxi ride of at least 30 minutes. The sand on most of the beaches is golden; there are practically no usual tropical white-sand beaches in Cebu.

Except the only one white sand beach in Moalboal. This beach is located relatively far from the city and hotels; it is a place practically untouched by civilization. But the azure waves and white sand create the atmosphere of a truly heavenly place.

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Beaches in Cebu are concentrated on the western and southern ends of the island. Sandy and pebble beaches and rocky coral bays alternate here. But the best beaches in Cebu province lie on the nearby islands. Among them beaches of Malapasca island, white and pink, under the shade of palm thickets. Also popular beaches on the small islands of Sumilon, Pavilion, Balicasag and Siguihor.

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The most popular beach part of Cebu province is Mactan Island, with its beaches and hotels. True, the answer to the question of which beach is best to choose in this part of Cebu is not the simplest. All Mactan beaches are paid, and those that are relatively inexpensive are constantly filled with locals. The beaches near the hotels are quite expensive and are open for limited hours. But here you have everything you need, and the price for the beach often includes lunch.

Among the best beaches in Mactan are called "Blue Water Maribago", located at the hotel. Entrance there during the daytime on weekdays costs 1,450 PHP, and in the evening 1,650 PHP. This amount includes lunch or dinner, depending on the time of visit. On weekends, the cost of visiting the beach is 1750 and 2050 PHP. For this amount you can also get beach towels and the opportunity to swim in the pools.

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Beach Imperial Palace Resort and Spa for 3,500 PHP per day provides its visitors not only with the opportunity to relax on the beaches and swim, but also with all the attractions of the local water park. The cost of visiting the beach also includes lunch.

On beach at Plantation Bay Resort and Spa you'll find charming saltwater lagoons and plenty of activities - boats, kayaks, a climbing wall and more.

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Great there is a beach on Pandanon island, which is about an hour away by boat from Mactan. Here you will find excellent white sand, picturesque gazebos and delicious fried shellfish according to local recipes.

In terms of beaches in the vicinity, Cebu is also popular Bantayan Island, where magnificent white sandy coasts are washed by azure waves.

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 shore, 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 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.

Cebu is the largest city in the Philippines, harmoniously combining the beauty of tropical nature with urban architecture. The famous shrine - Magellan's cross, ancient temples, modern hotels, restaurants, shopping centers - all this is collected in one place, the city of Cebu. It was here at the beginning of the 16th century that F. Magellan came ashore and discovered the Philippine Islands to the world. For many years, Cebu City was the capital of the Philippines, but today it is the fourth largest city in the Philippines and remains a major port city connecting many Philippine islands.

Below I will tell you about the main attractions, as well as give some tips for holidays in Cebu.

Local residents speak Filipino and English and use the Philippine Peso as their currency. Dollars are not accepted here.

How to get there

Let's consider only the most popular methods.

By plane to Cebu-Mactan

Cebu International Airport (), as I already said, is located on the neighboring island of Mactan (the official name of Cebu-Mactan Airport). This small island is connected to Cebu Island by two bridges that are open and accessible at any time of the day. Therefore, getting to Cebu City is not difficult: a taxi ride will take no more than 40 minutes. There is no need to order a car in advance; a whole delegation of taxi drivers will be waiting for you at the exit. Some offer a fixed price, others calculate by meter.

It’s better to take one with a fixed price, since you won’t have to pay for being idle in traffic jams (at noon this is a fairly common occurrence) and you won’t have to worry about “cheating” the meter. The average price for taxi services from the airport to Cebu City is $10-15.

Manila - Cebu how to get there?

There are two ways to get from Manila to Cebu:

1. by air on local airlines (Phillippine Airlines/Cebu Pacific Air 1.5 hours of flight and you’re there);
2. by ferry (Cebu Ferries, Negros, Elgreco 20 hours).

The most affordable air carrier is Cebu Pacific Air, prices for air tickets to Cebu start from 3,000 pesos ($50) without promotion, ferry ticket price is $17.

It is more convenient to take ferry tickets if you do not have a pre-purchased air ticket and there are budget restrictions, since the cost of tickets is unchanged. Ferry tickets can be booked using the official websites of the companies,.

But in my opinion, the most acceptable travel option is to purchase air travel from Moscow.

In any case, you choose:

1.5 hour flight on a fun, bright plane

or 20 hours of sea cruise :).

By train

You can only get to Moscow by train, then only by plane, and also by ferry as a transfer between the islands.

By bus

You can only get to Moscow by bus; then you get to your destination by a suitable plane.

Ferries from Cebu

Clue:

Cebu - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow − 5

Kazan − 5

Samara − 4

Ekaterinburg − 3

Novosibirsk − 1

Vladivostok 2

When is the season? When is the best time to go

The climate in Cebu is tropical, hot and humid. The average annual temperature is +26.5C, so it is very comfortable here at almost any time of the year. In general, Cebu's weather is divided into three main seasons:

• summer (the hottest time of the year from March to May);
• rainy season (June to November);
• winter (from November to April).

The climate in the Philippines directly depends on the winds. So, from May to October, the island is under the influence of “habakata” (wet winds from the southwest), and from November to April, “amihan” (dry winds) reigns.

When is the best time to go to Cebu?

It all depends on what weather conditions are more attractive to you, and, of course, on how you feel about the influx of tourists. Typically, the period from December to February sees the largest influx of tourists, so it is better to plan your Cebu tour at another time, for example, April or November.

I was here at the end of October, beginning of November (the transitional period of the end of the rainy season) and at the beginning of the winter season with dry winds. The rains were accompanied by strong winds and fell mainly in the evening and at night, so during the day you could freely move around the city and enjoy your journey.

Cebu in summer

Summer (March to May) is the hottest and wettest time in Cebu. The air temperature remains at +33C. The island is under the influence of humid winds at this time of year, so it is both hot and humid. The number of tourists is lower compared to winter time.

Cebu in the rainy season

There is no autumn or spring in Cebu, I wrote about this above. The transition period from June to November is the rainy season. Daytime air temperature is +30.5C, +32C. At this time, there is a change in winds: humid southwestern winds are replaced by dry ones. It rains heavily in the evening/night time. Since this is the time when the risk of typhoons and other natural disasters is highest, this time of year is unattractive for tourists, so hotels are empty. And those who still decide to visit the country will receive discounts on accommodation/flights of up to 20%.

Cebu in winter

The winter period from November to April is most attractive for tourists. Comfortable air temperatures of +29C, +30C during the day, +26C at night, dry air and lack of rain make it possible to spend your vacation most actively, plan trips to remote places, dive into the underwater world, and so on.

Due to such climatic advantages, this time of year is most attractive for visitors, therefore, when planning your vacation for December or January, it is worth remembering the tourist influx.

Cebu weather by month

Clue:

Cebu weather by month

Districts. Where is the best place to live?

Cebu City is divided into two parts: Up Town and Down Town.

As in many cities, the main historical attractions of the city (churches, Magellan's cross, etc.) are located in the Cebu City Down Town part, and ultra-modern hotels, shopping and business centers are concentrated in the Up Town part.

In Down Town you can rent a room/apartment for a day for 700 pesos ($12), in Up Town the prices are 3 times higher. But the main difference in living conditions is the cleanliness of the area.

Down Town, despite its price attractiveness, is a dirty area, there are a lot of beggars on the streets and so on, but this is not the case in Up Town. Therefore, despite its high cost, Up Town is more attractive.

To find a suitable hotel in Cebu, you can use and choose a place of residence based on the desired price-quality ratio and distance from shopping centers. You can compare prices from different sites. Offers for renting private apartments can be found. I rented a room at the Mandarin Hotel (double occupancy), it cost 3,500 pesos ($55/day) including breakfast.

Breakfast at this hotel is organized according to the plentiful buffet system; you definitely won’t go hungry here. A choice of European dishes, local cuisine, many desserts... Taste everything your heart desires, and in any quantity (omelettes, fried eggs, porridge, rice with vegetables, grilled vegetables, bacon, chicken, seafood, pancakes, cakes, etc. Further). Delicious and healthy food is known to give you energy for the whole day!

If you want to stay in a truly luxurious hotel, then there is one located next to the largest shopping center in Cebu City - Ayala. The price for a double room with breakfast here is above average: 5,000 pesos ($83).

Friendly, courteous staff will help you with luggage delivery to your room and call a taxi upon your request. Everything is like in the best films.

What are the prices for holidays?

Prices in Cebu cannot be called cheap; food/taxi services/accommodation costs here are cheaper than in , but more expensive than in Thailand. Eg:

• Taxi fares from $3, public transport from $0.2.
• Lunch for one from $3, dinner for two with alcohol will cost $15.
• A cup of cappuccino in a coffee shop – $2.

Cebu, prices for excursions

A sightseeing tour in a minivan, designed for almost the whole day, costs from $65. It includes visits to such historical places as Magellan's Cross, Santo Niño Church, Cebu Heritage Monument, Taos Temple, and a visit to the observation deck.

Fans of active recreation and water diving will be interested in diving and snorkeling. Prices for snorkeling with equipment rental from $5, diving from the shore from $25, from a boat from $40.

Clue:

Cost of food, accommodation, transportation and other things

Currency: Euro, € US Dollar, $ Russian Ruble, Rub Philippine Peso, Php

Main attractions or what to see in Cebu?

Cebu City is the historical part of the Philippines. When compared with cities in Russia, Cebu City can be compared to St. Petersburg. There are no natural attractions, beautiful parks or the opportunity to relax on the beach, soaking up the sand under the scorching sun.

Cebu City is a city with historical cultural heritage and developed infrastructure. In the “first” capital of the country you can visit the following objects, which I will talk about in more detail below:

I will tell you more about these historical places below. In addition to these attractions, it is worth taking a real look at the monument to the pioneer navigator F. Magellan and the leader Lapu-Lapu. Maggelan opened Christianity and Europe to the Filipinos, and Lapu-Lapu was a fighter for the freedom of the people against the colonialists.

With children you can visit the Cebu Zoo, ticket price for adults is 25 pesos ($0.5), 10 pesos ($0.2) for children. It is open to visitors daily from 9:00 to 20:00. The zoo is small, there are many birds and various cold-blooded snakes, crocodiles and so on. A zoo option for general development, you shouldn’t expect huge impressions from it like, for example, from Monkey Forest :)

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Santo Niño

The history of the creation of the Church of Santo Niño is associated with the name of the Spanish conquistador M. Legasli, who gave the order to burn the city in response to a hostile meeting with local residents. The city burned down, but in one of the houses after the fire, one of the Spaniards discovered a statue of the Baby Jesus (Santo Niño). The statue turned out to be intact; moreover, it was not damaged at all: there were no signs of fire on it. In honor of this event, the Church of Santo Niño was later built on the site of the burnt house.

Residents of the island sincerely believe in the statue of a baby and believe that it is she who protects the city from “misfortunes” from pirates and other misfortunes. On the territory of the basilica there is a park and a museum. The cost of visiting the museum for adults is 30 pesos ($0.5), 10 pesos ($0.15) for children, opening hours from 8:00-16:45. The Church of Santo Niño is still open, with services held daily from 6:00-17:30

Magellan's Cross

This is a shrine that was erected by the discoverer F. Magellan. Cebuanos believe that touching the cross can cure any ailment, which is why a crowd of people (tourists and locals) gather here almost every day. The original Magellan Cross was destroyed by the Cebuanos, so the relic we see today was made from the remains of the original by order of Legazpi.

Opening hours: 7:00-19:00 daily, admission is free.

Fort San Pedro and Independence Square

The fort was built by M. Legasly and named after the ship on which M. Legasly arrived on the island. This is the oldest and smallest fort in the country, located near Independence Square.

At one time, the fort performed various functions: it was also a defensive line, protecting the inhabitants of the island from attacks by pirates, it was also a prison, a clinic, and a school. And today it is just an open-air museum. Opening hours: 7:00-19:00 daily, admission is free.

House Museum Casa Gorordo

You can find out how the first Bishop of Cebu, Juan Isidoro Gorordo, lived here. An example of a wealthy house of a Spanish-Filipino family. The house-museum is in very good condition, so literally in an instant my mind was transported to the times of the 19th century. Opening hours from 8:00-16:00 daily, ticket price is $1.

The spacious reception room in the photo above, where the owner of the house greeted guests, a huge kitchen, a separate place for spending free time and of course a room with an altar. And that's not all that awaits you inside.

Taoist temple

Here everyone can get an answer to an important question using simple fortune telling, or make a wish by tossing a coin. You can read more about this place.

Beaches. Which ones are better

You will have to forget about a vacation in Cebu with a view of the ocean and soft white sand, since there are no beaches in Cebu City itself. The entire coastal area is a port: concrete barriers along the road and a concrete-covered or stone-lined descent to the water.

One of my friends is collecting a collection of waters from various oceans, he asked me to bring him water from this trip as well. It took 40 minutes to find a place where I could safely get to the coast. And this is also thanks to the help of a local taxi driver.

The closest place where you can swim is the artificial beach in Mactan on the neighboring island.

In the same place where the international airport is located.

What can surprise Filipinos or cultural attractions

In addition to the historical heritage, Cebu City has unusual attractions:

• Guitar workshop Alegre. The people of Cebu love music. She accompanies them every day, they sing and play guitars for any occasion: be it a holiday or grief. Therefore, there are many guitar workshops in the Philippines, and the most famous workshop is Alegre. The manufacturing process of one guitar takes 7 years. First, worthy raw materials are selected and a mold is made, then a natural drying process takes place for 5 years, and only then the tool undergoes further processing.

Each guitar from the Alegre workshop is filled with “its own” soul and, of course, the sun of Cebu.

• Eco-house Archivala.

A house that uses only solar energy; there are no third-party electrical energy sources.

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

I wrote about a couple of museums above; unfortunately, for lovers of such places, there are no others in this city.

Parks

There is a butterfly sanctuary in Cebu. Here you can admire live the huge variety of species and consider all stages of insect development: from pupa to adult.

The reserve is located at Macopa St. Basak, Pardo; You can get there by taxi (around $4.5) or on foot. I personally advise you to walk around the city more!

Open daily from 9:00 to 17:00. Ticket price:

• for adults 50 pesos ($1),
• for children 25 pesos ($0.5).

Tourist streets

There are no tourist, or rather, walking streets in Cebu.

What to see in 1 day

In one day in the city of Cebu (Philippines) you can see the main attractions: the top 5, which I described above. The most convenient and economical way is to take a sightseeing tour of Sibu City.

You can buy it at the hotel reception, at travel agencies (it’s cheaper to buy a tour on the spot if you speak English, but if not, then you should ask Russian travel agencies about the availability of tours in Russian) or via the Internet. It will take the whole day: they will pick you up from the hotel and bring you there in the evening, and during the trip they will tell you the history of the sights and monuments. The cost of this tour is $80.

If you have time restrictions, you can create your own mini-tour by using a taxi along the following route:

• 1st point Basilica of Santa Niño + Magellan's Cross (these 2 objects are nearby within walking distance);
• 2nd Fort San Pedro and Independence Square;
• 3rd House Museum of Casa Gorordo;
• 4th Taoist Temple.

From the first point to the second you can walk in 30 - 40 minutes, and then take a taxi to save time, the cost of the trip will be about 40 dollars one way (from the 2nd to the last point of the route).

Nearby Islands

This island can be reached by ferry or plane, local airlines in 1.5 hours. The famous Cloud 9 is located right here. You can read about this and other surfing spots.

One of the proven Russian surfing schools (Philippines, Cebu), Hakula, organizes high-level surf trips around the world.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

The choice is large, depending on preferences:

• handmade baubles and magnets, T-shirts with the name of the island:) prices from $0.5;
• Philippine rum, prices from $8 per 1 liter bottle;
• products made of natural pearls (necklace/bracelets/earrings/rings, etc.) from $10;
• musical instruments (guitars from handmade workshops), you can purchase a souvenir version as a keepsake for $5, the price for a real instrument starts from $60.

How to get around the city

You can get around the city in the following ways:

1. by taxi,
2. on rented cars/bikes,
3. by buses,
4. jeepney,
5. using tryskils and trysikads.

In the Philippines, public transport is organized without special stops. On buses and jeepneys, the end point is usually written on the side, where the transport goes. You just need to give a sign, wave your hand to stop the minibus, and find out if the bus is going where you want and how much the ticket will cost. However, in almost every major city, including Cebu, there is a bus station where you can come to find out about bus routes and purchase tickets at the box office.

If with the first types of transport from the list above everything is more or less clear, since their appearance is obvious, then the last group of transport - triskils and trisikads - are a motorcycle/bicycle with a cradle, which can easily accommodate up to 2 people.

Taxi. What features exist

Typically, a taxi ride from the airport to the center of Cebu costs $40 per car. When moving around the city by taxi, you pay the amount according to the meter plus 60 pesos ($1). Be careful when you get into the car, sometimes unfriendly taxi drivers inflate the meters and charge double rates (when getting in/out).

Taxis can be caught right on the street or near shopping centers and hotels. There is a special crowd of taxi drivers here.

Public transport in Cebu: buses, jeepneys, tri-skis and tri-skills

Bus/jeepney rides start from 10 pesos ($0.2). Even the coloring of public transport here is bright and cheerful. There are no public stops in Cebu, so you need to catch transport along the roads and tell the driver/conductor about the end point in order to get off the transport.

Triskils and trisikadas are 2 times cheaper: from 5 pesos per km.

But before you get into the vehicle, check the price with the driver/conductor.

Transport rental

Car rental from $55 per day. You can see how much rental cars will cost on your dates. Rent a bike from $5 per day. A license is required, but some tenants rent out vehicles without a license. When renting a bike, you need to be very careful and attentive: a large flow of cars/buses and other public transport keeps drivers in constant tension. Therefore, without having driving experience, it is better to choose another option for moving around the city. And to explore cultural attractions outside the city, you might consider renting a minivan ($65 per day).

Friends, you often ask, so we remind you! 😉

Flights- you can compare prices from all airlines and agencies!

Hotels- don’t forget to check prices from booking sites! Don't overpay. This !

Rent a Car- also an aggregation of prices from all rental companies, all in one place, let's go!

Anything to add?