Cebu City Travel Guide Collab
We hope that this Cebu City Travel Guide will be of help to first-time travelers out there.
1. Describe the Cebu City.
Kim says: Cebu City is a crossroad where modern and provincial life meet. Travelers see it as the gateway to the Visayas because it’s strategically located in the center of the Philippine archipelago. You can just hop on a ferry boat to get around.
Cebu City Port (Photo credits: Kim Lim)
2. What do you like most about Cebu City?
Kim says: I like knowing that when I’m in Cebu city, I have easy access to breathtaking beach destinations and exciting outdoor activities without feeling homesick from Manila’s urban life (thanks to its bustling business district). From the city center, its northermost and southernmost tips are – at most – 4 hours away. Also worth mentioning is the vibrant music scene in Cebu. Have you heard of Bisrock? It all started in Cebu!James says: I like it being a hub of the Visayas and Mindanao- by sea and by air. Food is something that I always look forward to when visiting Cebu- puso, sutukil, dried mangoes, lechon and many more.
3. Is there anything the local government can do (or stop doing) in order to make the place more tourist friendly.
Kim says: Cebu City attracts a lot of tourists as it is, especially during Sinulog festival. But I think the local government can improve more on traffic management – it’s getting worse every time I visit.James says: I hope they make a stand on the illegal trade of pawikan (sea turtles) in Bgry. Pasil. For more info, read this: Stopping Pawikan trade not city’s priority.
4. Don’t go home without seeing/visiting/experiencing _______
Kim says:- seeing the landmarks of important historical turning points: the Magellan’s Cross and the Lapu-Lapu shrine.
- experiencing the biggest street party in the Philippines – the Sinulog Festival.
- learning a phrase or two in Cebuano.
- Tabuan Market
- Colon Street
- Yap-Sandiego Heritage House
- Fort San Pedro
- Magellan’s Cross
Painting on the capiz window inside the Yap-Sandiego Heritage House
5. Don’t go home without trying/eating ________
Kim says: The all-time favorite Filipino fare that put Cebu on the culinary map: Lechon Cebu (roasted pig). Take it with “puso” rice – just like how the locals eat it. Coming in second place is a curious aromatic street food: the Ngohiong (the street variety is usually vegetarian friendly).James says: Baby-back ribs at Casa Verde. Dude, it will literrally wow you because its big and its cheap. Delectable to the bones!
6. Traveler’s Tip:
Kim says: Get to know the jeepney route coding system so you can get around for less.Only allot 1 day to do the tourist trail requisites, and then spend the rest of your stay exploring the back country - try snorkeling in Moalboal, Canyoning in Badian, Rock climbing in Cantabaco, thresher shark diving in Malapascua, bird watching in Olango, beach bumming in Camotes, and many more!
James says: Don’t try to visit all of Cebu can offer. Explore each destination slowly and enjoy the uniqueness of each place. I like to visit back the southern towns of Cebu- food tripping, appreciating the old churches and experiencing nature at its finest (except for Oslob’s whaleshark watching which I don’t recommend at all).
7. Recommendation Hotel, Inn?
Kim says: The Islands Stay hotel offers modern style accommodation that’s easy on the pocket (you can even book online using your Paypal account).James says: Check my blog on Cebu City Cheap Accommodations
