🏛️Main Attractions
- ✓Magellan's Cross
- ✓Basilica Minore del Santo Niño
- ✓Fort San Pedro
- ✓Taoist Temple
- ✓Kawasan Falls
- ✓Oslob Whale Shark Watching
Cebu
Cebu
The Queen City of the South and the oldest city in the Philippines, Cebu blends Spanish colonial heritage with modern beach resort culture. A major diving destination and gateway to stunning islands.
🌐Other Cities in Philippines
Recommended Hotels in Cebu
Hand-picked hotels and accommodations from Agoda (20 properties)
🏨Recommended Hotels
- ★Shangri-La Mactan Resort & Spa
- ★Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan
- ★Radisson Blu Cebu
- ★Marco Polo Plaza Cebu
- ★Quest Hotel Cebu
- ★Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino
- ★Plantation Bay Resort & Spa
- ★Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu
🍜Restaurants & Food
•Lantaw Floating Native Restaurant
$$Filipino seafood with scenic views
•STK ta Bay!
$$Grilled seafood and meat by the beach
•Zubuchon
$Famous lechon (roast pig)
•Casa Verde
$$American comfort food, famous for baby back ribs
•AA BBQ
$Local grilled pork and chicken
•Anzani
$$$Fine dining Mediterranean cuisine
🛍️ Shopping
- •Ayala Center Cebumall
Premier shopping mall with international brands, dining, and entertainment. Popular with locals and tourists.
- •SM City Cebumall
One of the largest malls in the Philippines with 4 buildings connected by skywalks. Endless shopping and dining options.
- •Carbon Marketlocal_market
Cebu's oldest and largest public market. Experience local life with fresh produce, flowers, and handicrafts. Early morning is best.
- •Taboan Public Marketspecialty_market
Famous dried fish market. Buy danggit (dried rabbitfish) and other seafood delicacies as pasalubong (souvenirs).
- •Island Souvenirssouvenir_shop
Authentic Cebuano handicrafts including guitars, woven products, and accessories. Multiple branches across the city.
💡 Travel Tips
- • Cebu City and Mactan Island are connected by two bridges - plan routes to avoid traffic
- • Book island hopping tours in advance, especially during peak season (Dec-May)
- • Start whale shark watching in Oslob early (6am) to avoid crowds
- • Learn basic Cebuano greetings - locals appreciate 'Maayong buntag' (Good morning)
- • Lechon (roast pig) is Cebu's signature dish - try it at Zubuchon or CNT Lechon
- • Bring cash for markets and small establishments - cards accepted at malls
- • Sun protection essential - tropical sun is strong year-round
- • Negotiate prices for tours, habal-habal, and market purchases
🔗 Related Information
📋Quick Info
📅Best Season
December - May (Dry Season)
💰Daily Budget
$35-75/day/day
👥Popular With
Beach LoversDiversHistory BuffsIsland HoppersFamilies
🗓️Recommended Stay
4-5 days
🌐Timezone
UTC+8 (PHT - Philippine Time)
💬Local Language
Cebuano, Filipino, English
💱Currency
PHP (Philippine Peso)
📅Cebu 3-Day Itinerary
Recommended plan for efficient sightseeing
Historical Cebu City
🌅
Morning2h
🎭
Magellan's Cross & Basilica del Santo Niño
💡 Start early before heat and crowds. Dress modestly for church visit. Combined ticket available.
☀️
Afternoon2-3h
🎭
Fort San Pedro & Cebu Heritage Monument
💡 Walk between sites in downtown. Fort has nice gardens and museum. Heritage Monument depicts Philippine history.
🌙
Evening2h
🍜
Sugbo Mercado & Crown Regency Sky Walk
💡 Thursday-Sunday night market with local food stalls. Optional: Sky Walk adventure at Crown Regency tower.
💡Tips
- •Hire private car/van for day trips - more convenient than public transport
- •Island hopping weather-dependent - have flexible schedule
- •Oslob whale shark ethics controversial - consider Donsol alternative
- •Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls requires advance booking and fitness
- •Sunday Sinulog festival (January) is Cebu's biggest event - book early
🌡️ Climate Information
Average Temperature
Summer:32°C
Winter:27°C
Best Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Rainy Season
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Humidity
high
Tropical climate with two seasons. Dry season (Dec-May) is ideal for beach activities. Wet season (Jun-Nov) brings afternoon rains and occasional typhoons. Year-round warm weather.
🌍 Local Culture & Customs
👋 Greetings
Handshake common. 'Mano po' (blessing gesture to elders' hand to forehead) shows respect.
👔 Dress Code
Casual tropical wear. Modest dress at churches (covered shoulders/knees). Beachwear only at beaches.
💵 Tipping
Not mandatory but appreciated. 10% at restaurants if no service charge. Round up taxi fares.
✅ Etiquette
- •Use 'po' and 'opo' when speaking to elders
- •Don't point with finger - use lips gesture
- •Wait to be invited before entering homes
- •Share food when eating in groups
❌ Taboos
- •Criticizing family or elders publicly
- •Refusing hospitality or food offers
- •Raising voice or showing anger
- •Disrespecting religious symbols
💬 Useful Phrases
Maayong buntag
Ma-ah-yong boon-tahg
→ Good morning
Salamat
Sah-lah-maht
→ Thank you
Palihug
Pah-lee-hoog
→ Please
Pila ni?
Pee-lah nee
→ How much?
Dili
Dee-lee
→ No
🚨 Emergency Contacts
👮 Police117 / 911
🚑 Ambulance911 / 161
🚒 Fire Department911 / 160
🛡️ Tourist Police+63-32-231-0691
🏛️ Japanese Consulate
Consulate General of Japan in Cebu
📞+63-32-231-7321
Address:7th Floor, Keppel Center, Samar Loop cor. Cardinal Rosales Ave, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City
Hours:8:30-12:00, 13:30-17:15 (Mon-Fri)
🏥 Hospitals
Cebu Doctors' University Hospital
📞 +63-32-255-5555English Support
Chong Hua Hospital
📞 +63-32-255-8000English Support
Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center
📞 +63-32-253-9891English Support
※ Don't hesitate to call in case of emergency