Philippines Guide
For Travelers, Expats and Pinoys
Cebu Travel Guide
One of the popular and fast-advancing metropolitan areas in the southern part of the Philippines, Cebu plays home to numerous tourist spots, hotels, and restaurants. Another attraction in the city is the entertaining festivals that it annually holds. In terms of sightseeing, people can always visit some of the natural and manmade attractions in the place since their locations are very accessible. Hence, for those who have interest in visiting and spending their vacations in Cebu, Philippines, it is best that they take a look at Cebu travel guides where they can stay, dine and do some leisure and recreational activities.
Accommodations
In terms of accommodation, Cebu City, Philippines, takes pride in the elegant and luxurious hotels that it features. For those who are in search for hotels that offer first-rate services, they can always check the five-star hotels like Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa, Maribago Blue Water Beach Resort Club, as well as Badian Island Resort and Spa Cebu, which are commonly features in most Cebu travel guides. Meanwhile, for those who prefer to stay in hospitality service providers that have affordable rates, they can know the facilities and room amenities at three-star and two-star hotels like Midtown Hotel Cebu, Holiday Plaza Cebu, and Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort Cebu, through the guides.
Dining
Aside from accommodations, Cebu travel guides also feature famous dining places in Cebu City, Philippines, which serve sumptuous and mouth-watering dishes to everyone. Some of the restaurants that are commonly featured in the guides are Family Farm Grill House Kilo-Kilo, City Breakfast Club, and Abaseria Deli and Café. Hence, for those who want prefer fine dining restaurants, Cebu travel guides feature the ambiance, menu, and location of Lumpia House Fine Dining, Grand Majestic, and Royal Concourse.
Tourist Attractions
When it comes to tourist destinations, travelers to Cebu, Philippines, can always check Cebu travel guides for information or details about famous sightseeing spots, namely Casa Gorordo Museum, Heritage of Cebu Monument, and Magellan’s Cross. Hence, for those who have interest in culture and arts, they can always visit art and antique collections at President Sergio Osmena Memorabilia and CAP Art Gallery, Rizal Memorial Library and Museum, as well as Arcenas Antique Collection.
Transportation
Regarding transportation and travel to Cebu City, Philippines, Cebu travel guides also offer ways on how to get to the city proper. Hence, for those who are new to visiting the city, they can ride in boats or take flights from Manila going to Cebu ports. From Cebu port, there are a lot of jeepneys, buses, and cabs that can take them to the places that they want to visit in the area.
Cebu Sightseeing Guide
Tourist destinations are aplenty in the Philippines, but, as this Cebu sightseeing guide will indicate, few can compare with the sights and sounds of this beautiful island.
Cebu sightseeing guide: historical landmarks
Home to some of the most significant events in Philippine history, there are several locations that you will want to pay a visit to. One of them is Fort San Pedro, the most ancient bastion in the archipelago. Covering over 2,000 sq meters, the ruins of the walls and towers are still visible and give you a glimpse of its past glory.
Another fabled landmark is the Cebu Monument. This tableau is a showcase of the significant events in the island’s history. Other historical sites are the University of San Carlos, the oldest school in the Philippines, the Capitol building and the Lapu Lapu Monument.
Cebu sightseeing guide: cultural sites
The Casa Gorordo Museum was actually the residence of a Filipino bishop, and has now been converted to a repository for antique artworks, relics, furniture and a place where one can view the Filipino lifestyle in the 1800s.
Other cultural haunts in Cebu include the Southwestern University Museum, which houses the vast collection of Lydia Alfonso, which consists of relics culled from different periods of Philippine history. Other sites worth a visit are Julian Jumalon’s Butterfly Sanctuary, the Rizal Museum, the Sala Piano Museum, and the Rose Ong Collection, repository of various orchids.
Cebu sightseeing guide: natural wonders
If you want to get in touch with nature, you can go to Mactan Island, which has become a beach resort and a haven for scuba diving enthusiasts. Another popular site is Kawasan Falls, where some of the most breathtaking waterfalls in the island can be seen.
The Olango Wildlife Sanctuary is the place to go to for bird lovers, as it hosts thousands of different types of birds from various parts of the country. The Nonoc Cave on the other hand, is perfect for those that love diving and trekking.
Cebu sightseeing guide: religious shrines
The Taoist Temple is a shrine dedicated to the conservation of the words and sayings of Confucius. A site for religious pilgrims, it is also a popular spot for tourists. You may also want to visit the church in Mandaue to have a look at the Chapel of the Last Supper, a sculpture of the famous painting by Da Vinci. The Celestial Garden is also popular among devotees and tourists mainly due to the religious statues scattered across the hills.
As this Cebu sightseeing guide makes clear, there are several locations that you can go to. If you want to get a taste of Philippine culture and glimpse its natural beauty, this island paradise is a good place to start.
Cebu Restaurant Guide
Cebu is one of the best places you have to visit in the Philippines. It is an island with fantastic beaches and restaurants as well. The Cebuanos have a penchant for good food so it is no wonder that there are plenty of restaurants in Cebu. You can categorize the restaurants into three. There are restaurants when you are on a budget, for mid range budget and restaurants for splurging.
Cebu Restaurants on a Budget
1.Casa Verde – This is actually an old home that is found on F. Ramos street. This was turned into a restaurant and they offer delicious baby back ribs for one hundred thirty pesos only. It is the restaurant’s best selling meal.
2.Ila Puti – This restaurant has two branches one in Sykes in Mabolo and one in the IT Park. They have dishes that are not so much cooked in Cebu like bangus in coconut cream and carbonara.
3.Da Vinci’s Pizza – This is a pizza chain with many branches in Cebu. They are known for their pasta with white sauce. The prices of the pizzas are affordable ranging from two hundred pesos up to three hundred pesos which is good for four or five people.
Cebu Restaurants for a Mid-range Budget
1.Café Georg. This is a restaurant situated in Banilad which offers several varieties of appetizers. Many people like the spinach with the dip. They also offer salads and fish cooked in the Singaporean way. They also offer Bolognara pasta and chicken pot pies. The restaurant updates the menu every now and then.
2.Lemongrass Restaurant – This is a restaurant operated by a family. They offer different Cebuano and Filipino dishes.
3.Garden Café – This is a restaurant in the ayala mall which offers cuisine from Thailand and Vietnam. They also offer their own version of herbal juice.
4.La Buona Forchetta – This is a restaurant that was a former mansion. They serve Italian dishes with their famous Focaccia bread, Salciccia which is their pizza and pasta marinara. The prices range from three hundred pesos up to four hundred pesos.
5.Spice Fusion – This is a restaurant with the Asian theme. They serve food or cuisine from Asian countries.
Restaurants in Cebu for a Splurge
1.Abaca - This is a restaurant that changes menu on a daily basis because of the availability of the ingredients they use. The price for one person is one thousand pesos. The price may be too expensive but visiting this restaurant is more of an experience.
2.Tides – This is a restaurant inside Shangri-la hotel in Mactan. They offer a buffet style of food. They offer different kinds of dishes from seafood to chocolate.
Cebu Hotel Guide
The Philippines has many great hotels where you can experience luxury and service. The oldest city of the Philippines is no exception to that rule and we are here to give you the Cebu Hotel Guide to show you that Cebu is not as old as it sounds like.
Let us start the Cebu Hotel Guide with one of the most famous and luxurious hotels in the world and in the Philippines; the Marriot Hotel Cebu. The Marriot Hotel Cebu is located right across the Ayala Mall and in the upscale district. This four star hotel has suites, ordinary rooms and presidential suites where you can enjoy the comfort and luxury that only Marriot can offer. The cost per night averages on a $130.
The next hotel in our Cebu Hotel Guide is going to be the Cordova Reef Village Resort Cebu. This resort is close to all the dive sites that you might want to travel too. This four star resort is located in the Mactan Island of Cebu on which one of Philippines international airports is located in. The Cordova Reef Village Resort Cebu has wonderful amenities great for relaxing or you can just lie around in the beach. The cost per night starts at around $150.
Another hotel in the Cebu Hotel Guide is one of Philippines business hotels called the Parklane International Hotel Cebu. This hotel is located right in the middle of the business district which makes this an ideal place to stay for travelling young professionals. This four star hotel has wellness centers and a fitness gym where you can sweat your stress out. The rate per night in this hotel ranges around $110.
The best three-star hotel in the Cebu Hotel Guide with the optimal location is the Midtown Hotel Cebu. This hotel is located directly above a supermarket and a shopping mall and is just a foot step away from restaurants, larger malls and the shopping districts of Cebu. The Midtown Hotel Cebu is yet another one of Philippines business hotels and the ambience remains classy and chic. You can dine in their glass restaurant that overlooks the shopping district of Cebu. The stay per night costs around $65.
The last hotel in the Cebu Hotel Guide is going to be the Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel Cebu. This is a four star hotel located in Cebu, Philippines and this hotel is situated along the white beaches of Cebu. This beach resort offers a spa, a pool area where you can sip your tropical cocktails and a great ambience. The stay per night in this hotel starts at around $110.
We hope that you have found the right hotel for you in Cebu, Philippines with the Cebu Hotel Guide. Enjoy the four and three star hotels that Cebu, the oldest city in the Philippines, has to offer.
Cebu Beach Guide
Cebu is an island in the South of Philippines that is also called the queen city of the south. The capital of Cebu is Cebu city and it is a modern city with several companies and factories. Cebu is a place where the modern life of the city and the paradise of beautiful beaches meet. You can enjoy a laid back life in a beautiful beach in just one hour. Cebu is surrounded by beautiful beaches in the north, east, west and south.
1. Mactan Beaches – These are the beaches that you can find in the Mactan island. The island is also where the international airport can be found. The island has several hotels and resorts. Some have pure white sand others have the darker kind. The following are the famous resorts :
a.Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa – This is a world class hotel made some renovations which made it bigger. This hotel is more expensive than most resorts and hotels in Mactan. This hotel has a good view of the Mactan beach. They also have two large pools where guests can always swim in or play volleyball. Many families like the kids zone where their children can enjoy different games and activities. This is a large area where children can play. It has three floors which are all padded. It has a huge slide too.
b.Plantation Bay Resort and Spa – this is another world class hotel in Mactan. You can enjoy the beach with the white sands.
2. Beaches in Alcoy – Alcoy is a town in the south of Cebu. Alcoy has small coastline with white sands. The people live on fishing and mining as well. Alcoy has a beautiful area with mountains and some cliffs made of limestones. Tingko is the most popular beach in the town because there are wonderful rocks in the coast. The waters is clear and it is an ideal place for divers. This is also one of the cheapest beach in Cebu since there is no entrance fee. Tingko beach has one of the most beautiful sunset and sunrise in the country.
3. Daan Bantayan and Gibitngil Island
The island of Gibitngil is located in the town of Medellin which is in the northern end of Cebu. Many tourists nowadays have discovered this island. Many of them island hop during the day. The island has white fine sands that are compared to powder. The water is also crystal blue perfect for snorkeling fans and scuba diving enthusiasts. People in Gitbingil are peaceful people and they have recorded very low crimes in their area. You can reach the island from cebu via a bus bound for Medellin then via a motor boat going to the island.
Malapascua is a beach located in the island of Bantayan. Malapascua also has fine white sands and clear waters. It is drawing more tourists every year. It offers rich marine life and varied coral formations as well. There are many hotles and resorts in Bantayan and during the peak season there are several parties being held at night.
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines: An Industrial Bid
Lapu-Lapu City is an industrial center in the Visayas region of the Philippines. It is a historic site and a key city in the region and is bidding to become economically strong in the coming years. Here’s an overview of the many unique details about Lapu-Lapu City.
Lapu-Lapu City is located in the province of Cebu. It is on Mactan Island and is named after the island’s chieftain who, back in 1521, is believed to have killed Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese navigator. Lapu-Lapu City was known then as Opon.
In 1886 a monument to Ferdinand Magellan was erected on the site of the battle at Lapu-Lapu City. You will also see a monument erected to Chief Lapu-Lapu on Lapu-Lapu City’s plaza.
Lapu-Lapu City is part of the Cebu metropolitan area and is connected to the rest of Cebu through the Mactan-Mandaue Bridge. This bridge connects the island of Cebu to Lapu-Lapu City and the rest of the Mactan Island.
Lapu-Lapu City is a growing industrial center. It hosts a port that accommodates a variety of sea vessels. Lapu-Lapu City is also well noted for the thermal installations that supply energy for its growing economy. Corn mills and flourmills are found in the area, as well as a host of guitar shops make up Lapu-Lapu City’s industries — that also includes fishing.
The Mactan International Airport, one of the international airports of the Philippines, is located at Lapu-Lapu City. In 1979, an industrial tax-free zone was opened to cater to various business ventures and is known today as the Mactan Export Processing Zone. A lot of these business ventures are Japanese-owned, though there are still Filipino and jointly owned ventures catered there as well.
Lapu-Lapu City also draws in a number of local and foreign visitors making tourism an important part of the city’s economy. Lapu-Lapu City boasts of excellent beaches and dive spots that is home to corals and other marine life.
Two of the many famous tourist spots in Lapu-Lapu City are the Magellan Market and the Lapu-Lapu Monument. The Magellan Marker is located in Punta Engano, Lapu-Lapu City. Magellan crossed the channel to Mactan Island to spread the Christian faith in the Philippines. Before he reached the island’s shores he and his men were killed in a battle dated April 27, 1521. Magellan’s body was never recovered from the natives in spite of efforts to buy it from them. The marker was erected in 1866 on the spot where the explorer died.
Also located in Punta Engano, Lapu-Lapu City, is the Lapu-Lapu Monument erected in honor of the chieftain who defended the island people’s freedom. The monument stands as a reminder of the bravery of the Filipino people.
To get to Lapu-Lapu City we either go by ship or by air. The airfare to Lapu-Lapu City from Manila would cost an average of Php 4,000 (flights scheduled daily). The travel by ship from Manila to Lapu-Lapu City would also cost as much as Php 4,000 for a luxury suite. Hotel accommodations at Lapu-Lapu City range from US $60 to US $100.
Lapu-Lapu City is a great bid for a wonderful holiday and an interesting place to start a business. The many opportunities presented by the city makes it a growing competitor in the economy of the Philippines.
Tags: Cebu, Philippines, Magellan, Lapu Lapu
Welcome to Cebu City, Philippines
Dubbed as the Queen City of the South, Cebu City is one of the historic sites and thriving cities of the Philippines. Cebu City is one of the oldest cities in the country. It is disputed to have the oldest street in all of the Philippines — Colon Street.
Cebu City may be old, but the nightlife here isn’t really ancient. Cebu City may well be termed as the resort of the Visayas region. It has a thriving commercial center, an international harbor, and is the second city in the Philippines.
The history of the Philippines is well marked in Cebu City. Its vicinity is the place where much of Philippine-Spanish history started. Here is the place where the Spanish first landed for conquest. Evidence of which is Fort San Pedro, the oldest and smallest Spanish fort in the country. This was built under the command of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in 1565, a Spanish Conquistador.
Other than Fort San Pedro, Cebu City has a host of other tourist spots to visit. Colon Street, in the downtown area, is the oldest street in the country. Built by the Spaniards during the conquest here in the country, the place was once known as the Parian District. The street nowadays is the center of Cebu City’s nightlife. Lined by movie houses, department stores, restaurants, and business establishments, Colon Street is now a center of commerce in Cebu City.
Casa Gorordo Museum is the home of the first Filipino Bishop of Cebu. You’ll be treated to a tour of life in the late 1800s. The place is marked by relics of the era that includes antique furniture, and a Spanish style courtyard.
Another popular site in Cebu City is the Magellan’s cross. It features a wooden cross planted by Ferdinand Magellan over 450 years ago. It commemorates the beginning of Christianity in the Philippines.
The University of San Carlos, Cebu City is the oldest school in the Philippines. It was established in 1565 and was formerly known as Colegio de San Ildefonso.
Other tourist spots in Cebu City feature other religious sites like a Taoist Temple (a lot of people climb its 99 steps everyday just to have their fortunes read to them) and the Heavenly Temple of Charity (the natural spring located in this temple is believed to have healing effects).
Cebu City is also famous for its festivals. First of these is the Sinulog Festival celebrated every third Sunday of January. It’s the biggest festival in Cebu City, and is held in honor of the Holy Image of Senyor Santo Nino de Cebu.
Some of the other festivities include the Tres De Abril Celebration (commemorating the Spanish resistance) and Paskuhan (a province-wide Christmas celebration).
How to get to Cebu City? Flights from Manila to Cebu City are scheduled daily priced at Php 1,700 to Php 4,000. Another way to get to Cebu City is by ship with costs ranging from Php 2,000 to Php 3,600. Accommodations in Cebu City range from $18 to $600 from a night at a beach resort to a room in a grand hotel.
Come visit Cebu City to experience a mix of modern and historic life. Be prepared to experience the busy city life laced with a whiff of fresh sea air.
Tags: Tourism, Sinulog, Philippines, Visaya, Cebu City, Visayas, Cebu
