Cebu

Cebu is a large island province near the center of the Philippine archipelago. The capital city of the province is also called Cebu City. While the city and its neighboring island Mactan is the primary travel destination, there are a couple of other tourist destinations around the island: Malapascua island off the northern tip and Moalboal on the west coast are both popular scuba diving destinations.

To be honest, there isn't a lot to see in Cebu itself. However, there is a lot to see and do in the area around the city, so it makes a good base for an extended stay in the area. You can take day trips to see sights on the island, and a few extended trips to Bohol and Dumaguete.

Getting There and Getting Around

Cebu's central location makes it a major transport hub for both air and sea (ferry) travel. The capital city's Mactan Cebu International Airport is accessible from almost any other airport in the country. There are some international flights to other Asian cities as well. You can get a ferry to or from Cebu's waterfront for most destinations around the Philippines, including as far away as Manila.

In this section

Cebu City

Cebu is a large island province near the center of the Philippine archipelago. The capital city of the province is also called Cebu City. The city's big claim to fame is that, in 1521, it's where Magellan landed in the Philippines as part of his circumnavigation of the world. It's also where he was killed, on Mactan island just opposite the city, in a battle with natives who didn't want to be converted to Christianity.

Mactan Island

Mactan is a large island separated from Cebu City by a narrow channel. It is, technically, not part of Cebu City but considered a part of metro Cebu. The largest city on the island is Lapu-Lapu. The island is where the “Cebu” airport is located. Additionally, it is home to many beach resorts. If you're just passing through Cebu for a few days, chances are you'll want to stay on the island rather than in the city.