Cebu Travel Guide & Cebu Itinerary: 5-14 Days {The Philippines}
- Kate Colliety
- Apr 4
- 11 min read
Cebu is one of the largest islands in the Philippines and a popular destination for any traveller. It was our very first stop on our initial backpacking adventure, so as we look back, we have plenty to share about what we would have done differently. This is great for you because you will not make the same mistakes we did!
Let me set the scene. We had just arrived after an 18-hour flight, Kate’s bag was lost, and it was a stuffy 30 degrees. We jumped into a white taxi (not a yellow one—well done, us! I will explain this later) and headed to our traditional nipa hut.
Let me tell you, traditional nipa huts are great… on the beach, not in the city down a dodgy backstreet. As we became acquainted with the rats, cockroaches, and mozzies, we quickly realized we were rookies and had lots to learn!
And now here we have a wealth of knowledge to share with you all about the island of Cebu. Please don’t let my introduction put you off. Cebu is an incredibly diverse island with something for every traveller. From the vibrant Cebu City, adventurous Moalboal and diving paradise Malapascua.
In this Cebu Travel guide, we will take you through Cebu’s best destinations, including Cebu City, Malapascua, Moalboal, and Oslob. We’ll cover where to stay, the top things to do, and everything you need to know before visiting. We’ve also put together a 5-day Cebu itinerary for those wanting to experience the highlights, as well as a longer Cebu itinerary for those who want to explore it all.
Contents
Why Visit Cebu?
First of all, Cebu is a major hub thanks to Mactan-Cebu International Airport. Most tourists backpacking through the Philippines will arrive here at some point, as it serves as a gateway to other islands like Siquijor and Bohol. Cebu is naturally a path on any itinerary and luckily it has lots to offer!
Cebu is one of the most exciting islands in the Philippines, offering a mix of natural wonders, incredible marine life, and historical sites. From swimming with sardines in Moalboal to hiking to breathtaking waterfalls and canyoneering in Kawasan, there’s so much to experience.
Best Time To Visit Cebu
The best months to visit the Philippines are December to February, the temperatures are at their coolest and there is little rainfall. However that also directly overlaps with the busiest tourist season for the Philippines, so depending on what type of traveller you are will change when it might be best for you to visit.
We visited the Philippines from April to June meaning we went during the shoulder season, just before the wet season fully kicked in. If you prefer less crowds we recommend visiting during these months, it was less touristy than Jan/Feb but also not as much rainfall as Jul/Aug, the perfect combination.
How To Get To Cebu
The easiest way to get to Cebu is by flying into Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), which serves both domestic and international flights. Internal flights are common from Manila, Palawan & Siargao. Cebu also has a large port welcoming ferries from neighbouring Bohol and other destinations.
From Manila
Best Option: Flight to Cebu (1hr 30 mins, From $45)
Alternative: Ferry from Manila to Cebu (22+ hrs, From $25pp)
From Other Philippine Destinations
From Palawan: Direct flight from Puerto Princesa to Cebu (1hr 30 mins, From $50)
From Siargao: Direct flight from Siargao to Cebu (1hr 15 mins, From $45)
From Bohol: Fast ferry to Cebu (2 hours, From $10)
Where To Include On Your Cebu Itinerary?
Cebu City & Mactan Island
Cebu City is large with lots of neighbourhoods. When you arrive at the international airport you will be on Mactan, an island connected to the city, this is a great area to stay before or after a flight. If you remember earlier I mentioned the colour of taxis, the yellow taxis are airport taxis and charge a greater fare so if you can jump in a white one.
As you cross over onto the main island you will be greeted by vibrant jeepneys, bustling shopping centres and countless fast food restaurants. We love and recommend trying the famous Lechon.
If this is your first time visiting, join a tour to experience the cultural aspects of the city or head to the huge malls to shop your heart out! We always recommend upping your budget in a city so you can relax in a nicer hotel and not experience rats in the shower like us!
If you’re looking for nightlife in the city the neighbourhood of Mango Square is where you should head. Here you can find an abundance of bars, restaurants and clubs.
Top Three Things To Do In Cebu City:
Visit Magellan’s Cross & Basilica del Santo Niño
Explore the Temple of Leah & Sirao Garden
Taste Cebu’s famous Lechon
Moalboal is our favourite place in Cebu. Virtually everyone who is travelling the island makes the 3 hour journey down to the bustling area of Panagsama Beach. Here you can find beachfront resorts, diving communities and budget backpacker hostels all focused around the coral wall just metres off-shore. Snorkel with turtles, tropical fish and see the famous sardines! Other notable highlights include Kawasan Falls, the beautiful canyoneering adventure that has drawn backpackers from all over the world. For us this was the best town on Cebu Island.
Top Three Things To Do In Moalboal:
Sardine Run Snorkelling – Swim with millions of sardines just off Panagsama Beach.
Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls – A thrilling activity that involves jumping off waterfalls and swimming through turquoise canyons.
White Beach Relaxation – A beautiful, less crowded alternative to Panagsama Beach.
Malapascua
Situated in the North of Cebu is the paradise Malapascua Island, famous for its world-class diving. The island draws underwater enthusiasts from all around the globe as the water gives the unique opportunity to dive with thresher sharks all year round.
Top Three Things To Do In Malapascua:
Thresher Shark Diving – One of the only places in the world to see these sharks up close!
Visit Langob Beach – A pristine stretch of white sand away from the crowds.
Island Hopping – Explore nearby islands such as Kalanggaman Island.
Oslob
Oslob was an area of Cebu we missed, not only do we disagree with the unethical whale shark feeding we also felt we hadn’t quite spent enough time in Moalboal. As backpackers we always get caught in an area we love and find it hard to move on.
After further research however we’ve discovered the whale sharks aren’t the only draw to Oslob. You can visit Tumalog Falls, explore the Cuartel Ruins, & head to the nearby private Sumilon Island.
Alternative Things To Do In Oslob:
Visit Tumalog Falls – A stunning, misty waterfall just outside the town.
Explore Sumilon Island – A secluded island with pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters.
Hike to Osmeña Peak – The highest point in Cebu, offering panoramic views of the island.
Cebu Itineraries
Suggested 5-Day Cebu Itinerary
One thing we quickly realised was just how exhausting the trip could get! We had originally planned to cover everything in Moalboal in just two days, but of course, that didn’t happen. So, we've created a more realistic Cebu itinerary that you can adapt to your preferences. Whether you want to relax on the beach or go waterfall hunting, or maybe skip Oslob altogether and add an extra day to Moalboal, use this itinerary as a guide to tailor the trip to what suits you best. But we would say, don't miss the sardine run or canyoneering adventures as these were the best activities in Cebu!
Getting around Cebu is generally easy thanks to its good bus system. Once you reach each town, renting a scooter offers the freedom to explore, or you can use trikes for local transportation. In Cebu City, however, we don't suggest renting a scooter due to the heavy traffic, but Grab rides are affordable and convenient.
Day 1 & 2
Arrive in Cebu City and settle in. On day 2 join a guided tour to explore Magellan's Cross & Temple of Leah. Try House of Lechon for dinner.
Accommodation:
Day 3 - 5
Take an early bus to Moalboal and explore Panagsama Beach, Snorkel the sardine run then head to the food market for dinner. Spend the morning of day 4 canyoneering at Kawasan Falls and in the afternoon relax at White Beach. Start day 5 with a sunrise hike at Osmeña Peak then go waterfall chasing, visit Cambais Falls or Montpellier Falls. The rest of Day 5 can be used to travel to your next destination or to explore Moalboal further.
Accommodation & Travel:
7 Day Cebu Itinerary
Complete the 5 day Cebu itinerary above then add on Oslob.
Day 6 & 7
During you time Oslob you can visit Tumalog Falls and Sumilon Island. On your last day visit Aguinid Falls or Dao Falls for an extra adventure then move on to Siquijor, or return to Cebu City for flights.
Accommodation & Travel:
Bus from Moalboal to Oslob (2-3hrs)
Cebu 2-Week Itinerary
If you have more time, you can slow down your travels and fully enjoy each destination, we’d recommend 4-5 nights in Moalboal and Malapascua then 2-3 in Cebu City. Consider adding additional stops like Bantayan Island or Camotes Islands for a more off-the-beaten-path experience or head up to Malapascua Island for diving and snorkelling.
To help create your 2-week itinerary below you will find our visual map of the top things to do in Cebu as well as a list of our favourite attractions on the island.
Top Things To Do In Cebu Map
Best Attractions On Cebu
Snorkel With Millions Of Sardines (Moalboal)
Snorkelling in Moalboal was amazing and one of our favourite things to do in the small town. Just a couple of meters offshore is a natural phenomenon that can only be seen in a handful of places around the world, the Moalboal Sardine Run. You can do this activity on your own from Panagsama Beach however we wish we hired a guide to get the most out of the experience.
Osmeña Peak & Casino Peak Hikes (Central Cebu)
Casino Peak is one of the best viewpoints in all of Cebu, overlooking what could be described as the Chocolate Hills of Cebu. It feels like a million miles away from the stunning coastline, snorkelling with sardines and whale sharks, but perfect if you’re into hiking.
Kawasan Falls Canyoneering (Moalboal)
Kawasan Falls is a must for any adrenaline junkie! Spend the morning jumping into rivers & lagoons and make your way down to the famous Kawasan Falls. This tour is best started with the zipline and the tour guides are brilliant, constantly take photos in all different, interesting ways! This was a highlight for Mike, maybe the best thing he did in the Philippines.
Pescador Island (Moalboal)
Just a short boat ride away from Panagsama Beach is Pescador Island, a Snorkel and Dive haven with rich marine life, one of the best in all of the Philippines. Most travel providers offer an Island Hopping Tour which stops off at Pescador Island however you can also book a dedicated Dive Boat.
Try House of Lechon (Cebu City)
We were recommended House of Lechon by our first taxi driver in Cebu City. We had just landed and were thrown into the manic traffic, bird-nest wires and colourful life of the island. Shamefully our first night we ended in McDonalds, my luggage had just been lost and we were staying in a 1 star hostel. The next day we decided we needed to do as the locals do so we headed off to find Lechon. Trust me this is much better than McDonalds! We also recommend hiring a driver for the day if you want to explore the city.
If you're looking for some authentic Filipino Cuisine, House of Lechon Acacia Street Cebu City is the place to go.
Dive With Thresher Sharks (Malapascua)
All year round you can dive with thresher sharks in the waters around Malapascua island. If you’ve come to the Philippines to dive we highly recommend not missing this unique opportunity!
Waterfall Chasing (All Over Cebu)
There are endless waterfalls to explore throughout Cebu, way more than just the famous Kawasan Falls, each are full of the unique vibrant blue coloured water surrounded by dense tropical jungle. As the waterfalls are some of Moalboal's best hidden tourist spots we recommend hiring a driver or scooter for the day as some of these are quite far from town however can they can also be combined with the Osmeña Peak Hike.
Inambakan Falls
Kabutongan Waterfall
Dao Waterfall
Cambais Falls
Montpellier Waterfall
Mainit Hot Spring In Malabuyoc
Binalayan Waterfall
Aguinid Falls
Cancalanog Falls
Mantayupan Falls
Lusno Falls
Below, we've listed our top accommodation picks for each area in Cebu. As budget backpackers, we love recommending affordable stays! If you're looking for more luxurious resorts or other options, check out our full blog on the best places to stay in Cebu.
Cebu City
Harrolds Hotel is a four-star accommodation at a reasonable budget, the facilities included a rooftop bar with city views, airport shuttle, large spacious rooms plus the hotel is only a 15 minute walk to the Ayala Shopping Centre.
Moalboal
Moho is one of the most popular hostels in Moalboal with its own shared lounge and bar. It is in a prime location only 500m away from Panagsama Beach making this a great choice for solo travellers and backpackers looking to make friends and enjoy their time in Moalboal. The hostel offers free drinks from 8:00 - 8:30 meaning Moho Moalboal Hostel is popular amongst younger travellers and perhaps the best hostel in Moalboal.
Malapascua
Previously known as Villa Sandra this hostel brands itself as an eco hostel with reggae vibes. The rooms are 12-bed dormitories inside traditional nipa huts with shared bathrooms. Although the accommodation is simple you can partake in diving, a boat tour and local volunteering opportunities all arranged by the hostel making this the best place to stay in Malapascua on a budget.
Oslob
This hostel has basic amenities but you can stay in a dorm room for as little as £6 a night, perfect for backpackers on a budget. Again this hostel is very focused around the whale shark tours, but we recommend skipping this and head to check out the waterfalls instead!
Average Costs For Travelling Cebu
Planning a Cebu adventure with your partner or friend? Here's our detailed breakdown from five days exploring Cebu City and Moalboal. We try to travel on a budget but must admit here we did eat more western food than usual upping our food costs.
Total Spend On Cebu
£27 per person per day
This budget covered accommodation in comfortable hostels, local transportation, daily meals including some splurges, and the unmissable canyoneering experience at Kawasan Falls.
Below we share our total cost per person for 6 days in Bohol.
Accommodation: £32
Transport: £22.29
Food & Drink: £32
SIM card (66GB for one month): £19.74
Activities: £40.84
Kawasan Falls Canyoneering: £38.76
Snorkel fin rental for Sardine Run: £2.08
Cebu Travel Tips
Below we share our favourite tips for travelling Cebu:
Cebu City is the second biggest hub in the Philippines, so expect chaos!
Oslob’s Whale Shark swimming is really unethical for the animals!
Moalboal is an amazing hub for backpackers for snorkelling and sunset drinks at Panagsama Beach
When travelling around the Philippines in a tuk-tuk, tricycle or taxi, agree on a price upfront and try to have the right change handy.
Use an E-sim like Airalo to stay connected and remove the hassle of a physical SIM
Malapascua is home to some of the only Thresher Shark diving in the world
Don’t skip Kawasan Falls & head to the tour early to avoid the crowds
Explore hidden gems, top spots, restaurants and more - instantly available in Google Maps. Download over 300 pins for FREE!
Travel Tools To Help You Plan
These are some of the travel tools we love and use daily, by booking through our links you support our blog and help us grow, thank you.
Thank you for reading and enjoy your Philippine adventure. Reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels. We always love to hear from people who read our blogs!
For our Filipino friends: Maraming salamat sa pag babasa, hangang sa susunod nating pag kikita, mamimiss namin kayo, mabuhay ang pilipinas! Salamat
*Some links in this article are affiliate meaning we may earn a small commission with no extra cost to you! It helps grow the blog so thank you for supporting us.
.png)
Bình luận