Cebu Island

Travel Guide
Cebu featuring general coastal views and a beach
Discover Spanish-era monuments, relax on pristine beaches, explore scuba-diving sites and hike to mountain peaks when vacationing on this magical Filipino island.

Visit Cebu Island, a stunning island destination that has a wide range of adventure, natural and historical attractions. Explore a city filled with colonial landmarks, soak up the sun at glorious beach resorts, spot multicolored aquatic creatures and travel around picture-perfect islands. Cebu Island sits at the heart of the Philippines’ Visayas region. It consists of the main island plus over 150 islands and islets.

Energetic Cebu City is the island capital, its major transport hub and the oldest Spanish settlement in the Philippines. Spend time visiting historic sites such as Magellan’s Cross, the 16th-century Minor Basilica of the Holy Child (Basilica Minore del Santo Niño) and Fort San Pedro. Learn about island history at the Museo Sugbo and enjoy thrilling pursuits, including a 38-story high roller coaster, at the Sky Experience Adventure. Shop for everything from fresh fish to handicrafts at the Carbon Market.

Sit beneath a palm tree, soak up the sun and try various watersports at the beaches that pepper the island’s coastline. Badian, Moalboal and Oslob, the gateway for whale shark swimming tours, are all worth visiting. Just a short drive from Cebu City is Mactan Island. Find upscale all-inclusive resorts and boundless opportunities for diving, jet-skiing, parasailing and windsurfing activities.

Join an island-hopping trip, visit more blissful beach resorts and uncover unbeatable dive spots. Off the island’s northern tip are the unspoiled yet tourist-friendly Bantayan Island and Malapascua Island. Hop between the four islands of the Camotes Islands, often called the Lost Horizon due to their unblemished natural beauty. Visit indigenous homes and sample coconut wine on Olango Island.

For further adventure, hike to the summit of Osmeña Peak and be rewarded with panoramic views. Go canyoneering in the Matutinao Valley and cliff-jumping in Medellin. Marvel at stalagmites, stalactites and curious rock formations at Binuthan Cave and Igotan Cave, among other caves.

Reach Cebu Island by flying to Mactan-Cebu International Airport from major Asian cities. Get around via buses, taxis and ferries, which depart regularly from Cebu City. Stay overnight at all-inclusive resorts, guesthouses and luxury hotels suitable for all budgets.

Where to stay in Cebu Island

Radisson Blu Cebu
Radisson Blu Cebu
5 out of 5
Serging Osmena Blvd; corner Juan Luna, Cebu, Cebu, 6000
The price is $105 per night from Jun 7 to Jun 8
$105
per night
Jun 7 - Jun 8
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Cebu. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the spacious rooms in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Things I liked were that the breakfast (included with room) was great, staff was friendly, I liked the location (across the street from the mall), and the pool was pretty nice. My one major issue with the room was the AC system. I thought my room's was just broke because the temperature was never ..."

Reviewed on May 24, 2023

Radisson Blu Cebu
Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu
Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu
5 out of 5
Punta Engano Road, Lapu-Lapu, Cebu, 6015
The price is $277 per night from Jul 2 to Jul 3
$277
per night
Jul 2 - Jul 3
Stay at this 5-star luxury resort in Lapu-Lapu. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and 5 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the family amenities ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
"This was the best Shangri La hotel we stayed in. We really enjoyed the beach and all the fishes."

Reviewed on May 20, 2023

Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu
Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort
Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort
5 out of 5
Punta Engano Road, Lapu-Lapu, Cebu
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $162 per night from Jun 12 to Jun 13
$162
per night
Jun 12 - Jun 13
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Lapu-Lapu. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (280 reviews)
"Loved it!"

Reviewed on May 11, 2023

Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Copenhagen East Residences
Copenhagen East Residences
2.5 out of 5
A. C. Cortes Avenue, Cambaro, Mandaue, Cebu
Stay at this business-friendly apartment in Mandaue. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and a balcony. Our guests praise the WiFi and the comfy rooms in our ...
8/10 Very Good! (65 reviews)
"Nice stay. Very great room to stay in. I would rate it more than perfect if I can and only if the salinity of their water is great."

Reviewed on Apr 27, 2023

Copenhagen East Residences
Citadines Cebu City
Citadines Cebu City
4 out of 5
Baseline Center Juana Osmena Street, Cebu
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Cebu. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (153 reviews)
"I like staying there. Kitchen is very nice only thing I like to update is tv channels seem limit channel"

Reviewed on May 14, 2023

Citadines Cebu City
Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa
Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa
3.5 out of 5
Buyong Road, Maribago, Lapu-Lapu, Cebu, 6015
Stay at this 3.5-star beach aparthotel in Lapu-Lapu. Enjoy free parking, 4 outdoor pools, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (106 reviews)
"Curbs are cracked and missing large chunks or stone that need repairing. The pools were designed without surface water skimmers so nothing is filtered that doesn't sink to the bottom of the pool or removed manually. Food was excellent at both restaurants!"

Reviewed on Mar 30, 2023

Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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