Cebu is a province of the Philippines, in the country’s Central Visayas region, comprising Cebu Island and more than 150 smaller surrounding islands and islets. Its prosperous port capital, Cebu City, retains landmarks from its 16th-century Spanish colonial past, including the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño church and triangular Fort San Pedro.
Way back 2018, I celebrated my 18th birthday with my sisters and mom at Cebu City since I don't want to have a debut party. They planned everything for me. We arrived at Cebu two days before my birthday. We stayed in a condo unit somewhere downtown. We just hired a tour guide with a car to give us a little tour around the City.
FIRST DESTINATION: Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu Pilgrim Center.
Cebu's holiest church houses a revered Flemish statuette of the Christ child (Santo Niño) that dates to Magellan's time. The church is no stranger to hardship: established in 1565 (the first church in the Philippines), three earlier structures were destroyed by fire, before the existing baroque structure was built in 1737. Its facade and belfry were badly damaged by the 2013 earthquake but have been restored.
HOW TO GET THERE?
If you stayed somewhere near Capitol or Chong Hua Hospital or Cebu Doctors Hospital, ride a jeepney heading for Colon. Tell the driver you are heading for Sto Nino Church and you will most likely be dropped at Security Bank nearby Sto Nino. Disembark from there and walk your way towards the church.
SCHEDULE/RATES: FREE
SECOND DESTINATION: Magellan's Cross and The Cross of Magellan Historical Marker.
Magellan's Cross Pavilion is a stone kiosk in Cebu City, Philippines. The structure is situated on Plaza Sugbo beside the Basilica del Santo Niño. It houses a Christian cross believed to have been planted by explorers of the Spanish expedition of the first circumnavigation of the world, leaded by Ferdinand Magellan, upon arriving in Cebu in the Philippines on April 21, 1521.
HOW TO GET THERE?
Magellan’s Cross address is very easy to find as it is just a walking distance from the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño located in P. Burgos St, Cebu City, Cebu.
SCHEDULE/RATES: FREE
THIRD DESTINATION: Temple of Leah.
Dubbed as the Taj Mahal of Cebu, the Temple of Leah has been attracting foreign and local tourists for its Roman-inspired architectural shrine. Unlike India’s Taj Mahal, it is not a mausoleum but serves as home to the treasures and memorabilia of the late Leah Albino Adarna, the grandmother of Filipina actress Ellen Adarna.
HOW TO GET THERE?
The cheapest way to get here via public transport is to catch a 04D, 04I or 04H (Lahug-Busay) jeepney from downtown Cebu City, fare is not more than P20 per person; get off at the street to Temple Leah; and walk for 5 minutes to the site.
Alternatively, you may charter a habal-habal at Lahug / JY Mall straight to Temple of Leah for P150 per motorcycle, good for 2 persons, or a taxi or grab from the downtown. Best time to go here is at opening to avoid the crowd.
SCHEDULE/RATES:
Open to public from 6AM to 11PM, entrance fee is P50 per person.
FOURTH DESTINATION: Cebu Taoist Temple.
The temple was built to preserve the teachings of a Chinese philosopher, Lao-Tse. While it wasn’t built for tourism purposes, it became one of the most famous Cebu tourist spots because of its beautiful architecture. Visitors will get an overlooking view of the city from a balcony. The temple’s entrance even looks like the Great Wall of China.
HOW TO GET THERE?
From Cebu City, ride a jeepney bound for Lahug along Osmeña Boulevard and get off at JY Square Mall. From there, ride a habal-habal up to the subdivision’s entrance gate. Walk for 10-15 minutes to reach the temple.
SCHEDULE/RATES:
The Cebu Taoist Temple is open daily, from 8Am to 5PM. There is no entrance fee.
FIFTH DESTINATION: Happy Beach Cebu
This 16-room boutique resort will be adorned by the “Pink Bali Beach”, the happiest floating playground in Asia. The newest installation called the “Happy Jungle Lounge” is hailed to be the next Instagram paradise, the blue waters of Mactan Island, and more pink than you can ever imagine.
We actually went to a lot of destinations but my pictures went missing, I can't find them.
HOW TO GET THERE?
Happy Beach is located just 25-35 minutes from the airport via private vehicle and boat. Upon arrival at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, take a private car or taxi to Angasil Port then hop aboard the bright pink and yellow Happy Boats for only Php 50 (roundtrip) to Happy Beach Cebu!
BEACH PASS (Day Tour) – ₱669 per person – WHOLE DAY access to Mactan Beach, Animal Cabanas, Floating Zoo & Bali Lounge
INFLATABLE ISLAND PLAY PASSES** – Requires purchase of BEACH PASS (₱669 per person for whole day use). – Sprinkle: + ₱299 per head (1 Hour Inflatable Access) – Splash: + ₱499 per head (2 Hour Inflatable Access) – Spray: + ₱699 per head (Half Day Inflatable Access) – Soaked: + ₱1,299 per head (Whole Day Inflatable Access with Lunch Feast) – Inclusive of entrance fee – Inclusive of WHOLE DAY access to Mactan beach and all attractions (Animal Cabanas, Floating Zoo & Bali Lounge) – Exclusions: Locker rental, Hotel pick up and drop off.
HAPPY JUNGLE LOUNGE + PINK POOL
– ₱1,500, good for up to 4 persons
– Requires purchase of BEACH/INFLATABLE PASS
– Whole day use of one daybed in the Happy Jungle Lounge
– Whole day access to the PINK POOL
– 2 free towel rentals
– “Tampipi” Feast (assorted food) good for 2pax.
SAFETY TIPS & PROTOCOLS:
a. Lock Up Your Valuables
b. Ask Locals For Advice
c. Don’t Share Too Much With Strangers
d. Do not bring so much money
e. Stay aware of your surroundings
f. Ask your hotel manager for advice on 'safe' versus 'unsafe' local areas.
g. Keep a photocopy of your passport and all other important documents in a safe place
h. Don't wear flashy jewelry
i. Don't share taxis with strangers.
j. Always lock your hotel door when retiring for the night.
k. Even if you're not sure where you're going, walk like you've got a purpose
If you want to travel in this time of pandemic, make sure to:
a. Wear your mask all the time.
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