The island of Cebu is popular worldwide as a resort destination because of the beauty of its beaches and conditions suitable for diving and snorkeling. Its center is Cebu City, which attracts many business travelers as well as tourists.
Cebu City is not only used as a base for sightseeing because of its many accommodations and shopping centers, but is also popular for sightseeing in Cebu City because of the many churches and other spots that remain due to the remnants of Spanish rule, as well as the abundance of photo opportunities.
On the other hand, Cebu City is prone to heavy traffic jams and security risks such as pickpockets and purse snatchers, so you need to be a little creative to fully enjoy your time in the city.
In this issue, “Cebu Pre,” a local private tour company in Cebu Island, will introduce “14 recommendations for sightseeing in Cebu City” from an expert’s point of view.
What is Cebu City like?
Cebu City is the central city of Cebu Island, one of the islands that make up the Philippines. Cebu is home to various famous tourist attractions such as Oslob, Sumilon Island, and Kawasan Falls.
Cebu City is nicknamed “the oldest capital of the Philippines. As its name implies, the city has a rich history of various historical events since the landing of Magellan in the 16th century, which was followed by the rule of the U.S., Spain, and Japan. In particular, remnants of the 300 years of Spanish rule still remain today, and the city is known as a popular tourist spot for its beautiful architecture, including churches.
In addition to various sightseeing spots based on the history of Cebu Island, there are also “play” spots such as food stalls and casinos where you can enjoy extraordinary fun. In particular, casinos can be enjoyed as a casual game since there is no dress code and the price is as low as 20 Japanese yen.
<Flight Information from Japan to Cebu Island
The following is an overview of flight prices and times from Japan to Cebu Island. There are two ways to get to Cebu: direct flights and connecting flights via other airports.
Direct flights
Direct flights take about 5 hours. Direct flights are available from Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya, and are highly recommended for those who are in or near major cities and wish to shorten their flight time.
Direct flight ticket cost (round-trip) market price: 50,000-150,000 yen
*If you use low-cost airline tickets on weekdays, flights can be available for 20,000-50,000 yen.
Connecting flights
When using connecting flights to Cebu Island, there are flights via Manila, China, and Korea. The advantage of using connecting flights is that airfare is cheaper than direct flights. However, it may take more than 10 hours to reach Cebu.
Airfare cost for connecting flights (round trip): 10,000 yen and up
14 of the best places to visit in Cebu City!
The 14 recommended tourist spots in Cebu City are divided into four major areas.
Cebu City Stroll and Sightseeing Spots
The following spots are recommended for a stroll through the streets of Cebu City.
Santo Niño Church, Magellan Cross (Admission: Free)
Santo Niño Church is known as the oldest church in the Philippines, built in 1565. The main attraction of Santo Niño Church is the statue of Santo Niño (Boy), which is said to have been sent by Magellan to the then Queen of Cebu. The Santo Niño statue refers to Jesus Christ as a child, and is said to be a “miracle statue” because it was unharmed during the war, and is still on display today.
Every year on the third Sunday of January, the largest festival in Cebu, “Sinulog,” is held, attracting large numbers of people from home and abroad to the Santo Niño Church.
The Magellan Cross is the cross that Magellan is said to have hammered into the ground upon his arrival in Cebu in 1521. It is now kept and displayed in the chapel of the Santo Niño Church (replica).
Heritage Monument (free admission)
Heritage Monument (free admission)
The Heritage Monument is a group of sculptures depicting historical scenes from Cebu. You will be overwhelmed by the impressive statues, such as Magellan and the Lapu-Lapu army that fought against the Spanish army. Another point of interest is that they are made of various materials such as brass, bronze, concrete, and iron.
Lapu-Lapu Statue (free admission)
Lapu-Lapu is a hero of Cebu who fought and won against the Spanish Magellan army. The huge statue built in honor of Lapu-Lapu is called the Lapu-Lapu Statue. The statue is built in Mactan Shrine Park. It is common to access the site from Cebu City by taxi. The fare is up to negotiation with the driver, but many drivers will not charge the metered fare.
Magellan Memorial (free admission)
The Magellan Memorial is located in the same Mactan Shrine Park as the Lapu-Lapu Statue. It is said to have been built on the spot where Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese navigator who was the first European to land in the Philippines, died in the Battle of Mactan.
Fort San Pedro (Admission fee: 30 pesos = approx. 60 yen)
Fort San Pedro was built by Spain about 450 years ago as a military stronghold. Although it is a heavy stone building, it is now well maintained as a tourist facility. Inside is also a museum where you can learn about the history of Philippine independence. Fort San Pedro is also used by local people as a wedding venue for weddings and other events.
Shopping and Souvenirs in Cebu City
Next, we will introduce two major shopping centers in Cebu City.
SM City Mall
SM City Mall (SM City Cebu) is a large shopping center similar to Aeon in Japan. It is a store where locals buy daily necessities, but you can also use it to buy souvenirs and eat and drink at restaurants and cafes. There are more than 500 shops in total, and a food court with more than 50 stores on the first basement floor.
Ayala Mall
Ayala Mall is the second largest shopping center in Cebu after SM City Mall. Compared to SM City Mall, it has more high-end stores. It also has stores that are familiar in Japan, such as Starbucks and L’Occitane.
Gourmet and restaurant information in Cebu City
We will introduce information on popular gourmet restaurants in Cebu.
Lighthouse
Lighthouse is a long-established Filipino restaurant with two locations in Cebu City. It has a reputation for being “suitable for Japanese tastes” and is known for all of its dishes, from meat dishes to fish dishes and salads. You can eat your fill for around 1,000 yen.
Parisian Life
La Vie Parisienne in Cebu is a sophisticated dining venue that brings a touch of Parisian elegance to the city. Located at Crossroads, Banilad, Cebu City, this restaurant and wine bar is known for its chic, European-inspired ambiance and its diverse menu featuring French and international dishes.
House of Lechon
House of Lechon is located just across the main street from Ayala Mall. When it comes to Filipino cuisine, “Lechon” is famous. This restaurant is famous among both tourists and locals. The restaurant has a nice atmosphere both inside and out, so why not drop by after shopping at Ayala Mall?
Night view and observation spots in Cebu City
When sightseeing in Cebu City, you should also check out the night view and the scenery.
Tops Observatory
Tops Observatory is an observation point where you can get a panoramic view of Cebu city. It is located on the top of a mountain 600m high, so you can see not only Cebu city, but also Mactan Island and Bohol Island if the weather conditions are good.
Highlights of TOPS include the spectacular view (night view) from the observation deck, spots for commemorative photos, uniquely shaped buildings, and a bell for deepening bonds (it is said that if lovers ring it together, their love will come true).
TOPS Observatory is about a 30-minute taxi ride from central Cebu City.
Taoist Temple (Admission: Free)
The Taoist Temple is a colorful Chinese temple built in 1972 with donations from Chinese immigrants and dedicated to the Chinese philosopher Mencius.
The highlight of the Taoist temple is the view from the top. Since the temple is built on a hill, you can see the whole of Cebu city.
Temple of Raya (Admission fee: 50 pesos = approx. 110 yen)
The Temple of Raya is a building shaped like a Roman temple that is still under construction as of 2019 (construction began around 2012). It is built on the side of a mountain about 10km from the center of Cebu City, and can be accessed by taxi (estimated fare is 1,000 pesos round trip = about 2,100 yen) or habal-habal (motorcycle taxi. Estimated fare is 150 pesos round trip = about 320 yen).
Temple of Raya is a shrine dedicated to Raya, the wife of a famous Cebu businessman who died at the age of 53. Therefore, Temple of Raya is loved as a “symbol of love”. Raya herself is also widely respected in Cebu as a person who treated the poor equally and kindly.
Dream of Cebu Sunset Cruise
On the Dream of Sunset Cruise, you can enjoy dinner while watching the sunset and night view on a luxurious large cruiser. You can spend a luxurious time while passing between Cebu City and Mactan Island. The cost of the cruise, including dinner, is about 5,000 yen per person.
3 recommended hotels to stay in Cebu City!
When sightseeing in Cebu, hotels are usually used as a base. Even when enjoying famous tourist spots such as Oslob, Kawasan Falls, and Hilutungan Island, most plans involve leaving the hotel in the morning and returning in the evening, so choosing a hotel’s location and conditions is very important.
Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa
Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa is a five-star hotel located on Mactan Island. It is a luxury hotel that costs over 20,000 yen per person per night, but it offers a variety of facilities and services, including a private beach, pool, tennis courts, yoga, and other marine sports. It is also easily accessible, so it might be a good idea to stay overnight as one of your activities.
Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort
Blue Water Maribago Beach Resort is popular for its good value for money. You can experience the tropical atmosphere of Cebu Island and use the hotel pool. The estimated price for one night is about 12,000 yen.
Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino
The Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino is a large city hotel in Cebu City. It is lit up at night, making it very gorgeous. The price for one night is around 8,000 yen.
<Points to note when choosing a hotel>
Hotels in Cebu are concentrated in Cebu City or on the neighboring island of Mactan. When choosing a hotel, one thing to keep in mind when sightseeing in Cebu is the morning and evening traffic jams.
Traffic jams can be particularly long in Cebu City, and you may end up stuck in a traffic jam for 30 minutes to an hour. If you are going to a spot like snorkeling, many plans include leaving the hotel early in the morning, so this is usually not a problem, but if you are going sightseeing in Cebu City, we recommend that you choose a hotel based on the road conditions.
The roads on Mactan Island are less congested than in Cebu City, so depending on your plans, you may want to prioritize a hotel on Mactan Island.
For sightseeing in Cebu city, we recommend the private tour “Cebu Pre”!
We will introduce the reasons why we recommend “Cebu Pre”, a private tour limited to one group, when sightseeing in Cebu city.
No need to look at a guidebook or your smartphone while sightseeing
If you use “CebuPre,” a private tour limited to one group, one local guide will be assigned to each group, so you can go around the shops and spots you want to visit without having to look at guidebooks or smartphones. You can also avoid the risk of getting lost or wasting time by not being able to reach your destination.
Since “CebuPre” is a private tour, it has the advantage of making it easier to communicate requests such as “I’d like to stop by this shop (spot) in Cebu City” or “I’d like to go to the restroom for a bit.”
Security in terms of crime prevention
In Cebu City, Japanese tourists are prone to becoming victims of pickpockets, but the risk increases even more if you wander around with a guidebook in hand. Also, when buying souvenirs, you tend to be careless with your luggage, but having a guide who knows the area well and can speak Japanese will increase your safety.
If you travel with a guide, you can rest assured about security. With “CebuPre,” one guide is assigned to each group, so security is also very safe.
You can take photos at your favorite spots
Cebu City has a variety of photo spots, including historical buildings, scenic views, and observation decks with night views.
When traveling alone, you either have to ask a stranger to take a photo at a spot, or you have to take a selfie, but with CebuPre, a local guide will help you take photos, so you can be sure to take memorable photos. Another advantage is that the local guide knows all the photo spots inside and out.
Then you can move on smoothly to the next tourist spot.
Effective use of restaurant waiting time
There are many restaurants in Cebu where you can enjoy delicious meals, including Filipino cuisine, but one drawback is that it takes a long time for the food to be served. Depending on how busy the restaurant is, it can take up to an hour for the food to be brought to you after you order.
CebuPre offers a service where local guides wait for the food on your behalf so that you can enjoy sightseeing in Cebu while you wait for the food. Tour participants can enjoy their free time by strolling around the neighborhood while waiting for the food to be delivered.
Cebu City Tour Contents of Cebupre
We will introduce you to the tour “Cebupre” that includes sightseeing in Cebu city.
<Cebu Pre City Sightseeing Tour>
– Cebu City Sightseeing Tour + Night View Tour (from approx. 4,300 yen) This tour departs at noon and allows you to enjoy tourist spots in Cebu City such as Fort San Pedro, Santo Niño Basilica, Magellan’s Cross, and the Taoist Temple, as well as the night view spot Temple of Raya and TOPS, all in one day.
What is included in the tour:
All entrance fees, waterproof camera GoPro rental (data included), chartered vehicle, dedicated female Japanese guide, round-trip hotel transportation
*A meal at a restaurant after viewing the night view is included in the tour, but the cost of the meal is separate (250-1,000 pesos = approx. 530-2,100 yen).
<Other companies’ Cebu city sightseeing plans>
・Cebu city sightseeing tour (from 8,200 yen)
A tour where you can enjoy Magellan’s Cross, Santo Niño Church, shopping in the city, etc. A group tour with lunch where you can enjoy Filipino cuisine. A plan to depart after breakfast and return to the hotel before dinner in the evening.
Tour includes: entrance fees, Japanese guide, hotel round trip transfers
Summary
When it comes to sightseeing in Cebu, the most popular activities are sea activities such as snorkeling and canyoning at Kawasan Falls, but you should also make sure to check out Cebu City, where you can experience the history of Cebu and enjoy the night view and shopping. Also, since Cebu City will likely be your base for sightseeing in Cebu, it is even more important to know about Cebu City.
As we have introduced, Cebu City has many tourist spots, shopping spots, and night view points. To enjoy these spots and gourmet food safely, why not use a tour company?
Our company “Cebupre” offers Cebu City sightseeing tours and night view tours at low prices starting from 4,300 yen per person. We have a dedicated female guide who can speak Japanese and a dedicated vehicle to support your tour of Cebu City.
In addition to sightseeing in Cebu City, CebuPre also offers a wide range of highly popular tours!
・Island hopping 3 island tour (Pandanon Island + Nalusuan Island + Hilutungan Island)
・Snorkeling with whale sharks + Kawasan Falls canyoning & beach tour
・Snorkeling with whale sharks + Sumilon Island & Tumalog Falls tour
We also offer these tours at the lowest prices. If there is a tour that interests you, please take a look.