Cebu Travelers Recommend

With a full three days on the Philippine island of Cebu, you’ll have plenty of time to tour Cebu City, explore the island’s spectacular natural attractions, and head farther afield to other stunning spots in the archipelago. Here are some ideas for how to spend an unforgettable 72 hours in Cebu and beyond.

Day 1: City and Sea

Take your first day on the island to get oriented with everything Cebu has to offer. Kick things off with a guided tour of Cebu City, hitting top attractions like the Santo Niño Basilica (Basílica del Santo Niño), Magellan’s Cross, Fort San Pedro, and the Casa Gorordo Museum. Book a private tour to customize your itinerary with all the sights you want to see, or combine a tour of Cebu City with a visit to neighboring Mactan, where you can check out a local guitar factory where instruments are made by hand. After lunch, partake in one of the many water sports Mactan is known for; options include jet-skiing, parasailing, and scuba diving just off the coast. Head up to Tops Lookout to watch the sunset over Cebu, or join an evening tour that includes a Filipino-Spanish dinner at a restaurant in the Busay Hills.

Day 2: Outdoor Adventure

Cebu is a veritable outdoor playground, so there are myriad options for how to take advantage of the island’s abundant natural attractions. Head to the southwestern part of the island to spend the day canyoneering along the Canlaob River and swimming in the multitiered pools of Kawasan Falls, or take a boat just offshore from Oslob to see whale sharks in their natural habitat. Some tours let you don snorkeling gear to observe the majestic animals from the water. If you’re interested in Cebu’s underwater world, opt for a day of scuba diving. Embark on a 3-dive tour—or, if you’re new to the sport, get a taste and learn some basic skills with a Discover Scuba Diving course led by a PADI professional.

Day 3: Island-Hopping

Now that you’ve seen Cebu, it’s time to explore some of the area’s other islands. One of the most popular day trips from Cebu takes you to Bohol, famous for the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Chocolate Hills and the tiny tarsier primates that live on the banks of the Loboc River. Alternatively, take a motorized outrigger from Cebu to Olango Island, home to the largest concentration of migratory birds in the Philippines. For a true VIP experience, charter your own private boat for a day of island-hopping, with plenty of stops to snorkel and swim. Choose the islands that interest you most, such as Caohagan, known for its snorkeling, or Nalusuan, home of the mangrove-filled San Vicente Marine Sanctuary.

With two days in Cebu, you’ll have plenty of time to dive into the history and culture of Cebu City, relax on the white-sand beaches, and partake in an epic adventure on Cebu or a neighboring island. Here are some ideas for how to make the most of your 48-hour itinerary on the Philippine island of Cebu.

Day 1: Cebu City and Surroundings

**Morning:**Discover why Cebu City is nicknamed the Queen City of the South on a guided city tour. Learn about the island’s history and cultural diversity as you visit landmarks such as Magellan’s Cross, Santo Niño Basilica (Basílica del Santo Niño), Fort San Pedro, and Tops Lookout. Opt for a private tour to ensure you don’t miss anything on your list.

**Afternoon:**After lunch, it’s time for some relaxation on the water. Head to the nearest beach to soak up some rays, or book a private cruise and explore the waters and islands around Cebu, stopping at your leisure to swim or snorkel. Alternatively, infuse your afternoon with adventure by parasailing or taking in Cebu’s famous sights from a helicopter.

**Night:**If all that sightseeing has your stomach growling, you’ve got the perfect excuse for heading out on a Cebu Dine Around tour to sample some of the island’s best bites, including steamed pork dumplings from a popular roadside food stall and baked pork ribs from a local restaurant.

Day 2: Island Adventure

**Morning:**Rise early and head out to Oslob, on the southern coast of Cebu, where you can catch a boat bound for one of the island’s most spectacular natural experiences: swimming with whale sharks. Folks who prefer to keep dry can stay onboard and observe the giant creatures from the boat.

**Afternoon:**In the afternoon, cool off at another of Cebu’s natural wonders, Kawasan Falls. Take a short hike uphill along the Matutinao River to reach the cascade. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the waterfalls and take a refreshing swim in the three levels of pools.

**Night:**Finish off your 48 hours in Cebu by heading over to Mactan for a Las Vegas–style dinner show. Feast on a buffet of Philippine favorites as you sit back and enjoy the family-friendly entertainment. 

With some of the best white-sand beaches and scuba diving in Southeast Asia, it can be hard to tear yourself away from the coast in Cebu—particularly if you only have a single day to explore. But there’s plenty of natural appeal on the island’s interior as well. Here’s how to maximize 24 hours on the Philippine island of Cebu.

Morning: Canyons and Waterfalls

During the cooler morning hours, head into the island’s interior to Kawasan Canyon for a morning of hiking, cliff jumping, and canyoneering amid the island’s spectacular waterfalls and river gorges. All that activity is sure to work up an appetite, and many tours include lunch at the top of Kawasan Falls. Some itineraries take as little as half a day, leaving you plenty of time to spend the afternoon at your leisure. 

Afternoon: Beach Time

After lunch, it’s time to head to the beach for some rest and relaxation in the sunshine. Take in the views of Cebu from 150 feet (45 meters) in the air on a parasailing adventure, walk along the ocean floor amid tropical fish while helmet diving, or find out why Cebu is so famous for its spectacular scuba diving or snorkeling by donning a mask to explore beneath the surface. Alternatively, book an afternoon spa treatment and pamper yourself before your evening out.

Night: Cebu City

Visitors often overlook bustling Cebu City, but it’s a perfect setting for a night out on the town to experience a little bit of local culture. On an evening tour of the city, take in the views from Tops Lookout and sit down for a romantic dinner in the Busay Hills. Alternately, take a culinary journey on a Cebu Dine Around tour to sample traditional delicacies like pork ribs, shrimp soup, grilled fish, and steamed dumplings.