Cebu Island

Travel Guide

Kawasan Falls featuring a waterfall and a river or creek
Cebu showing general coastal views and a sandy beach
Kawasan Falls featuring a waterfall, swimming and a river or creek
Logon featuring boating and general coastal views
Cebu showing general coastal views and tropical scenes

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 ChildOpens in a new window (Basilica Minore del Santo Niño) and Fort San PedroOpens in a new window. 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

Cebu City featuring a statue or sculpture

Downtown Cebu

4/5(18 area reviews)

Downtown Cebu is noteworthy for its churches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and Santo Nino Church.

Downtown Cebu
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Maribago

While Maribago might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Jpark Island Waterpark and Magellan Monument.

Maribago
Philippines Taoist Temple showing religious elements and a temple or place of worship

Lahug

4/5(57 area reviews)

Lahug is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Cebu Taoist Temple and Ayala Malls Central Bloc while you're in town.

Lahug
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Punta Engaño

4/5(11 area reviews)

While Punta Engaño isn't home to many top sights, Magellan Monument and Mactan Shrine are some notable places to visit nearby.

Punta Engaño
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Basdiot

3.5/5(3 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Basdiot, Panagsama Beach and Naomi's Bottle Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Basdiot
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Mabolo

2.5/5(15 area reviews)

While visiting Mabolo, you might make a stop by sights like SM City Cebu and Carmelite Monastery.

Mabolo
Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu

Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu

5 out of 5
Punta Engano Road, Lapu-Lapu, Cebu
The price is P8,900 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
P8,900
P10,925 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury resort in Lapu-Lapu. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"Excellent staff!"

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2025

Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu
Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort

Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort

4 out of 5
Punta Engano Road, Mactan Island, Lapu-Lapu, Central Visayas
The price is P10,200 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
P10,200
P12,651 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Lapu-Lapu. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (303 reviews)
"Everything was good except when you took a shower there was never any hot water. Cold showers are awful in my book."

Reviewed on Jul 14, 2025

Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort
Marco Polo Plaza Cebu

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu

4 out of 5
Cebu Veterans Drive, Nivel Hills, Apas, Cebu City, Cebu
The price is P3,825 per night from Jul 21 to Jul 22
P3,825
P4,285 total
Jul 21 - Jul 22
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Cebu City. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 5 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,004 reviews)
"Lovely"

Reviewed on Jul 16, 2025

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu
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.
Citadines Cebu City

Citadines Cebu City

4 out of 5
Baseline Center Juana Osmena Street, Cebu City
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Cebu City. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (508 reviews)
"This place is very clean and secure. All the staff were very polite and professional. I love the hotel, Thank you"

Reviewed on Jul 14, 2025

Citadines Cebu City
88th Avenue

88th Avenue

3.5 out of 5
Gov. M. Cuenco Ave, Cebu City, Central Visayas
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Cebu City. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (145 reviews)
"The staff was very courteous, very professional, friendly and professional. The only drawback was that netflix wws not working. I absolutely loved everything eose, the gym is great, the eateries that support the hotel, the market, and the entire property was fantastic."

Reviewed on Jun 30, 2025

88th Avenue
CSuites at 8 Newtown Residences

CSuites at 8 Newtown Residences

3 out of 5
G/F Retail 102 A 8 Newtown Blvd., Mactan, Lapu-Lapu, Cebu
Stay at this 3-star beach aparthotel in Lapu-Lapu. Enjoy free WiFi, in-room massages, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the property condition in our ...
8/10 Very Good! (181 reviews)
"Good location. Close to many restaurants as well as a grocery store and pharmacy."

Reviewed on May 17, 2025

CSuites at 8 Newtown Residences
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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