CEBU & MACTAN ISLAND

Cebu City is the second largest city in the Philippines and is centrally located about 1 hour flight south of Manila landing on Mactan Island which is home to many high quality sea front resorts and is connected to Cebu City by 2 bridges. The resorts are remote from each other as the beaches are man made. The city has many hotels and good shopping malls with many restaurants and excellent nightlife. It was the first settlement of the Spanish when the colonised the Philippines in the early 16th Century. The original Fort San Pedro still faces the sea and is open to the public. ​

​Tourists go to Jail in Cebu
Who would have thought that visiting prison would ever be on the bucket list of tourists? Due to the Netflix documentary "Happy Jail" currently being shown, where the inmates of Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), perform dance routines as part of their daily exercise and rehabilitation. They attained world wide recognition  a few years ago when they performed their routine to Michael Jackson's "Thriller". The overcrowded prison is becoming more so due to, Philippine President, Rodrigo Duterte's ongoing crack down on drug pushers and users. The prison even hired a "choreographer" to teach the inmates dance routines to various popular music scores. Once a week they perform for tourists who pay to see them. Yes, it is becoming very popular and All About Asia can book this... if your are interested.

CEBU DAY TOURS

Cebu City to Kawasan Falls Canyoneering. About 3 hours drive from Cebu City. This area has become even more popular ever since Canyoneering Tours were introduced. This tour starts in the mountain area of Badian where you ride pillion on a motor bike from near the Kawasan Falls entrance, given a life vest and helmet. You enter the canyons of the river that takes you down to the Kawasan water falls. The trip takes about 3 hours and includes hiking, being swept down a rocky river , climbing and jumping off water falls. If you don’t want to partake in the canyoneering you can swim under the falls in the several pools.

Oslob is a small seaside town about 3 hours drive south of Cebu City. The local fishermen found that tourists wanted to swim with the whale sharks that pass their area during the migration south from Donsol near Legazpi. So a few years ago they started to feed them and keep them in the area, year round, so money could be made from tourism instead of fishing. The Whale Shark experience takes you out on small outrigger boats (about 6 passengers per boat) which is paddled out from the nearby beach. The boatman then ties the boat to a string of other boats and passengers are then allowed to enter the water with snorkel and face masks (provided by the tour operator) to view the whale sharks underwater as they are fed.  Tours can be taken from Bohol (4 hours by boat, round trip)  Cebu (7 hours by car, round trip), Dumaguete (3 hours, ferry and car, round trip) or Sumilon Island (under 1 hour by boat, round trip). Feeding time is from 6am to 11am daily all year round. 

Cebu City Tour ​ Discover the oldest city in the Philippines and sample it's rich culture reminiscent of Spanish and Chinese influence. Drive through the scenic Beverly Hills where the impressive Taoist Temple lords over the whole mountain side, then visit Fort San Pedro, the smallest and oldest tri-bastion fort in the county. Visit the site where the Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, planted a cross in 1521, on the very spot where the first Filipinos were baptized. Relive the religious fervour of the early Christian Filipinos at the Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño which houses the image of Sto. Niño, the oldest Spanish religious relic in the Philippines and Cebu's patron saint. Then experience Cebu's past colonial lifestyle through the splendour of Yap Sandiego Ancestral House, then after visit The Heritage Monument.

HOTELS MACTAN ISLAND CEBU
Shangri La Resort  This 5 star plus beachfront resort is 8 km from Mactan-Cebu International Airport and 18 km from downtown Cebu City. Amenities include a luxurious spa, 2 outdoor pools, 6 restaurants (where kids 11 and under eat free) and 2 bars. There's also a 6-hole pitch and putt golf course, tennis courts and an exercise room, plus mini-golf and an indoor kids' play area. Chi Spa is world renowned and among the best in South East Asia. The man made beach is safe to swim on.
​
​Plantation Bay : This Colonial-style, waterfront resort with rooms that have pool or lagoon views. Dining options include a Pacific Rim restaurant, a casual tapas cafe/bar and an ice cream parlour. There's also a lagoon-style outdoor pool, and a deluxe spa.

​Maribago Bluewater: This beachfront resort is 6 kilometres from Cebu Airport1 km from Mactan Island Aquarium. Amenities include a 24-hour eatery, an Italian cafe and an open-air oyster bar. There's also an outdoor pool, a private beach on a lagoon and a spa.​

​Sumilon Island. 3 hours by road from Cebu or 1 hour ferry and road from Dumaguete (DGT).  The island is very close to Oslob and is another option to stay at the beautiful Island resort of Sumilon Bluewater who arrange the whale shark tour to Oslob with their own boat. The spacious resort rooms are on ground level and all overlook the sea with  e very friendly staff and excellent food, especially their own bakery delights. Walking tracks on the island are a must do and to see the old 19th century Spanish watchtower and lighthouse. There are two good beaches to swim at, along with two swimming pools and three spa pools. Kids can paddle a kayak on the secluded lagoon.

HOTELS CEBU CITY
Radisson Blu: Located near SM Mall An elegant restaurant serves international cuisine. Lobby lounge offering nightly entertainment and a lively pool bar. The lavish outdoor pool has multiple fountains and walkways leading to palm-tree covered islands. A fitness centre includes a spa.

Quest Hotel: Located near Ayala Mall . Rooms and suites come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and tea and coffee making facilities.  Complimentary amenities include parking and a breakfast buffet. There's an informal bistro, a bar by the outdoor pool  and a business centre.