Travel in Cebu
Cebu is one of the most adventure-filled islands in the Philippines. But there is much more to Cebu than just whale shark watching and canyoneering. You can swim in milky blue rivers, hike over limestone landscapes, or relax in a hot spring.
How to Get to Cebu
Getting to Cebu is easily done by air. Cebu–Mactan International Airport (CEB) is the second busiest airport in the Philippines and the main gateway to the entire Visayas region. You can find direct flights to Cebu City from major cities across Asia like Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, Bangkok, and Hong Kong.
Best Time to Visit Cebu
We recommend visiting Cebu in January, February, or March. These months are part of the island's dry season, making them perfect for outdoor activities. During this time, all of Cebu's waterfalls will still be flowing, as some may dry up later in the dry season.
Shoulder Seasons (May and December): May is the hottest month in Cebu, but stays relatively dry. December, though cooler, still sees a bit of rain. December also marks the beginning of the island's tourism season, particularly around the holidays.
Dry Season (January to April): This is the best time to visit Cebu. The weather is sunny with little to no rain, making it ideal for outdoor activities like snorkeling, hiking, and swimming.
Wet Season (June to November): During these months, Cebu experiences heavier rainfall and occasional tropical storms. We recommend avoiding these months due to unpredictable rainfall and hotter temperatures. Although it’s not constant rain, downpours can be frequent, especially in July and August. However, the wet season is less crowded, which can be nice if you don’t mind occasional rain showers.
Where to Stay in Cebu
For most travelers, Moalboal is the best place to stay for adventure in Cebu. It’s close to the Sardine Run, White Beach, and within range of Kawasan Falls Canyoneering.
Moalboal has a good mix of resorts, hostels, and food spots, making it a solid base for exploring Cebu.
If you're planning to stay longer than 5 days, I recommend doing what we did by splitting your time between Moalboal and Oslob.
Oslob gives you easier access to whale shark watching, Sumilon Island, and nearby waterfalls like Tumalog and Binalayan. This way, you cut down on travel time and get to see more.
Here's where we stayed at and recommend in Cebu:
- Moalboal: 3 Sisters Guest House 2 is just off the main strip in Moalboal, but still within walking distance of everything. We appreciated the security and cleanliness of the accommodation and ate breakfast there every morning of our stay.
- Oslob: Melronz Inn is situated a bit outside the town center, making it quieter and more relaxed. And the best part is that it’s located right on the water, with its own private ocean access.
If you prefer to find your own place to stay, you can visit Booking.com to explore all your accommodation options in Cebu.
How to Get Around Cebu
Renting a motorbike is the best way to explore Cebu. You can rent a motorbike for 300 to 500 pesos per day, giving you the freedom to visit the island's attractions at your own pace.
Alternatively, tricycles are available for hire in tourist-heavy areas such as Moalboal and Oslob, while buses and jeepneys operate on the main roads. If you're looking for comfort, you can also hire a private driver for day tours.
What to Pack for Cebu
Here are some of our must-have items you might not have thought of when packing for a trip to Cebu.
- Water Shoes: If you plan to go canyoneering, a solid pair of water shoes like these are needed. If not, you can always wear crocs or even your sneakers if you don't mind them getting wet!
- Snorkel: With sardine run in Moalboal and whale shark watching in Oslob, it helps to have your own snorkel set like this one for the best experience! Plus, you won't need to worry about renting a snorkel, which may be of... questionable quality.
- Sunscreen: For some reason, sunscreen is expensive in the Philippines and I've even encountered places selling fake sunscreen that doesn't work! So I recommend bringing your own sunscreen to Cebu.
- Dry Bag: With all the sand, salt, and water flying everywhere during our adventures, I was so glad to have a dry bag to keep all my things safe from the elements!
- Travel Towel: In my opinion, a travel towel like this one is super necessary for a trip to Cebu! It packs down nicely and was there for me anytime I went swimming, or just needed to brush sand or dirt off.
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