About Cebu
Metropolitan Cebu, or simply Metro Cebu, is the main urban center of the province of Cebu in the Philippines. Metro Cebu is located along the central eastern portion of the island including the nearby island of Mactan. It accounts for 19.9 percent of the land area and 61.5 percent of the population of the entire province of Cebu.
Cheap flights to Cebu
The lowest one-way fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $557 from Toronto, travelling 16 Nov. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to CebuPlaces to visit in Cebu
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Magellan's Cross
HistoricA large wooden cross commemorating the one planted by Ferdinand Magellan's expedition in 1521. It stands in a small chapel next to the basilica, so look up at the painted ceiling while you are there.
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Basilica del Santo Niño
ReligiousThe oldest Catholic church in the Philippines, home to a revered image of the Child Jesus brought by the Spanish. Dress modestly, visit outside main mass times, and expect huge crowds during January's Sinulog festival.
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Fort San Pedro
HistoricA small triangular Spanish fort near the port, one of the oldest in the country. Walk the walls and small museum, then stroll the adjoining Plaza Independencia for shade and people-watching.
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Temple of Leah
LandmarkA large Roman-style temple in the hills above the city, built by a local businessman in memory of his wife. Visit in the late afternoon for views over the city, and combine it with nearby Sirao.
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Kawasan Falls
Nature · 49 mi from centreA series of turquoise waterfall pools in Badian, popular for swimming and canyoneering trips. It is a long drive south of the city, so leave early to beat the crowds and bring water shoes.
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Moalboal
Beach · 41 mi from centreA coastal town on Cebu's west coast, famous for its huge sardine run just off the shore. Stay near Panagsama Beach, where you can snorkel from the shore and often swim alongside sea turtles.
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Sirao Flower Farm
ParkA colorful hillside flower garden in the mountains above Cebu City, popular for photos. Arrive early in the day for fewer crowds, and bring a light jacket since the air is noticeably cooler up there.
Things to do in Cebu by type
23 tours, tickets and experiences across 4 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Day Trips & Excursions 12 experiences Cebu Island Swing -
Art & culture 6 experiences Bohol Day Tour -
City tours 3 experiences Best of Cebu City: Express Half-Day Group Tour -
Travel Services 2 experiences Plaza Premium Lounge in T1 Domestic Departures - Ticket
- Over 6 hours 14
- 1-3 hours 4
- 3-6 hours 1
- Families 1
- Senior 1
- Youth 1
- Couples 1
- Private 5
Top experiences in Cebu
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 23 available.
Cebu Island Swing
From $206 per adult
Cebu City Private Tour
From $54 per adult
Discover Bohol - Private Tour
From $216 per adult
Best of Cebu City: Express Half-Day Group Tour
From $75 per adult
Cebu & Mactan Highlights: Private Twin City Day Tour
From $76 per adult
Moalboal Island Hopping & Kawasan Falls Canyoneering Tour
From $132 per adult
Cebu Triple-Adventure: Oslob Whale Sharks, Sumilon Sandbar & Kawasan Canyoneering
From $229 per adult
Full-Day Cebu Adventure: Badian Canyoneering & Kawasan Falls Tour
From $180 per adult
Cebu Waterfalls Tour: Aguinid, Inambakan & Tumalog Falls Adventure
From $153 per adult
Full-Day Cebu Adventure: Oslob Whale Sharks & Aguinid Falls Trek
From $146 per adult
Historical Cebu City Tour - Private Half Day Tour
From $58 per adult
Private Cebu Mountain Tour
From $93 per adult
Where to stay in Cebu
Popular hotels in Cebu, out of 533 properties you can book.
Bai Hotel Cebu
From $63 per night
Solea Palm Resort Mactan
From $73 per night
Waterfront Airport Hotel & Casino Mactan
From $78 per night
CSuites at 8 Newtown Mactan Cebu
From $35 per night
Golden Prince Hotel & Suites
From $37 per night
St. Mark Hotel
From $52 per night
Solea Seaview Resort
From $76 per night
Solea Mactan Resort and Waterpark
From $74 per night
Alta Cebu Resort Mactan powered by Cocotel
From $36 per night
Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino
From $64 per night
Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort
From $93 per night
Mercure Mactan Cebu
From $56 per night
Best time to visit Cebu
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Cebu is all year round, when average daytime highs are around 86–92°F and rain falls on about 24 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Cebu weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 89° 78° 92%
- Thu 22 Oct 87° 79° 99%
- Fri 23 Oct 87° 78° 100%
- Sat 24 Oct 81° 78° 96%
- Sun 25 Oct 85° 77° 89%
- Mon 26 Oct 87° 76° 90%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Philippine peso (PHP)1 US dollar ≈ ₱63.0
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +63
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Asia/ManilaUTC+8
- Capital
- Manila
Upcoming public holidays in Philippines
- All Saints' Day Eve
- All Saints' DayAraw ng mga Santo
- Bonifacio DayAraw ni Gat Andres Bonifacio
- Feast of the Immaculate Conception of MaryKapistahan ng Immaculada Concepcion
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas DayAraw ng Pasko
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Cebu
These are the airports closest to central Cebu. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- CEB Mactan–Cebu International Airport6 mi (10 km) from the city centre
Getting around Cebu
There is a coastal highway that runs north-south through all parts of Metro Cebu that are on Cebu Island; roads branch off it to Lapu-Lapu and Córdova. Very little of this road is divided highway or limited access, and parts of it form the main streets of several towns; traffic is often slow and driving difficult.
By taxi
Taxis can be expensive since the urban area is quite spread out; for example a taxi from the airport in Lapu-Lapu to downtown Cebu City costs from ₱250-400. However, while that is expensive by local standards — in a country where many jobs pay about that much a day — it is still a bargain by international standards.
By bus
A company called MyBus has four routes around the region with full-size air-conditioned low-floor buses. Fares start from ₱25:
By van
V-Hire minibuses – vans that seat about a dozen passengers – run between stations next to major malls in the various cities; these are often the best way of getting between those towns, more comfortable than jeepneys and cheaper than taxis. A van ride from Ayala Mall in Cebu City to Gaisano Mall in Lapu-Lapu is ₱35.
Cebu travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Cebu?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Cebu is all year round, when average daytime highs are around 86–92°F and rain falls on about 24 days a month.
What is the weather like in Cebu?
April is usually the warmest month in Cebu, with average highs of 92°F (33°C). February is the coolest, with average lows of 76°F (24°C). The wettest month is typically October, with about 353 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Cebu?
Mactan–Cebu International Airport (CEB) is the closest airport, about 6 miles (10 km) from the centre of Cebu.
How much are flights to Cebu?
The cheapest one-way fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Cebu in the last 30 days was $557 from Toronto, travelling 16 Nov.
What currency is used in Cebu?
Cebu uses the Philippine peso (PHP). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ ₱63.0.
What time zone is Cebu in?
Cebu uses the Asia/Manila time zone (currently UTC+8). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Cebu?
There is a coastal highway that runs north-south through all parts of Metro Cebu that are on Cebu Island; roads branch off it to Lapu-Lapu and Córdova. Very little of this road is divided highway or limited access, and parts of it form the main streets of several towns; traffic is often slow and driving difficult.
What are the best places to visit in Cebu?
Top sights in Cebu include Magellan's Cross, Basilica del Santo Niño, Fort San Pedro and Temple of Leah. A large wooden cross commemorating the one planted by Ferdinand Magellan's expedition in 1521. It stands in a small chapel next to the basilica, so look up at the painted ceiling while you are there.
What are the top things to do in Cebu?
Popular experiences you can book in Cebu include Cebu Island Swing, Cebu City Private Tour and Discover Bohol - Private Tour. Destina Holidays offers 23 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Cebu?
The most popular types of experiences in Cebu are day trips & excursions (12), art & culture (6), city tours (3) and travel services (2). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Cebu?
Popular areas for hotels in Cebu include Cebu City and Mactan Island. Well-reviewed options include Bai Hotel Cebu and Solea Palm Resort Mactan.
How many hotels can I book in Cebu?
Destina Holidays currently lists 533 properties in and around Cebu, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
