To Penfires readers Mia and T-rex, thanks for leaving a comment in my post How to Commute to the Top Tourist Spots of Cebu City. This is my itinerary suggestions for you guys with directions and tips on how to have a cheap Cebu vacation. Visiting Cebu and its historical and cultural attractions can be enjoyed even without availing of any Cebu tour packages. Cebu food trip is also a major draw for tourist who comes here to visit. Hopefully, this Cebu City Guide will also help other tourist and first timers here in our province. Yes! You can have a day tour on a shoe-string budget when nasa Sugbo! Welcome to Cebu! 
For first time Cebu bound visitors like Mia (T-rex I will try to email you a separate Cebu IT). Hope with this guide you will have an idea of the places to see and the food to eat and be able to visit the top tourist destinations and hot spots here in Cebu without shelling out thousands of pesoses para wa’y blima as we say here in Cebu hehehhe.
The Best of Cebu – Food, Souvenirs, Travels and White Sand Beaches
Hi Mia. I am revising your proposed Cebu IT based on what I think will work best. Example on your 3rd day, you inserted a trip to the guitar factory, this is not doable kasi malayo na sa iba mong gusting puntahan that day. Since you are arriving on a Thursday at 3pm, from the Mactan airport go straight to the Guitar Factory in Brgy Abuno. I would strongly suggest finding an affordable pension house in Fuente area. Mandaue is far from the popular attractions in Cebu although it is nearer the airport. Check out the link for the Fuente Inns and Pension Houses, since malayo pa travel dates niyo, I’m sure you can reserve one at Fuente.
For those who’ve just read this post and first time to visit here in Penfires, please read the other posts on Cebu City, as this post does not contain detailed directions on how to commute. This is general overview because Mia have already read the other posts. Thanks!
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Day 1: Arrival in Cebu – Mactan Airport, checking out Mactan Tourist Sites
3pm – Airport to Guitar Factory in Mactan
Multicab to Marina Mall and then ride another multicab bound for Tamiya. In Tamiya terminal ride tricycle for Abuno.
Please read additional resource: A Trip to the New Susing’s Guitar’s
4:30pm - Guitar Factory to Mactan Shrine
Ride multicab in Abuno bound for Marina Mall.
Get off once you reach national highway (tell the driver you want to ride another multicab to Lapu – Lapu Shrine).
From the national road, get on any multicab bound for “Punta Engano”.
Get off in the Shrine.
5:30pm – Mactan Shrine to Birhen sa Regla Opon Church
Ride any ‘merkado’ multicab and get off in Marina Mall.
In the mall take another multicab for “simbahan”.
Get off at the back of the church (tell driver).
6:00pm – Virgen of the Rule Parish to SM – eat in CNT / Marina Lechon / Larsian
**Alternative here is to take the Ferry in Muelle Osmena (back of church), this will get you to Pier 3. From Pier 3 there are jeepneys bound for SM.
Make your way to the Opon market and ride any “Mepz” multicab.
Get off in Gaisano Mactan, ride vhire to SM
Take dinner in SM – CNT or Marina Lechon sa foodcourt or Ayer’s beside SM Cinema.
Make your way to your hotel nalang para makastart kayo aga kinabukasan or if alert pa kayo, instead of having your dinner in SM, go to Larsian. Please see other replies to how to go to Larsian from SM.
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DAY 2 in your Cebu vacation: City Day Tour
Supposing you’re staying on a Fuente hotel or inn.
8am – Hotel to Guadalupe Church
In Fuente ride any “Guadalupe” jeepneys, route code starts with ‘06’, confirm with driver if they’ll pass by or near the Guadalupe Church
Guadalupe Church to Colon
In Guadalupe ride any jeep to Colon, ask driver if passing through Sto Nino or Magellan’s Cross or Cebu Cathedral.
Visit Cathedral, Sto Nino and Magellan’s Cross then walk to Fort San Pedro, just asked the guard.
From the fort, take a taxi to Cebu Heritage Monument, malapit lang to kaso baka mapagod kayo ng maaga kaya taxi na. Fare cgro not more than P60, tell driver mag metro. Pero if masipag kayo maglakad, kaya, it’s less than 2 kms, you’ll be passing the Cebu Cathedral on your way to Colon marker.
Visit the Cebu Heritage Monument, Colon Obelisk Marker, Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House, Casa Gorordo (these sites are near each other). Additional resource: Cebu Walking Tour to Heritage Sites
If gutom na, you can eat in AA BBQ near Plaza Independencia in front of Fort San Pedro or the many fastfoods around or be adventurous and eat in the Chinese restaurants in Colon / Manalili / Plaridel area. They are your authentic time proven chinese restos here at mura pa!
Colon to Carmelites / Pink Sister
If I’m not mistaken, the Pink Sisters are inside the compound of the Carmelites.
Make your way to SM. In the obelisk markers, there are 01K that passes, you can ride this, you can even drop by Museo Sugbo, Cebu’s provincial museum, madadaan to ng 01K. Then ride again 01K and get off in SM.
In SM, ride 04L, tell driver you are getting off in Carmelites.
Carmelites to Cebu’s Taoist Temple
Ride 04L again and get off in JY Square
Take taxi to the Taoist Temple
Taoist Temple to Larsian
From Taoist, get taxi back to JY.
Take Lahug jeeps to Jones and get off in Fuente
Have dinner in Larsian.
Go to Crown Regency for the Skywalk and Skyride
Back at hotel
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3rd Day in Cebu enjoying Mactan affordable beaches
- I would suggest the easy on the pocket Cebu beaches like Portofino, Hadsan, Tambuli (slightly pricier). I am so sorry I could not offer more suggestions as I have not been around the beaches here in Mactan lately, although I live in Mactan hehehe but there just wasn’t an opportunity to check out more cheap and affordable beaches yet. UPDATE: We check out some affordable resort options yesterday you can check it at this post: Affordable Mactan Beaches
- Or if you can spend more, Shangrila Mactan, Moven Pick, and Maribago Bluewaters, Crimson Spa and Resort are great options but these are more expensive as they are high end resorts.
- Get to SM and take vhire to Gaisano Mactan
- If going to Portofino and Hadsan, take “Soong” multicab and tell the driver to drop you off the corner of these beach resorts.
- If going to Shangrila or Moven Pick, take “Punta Engano” and just inform driver to drop you off nearest to the resort.
- If you leave the beach early, have dinner in either IT Park (Casa Verde or Mooon Café or Zubuchon), JY Square Mall for Ding Qua Qua, or Kuya J or STK Ta Bai near Capitol. Or if gutom na kayo, you can try out AA BBQ in Mactan.
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4th day in Cebu – Leaving the Queen City of the South
Since your flight is at 2pm, I would suggest you do the Pasalubong shopping in Taboan as your last activity on the morning before your flight. Don’t take a bath yet as you would smell from a trip to Taboan Market. From Fuente ride 04d to Taboan, just request driver to drop you off near Taboan. Then head back via taxi para mas madali. You can buy your Cebu’s best pasalubong in Taboan like Shamrock Otap, Cebu Chorizo, Dried Mangoes, and of course Cebu’s Danggit, Pusit and other dried fishes. Then back at hotel to take a bath and prepare to leave.
To T-rex, regarding your request for ‘Pwede rin ba akong mang hingi ng tulong? meron po ba kayong 2-day DIY tour inside CEBU city?’, can you give me your flight arrival and departure just so I know the time frame and can hopefully come up with a doable Cebu backpacking itinerary.
Thanks! Hope you guys enjoy Cebu! =)
If this post help you in anyway, I hope you show some love by LIKING this below =)
For specifics of point A to point B, if not discussed, pls refer to previously published guides for Cebu Travelers and Visitors:
Top Tourist Attractions in Cebu
Mactan Airport to SM or Ayala Center via Jeepney
Tips in Navigating Cebu Jeepneys
POSTS under CEBU CITY TOUR CATEGORY
Update: April 25
So sorry but I can no longer help with personalized itineraries request.
Free time is hard to come by 
Hope you all understand.
About Cille Anne
Cille is the blogger behind Penfires, a lifestyle and travel blog based in the Philippines. She bid adieu to the corporate world a couple of years ago and so far she’s lovin’ her new world working from home. A wanna-be explorer and food trip adventurer who can’t possibly win a food-eating challenge. She plans to visit the whole Philippines, Asia, and the World! Heyyy, it's within reach she insists; it's just blog hops away! Lol ^_^
Na-miss ko ytuloy bigla ang Cebu. I’ve been there for a couple of times pero di ko gaano nagagalaan
@Semi balik ka! dami bloggers dito! hehehhe tsaka punta ka sa North Cebu or South Cebu para sa beaches!
@Mia, you are welcome. I hope you will enjoy your Cebu vacation =)
hi cille
maraming maraming slmat po sa IT..sobrang happy ako sa pg rply mo po skn..
thank yooouu sooo mchhhh…
im very xcited to visit your place.
godbless you po
Many Thanks Ms. penfires! very much appreciated!
’tis deserved to be reposted!
excited na ko na makita cebu! : )
Hi T-rex, so sorry for the delay. I’ve just replied to your emailed IT. Please check. I strongly suggest you make a trip to either Oslob for Whale Shark Watching + Boljoon Town Heritage Walk OR to Kawasan Falls for your 2nd day itinerary in Cebu. Hope you guys will enjoy your Cebu to Bohol vacation!
Cille =)
Hi Cille,
Im so glad I found your blog. We will be going to Cebu next week but for two days only. Can you also please send be your 2-day DIY Cebu IT? We’ll arrive in Mactan Airport at 8:00 AM Nov 10 and will be going home by 4:00 PM on Nov 11. It is a very short trip but I hope we get to visit many places and take lots of pictures. Heheh
Thank you so much! More power!
Tracy
Penfires, Good Day!
My 8 foreigner friends will be visiting Cebu for 3 days 2 nights. Di ako kasama. Can u help me kasi they are party-goers. gusto nila yung hotel malapit sa mga bars o kaya sa SM o Ayala Malls. 3 days 2 nights din. Arrival nila is 12 PM, Feb 12. Departure 10 AM, Feb 14. SYempre gusto nila mga tourist spots din pero non-Catholic kasi sila. baka di magustuhan yung mga churches. Adventurous sila. Me suggestions ka ba for the hotel? and bars ? pati na rin sana itinerary… hehehe! pasensya na. la kasi me alam sa cebu! thanks a lot
)
Hi Jonas!
I am not very familiar with the current Cebu bar scene hehehhe but I would suggest for them to stay in either Marriot Hotel Cebu as it’s beside Ayala Center or Radisson Blu as its beside SM City Cebu. They can check out Formo Resto Lounge in Banilad Town Center, Z Bar to hangout and drink (also in Banilad area) or the bars along Mango Avenue. Adventure you say? Let them try out whale shark watching in Oslob then they can proceed directly to Moalboal for diving. Other than that wala na ako masyadong alam hehhehe
Hi! Super natuwa po ako sa reply nyo kay Mia..=) We’ll be visiting Cebu din po by March. First time din.. 2days lang po.. Day 1 Mactan tour and day 2 Down town Cebu tour po.. hope you can help me pano kp po malilibot mga tourist posts and ano po kaya mga way. We’ll be staying @ sampaguita suites garcia.=) thank u po!
Hi Reianne,
Please visit my post Cebu Visitor’s Guide: A Day Trip to the Best Attractions of the City, tapos craft your diy itinerary include the jeepneys you’ll ride (nandun yun if you backread) then email me para matingnan ko if tama ba and doable yung Cebu IT mo.
ano po email add?=)
hi penfires! i love your posts, it’s very informative! we’ll be visiting Cebu-the 1st time,and staying at Tune hotels. can you help us on our IT? -and yeah, we’ll be travelling with someone of age:) thank you for your blogs, thanks in advance for your reply.
hi kris, i hope your cebu vacation was awesome. pasensya na di na ako naka-reply sobrang busy with work na talaga, di na kaya ng powers ko ang mag extend ng help on a personalized it. sana nakatulong yung old posts ko about cheap cebu city tour. thanks for dropping by here.
hi. i just want to ask other than AA BBQ, what are the other restaurants that we should try? And san yung pinaka-masarap kainana na Cebu Lechon. Thank you! And other must try food ng cebu. Btw, super helpful ng blog mo. i’ve been reading it para i can know how to get around cebu. we’ll be there next week!
Hi Karen, hope you’ll try Larsian barbeque for the experience =) If you like buffet, Pino is good. Casa Verde is also good for their baby back ribs.
You can read more about Cebu Lechon at this link: http://penfires.com/best-cebu-lechon-cnt-lechon-zubuchon-marina-for-pasalubong/
Thanks for the reply dear! Your blog has been most helpful. I’ve read all your postings about Cebu and want to visit all the places you mentioned. Also want to go island hopping and of course pig out on cebu lechon and at the larsian hehe. Like I mentioned in my previous msg on another page, well be arriving late in Cebu
on March 31st. I have the whole of April 1st to go around the city, was thinking of island hopping/beach experience for April 2, then we leave on April 3 6pm flight. Hope you can email me directly. Just want to know the best “doable” trip sched. If we follow your day tour/heritage tour guide will we be able to swing by the lechon place?
Pasensya na i have tons of questions. I am traveling with kids kse so I want to make sure I have everything down to pat before we get on the plane para worry free ang stay sa Cebu.
Again many thanks and more power to your blog!
hey sherry! sent reply to your email =)
Hello Miss Cille!
I’ve been reading your blog penfires for about 2 months now and i am a very much happy reader
My friends and i are going on a cebu trip this april at medyo nahihilo na ako with the IT we should do. Me with 1 friend will be arriving Cebu on april 25 8AM and 2 other friends will be arriving on the 27th. all of us though are leaving 8AM on the 29th. ano po bang magandang IT for us two from 25th-27th and for all of us 4? we would want to visit places you’ve said on your blog. and i’ve attched a photo map of some of them. Medyo magulo po and hopefully you can help us. please.. thank you in advance!
Hi Pia, Thanks much!
I’ll be checking the photo map of your I.T. and will get back to you in the next few days =)
Had a blast in Cebu! People were kind and helpful. It was indeed a refreshing break. Kids kept asking why jeepneys and buses in metro manila couldn’t be like multicabs in Cebu…they are so tired of the pollution here!
We loved seeing all the museums and tourist spots in cebu city and we saw it all within a day! The highlight of our trip was the skywalk and the edgecoaster.
Tip for people going to Taboan: bring loads of cash! I wanted to buy everything that I saw there hehe. Spent all my cash and had to draw out money from mactan airport ATM to pay for tax LOL.
More power to your blog and thank you for all the help! Will continue to follow your posts on your future travels! Mabuhay!
Thanks Sherry! Glad you guys had an awesome time in Cebu!
Cheers!
Cille =)
*reading your cebu travel tips right now and taking down notes*
This is really helpful! I’m actually planning my tour! glad I came across your site.. can you look at my itinerary too? I’m planning to stay for 3D2N lang!
Hi Banannie, Salamat! I’ll try but for the meantime yah please read the entries mostly nandun na din lahat. Will also be checking your email later. Hope you’ll have a kick ass adventure here in Cebu =)
thanks Cille! I appreciate it! God Bless and keep up the good work!
@banannie – sent you an email finally, sorry sa delay, please check =)
hi penfire!
I desperately need your help..hehehe! J.i will go to cebu and bohol this coming may along with my mom as a birthday present to her.its my first time to go there and im extremely nervous because I want this trip to be perfect.we will stay in cebu for just a day and ride a ferry bound to bohol.our arrival in cebu is at 10:10am.we will stay at westpoint inn.i know that check in time is at 2:00pm and before we check in I would like to visit these places: magellans cross,taboan market,larsian sa fuente,crown regency (skywalk) and try sutukil and CNT lechon (I heard they’re yummy!)on the same day I would also like to buy ferry tickets (mv starcraft) in advance and perhaps a day tour at Rendezvouz Beach Resort.i know thats a lot of things to do in a day.do you have any suggestions as to what should I do to squeeze in all of these for my 1 day stay in cebu?
we will probably arrive at 7:00am in tubigon port (I haven’t checked the ferry schedule yet).i arranged a day tour which includes just the driver and fuel at the amount of 2,500.driver will pick us up in tubigon and drop us off to whites and greens beach resort in panglao.he said that we can visit 9 spots and of course entrance fees are on me. is that reasonable?we will stay at whites and greens for 2 nights.what I have in mind is that on our first day in bohol we will do the countryside tour and on the second day we will just stay at the hotel to savor the beauty of panglao beach.do you have any suggestions on how we can maximize our stay?
i’ll truly appreciate it if you can give me your insight on this. Thanks in advance! J
???
hi cahr, sana pagpasensyahan mo na hindi kita natulungan one on one, masyado lang talaga naging toxic work ko with new responbilities et al. sana naging masaya ang cebu and bohol vacations mo with your mom. I pray she had a wonderful birthday celebration and wonderful memories during your vacation. thanks for dropping by here on this philippine travel blog.
Hi there, can you please check my itenerary for me and my friend’s cebu trip this coming April 29-May 1, will be arriving by 8am on April 29 plan was to go downtown cebu city tour on that day, dinner at Larsian, Day 2 day trip at Shangrila the skywalk at Crown Regency at night, Day 3 Pasalubong and Mactan tour, then early dinner at mactan can you suggest where?is casa verde far??our flight is at 8pm…your suggestions will be highly appreciated.thank you very much..
Hi,penfires. I appreciate very much what you do to help people go around Cebu to minimize their tour cost. Congrats and thanks for this very informative and detailed blog. I just regret coming your across your blog so late, late because we will go to Cebu tommorow and I havent prepared our IT for this 3 day trip. I just hope it’s not too late for me to ask you even a “generalized” IT for this 3 day trip. And hoping also that you have time to read this today.
Anyway, I am reading all the stuff written in your blog.
Thanks and God bless! It’s a big help.
Hi Jeng! this reply is already late but I hope you got some useful tips from reading the posts on DIY Cebu tour. Sana you enjoyed your Cebu Travel!
Hi penfires! Very helpful IT for all the Cebu first timers like me. How i hope you could also help me with our cebu trip on may 16-18. We will be arriving around 5:15 am and we’ll fly back to manila on the 18th 9pm.We want to experience Cebu at it’s best without any hassle sana so pls help us. hehe Thank you very much!
hi emhy, so sorry i wasn’t able to respond to you personally when it mattered. I hope my posts on do it yourself cebu travel and vacations were able to help you craft your own itinerary. Sometimes not following a very strict IT makes vacations more fun and memorable. Hope naging masaya bakasyon niyo sa cebu.
hi good day, please help me have a 2 day trip there in Cebu. from MActan Cebu, 10:30 am is the arrival. It’s a family bonding trip. Together with my sister, sister in law ang kids…hope to hear from u soon…
thanx..God bless
hi she, i’ve covered itineraries and commuting tips on my other Cebu travel articles. I hope you were able to use some of the tips. Thank you for visiting here.
Hello. . . I hope you can also help me. . I’ve been searching on the net on cheaper cebu tour kaya lang napaka-pricy talaga. . . If free ka can you also send me Itinerary. . . We will travel to Cebu w/ my family (5adults+2 kid+1infant (1 yr old)this will be a 3days 2 night tour and we will be staying at crown regency cebu. . Thank you very much in advance. . . .
hi pia, i am really so sorry that I was not able to help you one on one (life has become too hectic that I no longer have time to reply on request for IT) but hopefully you enjoyed your stay in Cebu. thank you for visiting this blog.
Hi can u help us too with our IT to cebu?we are 3 females.its our first time kc and we dont have any idea where to go.hope u could help us were leaving manila on may 12 at 730pm and planning to go to bohol on may 14 to may 15.so we will be on cebu on may 12 night to may 14 morning.we want to go to beaches and falls too.please help us.can u email me at moose_girl20@yahoo.com,,tnx
hi edralyn, i have blog posts on do it yourself tour to check out the top tourist destinations of cebu, i hope you were able to check it prior to your trip here. and thanks for dropping by, so sorry wala na talaga akong time mag extend ng help for personalized cebu itinerary. salamat sa pang-unawa…
hi, ask ko lang sana sa day 2, advisable na ba na magtaxi na lang kami since 4 naman kami compare sa mag-jeep kami? or malaki rin ang difference sa pamasahe…
ask rin sana ko ng details going to kawasan falls, is it okay ba na mag-commute kami or mag-rent na lang kami ng sasakyan. kasama ko parents ko, above 60 na sila pero capable pa sila magcommute.
thanks.
Hi, Penfires!
Do you have a 3D2N DIY tour for Cebu? My friends and I will be visiting Cebu in June. Flight arrival and departure are as follows:
DAY 01 – Arrival in Cebu at 2110H
DAY 03 – Departure in Cebu at 0455H.
Hoping for a quick response from you. Thank you very much and God bless! (^_^)v
hi es, i hope you had a blast here in Cebu and that some of the cebu travel posts here were able to help you get around to the top destinations in the city. thanks for your visit to this blog. salamat sa pang-unawa…
Hi… malapit po ba ang Plantation Bay sa mismong town? Thanks
hi gelai =) pagkababa ng old Mactan – Mandaue Bridge it will follow a straight road, if you are on a taxi less than 20 minutes nalang to Plantation Bay and
If public commute mas matagal kasi dadaan ka pa ng Poblacion Merkado which is the city center.
Hi! Thanks for sharing this. Now, I already have an itinerary for our upcoming city tour trip in Cebu. Me and my friends are planning to go to Cebu on July 15 (6pm flight) to July 18 (4am flight back to Manila).. If ok lng, I want to ask for your help/suggestion.. we are planning to have our city tour (same itinerary as yours above)on July 16. then ung last day sana namin is to explore Mactan, what po recommend mo na unahin namin puntahan if we will be coming from hotel in fuente osmena..we would like to go to mactan shrine, Guitar Factory, Birhen sa Regla Opon Church and lastly, we plan to stay at Cebu IT Park until 12 midnight sana then to airport kc 4am ung flight back to Manila. safe po ba magstay late at night sa IT park coz I’ve read na madami naman call center dun… Hope you could help us..thanks in advance!
hi kim, i hope the other Cebu DIY tour articles here in this Cebu travel blog was able to help you find your way around the top tourists attractions of Cebu. Hope you guys enjoyed your trip. Sometimes the best adventures can be had if you don’t follow a strict itinerary. Thanks again for visiting here.
hi!
we’re going to cebu this coming july 20 to 23,12 w/ my family (me, my hubby and 2 kids) our flight is 7:35 manila and depart 2pm on 23. we plan to go to mangodlong rock resort (7/20 to 7/22). is it advisable to go there, since it’s rainy season, are we going to encounter big waves? tnx and god bless. 
hi mary ann, i hope your plan to visit Mangodlong pushed through and that you did not encounter big waves. Its always advisable to take the bigger boats like that of Jomalia versus smaller pumpboats like what we rode in on the way to Camotes Island.
Hi!
hi,
Meron ako fren/workmate na korean na punta cebu by Sept 13-17, 2012. 2 families cla lahat at meron cla na book na package deal pero 1 day lang and its only the island hopping, tpos magkikita kami sa cebu pero prob ko is hindi ako tga cebu and never been to cebu…hehehe…can u give me some suggestion na maganda and suitable for a family tour, so far maganda yung IT mo sa backpacker…i’m planning to follow ur IT soon..:)
hello! Can you suggest an itinerary for our cebu trip this october? I’ve been to cebu so this time I wanna stay in mactan. Flight is sat at 1pm then go back to manila ng 6pm on monday. Thank You.
Hi, Penfires,
I also would like to have an idea for an itinerary in Cebu. I would be coming to Cebu this Nov. 17, 2012 Saturday but would be arriving late at around 7pm. We would be leaving Cebu to Manila, Nov. 20, Tuesday at around 12pm. I would bring with me my 3 kids ages 4, 8, and 9 with my husband of course. This is the first time we would be in Cebu and I would like my kids to enjoy it. We are on a tight budget though so I need to maximize the trip and area we would be staying each day. Hope you could help. God bless.
Hi Katherine,
So sorry I can no longer accommodate request for personalized cebu tour itineraries, sobrang busy na kasi sa work and taking in multiple clients to help pay the bills. I hope you’ll be able to use some tips on all my other posts on having a do it yourself cebu city tour. Thanks for dropping by! May you enjoy the best of Cebu!
hi, do you have a list of affordable pension houses near mactan airport that are good for groups. we will visit cebu 1st week of december and may need just one night to stay in a nearby hostel/pension house because the ff morning we plan to go to bohol.
hi superghurl, if you are going to Bohol via Supercat, Oceanjet or Weesam fast craft, the best place is Sugbutel which is near the pier, not in Mactan. Mactan is a separate island in Cebu, and it is about 45 minutes from the Pier during very light traffic. Sugbutel has a group dormitory type of room, nothing fancy but might suit your group’s requirements. UNLESS, you are flying to Bohol? If you are I will try to get back on you on this since I don’t know an affordable inn or pension house here.
Hi Cille,
Me and my officemates are visiting Cebu this coming November 22-25. Our plan arrival is morning and we booked a cottage near the beach for two days,,but since hindi namn po siguro marami ang activity sa beach, i am planning to spend the whole morning sa city tour and continue nalang sa last day namin. Can you please help me by suggesting which places to go na hindi naman po kami mabibitin? Super thank you dito sa blog mo kasi nagkaka idea na ako sa Cebu. Thank you so much.
Hi Angelie, if morning lang I suggest you stay in Mactan kasi malayo na pag pupunta pa sa Cebu City for a Heritage Walking Tour. To know the attractions in Mactan that you can visit on a half day, please check this post: Attractions Near Mactan Airport. On your last day, you can get ideas for your Cebu City Tour by checking the Category: Cebu City.
Hope you’ll all enjoy your Cebu vacation!
hi ma’am….
we are family of 4 planning to visit Cebu on Nov 22-23. we will came from Bohol and spend 1 nite in Cebu. Any suggestions to make our trip successful in visiting the tourist spots in Cebu? Tpur comments will help us a lot.. Thanks
hi anne, please read the posts under the Category: Cebu City Tour. You can use the articles as reference and also to have ideas on how to have a do it yourself affordable City Tour of Cebu. Enjoy your vacation!
thanks….
Hello Anne! Thank you so much for the idea sa itinerary. we went to Cebu last week and we based our plans according to your post. Mejo nabago ng konti kasi mejo malayo na yung iba at di pwede sa adventure2 si mama..
Nagpunta kami sa portofino at naabutan kami ng 120 p admission kasi weekend. 90 ang weekdays.Pero ok lang. Mejo mahirap lang yung sasakyan kasi sa Lahug pa yung hotel namin.
Yung CNT lechon, nasa may malapit sa supermarket ng SM cebu.Di namin mahanp nung una. haha. advise ko rin na mamili na ng mga souvenirs sa lalu lapu shrine para tipid sa oras. tapos yung second day before sunset, tumuloy na kami ng tabo-an market para chill na lang yung last day at di na nagmamadali.
Thank you very much. Me, my bro and my mom had a great great 3 days in Cebu. wla akong masabi. Everything went great.
Muntik naming di mapuntahan yung Larsian. Buti at pinilit namin. Pagdating namin dun, grabe. heaven!
Napakaganda ng Cebu.
MALINIS,
MABABAIT ANG MGA TAO,
MURA NAG BILIHIN,
NAPAKAGANDA NG MGA LUGAR!
thanks ulit.
Hi Cymon! thanks for dropping a message here after your trip, I really appreciate it. =)
and am Happy you guys enjoyed your Cebu vacation! Balik ulit kayo!!!! ^_^
salamat pala sa updated rates ng Portofino, ang tagal ko na di napunta dun heheh and about CNT na meron sa SM Supermarket food court, nakalimutan ko yan hehhehe
Salamat uli for your feedback! All the best to your future adventures and trips!
Hello. We’re going to Cebu on Nov. 15-17. Pwde pong pahelp gumawa ng IT? Arrival namin is 6:00 am sa Cebu then leaving on the 17th ng 5:05 pm. Ang plan is to spend day2 sa beach. We’re staying sa Crown Regency Mactan po.
Hi Eu, please check all other posts regarding Cebu City Tour, I’m sure you’ll find useful info therein for your own vacation IT.
You are staying in Crown Regency Mactan if you are commuting from airport, take airport multicab, then get off Marina Mall and then take another multicab bearing the signage Tamiya P8. It will pass by the side of Crown Regency Mactan.
Hi Penfires (Cille),
We are planning to visit Cebu and Bohol on Nov end until the first wk of Dec. We are first timers and on a budget sana, kaso wala pa kami concrete plan on how to move around or where to stay sa Bohol and Cebu. Bale, ang roundtrip is Manila-Bohol-Cebu-Manila. Pwede bang makahingi ng insights ng transpo from bohol to cebu? pa-help nmn gawa ng IT please..
I think I can reuse ung 3-day itinerary na nasa blog mu for our Cebu trip..
Thanks much!
Hi Marlyn,
You can read about our Bohol trip HERE kaso we availed of a van tour, parang mahirap kasi mag commute in visiting the Top Bohol Tourist Spots.
As to how to get to Bohol from Cebu, I’ll try to find more info on available fast craft to Bohol options. You can read this for the meantime – Going For Countryside Tour
For Cebu, yep, you can also use that post or check this Cebu City Do It Yourself City Tour.
Will update pag may more info na ako. Hope you’ll all have a blast sa Bohol to Cebu vacation niyo!
hi can i ask for an itinerary? ill be in cebu on nov6 5am – nov8 2pm
thanks a lot mam.
its my first time going to cebu
Hi guys,
Please check all other posts about Cebu City Tour to serve as a guide in making your own IT. You can follow the Cebu City Tour post for a one day IT and the next day go to Taboan or to the beaches in Mactan.
Pasencia na I don’t have the luxury of time na to help with personalize itineraries. Hoping you’ll have inspiration from my old posts on touring Cebu City.
Thanks for dropping by here. Hope you’ll have a blast!
Hi Cille,
we are planning to go to cebu at nov 24-26 mauuna lng ung 2 friends nmin at 830am kami nman 1135am im planning na if we can do half day city tour on 1st day pati skywalk sa gabi then dinner balak ko sana day2 magbeach whole day kaso is it true na masyado malayo from a nearest beach? we are staying at Quezon Avenue, Cabancalan, Mandaue City meron ba beach na malapit jan?
Then day3 since afternoon ang flight morning of day3 eh ituloy nmin ang d ntapos sa daytour then buy pasalubong
my concern was the beach kc gusto tlga nmin magbeach on day2 sana u can give us tips on where we can go from where we’ll be staying thanks a lot
Mandaue is near Mactan. Madaming magagandang white sand beaches na mura kaso yun yung malayo sa city proper. Mactan beaches are nearer but medyo gagastos versus beaches outside Metro Cebu. Email me at penfires(/at)gmail.com your budget range para I can get back to you on suggestions sa beaches na maganda for whole day stay lang. Or will you be checking in sa resort?
Yah mas maganda Taboan / lechon pasalubong on Day 3 na sya. =)
Hi Cille,
I’ve been reading your blog for the last 2 months because I’m preparing for our trip this coming 28th. And I must say that I’ve learned a lot and got very excited to be in Cebu!
We’ve never been there so we decided to squeeze in a day trip before heading back to Manila.
I have few more weeks to finalize our Cebu Itinerary and I was wondering if you could give me more tips on how to commute to these places.
Our itinerary is close to the one you posted but we’ll be coming from Pier 1 and according to Google Maps, the nearest place is Fort San Pedro then Basilica de Menor & Magellan’s Cross.
How do we go to Taboan Market from Basilica de Menor?
On to our next stop, we want to visit Ayala Center then SM City Cebu. How can we get to Ayala Center from Taboan? Then Ayala Center to SM City?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Mrs E salamat for reading! =)
1. From Magellan’s Cross, walk to Magallanes St, I think there are already 06A Guadalupe Taboan jeep that passes the intersecting streets either in F Gonzalez or Plaridel St. I usually catch them in the point where I have the blue star thingie on the map but that’s just because I am coming from the other side.
You also have the other option 12G/10H, these jeepneys will be coming from Manalili. See map: http://screencast.com/t/f7DY5fKcvQ
Make sure you confirm with the driver to drop you off nearest Taboan Dried Fish market.No jeeps passes the front of this market. If you take 06A you will get off at the back of the market, if 12G or 10H almost beside the market, after passing the small bridge.
2. Taboan to Ayala, no direct route. I would suggest you to ride 12G Labangon – Colon – SM route, then get off in Colon BEFORE reaching Colon / Osmena Blvd intersection. 12G passes at the back of the market. You will go down after passing Gaisano South and McDonalds. It’s very important you unload before reaching the Colon/Osmena Blvd intersection because the next jeepney stop is 2 blocks away.
Then walk to reach Gaisano Metro, there are passing 14D jeepneys beside Metro that go all the way to Ayala terminal. See map: http://screencast.com/t/r9vTTihq
3. Ayala to SM – go the mall’s terminal and ride any SM bound jeep.
Have a safe, fun trip in Cebu this 2013!
Cille =)
Hi Cille,
Thanks a lot for your reply!
My husband & I decided not to proceed to Fort San Pedro and Taboan Market as we will only be in Cebu for approx 5 hours. So I supposed from Magellan’s Cross we need to be in Gaisano Metro and take 14D Jeepneys to reach Ayala Center.
Or are there any Jeepneys from Magellan’s Cross going straight to Ayala Center? Or can we just walk from Magellan’s Cross to Colon/Osmena Blvd intersection?
Hi! I booked a 3d/2n stay at crown regency hotel this coming mar27-29 (holy week). I got a deal with free breakfasts and dinners on the hotel plus one ride on the sky adventure. Anyway, this will be my family’s first time in Cebu. Our flight will be arriving in Cebu at around 4pm on march27 while our flight home to manila is also at 4pm on the 29th. Since we’re on a tight budget, I want to know how to commute from Mactan Airport all the way to Crown Regency. What I read kasi is commute instructions from airport hanggang SM City lang. Also, can u recommend an itinerary of basic cebu city tour for us from the crown regency? i guess it will be on the whole day of march28.
I’ll be happy to hear from you. Thanks!
Hi Cille,
I just want to thank you for your advise last Feb prior to our flight to Cebu, it’s very helpful and we followed everything you said on your comment!
Hi Mrs E. am happy to hear na di kayo naligaw and you’re welcome (“,)
Hope you and your husband can come back here in Cebu and be able to spend a few days touring the city.
Cille =)
Yes, we are definitely coming back!
Super nabitin kami sa day tour and we failed to try Larsian. Lechon Cebu is really awesome!
I’m now reading your Bantayan Island article, hopefully we could come back before end of the year.
Thanks again and keep writing. God bless you.
Hi, i’ve been reading a lot of articles about Cebu trip. And my eyes are becoming blurry already but still hasn’t found a helpful article. I am having a hard time as to where and how I can avail a City tour and an island hopping tour, it’s because I am traveling with my family, with my parents who are in their 60′s already. So as much as I want to have a DIY itinerary, I am a bit hesitant. Furthermore, we have a 1 year old baby with us, Just want to know if you happen to know a hotel around mactan area offering a city tour and Island hopping tour.? Thanks.
hi eds, I agree, on your case I think a travel agency / hotel organized cebu city tour and mactan island hopping tour is best. I’ll try to ask around first and will email you once I have more info.
Hi! Finally, I feel like there is a hope for my Cebu trip stress. Thanks to you! Will keep track of your post. =)
Hi Eds, so sorry for the late reply but none of my friends/family know of a Mactan Beach resort that also offers Island Hopping as well as City Tour. Most resorts offer Island Hopping only and yung sa City Tour via travel agency na talaga. :/
But 2 years ago when my cousin was here, we hired a van and we went to the popular tourist spots in Cebu but there was no tourist guide. The van contact number we got from the hotel they were staying in, hotels usually have tourist van contacts.
If you guys have decided on your hotel, I think it’s best to ask them for referral for a travel agency for a guided tour.
Sorry I couldn’t be much help :/
Hi there! Thanks for that info. I am actually planning a budget tour now. Next week if I have the time to call my preferred hotel, I might just ask them. And i’m also planning to try the public beach too, Tingko Beach. I heard a lot of positive comments about it. For my island hopping and city tour I might use the service of Cebuguidetours. Thanks again for your informative blog.
Hi Eds hope you and family will enjoy Cebu and all it offers!
p.s. Tingko Beach is in Alcoy which is about 3 hours away from Cebu South Bus Terminal.If you are going there, you can also stop in Obong Spring in Dalaguete. Alcoy town comes after Dalaguete.
hi! i’ve been reading your blog about cebu and can i ask for some help regarding my trip (with 4 friends) in cebu on august? im still trying to find a mid-budget hotel that’s accessible to most places. can you suggest some? can i also ask for some tips on how to make a diy cebu tour for first-timers? thanks. your help in any way will be much appreciated.
Hi Frances salamat for reading!
On itineraries and possible Cebu destinations to check out pls visit the category “Cebu City” and “Mactan Island”. If you have more time going to “Cebu South” or “Cebu North” would be best. On accommodation there are lots of pension houses and inns around Fuente area that caters to budget travelers. I don’t have a list of pension houses with rates on Penfires but you can check out this link: Cebu Cheap Accommodation Hope that helps your trip planning for your Cebu vacation.
Hi! Do you think 2 days are enough for our vacation? Will be arriving Cebu June 28 at around 11pm. And then we’re leaving Sunday (June 30) about 10pm. I was planning a city tour on June 29 and a beach/pasalubong day for June 30. You think it’s feasible? Your reply will be much appreciated. Thaaanks!
Hi Shobe, it entirely depends on your group and what you guys want to do and experience in Cebu but if you ask me personally 2D is not enough :/
Day 1 Cebu City tour is okay. If your hotel is in Cebu City, skip Mactan Shrine for this day. Go to Mactan Shrine in Day 2 before you check-in for your day tour at a Mactan Beach resort. Pasalubong stores around the shrine and Lapu-Lapu Monument are the best places to buy Cebu tshirt, keychain, souvenirs etc.
I would suggest you buy food pasalubong like danggit, pusit and dried mango on Day 1 too if you are going to Taboan Market on Day 1, this is because Mactan beaches are far from Cebu City center.
Day 2 go for a whole day resort day tour. Confirm with your chosen resort first so you know exactly their day tour schedule. Some resort have Day Tour sched from 10 AM to 9 PM.
Enjoy your vacation!
Hi, how long would it take for you to get to North Bus Terminal near “SM Mall” from the airport? I am currently working on our itinerary going to Bantayan island, and I want to maximize our time as much as possible. Your answer will be appreciated. Thanks!
hi hayley, for direction tips you can also refer to this post – Get to Cebu North Bus Terminal.
Travel time by taxi 30 to 40 minutes.
Hi cille, could you help and give us directions on how to commute from mactan airport to Jamestown Subdivision, Talisay City? Hope you’re familiar with it. Thanks in advance.
Hi arien, so sorry I am not familiar with how to commute on that part of the city. :/
hi cille.. just a try though.. thanks for the response.. more power!
Hi Cille,
We were going to Cebu at June 29 – July 4., A 5 days 4 nights tour. Any suggestions for the hotels? dalawa lang po kami gusto sana namin yung cheaper pero comfy yung room. Wala pa kong IT as of now. We are planning to have a City tour and going to Bantayan Beach. We will arrive at Cebu around 9am and going back on July 9th 11am. Thank you!
Hi Lace,
You can refer to the posts on this category: Bantayan Island, Cebu
For City Tour: Cebu City do it yourself tour
On Cebu Hotel: Cebu Summit Circle has an on-going promotion if you fly via Cebu Pacific, read their special deal HERE.
You can also check this post for more choices: FTB’s Accommodation list.
Hope you’ll enjoy your Cebu Vacation!
Cille =)