Last 2013, I started with my panata to travel and explore a new place in the country once a month.
And where else to start but in the Queen of the South: Cebu!
The best day to travel to Cebu is during January for their Sinulog Festival, usually the grand parade is held every 19th of January; but as we are a feel good couple we went after all the festivities (and yeah it's cheaper that way.)
We decided to do a Cebu City tour so we stayed in downtown area where most of the tourist spots are located. Each tourist spot (in downtown area) is mostly walking distance so yeah, if you decide to do this make sure to use comfy flipflops or sneakers.
We stayed in COLON, the oldest street and is home for cheap hotels and local malls. I believe this is one of the busiest streets in Cebu for it also serves as jump-off point for those who choose to go to Oslob and/or Malapascua.
Anyhow, from Colon you can walk to the tourist spots in downtown Cebu.
First off, the Magellan's Cross which is directly beside the Basilica del Sto. Nino
Walk towards the port and you'll find yourself at Plaza Independencia and Fort San Pedro.
Plaza Independencia is a BIG park with a lot of monuments; and inside you will find Fort San Pedro, a mini intramuros in the heart of Cebu City. And on its right you will find Malacanang of the South.
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| Malacanang of the South |
Walk back towards the Basilica del Sto. Nino and you will find yourself looking at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.
You can walk or ride a Jeepney back to Colon, afterwards.
At the far end of Colon, you will find the Colon Obelisk, Heritage of Cebu Monument, Yap-SanDiego Ancestral House, Casa Gorordo Museum, And the Museo Sugbo.
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| Colon Obelisk |
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| Heritage of Cebu Monument |
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| Yap - Sandiego Ancestral House |
Casa Gorordo
Museum
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| Museo Sugbo |
You can then ride a jeepney to uptown Cebu where you can see Tops and the Taoist Temple.
Jeepneys in Cebu use Numbers instead of signboard, just ask which number goes to TOPS and ride on.
Only private cars, taxi, or habal-habal go directly to Tops, from the jump off point you can haggle your way to tops.
Habal-habal (300php - 2 persons - back and forth)
Tops Entrance fee is 100php/pax
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| View of Cebu City |
Then, Habal Habal driver dropped us off at the entrance of the village where the Taoist Temple is located.
Back in Colon, we rode a jeep to the Tabo-an, the home of dried seafood goodies. :)
Make sure to have extra clothes as you will smell of danggit the moment you set foot in that market.
Tabo-an
Market
And of course, one must not forget to try the CnT Lechon in SM City Cebu.
We stayed in Cebu Century Hotel in Colon where we got an airconditioned room with hot n cold shower plus tv for just 750php/night.
Purchase your pasalubong shirts near Basilica del Sto.Nino for cheap finds.
And One must not forget to visit Shamrock Pasalubong Center for their infamous Otap.
This is my hand drawn map of the tourist spots in Downtown Cebu. Haha! And yes, we made a walking-tour of it. Enjoy your adventure in Cebu!
EAT AT THE CARINDERIA STRIP near Colon for the full downtown experience.
Travel Tips:
1. Be friendly.
2. Haggle your way to your adventure.
3. Eat their specialties.
4. When in doubt, ASK.
We stayed 4 days/3nights in Cebu and I shelled out 5,000 php (for 2 persons.) This includes the hotel, fare around the city, pasalubong, and food.
TTFN!
