Cebu City, the first ever ASEAN City of Culture and ASEAN Culture Capital, is one of the must-visit places in the ASEAN region. It is found at the center of the archipelagic Philippines, which makes it one of the best places to visit in the Philippines.
So, what treasures await you in your travel to Cebu? Here are some things you should not miss doing in this captivating Cebu!
You would be wondering why Cebu is hailed as the first city of culture by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Thus, the first thing on your to-do list is grasp firsthand why this is so.
The reason for this would be the glamorous festivity held every third Sunday of January. This popular religious activity is named as “Sinulog”.
Many tourists visit Cebu City during Sinulog. This is for the celebration of the patron saint of Cebu named as Sto. Niño (Spanish for the Image of the Child Jesus).
During this time, street dances portraying themes and displaying colorful costumes, ornaments and props, are a delight to watch. Moreover, people in the crowd would also join in the dancing. Some people would smudge some charcoal on your faces. The mood would be very light and fun for the participants.
Unlike other ASEAN countries, the Philippines is unique such that it is heavily influenced by the Roman Catholic religion.
This is because of the Spanish colonization in the country for 333 years. Also, you would understand why many Filipinos speak English fluently, and that their medium of instruction is English, when you learn that they used to be led by Americans.
This historical knowledge can be mused in the various heritage sites of Cebu City, such as Fort San Pedro, Magellan's Cross, and Basilica del Sto. Niño (The Church of the Holy Child Jesus).
In addition to these, museums such as Sugbo Museo and Casa Gorordo are great places for you to strengthen your hold on Cebu's history. Also, ancestral homes such as Yap Sandiego Ancestral House and Jesuit House of 1730 or Museo de Parian would bring you back to the ancient feel of the city.
Those above mentioned places are near each other, and are all found in Cebu City.
While you are at it, you can also visit other tourist spots around the area, such as those on the hilly side. To do this, it would be advisable you book a Cebu tour package.
2. Get Amazed by Nature.
You may have probably heard from famous vloggers about the beauty of the Philippines.
But, did you know that Cebu offers the most number of national great attractions? So, if you were to choose a province of the Philippines, Cebu should be on top of your list. The beaches and falls are among the sought-after in Cebu.
If you are looking for a place to chill, the beaches on the island will give you the best experience.
Bantayan Island has white, fine sands, and the clearest waters. Sunrise and sunset are also wonderful in this place. Other islands with great beaches are Sumilon, Camotes, and Malapascua.
Further, the spectacular falls are in the south of Cebu. These are Kawasan Falls, Tumalog Falls, and Aguinid Falls.
Other bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes and springs are something you can experience in Cebu. The Bojo River, Lake Danao, and Mainit Hot Spring are among those.
3. Do Once-in-a-Lifetime Activities.
Another interesting reason why you should visit Cebu is that it offers you activities that you cannot experience in other places.
Among the activities that are internationally wanted are whale shark watching/swimming in Oslob, Canyoneering in Badian, and Snorkeling/Diving in Pescador Island.
Whale sharks are gentle giants. In Oslob, southern part of Cebu, you can encounter whale sharks up close- you can even swim with them. For those who have experienced this activity, they would say that this is once-in-a-lifetime.
Another adventure that Cebu offers is the canyoneering activity in Badian, also a town in the south of Cebu. This is a four to five hour hike, climb, jump off cliffs, and swim in rivers and falls. This may be exhausting, but this is also exhilarating.
Finally, Cebu has one of the best snorkeling/diving spots in the world. The marine life of Pescador Island is diverse. In there, you can see the wondrous corals, fishes, turtles, and other sea creatures. Also, you can watch underwater in amazement the “sardine run”.
Cebu has many tourist attractions and activities to enjoy from. If you get the right itinerary at the most cost-effective way, you truly could have the best time of your life in Cebu!
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