Camotes Island

Camotes Island

Image by Roro Fernandez via Flickr 

This piece of island paradise, located in the northeast part of Cebu, is actually composed of four islets: Pacijan, Poro, Ponson, and Tulang.  Pacijan, with its municipality, San Francisco, is the beach destination.  It is joined together with Poro Island by a paved road; however both Ponson Island and Tulang islands are separated with Ponson separated by the China Sea while Tulang is separated by the Camotes Sea.

Getting to Camotes can be done via Fast Craft, Ferry Boat or Pump Boat all of which are available daily.  The Fast Craft is located in Pier 1 and takes around 2-3 hours to get to Camotes.  The Ferry Boat is located in Pier 2 which is a few blocks off Pier 1 and takes 3-4 hours of travel.  The Pump Boat is located in the Port of Danao which is an hour away to the north of Cebu.  It will take about 2 hours to get to the island.  To get to Pier1, Pier2, or the Danao Port one would need to take either a jeepney or a taxi which is readily available in the city.  Just inform the taxi driver your destination and he will take you there.  As for the jeepneys, you need to take a specific jeepney for each of the destinations you would be going.  Asking around is all that it would take to direct you to the right jeepney route.

Bantayan Island

Bantayan Island

Located in the northern part of Cebu is an idyllic island called Bantayan Island.  It is one of the best tourist destinations in the Philippines.  It is known for its powder white beaches, tranquil crystal clear turquoise waters, laid-back atmosphere, and its friendly people.  The island has three municipalities: Santa Fe, Bantayan (Proper), and Madredejos.  The most beautiful beaches are found in Santa Fe with its long stretches of powder white sand.

While Bantayan is best known for its powdery beaches, it also has a famous small cave, Ogtong Cave, which allows you to dip in its clear, cold cave waters.

To get to the island you may catch a Bus or V-Hire (Van), or on a private vehicle.  Both Buses and Vans are found in the North Bus Terminal.  The trip will take 3 hours to get to Hagnaya and from there an hour’s travel via ferry to take you directly to Sta. Fe.

Badian Island

 Badian Island

On Cebu’s southern territory off Moalboal, lies Badian Island.  A private and luxurious resort, Badian Island Resort and Spa, is to be found there.  It is the perfect romantic island getaway.

While some prefer the exclusive getaway of Badian Island Resort and Spa, most locals and tourists prefer the much cheaper getaway the Municipality of Badian has to offer the  beautiful Kawasan Falls.

Image by Storm Crypt via Flickr

Badian Island Resort and Spa is just 3 hours drive from the Cebu-Mactan International Airport to Badian Municipality and from there a 5 minute boat ride to Badian Island or 35 minutes on a chartered helicopter from the airport.

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Cebu's Famous Beaches

Imagine smelling the fresh sea breeze, walking against powdery white sand, feeling the warmth of a tropical sun on your cool skin, soaking in clear blue waters and relaxing under a starlit night, these are just a few of the many wonderful experiences that await you in Cebu’s Famous Beaches.

Cebu island is truly blessed with magnificent beaches and beautiful coastlines. Its laid back beach attitude atmosphere is echoed throughout the province and its people. Warm smiles are a common sight to be found on the people of Cebu. Also, accommodations on its beaches range from the most laid-back to the world-class international resorts to suit your sense of adventure, needs, and budget. But whatever the range of the resort maybe the people around you remains true to the known Cebuano warm smile and hospitality.

Besides being famous for its numerous beautiful beaches, Cebu is also the diving center of the Philippines with its majestic coral formations, dazzling marine life and drop-offs plunging to the beautiful deep blue nothingness of the sea.

After visiting Cebu you might not want to leave this warm, tropical, charming island with its charming people.

Getting to and around in Cebu

By Air

The Mactan-Cebu International Airport is an international and domestic airport which also serves as the main domestic airport outside Manila.  There are frequent direct flights to and from China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Qatar, Singapore, and Taiwan.  For those coming from the other parts of the globe, you may fly first to Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, or Singapore and then fly to Cebu or for a faster connection you may catch a flight to Manila (with more than 20 Cebu flights daily) and then to Cebu which is about an hour’s flight away.

By Sea

With Cebu having the largest and main port of entry in Central Visayas, there are numerous ships that route to Cebu that visitors (already in the Philippines) who are not pressed for time may opt to take since travelling from Manila to Cebu approximately takes 23hrs.  However for island hopping around the province, bancas or small boats are the best means of transportation.

By Land

Since the Philippines is an archipelago, Cebu province is also one of the many islands that is not interconnected with another island so travelling by land is limited only for visitors and locals already in the province. 

            By Jeepney

Locals mainly use this colorful mode of transportation in getting around the city.  The routes are written clearly on the side of the jeepney with specific numbers (on the side and on top) marking the jeepney to its particular route.  Simply ask around which route to take and the locals may direct you to a specific route or a jeepney number to catch.  These are available 24hrs and almost cover every part of the city and even cross over the other cities of the province and usually cost starting from 7 pesos.

By Bus

Buses are available but mainly travese along the north and south route which is very useful if one were travelling to the many beautiful and idyllic beaches located in the northern and southern part of the province which can be done by going to the South or North Bus Terminal.

By Taxi                                                                                 

Taking a taxi cab is the most comfortable way to go with most trips in the city costing less than 100 pesos.  Cebu taxis run on a meter; it is illegal not to run on one; however some drivers may tend to bargain and ask for a fixed rate (“private taxis”), you may or may not opt for it and you may even report it to the authorities.  Such incidents are usually found in the airport ground floor on white taxis.  For a metered taxi you may need to go up the ramp where dozens of white metered taxis are parked.  There are also taxis on the ground floor that are metered, these are the airport taxis or yellow taxis (only operates to and from the airport) however they are far more expensive than the regular white ones with the flag down rate starting at 30 pesos and 2.5 pesos charged every half kilometer thereof compared to the yellow taxis with the fare starting at 70 pesos and 5 pesos charged every half a kilometer thereof.

By Motored Tricycle (Trcicyle), Non-motored Tricycle (Pedicab), Motorcycle (Habal-habal)

These modes o f transportation are best for those nook and crannies in the cities, for those walking distance areas that one may be too lazy to walk to, and for those who are more or less familiar with the city.   This may also serve as a bit of an adventure for the tourists.  Fares would usually start from 7pesos.

Cebu General Info

Cebu (Sugbo) is located at the heart of the Philippines and is also centrally located in the Visayas which is to the West of Leyte and Bohol and to the East of Negros and since it is surrounded by much larger islands this makes Cebu less prone to typhoons and of the rare storms that do reach Cebu, they are already much-weakened.   Cebu stretches 225km from North to South with 167 smaller islands including Mactan, Bantayan, Malapascua, Olango and the Camotes Islands.  It has hills and mountain ranges along the northern and southern parts of the island with the highest mountains reaching over 1000 meters.  It has 6 cities namely Danao City, Lapu-lapu City, Mandaue City, Talisay City, Toledo City and Cebu City, the oldest city in the Philippines dating back to 1521, as its capital.  Cebu is one of the most highly developed provinces in the country with Cebu City, named as "The Queen City of the South" suggesting that this glamorous city is one of the main cities of the country being the main center of entertainment, industry, trade, commerce, and education in the Visayas.

Cebuano, Tagalog, and English, the main language used in educational institutions, are widely spoken in the province.

Being the first province under control of the Spaniards, majority of the population is Roman Catholic.  The Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of Cebu and the Sto. Niño are most revered in Cebu.

History:

On March 16, 1521 Ferdinand Magellan arrived in Cebu and was met by the King of Cebu, the Raja.  Shortly after the Spaniards had converted the Raja and his queen to Christianity and as a symbol of friendship and peace the queen was presented with the Sto. Niño (and this is depicted on the yearly festival- Sinulog).  On April 14, a large wooden cross on Cebu’s shores was raised by Magellan (a famous tourist spot known as Magellan’s Cross).  Due to a dispute of uncertain in nature, the Battle of Mactan occurred on April 27, which defeated the Spaniards and Magellan killed by the rival of the Raja, Lapu-lapu, the King of Mactan Island.  Several expeditions were sent to the country and for over 300 years the Spanish ruled until 1898, when the Americans came.  In WWII, Cebu became a Japanese base during their occupation in 1942 and with the combined forces of Cebuano and American forces, Cebu achieved independence in 1946.

Infrastructure:

Cebu’s infrastructure is the reason for its economic success.   Its airport, Mactan International Airport, has regular international flights.  Its port, Cebu International Port, is largest and main port of entry in Central Visayas.  Cebu also has several business districts among them is the Cebu Business Park, a prime business and commercial center in the country.  And there is also the Asiatown Information Technology Park, South Road Properties Special Economic Zone, Mactan Export Processing Zone, which areas for the best in business, technology, and tourism.