Philippines

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Cebu

Historic island hub with beaches and diving

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Cebu Plan a trip around Philippines

Best time to visit: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Currency: PHP
Time zone: UTC+8
Country: Philippines

Photo: Kaisersibi, CC BY-SA 3.0

Cebu is a long, narrow island province in the Central Visayas and the oldest city of the Philippines, with Spanish-era churches, busy urban districts and easy access to beaches, dive sites and smaller islands. People come for island-hopping, diving, food and a mix of history and city life.

Largest cities

Quezon City
Manila
Davao City
Cebu City
Zamboanga City

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Philippines
Capital: Manila
City population: 1.4M
Population of Philippines: 112.7M
Country area: 343,448 km²
Official language: English
Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP) · 1 USD ≈ 62.83 PHP
Time zone: UTC+8
Calling code: +63
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 454 m
Plugs: A / B / C · 220V
Emergency numbers: 911
Best time to visit: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	26°	27°	28°	29°	29°	28°	28°	28°	28°	27°	28°	27°
Low	21°	21°	21°	22°	23°	22°	22°	22°	22°	22°	22°	22°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$24
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$67
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$185

Plan a trip to Cebu

Top things to do

Free
Basilica del Santo Niño and Magellan's Cross
See the country's oldest church and the cross shrine next door, both in the historic centre; go early to avoid crowds and dress modestly.
- Half day
- Cebu City
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $1
Fort San Pedro
Walk the small Spanish-era stone fort and its garden museum near the port; a quick, shady stop that pairs well with the basilica.
- Half day
- Cebu City
- Good for kids
Free
Downtown heritage walk
Follow the old streets past colonial churches, plazas and markets on foot; start in the morning before the heat and traffic build up.
- Half day
- Cebu City
- Good for kids
≈ $1
Temple of Leah
Hilltop temple with wide views over the city and coast; go late afternoon for cooler air and sunset light.
- Half day
- Cebu City
- Good for kids
≈ $2
Mactan Shrine and Lapu-Lapu monument
Seaside park marking the 1521 Battle of Mactan, with the Lapu-Lapu statue and a small souvenir row; easy stop near the airport.
- Half day
- Mactan Island
- Good for kids
≈ $35
Island-hopping and snorkelling off Mactan
Boat day to nearby islets and marine sanctuaries with snorkelling stops; bring reef-safe sunscreen and confirm what the boat price includes.
- Full day
- Mactan Island
- Good for kids
≈ $30
Whale-shark watching at Oslob
Early-morning trip south to swim near whale sharks, usually combined with a stop at nearby falls; leave very early as the drive is long.
- Full day
- Northern Cebu
- Good for kids
Free
Evening street-food market
Graze through grilled skewers, seafood and local desserts at the city's night food stalls; bring small cash and pick busy stalls.
- Half day
- Cebu City
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening

Before you go

Entry and visas

Many nationalities, including UK and most EU, US, Indian and Latin American visitors, can enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, but rules vary by passport and some nationalities need an e-visa or a visa from a Philippine embassy. All travellers must register on the e-travel system within 72 hours before arrival and show the QR code, and passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival. Check your own nationality's rules on the official Philippine e-visa site or with the Bureau of Immigration before booking.

Official website

From the airport

Mactan–Cebu International Airport sits on Mactan Island, about 30–60 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing car from Cebu City depending on traffic. Metered taxis and app-based cars are the usual way into town.

Getting around

Within Metro Cebu, use metered taxis, ride-hailing apps, jeepneys and buses; for other islands and beach towns, take ferries, buses or vans from the city terminals.

Local tips

Dress modestly when visiting churches and shrines; shoulders and knees covered is the safe choice.
Cash is still king in markets, jeepneys and small eateries, so keep small bills and coins.
If you are flying out from Cebu Mactan airport, budget for a departure tax of 850 Philippine pesos, payable in local currency or the equivalent in US dollars.
October is the wettest month, so plan indoor or city days then and check ferry schedules in rough weather.
Use metered taxis or app-based rides at night, keep bags close in crowded areas, and drink bottled water.

Areas worth knowing

Mactan Island
Mandaue
Cebu City
Lapu-Lapu City
Northern Cebu

Official travel advice

The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on July 15, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.

Read the advice on GOV.UK