We went to Cebu on September 2016 for a week and it was the best travel experience we had for 2016.

We explored the city and went to Bantayan Island which is famous for its “Camp Sawi” fad that was from a movie that was very much raved about that time.

I was kind of hesitant to go at first though because it would mean that I will be on leave at work for a whole week and that would include my weekend class in Arellano Law. But it seems that it was meant to be and I would like to thank Jessa for this wonderful experience. If not for her super kulit features and super pabebe tactics, I wouldnt have pushed through in the greatest adventure of our year.

Going to Cebu

We went there via Cebu Pacific. Jessa booked a roundtrip promo flight that only costed 1900.00PhP for the both of us. Cheap right? Its actually one of her specialties. Book the cheapest flight possible. So if you are planning to go there and you dont have much of a budget, then better start looking for promo fares now.

TRANSPORTATION

From the airport, there is a point to point bus that would get you to SM Cebu City for (if I remember correctly) 20php BUT expect that a lot of people or backpackers are opting for this so expect long lines and a standing ride on the bus. If you are not on a tight budget though or has a lot of baggage in tow, go get a taxi. There are plenty of taxis here and Cebu is actually a taxi friendly City. Grab car is also very useful as you wont need to explain to taxi drivers where you should go. It was actually our main mode of transportation across the cities.

We grabbed a cab to SM Cebu and it only costed us 180php. It took us almost an hour to get there.

SM CEBU

Its actually your typical SM. We didnt venture far in here. We just grabbed our necessities such as Butane and some ingredients and went on our way. BUT there is an”I LOVE SM CEBU” outside and its best for a photo opportunity.

Where to Stay

We stayed in a motel in Mandaue City. Dont judge us though, we just figured that it would be the cheapest and most strategic place to stay since we will only be needing 5 hours of rest before we can catch a bus ride to Hagnaya Port to Bantayan Island.

Why Mandaue City? because its the closest we can be to get to the North Bus Terminal at 5AM in the morning.

If you are not tight on a budget, there are several hotels nearby too so go for it.

There are also a lot of transient house in Cebu City and Mandaue City that ranges from 800php – 1800php.

We stayed in one when we got back from Bantayan and it only costed us 900/night.

It was in J L Suites and it was like a condotel type located in R.R Landon Street which is close to some gimikan and public transportation via multicabs is possible so its very strategic and budget friendly. Its quite small but its good enough for two persons who are actually spending more time outside than staying in. Its simple yet clean and has AC, TV and Cable, WIfi, Hot and Cold shower and room service.

If you are really a travel person and wants to get his cents’ worth, consider these kinds of places because you spend more of your time outside. One only needs a place to sleep comfortably and safely with all their valuables intact.

Where to Go

Lets start first in Cebu City, We toured it after Bantayan so that we can have plenty of rest and chill time before our flight back on a Saturday.

Plaza Independencia and Fort San Pedro

How to get there? From Sto Nino … go ask a guard. HAHAHAHA

What I remember is we went straight ahead from Magellan’s Cross to a Pasalubong Center then we got lost and ended up here. Well in our defense, part of exploring is getting lost so yeah.. judge all you want. HAHA

Plaza Independencia is fronting Fort San Pedro. Its a big park and has a good scenic vibe for photos.

In Fort San Pedro, there is a 50php fee for entrance. Its good to come here if you are for Filipino History. Actually, I urge you to come in and be enriched in our history.

Sto Nino, Cebu Cathedral and Magellan’s Cross

These places are situated near Colon. I dont know the street name because again, WE USED GRAB TO OUR ADVANTAGE.

These places are packed with locals selling candles and tourist taking in the beauty of the place.

I urge you guys to buy the candles and offer a prayer. BUT please be mindful of your belongings. No harm in staying sharp. Especially when the locals are forcing you to buy their products.

You cant miss these 3 landmarks as they are situated almost next to each other.

Island Souvenir/Local Souvenir Shops

Island Souvenirs are all over Cebu. I remember one near the Cathedral and Santo Nino Church. Of course, there is also a stall in the airport.

Okay. Here is a pro tip. Island Souvenir offers good products but for a higher price. On a budget? read the following instructions.

Cross the street from the entrance of Island Souvenirs at the side. walk towards the next street and before you cross the street again, turn left. then TADAAAAH. They have good bundle offers such as 1 tshirt/sando 1 free keychain. BOOM! Pasalubong Problems, SOLVED!

If you get lost, ask for directions from the locals that roam outside the shop selling keychains. They might actually bring you there themselves.

Note: I cant remember the exact directions anymore. it might be 2 buildings over instead of one. pero you cant miss it from island souvenirs. tawid lang kayo sa side. or tanong nyo sa mga naglalako ng keychains kung san yung murang bilihan ng pasalubong.

A lot of people expressed  their dismay when they found the place because they already bought souvenirs in Island Souvenirs not knowing there is a cheaper option.

Taoist Temple

From Magellan’s Cross, we hailed a cab to bring us here. Its almost an hour ride but maybe thats because of heavy traffic. Our ride costed us 180-200php.

This place is very serene and beautiful. Cameras are not allowed inside the temples where you can offer incense as a sign of respect or pray if you’re a Taoist I guess. There is also free tea near the first temple. Jessa tried it and well.. she is not a tea person so maybe for her its too strong but hey, its part of the experience. You can also buy souvenirs as well as charms in the same area.

Caution: This place is full of plight of stairs. but the view and ambiance are worth it.

Caution2: Cabs are very rare. My tip? Walk down the road. Its not that far. Once you reached the guard house, transportation wont be a problem anymore.

Tops Lookout

THIS IS THE BEST CHILL PLACE IN CEBU FOR ME.

We hailed a habal habal when we got down from Taoist Temple. We negotiated that he bring us to Temple of Leah and Tops for only 250PHP. I dont think he knew what he was in for because Jessa and I were also surprised that it was such a far away place from where we hailed him. In a nutshell, we felt like LUGI SI KUYA. HAHA

We did not stay long at the Temple of Leah. There is an entrance fee of 100php or less than (I think) but we did not go in as we thought it would be a typical museum and that its under construction so the serenity will be violated by the noises. Though I think we made a mistake not going in. Oh well, we’ll just visit it when we go back. So off we went to TOPS.

I highly urge you guys to do the same. Ride a habal habal, its cheaper, faster and MORE EXCITING because the scenery of the route going up is like in Baguio but more of Nature than residential. Trust me. Its the best option to go to TOPS.

Another option is to go to a place where you can ride a van for 90php going to TOPS. now I only know one drop point but I cant remember the fixed travel time. all I remember is that there is a 40 minute interval for the rides. The point to point bus is from J.Y Square in Lahug (in front of Dessert Factory) to Tops and vice versa.

TOPS has an entrance fee of 100php. A lot of people are dismayed because they think TOPS is just an overlooking place but for me, its much more than that. Activities includes:

* CAMPING

– you can camp here and avail of their grill and ingredients for smores for a fee of course. I think is 500php?

– Place is 2000masl so expect that its chilly at night.

– tables are free of use.

*Chill

– DRINK BEER!!

-PLAY SUNGKA or other board games available.

– Cafe fan? They also serve muffins and hot drinks while taking in the view

Food prices are reasonable.

* ENJOY THE VIEW

-C’mon guys. Dont get dismayed when you get here because what did you expect to find? Tops Lookout — from the name of the place itself, of course enjoying the view is and should be the main purpose right? pucha magulat kayo kung may beach club dito diba?

BANTAYAN ISLAND

see Bantayan Island Adventure

Where to Eat

Joed’s Lutong Hapon

Joed’s lutong hapon is in Mandaue City. its open until late at  night and it is one of what I consider hole in the walls in Cebu. I shit you not, they cook with authetincity. I loved it here but I also found their dish a bit sweet than usual but it did not ruin the flavors. The ambiance is also nice, They dont have AC so I think it will be a bit humid here in the afternoon but because we went there at around 10pm, it was nice and cozy.

Jessa lover her the Joed’s Special Crunchy Roll  and Okonomiyaki and I loved the Sukiyakidon that I ordered extra rice for HAHA.

Food here is also budget friendly ranging from 120php to below 500php. We actually stayed in Mandaue just  so that I can look for this local hidden jewel.

Note: Before we ate here, Jessa was not a fan of Japanese cuisine but now she misses this place badly. So take our word for it. Find this place and try their food.

For further reference: https://www.zomato.com/cebu/joeds-lutong-hapon-mabolo

Zubuchon

Zubuchon is famous for their Cebu Lechon. Duh.

You can opt to dine here or take home their frozen lechon to share with your loved ones.

They also have their spicy sisig cuapao. Its like a siopao type sandwich which costs about 99php with a side of chips.

TIP: There is a Zubuchon branch inside the airport but it costs more than in the actual branches you can find around the city.

AA’s BBQ

We did not eat here. HAHA

but I browsed around their menu and for me it looks like a turo-turo/Paluto setting with big portions of meat and anything that can be grilled actually.

It seems like its a local favorite. I’ll give it a try when we get back.

Note: It has a lot of branches in Cebu. Wont be hard to look for.

Casa Verde

Okay. so where do I start. Maybe by saying this is one of the best eats ive ever experienced?

So yeah. There is a Casa Verde here in Metro Manila BUT the branch in Cebu is the original branch.

They’re serving portions are BIG and we only spent less than 1K so yeah, its so awesome.

try their ribs and steaks.

CAUTION: DO NOT ORDER THEIR BIG ASS MILK SHAKE IF YOU ARE 3 pax below. ITS SO BIG. AS IN MASSIVE. but its so delicious. we ended up taking it out and giving it to kids asking for spare changes on the side of the road.

Dessert Factory

This dessert haven has a few branch around Cebu and only in Cebu. Such a shame because MY GAWD! It aint costly and everything is soooo delicious.

Of course Jessa ,who loves sweets, went gaga when she saw the place.

TIP: TRY EVERYTHING. Cakes here are less than a hundred pesos so go FTW!! and yes INCLUDING CHEESECAKES!

All in all, we spent a total of 16,000php for a 5 day trip in Cebu so lets say thats 8,000php per person including our stay in Bantayan. We over spent by 2,000php because pigging out is inevitable.

Sample budget and itinerary

BANTAYAN CEBU ITINERARY        BUDGET

NOTE: this is just a sample itinerary that might help you do your own. at least you have a clue as to the time and travel expenses.

special thanks to the one who shared her itinerary with us that helped us do our own. Hi Angge! HAHAHA