Before we headed out for our five day trip to Central Visayas where we spent one day in Bohol and four days in Cebu, I really did not know much about Cebu as a travel destination.
All I knew about Cebu was that it has amazing beaches like the rest of the Philippines. I also knew that Cebu is a legendary historic island in our country as the very place where the Spaniards first arrived.
From what I learned in school, some of the oldest monuments in the entire nation are located there. You know… Magellan’s Cross… Basilica Minore del Santo Nino.
However, as we were mapping out our getaway, I found out the island has way more going on than the usual beaches and historical sites.
Cebu Island is a long and narrow stretch of land. From the middle where Cebu City sits, the excitement keeps going whether you head north or head south.
If you are torn between heading to north Cebu or south Cebu, I will help you reach a decision today. You can also glance at my tourist map of Central Visayas to help you pick a side right away.
In our case, we went on as a group and decided to hit up South Cebu instead of heading north.
Click the images below to enlarge
The biggest reason was that most of the adventure activities are in the south and every person in the crew was feeling adventurous. Most of us were in our mid-20s back then and we wanted to live it up before our bodies started giving out on us.
We did not miss the highlights like canyoneering in Badian, whale shark watching in Oslob, and snorkeling in Moalboal. You can book your visit for these activities here.
Did we enjoy our stay in South Cebu? Absolutely! If you ask me, that trip really became one of the most unforgettable trips I have ever had. Life changing, I should say.
If you’re leaning toward visiting South Cebu instead of the North, you’ve gotta hold your horses. North Cebu definitely has some perks you shouldn’t overlook.
Let me share everything we considered during our trip. I will also share some travel tips to help you make your decision. This will ensure your trip is one that you’ll never forget! Let’s go.
Hi reader! It’s Eljon, and before we continue, I want to welcome you to my blog, Explore to Thrive. Here, I share my experiences with traveling, reflections on spirituality, personal growth and insights on building an online business, all to make a difference. But my mission goes beyond that. You can learn more about what I do by visiting my homepage.
North Cebu
What’s another reason we chose the south instead of the north? The duration of our trip.
We only had 4 days in Cebu. We did not want to spend most of our time sitting in a car or waiting for boat transfers.
Also, the attractions in North Cebu are located far from the city and one another, often requiring boat travel to move between them. For example, Malapascua and Bantayan Islands, the two destinations near the northern tip of Cebu, require a lengthy trip to reach.
To get there from the city, you would need roughly six hours total for the land transfer, port wait times, and the boat ride to either destination. Considering the return trip, you would spend an entire day of our four day vacation on transfers alone.
That said, we definitely would have added North Cebu to the itinerary if we had more time and better transport options.
Based on the YouTube videos we watched, the beaches in that area look absolutely stunning. The ones on Bantayan Island in particular look like a total dream. Some people even refer to this area as the Maldives of the Philippines.
Another traveler argued that Bantayan actually beats Boracay, though I have my doubts when it relates to how fine and soft the sand feels in Boracay. Having visited Boracay along with several other Philippine beaches, I still think Boracay is unbeatable in that specific category.
Interestingly, Bantayan has a night life scene as well.
What’s truly compelling about North Cebu is the unique marine life encounter available on Malapascua Island. To my knowledge, it’s the only place in the world where divers can reliably see thresher sharks on a nearly daily basis.
These distinctive sharks, known for their long, whip-like tails, typically live in deep waters but rise to the shallower Monad Shoal or Kimud Shoal at sunrise.
South Cebu
So we decided to dedicate our entire trip to South Cebu for the epic adventures. But the thrill wasn’t the only reason we planted ourselves here.
Another major draw is the diversity of the activities. Their close proximity is also a massive win for first time visitors like us.
For instance, the world class snorkeling and diving activities in Moalboal are only an hour away from the turquoise waters of Kawasan Falls in Badian. Then from either location, you can reach the trailhead for the highest point in Cebu at Osmena Peak in about an hour.
Looking at these three destinations, you could actually squeeze three totally different experiences into a single day. However, I would not recommend it. That would be absolutely exhausting.
The thing is, South Cebu offers much more than a mix of nature and outdoor adventure.
Beyond famous falls like Aguinid, Tumalog, and Dao or underwater experiences like seeing the Oslob whale sharks, Pescador Island turtles, and the Moalboal sardine run, you will find historic towns and remarkable religious landmarks waiting to be explored.
For example:
- Simala Parish Church in Sibonga that showcases a unique design combines Gothic, Renaissance, and Byzantine styles with Filipino vernacular architecture.
- Then there is Carcar City. It is famous for its authentic Cebuano lechon. It also has historic heritage houses dating back to the American and Spanish eras in the Philippines.
When we went on our trip, we weren’t really aware of Carcar City. If we had known it was there, we would have visited because I love taking photos of beautiful architecture and my friends love lechon.
Actually, South Cebu offers a fantastic hidden advantage for your itinerary.
If you choose a base in Oslob or near the southern tip of the island, you are in a perfect position to explore beyond the local sights and visit nearby gems in Central Visayas like Siquijor and Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental. There is a port in Santander where you can catch a ferry to reach these islands quickly.
Good to know: Because of the strategic travel location and high concentration of tourism activities, many travel companies operate in the area. That includes water sports centers offering courses for learning activities like scuba diving and free diving. You get certified after you complete the training.
At this point, it is obvious that South Cebu is quite touristy compared to other regions. Expect to pay more for food, services, and goods, especially when you are visiting Oslob or Moalboal. That is the main drawback for travelers here.
In our experience, the cost of meals, lodging, and drinks was often double or nearly triple the prices you would find in a typical town or local area.
Another downside is that you cannot really go on a completely spontaneous trip here.
In the top destinations around South Cebu like the Oslob whale shark watching you need reservations to ensure you get a thirty minute window on the day you visit. As far as I know, Kawasan Falls now limits the number of visitors allowed each day. You would need to book ahead of time to ensure entry to Canyoneering trail.
Conclusion
While we chose South Cebu over North Cebu, I am not trying to convince you to do the same. It will always depend on the kind of experience you want for your trip.
Are you traveling slowly? Do you want to visit attractions off the beaten path? Do you want to relax and avoid the crowds? Do you want a unique experience only a few get when they visit Cebu? Are you on a budget? Do you want idyllic and rustic vibes? Go to northern Cebu.
Is the adrenaline in your bloodstream what you like? Are you a first time visitor wanting to see what everyone wants to experience in Cebu in a short span of time? Do you want convenience, ease of transport, and access to another island? Is a diverse travel experience what you aim for? The south is the perfect destination.
Whatever the case, if you have more than a week to spend in Cebu, choosing between the north and the south is not necessary.
The whole island, from the north to the center and the south, is worth visiting based on our experiences and what I know.
Planning to Visit Cebu?
I am here to help you plan your journey and ensure you have an incredible time. You should check out my travel maps, planning tools, and tips, which are all derived from my own adventures in Cebu.
Click the maps below to view or download them:
Cebu City
South Cebu
Central Visayas
My travel planning resources page contains everything you need. Find the best hotels, cheap car rentals, affordable flights, and travel insurance.
From this page, you can also book the top 3 unmissable activities in Cebu. You can find alternative experiences in Oslob, Badian, Sibonga, Moalboal, Bantayan, and Malapascua as well.
Of course, if you’re visiting Cebu City, I also have tips for you. And if you want to go beyond Cebu, you can discover nearby destinations like Bohol, Siquijor, and Dumaguete.
Thank you for reading
I hope my trip and experiences spark ideas for your travels and help you plan your next trip. But before you go, if you haven’t checked it out yet, drop by my homepage so I can give myself a proper introduction. Catch you there!
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