This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase or sign up through any of the links on this website, at no extra cost to you. View disclaimer for more information.
Cebu is an island in the Philippines known for its beautiful white sand beaches and crystal blue water. Being Cebuano myself carries its advantages, but from an unbiased perspective (ok maybe a little bit bias), Cebu has such a welcoming and friendly atmosphere full of fun and adventure!
1 USD is equal to about 50 Philippine Pesos (PhP) and you can find super-great travel bargains, including delicious food and drinks!
If you want your trip to Cebu to be filled with adrenaline and adventure, then here’s a list of cool things to do in Cebu, Philippines.
Whale-shark watching, Oslob, Cebu, Philippines
Whale shark watching is a must in Oslob, Cebu. Here you can swim with friendly whale-sharks for around PhP 500 – PhP 1000 per person. I suggest going early in the morning so you can beat the tourist crowd.
There’s a maximum of 6 swimmers per boat. After the information briefing, you will be taken on the boat to swim the the whale sharks! Tour guides will feed the whale sharks krill so you swim with them!
Tumalog Falls, Oslob, Cebu, Philippines
To enter the waterfalls, you’ll have the option to walk or take a motorcycle aka “habal-habal” ride for about PhP 25 one-way. It’s about a 5-minute downhill walk to the waterfalls and a very tiring uphill climb back, but walking gives you some cool photo ops.
The lagoon is a beautiful blue-green color and you’re able to swim in it, but depending on the season you’re visiting, the amount of water coming down the falls and in the lagoon varies. The above picture was taken in March which was when there was a ‘draught’. Either way, the views are still beautiful.
Kawasan Falls, Moalboal, Cebu, Philippines
If you like living life on the edge (of a cliff that is) then you’re in for an extraordinary adventure. Canyoneering or canyoning guides will take you on a journey through the canyons to jump off cliffs, swim through lagoons, slide down natural made slides, trek through forests, and more.
A lot of tour guides can be found online for about PhP 1500 per person, which includes the guide, vests and helmets, shoes if needed, transportation, snacks, and sometimes more.
You’ll have the option to go up-stream or down-stream. If it’s your first time then I’d suggest going down-stream canyoneering. There’s even a “seven-eleven” in the middle of the trail, which is a food stand where you can grab a quick drink and snack on some filipino barbecue.
Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls is one of the coolest things I’ve ever done and the coolest thing to do in Cebu. The trail is filled with jumps as high as 55 feet!
Check out some of my favorite tools and companies I actually use when I travel.
Need a Bank Account for Life Abroad? Wise is the best option for travelers, study abroad students and expats. I use it as my everyday checking account since it lets me hold and spend in multiple currencies without getting hit with a bad exchange rate every time I cross a border.
Want to Travel for Free & Skip the Foreign Transaction Fees? I put my spending on my Chase Sapphire Preferred card and let the points cover flights and hotels I'd otherwise be paying for out of pocket. I've been able to use the points I earn on this card to pay for flights, hotels and meals all around the world!
Please Don't Forget Travel Insurance! Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I never go on a trip without it. My two favorites are:
Need a Flight? I personally love using Google Flights to track prices and compare dates before I commit, the flexible date view alone has saved me a lot of money. Skyscanner is another great search engine to find cheap flights because it searches sites and airlines around the globe, so you know no cheap deal is being left on the table.
Getting Around Southeast Asia? Book your buses, trains, and ferries with 12Go Asia. One search shows you every route and price, so you're not digging through ten different local booking sites.
Need a Place to Stay? Book your hotel with Expedia, where I start looking, especially when I want to bundle flights and stays together. Hotels.com is my backup when I want to compare prices or I'm chasing their rewards program for a free night.
On a Tighter Budget? Hostelworld is where I go for hostels. It has the largest inventory out there, and you can search for dorm beds or private rooms depending on what you're after!
Want a Free Way to Travel? Try TrustedHousesitters! You look after someone's home and pets while they're away, and in exchange you get free accommodation (minus the subscription fee). It's a great option if you're traveling long term and want to cut costs. I personally use this as a host and a sitter, and it's truly great!
Need Inspiration or Just Want to See What's Out There? Go Guides is a solid resource for destination guides, must-see landmarks, local markets, best beaches, and things to do, browsable by place or by theme. It's a good stop whether you already know where you're headed or you're still looking for your next destination.
Check out my full packing gear guide for everything I bring on international trips, or browse my favorite travel finds on Amazon for quick links to it all.
Check out my full resource page for every company I use when I travel. I list them all in one place so you can go from planning to booked without digging through old blog posts!
Hey there, I'm Angelique!
I'm a Filipina-American, Chicago native living abroad and running my online design agency from Chiang Mai, Thailand. Over a decade of traveling in, and yes, I still pinch myself. With family split between the US, UK, and SE Asia, travel has always been part of my story. This blog is where I share the honest side of living and traveling abroad, the places I explore, my best study abroad tips from personal experience, and the little hacks that make this life actually work. Glad you're here, friend!
Studying abroad soon?
everything to sort before you go, in one printable page.
I share what I'm actually doing, where I'm going, and the things I wish I'd known before I booked the flight. No spam, just the good stuff that you'll actually enjoy reading.