Cebu

By Emmanuel Rodriguez • Published November 24, 2025

My girlfriend and I spent several hectic and wholesome days in Cebu, and it turned into one of the most chaotic-fun trips I’ve done in a while. The Philippines was in the middle of typhoon season, and Cebu had storms a few days before I landed, yet somehow I arrived during a sweet spot. The typhoons came back after I left. Sorry Cebu.

A whale swimming in the ocean.

Staying at Cebu Capitol Central Hotel

We stayed at Cebu Capitol Central Hotel, the cheapest option we could find and it showed. No windows, dim room, nothing special. But the location was convenient: Jollibee, McDonald’s, 7-Eleven, a launderette, and Cafe Talk right across the road. For the price, it worked. I only needed a bed after long days out, so this was perfect.

Cebu Day Trip

The Diamond Hall hotspots tour was the core of the trip, and it was chaos from the jump. Slept at 2 am, woke up at 4 am, got into a van half-asleep, and bounced through South Cebu while smacking my head on the window every few minutes. Somehow it was all still fun.

A man standing next to a sign with a chef.
People are walking on the beach near the water.
A waterfall in the jungle with people standing around it.
A man and a woman are standing in front of a waterfall.
A waterfall in the middle of a forest.
A teddy bear sitting at a table with a plate of food.
A table with plates of food and drinks.

Oslob Whale Sharks

First stop: Oslob whale sharks. Being in the water with these massive, gentle giants cruising right next to you was unreal. The water temperature was perfect. Viewing whale sharks was on my diving bucket list; I didn’t dive (we snorkeled), but it counts. Honestly, the whale sharks are fed and pulled out of their natural migration patterns, which is bad for the ecosystem. There were bruise marks on a few sharks, and the practice clearly harms them. I wouldn’t go again and recommend avoiding this stop if you can.

Sumilon Island

Then came the sunny boat ride to Sumilon Island. Perfect clear water, bright yellow beaches, and enough sun to blind you. Genuinely unbelievable compared to both Perhentian and Tioman (Malaysian islands), this beach felt like a postcard image in real life.

Tumalog Falls

From there, a jeep ride and a motorbike ride straight down to Tumalog Falls. Coldest water of my life; the kind that shocks your bones. The falls are tall and misty. We stayed long enough to freeze, then escaped back up the trail.

Cuartel / Oslob Ruins

Right after the whale sharks, we made a quick stop at Cuartel, the old Spanish barracks near the shoreline. It’s a fast but atmospheric stop with crumbling walls, open arches, and a beautiful view. I was too drained to explore after almost no sleep and a morning of swimming, so we skimmed the view and got back in the van.

Simala Church

The drive continued to Simala Church, one of the most elaborate churches in Cebu. The place looks like a hilltop fortress mixed with a pilgrimage site which was packed, lively, and impressive in scale. No one in the van wanted to get out for this one, guess it was a really packed day and wasn’t just me.

Carcar Pasalubong Center

On the way back north, the van stopped at Carcar Pasalubong Center, famous for chicharrón, lechon, and local snacks. Grabbed food, stretched our legs, watched people bargain for bags of pork. Banger.

Lunch at Ninz Larangan

Lunch on the way back was at Ninz Larangan. Filipino staples served family-style: savory fish sinigang, BBQ pork and chicken, and a big spread that hit perfectly after a morning of swimming and bouncing around in transit.

SM City Cebu

After dragging ourselves back into the city, we made one last stop at SM City Cebu to cool off, walk around, and try BonChon, which I heard was popular but didn’t really like. Big, modern, and useful for grabbing anything you forgot.

Wandering Around Cebu City

Cebu City surprised me. Everywhere we went, people were friendly. At Jollibee, I mentioned I was a tourist and instantly got a list of food suggestions. At the launderette, the staff were considerate, clear, and didn’t overcharge despite knowing I wasn’t local. That kind of warmth made walking around genuinely pleasant.

Food Highlights

Jollibee Staples

Tried a whole list: Palabok, Double Aloha Burger, Yum Burger, and the famous Peach Mango Pie, which deserves the hype. Crispy, sweet, and addictive.

Cebu Lechon

Cebu lechon was another highlight; crispy skin, juicy meat, easily one of the top pork dishes I’ve had. Banger.

Final Thoughts

Between the bumpy van rides, cold waterfalls, massive whale sharks, random ruins, hilltop churches, and endless good food, the city kept things interesting from the moment we landed. If you want a destination that’s lively and full of character, Cebu is worth an overnight visit.


Also read: My trip to Singapore.