Press Releases
Nov
Cebu Itinerary: What to do in Cebu in 48 Hours
Cebu seriously has it all! Gorgeous beaches, amazing waterfalls, superb hiking, and a modern city to explore. If you’ve only got a limited time here, we’re here to help you make the most of it! Check out our Cebu itinerary so you can see the best of these islands without wasting any time! Best Time to Visit Cebu, Philippines In a tropical area where monsoons are a common occurrence, it’s definitely a good idea to plan your trip strategically. Wintertime (December – February) is an ideal time to visit Cebu. You can enjoy cooler days and nights and beautiful, sunny skies. As a bonus, the biggest festival of the year, Sinulog-Santo Niño Festival, happens the third week of January, so you can party with the locals and get a unique taste of their culture. Like most tourist destinations, traveling during peak season often results in higher prices. Rainy season is from June to August and typhoons are to be expected, which sometimes means boats to other islands will not run due to the heavy downpours. May, April and June are the hottest months of the year in Cebu, but are also the cheaper months to travel in. Cebu Itinerary Day 1: Morning First up on your Cebu itinerary is exploring the city. The landmarks in Cebu are a juxtaposition of historical monuments and modern architecture. You’ll start your DIY city tour at Fort San Pedro, a military defense structure that now houses a museum showcasing Spanish artifacts. After learning a bit of Cebu’s history, you’ll head to the famous Magellan’s Cross and Basilica Minore del Santo Nino. Once you’ve snapped some photos of the oldest Roman Catholic church in the Philippines, walk ten minutes to the Heritage of Cebu Monument. Admire the sculptures here that symbolize significant events in Cebu’s history. Next, grab some food before catching a ride to the next part of your tour. Cebu Itinerary Day 1: Afternoon Your next stop will take you a bit further from the city center. Hop in a car, jeepney or motorbike and make your way to the Temple of Leah. Get a little taste of Greece while exploring this gorgeous temple. Next, get some fresh air at Sirao Garden. Known as “mini Amsterdam”, this picture-perfect garden is insanely Instagrammable, especially when the flowers are in full bloom. Afterwards, check out the epic views at Tops Lookout. This popular observation deck is best at around sunset so you can enjoy both the daytime and nighttime views. Buy some beers and BBQ at one of the food vendors and kick back and relax after a long day of exploring! More Things to do in Cebu: If you have more time, there are a few other spots worth checking out. The Cebu Taoist Temple located in the Beverly Hills area offers some spectacular views at 300 meters above sea level. To get your souvenir shopping done in one go, head to Colon street where you’ll find markets full of jewelry, trinkets, clothes and street food to munch on. If you love visiting beautiful churches, be sure to check out Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. For the beach and ocean lovers, head down to Moalboal for a day trip. Sunbathe on the white sand beaches, go kayaking, snorkeling or kite surfing. Of course, there’s always the option to go island hopping. Swim in the crystal clear waters of Bantayan Island, dive with thresher sharks at Malapascua, or explore the caves of Camotes Island. Check out our Cebu Island Hopping Guide for more. Cebu Itinerary Day…
Oct
Cebu Island Hopping: Best Islands Nearby
What does it take to be one with nature? How does one disconnect from the hustle and bustle of urban life? While partying all night under the city lights might not be such a bad idea, there is nothing wrong with seeking a thrilling adventure. Cebu island hopping is one way to do this. See what Cebu has to offer as we share with you the top 6 islands to visit to feed your adventurous spirit on your stay here in Cebu. Note: Prices are in Philippine Peso (PH) and are updated October 2018. Bantayan Island If there is one place in Cebu that should peak the interests of backpackers and tourists alike, it would most definitely be Bantayan Island. It is a three-hour bus ride, then a one-hour boat ride from Cebu City and is situated at the northernmost part of the province. This tops the list as the most visited island in Cebu as it possesses rich and serene waters on its white sands even comparable to that of Boracay. There are countless activities that can be done on this island; from beach bumming to caving and skydiving, there is something for everybody. On top of all that, the party scene is as exciting as it gets, making this place nothing less than extraordinary. This place is undoubtedly a little piece of heaven here on earth for all types of adventurers. How to get to Bantayan Island from mainland Cebu: Take a bus from North Bus Terminal from Cebu City which is a 4-hour bus ride to Hagnaya Port and then a 1-hour boat ride to the island. Malaspacua Island This beaut might be the perfect place for travelers whose hearts are dying for adventure and diving. Although referred to by locals as an unspoiled piece of islet in the north, it thrives on the set of adventures it offers for travelers, making the four-hour bus ride from the city proper so worth it. Malapascua Island is the ultimate haven for backpackers as it boasts white sand beaches with easy dive site access. One can plunge into the deep waters and witness the grandeur of the thresher sharks that come every early morning. There is a 15-meter cliff for the adrenaline junkies and an idyllic lighthouse for a 360-degree view of the entire island for the mushy ones. How to get to Malapascua Island from mainland Cebu: Ride a bus from North Bus Terminal, which will take you 4 hours from Cebu City to Maya Port. Then, you’ll get on a 45-minute boat ride to the island. Both transportation would cost P300-P400 per person. Mactan Island The island of Mactan is the starting point of tourists and backpackers as it is where the Cebu International Airport is situated. The island is located just a few kilometers away from Cebu City. It is divided into two municipalities, Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova. Mactan has a fast growing economy because it is where successful industrial factories were invested, which created a lot of employment opportunities for Cebuanos. The island’s business is booming where International hotels and resorts are found. These resorts have become famous tourist destinations for local and foreign travelers. Mactan Island is also rich in marine sanctuaries and coral reefs as resorts are offering island tours where travelers can jump off from one adventure point to another. How to get to Mactan Island from mainland Cebu: Mactan Island is just 30 to 45 minutes from Cebu City. You can take a taxi or jeepney ride to explore and…
Oct
The Top 10 Reasons to Visit Cebu, Philippines
Cebu has so much for a tourist to discover. When you visit Cebu it’s important to have knowledge of what it has to offer and what peaks your interest. This small yet amazingly beautiful destination keeps visitors coming for many, many different reasons. In order to make it easy for you, we’ve listed our top 10 but it’s important to point out that this top 10 is only the beginning of an extremely long list! World Class Cebu Beaches and Islands We’ve lumped beaches and islands together as one because they go hand in hand. It’s impossible to not mention the pristine beaches in and around Cebu. With cheap travel from the city to most of the surrounding islands, getting to one of the most beautiful beaches you’ve ever seen is easy! There are many beaches to choose from but here are some of our favorites: Paradise Beach (Bantayan Island), Santiago Bay (Camotes Islands), Bakhaw Beach (Camotes Islands), and Bounty Beach (Malapascua Island). Believe us when we say there are more to choose from, but this topic could be a long article in itself! Very Affordable One of the reasons that the Philippines is such a popular tourist spot is because it’s cheap! You’ll find that meals at restaurants can be as low as $2 or $3USD while street food is even cheaper. Nicer restaurants still won’t break the bank, as dinner for two typically costs around $15USD. Of course, there are price ranges and differences all over as you’d find in any place, but the amount you’ll pay for a fancy meal will certainly be less than what you’d pay in the USA or most of Europe. If your income is a typical Western wage, you will most certainly enjoy paying Filipino prices during your vacation. Any touristy place will be more expensive than where the locals go, but in Cebu these places aren’t really expensive, they’re more like… “expensive.” English Speaking Locals Unlike many of the surrounding countries in Southeast Asia, the level of English in the Philippines is amazing! Most tourists in this part of the world are looking for a new culture but are timid to immerse themselves in one which does not communicate with the same language. There aren’t any problems about that in Cebu City, as English is prevalent. Making friends in the Philippines is super easy because of this, too! Many travelers enjoy hanging out with the locals at popular bars and restaurants to get their perspective on Cebu. Exchanging culture is a lot easier when there is a common language! Super Friendly People! The people of Southeast Asia, the Philippines, and specifically Cebu City are some of the kindest people in the world. Many tourists believe they are only being nice because tourism brings them money. While yes, the tourism money does help sustain their economy, you would find the same level of kindness in an area with no tourism whatsoever. It’s very difficult to go more than five minutes without seeing a smile from one of the locals! We suggest, as mentioned above, that you go out and have an in-depth conversation with at the very least one local. If you are going to a new part of the world, you should immerse yourself a bit to really understand how the people there feel about their home! Cheap to get to and cheap to tour around Getting to Southeast Asia from Europe or the USA isn’t as expensive as you might think with good deals on flights often costing…
Aug
Boracay Restaurants 2017: 9 Spots That Deserve A Michelin Star
Come one, come all… All these Boracay restaurants that have popped up are leaving travelers scratching their heads over which munchie spot they’ll be taking their appetite to first. We all hate food envy. One of life’s greatest slaps in face. There will be no food envy here. Our Boracay banqueters have been putting their tastebuds to the test, sampling all of the edible treats that the Boracay restaurant scene has to offer. Buoy oh buoy, have we got some hunger humdingers in store for you today. The must-eat restaurants of Boracay. You’ll be boogieing out of these restaurants like… Boracay Restaurants: 9 Spots That Deserve A Backpacking Michelin Star We’ve of course included a variety of cuisines that can be enjoyed across the whole day. Breakfast, 2nd Breakfast, Elevenses, Brunch, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Linner, Dinner, Supper, Midnight Snack. You’re good to go. All of these Boracay restaurants are very reasonably priced and won’t even come close to ransacking the backpacking budget’s purse strings. The luxuriously cheap restaurants in Boracay, delivered straight to your belly. Best Restaurants In Boracay 2017 Strap on a feedbag lads and ladettes, we’re jumping into the edible portal of Boracay… Best Boracay Restaurants – Real Tea & Tea Cafe Station 1, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan, Philippines – VIEW MAP It may be called Real Coffee, but there’s another reason you’ll need to be stopping by at this Boracay restaurant. And it’s teasing you right there in the photo above… The Calamansi Muffin! One of the baking kingdom’s most hidden gems. Warm, moist, and tender with a tangy citrus glaze. These fluffy goods will have your stomach singing like Pavarotti. Real Coffee & Tea Cafe is a great spot to come and grab breakfast. Mama Lee is regularly whisking up a mean omelette, and needless the to say, both the coffee and tea are indeed real. You better be chowing down at Boracay’s home of Calamansi Muffins! Best Boracay Restaurants – I Love Backyard BBQ Aklan D’Mall D’Boracay Balabag Boracay Malay, Aklan, Philippines – VIEW MAP Anyone who doesn’t love a backyard BBQ, take a stroll over to your nearest mirror, and take a long hard look at yourself. This Boracay restaurant has played perfectly off the fact that travelers love of good ol’ BBQ. Grab a napkin, the baby back ribs here will indeed leave you drooling like a baby. So very, very good. I Love Backyard BQQ has all the grill bases covered; steaks, seafood, chicken, ribs (of course) – what you want, baby they got it. Located on the buzzy streets of D’Mall, this Boracay restaurant is well worth a sizzle. Best Boracay Restaurants – D’ Talipapa Malay, Aklan, Boracay, Philippines – VIEW MAP One of Poseidon’s greatest exports, D’ Talipapa is an absolute mecca for seafood fanatics. The best seafood restaurant in Boracay. You’ll be hard pressed to find a greater variety of fresh seafood all under one roof during the whole of your travels. So what are we talking here… Prawns so big they must have taken tips from Lance Armstrong on performance enhancing drugs, luscious lobsters, clammy clams, crabs, oysters, other shellfish… The list goes on! Choose whichever fishy takes your fancy, and it will be cheffed up to perfection. As glorious as this seafood dining experience is, the shopping experience can be the exact opposite. Be prepared to have crabs flung in your face, shrimp stuck up places they’re not sanctioned to go, and clams clamming up your personal space as vendors take it to new levels to be noticed. A spectacle to behold. …
Aug
Boracay Kitesurfing Essential Information – Updated 2017.
Boracay kitesurfing, one of the sporting wonders of the world! And we’re going to tell you exactly why you can’t miss out on this windy and watery experience of a lifetime. Boracay is known for many bountiful features: dreamy white beaches, clear blue waters, all night parties, and picture perfect sunsets. To name but a few. However, one of the aquatic wonders that gets overlooked is the Boracay kitesurfing scene. As easy as it may be to kick off the flip-flops, throw some Mano Le Tough on the speakers, and laze the day away sunbathing, with Poseidon’s favourite playground on your doorstep you would be foolish not to take to the waters. After all – “You’ve got to kite, for your right, to party”. Always trust the Beastie Boys. Here we have it… Our aquatic princes and princesses have been tearing up the waves all year round and have uncovered all you need to know about the Boracay kitesurfing scene. So why is the Boracay kitesurfing scene blowing the minds of mermaids, scuba divers, and all those lucky enough to venture into the Philippine aquatic abyss? There are actually a whole bundle of reasons why travelers and kitesurfers of all ages, stages, and wages make their way to the Philippines for a dose of Boracay kitesurfing. This snapshot below only begins to paint the picture of what the Boracay kitesurfing spots have in store for you… Image courtesy of Kiteclass Boracay Kitesurfing: Why Boracay Is One Of The World’s Best The climate in Boracay is impeccable for the sport. Crystal clear waters, tranquil days all year round, and some very reliable winds. Winds are of course crucial to the kitesurfing experience. The average kiteboarder will be looking for about 12mph winds to get up and riding. During the peak season, Boracay benefits from very consistent 15mph to 26mph side shore and side-on shore winds, and has pools of very flat water; making it the perfect place for kitesurfers of all abilities. Side shore or side-on shore winds are by far the safest winds for kitesurfing. Direct on shore winds may leave you clinging to a palm tree, while offshore winds could blow you out to sea with Captain Jack Sparrow. There’s no two way about it… If there had ever been a super secret Weather Forecasters Summit, it’s evident that there was a unanimous vote to elect Boracay as kitesurfing capital of the world. So, the Boracay weather is perfect for kitesurfing. Big tick. Next, there’s also a whole host of extremely good kitesurfing schools and experiences to choose from, which we’ll take you through later. Furthermore, regardless of the kitesurfing, Boracay is an incredibly beautiful place that comes with endless aesthetic epiphanies and tons of alternative activities for those of you looking to try something different. Last, and certainly not least, the local community on Boracay is incredibly welcoming and friendly. You’ll feel part of the family from the moment you step onto the island. Win-Win-Win-Win. Okay, so to recap, that’s flawless weather, perfect facilities, endless experiences, and an island full of friendly faces. We’d call that Boracay kitesurfing o’clock… Boracay Kitesurfing Season: Dry Season (November to May) If you’re planning a trip to the Philippines specifically for a stint of Boracay kitesurfing, we’d advise trying to be on the island during the Dry Season (November to May). This is when best Boracay kitesurfing action goes down, on both Bulabog Beach and Union Beach. These beaches are situated on the East side of the island, which benefits from a very consistent collection of winds coming to shore at speeds…