Cebu beyond the postcards
Cebu is an easy choice for many who are looking for a brief getaway from Manila.
The province has practically everything one would want within driving distance: Gorgeous beaches, food spots that serve local favorites, places rich in history and culture, and the conveniences of a highly cosmopolitan city.
It is so easy to fall for Cebu, so much so that many find themselves already planning their next trip before they’ve even left. And then, of course, some never leave at all, choosing instead to put down roots and call the island home.
Manageable lifestyle pace
Here, everyday life moves at a more manageable pace, according to locals.
On rest days, you have more options than just going to malls, with some beaches less than an hour away, even if you’re living in the capital. For non-Cebuanos, it doesn’t even matter if you do not speak the local language or have any relatives here. Cebuanos are a gracious lot and are well known for being warm, hospitable and fun-loving.
Once you land at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, there’s an abundance of places waiting to be visited and experiences waiting to be had.
Locals would say visitors have only scratched the surface. The touristy places many know and have been to are just a small part of what this island really has to offer. You’d be surprised to discover that some of the best things about Cebu are not necessarily the ones you’ll see on a postcard.
Public markets
Take its public markets, for instance. It is often said that one way to truly experience a place’s culture is by visiting its public markets, and Cebu has some that are well worth exploring.
Carbon Market in Cebu City, for one, is a treasure trove of fresh produce, seafood, local delicacies and handmade products. Taboan Public Market, also in the provincial capital, is popular for its impressive displays of dried fish and seafood. The New Carcar City Public Market, located in Carcar City, about 40 km south of the capital, meanwhile has rows upon rows of stalls offering the province’s flavorful lechon.
Exploring new coastlines
Non-Cebuanos are already familiar with Mactan’s beaches, the island escapes of Malapascua and Bantayan as well as the dive spots of Moalboal.
But there are plenty more coastlines to explore including the many beaches of the Camotes Islands, such as Santiago White Beach, Tulang Diot and Mangodlong Rock; the dive spots in Santander; and the serene, eco-cultural coastal destinations of Aloguinsan.
Mountainous landscapes
Cebu, however, has more than white sand and turquoise waters.
If you are someone who gets excited about mountainous landscapes, Dalaguete is the perfect fit for you. It is home to Osmeña Peak, the highest point on the island, and also has a cluster of jagged limestone outcrops that immediately remind one of Bohol’s famed Chocolate Hills.
The peaks are surrounded by vegetable farms which, together with the municipality’s cool mountain climate, have earned Dalaguete its reputation as the Vegetable Basket of Cebu.
Compostela, about an hour’s drive from Cebu City, has a sprawling 200-ha hilltop pilgrimage and nature park. Liloan, known as the Light of the North, is home to the Bagacay Point Lighthouse, an active stone lighthouse that has been guiding vessels entering the Mactan Channel and approaching the ports of Cebu.
For wildlife enthusiasts, there’s Cebu Safari and Adventure Park in Carmen. The country’s largest safari park is just a little over an hour’s drive from Cebu City.
Having it all
When locals or longtime residents say there’s always somewhere to go in Cebu, they’re not exaggerating. Where else can you easily go from enjoying the conveniences of urban luxury to relishing a life that is simple, quiet and laidback?
Here, going to the beach or communing with nature is as uncomplicated as going to the mall. All you need to do is hop into your car, ride a jeepney or take a habal-habal and you are on your way.
And maybe that’s part of Cebu’s appeal: It’s not just a place to visit, but one where you can build a life that combines comfort and adventure.
