Things to Do in Mactan Cebu Philippines

The Queen City of the South, Cebu, is among the most famous tourist destinations in the Philippines. You will learn a fraction of the history of the country by just taking a tour in this city. Mactan, for one, holds one of the best parts of Philippine history because it was in this island where the “Battle of Mactan” took place. The battle was in April 1521 when Lapu-Lapu and his fighters overpowered Ferdinand Magellan and his invading Spanish troop.

Here are some of the things to do while in Mactan, Cebu, Philippines:

Lapu-Lapu Mactan Shrine

The bronze statue of Lapu-Lapu honors his bravery and devotion to the country. The 20-meter statue is placed in an enclosed park, believed to be the exact site where the “Battle of Mactan” happened. Magellan Monument is a few meters away from here. The Portuguese explorer was an enemy but he was also the one who brought Christianity in the Philippines.

After taking a journey to the early history of the country, it’s time to buy some things that you can bring home. Souvenir shops can be found inside the Mactan Shrine. Most of the stalls sell shirts with “I Love Cebu” prints at considerably lower rates than those you can see in shopping malls around the city.

You may also notice food stands located near Lapu-Lapu Shrine. Do not leave without giving your tummy a good treat from one of the “Sutukil” restaurants. “Su” means “sugba” (grilled), “tu” means “tuwa” (stewed), and “kil” means “kilaw” (raw). They price food per kilo.

Mactan Island Aquarium

Opened in September 2008, Mactan Island is also included in the itinerary of guests in Cebu because it is the first and the only public aquarium in the Visayas. It showcases a remarkable variety of marine life from the Pacific Ocean. It houses over a thousand animals that include water snakes, exotic fish, turtles, and sea slugs. Coming to Mactan Island Aquarium, located in Maribago, lets you get closer to living corals, sea jellies, reef sharks, sea horses, and others. You will learn a lot of things about this abundant marine life as you go on a guided tour around the place.

Local residents get discounted admission fees. It’s Php75 for children with ages 4 to 12, and Php100 for adults. For tourists, admission rate for children is Php200 while adults have to pay Php50 more. Children below 4 years old are free of charge. Mactan Island Aquarium is open from 10am to 6pm. It’s near Mactan International Airport and famous resorts on the island. You can reach this place via private car, rented taxi, and other public utility vehicles such as jeep and tricycle which specifically travel through the area.

Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino Mactan

If your preference is to stay somewhere near the Mactan International Airport, the Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino Mactan is a perfect pick. You can immediately check-in and take a rest right after a long flight. You can choose a room according to your budget. Some types of rooms available include superior room, deluxe suite, ambassador suite, executive suite, presidential suite, and villa.  

The hotel also offers travel and transportation services which include airport shuttle, limousine and car rental, and secured park and fly services.

Other than the usual accommodation, Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino Mactan also boasts of a 24-hour casino, gym facilities, outdoor pool, shopping arcade, boutique shops, bar and entertainment, and non-smoking rooms. If you carry some valuable items with you, you have the option to keep it in a safety deposit box.

Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino Mactan has three restaurants: UNO, Café Fortuna, and Veranda. UNO serves international buffet from breakfast to dinner. It opens from 6am to 11pm every day. Café Fortuna is situated inside Casino Filipino. It boasts of its local and international cuisines. It is open 24 hours. So getting hungry in the wee hours of the morning is not a problem. If you do not want to leave your room, the hotel also offers 24-hour room service. Veranda, on the other hand, gives you time to unwind and take pleasure in its outdoor snacks while enjoying the pool.   

The Lobby Lounge offers light snacks and refreshments, and provides live music entertainment every night.  In case you run out of cash, there’s no need to leave the hotel as the casino has ATM machines. However, if you will be taking a tour around the city and you’ll be staying in a few days, the bigger Waterfront Hotel located in Lahug may be a better choice.

Beach Resorts in Mactan, Cebu

When in Cebu, beach should be one of your priorities. Mactan beaches boast of their inviting white sands and crystal-clear blue waters. They offer facilities and amenities common to every beach resort. However, some offer more although at higher rates. Below is the list of top beaches in the island:    

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa

Get yourself ready to spend a lot if you want to experience high-quality but extremely relaxing adventure. Plantation Bay Resort and Spa charges Php2000 per person during weekdays and Php2500 per person during weekends and holidays for day trippers. The package comes with these: lunch and choice of drink as well as use of wall climbing facility at a preferred time, lagoons and swimming pools, bicycles (30 minutes), non-motorized aqua sports facilities like kayak (15 minutes), football, air hockey, and table tennis facilities. You can also make use of the shower and changing facilities. With these inclusions, you’ll know that you are in for a enjoyable day inside the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa.

If you opt to stay overnight, you can choose from their wide variety of conventional rooms, and specialty rooms and suites. Accommodation rates range from $160+ to $1,000+. These rates do not include breakfast but comprise these: roundtrip scheduled airport transfers, in-room amenities (a basket of Philippine delicacies, coffee and tea-making facilities, a liter of mineral water replenished daily, and more important, broadband Internet access), welcome drink and cold towel upon arrival, butler services, and a lot more.

Contact information: You may call Plantation Bay Resort and Spa Manila office at 844-5024 to 25 or Cebu office at (032) 5059800. It is located at Marigondon, Mactan Island. You may also send your inquiries and reservations at inquiry@plantationbay.com. Do not forget to write this as subject: Room Inquiry. For more information, visit www.plantationbay.com.


Staycation can be very daunting if you settle for a very simple accommodation. Think about staying in a place with comfy space, elegant interiors, striking beach front, and what more, an amazing infinity pool. Located at Punta Engano Mactan, BE Resorts can truly provide you the relaxing and stylish staycation that you dream of. In case you changed your mind and you want to get up from your bed, you can shift to being active again by trying out water sports and indoor gaming facilities available for visitors’ use.    

You can reserve a room for you (and your group) or you can opt to stay for a day only, from 7am to 5pm.  

Contact information: You may call BE Resorts at (032) 236-8888 or email at mactan@beresorts.com. You may also visit the website at www.beresorts.com/resorts/mactan.

Maribago Blue Water Beach Resort

Maribago Blue Water Beach Resort is part of the Bluewater Resorts Group. It comprises 158 rooms, which include amenities like cable TV, telephone, international direct dialing, private veranda, mini bar, shower/bathtub, and coffee/tea service. They provide airport transfers, assist in airline booking and confirmation, and serve welcome drinks and cold towel to arriving guests. Visitors can also enjoy the Amuma Spa Salon, boutique gift shop, and luxury sightseeing that they offer. They can also use beach carts, safe deposit boxes, baggage storage, children’s playground, and others. In case of medical concerns, the resort employs a company doctor and in-house nurse available. Check-in time is 3pm and check-out is 11am.

Contact information: Email Maribago Blue Water Beach Resort at maribago@bluewater.com.ph or call Cebu office at (032) 4920100 or Manila office at (02) 817-5751.

Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa
Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa is also in close proximity to the airport. It becomes an ideal place for relaxation because it is distant from the busy city of Cebu and is filled with greens. Refreshing drinks await newly-arrived guests. Rooms offer comfort that you will want to lie down in bed as quickly as you can. There’s TV, fridge, mini bar, and Internet. There’s also bathtub and shower. Accommodation includes breakfast.

You can enjoy the white sand and the crystal-clear blue waters. After dipping in the beach or in the pool, you can also take pleasure in playing the mini golf. If ever you get hungry again, you will never run out of food choices because this premier resort in Punta Engano has many restaurants inside.     

Contact information: For inquiries and reservations, call Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa at (032) 231-0288 or email at mac@shangri-la.com.

Other Mactan beach resorts to consider:

  • Cebu Beach Club - +6332-4921888
  • Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel - +6332-2314244
  • Cebu White Sands - +6332-268 9000
  • Cordova Reef Village Resort - +6332 238 1878
  • Crimson Resort and Spa - +6332 239 3900
  • Alta Cebu Resort and Convention Center - +6332-496-7812
  • Pacific Cebu Resort - +6332-3405982
  • Abaca Resort - +6332-2534966
  • JPark Island Resort and Waterpark - +6332-2385050
  • Movenpick Hotel - +6332-2534966
  • Best Western Sand Bar Resort - +63.32.2534966
  • Palm Beach Resort - +6332-2385050 

   
Portofino Mactan

Portofino Beach Resort ( will be part of Mactan Newtown Township ) is another choice if you want a beach resort that is near the airport, specifically if you will just stay inside the place because you have no plan to tour Cebu City. It will only take you 30 minutes to get there. During weekdays, it charges Php75 to guests and during Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, the rate gets higher by Php25 each. Kids 6 years old and under can come in for free. Swimming pool is open for 12 hours, from 8am to 8pm. Kids with ages 7 and up have to pay 100 each to be able to swim. Younger children gets 50% discount.

Guests can swim in the beach until 10pm. Gazebo with a couple of tables and a dozen of chairs costs Php1500. Shade sails, which also have two tables and 12 chairs, cost Php1200. If on a budget, renting a table set (one table and 6 chairs) for Php300 is ideal. In case you will need another table and some pieces of chairs, you will have to pay for the extra charge.     
If you prefer to rent a room, prepare to spend from Php2700 to Php3700 (beach front) for 8am to 5pm accommodation. If there are 3 persons in your group, you will need to shell out Php1000 more (maximum of 6 people only). For overnight stay (2pm to 12nn), room rates range from Php3100 to Php4500. This comes with breakfast for two persons only. The same charge applies for more than two people.

You can eat from one of the food stalls or at Beach Point Lounge, where you can have a taste of Filipino and international cuisines. Aside from swimming, you can enjoy water sports and activities at Portofino Beach Resort – banana boat rides, diving, snorkeling, wind surfing, and jet skiing.  

Unfortunately, this budget-friend beach resort has already stopped its operations.

Hotels near Mactan International Airport

The Bellavista Hotel Cebu – It is not only located near the airport. It is also in close proximity to Mactan Marina Mall (shopping for goods can be easier), St. James Amusement Park, and Cebu Yacht Club. It has 44 rooms, which comprise junior suites, suites, executive rooms, and deluxe rooms.

Phone: (032) 340-7821

Hotel California – For an average of 10 minutes, you will be able to reach this hotel. It is also nearby Taytayan Restaurant, which offers charming ambience, great service, and delectable dishes. Checking email is not a problem as it connects guests with strong Wi-Fi signal.

Phone: (032) 268-5952

GV Hotels Lapu-lapu City – This one is perfect for budget travelers. It has amenities and facilities that practically cater to your needs but do not expect to experience lavishness in this place. Rates can get as low as Php695.

Phone: (032) 253 6518  

Lancaster Hotel Cebu – Aside from being close to the international airport, it is also only a few minutes away from Casa Gorordo Museum (one of the most visited sites in Cebu) and Café de France Restaurant. It offers airport transfers for guests.

Phone: (032) 236-9339   

Days Hotel – In two minutes, you will reach Days Hotel. Its rooms are spacious, satisfying customers who want to feel relaxed during their stay. But what’s more satisfying is you can see the magnificence of both Mactan Islands and Cebu if you are in its highest point.

Phone: (032) 495 5381

Other hotels near the Mactan International Airport:

1.    Crown Regency Suites and Residences Mactan - (032) 341-4586
2.    Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino Mactan - (032) 340-4888
3.    Hotel Cesario - (032) 340-0214
4.    Dulcinea Hotel and Suites - (032) 495-2741
5.    Goldberry Suites and Hotel - (032) 239-0000
6.    Express Inn Mactan Hotel - (032) 520-2823
7.    Park Hill Hotel - (032) 494 0749
8.    Hotel Europa Basak Philippines – (032) 268-8554
9.    Park Hill Hotel - (032) 494-0749
10. Eloisa Royal Suites - (032) 492-1913

List of Destination Travel Agencies in Cebu

It becomes convenient for some tourists to travel Cebu because of the help of travel agencies. It makes the process less burdensome. It may cost higher than the do-it-yourself trips, but the charges are all worth it because everything is already planned according to your schedule and preferences. Below is a list of some travel agencies to consider in Cebu:

Cebu Fortune Travel – Email: info.cebufortunetravel@yahoo.com Phone: (032) 234-2149 / 234-2149 / 4122366 / 4120194 Address: G/F Machay Bldg. #30 Gorordo Avenue, Lahug Cebu City 6000

Explorer Cebu Tours
Email: info@explorecebutours.com
Phone: +6332-238-3071 or +6332-511-0758
Address: G/F Door # 2 – F&J Building M.L. Quezon St. Maguikay Mandaue City

Wow Philippines Travel Agency
Phone: +6332-470-9631
Address: Ortigas Center, Amberland Plaza, Suite 509 Dona Julia Vargas Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City

Air You Go Travels
Booking Office: SM Traveller's Lounge, SM City Cebu, Mabolo, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City
Phone: (032) 260-3914

KR Travel and Tours
Phone: +6332-239-7571
Email: krtravelntours@gmail.com
Address: 015 Lapu-Lapu City

Viaje Islas Filipinas Travel and Tours, Inc.
Address: Unit B-1 G/F NDI Commercial Complex A.S. Fortuna, Mandaue City, Cebu
Phone: +6332-238-6922
Website: http://www.viajeislasfilipinas.com

International Travel Mate and Visa Services, Inc.
Address: Unit 101 Cocomall Osmena Boulevard, Cebu City 6000
Tel: +6332-412-4741
Website: http://www.internationaltravelmate.com

Discovery Tour, Inc.
Address: Pajo Airport Road, Lapu-Lapu City
Phone: +6332-340-2085 Email: info@discoverytourcebu.com.ph

Eagle Wings Travel and Tours, Inc.
Address: Ayala Center Cebu, Cebu Business Park
Phone No.: +6332)-231-5711
Email: wings@cebu.ph.inter.net

Global Link Travel and Tours
Arcade L. Capitol Commercial Complex, Escario St.
Phone: +6332-254-4539
Email: tourlink@gsi.ph.inter.net

Metropolitan Tours Phils. Tour
1 Pres. Quezon, Cebu City
Phone: +6332-231-2076
Email: mtpicebu@skyinet.net

Pan Pacific Travel Corp.
48 A. Rivergate Mall, Gen. Maxilom Ave.
Phone: +6332-254-0349
Email: panpan@mozcom.com

Rajah Travel Corp.
Upper Ground SM City Cebu, North Reclamation Area Cebu City
Phone: +6332-231-2461
Email: info@destinationspecialistcebu.com

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