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:
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 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:
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
