Cebu City Travel Forum

Spending a week in Cebu, trying to find a quiet location by the beach. A location easy to get to from the airport, and not too far to get to few shops and restaurants and an area not too lonely, happy and good to meet people.

Any help will be greatly appreciated. big smiles

Hello

The airport is on Mactan Island so if you would like to stay on the beach there, you will need to stay in one of the expensive resorts. They are mostly isolated and nowhere near shopping but you can be in the main shopping area in Lapu Lapu city, by car in about 15 minutes.

Me personally, I think you would be happier in a number of places other than Mactan, such as Bohol, but none of the places I know meets all of your criteria. Do you really need to be near the airport?

Regards: Jim

Just as i pressed the "Post Answer" button, I realised the title header said BUDGET.

Well that discounts Mactan! And that is where the airport is. The good beaches on the island of Cebu can be hours from the airport.

So, tell us which is most important to you. Budget, beach, airport, shopping or meeting people? And I will make some suggestions.


Regards: Jim

Try Mactan Island,20mins away from the airport.Taxis are available as you step outside the airport w/rates...I dont know what particular budget you have in mind...There are several resort hotels in this island. Most expensive is Shangrila Mactan USD250-400 Hilton Hotel/Plantation Bay USD130-350,Maribago Beach resort USD100-350. I've tried all of these resort hotels and they are all the same, nice restos, rooms but expensive! Better check out promos on the internet. Check out cheaper nearby hotels like Kontiki Diving Lapu Lapu, cebu waterfront etc. Mactan is quite big and easy to reach.If you really like to explore and save, check outthe Olango Island accross Mactan.15mins by boat(banca) from Mactan.You can rent a banca for P500 back and forth trip right beside Maribago Beach resort. I have been here and there are nice local people you can meet.Go Bird (seagals) watching here which I did for 3 days.Nice beach area also but not well developed. No big hotels just small cottages.
There are several islands you can visit in Cebu up North and down South but atleast 3 hrs to reach by car. Up North are Malapascua and Bantayan Island and down South is Moalboal/Apo reef. Room rates are from P1,000-P5,000 (USD25-50) I have also been to these islands and you will enjoy more if you are a diver. To rent a car/van will cost you P1,500. To ride a bus, around P250.You need more time for these places. Atleast 2weeks to explore either North or South. I suggest you go Mactan if you really dont have time but you have to pay more.Shops and restaurants are very near too!Try all kinds of seafood at the Mactan seafood market!10mins by car.If you have a hard time try to google: mactan island, cebu,philippines or www.ceburesorts.ph. Good luck!

hi! u just contact these person jerald hes myb driver before when i stay in mactan for vacation with my family. 09219688884 he knows all in cebu. he is a good driver alo. gud luck!

There aren't any really nice beaches in the Cebu City area. On Mactan island you could go to Marigondon area - there are several "resorts" there, not all of which have any beach as such.

Like was said previously, Bohol is a much more pleasant place. Cheaper too. Ferry from Cebu to Tagbilaran takes about 2 hours. (Or you can fly). Then there are lots of nice beaches around Panglao island, 20km from Tagb. Lots of other interesting things to do on Bohol (home of the Tarsier).