Cebu City
Cebu City is known for Spanish-era forts and churches, lechon, and as a base for trips across the Visayas.
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Cebu City is the capital of Cebu province, on the east coast of Cebu island in the central Visayas. Spanish colonists founded the settlement in 1565, and the old center still has Fort San Pedro and the Basilica del Santo Niño. Ferries leave from the city for neighboring islands, and Mactan-Cebu International Airport, on nearby Mactan island, is the closest major airport.
Cebu is known for lechon, a whole roast pig sold at restaurants and food stalls, and for casual eating around town. A two- or three-day stay covers the historic core and the food, and a day trip or a beach stay on another island fits in after. The best months are roughly December to March, when it is driest. June to November brings typhoon season and more rain, so check forecasts before booking boat trips.
Cebu City in five
- Set up Grab before you landGrab is the app for ordering cars and motorcycle taxis in Cebu. Add your phone number and a payment method before you leave the airport, since the app needs data to work.Getting around
- Buy a Globe or Smart SIM or eSIMGlobe and Smart are the two main mobile networks, and both sell prepaid data. Load a plan before your first ride, because Grab and maps need data from the start.Phones and eSIM
- Carry small peso notes for jeepneysJeepney and tricycle drivers often cannot give change for large bills. Keep 20 and 50 peso notes and coins for fares.
- Land at Mactan-Cebu airport, not in the cityMactan-Cebu International Airport is on Mactan island, across the bridge from Cebu City. Plan the transfer before you land, since rush-hour traffic can cause long delays.
- Check entry rules for your passportMany nationalities enter visa-free for short tourist stays, but the allowed length and the documents you must show vary. Check the Bureau of Immigration before you buy a fare.Visas and entry
Things to do in Cebu City
See all attractions in Cebu City
Need to know
- Currency
- Philippine peso (PHP)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; check with the Bureau of Immigration Read more
- Emergency
- 911 for police, fire or ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected; a small tip at sit-down restaurants is welcome
- Time
- UTC+8, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Festival
- Best
- JanuaryRain24 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Dry seasonJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 328 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry season
- FebruaryRain21 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Dry, sunnyFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 204 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, sunny
- MarchRain22 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Dry, hotMarchRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 197 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- AprilRain23 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Hot, dryAprilRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 194 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- MayRain28 rainy daysHigh31°Low27°Hot, rain startsMayRain
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 285 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, rain starts
- JuneRain28 rainy daysHigh31°Low27°Rainy seasonJuneRain
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 351 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- JulyRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Typhoon seasonJulyRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 308 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Typhoon season
- AugustRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Typhoon seasonAugustRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 227 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Typhoon season
- SeptemberRain24 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Wet, typhoonsSeptemberRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 246 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, typhoons
- OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Wet, typhoonsOctoberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 342 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, typhoons
- NovemberRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Wet, easingNovemberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 309 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, easing
- DecemberRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Dry, holiday seasonDecemberRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 343 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, holiday season
Average daily high and low in Cebu City, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Jan Sinulog festival
Right now in Cebu City
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 31°
- Humidity
- 74%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 96%
Cebu
06:39 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today31°26°96%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Wed31°24°88%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Thu31°25°83%Thursday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 83%.
- Fri30°25°86%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Sat30°25°62%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 62%.
- Sun30°24°89%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 89%.
- Mon30°24°74%Monday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 74%.
Updated 06:25 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 63.7 PHP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- JanSinulog festivalCebu City
Day trips by train
- Mactan islanda short drive across the bridgeBeaches and resorts across the bridge from Cebu City.
- Boholabout 2 hours by fast ferryThe Chocolate Hills and a tarsier sanctuary, reached by fast ferry from the Cebu port.
- Kawasan Fallsabout 2 to 3 hours by carTurquoise waterfalls in Badian, with swimming in the lower pools.
Before you go to Cebu City
Rules for Cebu City, checked
- Entry is checked by the Bureau of Immigration on arrival. Check the stay your passport allows at immigration.gov.ph before you book.Source
- Declare cash and monetary instruments above the legal limit on the customs form. Check the current limit with the Bureau of Customs before you travel.
- Declare meat, dairy and plant products on arrival. Some are restricted, and the Bureau of Animal Industry and Bureau of Plant Industry set the rules.
Plan around Cebu City
Entry, transport, money and SIM for the whole trip
Read the guideGetting around CebuGrab, jeepneys and the transfer from Mactan airport
Read the guideMoney and costsPeso cash, card use and typical daily prices
Read the guideVisas and entryWho enters visa-free and what to check before booking
Read the guideWhere to stayAreas to base yourself, from downtown to the business park
Read the guidePhilippinesOther places to add to a Cebu trip
Read the guideCebu City FAQ
How many days do you need in Cebu City?
Two to three days cover the historic core, Magellan's Cross, Fort San Pedro and the malls. Add a day to Mactan island, or a trip to Bohol or Kawasan Falls, if you want beaches or waterfalls.
Is Cebu City worth visiting?
Yes, if you want Spanish-era history, local food and a base for trips around the island. The traffic is heavy, so it suits a base for trips more than a quiet beach stay.
How do you get from the airport to Cebu City?
Take Grab or a metered taxi from Mactan-Cebu airport, which sits on Mactan island across the bridge. Rush-hour traffic can cause long delays, so leave extra time for the transfer.
Is Cebu City safe for tourists?
Keep phones out of sight in crowds, and book Grab for night rides.
Do you need a car in Cebu City?
Usually not. Grab cars and taxis cover the city, and jeepneys run on fixed routes. A car or driver makes sense for trips to the south of the island.
When is the best time to visit Cebu City?
December to March is the driest stretch. June to November is the wet season, and typhoons can disrupt flights and ferries during that period.