Cebu
Cebu City is the tourist gateway to central and southern Philippines, known for Spanish-era churches, Carbon Market and Colon Street, with nearby islands, beaches and dive sites.
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Cebu City is a highly urbanized city on the central east coast of Cebu Island, in the Central Visayas region. It is the capital of Cebu province, but it is administratively independent of the provincial government, so its voters do not elect provincial officials. It is the core of Metro Cebu, the second largest metropolitan area in the Philippines. Mactan Island lies across the Mactan Channel to the east, where Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Lapu-Lapu has direct international flights.
Start with Magellan's Cross, housed in a chapel and said to have been erected when Ferdinand Magellan arrived in 1521. The Basilica del Santo Niño is a few steps away and houses the Santo Niño de Cebú, the country's oldest relic. Colon Street, the oldest national road in the Philippines, runs through the center of downtown and is an important transit point for jeepneys. The Sinulog festival, held on the third Sunday of January, honors the Santo Niño. The dry season falls only in March and April, and average temperatures stay between 27 °C and 29 °C all year.
Cebu in five
- Snorkel the sardine run at MoalboalHuge schools of sardines sit just off Panagsama Beach, reachable from shore with a mask and fins. Go early, before the boats arrive.
- Think twice about Oslob whale sharksThe whale sharks at Oslob are fed to keep them near the shore, which many marine groups discourage. Moalboal's wild sardines and turtles are an easier alternative.
- Take the fast ferry to BoholFerries from Cebu City reach Tagbilaran in about 2 hours, for the Chocolate Hills and tarsiers. Sailings can be cancelled in rough weather, so keep a spare day.
- Allow time for city trafficThe drive from the airport to the south of the island can take 3–4 hours. Fly into Mactan, sleep there, and head south the next morning.
Things to do in Cebu
See all attractions in Cebu
Need to know
- Airport
- Mactan-Cebu International (CEB)
- Getting there
- Flights from Manila and across Asia; ferries to Bohol
- Getting around
- Buses south from Cebu City, Grab, private cars
- Best base
- Mactan for beaches, Moalboal for diving
- Time needed
- 3–5 days with Bohol
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain22 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°ShowersJanuaryRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 263 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- FebruaryRain17 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°DrierFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 163 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
- MarchRain16 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°DryMarchRain
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 140 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry
- AprilRain17 rainy daysHigh32°Low26°Dry, hotAprilRain
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 130 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- MayRain26 rainy daysHigh32°Low27°HotMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 276 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- JuneRain28 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Rains startJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 321 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains start
- JulyRain27 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°WetJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 313 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- AugustRain26 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°WetAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 260 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- SeptemberRain26 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°WetSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 276 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Typhoon riskOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 348 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Typhoon risk
- NovemberRain26 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Typhoon riskNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 270 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Typhoon risk
- DecemberRain26 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°WetDecemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 278 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
Average daily high and low in Cebu, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Cebu
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 32°
- Humidity
- 75%
- Wind
- 17 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 84%
Cebu City
04:36 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today31°25°84%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 84%.
- Wed31°25°88%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Thu31°25°85%Thursday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 85%.
- Fri30°25°82%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 82%.
- Sat31°25°63%Saturday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 63%.
- Sun30°24°96%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 96%.
Updated 01:59 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, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Boholabout 2 hours by fast ferryChocolate Hills, tarsiers and the Loboc River.
- Kawasan Fallsabout 3 hours by roadTurquoise pools; canyoneering from above.
Before you go to Cebu
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Rules for Cebu, checked
- Many nationalities can enter the Philippines visa-free. Check whether yours is on the list with the Bureau of Immigration before you book.Source
- Check the current eTravel entry declaration requirement on the official immigration site before you fly.
- Declare cash and goods on the customs form. Check the current limits with the Bureau of Customs before you travel.
- Dial 911 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in the Philippines.
Plan around Cebu
Islands, entry rules and how to link them
Read the guideBoracay travel guideWhite Beach and the Caticlan jetty, a short hop
Read the guideSiargao travel guideSurf island with direct flights from Cebu
Read the guideManila travel guideThe gateway city, if you route via Luzon
Read the guideTransport planningFerries, flights and cars between islands
Read the guideTravel insuranceMissed ferries and rough-sea cancellations
Read the guideCebu FAQ
Is Cebu City worth visiting?
For half a day, for Magellan's Cross and Fort San Pedro. Most visitors pass through on the way to the beaches and islands.
How do I get from Cebu to Moalboal?
By bus from the South Bus Terminal in about 3 hours, or by private car. Leave early, because city traffic decides the real journey time.
When is the best time to visit Cebu?
February to May, in the dry season. October and November have the highest typhoon risk.
How many days do you need in Cebu?
Three days covers Mactan or Cebu City plus the sardine run at Moalboal. Add two for a Bohol side trip by fast ferry.
Is the Oslob whale shark experience ethical?
Many marine groups discourage it because the sharks are fed to stay close to tourists. Moalboal offers wild sardines and sea turtles without feeding.