Top 5 Cebu, Philippines

In the past, Walker and I used to travel countries at a very fast pace, with the aim of exploring as many destinations as possible within a limited time frame. This is a common approach among many travelers, but it can be quite exhausting to constantly rush from place to place. It can be especially challenging for beginner travelers who may not have the time to go off the beaten path.

During our trip to the Philippines in 2017, Walker and I visited a lot of the popular tourist sites during our month long stay. However, on our current trip in 2023 we have decided to adopt a slower pace and focus on exploring select areas of Cebu in greater depth.

Between amazing waterfalls, hidden caves and tall mountains, we're excited to share some hidden gems with you along with some more known places.

Cebu City

To be honest, Walker and I are not the biggest fans of Cebu City as we prefer to get out of the hustle and bustle. But because we are flying into Cebu City, we decided to stay here for one night at Mad Monkey Hostel. This is one of the better accommodation options we found and is budget friendly. We opted for a private room for $20 a night, but there are shared rooms for an even cheaper price. The Hostel is clean and that's what it is most important for us.

Its worth noting that when looking for budget accommodations in Philippines, the options may not be as good as options in Bali, for example. A lot of places don't have hot water showers or AC, especially when you leave the city.

#1. Discover Fresh Water Caves in Camotes Islands

The main attraction on the island is free diving, which we were surprised to learn is a popular activity here. It's rare to see many other tourists here, particularly those who are not here for diving like us. Instead, we came for the caves, which did not disappoint.

The caves' white rocky bottoms and the mesmerizing mix of fresh and saltwater in each one were breathtaking. Every cave was uniquely beautiful, and the water was so refreshing that it was hard to choose a favorite. Swimming and jumping around and learning about the cave systems made for an unforgettable experience. The best part was having each cave all to ourselves, making it feel like our own private oasis.

Check out our blog on the Camotes Islands here.

#2. Swim with Sardines Moalboal

Wow, this activity really exceeded our expectations! We were anticipating it to be fun, but it turned out to be mind-blowing. We even went twice in one day, only stopping for a quick lunch break in between, and spent most of the day out there. The only downside was the popularity of the activity, resulting in big crowds. However, we discovered that going early between 7 and 11 in the day allowed us to see more Sardines at the surface with fewer people around. Later in the day, the fish tend to swim down to around 40 feet or more. I highly recommend taking a free diving course before trying this out for yourself to truly make the most out of the experience. Being down in the bait ball is truly an unforgettable experience!

One of the most remarkable things about the sardines in Moalboal is that they have chosen to make this area their home, without any human intervention or feeding. The abundance of food and shelter in the area has allowed them to thrive and create a unique natural spectacle. While it's important to respect the guidelines and rules in place to protect the sardines and their habitat, visitors can still enjoy the experience of swimming with these fascinating creatures. By practicing responsible and sustainable tourism, we can ensure that the sardines continue to thrive in their natural environment for generations to come. So, let's make the most of this incredible opportunity while also safeguarding the future of this amazing natural wonder.

To see just how amazing swimming with the sardines was, consider subscribing to our YouTube channel our video comes out next week, April 29th, 2023!

#3. Go Waterfall Chasing

Cebu, an island province in the Philippines, is home to some of the most stunning waterfalls you'll ever see. What's even better is that many of them have milky blue water that's perfect for swimming, cliff jumping, and just enjoying the natural beauty of the surroundings. During our trip, we had the chance to visit four of these amazing waterfalls, each with its unique features and charm. We were amazed by how different they were from each other, yet all equally breathtaking.

Some waterfalls we saw are Mantayupan Falls, Inabakan Falls, Dao Falls, and an attempt at Panganuron Falls on the Camotes Island (full story on our Camotes Guide.)

Other waterfalls you can checkout are Aguinid Falls and Binalyan Falls, Cambais Falls and Tumalog waterfalls.

#4. Canyoneering at Badion Falls

If you're looking for an adventure in the Philippines, canyoneering should definitely be on your list. We had done it once before in 2017, and we were so excited to do it again during our trip to Cebu this year. Although the canyon looked different from the last time we were there due to a typhoon that hit, it was still an unforgettable experience. We were saddened to hear from the locals about the devastation caused by the typhoon, but it was inspiring to see the resilience of the people and the regrowth of the plants in the area. In fact, if you didn't know about the typhoon, you wouldn't even notice the difference.

The tour itself lasted about three hours, and we went with a group of seven people and two guides. We had an incredible time jumping and swimming in the crystal-clear water. Despite his fear of heights, Walker was able to overcome it during our previous canyoneering experience in 2017. If you're afraid of heights, don't worry, most of the jumps are small and the big ones are optional.

#5. Bojo River Eco Tour

The Eco Tour was an extraordinary experience that not only gave us a chance to relax and unwind but also contributed to the local community. As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by a picturesque bamboo bridge that led us to the entrance. From there, we could see stunning views of the mangroves, which set the tone for the rest of the tour. We took advantage of this breathtaking backdrop and took some amazing photos for about 20 minutes before we embarked on the boat tour. During our paddle through the mangroves, we were mesmerized by the beauty of the area and learned about the different species of plants and animals that call it home. We spotted some of the most beautiful birds we've ever seen and even caught a glimpse of three sea snakes. It was an incredible experience to witness these creatures in their natural habitat. The best part was how relaxing and tranquil the activity was - it was a refreshing break from the travel we had been doing. Overall, the Eco Tour was an unforgettable experience that we would highly recommend to anyone visiting Cebu. Not only did we get to enjoy the beauty of the mangroves, but we also had the opportunity to contribute to the local community. It's a win-win situation, and we're grateful to have had the chance to be a part of it.

Bonus: Osmena Peak and Casino Peak

When attempting to reach Osmena Peaks, we made the mistake of taking what we thought was the "faster route" suggested by Google Maps. Unfortunately, it turned out to be the worst road we had ever encountered. After about an hour of smooth driving, we reached a rocky, muddy road that didn't seem like the right way. BUT IT IS AND ITS A REAL ROAD. We struggled to navigate through the difficult terrain, with some rocks being too big to drive over and the ground being so slippery that we had to walk at times. After another hour of challenging driving, we had to turn back as Google Maps estimated another four hours of travel time and we wouldn't make it to the peaks in time for sunset. As luck would have it, we ran into a group of fellow travelers who had also turned back on the same road. Learn from our mistake and take the less difficult route instead, which is still a bit challenging but more commonly used. We did manage to find a viewpoint to watch the sunset with our new friends, but it would have been a real treat to reach the peaks themselves.

The road you should take is here.

A popular tourist attraction is the Whale Sharks in Oslob

Everyone has heard of it as it is one of the main tourist attractions in the Philippines. We wont deny that we did it in 2017, but afterwards we regretted even going and supporting this industry. At the time, there wasnt much info on it and if it was animal creulty, but come to find out it is. While swimming with whale sharks may seem like an incredible experience, visiting Oslob to do so has been widely criticized by conservationists and animal welfare advocates. The whale sharks in Oslob are regularly fed by local fishermen to keep them in the area, disrupting their natural migratory patterns and potentially causing long-term harm to their health and behavior. Additionally, the sheer number of tourists who visit Oslob for whale shark encounters has put a strain on the local ecosystem, with reports of pollution and damage to the coral reefs. There are also concerns about the safety of both the whale sharks and humans involved in the activity, as the sharks can become agitated and aggressive when surrounded by large groups of people. All in all, while swimming with whale sharks may seem like a thrilling experience, it's important to consider the potential negative impacts on the environment and the animals before deciding to participate. Had we known all this before, we never would have done it.

There are places in the Philippines, such as Donsol and Tubbataha Reef, where you can see these gentle giants in the wild, without feeding or disrupting their natural behavior. It's a unique and unforgettable experience that allows you to appreciate these magnificent creatures in their natural environment, while also supporting responsible tourism.