Cebu City - Queen City of the South

Looking into the Philippine history, Cebu is the site of the very first Spanish settlement in the country, thus ushering in the Spanish colonial era of the Philippines. The city is dubbed as the Southern Philippines' Queen City and is one of the country's strongest economies.

The city is also a center of commerce with busy seaports and an international airport that boosts its trade and industry. Cebu is one of the centers of trade, which actually is the most important one, in the southern Philippines. Both tourists and businessmen find their way south not only to take part of the trade but to enjoy the beautiful scenery also.

Cebu Weather

December to May would be the best time to visit Cebu City. It will usually be dry during this time without the usual tropical rains that fall the rest of the year. If you want to see Cebu during the coolest times of the year, you should go there from December to February. The months from March to May are the hottest, which is usually the peak of the summer heat.

Places to See in Cebu City

There are a lot of places to see in Cebu City. Much of the sites and key attractions are religious as well as historical. You'll find that a large part of the Cebu City's culture is shaped by its religious and colonial heritage. Some of places to see here are Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, Lapu-Lapu Monument, Magellan Marker, and the Taoist Temple.

Other places to see in Cebu that are not of religious or cultural nature include Tops Skyline Garden, Mount Maninglaw, Santa Rosa Falls, Kawasan Falls, Liloan Lighthouse, Olango Wildlife Sanctuary, and an array of fine beaches.

Cebu's Resorts and Hotels

The city has a wide range of accommodations for different travelers. Budget class, mid-range, and first class travelers will find accommodations at reasonable prices. This does not go on to say that a budget hotel in Cebu is a ragtag sort of a place. On the contrary, you'll find budget hotels here to be elegant though quite modest when it comes to decor. Of course, travelers should always check if a hotel or inn is at par with acceptable standards.

Some budget class inns and hotels in the city are Westpoint Inn along Don Gil Garcia St., Stakili Estaca Beach Garden Resort on Km. 23, Kiwi Lodge on G. Tud Tud St., Hotel de Mercedes on Pelaez St., and Century Hotel at the corner of Pelaez and Colon. Average rates for budget class hotels in the city are around $15 to $20, but you should check currency exchange rates.

Mid-range hotels in Cebu City include Crown Regency Hotel along Osmeña Boulevard, Costabella Beach Resort on Mactan Island, Cebu Midtown Hotel on Fuente Osmeña, Cebu Grand Hotel on North Escario St., Castle Peak at the corner of Pres. Quezon and F. Cabahug St., and Rajah Park Hotel along Fuente Osmeña. Mid-range hotel rates range from around $35 to more than $100.

First class hotels in Cebu City include Crown Regency Suites Mactan along Maximo Patalinhug Jr. Avenue in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu Hilton Resort and Spa on Mactan Island, Marriot Hotel in the Ayala Business Park, Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino Mactan along Airport Road, and White Sands at Maribago Beach on Mactan Island. Rates for hotels of this class start around $85.

Places to Eat in Cebu

There is a wide array of restaurants to choose from when dining in Cebu. You'll find both Asian Oriental and Western cuisine. You'll never run out of Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Indian, and Filipino dishes. If you're into Continental, Spanish, and American dishes, you'll surely find restaurants that serve them or would give you a fusion of the world's flavors.

Two of the best places to look for food in Cebu are within IT Park and Ayala Mall. Aside from housing different restaurants and bars, these places have free Wi-Fi. You'll also find a place to eat in these areas that stay open 24/7.

Some of the note worthy restaurants in Cebu are Spice Fusion, KK's Malaysian Restaurant, Golden Cowrie, Giuseppe's, Se Bens Authentic Cebu Lechon, Cielo, La Buona Forchetta, Manok ni Senor Pedro, Neo-Neo, and Goodah-Gud.

A trip to Cebu is a leisurely stroll through beautiful tropical urban life and a glimpse of early Philippine colonial days. Cebu is for those who seek business ventures and looking to relax and unwind.

A 5,088.4 square kilometer-land surrounded by the progressive provinces of Bohol, Leyte, and Negros, Cebu is one of the most beautiful provinces that can be found in the beautiful group of islands called the Philippines. This island is surrounding by much smaller yet equally wonderful islands such as the Camotes Island, Bantayan, and Mactan Island. Almost year-round, many thrill-seekers and adventurers continuously visit this place to experience the beauty and attracting power of this place.

Discovered by world-renowned explorer Ferdinand Magellan in around 1521, the Philippines takes pride in Cebu as one of its most historic and colorful possessions. During World War II, the Japanese military used this as one of its strategic points for battle, before being regained by the joint Filipino and American forces. With all these events, it is pretty clear why this province has a very rich and colorful culture to brag about.

As one of the most developed provinces in the country, Cebu continues to thrive in the areas of education, trade, and business. At the same time, it has also made a name for itself in terms of its pristine natural surroundings. Its beautiful coastlines, wonderful plains, and beautiful plateaus all add to its enchanting appeal as a tropical island. Furthermore, its lush mountains and rich hills also help the place gain its attractive beauty.

The province of Cebu is proud to have its so-called Cebu Metropolitan Area, which is comprised of seven cities, including Talisay, Naga, Mandaue, Danao, Bogo, Lapu-Lapu, Carcar, and the capital Cebu City. Just like all the highly developed places in the country, this one has numerous shopping centers, first-class hotels, and beautiful convention facilities. Furthermore, elegant casinos, crystal clear beaches, and competitive golf courses attract a great deal of tourists and guests towards this wonderful province.

Throughout the years, Cebu has developed into a major force in business, earning huge amount of money from industries like food processing, chemicals, and computers. Moreover, it relies heavily on key imports like car stereos, electronic components, and semiconductors to boost its economic status. Additionally, its financial systems are very much stable, which comprise of 5 government banks, 27 rural banks, and 50 commercial banks.