Cebu City is the 2nd busiest city in the Philippines. It had been an important trading district for Chinese, Arabs and Malay traders even before the discovery of the Philippines. Despite its multifaceted evolution, Cebu remained the center of commerce in the Visayas, and until this time progressively gathering foreign businesses to build up its economy to greater extent. From guitar making, to dried fruit and fruit juice manufacturing, Cebu proved itself to be the center of trade in the south. The export processing zone at Mactan Island helped to feed Cebu’s demanding growth including its neighboring islands.
- Malapascua
The city closely resembles with Manila but without the presence of dense traffic. Massive establishments, malls, big hotels, well developed resorts and large universities are gearing up the daily activities of Cebu’s fast urban life. Its vast sea port terminal provides easier access to neighboring islands both from Visayas and Mindanao. It has a big ferry terminal that easily moves residents of Bohol and Leyte in and out of Cebu.
If you are on a business trip who are looking for alternate places to go in the city, Cebu is a destination for cheap bargains; such as shell crafts, acoustic guitars and handicrafts. Many restaurants offer variaties of dishes with seafood as the most popular. And nightlife ranges from intense discos to loud sing along bars and live bands. No matter where you are in Cebu, the city always has something to offer its wandering visitors.
Tourism in Cebu expanded since the migration of huge businesses in the island. Mactan Island, now clogged with resorts targets mainly upscale visitors. These resorts filled with luxurious amenities even reconstructed their beaches to make it look more appealingly natural. Such pampering that pushed other towns further down for being discovered. This, however, didn’t take the pride of some established towns in the South. They possess white sand beaches and great dive sites incomparably better than those of Mactan’s. Moalboal, fairly is famous for its exquisite dive sites and low-budget but more welcoming resorts, while the island of Badian sprang up for its world-class beach resorts and water-sports activities.
Off the northern coast of Cebu are the coated sugar-like white sand beach islands of Bantayan and Malapascua. They are unquestionably best destinations for a slow summer holiday in the Visayas. Malapascua and Bantayan were recently appreciated for its unrivaled white sand beaches, crystal clear seawater, and its rustic atmosphere. Bantayan Island is a long been discovered paradise, but is able to preserve its natural beauty and remoteness. It is located 18 km off the northwest coast of Cebu with three municipalities of mostly home to undiscovered achingly beautiful white sand beaches.
The other island is called Malapascua. It is a small island of not more than 6 sq. km. with bays covered with strips of white sand beaches, and home to several rustic but very pleasing resorts built with restaurants and bars. Not just an unpretentious hideaway for those who simply want to get themselves away from the bustling life in the city, this place also is an ultimate diving destination.
- Malapascua Island
If traveling alone, motor biking is the cheapest rather more exciting alternative to discover these hideaways. Cebu is a big island thus renting a vehicle can be costly. As transport facilities are well organized in Cebu, it is also not a bad idea to experience commuting in most provinces of the island. Vehicles bounded for all towns have their own terminals in and out of the city.
For island destinations, major sea transportations operate in all ports of Cebu. Malapascua can be reached three hours by land from cebu to Maya, and 45 mins boat trip to the island.
Activities:
Shopping, nightlife, visiting museums, motor biking, diving, swimming and dining
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