Family Friendly 5-Day Cebu Itinerary -

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Traveling to Cebu? Here are the top places to visit! This Cebu itinerary is perfect if you want to visit as many tourist attractions as possible while traveling with your parents or children.

I’ve visited Cebu twice, and each time, I’ve discovered numerous attractions in Cebu City, North Cebu, and South Cebu.

Traveled with my family this time and we rented a private van for this tour for convenience because it would be hard to DIY while traveling with our senior parents and a child.

I only managed to tour the city, visiting Sto. Nino Church and Magellan’s Cross, the Temple of Leah, and Bantayan Island for the weekend. Since my cousin and I wanted a relaxing island trip, we skipped tours and simply went to Kota Beach in the afternoon to swim and unwind.

This time, we ventured into South Cebu and booked a private tour and van through J Avenue Cebu Travel, which I found on Facebook. Our driver/tour guide was excellent and even took photos of us. The van we rented out was pretty old but it was okay.

What's Included?

Flight to Cebu

We flew from Manila to Cebu, using our Ceb Pass Voucher from Cebu Pacific Air.

This was the most affordable option. Alternatively, you can wait for their seat sales or use Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights.

Accommodations

We booked 3 different accommodations during out stay.

Upon arrival, we booked an Airbnb for a single night, as we were leaving for Oslob at 3:00 AM. We booked the SEO Staycation on Airbnb, which had a pool available for guests. They offered keyless check-in, providing the door code upon login, which also made our early morning check-out seamless.

In Moalboal, we stayed at Pescadores Suites, chosen for its excellent reviews, pool, and proximity to the beach. We were thrilled with our choice, enjoying the live band in the evening and the incredible snorkeling experience with sardines and sea turtles. Our accommodation was a 15-minute walk from the Sardines Run and Sea Turtle watching area. Tricycles are readily available if you prefer not to walk. It was also a 15-minute walk from the restaurants in Panagsama. This area gets crowded, so reservations or early arrival are recommended for popular dining spots.

Pescadores Suites

In Cebu City, we stayed at the Belmont Hotel in Mactan. We wanted to be near the beach, and a hotel with a pool is always a priority when traveling with our parents. We booked through booking.com, but you can also check Klook, as they sometimes offer lower prices. Plus, you can use my code “TEYBOLFORWANKLOOK” for an additional 5% discount on your booking.”

Going Around Cebu City

From the Airport, we just booked our airport transfer to our hotel via GrabCar for convenience.

Be aware that Cebu City traffic can be quite heavy during rush hour.

There are several transportation options available when touring around Cebu City:

Private Vehicles: This was our primary mode of transportation. We rented a van through J Avenue Cebu Travel. The van was a little bit old, but it served its purpose.
GrabCar: While convenient for DIY travel, it can be relatively expensive, especially for solo travelers.
Taxi:Taxis are available, but we preferred Grab for safety reasons, despite the higher fares.
Jeepney: This is the most affordable option, but unlike in Metro Manila, jeepneys in Cebu use route codes like 13C, 62C, and 62B, which can be confusing for visitors.
Private/Joiner Tours: To maximize your time, consider private or joiner tours. While many are advertised on Facebook, we recommend booking through Klook for guaranteed legitimacy and safety. You can explore available tours and activities in Cebu here.

Cebu City Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrival and Chill at Cebu City

Our CebPass flights landed us in Cebu before lunch, giving us ample time. Our Cebu itinerary started by heading to CNT Lechon for a satisfying meal. With time to spare before our Airbnb check-in, we enjoyed a leisurely stroll at SM City Cebu. We checked in at 2:00 PM and decided to rest, ordering GrabFood while waiting for my sisters’ afternoon arrival. To ensure we were well-rested for our 3:00 AM Oslob trip, we skipped any further tours and went to bed early.

6:15 am – Departure from Manila to Mactan International Airport
7:45 am – Arrival in Mactan International Airport
9:00 am – Brunch at CNT Lechon
10:00 am – Stroll at SM City Cebu
2:00 pm – Check-in at SEO Staycation

Day 2: Oslob and Moalboal

We departed our accommodation at 3:00 AM via private transportation to Oslob for whale shark watching. Our tour guide had arranged everything, allowing us time for breakfast in the area. We first attended an orientation, followed by lining up to board the boat and approach the whale sharks. Contrary to online accounts of long lines, the process was very organized. Upon arrival, our driver/tour guide handled everything, directing us to the orientation and then the whale shark watching area. Designated staff were available to take photos and videos, and we simply tipped them afterwards.

Following our whale shark encounter, we proceeded to another location and took a boat to Sumilon Sandbar. We only stayed for less than an hour, as we knew there was a beach at our accommodation. We had lunch at Cocina En Acantilado, a restaurant recommended by our driver since the one I had found online was out of the way. The restaurant offered a beautiful view, perfect for beach backdrop photos. The food was delicious, and the serving portions were generous, ideal for families or groups.

After lunch, on our way to Kawasan Falls, we passed a Marine Protected Area along the highway where we saw baby sharks! We then continued to Kawasan Falls. Since we were traveling with our parents, we opted out of canyoneering. We walked for about 15 minutes to reach the falls, where we swam and, naturally, took photos. Shower facilities were available, allowing us to bathe before leaving.

Afterwards, we checked in at Pescadores Suites. We settled in and then went out for dinner at Panagsama Beach. The 15-minute walk to the restaurant area was a bit long but manageable. If you plan to dine at popular restaurants, be sure to reserve a table or arrive early, as they fill up quickly. Since our first choice was fully booked and we were hungry, we explored other options and dined at Venz Kitchen. The food was good, but not particularly memorable. After dinner, we took a tricycle back to our accommodation. The tricycle ride was also a bit lengthy, as they took an alternate route.

3:00 am – Travel from airbnb to Oslob
7:00 am – Arrival in Oslob and breakfast
7:30 am – Orientation
8:00 to 8:30 am – Whale Shark Watching
9:45 am to 10:30 am – Sumilon Sandbar
11:30 am Lunch at Cocina Encantilado
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm – Kawasan Falls
5:00 pm – Checked in at Pescadores Suites
7:00 pm – Dinner at Venz Kitchen in Brgy. Panagsama

Day 3: Sardines Run, Carcar Lechon and Simala Shrine

We woke up early to see the sardines and turtles. The receptionist mentioned that turtles are sometimes visible at their beachfront, but we didn’t spot any, so we headed to Panagsama Beach. Upon asking, they informed us that we could see the sardines and turtles without a tour guide by simply following the crowd. They also offered free snorkeling gear and life vests, but unfortunately, we hadn’t anticipated needing them. We ended up renting from a nearby resort to avoid the 30-minute round trip walk. Pro tip: bring the provided snorkeling gear, life vest, and ring buoy if you want to stay together and avoid getting separated, as the ring buoy has a rope for everyone to hold onto. With so many people searching for the sardines and turtles, it wasn’t intimidating to go without a tour guide, especially with swimming skills and a life vest. We saw the sardines, but no turtles. It was a fantastic experience! If you’re less confident, tour guides are readily available in the area.

Simala Shrine

After a fun swim, we returned to our accommodation and had breakfast. We asked if we could eat by the beach, and they happily agreed! After breakfast, we relaxed for a while and then went for another swim. We also took advantage of their free kayaks and swam in the pool before checking out.

Our next stop was the Simala Shrine. Remember to dress appropriately for your visit and be prepared for the heat, as the area is quite large. Ongoing construction was still present during our visit. Souvenirs are available for purchase, and there’s also a museum, though it was closed at the time.

Afterward, our driver took us to purchase pasalubong. They offered free samples of their chicharon, which was delicious. We bought only a few items, as we planned to also buy pasalubong at Shamrock. If you’re buying in bulk and are skilled at haggling, you might get substantial discounts. However, I preferred to buy at Shamrock, where the prices are fixed, eliminating the need to haggle.

We continued our drive and stopped at Lita and Joel’s for lunch. It’s one of the most famous Cebu Lechon restaurants in Carcar, so we decided to dine there. The place is similar to a carinderia, offering a variety of food options. We also bought fish, which was very tasty! As someone who lives in Manila, I prefer Mang Tomas with my lechon instead of vinegar! Haha. Their lechon is definitely delicious, and I always opt for their spicy lechon because it’s more flavorful in my opinion. Yum!

After lunch, we embarked on another long drive. We arrived at our hotel before 7:00 PM, checked in, and then decided to walk to Mactan Alfresco. There were numerous food options available, but even in the evening, it was quite hot, and many restaurants had long lines and full tables. We were fortunate to find seating quickly and ordered from various food stalls. We also tried Orange Brutus, a Cebu-based fast food chain. I particularly enjoyed their Sizzling Burger! Of course, there was also lechon and a variety of seafood to choose from. The fresh fruit salad stall is a must-try! After dinner, we bought snacks at a nearby grocery and walked back to our hotel.

7:00 am – Sardines Run at Brgy. Panagsama
8:30 am – Breakfast by the beach and chill
11:30 am – Check out
1:00 pm – Simala Shrine
2:30 pm – Buy Pasalubong
3:00 pm – Lunch at Lita and Joel in Carcar Cebu
7:00 pm – Check in at Belmont Hotel
7:30 pm – Dinner at Mactan Alfresco

Day 4: Cebu City Tour

It was a pretty hot day and we went for a City Tour. First, since it was Sunday, we attended an English mass at 8:00 AM at Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino. Afterward, we had breakfast at La Fortuna, which is within walking distance of the church and adjacent to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. Beyond its convenient location, La Fortuna is known for its Filipino bread and Chinese pastries. It’s also one of the oldest pasalubong centers in Cebu City. Following breakfast, we visited the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, which is just beside it.

Then, we went to the Cebu National Museum. After that, we visited Fort San Pedro, but only took a few photos because of the intense heat. We then headed to Shamrock to buy pasalubong. If you prefer fixed prices and dislike haggling, this is the perfect place for you. Plus, they accept credit cards, Gcash, and debit cards.

We had lunch at House of Lechon, and all the food was delicious. Their desserts were tempting, but we planned to have dessert at a spot in Busay before visiting the Taoist Temple. The ambiance there was very chill. If you visit around lunchtime, the glass house can get a bit hot, so we moved outside to enjoy the view with fresh air. We enjoyed their drinks and food!

We were supposed to go to the Taoist Temple as well, but it closes early, and our guide advised us that we should go there before 3:00 PM. Since it was still hot, we opted to stay at Charlie’s Cup and wait for the heat to subside before heading to Sirao Garden. There are a lot of photo spots in the garden and after taking photos, we went to the Temple of Leah. It was beautiful during sunset!

Then, it was dinner time! We went to La Vie Parisienne in the Sky. It was a bit chilly outside where we were seated, but we enjoyed our dinner. Plus, they offered a buy one get-one deal on their pastries at night before closing, so we bought a few! Then we returned to our hotel to rest.

7:45 am – Magellan’s Cross and Basilica de Minore del Sto. Nino
9:30 am – Breakfast at La Fortuna
9:50 am – Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral
10:00 am – National Museum
10:50 am – Fort San Pedro
11:15 am – Shamrock (Pasalubong)
11:45 am – Lunch at House of Lechon
2:10 pm – Charlie’s Cup
3:50 pm – Sirao Garden
5:15 pm – Temple of Leah
6:00 pm – La Vie Parisienne in the Sky(dinner)

Day 5: Newtown Mactan Beach

Our final day in Cebu was dedicated to a relaxing morning and a quick beach trip at Mactan Newtown, where we enjoyed a sumptuous seafood bucket lunch.

We started our day with breakfast and a quick dip in the pool. We packed our belongings and checked out at 11:30 AM. We had pre-ordered the seafood bucket, as required by the hotel, but were told we could order other food at the beach. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case. The beach menu was limited, so we had to settle for what was available. This was a bit of a miscommunication, as they didn’t effectively relay this information to us, despite our repeated inquiries. I even offered to order in advance, and they said it wasn’t necessary, only to tell us otherwise at the beach. It was a bit frustrating, but we made the best of it. The food was good, and we relaxed after lunch, passing time until our 6:30 PM flight

Entrance to Mactan Newtown beach is free if you stayed in Belmont or Savoy but you can also go here for a day tour. For day tour, you have to pay an entrance fee.

After relaxing by the beach, we waited for the 3:00 PM shuttle, which unfortunately never arrived. This was another mishap, but thankfully, Savoy’s shuttle came to our rescue and dropped us off at Belmont. We collected our bags, which we had left at the hotel, and booked a GrabCar to the airport. We navigated the check-in and security processes smoothly and waited for our 6:55 PM flight. And we’re home!

7:00 am – Breakfast at hotel Belmont and swimming
11:30 am – Check out and lunch at Mactan Newtown
12:30 pm – Lunch
3:00 pm – Back to hotel and travel to airport
4:00 pm – Airport
6:55 pm – Flight from Mactan International Airport to Manila
8:30 pm – Arrival in Manila

Cebu Budget for 5 Days

Airfare (CebPass) – Php 779.56 (per person)
Accommodations
- Airbnb (1 night) – Php 1,269.10 (for 3 pax)
- Pescadores Suites (1 night with breakfast) – Php 3,000 for 3 pax
- Belmont Hotel (2 nights) – Php 2,541 (for 3 pax)
Private Tour (3 Days – Oslob, Moalboal, City Tour) for 6 adults and 1 child – Php 24,000 (transportation, fuel, driver, entrance fees, environmental fees, parking fee, and boat fees in Oslob)
GrabCar (to and from Airport) – Approx. 2,000 (for 7 pax)
Food – Approx. Php 2,000 per pax

Estimated Total Expenses

Overall, we spent approximately Php 10,000 per person.

it was truly packed with diverse experiences, making it perfect for both family and friend groups. Even young children will surely enjoy Cebu, as it offers a variety of activities, from relaxation to adventure.

If you’re planning a trip, just do a little research to create your own Cebu itinerary and you’ll have a blast too!

Disclaimer: Information on this Zamboanga-Basilan itinerary may change over time so, make sure to double-check all information before going to Zamboanga City and Basilan.

P.S. This blog contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them.

Also, don’t forget to check more travel guides here!

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Family Friendly 5-Day Cebu Itinerary

Flight to Cebu

Accommodations

Going Around Cebu City