Cebu is an elongated island some 250 kilometers from North to South and 45 kilometers across at its widest point. It is central to the Philippine archipelago and some 600 kilometers south of Manila.
This location combined with a sheltered deep water harbor has made Cebu the base for most of the country's domestic shipping and the gateway to the central and southern Philippines.
Cebu Island, 1,702 square miles (4,408 sq km) in land area, composed the Visayan Islands and is located between Leyte and Negros. Sugbu, as the island was once called, is the oldest city in the Philippines.
Once a fishing village in the 15th century, it is now a thriving trade center and a busy metropolis that serves as a median for the exchange of goods and services nationwide. It is one of the most popular tourist and business destinations in the Philippines. Dubbed as "The Queen City of the South," it boasts of numerous resplendent treasures yet to be discovered by travelers who love to explore the unknown.
The east and west coasts are separated by a mountainous spine which rises to 1,000 meters. The climate is warm, generally 23 to 33 degrees Celsius. Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year, except for the summer months from March to May which are dry.
You can bask in Cebu's temperate tropical weather that runs all throughout the year. Regularly sunny and warm, the beaches here are excellent for people who want that perfect sun-kissed complexion and beautiful tan lines. Or better yet, take the adventure of your life by trekking through the jungles of Cebu alongside the crystal clear rivers, conquer hard to climb trails and rappel through steep mountain cliffs and waterfalls. Do that and be enthralled. Feel the adrenaline rush.
From natural wonders that can only be experienced in Cebu, like the expanse of pristine, white sand beaches in the islands of Mactan, Badian, Malapascua and Bantayan; magnificent diving spots with corals of splendid extent like that in Maribago Bluewaters and Moalboal leaving you in total awe, to historical landmarks remnant of a bygone era, and a cultural heritage the Cebuano's are most proud of.
Where you can find: Colon, the first and oldest street in the whole country which used to be the center of trade and industry during the pre-colonial days; the University of San Carlos, the oldest school in the Philippines, founded in 1595; seasoned forts like Fort San Pedro, the smallest and oldest bastion in the Philippines, withstanding the test of time and the frequent change of colonizers and many hard-fought battles; and Basilica Minor del Santo Niño, one of the antiquated churches built during the Spanish period.
Cebu has an abundance of beauty. From the central mountains to the coral sands, the island is a natural wonder. Most of the archipelago's 8,120 species of flowering plants can be found in Cebu. Birds migrating from Russia stop enroute to Australia at the Olanggo Bird Sanctuary.
Mountain streams cascade from misty heights to the sea. Colorful butterflies contrast with flocks of noisy birds. Some of the world's best scuba diving is located around Cebu's shores and there are regular sightings of dolphins and whales in the surrounding seas.
Cebu is a charming mixture of the old and new. An amalgam of the exotic east and modern west, and all of these you can have with comfort because of the superb amenities offered together with the promise of nature's best. This piece of wondrous land is not only perfect for the itinerant beach or nature-lovers for it also offers an exciting nightlife. Fine dining restaurants are easily available, clubs and bars where you can get wild or chill out, the ubiquitous coffee shops for coffee lovers, videoke/karaoke bars for the musically inclined and the not-so but who still loves to belt it out, 24-hour food establishments and convenient stores are located everywhere, and other entertainment and recreation facilities you most surely will want to explore.
Rapid growth, abundant water and rich soils make for colorful exuberance. Birds come to roost, fragrances fill the air and the spirit is refreshed after each busy day.
