Okay, I admit that I am a tourist in my own country. Don’t blame me because most people whom I asked would always say that it’s expensive to tour around the Philippines and it’ll be more or less equivalent to what you can pay when you travel internationally. So, this is the reason why I tend to prioritize international trips more than exploring the Philippines. I know, shame on me but now, my views have changed because you can indeed travel the Philippines on a shoestring budget! Our Cebu trip, cost me less than 2,000 pesos ONLY and mind you, I was able to visit most of the tourist spots in the city in a day.
Here are some tips and information on how much budget (more or less) you should allocate for your next trip to Cebu. (NOTE: total expense was shared/divided into 2 and includes food, lodging, transportation and entrance fees)
1. Domestic Airport- You’ll pay Php 200 Terminal fee & Airport multicab is only Php 7.5.
2. Mactan Shrine- This is where the famous Lapu-Lapu monument is located. Nothing to see/do much here and it’ll take you around an hour from airport to get here. For directions: From airport ride multicab to Savemore. Walk highway and ride a Jeepney with Punta Eñgano sign. Ask the driver to drop you at Mactan Shrine. In Mactan shrine there's no entrance fee needed, just donation. The jeepney ride back and forth is about Php 34.
3. Basilica del Santo Niño- One of the oldest church in Cebu. The sanctuary of Sto. Nino since 1565. This is located at Osmeña Blvd. near Colon Street so from SM Cebu, ride the Jeepney going to Cebu Cathedral then walk, walk and walk some more! Jeep is Php 10. When you get here, don’t forget to pray to Sto. Niño and bid him “goodbye” when leaving.
4. Magellan’s Cross- This is the cross that was planted when Magellan came to the Philippines. It is adjacent to the Basilica of Sto. Niño so just keep walking until you get there! What you can do here is to buy some wishing candles for Php 10 each. The colored candles has a corresponding meaning for love, career, family, health etc. The locals will ask for your name and she will pray and dance to praise Sto. Niño. Then you have to place your candles below the cross as an offering.
5. Fort San Pedro- Is a triangular military defense structure in Cebu. This was built in 1738 under the command of Miguel Loepz de Legaspi and the Spanish government in Cebu. Fort San Pedro.This is about 15-20 min. walking distance from Magellan’s cross. Just go straight once you see the island souvenir store fronting BPI’s museum. Entrance fee is Php 30 for adults and if you happen to bring your school ID (I highly recommend you bring it because most tourist spots offer student discounts), fee is only Php 20. I was a bit disappointed about the place because it’s not well maintained and nothing to see at all so good thing we only paid Php 20.
6. Crown Regency (Edge Coaster)- The famous adventure spot at the heart of Cebu City! You can face your height fears here or unleash some adrenaline rush in a spectacular bird’s eye view of the city. Prices may vary depending on the package you want to avail. For example if you want to try 2 rides, instead of around Php 1,000 you will only pay Php 700. To know more about their rates, click here or contact the hotel directly. For us scaredy-cats, we opted to avail only the edge coaster ride for Php 500 (certificate and key chain souvenir included) plus entrance fee of Php 50. Then, you can have your picture taken professionally for Php 230. The rides here in Crown Regency is pricey though, but if you don't mind shelling out some money...it's totally up to you. Besides, what is Php 500++ for a 5 sec. or 5 min. death defying thrill right?
7. Zubu Chon- Eat lechon and taste the difference between the usual lechon in Manila to Cebu’s “flying lechon”—the Zubu Chon. Zubu Chon has a lot of stores to choose from there’s one inside the airport too for take-out but we visited their newest store across Savemore. We tried the ¼ (good for 2) Zubu Chon for Php 135, and Kinilaw na Zubu Chon for Php 290. It was a totally foodgasm to our palate. Yum yum yum! You can also try their Pork Ribs Sinigang, Zubuliempo, Zubuchon Dinuguan, Pritchon, Zubuchon Paksiw and pair it with their famous Iba (Kamias) Shake.
8. Larsian sa Fuente- What better way to enjoy a trip? FOOD TRIP! In Larsian sa Fuente, you will be able to taste absolute BBQ haven. This is Cebu’s famous BBQ place (street food). It’s also about 15-20 min. walking distance from Crown Regency Hotel. It was a scrumptious food to cap the whole day. Comfort food starts at Php 3 for one Puso (rice), Chicken Php 50, Peppered Ribs Php 50, fish Php 65, Squid Php 75, and Soft drinks Php 13. Our order is good for 2-3 people but it was enough to satisfy our growling stomach plus, it’s okay to spend around Php 200+ for real BBQ comfort food right?
Disclaimer: This is an old post from my Blogspot account dated February 28, 2012.
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