Classical guitars are as synonymous with the province as lechon and dried mangoes. The tradition of guitar-making here started in the 19th century, when Spanish missionaries commissioned local woodworkers to repair their instruments instead of sending them back to Mexico. Presently, the cottage industry centers along the Pajac-Maribago Road in Lapu-Lapu City on Mactan island, where guitar workshops and showrooms like New Susing’s Guitar have set up shop since after World War II. Besides the iconic stringed instrument, local luthiers also manufacture bandurrias – mandolin-like guitars – ukuleles and curious-looking cocoleles, which are ukuleles fashioned out of coconut shells, among others. Drop by to shop for quality instruments, or admire how they’re tediously crafted by hand at the workshops.

Beach-hop ’til you drop

You’re never far from the sea when traveling along the slender-shaped province, its endless coastline and offshore islands punctuated by stretches of white sand perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and snorkelling. Bluewater Resorts has luxurious getaways on the urbanised island of Mactan and, farther south, on Sumilon island, off the coast of Oslob town, a sumptuous 24-hectare retreat with seaside cabanas, massage huts and infinity pools. For a low-key rustic escape, discover the tranquil shores and cave pools of Bantayan or Camotes islands, staying at Kota Beach Resort or Mangodlong Paradise Beach Resort, respectively.

Chase pretty waterfalls

The province’s southwestern towns boasts of beautiful waterfalls from Barili to Samboan. Jump into the natural pools of Kawasan Falls surrounded by the jungles of Badian, 120 km from Cebu City, one of several lovely cascades in the southern end of the island. The waterfalls in the locality exhibit an iridescent turquoise hue, caused by limestone minerals dissolved in the water. For a thrilling adventure, book a canyoneering tour with Kawasan Canyoneering. The five-hour excursion involves river trekking down the Kanlaob river, swimming through narrow gorges, sliding down rock walls and leaping off waterfalls! More scenic cascades can be discovered in towns of Barili, Alegria and Samboan like Mantayupan Falls (the tallest in the province), Cambais Falls and Aguinid Falls, to name a few.

Sardine run photo by Jun V. Lao

Dive with sharks and sardines

Cebu has long boasted some of the best scuba diving in the country. After all, it’s a one of the pioneering diving destinations in the Philippines. A shallow plunge along Panagsama Beach in Moalboal, 100 km south of Cebu City, with Quo Vadis Dive Resort – my favorite place to stay in town – reveals mesmerizing encounters with green sea turtles and massive swirling schools of the sardine run, while, offshore, the barren islet of Pescador has coral-laden walls exploding with marine life such as moray eels, frogfishes and leafy seadragons. Off the northern tip of Cebu is Malapascua island, the only place where you can dive with rare thresher sharks everyday. Several dive operators organize sunrise dives at Monad Shoal, a cleaning station where these deep-sea sharks with whiplike tails congregate every morning.

Climb new heights

Want to level-up from those views of Metro Cebu from the popular Tops Lookout? Cap off your sojourn with a hike up the island’s highest point, Osmeña Peak in Dalaguete, 100 km from Cebu City. Lording over the cool-weathered vegetable valleys of Mantalongon village, the foggy mountain is a collection of karst outcrops with the highest one rising 1,013 meters above sea level. Don’t be intimidated at all, as you can reach the viewpoint on foot in only 15 minutes, where you can marvel at the craggy crown with a backdrop of Negros island across Tañon Strait – a panorama best enjoyed during sunset. A more challenging, newly discovered hiking destination is nearby Casino Peak, a former gambling hideout an hour’s walk farther, which has views of the Mantalongon range that rival Osmeña – minus the selfie-snapping crowds, especially on weekends and holidays.

Have you done any of these activities? Which was your favorite? Share your Cebu experiences in the comments section below!

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