ritagonc

I'm going to spend a week in Cebu, Philipines, in october with my boyfriend, and am looking for the perfect romantic getaway place...suggestions anyone?
What is unmissable in Cebu? Renting a car and going around, is it worth it? Should I visit some other places around Cebu?
Thank you dear cupids!

BillT

I think you will better results on the other travel boards- the regulars here don't frequent the Phillipines- why escapes me. We travel to Manila so we can't give you any hep with Cebu. Try Trip Advisor, Virtual Topurist, maybe even Lonely Planet.

Cicerone

I have only been to Cebu a few times, and not in a number of years. My main advice would be to get away from Cebu City on Mactan Island (where the airport is). It is a very big city and the beaches are not that great, IMO, although the one at the Shangri-La is OK. If you can get off the island and to some of the resorts to the north or the west side of the island, you will find prettier beaches, but the drive can be grueling. The only hotel I really know there is the Alegre Beach Resort, about a 2-hour drive north of Mactan. I also have not been there in about 7 years, so can’t speak for current quality. Take a look at http://www.alegrebeachresort.com/

In my experience, the roads are the island are not in good shape, lots of potholes, so I don’t know that renting a car and driving around would be much fun, I would stick to one resort and its beach and do boat trips for diving/snorelking. You can also bike and walk which is an easier and IMO better way to see local village life.

christo

Hi.
I know what BillT is saying because I was looking for info on the Philippines last year with very little response from this site.

I did go to the Philippines and went to Cebu and the rice terraces north of Manilla. My research led me to the small island of Malapascua off the northern tip of Cebu. We stayed a week there and really enjoyed it. I cannot comment on the rest of Cebu itself because I did not spend any time except for the drive from Cebu City to the north end of the island. Much of it towards the north is largely agricultural and very attractive with large sugar plantations etc.

Malapascua itself is fascinating. It is a small island, nice sand beach, no cars, very simple life, nice people, cheap food, beer and a few decent hotels. We stayed at the Cocobana which I would recommend.http://www.cocobana.ch/
We arranged for a taxi to drive us which was inexpensive and for me better than renting a car. There are buses available also.

The following site may help with info too http://www.travelphil.com/internet_eng/index.html

Bon Voyage

ritagonc

Dear all, thank you for your help - you've just confirmed what I was already thinking...

Cicerone, when I read about Mactan island i decided at once not to set foot on that place (except when the plane lands and departs)... and yes shangrila must be nice, but its totally over my budget/not my kind of crowd..

They say the roads are really nice now.

Christo, I also got the impression Malapascua would be a nice option : nice beaches,nice food, no cars and few people - just what I need.
I'm going to check out cocobana..

Thanks for everything guys, I'll update this post with my new findings when I get back!