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Aside from its popular beaches, Cebu has other colorful things to offer.
Image: Sirao Garden-Little Amsterdam
Being one of the top destinations in the country, Cebu has its fair share of local and foreign visitors once the summer season starts. Aside from relaxing in one of its wonderful beaches, there are also other fun things to do in the Cebu summer getaway, like visiting different flower farms, checking out the amazing waterfalls, having fun in water parks, or having your fill of different Cebuano delicacies. You may also want these tourist activities in Cebu like island hopping and visit some of the islands off the coast of Cebu. So ditch the touristy beach, and consider these other fun things to do in Cebu this summer, and rest assured, you’ll have just as much fun, if not more in your Cebu summer getaway!
1. Visit different flower gardens.
The overall theme of Sirao Garden earned the place its nickname as the Little Amsterdam of Cebu.
Image: Sirao Garden-Little Amsterdam
If you love the roses that are red and the violets that are blue, visiting the flower gardens on this Cebu summer getaway is one activity to do when visiting the Queen City of South. The flower industry of Cebu has experienced a resurgence in recent years, and this has led to different flower gardens opening themselves to the public. While the most famous flower garden to visit on your Cebu summer getaway is the Sirao Garden or the Little Amsterdam of Cebu, the island is also home to a number of other equally impressive flower gardens is one of the fun things to do in Cebu; Visiting these flower gardens include the Ka-tilong Sunflower Farm and Betty’s Botanical Garden in Barangay Tabunan, Buwakan ni Alejandra in Balamban, and MSDEA Ornamental Garden in Barangay Sibugay. If you are looking for a sight to behold at night for a fun Cebu summer getaway, you may also want to visit 10,000 Roses Café in Cordova Island.
2. Go island hopping around Cebu.
Visitors can visit and take a dip in the different islands surrounding Cebu.
Image: Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort
Taking a dip in the beaches may be one of the first things that you want to do when you visit Cebu. But to maximize your trip this Cebu summer getaway, do more than visit just one beach, another tourist activities in Cebu: go island-hopping and visit different beaches! Off the coast of Mactan Island, one of the more popular islands to visit is Pandanon Island, which is around an hour away. Another popular destination to explore fun things to do in Cebu is going to Nalusuan Island, which is home to a marine sanctuary. Other islands to include in your Cebu summer getaway island-hopping itinerary are Olango Island, Hilutungan Island, and Caohagan Island. If you find yourself in southern Cebu, Sumilon Island in Oslob and Pescador Island in Moalboal should all be part of your travel plans.
Being one of the oldest cities in the country, Cebu can be paradise for a history and culture lover.
Image: Casa Gorordo Museum
Another itinerary for a Cebu summer getaway is for the history and culture lovers, since Cebu is after all considered as the cradle of Christianity in the Philippines. So one of the best things to do when in Cebu summer getaway is to visit its historical places and cultural landmarks. Aside from the Basilica Minore del Sto Nino, which is home to the image of the Santo Nino, also one of the fun things to do in Cebu, you may also stop by Fort San Pedro, Magellan’s Cross, Casa Gorordo, Sandiego Ancestral House, the Jesuit House, and the Heritage of Cebu Monument. A trip to the south will not be a complete Cebu summer getaway if you do not visit the ancestral houses in Carcar City and the heritage sites in Boljoon.
4. Enjoy the waterfalls.
If you are a nature lover, a visit to Kawasan Falls is something you should not miss when you spend your vacation in Cebu.
Image: Kawasan Falls
Shake off the seawater and swim in freshwater, instead. As one of the tourist activities in Cebu, these breathtaking waterfalls have piqued the interest of local and foreign tourists. On this Cebu summer getaway, you can take a dip in cool, refreshing waters. The most famous of these waterfalls is Kawasan Falls in Badian, but there are more fun things to do in Cebu, many other equally-impressive waterfalls in the island, including the Aguinid and Binalayan Falls in Samboan, Bugnawan and Inambakan Falls in Ginatilan, and the Tumalog Falls in Oslob.
5. Take your family to Cebu’s different water parks.
Waterparks will become popular destinations in Cebu summer getaway.
Image: AquaQuattro Water Park by AquaPolis in Liloan, Cebu
The summer heat can be unrelenting, but this should not stop you from spending time outdoors with your family. The waterparks found in different parts of Cebu are great destinations fit for every member of the family. Two of the better known water parks in Cebu are Cebu Westown Lagoon in Mandaue City and Jpark Island Resort & Waterpark in Lapu-Lapu City. Meanwhile, for your Cebu summer getaway the two relatively new but popular water parks are Skywaterpark Cebu in Mandaue City and AquaQuattro Water Park in Liloan. For families looking for fun things to do in Cebu and a water park set amidst the beauty of nature, Hidden Valley Wave Pool Resort in Pinamungajan and Tubod Bukid Resort in Minglanilla can be good options. Beach lovers may also consider Talima Adventure & Water Park in Olango Island on their Cebu summer getaway .
Tigers have ample space to roam around at the Cebu Safari and Adventure Park.
Image: Cebu Safari & Adventure Park
Animal lovers may also find Cebu a great place to spend summer in, as it is also home to the biggest zoo in the country, one of the tourist activities in Cebu: the Cebu Safari and Adventure Park. It is a 170-hectare world-class facility housing over 100 different species of animals. Unlike a regular zoo, in your Cebu summer getaway, the animals at the park have ample space to roam around in. The facility is home to an African lion, Bengal tiger, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, macaws, and the Philippine crocodile. In addition to fun things to do in Cebu for the animals, the facility also has a garden filled with the orchid collection of the owner, the renowned businessman Michel Lhuillier. This Cebu summer getaway has a tram that brings visitors to different areas around the park.
7. Taste the flavors of the island.
A visit to Cebu is never complete without getting a taste of the famous Cebu lechon.
Image: The Pyramid
Cebu can be a foodie’s paradise with the wide array of homegrown restaurants dotting the island. One of the places you can visit on a food trip in your Cebu summer getaway is the House of Lechon where you can taste the world-famous Cebu lechon (roasted pig). You may also want to drop by Harbour City Dimsum in your Cebu summer getaway to try its renowned steamed rice and different siomai (steamed Chinese dumplings) varieties. If seafood is to your liking, Isla Sugbu Seafood City is literally a must visit and fun thing to do in Cebu! Such a good place to satisfy your craving. For food lovers having a Cebu summer getaway, who are also on the lookout for a good view while enjoying their dinner, Lantaw Native Restaurant may be a good option.
Visit Yoorekka to discover more attractions and things to do in Cebu off the beaten path!
Having a Cebu summer getaway should not be limited to its amazing beaches since the island has something to offer to everybody.
About Peter Parcon
After leaving spending 16 years of his professional life in the academe, Peter decided to try his luck in the world of online freelancing. For the past eight years, he has been creating content for clients all around the world. He can work on just about any topic - from tattoos to technology and food to finance. He dreams of visiting every island in the archipelago some day.
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