Sinulog Festival 2020 Guide: 5 Things to Do in Cebu for a Grand Time

Recommended place: Balay sa Busay

Recommended budget for two: PhP1,200

Tasting the food in Cebu should be on your to-do list when you are in town. There are several food options you can consider in Cebu, but one particular place allows you to dine while enjoying the view of the mountains of Cebu: Balay sa Busay. Located at the popular Tops Road, this quaint little restaurant gives guests a scenic view of the cliffs and valleys strewn along the mountains of Cebu. Its Instagram-worthy interior exudes a homey ambiance that adds to its allure. Moreover, the restaurant serves Filipino dishes with a Cebuano twist. Some of the dishes offered at the restaurant are the sinugbang baboy (grilled pork), grilled bangus (milkfish), Bisayang manok (native chicken soup), and baked cheesy scallops. You have the option of dining indoors or in the open-air dining area of the restaurant.

Tip: If you are going to ride a motorcycle-for-hire going to the Balay sa Busay, it is recommended to get the mobile number of the driver or set a time when he will return to bring you back to the city. After all, it is not easy to get a ride from the restaurant back to the city.

How to get to Balay sa Busay: From the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, get on the MyBus headed for SM City Cebu. From SM City Cebu, ride a jeepney going to JY Square Discovery Mall. You can get on a motorcycle-for-hire at the mall going to Balay sa Busay.

Recommended place: Simala Church

Operating hours: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Ticking off the boxes on your bucket list is another thing that you can do while in Cebu. You can visit the whale sharks in Oslob or check out the animals at the Cebu Safari and Adventure Park in Carmen. Since the Sinulog is a religious event, the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño should be one of your stops. But, did you know that there is another place you can visit where you can receive blessings while attending the Sinulog Festival? The Simala Church, or the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist, is a popular Marian shrine in the south. Located in the southern town of Sibonga, Cebu, it features a unique architectural design inspired by the cathedrals in Europe. The church is also the home of the Birhen sa Simala (Virgin of Simala), which makes the place a must-visit destination for Marian devotees.

Tip: You should wear decent clothing when you visit the church. Wearing shorts, mini skirts, sleeveless shirts, and short blouses are not allowed, so dress accordingly if you want to enter the church.

How to get to Simala Church: From the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, get on the MyBus headed for SM City Cebu. From SM City Cebu, ride a taxi to the Cebu South Bus Terminal where you can get on a bus plying the Cebu-Oslob or Cebu-Santander route. Tell the diver to let you off at the bus stop going to Simala Church. From the bus stop, ride on a motorcycle-for-hire to Simala Church.

Recommended place: Azia Suites and Residences

Sinulog 2020 Rates: PhP3,999 for the Standard Room; PhP4,799 for the Deluxe Room; PhP5,300 for the Junior Suite; PhP6,000 for the Executive Suite.

It is generally advisable to get a good night’s rest before the Sinulog grand parade. One place you can consider is Azia Suites and Residences. Situated several meters away from the parade route, the hotel offers 60 rooms, ranging from the Standard Double up to the Executive Room. Aside from offering a place where you can catch some Zs before and after the grand parade, the hotel also has a roof deck lounge where you can watch the city lighting up after the sun sets over the horizon.

Tip: Since it may be challenging to find available hotel rooms during the Sinulog celebration, it is advisable to book early. You can also check for promotions offered by the hotel for the Sinulog season.

How to get to Azia Suites and Residences: From the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, get on the MyBus headed for SM City Cebu. From SM City Cebu, ride a taxi to Azia Suites and Residences.

Recommended place: La Plage Club

Operating hours: Jan 17, 2020 at 3:00 PM to Jan 20, 2020 at 5:00 AM

Ticket Prices: PhP1,000 for the one-day access ticket; PhP1,500 for the two-day access ticket

Looking for a party during the Sinulog Festival? Well, La Plage Club is hosting the Hydro Cebu Music Festival from January 17 to January 20, 2020. Hydro Cebu Music Festival is a pool party featuring the best disc jockeys in the country. Headlining the event are Sesco, Maily, Damat, Sheryl Lynn, and Undercover.

Tip: To get the best out of your Sinulog experience, you can attend Sinulog parties held all over the city. But it is also advisable to take a rest the night before the grand parade so you can dance to the beat of the Sinulog during the festival’s main event.

How to get to La Plage Club: From the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, get on the MyBus headed for Parkmall. From Parkmall, ride a taxi to La Plage Club in the North Reclamation Area, Mandaue City.

Schedule: January 19, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

While street parties are staging a comeback for Sinulog 2020, the Sinulog Grand Parade is still the most anticipated event during the festival. Held on the major streets of the city, the grand parade shows why the Sinulog is the most lavish festival in the country. The grand parade will kick off at 9:00 AM at the Cebu City Sports Center. Although the route has yet to be finalized, it is expected to pass through the same streets as the previous Sinulog celebrations. Street parties will also be held in different parts of the city, but none of them will be held along the parade route. Stricter guidelines will also be in place to avoid any untoward incidents during the festival.

Tip: It cannot be noted enough, but if you want to have fun during the Sinulog Grand Parade, you should get enough rest the night before. You should also wear comfortable clothing and keep yourself hydrated during the parade.

Go to Yoorekka for more updates on Sinulog!

Since hundreds of thousands of tourists visit Cebu for the Sinulog in January, we hope this guide will give you a heads up on what to expect when you join the grandest festival in the country.