7 Stunning Summer Spots in Cebu You Can Add To Your Bucket List

Where: F.F. Cruz St., Subangdaku, North Reclamation Area, Mandaue City

Operating Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Entrance Fee: PhP350 for adults and kids above four feet in height; PhP250 for kids between two to four feet; free for infants 11 months and below

Room Rate: Starts at PhP2,660

Like the capital city up north, Cebu also has its share of water parks. Unlike many water parks in other places, Cebu Westown Lagoon is located right in the middle of the city. Situated in the North Reclamation Area, the water park features a kiddie pool, a swimming pool with a water slide, a jacuzzi, and a KTV bar. In addition, large rooms are also available for families and groups of friends who want to spend the weekend or summer vacation at the resort.

Where: Brgy. Duyan, Catmon, Northern Cebu

Operating Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Entrance Fee: Starts at PhP350 for adults; PhP175 for children under eight years old

Some people may not consider visiting a hot spring during the summer. But, when they discover the rejuvenating effects of taking a dip in these naturally heated pools, they may want to visit Esoy Hot Spring in the northern Cebu town of Catmon—the only hot spring in north Cebu. The sulfur in the hot spring can treat skin irritation and promote blood circulation. Owned by Mr. Celso “Esoy” Bustamante, this summer getaway in Cebu is popular among locals, so much so that a reservation is needed before you are allowed to take a dip.

Where: Poblacion Liloan, Cebu

Entrance Fee: PhP100 per person

Operating Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Adventure Activities: Starts at PhP500

Adventure seekers will have fun at Papa Kit’s Marina and Fishing Lagoon. Situated in the northern town of Liloan, Cebu, this eco-tourism destination and an ideal summer place has become one of the go-to places for people looking to have their adrenaline fix over the weekend. The site offers some water-based and land-based activities, including boating, fishing, horseback riding, biking. It also has its obstacle course. Papa Kit’s is also home to a wakeboarding facility, Cebu’s first wake cable park. If you plan to stay a night or two, Papa Kit’s also has several rooms for guests to choose from.

Where: Olango Reef, Cordova Mactan, Cebu

Entrance Fee: PhP200

Room Rate: Starts at PhP3,500

Owned by the same company managing Papa Kit’s Marina and Fishing Lagoon, Nalusuan Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary is another summer destination popular among locals. Located in the Olango Island Group, Nalusuan Island sits amid a rich underwater ecosystem offering a remarkable diving experience for visitors. The sand bar of the island gives visitors the chance to get up close and personal with the colorful aquatic animal life surrounding the island. Aside from scuba diving, visitors can also go kayaking, snorkeling, or simply swimming in the crystal clear waters of the island. The resort’s cottages are built on stilts, giving guests a breathtaking view of the wonders of nature when they wake up early in the morning.

Where: Daanbantayan, Cebu

Entrance Fee: PhP200

Room Rate: PhP350 per head/night

The northern part is home to many well-known Cebu tourist spots, including Malapascua Island and Bantayan Island. But there is an island destination that even some locals do not know about: Carnaza Island. Located off the northern coast of Cebu, this turtle-shaped island can be considered a paradise for travelers on a budget. While it is a part of the town of Daanbantayan, the island is around two to three hours away from mainland Cebu. The relatively untouched beauty of nature awaits visitors looking for something off the beaten track. While there is a resort on the island, you can pitch a tent or rent a room in the locals’ houses, accommodating visitors.

Where: Alcoy, Cebu

Entrance Fee: PhP10 to PhP20, depending on the point of entry

Cottage Fee: Ranges from PhP300 to PhP1,000

While the first two beaches on the list may be located in the north, the south also has its share of white sand beaches. Situated in the town of Alcoy, Tingko Beach is gradually becoming popular among locals and visitors to the city. This vacation spot in Cebu features a long stretch of white sand on an arching shoreline, and its progressively sloping terrain is ideal for wading and snorkeling. The beach is across a coral island that disappears when the high tide. While Tingko Beach is a public beach, a minimal entrance fee is collected for its maintenance.

Where: Macopa St, Basak, Pardo, Cebu City

Entrance Fee: PhP100 for adults; PhP50 for children 12 years old and below; PhP80 for senior citizens; PhP40 for each student in a class of at least 20 (up to high school); PhP50 for each college student for a class of at least 20

For a different summer experience in Cebu, you may be interested in visiting a butterfly sanctuary. The Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary is home to the country’s biggest and oldest butterfly collection. Set up by the Cebuano artist and lepidopterist Professor Julian Jumalon, the place also houses artwork made using the wings of dead butterflies. Visitors can easily spot 10 to 15 types of butterflies on any given day. The sanctuary currently has around 50 exotic and rare butterflies flying freely in the area.

February 2022 Update: Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary hasn’t officially announced its reopening yet. For the latest updates, please visit the establishment’s social media pages.

Visit Cebu this summer and see the Queen City as you’ve never seen it before!

Check out Yoorekka Magazine for more exciting destinations in Cebu and Bohol this summer!