July 2020 Update: Cebu City is still under enhanced community quarantine, so majority of the attractions featured in the article might be temporarily closed. Please check with the management before visiting.
A little rain should not keep you and your friends from having fun in Cebu.
Rainy days may be here again, but it does not mean you’ll just have to stay home until the sky clears. Cebu offers a lot of rainy day activities to do even if dark clouds start to loom overhead. You can brush up on your history and culture lessons by visiting some of the museums in the city. If that’s not your thing, you can also pass time window shopping at the malls. You can even have some fun in some of the indoor parks in Metro Cebu. No matter what you’re into, there is no need for you to worry as the things to do on a rainy day in Cebu won’t easily run out.
So if you and your barkada (friends) are ever looking for things to do on a rainy day in Cebu, check out the following list.
1. Visit Cebu’s museum offerings.
Recommended Place: Museo Sugbo, 731 M. J. Cuenco Avenue, Cebu City
Operating hours: Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Recommended budget: Filipino citizens: PhP30 for adults; PhP10 for students, PWDs, and senior citizens
Foreigners: PhP75 for adults; PhP50 for students, PWDs, and senior citizens
The façade of Museo Sugbo still features parts of the original building when it was built as a prison during the Spanish era.
Image: Museo Sugbo
Being a city with a rich cultural heritage, Cebu has its own share of museums. Due to this, a visit to Museo Sugbo may be an enlightening experience for the whole barkada. The museum was once the Carcel del Distrito or the main prison for the Visayas and its walls were made using coral blocks from the nearby Parian Church after it was demolished. The museum features four galleries showcasing various relics and artifacts depicting the history and culture of Cebu. Visiting the museum allows you to learn a thing or two about life in Cebu during the Spanish, American, and Japanese periods.
Tip: If ever you are in Cebu on the last Friday of May, you may want to join the Gabii sa Kabilin (Night of Heritage) where Museo Sugbo is one of the featured places.
July 2020 Update: Museums are temporarily closed.
2. Stroll around different malls in Cebu.
Operating hours: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM (typical mall hours in Cebu)
Recommended budget: free if you do not intend to purchase anything
Cebu has a number of malls where you can pass the time at while waiting for the rain to stop.
Image: Ayala Center Cebu
The Queen City of the South has a number of malls where you can seek refuge when the rains start to fall. Some of these malls include SM City Cebu, Ayala Center Cebu, Robinsons Galleria Cebu, and SM Seaside City Cebu, among others. Aside from allowing you to stay dry, the different malls also offer numerous activities to keep you from getting bored. You may try your hand in ice skating at SM Seaside City Cebu or watch a movie or two at the Ayala Center Cebu cinemas. But if the budget is tight you may want to pass time by window shopping or browsing some books in the bookstores.
Tip: Checking the Facebook pages of malls gives you an idea on concerts or shows that are open to the public.
July 2020 Update: Malls are open but only for essential businesses.
3. Play a game of chance in different casinos.
Recommended Place: The Palace Casino, Pajac-Maribago Road, Barangay Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City
Operating hours: Open 24/7
Recommended budget: PhP1,000
Playing a game of chance in the casinos in Cebu is another option if you have money to burn.
Image: The Palace Casino Cebu
If you have money to burn, you may also consider playing the different casinos in Cebu. Who knows, you may even hit the jackpot. Cebu currently has two casinos operated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). These casinos are located at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Waterfront Cebu Airport Hotel. You may want to take a chance at the slot machines, play a round of roulette, or try your hand in the Black Jack table. Aside from playing the game of chance, these casinos also have mini-concerts and shows scheduled from time to time. All you need to do is to check out their schedules for the month.
Tip: It is advisable to set a limit to the money you intend to use at the casino to avoid spending more than you intend to spend.
July 2020 Update: Casinos are temporarily closed.
4. Entertain yourself with optical illusion exhibits.
Recommended Place: Cebu Happy World Museum, Lot 2-A-3, Barangay Gabi, Cordova, Cebu
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Recommended budget:
Entrance fee: PhP350 for adults 19 years old and above; PhP250 for senior citizens, PWDs and children from four to 18 years old; free for children under four years old.
Visitors are encouraged to interact with the illusion artwork at Cebu Happy World Museum.
Image: Cebu Happy World Museum
Most museums are repositories of relics from the past and prohibit visitors from touching or taking pictures of the display. But Cebu Happy World Museum is not your typical museum. In fact, you and your friends are encouraged to interact with their exhibit. You can even take pictures inside the museum. The museum features 85 visually-unique works of art that seem to jump out of the walls. These works of arts range from popular movie scenes to images of famous celebrities. The3D paintings create an optical illusion that will keep you and your friends entertained throughout your stay in the museum.
Tip: Interacting with the exhibits at the museum will allow you to get your money’s worth.
July 2020 Update: Museums are temporarily closed.
For more places to be in Cebu City, visit Yoorekka.com.
5. Go on an indoor adventure.
Recommended Place: Extreme Aeropark, Second floor, Parkmall, Ouano Avenue, Mandaue City
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Recommended budget:
Trampoline:
Monday to Thursday: PhP180 for 30 minutes, PhP250 for one hour, PhP350 for unlimited;
Friday to Sunday and holidays: PhP250 for 30 minutes, PhP350 for one hour, PhP450 for unlimited;
Grip socks PhP80; Locker PhP50
Laser tag:
Monday to Thursday: PhP150; Friday to Sunday and holidays: PhP180
Extreme Aeropark is a good place to engage in extreme sports even if it’s raining outside.
Image: Extreme Aeropark
If you and your friends are into extreme sports, a visit to Extreme Aeropark may prove to be interesting. While this indoor trampoline park offers a number of activities for adventure lovers, their trampoline area is more popular among its guests. Aside from the trampoline area, you can also try reaching the top of the wall climb. If you want to challenge yourself, you can even try to conquer the ninja arena. You can also play bubble soccer with your friends or play a game of laser tag. Whichever activities you choose, you will likely enjoy yourself at the park with your friends while waiting for the rain to stop outside.
Tip: It’s best to visit Extreme Aeropark on a weekday since the place is typically packed over the weekend or during holidays.
July 2020 Update: Leisure facilities are temporarily closed.
These are just some of the things to do when you are in Cebu during the rainy season. What activity are you and your barkada interested in trying?
This article was originally published in Yoorekka on June 19, 2019.
