The island-province of Cebu is a good springboard for
island-hopping in the Visayas. Located in the centre of the
Philippine archipelago, it offers travellers easy access to the
caves and lagoons of Gato and Kalanggaman, dive spots in Mactan,
Moalboal, Badian and Olango, as well as Carmen, Oslob and Argao
beaches.
The region's metropolitan area is the second largest in the
country and, along with its adjacent Mactan Island, has become a
bustling package-tour destination. Travellers will find casinos,
golf courses, shopping malls, balmy weather, sandy beaches and
all-inclusive resort hotels. They should consider visiting in
January, when Cebu stages the Sinulog Festival. The celebration
involves singing, dancing, dazzling costumes and Christian
imagery.
Cebu is also the country's oldest Spanish colonial city and has
several historic landmarks. These include the original cross
planted by Magellan in 1521, when he baptised the first group of
Filipino natives into the Catholic faith. The cross is now housed
in a roofed kiosk in Magallanes Street. Downtown Cebu is dominated
by Colon Street, which is the country's oldest street and dates
back to the 16th century.