Not every Asian island should be compared to Bali, but Indonesia’s paradise has definitely captured our hearts for decades.
One place that has flown under the radar and is far easier to reach from the States is the Philippines, home to over 7,500 islands (nope, not a typo!).
This fascinating (and extraordinarily cheap) country boasts breathtaking beaches that have been overlooked for far too long.
According to Agoda, that’s all changing.
The wondrous island of Cebu cracked Asia’s top 10 most searched island getaways, making it one of the trendiest beach destinations right now.
Save Skrilla Beyond Manila
Forget what you think you know about the Philippines; there’s so much to explore beyond the bustling streets of Manila.
Manila has mixed reviews. A few swipes on TikTok will have you wondering if it’s the friendliest city on Earth or a no-go zone.
If there’s one clear purpose Manila serves for tourists, it is being a gateway to the nation’s phenomenal islands, such as Palawan, Siquijor, and now Cebu.
To paint a clear picture of how gorgeous this island is, Cebu was recently nominated as one of the world’s top wedding destinations where it’s impossible for any ‘Bridezilla’ to throw a hissy fit in such a paradisal setting.
Moreover, your travel dollar stretches further here – and no, not just for bucket-list weddings or honeymoons.
Locals get around by a ‘Jeepney’, the Filipino version of a ‘Chicken bus’ with vibrant decor and ultra cheap fares costing about 25 cents. (Uber is not available; Grab and JoyRide are local rideshare apps)
Food won’t break the bank either. Better yet, if you’re a seafood fan, you can score fresh catches from hole-in-the-wall dining stalls to seafood night markets on the beach at Dusit Thani Resort.
Speaking of resorts, the value here is incredible compared to other renowned beach destinations!
For example, the 4-star Blue Orchid Resort Moalboal is under $80 per night in November, where the weather is perfect for blissful beach days ranging from mid-70’s to high 80’s.
Beats the chilly weather back home, huh?
A Historic City With Postcard Beaches End To End
We don’t often associate Asia with Spanish architecture, but you’ll indeed find some centuries-old marvels still standing, like Fort San Pedro in Cebu City, the island’s captivating urban jungle.
While most tourists have postcard-worthy beaches in mind when visiting Cebu, checking out the wide-ranging cityscape is a must!
One reason being, your experience here is much more palatable than Manila, which many say is an overhyped tourist destination.
In fact, did you know the oldest street in the Philippines is located in Cebu? Colon Street is home to a variety of shops to peruse by day and lively night markets to relish come sundown.
You’ll find a wide range of accommodations to stay in Cebu City, including some offering sweeping views like the towering Cebu City Waterfront Hotel and Casino.
The views may be great from above, but what you really want is to hit up the beach yourself, and there are plenty of eye-popping beaches to enjoy as well as majestic waterfalls and swimming holes.
Offering a variety of experiences, tourists love simply lounging in a picture-perfect paradise surrounded by gleaming blue waters and white sand, snorkeling, kayaking, or even island-hopping.
I mean, why not if there are over 7,000 to explore?!
According to TripAdvisor, these are the 3 Cebu beaches tourists love the most:
- Paradise Beach
- Panagsama Beach
- Bounty Beach
Although, perhaps the top hidden gem is Moalboal (where Panagsama Beach is located). This region is the ultimate diving and snorkeling destination with colorful reefs and pristine waters.
Travel Tip: Lusno Falls is Cebu’s top hidden waterfall away from crowds of more popular falls like Kawasan.
United’s New Flight To Cebu
While Manila is convenient to reach from the U.S with multiple direct flights, Cebu is getting a whole lot easier to reach as well.
Beginning October 27th, United is officially launching an exciting new Cebu flight.
The downside is you will still have to connect as it won’t be a straight shot from the U.S.
This flight will depart from Tokyo (NRT), so the bright side is there couldn’t be a better stopover!
Credit: Source link
