Best in December

Bangui, Ilocos Norte

Bangui Windmills

A row of giant wind turbines along a grey-sand shore at the northern tip of Luzon, plus the classic Ilocos Norte loop: rock formations, a hilltop lighthouse, a UNESCO church and sand dunes.

El Nido, Coron and Puerto Princesa, Palawan

Palawan

Limestone lagoons in El Nido, crystal lakes and wrecks in Coron, and an underground river in Puerto Princesa. How to pick your base and fly there from Cebu.

Malay, Aklan

Boracay

The Philippines' most famous white beach, now cleaner after its 2018 rehabilitation. Sunset sails, calm turquoise water and an easy short flight from Cebu.

Off Panagsama Beach, Moalboal, South Cebu

Pescador Island

A tiny, rocky island off Moalboal, ringed by coral walls and protected as a marine sanctuary. Snorkel the reef edge or dive into the famous Cathedral cave.

Luka, Oslob, South Cebu

Tumalog Falls

A wide curtain of water spilling down a mossy wall into a shallow, turquoise pool, just a few minutes from the whale shark area in Oslob. Cool, gentle and easy to reach.

Danao City, North Cebu

Danao City and Danasan Eco Adventure Park

A coastal city north of Cebu City with an old coral-stone church, and a mountain adventure park above it for ziplines, treks, waterfalls and cool upland air.

San Francisco, Poro and Tudela, Camotes Islands

Camotes Islands

A quiet group of islands east of Cebu with a wide freshwater lake, cool swimming caves and soft white beaches. Easy by ferry, best explored by scooter.

Olango Island, Lapu-Lapu City

Olango Island

A quiet island a short boat ride from Mactan, home to a protected wetland where thousands of migratory birds rest each year. Come for birdwatching, mangroves and a slow island day.

Mactan Island, Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova

Mactan Island Hopping

Spend a day on an outrigger boat off Mactan: snorkel in the marine sanctuaries of Hilutungan and Nalusuan, walk the sandbar of Pandanon and eat fresh seafood on a tiny island.

Busay and Lahug, Cebu City

Busay Highlands

Cool air, big views and a few surprises in the hills above Cebu City: the Taoist Temple, the Roman-style Temple of Leah, Sirao's flower gardens and city lights from Tops.

Downtown Cebu City

Cebu City Heritage Walk

Walk through more than 450 years of history in downtown Cebu City: Magellan's Cross, the Santo Niño Basilica, Fort San Pedro, old Parian houses and busy Colon Street.

Boljoon, South Cebu

Boljoon Heritage Town

A small seaside town in South Cebu with a fortress-like coral stone church, a parish museum, Spanish-era watchtowers and views over the sea from Ili Rock.