I'm not really a history buff, but whenever I get the chance to see landmarks, it's a must-stop…read more My party of ten was on the verge of going into a food coma (we overstuffed ourselves just minutes before) so it was a great idea to make stops at a couple tourist spots before checking into our hotel. This was stop ONE. We were lucky enough to come through and found only a few other tourists present. (We expected a crowd, given it was a weekend.) It's also kinda cool to find local guides available giving us a thorough story regarding the significance of the entire area. I will admit that I felt the history going through me as I walked the grounds. Weird, I know... I've only heard or read about this place, and I found it amazing to finally find myself here! Oh, and those guides are not only incredibly knowledgeable, they were also willing to take pictures with as many cameras as you have. They did their job well, so fam made sure they were tipped well. We took our time and breathed all the experience in. One thing off the checklist...

Lapu Lapu Shrine and Magellan Shrine [LAPU-LAPU CITY, CEBU Philippines]…read more Anytime I get a chance to visit a landmark I am grateful for the opportunity. Mactan Shrine was just outside the Mactan Newport development. No admission fee and open to the public. It is a remembrance of the Battle of Mactan. As we were walking towards inside to view the monuments, out of nowhere was this stranger who started to give us a little history of what transpired in this actual location. The Battle of Mactan happened in 1521. The Mactan Shrine was established in 1969 as a national shrine. This was where Lapu-Lapu (Filipino warrior) killed Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan. The shrine was built on the spot where the battle took place. Every year, on April 27, they have a re-enactment festival of the historic battle and Filipino ring superstar Manny Pacquiao played the role once as chieftain Lapu-Lapu during a re-enactment of the Battle of Mactan in Cebu. We thanked the impromptu tour guide. Consequently he was also a good photographer LoL! We tipped him for his kind gesture. It was a cool short history lesson. Review #3334

Dubbed "The Taj Mahal of Cebu" this colossal shrine is a true testament of one man's commitment of…read moreeternal love and devotion to his dearly departed wife. The first thing not to help but notice at drive in is a good sized water fountain in the middle of the grounds. As there was a crowd within the temple itself, I decided to do a lookout down below. What a beautiful 180 degree view of Cebu. Even the airport will be on your line of sight. That alone made the drive worth it. After taking all that view in, I finally decided to tackle the crowd and walk up to the very main temple. One can't help but notice the two lion statues in between stairs. At the very center is a gold plated statue of Teodorico Soriano Adarna's beloved wife, Leah Villa Albino-Adarna, surrounded by Greek-type and designed engineering and architecture. There are a few hallways on both sides of the first floor to showcase room filled with antiques and collections of paintings, furniture, vases and the like. It's pretty impressive, gotta say. There's a small cafe near the water fountain for refreshments, snacks and libations. It came in pretty handy during a hot June visit! Gone are the entrance fee of P50Php/person. It's now up to P120/pp on the weekdays and P150/pp on the weekends. Just like Teodorico's love for Leah, construction is still ongoing - for maintenance and additions. And with the way things are going and with so many visitors, I'd project it will continue to improve and grow. It is worth the visit, if only for photo ops! A definite must stop when in Cebu!

I was completely amazed after arriving to this temple. I read all the reviews of people who seem to…read morehave been underwhelmed or at least, in my opinion, under rated this place. Upon arrival you walk out on this massive terrace with a beautifully sculpted fountain that overlooks Cebu city. The statuary was elegant and profound. The designer/ creator put a lot of time and effort into creating such a serene terrace that just makes you want to sit and enjoy a nice cafe and breathe in the rich history. Once you get to the temple you're greeted with live music, more statues, and beautiful marble. You get a nice run down on the history from plaques and lots of amazing photo opportunities if you're into pleasing "followers". Highly recommend this place if in Cebu city.

California isn't the only one who's got a "Beverly Hills" (although that's where the idea came…read morefrom) so let's just get that out of the way. Cebu has its own to boast as well! That said, this tourist spot of Cebu Taoist Temple is located here in this beautiful Beverly Hills of Cebu. The drive through the subdivision was an experience in itself, but finally getting to this spot was the ultimate treat. The main entrance is guarded by a couple of dragons, and you can't help but notice another gigantic one as you walk through the driveway. Immediately, you know and feel this is a place you can go to if you're searching for some kind of inner peace and serenity. Silence is observed here - so one must be mindful to quiet down phones and voices. And you will be corrected by staff - there were a bunch of GenZ'ers who couldn't help themselves, I guess, posing for pictures and such while making too much noise, and boy, were they put in their place. They were mindful of themselves after that. It boasts beautiful structures as well as views. There are plenty of artwork and artifacts to see. There is a chapel where you can light incense for offering (or wishes, maybe, if that's your thing) however, women are not allowed to come in wearing shorts. Everywhere else is free for all. There is also a souvenir store available, and most of their items are reasonably priced. And ultimately, plenty of photo op spots! We enjoyed the stop. Would recommend it to first time Cebu visitors!

Get ready for some steps. The entrance is at the bottom of a large hill with a bunch of stairs to…read morereach this Taoist heaven. No charge to admire, but you are paying with a little sweat. Once you arrive the scenery is amazing, the overlook of the ocean and Cebu back drop is serene, and the place gives you this magical feeling of some sort of heavenly sanctuary within its surrounding chaos of a community. A must go if in Cebu.

The Yap-SanDeigo is one of the oldest houses to survive many natural disasters in the Philippine…read moreIslands. The oldest house to our surprise, the "1930 Jesuit House" is also located in Cebu City. We took the private tour and he did a fantastic job sharing the history of the home. Our guide shared that the Yap family have owned this home since the 1760's during the Spanish era. I am amaze how much history Cebu has. The house still stands today, much remains original including the stairs and the wood planks on the second floor. I suggest you take this tour if you are planning on visiting Cebu City. Truly a landmark for Cebu City. Cheers!

The tour guide is exceptionally helpful and will take a ton of family pics. Fun, educational, and a…read moremust for tourists. Bring some change for the guitarists inside.

A beautiful heritage house in the province of Iloilo, Philippines. It serves as a restaurant, cafe,…read moreand shop. A little bit of history and museum are to be found within the house as well. The highlight of the house is spending the morning or afternoon with cacao tablea espresso. Thick, bold chocolate drink. To enjoy this delicious drink, take it slowly while immersing in the splendor of the beautiful house like you would sip tea in a manor house in the English countryside!

Lola Rufina's Camina Balay na Bato is a Heritage Curio Shop. Awarded the Certificate of Excellence…read moreby TripAdvisor for 2017. The house has a lot of history, a great story behind the owner, their family and vast property before the Japanese Occupation in the Philippines. Everyday there is a walk in tour. For php 150, they let you watch a video. After that, someone will assist you to look around the house. Upstairs, they have the restaurant that serves merienda (snacks) which is their signature cacao drink and bread. For a group of 10, they can arrange a lunch buffet. Per person is php 500. Book 1-3 days in advance. At the ground flour, it serves as a souvenir shop. Selling local pearls, scarves, cacao, sinamak (local dressing), wood carvings and leather souvenir items. Bring cash to pay for your purchase.

This museum is not that big, but it packs a lot of history. My favorite was during The World War…read moreII. I didn't know that the Filipinos had briefly used Japanese currency. Their new "Rice of Gods" room was amazing. Our tour guide mentioned a private donor from a Filipino philanthropist, donated everything in the room to share the history of Cebu. We were also educated that Museo Gugbo was originally a prison. There were still marks of prisoners name and other carvings during that era. One highlight that was also a favorite of mine was the walk of fame wall where all the past Presidents of the Philippines were hung in portrait paintings. Next to their portraits shares a brief history of their life and accomplishments during their time in office. I highly recommend if you have time during your visit to Cebu City, pay a visit here. You will learn a great deal about Philippine history and the native tribes of Cebu. Cheers!

Located on m.j cuenco ave., if coming from the colon area, it'll be on the right side…read more There is a street right before you see the front entrance to the museum (again coming from colon), make the turn and you'll see a gate to the left. Honk your horn if its closed and security will open the gates to lead you towards the parking area. Parking appeared to be limited maybe good for 5-6 vehicles. I'm not sure if they have other areas to park as there seem to be a narrow alley, ahead of the pebbled parking area, that possibly can accomodate one more vehicle. Parking is free. We went about 3:00 pm-ish and there weren't many people there. You make your way towards the front of the museum to pay the entrance fee (locals paid 30 pesos and I believe it was 75 pesos for foreigners. They also have discounts for senior citizens and students). So you go pass the gazebo structure from the parking lot, then cross the courtyard towards a fountain. Someone at a small desk will point you in the direction to where you make the payment then politely ask you to sign a guest book. Then you make your way around. You may opt for a guide (which we were told was free of charge) but we decided to explore the museum ourselves. There will be 4 areas where there is air conditioning, and ends after the world war 2 exhibit. There are interesting excerpts from history as well as artifacts. I particularly found the world war 2 area most interesting, though I wish there were more artifacts and maybe some interactive activites that can really immerse someone during that time in history. After leaving the world war 2 exhibit you head down a steep stairway, if you are tall be careful of the overhead. I consider myself short and even then I felt as if I was gonna bump my head. So be careful. The courtyard was spacious. There are a couple more exhibits around the courtyard that include maps and blue prints of various structures, cities and different islands in the Philippines. As previously stated, wish there were more artifacts to see and maybe an activity or two. However, what was displayed was informative and left me wanting to learn more about the Philippines and Cebu's history. Thank you for having a musem such as this to introduce us to Cebu's history. (tip: they allow you to take pictures, but without flash)

I've been to Boracay more times than I can count. Caticlan has always just been the jetty port to…read morego to Boracay to me. I never thought of going anywhere in that area. Well 2 years a go I was searching for things to do when I spent 1 month in the Philippines and added this to my list. I haven't had time to go to Motag Living Museum until this year. This visit to Motag Living Museum was the perfect way to end my trip in the province. My trips always seem routine so it's nice to do something different during each trip to the Philippines. The museum focuses on life in the province back in the day. Basically everything my mom and her siblings experienced growing up in the province. I was showing my mom and one of her siblings some of my photos and they were like "now you know." It's hard work and not fun for a child. Pretty cool experience to pick rice. I didn't really want to step in the muddy water to plant rice. Riding a carabao was really cool. Everything about the museum was awesome. It's the simple things in life that we forget about and should be reminded of. I prefer coming here over Boracay. Take a few hours out of your day before going to a touristy island and learn some history of the Philippines. Very close tricycle ride from the jetty port so it's easy to find.

Before submerging yourself and your family in the blue waters of Boracay or any of the nearby…read moreresorts, consider spending a quiet afternoon at Motag Living Museum, an interactive living diorama of life in the Philippines before electricity. The tour starts with an overview of the simpler life - no electricity, a farm dependent on water from the nearby river, verdant rice paddies, and no indoor plumbing. People draw water from the community well using bamboo poles, store them in earthen jars for future use, and bathe in 4x4 sq. ft. outhouses using coconut for shampoo and the leaves of the Maria-Maria plant as soap. The outhouse is a slightly larger and covered hut with a hole in the ground. After finishing one's business, one throws ash into the hole to stem the smell. Instead of toilet paper, one uses what's most commonly available - in this case, coconut husks that have been shredded into a spongy pulp. The tour continues in the house where one gets a glimpse into home life and house construction. The house itself is made completely of plant material - nice, coconut, bamboo and rattan rope for lashing. Cooking and drinking implements are made of either bamboo and coconut shells or clay. Since living quarters are small, and work is plentiful, life here is decidedly communal. A walk into the rice field brings us face to face with the water buffalo, or carabao. The more adventurous of us get to ride said carabao around the paddy while those looking for a less jaunty ride can sit in the sled behind This beast of burden. Next we learn about rice - planting it, harvesting it, threshing it, husking it, and cooking it. Since the paddies were dry when we were there, we only got a change to harvest using a small hand-held blade. Then we went to the threshing triangle, an elevated platform made of bamboo where rice stalks are threshed by foot. Once the grains have been separated, they are pounded using long wooden poles and pounding blocks, then the husk separated from the rice grain by hand. We were served some suman and lemongrass and ginger tea for our "work". We learned about the coconut - from the young coconut juice, to the coconut meat of an old coconut, the manufacture of copra and the extraction of coconut cooking oil. The tour ends again at the "gift shop"/hut where a group of what seemed like 25 men, women and children taught us how to weave various handicrafts and toys, and sang us a native goodbye song. The tour itself is about two hours long but what you get from this tour is a peek of the Philippine farm life - simpler, quieter, and certainly under threat from the very real modernization and tourism just a mile away.

Historic Site [CEBU CITY Philippines]…read more Unfortunately, Mom and I weren't able to finish this self-guided tour because of all the walking we already did earlier in the day from the other sightseeing locations but we managed to see a few of the sites. At the entrance were photos documenting the history of the fort. I found this interesting and informative. This was also where we paid a minimal admission charge. Entrance fee is 30 pesos (about $0.50 cents). Fort San Pedro is the oldest military structure in the Philippines. It is also the smallest fort (not as big is Intramuros in Manila) yet it is one of the most famous heritage sites in Cebu. It served as an army base in the early 17th century built by a Spanish conqueror some 50 years after Magellan first landed. The large stone walls and massive canons are impressive and can be found inside. The fort is located in the downtown area of Cebu, inside the popular nature park, Plaza Independencia. Wishes we had more time to visit the entire area. Review #3347

If your a history buff, make sure to visit Fort San Pedro. It's an interesting view of Cebu…read morehistory and this triangular fort. Make sure you come here with a guide as it's more informative when you have a guide. Canons still work it's cleaned and if you can find a small canon that fits. The wood walls were replaced cobble stones and other materials. There seems to be ghosts on the top floor over the entrance as it was a prison. This place I heard can even rent for event or weddings. Interesting place. I would recommend a visit if you are in Cebu. [11/100]

This place is so neat & the best part is EVERYTHING inside is upside down it's like the "In"…read moremuseums in LA! 10/10 would recommend to a friend ! Admission: P250

This activity is located at the City Time Square center in Mandaue across Park Mall. When you go…read morethrough the entrance it'll be on the right side. You have to get to the second floor to find the place. If anything just ask security as you enter through. We arrived around 4 pm and paid 15 pesos for parking (pay as you exit). As you enter shoe lockers are to the left and reception to the right. (fyi: yes you must take off your shoes, in my case flipflops to enter the activity so bring socks if it bothers you to go bare footed). Entrance is at 250 pesos per person (adult). We paid our fee and waited a few minutes in the lobby as there were other guests already inside. The place itself isnt that spacious. You will run into others taking pictures. The area was divided into maybe about 6 or more themed rooms. As the name of the place indicates, everythig is upside down. A guide will help you throughout each room (take pics of you and your group using your own phone or camera) then you are free to roam around, we were told no time limit. The guides will tell you that you will need to flip your pictures to get the "upside down" photo effect that is intended. I'd say we spent about an hour at most going back to the themed rooms, posing and taking pics again. Once you exit you retrieve your foot wear and be on your way. I think it was a nice experience, but I believe the price is a little more than I would expect to pay for the activity. Don't get me wrong it was fun and the staff were all professional and helpful and even enthusiastic. It's a good place for quick first time kicks. Happy picture taking :) Free wifi, ask the receptionist for the password.

Cannoneering is amazing in Cebu but do not go with this company. They charge significantly more…read morethan any other tour company I saw while I was in Cebu. The reason I'm giving such a bad review is because I do not appreciate being lied to. I booked through Highland Adventures because it was recommended to me by a friend. I took tour B which included a stop to Tumalog Falls. We never went to Tumalog Falls and our tour ended 2 hours early. The road was blocked so I completely understand why we could not go. I asked if it was possible to get a refund for that portion of the tour and I was told that I can be refunded 2.57CAD for missing Tumalog Falls. For a tour that costs 130 dollars CAD with 4 destinations in total. I have a really hard time believing that the cost of the private van, driver, and tour guide, equates for 2.57 CAD or 100PHP for 2 hours. At this point it's not about the money it's about principle. If you email this company be ready to wait a few days for a reply. I emailed them the day before to try to confirm pickup and got no response until late in the evening. Considering we had to get up at 4:00 am for the tour and had no confirmed meeting location since the car could not come to our Airbnb this was less than ideal. While on this trip my partner got a severe burn on his leg. When we asked if we could be dropped off at the closest a hospital instead of our Airbnb. Our driver decided that he did not need medical attention. The wound became infected and we have to seek treatment several times throughout our trip. All that being said we thought our guide was amazing and he really deserves to be running his own tour company.

After watching this youtube video ... I knew this is something I wanted to do during my most recent…read morevisit back to PI. https://youtu.be/R_Cux55yVcU Make sure NOT to go during typhoon season like the group of 6 I was with. But luckily the day we scheduled our tour the rain let up for just one day. However it did rain the day before so the current was strong and the trail was super slippery. It was probably one of the most fun and most dangerous thing I've done in a while just because of how strong the current was ... but don't ask the group of girls behind us who were more interested in taking selfies and videos with their go pros. Definitely one of the must-do's when in PI for any adventure seeker. Be prepared to spend the whole day. Read up on the protective gear you'll need. Contact them via email (they're very good at responding) Enjoy the adventure. Tip your tour guides.