Where to Stay in Cebu: Mactan vs Cebu City
Cebu stays split between beach resorts on Mactan island, where the airport is, and hotels in Cebu City near business districts and malls. Bridges, including CCLEX, connect the two.
Areas at a glance
Island with the airport and many beach resorts; island-hopping and snorkelling tours run from here.
Cebu Business Park
Business district in Cebu City with a large shopping mall (Ayala Center Cebu).
Cebu IT Park (Lahug)
Office and business district in Lahug, Cebu City.
Downtown (Colon)
Historic downtown around Colon Street, near heritage sites such as Fort San Pedro, the oldest and smallest Spanish fort in the Philippines.
Getting there
Mactan-Cebu International Airport is on Mactan; international flights use Terminal 2 and domestic flights Terminal 1. Bridges link Mactan to mainland Cebu, including the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), which runs via Cordova to Cebu City's South Road Properties.
Good for
- Beach resorts
- Families
- Island-hopping
- City shopping
Watch out for
- PAGASA classes June to November as the Philippines' rainy season and December to May as the dry season (hot and dry from March to May); rain is still possible outside it.
- Bridge traffic can slow trips between Mactan and Cebu City.
Booking tips
- For a beach trip, Mactan keeps the airport transfer short.
- Cebu City suits mall shopping; the MyBus service runs between the airport and SM City Cebu.
FAQ
Mactan or Cebu City?
Mactan for beach resorts and short airport transfers; Cebu City for business and shopping.
When is the dry season?
PAGASA's dry season is December to May, hottest and driest March to May.