See You In Cebu: A Three-Day Barkada Material Itinerary

There isn’t any real specific season for travelling, you can travel at any time of the year, but the best ones are always with your buddies. We’re sure that your barkada has been itching to make plans and get out of the city at the most convenient availability for everyone. We know how it goes. It’s hard to find the time, choose the place, and when you do, you can’t be away for too long. But if you’ve chosen Cebu as your next destination, then keep calm, we already have an itinerary for you. The best part? You’ll only need three days.

Day 1: Trip down south

Whale shark watching

Seeing the whale sharks of Oslob is a must-do in Cebu. Whale sharks, locally known as Butanding, are magnificent creatures that reach an estimate of 40 feet or more. They’re characterised by their grey and brown colouring covered by white spots. Although they have “shark” to their name, they’re no threat to humans and are quite docile eating only planktons and smaller fish.

You can choose to simply spot them as you’re riding your boat or you may also swim with them. But keep a respectable distance, as your tour guide will instruct, because the last thing you want to do is frighten and disturb these gentle giants. This experience will definitely seal your barkada vacation in Cebu. Not only that, all of you can tick encountering whale sharks off your bucket list, and you did it together.

Klook Pro-Tip: There are plenty of Whale Shark Watching tours on Klook you can avail of. These packages will mostly cover pick up and drop off at your accommodation, meals, private guide, and entrance fees, among others. You’re sure to get a good value for your money, especially if you’re travelling with your barkada because the more people, the cheaper the package price.

Canyoneering and Kawasan Falls

Following your encounter with the biggest fish in the ocean, now it’s time to REALLY put your courage to the test. Drive to Badian and take the leap of faith in the Kawasan Falls. First, you climb Badian’s famous picturesque cliffs to jump off as high as thirty to forty feet. You’ll end up diving into refreshing clear water. But it gets even better when you finally reach the Kawasan Falls. The crystal turquoise water is the perfect place to swim with your friends and just chill out amidst the calmness of nature. The photogenic scene makes the climb to this peak even more rewarding.

Ready to take the plunge? Check out Klook’s Badian Canyoneering Adventure and Kawasan Waterfalls tour with free hotel pick up and free cancellation within 24 hours should your barkada decide to bail out, but we hope not! Conquer your fears and tick this thrilling adventure off your barkada bucket list!

START YOUR BARKADA ADVENTURE IN CEBU HERE!

Day 2: Dive in Pescador Island

Exploring Cebu’s marine biodiversity doesn’t stop at swimming with and getting a glimpse of its magnificent whale sharks. There are many more beautiful aquatic species to see such as dolphins, turtles, sardines, and even the coral reefs. The best location to see all of these is Moalboal’s Pescador Island. Pescador Island is known as a world-class dive site and one of the best not only in Cebu, but in the Philippines. Going to the island, you’re already in for a treat because there’s a chance for you to spot dolphins during the boat ride.

Once on Pescador Island, the first thing you need to do is go on a snorkelling tour. You’ll experience seeing their protected coral reefs and different fish species up close, plus, you get to feed them. The thing tourists look forward to most when they snorkel in Pescador, is the sardine run. Pescador Island wouldn’t be the world-famous site that it is without the overwhelming schools of sardines that snorkellers, divers, and casual tourists from around the world all dive in to see.

After witnessing such a unique marine activity, you can finally chill by the beach and grab lunch while admiring the beautiful view of the sea.

Klook Pro-Tip: If you want to keep swimming and see more marine creatures, Talisay Point will grant you access to swim with sea turtles! Don’t miss out on this opportunity. Sea turtles have existed for over a hundred million years and we would all be lucky to see one underwater in person.

Before you end the day, go on another boat ride to see more dolphins. If you’re lucky, you might even see them flip high up in the air while they follow your boat. Wouldn’t that be the most amazing thing? And hey, don’t worry, Klook can make all of these plans happen in their Pescador Island Snorkeling Tour. They’ll arrange everything for your ultimate Pescador marine immersion, from hotel pick up, boat transportation, food, and snorkelling gears!

Day 3: City tour

First stop: Sirao Flower Farm

Start the end of your three-day stay with the Celosia Flower Farm. This farm is famous for the bright eye-catching colours of the celosia flowers. If your barkada loves to take IG-worthy photos, then you’re off to a great start because this is the place to be. The reds, pinks, yellows, and greens of the whole landscape are so alluring that it makes you want to pick a flower. But of course, picking flowers isn’t allowed. You can only admire and take photos, so don’t rush, and savour the beauty of nature. To preserve such beauty and to protect the flowers, you’ll discover that the flowers are bordered with wooden sticks and nylon wires to shield them from human stomping.

Klook Pro-Tip: Since you’ll be flying home soon, you can purchase Celosias as souvenirs from the farm at ₱25 per six stems.

Address: Brgy. Sirao, Cebu City

Second stop: Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary

With Klook’s Half Day Tour in Cebu City, you can easily visit Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary right after the Celosia Flower Farm, to see the most beautiful butterflies. It’s a classic tourist attraction in the city because it’s been around since 1974. The sanctuary is a dwelling and breeding ground for Cebu’s native butterflies. There are approximately 50 different kinds of exotic butterflies in the area. If your group of friends is lucky, you might see 20 types on your visit, but on average, tourists only spot up to 15. Why not take it as a challenge to spot more?

What’s also interesting about this place is that it houses a museum and art gallery. You’ll encounter paintings and mosaics of butterflies by the founder of the sanctuary himself, Julian Jumalon. This is the only butterfly sanctuary in Cebu, so don’t miss out!

Address: J.N. Jumalon St., Cebu City
Open: 9am-5pm

Third stop: Cebu Taoist Temple

The Taoist Temple wasn’t originally a tourist attraction, but it gradually became one because of its artistic appeal. You’ll find that the red and green colours of the temple are bright and striking. If your friends have an interest in the arts, then they’re going to appreciate seeing the temple’s Chinese architecture, symbols, and intricate designs up close. At the same time, you’ll get to see what the inside of a Taoist temple looks like. Just make sure you observe proper decorum.

Klook Pro-Tip: To get to the Cebu Taoist Temple, it’s better to book a vehicle service. Otherwise, you can take a habal-habal (motorcycle), but they allow only cars to enter the private subdivision. Klook is a convenient way to get around the city and see attractions like this with no problem, try their Cebu City tours so that your barkada can avoid any hassle.

BOOK YOUR CEBU CITY TOURS HERE!

Bonus: Your barkada can enjoy a day view of the city from this point and take photos.
Address: Canyon Road, Beverly Hills Subdivision, Lahug

Fourth stop: Terrazas de Flores Botanical Garden

After the temple, drive to the Terrazas de Flores Botanical Garden. It’s a 40-minute car ride that’s definitely worth it. This flower terrace is the only one you’ll find in the Philippines and is surely where your barkada will love to take photos to share on social media. What awaits you in this location is a lush colourful garden with flowers methodically arranged in terraces. The ambience has a sweet rustic feel to it, with a combination of music and paintings you’ll find around the area. The garden itself has 127 species of tropical flowers you’ll surely fall in love with.

They also have a cafe where you can take your time to unwind, grab a bite, and breathe in the fresh breeze. After all, you won’t get to see anything like this when you go back home.

Address: Tiguib Malubog, Cebu City
Open: 8am-12mn

Fifth stop: Mactan Channel

Your last activity will be cruising towards the sunset and watching the city’s night lights. Take a yacht and sail around the Mactan Channel. Allow the view and cool breeze to calm your mind and relax your body while lounging leisurely on your yacht’s cushioned chairs. This is the perfect time for your group of friends to take photos with the tranquil sea as you wait for the sunset. After witnessing Cebu’s golden sunset on the ocean, continue sailing until Cebu City’s night lights come to life. People usually go to a higher peak to witness night lights, but seeing this from the ocean makes for a unique and more meaningful experience.

Klook Pro-Tip: What would make this boat ride even better is delicious food and fresh beverages. You can experience this level of pampering through Klook’s Cebu Luxury Sunset Cruise. This is inclusive of a tour guide, a two-hour cruise from the Cebu Yacht Club,  BBQ dinner, free-flowing drinks, and roundtrip transfers.

Address: Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu

Cebu has plenty more surprises and attractions to explore, but we hope this itinerary will help you maximise your three-day stay and inspire you to discover even more locations in this amazing destination. And to make your barkada getaway a hassle-free one, do check out Klook’s Cebu tours and packages. All you have to do is pick the activities you’d love to do and let Klook do the rest. Planning a trip with your barkada has never been this easy.

KLOOK YOUR WAY TO YOUR CEBU BARKADA TRIP NOW!

So, no more delaying, send your barkada these ideas to put plans into motion!

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