Have you heard of Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition over 500 years ago? He discovered the Philippines and landed on different islands, but lost his life in a battle. That was then called, “The Battle of Mactan.”
Mactan is a small island in the Province of Cebu, Philippines comprising the City of Lapulapu and the Municipality of Cordova. In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan landed on the island, but he was killed by the tribe leader, Datu Lapu-Lapu.
It was considered a historical victory for Mactan Island. From then on, that historical event is commemorated and the battle is re-enacted by various sectors. It has been a yearly celebration in Lapu-Lapu City.
In April 2021, the city commemorated this event celebrating the 500th year since the introduction of Christianity in the Philippines.
As the center of business in Lapu-Lapu City, the Mactan Newtown is a safe place to stay when you are on Mactan Island. It has a lot of commercial buildings with call center companies, international schools, ESL companies, and residences. It also has its own Mactan Newtown Beach, where you can use exclusively for parties, team building, and other celebrations. To keep yourself fit, Mactan Newtown is accessible for an early-morning job or a late night stroll. It’s safe and secure, so there is nothing to worry about.
If you are in for a fun-filled adventure, Mactan Island can offer you exciting activities. Mactan has beautiful white-sand beaches, fancy restaurants, island-hoping adventures, and more.
Ready to experience the fun and excitement of Mactan? Here’s an example Mactan travel guide for your reference.
The amount of budget you need to prepare for your Mactan Island trip depends on where you are coming from, how many days you are staying, where you are staying, and what activities you are planning to do.
Airfare from different countries to Mactan, Cebu varies. Trip.com has cheap airfare and hotel accommodations. However, for aspects such as transportation, accommodation, tour packages, and food on Mactan Island, you need not worry because they are affordable and will surely be loved by budget travelers.
Tip: Set enough budget for your travel so you can enjoy a lot of things on Mactan Island.
Traveling to Mactan on a budget is fine, but make sure to do more research about commuting because the hot weather may ruin your trip. However, when your perfect holiday is about weather, adventure, and more, then enjoy Mactan’s ambiance.
Traveling by plane on your holiday? Mactan Island is just one step down from the plane because the airport is situated on the island. Traveling by plane is the best option to easily visit the island.
You can go directly to your desired hotel or accommodation. Usually, tourists stay in Mactan Newtown. From the airport, it usually takes 20 to 30 minutes to get to Mactan Newtown depending on traffic.
If you are transiting from Bohol or Leyte, traveling by ferry or a fast craft is your best choice. Ferries dock in Cebu City, but there are public transportations in Cebu that accommodate commuters like taxis, jeepneys, motor taxis, or even Grab cars.
Tip: It is better to take private transportation services like Grab car or Maxim to ensure safety and payment security during your trip, although local taxis are available for a ride and more chosen by commuters than airport taxis.
Exploring Mactan Island and enjoying fun-filled activities cannot be done in just one day, so you will need to secure a safe place to stay while you are on the island.
There are various accommodations that offer a cozy stay for visitors. You can try Airbnb to look for affordable accommodations. You can stay at a cozy condominium in Mactan Newtown or rent a hotel room near the area.
If you have an ample budget during your travel, you can stay at 5-star hotels and resorts like Shangri-La Hotel, Plantation Bay Resort, and J-Park Island Hotel.
When you are on your English study abroad in Cebu, you can actually avail of ESL schools’ accommodation and program packages to save money. If you study English at QQEnglish Beachfront Campus, you can enjoy amazing facilities like capsule dormitory with gym.
The price of homestays varies. There are charges per night and per month. Per night charge is $25.00-$30.00, while the monthly rate usually costs more or less $260.00.
Tip: Avail accommodation near your target sightseeing spots to save time and expenses while you are exploring the island.
As previously mentioned, Mactan Island offers various local transportation services so you can take any of these depending on your interest and preference.
If you want to explore Mactan Island in one day, you can rent a car or motorbike from local lessees for affordable amount. Some local tour agencies also offer these kinds of transportation at a reasonable price.
If you have decided to avail of tour packages, some agencies also include your transportation and even your accommodation in the amount you pay for.
If you are adventurous and more into the “Do-It-Yourself” thing, try local transportation. Jeepneys in the Philippines, for example, are the primary mode of transportation in the country and are also commonly seen on Mactan Island.
Tip: Do research about Mactan Island’s modes of transportation. Watch videos and honest reviews about the place. To be on the safe side, use reliable transportation apps and payment sites.
There are a lot of exciting things to do on Mactan Island. While you are on your stay, you can enjoy memorable and fun-filled activities for a worthy holiday.
Mactan Island has beautiful white beaches and serene crystal-clear waters. Plunge into the deep ocean and experience diving with sea animals and creatures. You can snorkel or do free diving.
Sunbathe on the white-sand beaches of Mactan Island under the sun. The fine grains of sand on the coastal waters of the island add to its beauty. Luxurious beach resorts have white-sand beaches where you can have a picnic, or have a fun conversation with your new-found friends.
Many tourists like to witness the sunrise and sunset on Mactan Island. You are lucky if your hotel room faces the east where the sun rises or faces the west where the sun sets. You will be able to see the wonderful colors of the horizon as you witness the beautiful sunset.
Every weekend, many resorts have night activities like mini concerts by local bands, seafood grills, food festivals, karaoke, and parties in night clubs.
If you are a night owl, you can experience these activities with your friends or with your local tour guide. Food festivals are common, so you must experience them.
To enjoy these extreme activities, you must prepare your stamina and courage. Parasailing, jet skiing, and banana boat riding are dangerous activities but they are also exciting. You must have the strength to face your fears and fly on the horizon as you see the beauty of the whole of Mactan Island.
Tired of your day tour? Various massage spas for you to relax are open and available to give you services. Most of these spas offer “happy hour” services where you can enjoy free meals and discounted massage rate.
Never go home without experiencing the island hopping adventure in Mactan Island. Local tour agencies offer island-hopping activities and tours at a reasonable package prices.
The famous island-hopping locations in Mactan are Nalusuan Island, Hilutungan Island, and Caohagan Island. These islets are most visited by tourists because of their white sand beaches and crystal clear waters surrounding them.
Study English with QQEnglish as it always has island-hopping activities for their students. On the weekends, you can enjoy activities such as diving, snorkeling, shell picking, and seafood eating with your fellow language students. By doing this, you can gain more friends and build new connections.
Olango Island is just 30 minutes away from mainland Mactan. It can be explored in just a day. You can rent a bike or a motorbike and hire a local tour guide. You can eat delicious seafood or spend a night at a camp.
The most visited tourist spot on the island is the bird sanctuary. Different species of birds are seen in the area. Some of them are migratory birds.
Boardwalk is also a nice spot to watch the sunset. It is a long narrow wood walkway to the sea where you can find some restaurants offering yummy meals for your needs. You can also see different kinds of fish as you walk along the boardwalk.
The Liberty Shrine, commonly known as the “Lapu-lapu Shrine” is a historical site on Mactan Island. The statue of Lapu-lapu symbolizes victory against the oppressors more than 500 years ago. It is just a 5-minute walk from Mactan Newtown.
The yearly commemoration of this historical event is just one of the interesting things to do in Lapulapu City.
As for religious sites, the Nuestra Señora de la Regla is also a must-visit especially for Catholic devotees. The Nuestra is visited by local tourists especially every November as they say it is miraculous.
Buffet or “eat-all-you-can” restaurants are very common on Mactan Island. You can dine with romantic music around you, grill seafood or “Shabu-shabu,” or eat international cuisine unlimitedly for an affordable price.
Feed your tummy for less than $20.00 as you can eat in fancy restaurants that serve unlimited food where you can eat anything you want. It is one of the most fulfilling things you can experience on the island.
Tip: Research is the key to a successful holiday trip. Inquire first before deciding on doing things on Mactan Island. Most of all, your safety should be your priority.
The best time to visit Mactan Island is during the dry season: from March to May. Locals call it the “summer” season (although it isn’t) because the weather is hot and there is less rain. You can really have fun on your adventures because the weather is calm and good at this time.
During this time, the yearly Ironman 70.3 event is also held on Mactan Island as well as the “Kadaugan sa Mactan” to commemorate the victory of Lapu-lapu. You can see many international triathletes competing and you can even celebrate festivals with the locals.
On the other hand, if you don’t like hot weather, you can visit anytime from June to February. The same activities are always available for you to experience when you visit Mactan Island.
From Seafront Campus, QQEnglish Beachfront Campus is a new campus situated in Mactan Newtown. It is adjacent to 5-star hotels and condominiums.
It has capsule dormitories for students and teachers and a gym, as well as a restaurant where you can dine authentic food from local and international cuisines. The campus is cozy and it provides a scenic ocean view from the lounge.
The teachers’ workstations and students’ study areas are convenient for all who want to learn English quickly and exclusively. Learning English at the Beachfront Campus is always fun.
Do you want to study English at the Beachfront Campus? Feel free to inquire here.
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