Beyond Cebu

• Mactan Shrine

• Lapu-Lapu Monument

• Guitar factory

• Mactan sunset

Enjoy 5 star luxury at Mactan resorts

Mactan Island is the gateway to Cebu and if you're flying into Cebu this is where you will land. Mactan is full of resorts and tourist attractions, unfortunately generally things seem to be overrated and overpriced! Don't believe the brochures, the beaches on Mactan are by in large pretty ordinary and if you're staying at one of the resorts you're more likely to be swimming in the pool rather than on the beach. Only the man made beaches are any good for swimming. Having said that, the luxurious resorts in Mactan allow you to pamper yourself, unwind and get rid of the jet lag from a long flight. Relax by the pool, enjoy a pina colada, take a soothing spa to reinvigorate your body and just get yourself in the mood for the tropics before you head to the better beaches of Cebu.

Mactan Resorts

Mactan Island is full of first class hotels and spas as well as more moderately priced resorts offering everything a holiday maker could want and need. Home to some world-renowned hotel chains such as the Shangri-La, many of these resorts have outstanding facilities that include huge swimming pools, man-made beaches, spa facilities and gourmet restaurants. Many of Mactan resorts cater for families with arcade game areas, children’s play grounds and kids activities. The resorts have plenty to offer couples or single travellers as well. For the adventurous, Mactan resorts offer plenty of aqua sports , jet skiing, parasailing, scuba diving and awesome banana boat rides. Other resorts in Mactan worth mentioning are Be Resort Cebu a modern chic resort featuring some funky decor. Plantation Bay Cebu is a beautiful resort in Mactan set around some gorgeous man- made lagoons. The resort is complete with four restaurants, water sports such as scuba diving, snorkelling, parasailing and a full service spa with hot springs. The spacious rooms are furnished with contemporary furnishings, and each one has a deluxe bathroom with coral stone, marble finishes, deep soaking tubs, and separate showers. Mactan resorts and hotels are listed below with more details, photos and best rates.

Things to see and do in Mactan

Mactan is Cebu's playground with the bulk of tourists flocking the resorts and their beaches to enjoy Cebu's tropical warmth. Lay by the pool or the beach and enjoy the sunshine. What are Mactan's tourist spots? One can visit traditional guitar makers with the many guitar factories or see Magellan's Marker, the spot where Ferdinand Magellan was killed. Right next to this is the Lapu-Lapu Monument the local chieftain who killed Magellan. Being so close to the ocean this area is home to some famous sutukil fresh seafood restaurants - you pick the fish and they cook it the way you want it! Mactan is home to Cebu's aquarium, just don't expect the size and grandeur of Manila's Aquarium! Mactan also is popular for island hopping as there are many smaller islands close by. At night time, disco clubs and bars await the tourists. Mactan is a great place to start to enjoy your holiday!

Festivals

	Kadaugan sa Mactan (22nd - 27th of April)
	A weeklong commemoration of the historic battle of Mactan between the Spanish Conquestador Fernando Magallanes and Mactan Chieftain Lapu-Lapu. Read more...

People who've been here

Mactan Restaurants

Being Cebu's favorite playground for tourist, the choice for food is endless. Seafood, BBQ, International cuisines will sure to keep everyone happy!

Cebu to Mactan

Mactan Island is dubbed the gateway of Cebu as this is where the international  airport which caters for both international and domestic flights .From here it's easy to pick up a taxi to your hotel or into Cebu City (approx 30 mins) .

History

In the 16th century Mactan Island was colonized by Spain. Augustinian friars founded the town of Opon in 1730 which became a city in 1961. The city was renamed after Lapu-Lapu, the Island's chieftain who killed Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. This battle is commemorated at the Lapu-Lapu shrine in Punta Engaño.