Welcome to Lapu-Lapu City
Travel Philippines
Dec 02, 2020
There is much to be said in a name and Lapu-Lapu City surely lives up to its historical and cultural reference as a highly-urbanized city in the province of Cebu. As a popular tourist haven in the Central Visayas Region with the best-tasting Cebu lechon and sweet mangoes coupled with pristine, sandy shores, and coastal, white-sand beaches, Lapu-Lapu City sets itself up as your tropical-island paradise.
What to expect when you’re there:
Formerly known as the Municipality of Opon, The City of Lapu-Lapu was named after the first Filipino fighter who successfully defeated the Spanish invaders in the Battle of Mactan, which led to the death of the Spanish Leader, Magellan.
Lapu-Lapu City is considered to be part of the Cebu Metropolitan Area and occupies a majority of the Mactan Island, located off the main island of Cebu. Lapu-Lapu City has a unique topography as it is separated from the province of Cebu by the Mactan Channel.
Along the white sandy beaches of Mactan, you’ll be treated to some of the most plush resorts in the country
You can enjoy the best activities in Lapu-Lapu from these accredited resorts such as:
- Island hopping with accredited boat services
- Diving and snorkeling with accredited dive shops
- Parasailing
- Jet Skiing
- Wake boarding
- Knee boarding
- Water skiing
- Riding a banana boat
- Bird watching
- Mangrove kayaking and canoeing
- Going on a botanical tour
- Free-diving
Score a great deal while shopping in the city’s malls, outlet centers, and souvenir shops. Make sure to abide by the city’s standard health and safety protocols as you shop.
Get to know more about the history and culture of Lapu-Lapu City with its shrines.
Your trip would not be complete without a visit to the Lapu-Lapu Shrine, a 20-metre bronze statue in Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City. This was erected in honor of Lapu-Lapu, a native leader who defeated Spanish soldiers led by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in the 1521 Battle of Mactan.
While you’re at it, visit the Virgen dela Regla National Shrine, a Catholic church in Lapu-Lapu city which is popular among devotees.
Other open activities include:
- Cruising along the Mactan Channel
- Shellcraft factories and shops
- Guitar factories
- Rope and puso making activities (Barangay Opon)
- Lechon stations (Barangay Opon)
- Culinary Sessions: Native Cebuano recipes and delicacies (near the city hall, handled by the women's group)
- Shooting and firing range at Wonderland - Barangay Agus
- Golf courses
OLANGO ISLAND
Olango Island, located east of Lapu-Lapu City, can be accessed by boat. It's popular for its wildlife sanctuary and it also has a number of restaurants serving fresh seafood. Other activities you can enjoy in Olango include:
- Bird sanctuary
- Snorkelling and diving at marine sanctuaries
- Shellcraft souvenir item making
- Biking around the island
- Native bread baking
- Various restaurants serving fresh seafood
- Mangrove kayaking and canoeing
How to get to Lapu-Lapu:
Make sure to plan your trip well in advance by checking what documents you need to bring and tests needed. Check our safety advisory for the latest information.
To get to this marvelous destination, hop on a direct flight from Manila to Cebu which lands at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport—that also serves direct international flights—located at Lapu-Lapu City.
There are numerous flights to this city so you shouldn’t be hard-pressed to get here. Flights from Manila to Cebu take around 90 minutes.
From the airport, you can ride a taxi to get to your resort or booked accommodation. Note that a booking confirmation is required before entering the city.
From Lapu-Lapu City, getting to the other areas in the Province of Cebu is very convenient thanks to the 1st Mandaue-Mactan Bridge and the Marcelo H. Fernan Bridge.
Links to social media and official website:
Credits to: Mr.Michael Lopez who sits as a commissioner in the Cebu Ports Authority for doing an interview