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Eating Balut in the Philippines: A Must-Try Street Food Experience
Eating balut in the Philippines is a unique food experience and I think a must-try when visiting the Philippines. Balut, a fertilized duck egg is a popular street food in the Philippines that is commonly sold at markets and stalls. With a touch of salt or vinegar, balut is a must-try snack for those that are seeking local Filipino street food. I’ve tried balut several times now, while it seems intimidating at first, I want to share my experiences and information on eating Balut in the Philippines. **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! What is Balut? We’ve all heard of balut, mainly from negative responses and reactions. But what actually is balut? Balut is a fertilized duck egg that has been incubated meaning it is developing an embryo under favorable conditions. So, what is the difference between your regular egg you get from a produce market or grocery store and balut? A regular egg you buy at the store is not fertilized, it’s only egg white and yolk while balut is fertilized and begins to develop. Balut is considered a delicacy in the Philippines. It’s a popular street food snack and can also be found in restaurants prepared in many different dishes. From what I learned, the eating experience can depend on the amount of days the embryo has developed. The common stages I’ve come across are 14, 16, and 18 days. 14-day Balut: the embryo is mostly underdeveloped. The yolk is thicker and the embryo is soft and not clearly formed. If you are trying balut for the first time, try the 14 day old one. 16-day Balut: The embryo develops more, you can start seeing features like tiny feathers, a beak, maybe even bones. It’s still easy to eat. This might be the most popular version. 18-day Balut: This is considered a more mature version. The embryo is almost fully developed. The bones are firmer and the feathers are visible, yet still easy to eat. At this stage, the taste is much stronger. How to Eat Balut My experience eating balut has only been via street vendors at markets in Cebu and Manila. Every case was pretty much the same, you crack the top, sip the broth, peel the shell, season it to your liking, and eat it. I’ll break it down a bit more for you. Crack the Top of the Egg: First things first, crack the egg if it hasn’t been cracked for you by the vendor. Open the top portion so you can see a little of the inside. Sip Down the Broth: Once the egg is cracked, you’ll see the broth or juices inside. Slurp it up, it can get messy! Taste wise it’s pretty good, it’s like warm chicken broth. Peel the Rest of the Shell: This part can get messy. Peel the shell halfway or entirely. Usually I do it halfway at first and eat as I peel. I’ve had instances of the embryo slipping out on to the ground when peeling to quickly. Season to your liking: Almost all vendors selling balut will have salt, vinegar, and maybe chili. Use the seasonings to your liking. I usually eat mine as is or with a touch of salt. Eat the Inside (Yolk and Embryo): Just think of the balut like a normal hard boiled egg. Everything inside is edible, so eat the embryo, yolk, and whites. Sometimes the white part is a little tough. Let me know what you think: If you have tried or eaten balut, please, let me know what you think of it. Was it good? Terrifying? Ok? Let me know! My Experiences Eating Balut in the Philippines The first time I tried balut in the Philippines was at the Carbon Market in Cebu City. I had the 14-day old one. Since then, I’ve also had balut in Tagaytay and Manila’s Chinatown. I’ve had the 14-day, 16-day, and 18-day balut. Honestly, I prefer the 14-day balut. I love hard boiled eggs and the 14-day old balut tasted just like a boiled egg, it was not as intimidating as the other stages. My first experience eating balut, I was both excited and intimidated to try it. But as a traveler, I always tell myself, I’ll try everything at least once. Worst case scenario, I won’t like it, I can say I tried it, and won’t have to eat balut ever again. As I cracked the egg, I looked inside and it did not look appetizing. I was on a Cebu City food tour and the guide just told me to sip the juices so I did and was surprised it tasted just like warm chicken broth. I then peeled the shell, picked the balut apart, mainly for photos and to see the anatomy of the duck embryo and ate small sections. Honestly, it was good, tasted just like a boiled egg, with a little more “texture.” My least favorite part was the thick white part, it was just tough and didn’t have to much flavor. Fast forward a year later. I visited Manila and had the opportunity to try balut not once but twice. On this trip, I tried the 16-day and 18-day old balut. The more developed duck fetus seemed like it was a little more to stomach. The first one I had while on a day trip from Manila the duck embryo slipped out of the shell and landed on the floor. The 18-day old balut I tried from a vendor in Manila’s Chinatown. I felt very confident, peeled the egg and put the majority of the balut in my mouth to kind of taste all the textures all at once. Would not recommend this your first time. Today, I wouldn’t say I absolutely love balut. But I can eat it no problems. If I find myself in the Philippines again, I’ll definitely eat it again if the opportunity arises. Conclusion Eating balut in the Philippines is more of an experience then anything else. When I first tried balut I was hesitant mainly because of the looks of it after first cracking the shell. But I was curious on how it tasted and honestly I was surprised by the taste. It tasted like a hard boiled egg with I like to say, “a little more texture.” After trying it a few different times now, I can confidently tell you that balut looks much worse then it tastes. So try it out next time you are paying a visit to the Philippines. And let me know what your experience is! Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️ 🇵🇭 Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖 For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours 🏖️🚁 Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options. In need of a car rental? 🚗🚘 I recommend checking with Rental Cars.
Manila Street Food Tour: Night Markets & Delicious Eats
A Manila street food tour is one of the best ways to experience the city’s food culture after dark. Sample must try foods like Kwek-Kwek, Balut, and Sisig. The night markets in Manila are filled with delicious eats that showcase Filipino street food. In this post, I’ll outline the food tour in Manila that I booked and what to expect on a Manila street food tour. ** This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, whether it be Viator, Booking.com, Agoda, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Booking a Manila Street Food Tour Dive into authentic flavors and local culture on a Manila street food tour. Food tours don’t just offer food, but they help you connect with local customs, cultures, and the guide or guides explain the dish and what makes the dish uniquely Filipino. When booking my Manila food tour, I wanted to explore more then just the Filipino food scene. I wanted to see Manila at night, ride a Tuk-Tuk and Jeepney, learn about Filipino food, and check out a few markets. Based on what I wanted, I decided to book this Manila Street Food and Night Market Tour. I booked this tour well in advance through Get Your Guide. There are plenty of other options out there for food tours in Manila in case you are looking for something different. Here are a few other tours offered: Manila: Street Food and Drinks Walking Tour Manila Slums, Smokey Mountain Local Market and Street Foods Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food Manila Street Food Tour Itinerary I had so much fun on the Manila street food and night market tour. We wandered through some bustling night markets and tried some fantastic local favorites like kwek-kwek and even balut. Each stop on the Manila food tour offered something unique and the journey of getting from place to place was just as adventurous. Below is the itinerary we followed while eating our way through parts of Manila. Sample Kwek-Kwek, Sisig, Sinigang, Squid, and Barbecue at Tutuban Night Market The Manila street food tour kicked off at Tutuban Night Market. Tutuban Night Market is located in Tondo, Manila and is a popular destination especially for locals to do some daytime shopping and going to the market in the evening for street food. I met our guide here, we found a table, talked about Manila for a while then he started brining out plate after plate of some familiar dishes and some very unfamiliar dishes. While seated at Tutuban Night Market, I tried Kwek-Kwek, which is fried quail eggs, similar to ones I’ve eaten in Japan. Next I tried Sisig, which I’ve had a few other times in the Philippines. Sisig might be my favorite dish in the Philippines. Sisig is a dish made of pork and sometimes liver and it’s cooked with a mix of other ingredients like peppers, onions, and calamansi. It might come with an egg you can stir into the dish. One of the other dishes I want to discuss is Sinigang. Sinigang is a soup that has a sour broth. The sinigang I had came with shrimp. Even with its sour taste, the soup was really good and I highly recommend you trying it when visiting the Philippines. Balut Trying balut in the Philippines is easily one of the most unique and adventurous food experiences you’ll have guaranteed! If you don’t know, balut is a fertilized duck egg that is incubated for a time period of about 14 to 21 days. So far, I’ve tried balut three times, 14, 16, and 18 days old. In my opinion, 14 days was the best. Once you start getting to 16 and 18 days the embryo starts to form more and you can see the tiny duck inside. I actually enjoy balut, I describe it as tasting like a boiled egg with a lot more texture. You crack the top of the egg, sip the soup, peel the rest of the egg, and eat it. When you find a vendor selling balut in Manila, they usually have salt and vinegar or sometimes a type of chili to go along with the balut. I like to eat it as is without anything, to taste the true flavors. Wander Ilaya Street Night Produce Market We found ourselves in one of the biggest produce markets in the Philippines on Ilaya Street. The tour guide said this is one of the biggest markets in the Philippines it attracts buyers and sellers from all over Luzon (Island in Philippines where Manila is). It was mainly a produce market and for locals to buy, sell, and trade. But I still love a good local market so it was a great opportunity and experience to walk through one of the biggest markets in the Philippines. Dried Squid at Chinatown in Binondo After wandering the night market at Ilaya Street, we made a brief pit stop at a local vendor in Manila’s Chinatown selling dried squid from her small cart. Nothing fancy here, just fresh dried squid on a stick! The vendor had squid on a skewer and grilled right in front of everyone looking to snack on a squid skewer. You have the option to dunk the squid in a sauce made up of vinegar and onions. Again, I like to try my food as is first, so I tried the squid skewer plain and it tasted just like what it is, grilled squid. It’s a great and cheap snack while walking around. Finish the Night at the Chinatown Arch The Manila street food and night market tour concluded at the famous Binondo Chinatown Arch. What makes it even better, is the Arch is lit up at night. The Binondo Chinatown Arch is an iconic landmark and Manila’s Chinatown is the oldest Chinatown in the world. Chance to ride in a Jeepney and Tuk-Tuk The Manila street food and night market tour was more then just a food tour. Instead of staying in one area in Manila, we bounced around from one place to another. Instead of walking, we got a chance to ride in a Jeepney, something I highly recommend doing at least once while visiting the Philippines. We also got to ride in the back of a tuk-tuk. Which was convenient when making multiple stops. Conclusion I felt this Manila street food and night market tour was more then just tasting local dishes. We actually immersed ourselves in the city and got to experience some unique things like walking through one of the biggest markets in the Philippines. I always love sisig but I also enjoyed trying the variations of squid that we ate. Not only did I try many different dishes, but I got to ride in a Tuk-Tuk and a Jeepney. Also walking the streets of Manila at night was a thrill. Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️ 🇵🇭 Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖 For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours 🏖️🚁 Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options. In need of a car rental? 🚗🚘 I recommend checking with Rental Cars.
Tagaytay Day Trip: Exploring Taal Volcano from Manila
Famous for its cooler climate, scenic landscapes, and views of Taal Volcano, Tagaytay is one of the Philippines most popular day trip destinations from Manila. Tagaytay is full of panoramic vistas and scenic views overlooking Taal Volcano in the middle of Taal Lake. If booking a Tagaytay day trip from Manila, expect to browse some markets, eat local dishes, visit observation decks overlooking Taal Lake, and even take a Bangka ( traditional boat of the Philippines) on Taal Lake to get close to the volcano. ** This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, whether it be Viator, Booking.com, Agoda, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Booking a Day Trip from Manila Booking a Tagaytay day trip from Manila is a great choice for a quick escape from the city without the need to plan, drive, and book all the attractions. Let a tour company handle all that while you spend your time enjoying the scenery hassle free. Booking a day tour is convenient and saves you time. You are paired with expert guides who know the area and they stop at places you’d otherwise pass by. So I highly recommend booking a day tour to the Tagaytay area. I booked this tour: Taal Volcano Experience Scenic Countryside and Volcano Tour The Taal Volcano Experience Tour just offered everything I was looking for in a day trip from Manila. Markets, Nature, and Volcanoes. Through Viator or Get Your Guide, there are other Manila day tours you can look into and find the right one that best suites your Manila travel itinerary. Below are a few other tours that are worthwhile: Spectacular Manila to Tagaytay: Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Amazing Taal Volcano Tour (Boat Included) Full-Day Manila City Tagaytay Taal Volcano and Lake Tour What to Expected on a Tagaytay Day Trip While on the Taal Volcano Experience tour I felt like the first half of the tour was a food tour, which I loved and the second half delivered with Taal Lake and Taal Volcano. Here is the Tagaytay day trip itinerary. So whether you are booking the same Taal Volcano Tour that I did or traveling solo, feel free to follow this itinerary. If you find other cool stuff along the way, leave a comment and let me know! Pickup from Hotel I stayed at the City Garden Suites Manila in the Ermita district. The tour description for the Taal Volcano Experience offered free pickup/drop off from hotels in Makatai, Taguig, Ermita, Malate, Las Pinas, Muntinlupa, and Pasay. For other areas, they might charge extra. The tour van was large, spacious, and comfortable (Picture above is from a Jeepney, not the actual van). It made the couple hours drive to and from Taal Lake pretty stress free. Try Balut at Tinahan Ng Itlog Ni Kuya Our first real stop along the way to Taal Lake was at a small roadside shack called Tinahan Ng Itlog Ni Kuya. Our guide had us try Balut. For those that don’t know, balut is a popular Filipino street food. It consists of a fertilized duck egg with a partially developed embryo inside. The one I tried here I believe was a 16 day old egg so the embryo was more developed. To be honest, I like balut. If you can get passed the texture, it tastes just like a boiled egg. Buko Pie at Cecilia’s Buco Pie, Tarts, and Pasalubong According to our tour guide, no Tagaytay day trip is complete without trying Buko Pie. Buko Pie is a sweet and creamy coconut filled pastry. It was a nice treat. Perfect blend of fresh, creamy, and coconut flavors. We stopped at a road side stop called Cecilia’s Buco Pie, Tarts, and Pasalubong. This store had Buko Pies and a lot of Pasalubong, which makes for the perfect gift to bring back home to friends, family, or people at work. Pasalubong is like the Philippines version of Japan’s Omiyge. Sample Fruits at Vangelyn Fruit Stand The Philippines is know its variety of fresh tropical fruit. Thanks to the warm climate and fertile soil, you can find a variety of bananas, mangoes, pineapples, coconuts, jackfruit, and so much more! On the way to Taal Lake, we stopped at a local fruit stand to try fresh Bananas and Jackfruit. I’ve seen jackfruit but have always been curious about the taste, so I was glad to try it finally. It kind of tasted sweet almost candy like. Tagaytay Public Market Who doesn’t love a good market when traveling. As I stated earlier, this Manila to Taal Volcano tour felt more like a food tour at least the first half of it, I’m not complaining. But we made a pit stop at the Tagaytay Public Market mainly just to walk around and see what local vendors were selling. We did try some pastry type food items that were, just alright! I love walking local markets, so this stop was an awesome addition to the Taal Volcano Tour. People’s Park in the Sky – Observation Deck For great views of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano, there are numerous observation decks in the Tagaytay area. The tour I was on stopped at an observation deck called People’s Park in the Sky. We took a Jeepney from the parking area to the top, there is a fee to ride the Jeepney. People’s Park in the Sky did look a little run down but seemed to be a popular area. The views here were spectacular. The majority of the time here it was foggy, but it would come and go and reveal the lake and volcano. Taking a Bangka on Taal Lake to View Taal Volcano The final destination on our Taal Volcano tour from Manila was of course Taal Lake an Taal Volcano. We actually got to sit in a Bangka which is a traditional Filipino boat or canoe. It’s wooden with outriggers on each side. The outriggers are usually made of long bamboo poles and they are placed on each side of the boat. There was a boat captain but he took us on an hour-ish boat ride around Taal Lake and got us pretty close to Taal Volcano. Unfortunately, you cannot access the Taal Volcano Island. So taking a Bangka on Taal Lake is as close as you can get. Information about Taal Lake and Taal Volcano Taal Volcano is one of the most famous natural landmarks n the Philippines especially because it is so close to Manila. Taal Volcano is considered to be one of the smallest yet most active volcanoes in the world. It’s most recent eruption was January 2020. Taal Lake was formed by an ancient volcanic eruption. This combination is unique because you have a volcano within a lake that is within a volcano. Taal Lake is the third largest lake in the Philippines. Conclusion A Tagaytay day trip from Manila is the perfect escape for travelers who are spending multiple days in Manila. I felt visiting the Tagaytay area was a great way to get out of the city and see beautiful nature and experience riding in a Bangka. There is a lot to do and see in Tagaytay. Taking a boat ride on Taal Lake to get close to Taal Volcano was definitely a highlight but I also loved trying the unique food and fresh fruit along the way. Add Tagaytay to your Philippines itinerary. Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️ 🇵🇭 Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖 For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours 🏖️🚁 Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options. In need of a car rental? 🚗🚘 I recommend checking with Rental Cars.
Things to do in Manila: History, Food, and Experiences
Manila, the sprawling capital of the Philippines, is a city where rich history, delicious food, and exciting experiences come together. If you are looking for things to do in Manila. I am sharing my recommendations and experiences after spending four days in Manila. I’ll cover the best things to do in Manila from exploring Intramuros to eating street food and checking out a museum or two. I took a solo trip to Manila and navigated my way through the city with ease and of course safety is priority, I’ll cover that too! **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Why Visit Manila I feel Manila gets a bad rap. Most people who travel to the Philippines, either are here for a layover or avoid it completely. I’ve been to other parts of the Philippines, I visited Cebu and Bohol and loved my time there. I was always curious about Manila, after all, I never heard great things about the crime, trash, and chaos that everyone warned me about. But I knew there was more to Manila than the chaos I listed above, I wanted to check it out myself and see if what people said about Manila was actually true. After spending four days in Manila on a solo trip, I do agree with some of what is said about Manila, but on the other hand, I had such a great time exploring the city and its many attractions. Manila might not be for everyone. It’s true, it was dirty, there were homeless people sprawled out on the streets, and stray animals everywhere. But there were also amazing museums, interesting historical sites, great day trips, and amazing food. So why visit Manila? As long as you use common sense and stick to areas I list in this post, you won’t run into any issues. Instead you’ll learn a lot about the Philippines diverse history and culture, see how people live today, and get a better understanding of the country. Is Manila Safe? When I told friends and family that I was traveling to Manila by myself, everyone was worried or flabbergasted that I was even considering it. After all, what do they know about Manila that I don’t? I did my research and felt confident that it wasn’t as dangerous as most make it out to be. Like any other major city, you have to be aware and vigilant at all times. That is just being a good traveler. The Philippines is known for petty crimes and scams. I made sure to watch my belongings, not pack anything valuable except my camera, and I knew better then to fall for any scams. Although I wasn’t presented with any during my visit. There are good and shady places in Manila. Districts like Makati and Bonifacio Global City are generally safe. There are neighborhoods and districts like Tondo or Malate that are known to be dangerous, I obviously did my research and avoided those areas. There was a lot of security out in the streets and building entrances, so I felt fairly safe knowing that. Of course, there are things like natural disasters that do occur as well. I got caught in a bad storm where the streets were flooded, I waded through water that was up to my knees, had to throw out my shoes afterwards, bummer! Overall, as a solo traveler to Manila, I felt perfectly safe. I did my research beforehand, planned well, booked tours, and was always aware of my belongings and surroundings. Recommended Things to do in Manila After spending four days in Manila, turns out there is a lot to do and see. If you are like me and like just about everything, then Manila has plenty of options. Enjoy shopping? Manila has great malls. Into history? Then you’d love Intramuros. Are you a foodie like me? Then join a food tour and try amazing dishes that are from the Manila area. Here is a list of things to do in Manila that I personally did and recommend. Explore Intramuros and Fort Santiago My #1 recommended site and attraction in Manila is visiting Intramuros and Fort Santiago. I stayed n the Ermita area of Manila just to be within walking distance of Intramuros. Intramuros is a historic walled city that was built in the 1500s by Spanish explorers. Within the walls of Intramuros, you can find San Agustin Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Manila Cathedral, and Fort Santiago. Planning your trip to Intramuros? I have an Intramuros Travel Guide Post where I dive into the history, getting around, what to see while exploring Manila’s historic walled city. Stroll Around Rizal Park In my opinion, one of the most beautiful places in Manila is Rizal Park, named after Jose Rizal, a national hero of the Philippines. Rizal Park is a sprawling urban park that is popular among both locals and tourists. Locals were out and about whether it was exercising, family gatherings, or simply taking laps around the park. Tourists, like me were going to the gardens and taking pictures of statues. Within Rizal Park you have the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of Anthropology, a Japanese and Chinese Garden, the Dancing Fountain, Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal, Jose Rizal Monument, and so much more. Visit the National Museum of Anthropology Are you looking for free things to do in Manila? Both the Museum of Anthropology and Museum of Natural History are free and a must visit. The Museum of Anthropology showcases an extensive collection of artifacts, tools, and displays that highlight the history and traditions of the Philippines indigenous peoples. The museum is multiple floors and has exhibits on indigenous cultures, archaeological finds, maritime trade, and arts. For opening hours and more information, check out the National Museum of Anthropology website. Check out the Museum of Natural History Originally, I was just going to do one of the museums in Manila but it’s hard to beat a free entrance price and the Anthropology Museum was so interesting. So I had a few hours to kill and decided to visit the Museum of Natural History, across the park. Both museums are located in beautiful neoclassic buildings, the entrance to the museum is free, and there is a bag check. Like the Museum of Anthropology, the Museum of Natural History is multiple floors showcasing the Philippines rich biodiversity from marine life to the tropical rainforests. One of the highlights, for me at least was the taxidermied body of Lolong, a giant Indo-Pacific Crocodile. Lolong was 6.17 meters long (20 ft 3 inches) and weighed 1,075 kilograms (2,370 lbs.). Lolong was captured in a marsh because he was becoming a problem and was brought to a nature park in Bunawan to live out his days. The crocodile died while in captivity of pneumonia and cardiac arrest. What they don’t tell you is he died because the local town had no idea how to care for him. He died of infection and stress. It was all about money and tourism. RIP Lolong. Make your way to Chinatown I visited Manila’s Chinatown twice. I walked here after visiting Intramuros, and my food tour ended up here. Chinatown is located in the Binondo district of Manila and it is the oldest Chinatown in the world. Chinatown in Manila is kind of run down but it’s fun to walk around and sample food. Try dumplings, grilled squid, and anything you can find in Manila’s Chinatown. Join a Food Tour Joining a food tour is one of the best ways to experience food culture where ever you are. I always like to set up a food tour the first day of my trip. It kind of boosts my confidence when ordering and I get to try a lot of new food I might not know about. Manila can seem overwhelming, so I recommend booking a food tour in Manila. I booked this, Manila Street Food and Night Market Tour and really enjoyed it. We started at Tutuban Center and worked our way down to Chinatown. Along the way we tried various dishes like Isaw, kwek-kwek, grilled squid, and of course balut. You can check out the food tour here, see if it is right for you. Try Balut If you are feeling adventurous and want to try an authentic and local street food snack, then try Balut. In Manila, especially at the night markets, you can find vendors selling balut. Everyone has heard of balut and knows what it is but most people are terrified of eating it. It’s a fertilized duck egg with a partially developed embryo. I’ll be the first to admit, it doesn’t look great and I hesitated eating it a few times. To this date, I’ve tried balut three times and I actually don’t mind the texture and flavor. It tastes like a boiled egg with a little more texture to it. I feel if you are visiting Manila or the Philippines in general, then eating balut or at least trying it is something you have to do. So try it and please let me know what your experience is like. Manila has Great Malls: Go to Robinsons Place I am not much of a mall-goer or shopper in general. But there have been some malls in Asia that have blown me away and I actually do enjoy. Robinsons Place in Manila being one of them. For starters, Manila gets hot and humid, so finding a large mall to escape the heat and cool off in the air conditioning is a must. Next, I find food courts at some of these malls to be fantastic with a huge variety of local and chain restaurants. If you are into shopping the malls in Manila have hundreds of name brand stores and local shops. Robinsons Place was a huge mall in the Ermita area. Robinsons Mall is huge, you could spend an entire day here. It’s multiple levels and goes in every direction. Walk the Esplanade Right outside Intramuros along the Pasig River is an Esplanade that is great for walking, checking out the city lights at night, or taking photos. The Esplanade is a perfect place to come to and relax and escape some of the noise and chaos that comes with Manila. At night, you might see vendors selling street food, fun activities going on here, or even small festivals. When I visited Manila, this was a popular place for couples to hang out, take photos, and enjoy time together. Unfortunately, I was by myself, but I enjoyed the people watching. Take a Day Trip One of my most recommended things to do in Manila is to get out of Manila and take a day trip, especially if staying in Manila for multiple days. There is so much to explore just outside the city. Just go to Viator type in Manila and see the list of things to do. I ended up taking this Taal Volcano Tour and it was nice to get out and see a different side of Luzon outside the big city. The Taal Volcano Tour included a few stops at markets along the way, and stopped at a few places in Tagaytay. We then took a Bangka (traditional boat) in Taal Lake and got close to Taal Volcano. Conclusion From the historic charm of Intramuros to trying balut during a street food tour, Manila is a city with a lot to offer and deserves more attention. I took a solo trip to Manila not knowing what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised by so many things, like the cleanliness of Rizal Park, the gigantic malls, and of course Intramuros. With so many people shocked
Intramuros Travel Guide: What to See Inside Manila’s Walled City
Intramuros, the historic walled city in the heart of Manila is a unique and fascinating area that offers a glimpse into the Philippines colonial and often times dark past. When visiting Manila, Intramuros is a must-see destination. Intramuros is a large area with a lot to see to include Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, Manila Cathedral, and so much more. I created this Intramuros travel guide to highlight the must see attractions and maximize your time inside Manila’s walled city. **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! History of Intramuros Intramuros and Manila in general has a long and complex history. Intramuros was first built by Spanish explorers led by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, in the mid to late 1500’s and was the center of the military power, political rule, and religious practices during the Spanish colonial period. The walls around Intramuros were built after 1590 to protect the town and structures within. Overtime because of war and occupation, Intramuros was under rule by other countries to include Great Britain, the United States, and Japan. Jose Rizal The name Jose Rizal was unknown to me until my trip to Manila. I read a lot about Jose Rizal at the beautiful Rizal Park and during my visit to Intramuros. For those that don’t know, Jose Rizal was a Filipino nationalist, writer, and revolutionary, who is regarded as a national hero of the Philippines. Two novels written by Jose Rizal, “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo” were written to kind of expose the abuses of the Spaniards during the Spanish colonization. In return, this created a movement for reform and independence. Rizal was then arrested by Spanish authorities as he was deemed a danger and was imprisoned at Fort Santiago in Intramuros. Rizal was then sentenced to death and was executed in Luneta Park (now Rizal Park) by firing squad on December 30, 1896. Japanese Occupation During WWII Another historical tragedy that took place at Intramuros, specifically at Fort Santiago was the Japanese occupation during WWII. During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines from 1942 to 1945, Intramuros was a strategic military center for Japanese forces. There were some horrendous acts that took places at Fort Santiago. The dungeons which are not that big held 600 prisoners at the time, most dying of starvation, disease, and suffocation. Inside the dungeon, I learned about the Manila Massacre. From February 3 to March 3, 1945, Manila was the center of a major conflict. Allied forces fought to liberate Manila from the Japanese forces. According to information at Fort Santiago, the Japanese forces went on a rampage and killed thousands of civilians in Manila. Most of the city was destroyed and over 100,000 civilians lost their lives. Getting Around Intramuros Once inside Intramuros, I found it to be very walkable and easy to navigate. I walked from the entrance of Intramuros on General Luna Street to Fort Santiago which is a little over a kilometer and took me 15 minutes. Walking is not the only way to see Intramuros. You can take a calesa (horse carriage, which I do not recommend), tricycle, or ride around on a Bamboo Bike. Calesa (Hose-drawn carriage) – The Calesa were parked around some of the popular tourist destinations within Intramuros like the Manila Cathedral. Unfortunately, I can’t recommend the Calesa. From what I witnessed, the poor horses were overworked, in poor health, and not well cared for. I saw one horse struggling to stand up because of the heat and the owner would not let it lie down or rest. Tricycle – There were plenty of motorized tricycle riders around Intramuros. They all seemed friendly and eager to drive me around, I declined, but hey! It’s an option. Prices are relatively low and they drop you off where you want. Bamboo Bicycle – One of the best ways to get around Intramuros that is not on foot is by bike. Bambike Ecotours offer tours and rentals. How to Spend Your Day at Intramuros Intramuros, Manila’s historic walled city is a must when visiting Manila. You should plan on a half day to full day. In my Intramuros travel guide, below you can find my recommended things to do and how to maximize your time at Intramuros. Club Intramuros Golf Course I am not a golfer, but couldn’t help and notice the beautiful golf course tucked around the historic walls of Intramuros. The Club Intramuros Golf Course is an 18-hole par-66 layout course. For more information on the course and rates visit the Club Intramuros Golf Course website. General Luna Street General Luna Street at Intramuros is an iconic street and the main road in the walled city that has a nice blend of colonial charm, modern day restaurants, and historic churches. When walking through the main entrance to Intramuros, you are right on General Luna Street. Along this street you can find the San Agustin Church, Manila Cathedral, and Fort Santiago. San Agustin Church San Agustin Church in Intramuros is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Philippines top historical landmarks to visit. According to the UNESCO plaque, San Agustin Church is one of four Baroque Churches in the Philippines and was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1993. San Agustin Church was founded in 1571 and completed in 1607. Today, visitors can freely enter the church and admire the beautifully decorated interior. Manila Cathedral Right down General Luna Street from San Agustin Church is the Manila Cathedral also known as the Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The Manila Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Basilica and was built in 1571 but has been rebuilt several times because of natural disasters and war. What I liked about the Manila Cathedral was the blend of Romanesque architecture and the somewhat modern interior. Fort Santiago One of the most important and significant sites in Intramuros is Fort Santiago. No Intramuros travel guide can be written without mentioning Fort Santiago. Earlier on in this post, I mentioned Fort Santiago a bit in regards to the history of Intramuros. Fort Santiago was built in the 1500’s by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. Fort Santiago served as a fortress and served as a military defense during the Spanish colonial period. Fort Santiago is also known as being a prison and one of its most famous prisoners was Dr. Jose Rizal, also listed earlier on in this post. When visiting Fort Santiago, you can see Jose Rizal’s prison cell and learn more about his accomplishments, eventual capture, and execution. During WWII, Fort Santiago was used by Japanese forces as a prison and torture chamber. There are some intense images and descriptions in the prison today. Today, Fort Santiago is open to the public and a must visit. It stands as a reminder of the Philippines history and resilience. Conclusion I wrote this Intramuros travel guide because I want to share everything I learned while visiting Intramuros. If visiting Manila, I highly recommend adding Intramuros to your itinerary. Intramuros is a fascinating district of Manila that is rich in history and completely different then any other place you will visit while in Manila. Spend a half day to a day walking the old walls, visiting Fort Santiago, and marveling at San Agustin Church. Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️ 🇵🇭 Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖 For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours 🏖️🚁 Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options. In need of a car rental? 🚗🚘 I recommend checking with Rental Cars.
12 Famous Tourist Spots in Cebu City Worth Visiting
Cebu City, is a bustling city in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines. Cebu City offers a nice mix of culture, history, nature, and an abundance of things to do. Try local food at the Carbon Market or why not learn some history and visit places like Magellan’s Cross or Fort San Pedro. In order to fully explore Cebu, plan a few days in the city before venturing out. In this post, I’ll share my favorite tourist spots in Cebu City that I think are worth visiting. If you want to explore Cebu City without worrying about navigating on your own, consider booking a guided Cebu City Tour to see the highlights. ** This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, whether it be Viator, Booking.com, Agoda, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Summary Why Visit Cebu City: Cebu City has many tourist spots that are worthwhile and most attractions are within walking distance from each other. Top Things to do in Cebu: Visit Magellan’s Cross. Views of Cebu City from Tops. Learn about Cebu Cities history and culture. Consider booking a Cebu City Tour or Highlights Guided Tour to see some of Cebu’s most iconic landmarks. Famous and Recommended Tourist Spots in Cebu City Cebu City deserves a few days to explore, this isn’t even counting extra days to include other adventures around Cebu Island like snorkeling or spending time on the beach. If you plan on staying in Cebu City and are looking for things to do, I came up with a list of some of the fun and yes, touristy attractions that I visited in Cebu City that are worthwhile. 1. Ayala Center Cebu I’m not one to shop at malls, but my hotel was near the Ayala Center and when it’s hot and humid out, the mall is a great place to visit and cool off. Ayala Center Cebu is a modern shopping mall that has all your name brand stores as well as local shops. We did some window shopping and Jill had to go to Uniqlo, so technically we did some shopping here. There were a few grocery stores or supermarkets within Ayala Center that have a lot of great treats to bring back home. The Ayala Center had a nice outside area with lots of vegetation and places to sit. Many restaurants lined the outside area as well. We had dinner at a restaurant called Hukad. We were looking for a local restaurant with Filipino Food. Our eyes were much bigger then our stomachs, between the two of us we ordered Crispy Pata, Pancit Guisado, Spring Rolls for an appetizer, and Puto, which is a steamed rice cake. 2. Fort San Pedro A small but mighty attraction in Cebu City is Fort San Pedro. Fort San Pedro is a Spanish fort that was built 1565. Although the fort you see today dates back to 1738. This small fort is triangular in shape. Two sides of the fort face the sea while the main entrance to the fort faces the land. Fort San Pedro was built by the Spanish settlers as a means of protection. It has a used during WWII by Japanese. Today, you can visit Fort San Pedro, learn about the history and even walk the walls. Travel Tip: Fort San Pedro is best visited as part of a guided Cebu City Highlights Tour, where a local guide can explain the history and provide context you might otherwise miss. 👉 Compare Cebu City historical and highlight tours that include Fort San Pedro and nearby landmarks here. 📸 Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 3. Tops Looking to get a great view of Cebu City and relax? Head to Tops for a meal, drink, and relax while overlooking the city and surround area. There is an entrance fee of P100 to enter Tops. There is a variety of restaurants here from budget to higher end. Accessing Tops is not that easy as it is about a 30 minute drive from the city center. We hired a private driver that took us to multiple stops on the outskirts of Cebu City and Tops was included. Tops seemed to be popular in the evening. People gathered here for dinner and to relax and watch the sunset over Cebu City. 4. Sirao Garden Visiting Sirao Garden was part of a package half day tour I booked with a private driver. Sirao Garden is best accessed by private vehicle or with an organized tour since it’s pretty far from the city. Sirao Garden is more of an Instagram opportunity then actual garden. There are photo areas set up throughout the gardens for people to take iconic selfies with the Golden Hand with the beautiful nature in the background. Although, I don’t really recommend Sirao Garden especially if you are short on time, it does draw a crowd and if you are into Instagram photos, then Sirao Garden is perfect for you! 5. Temple of Leah Another attraction that is best reached by private vehicle or tour is the Temple of Leah. The Temple of Leah is a symbol of love. Teodorico Soriano Adarna had the Temple of Leah built in honor and dedication of his wife, Leah Albino-Adarna who unfortunately passed away. Today visitors can go to the Temple of Leah and see the temple from the outside but also venture inside to see all of Leah’s most prized belongings. It’s truly a great love story. Of the tourist spots in Cebu City that are located outside of town, the Temple of Leah was my favorite attraction. 6. Jollibee The Philippines beloved fast food chain, Jollibee is found throughout the Philippines. But if you are like me and just exploring one or two island of the Philippines, you have to add Jollibee to your Philippines itinerary. Honestly, I never go to fast food chains when I travel, but I watched Anthony Bourdain’s episode on Manila and he loved Jollibee, so I had to try it myself. Plus, the locals and tourists absolutely love Jollibee, so I had to see what the craze was about. I kept it original and ordered a 1 piece chicken with Jolly Spaghetti. Was it the best meal I’ve ever had? No. But it was satisfying for lunch. The chicken was good, the spaghetti was as I expected. Would I go back? Sure. Will I go out of my way to seek Jollibee? Eh, it’s not necessary. 7. Carbon Market To see Cebu’s largest and oldest market, head to the Carbon Market. This is a traditional market where vendors sell everything from cloths and kitchenware to produce and fresh food to buy. I took a food tour in Cebu City and the last stop was at the Carbon Market. It was here that I tried Lechon and the daunting yet famous Balut. It was fun to walk the Carbon Market and look at all the fresh fruit and vegetables and eyeing all the delicious food items sold by various vendors. 📸 Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 8. Magellan’s Cross One of Cebu Cities most popular tourist spots is Magellan’s Cross. Magellan’s Cross is a significant historical attractions in Cebu that can not be missed. The octagonal building houses the famous Magellan’s Cross. The actual cross that Ferdinand Magellan placed here is said to be encased in the cross we see today. Travel Tip: If you want to get the most out of visiting Magellan’s Cross, I highly recommend booking a Cebu City guided tour. A licensed tour guide will provide a deeper insight into Cebu’s history. 👉 Book a Cebu City tour that includes Magellan’s Cross and other nearby attractions here. 9. Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica of Santo Nino The churches and basilica’s found throughout Cebu City are old. The Basilica of Santo Nino dates back to 1565. Even if religious sites are not high on your to do list, I recommend visiting at least one church in Cebu City and I recommend paying a visit to either the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral or the Basilica of Santo Nino. 10. Heritage of Cebu Monument Directly across from the Yap-San Diego House is the large and detailed Heritage of Cebu Monument. The Heritage of Cebu Monument showcases Cebu Cities history through the years from the natives to the Battle of Mactan. Important and significant structures are also represented in the Heritage of Cebu Monument. 11. Yap-San Diego Ancestral House The Yap-San Diego Ancestral House is one of my most recommended tourist spots in Cebu City. This house is truly authentic and extremely well preserved. The Yap-San Diego Ancestral House was built during the Spanish colonial era n the 17th century. Don Juan, a Chinese merchant built this home and it still belongs to the family. For a very cheap P100 fee, visitors can go explore the inside of the house. The are many unique antiques scattered throughout the two levels of the Yap-San Diego Ancestral House. 12. Turning Wheels Craft Brewery Depending on who you talk to a brewery is a very important tourist spot and Turning Wheels Craft Brewery in Cebu City is a must for craft beer lovers. About a 15 – 20 minute walk from Ayala Center, Turning Wheels Craft Brewery is a local brewery specializing is craft beer. Turning Wheels Craft Brewery had an amazing atmosphere and very good beers. So if you are looking for a good craft brewery in Cebu, look no further. It was great to come here at the end of a long day of walking to enjoy great brews. They had several beers on tap, pretty heavy on the IPAs. I tried their Sunny Rain Drops, Mountain King, and 10th Anniversary Double IPA, all solid beers. Tourist Spots I Missed out on in Cebu Whenever I visit a new city or country, I try and visit as many sites as possible. Sometimes, things just don’t work out or plans change and some highly sought after attractions just don’t make the itinerary. Here are a few of the attractions and experiences around Cebu City that I missed and will hopefully visit in the future. Taoist Temple Cebu Ocean Park Snorkel or Scuba Dive near Cebu City Where to Stay in Cebu When we visited Cebu City, we decided to stay at the Holiday Inn by IHG on Samar Loop, Cebu Business Park. The location of the hotel worked best for our Cebu itinerary. We were within walking distance to Ayala Center and other sites. The Cebu Business Park was a safe area, even when walking around at night. As a tourist visiting Cebu, I highly recommend staying in the Cebu Business Park area. We used Grab as a ride-hailing service and it was never a problem get to and from the hotel in this area of Cebu City. The Holiday Inn had a fantastic breakfast with both western and local dishes, there was a pool, gym, and free parking. The rooms were clean and spacious, and the staff was friendly. Holiday Inn Cebu City By IHGLot 5 & 6, Block 20, Samar Loop, Cebu City, 6000 Cebu, Philippines Conclusion Cebu City has just enough attractions to keep any traveler entertained for a day or two. Most people will come to Cebu to enjoy the outdoor activities to include snorkeling and diving. But if you want to spend some time in Cebu City prior to venturing outside the city, then these tourist spots in Cebu City are worth visiting. Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️ 🇵🇭 Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖 For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours 🏖️🚁 Find fun
Bohol Day Tour from Cebu City: Booking and What to Expect
Bohol is an island located in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines. Known for the Chocolate Hills, Baclayon Church, and being home to the Philippine Tarsier, Bohol is a must visit destination. I booked a Bohol Day Tour from Cebu City and it was definitely a highlight of my trip to the Philippines. If you are planning a trip to Bohol from Cebu, then this post is for you. In this post you can find out how I booked my tour to Bohol, transportation to and from the island, what lunch was like, and all the highlights included on a day trip to Bohol Island, the Philippines. **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Summary Why Visit Bohol Island: Bohol Island is a beautiful island that is less touristy then Cebu and offers beautiful beaches, unique attractions, and stunning landscapes. Getting to Bohol Island: The best way to get to Bohol is by ferry from Cebu City. It’s about a 2 hour ferry ride from Cebu Ferry Port. Top Things to do on Bohol: See the cute Tarsier’s, one of the world’s smallest primates. Go on a river cruise down the Loboc River. Enjoy the uniquely stunning landscape known as the Chocolate Hills. Interested in visiting Bohol? These tours: Bohol Countryside Tour or Bohol Day Tour from Cebu City offer transportation from Cebu City and are well worth it! Booking a Bohol Day Tour from Cebu City If staying in Cebu City, the Philippines, I highly recommend visiting the island of Bohol. While Cebu feels overcrowded, touristy, and honestly dirty, Bohol Island is a different story. Bohol is less crowded, more connected with nature, and feels more authentic. I highly recommend visiting Bohol Island from Cebu City, whether it be a day tour or multiple days. I booked a Bohol Day Tour through Viator several weeks prior to my visit to Cebu City. After doing research, I decided to book the Bohol Countryside Day Tour from Cebu City. I booked this tour based on price and reviews posted on Viator. We booked the Bohol Countryside Day Tour from Cebu City on Viator. Transportation to and from Bohol Island When booking the Bohol Countryside Day Tour from Cebu City the tour company provides pick up and drop off at your hotel. The tour included ferry tickets to Bohol Island. We arrived at Cebu Ferry Port early and had to wait, but the tickets included assigned seats. The ferry journey from Cebu City to Bohol was about 2 hours. Once we left the ferry port in Bohol, our tour guide for the Bohol Countryside Day Tour from Cebu City met us at the gate where we hopped in an air conditioned van and began our Bohol Island day tour. Bohol Day Tour: Attractions and Lunch Blood Compact Monument The first stop on our day trip to Bohol from Cebu City was the Blood Compact Monument. The location of this monument is where Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Rajah Sikatuna in 1565 carried out a blood compact. A blood compact was done by each individual, they would cut their hand and pour blood in a cup. Blood compact was a way to honor a friendship or share an agreement. Baclayon Church After visiting the Blood Compact Monument, we briefly stopped at the Baclayon Church. Baclayon Church is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines, dating back to 1727 but being founded on the location in 1596. The church is built out of coral stones, where you can see on the outside of the church. Visitors can tour the inside of the church, it is highly recommended to do so as there are many original artifacts and structures inside. Tarsier Conservation Area One of the main highlights on the Bohol day trip is visiting the Tarsier Conservation Area. The Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary was established in 1996. According to information at the conservation area, the sanctuary consists of 8.4 hectares and is a safe place for the tarsiers. Tarsiers are small primates found only on certain islands in South East Asia, Bohol being one of them. Tarsiers are endangered due to habitat loss. Tarsiers are known for their huge eyes which takes up about 60% of their entire head. They can move their head in either direction, 180º, giving them a 360º view. Tarsiers are nocturnal and are carnivores. One more note about Tarsiers. They do not manage stress well. When stressed, they commit suicide by bashing their heads against the tree. This is why you won’t see them in zoos or as pets. So when visiting it is very important to keep quiet and do not use flash on your camera. When visiting the Tarsier Conservation Area, there is a guided nature trail that is but a kilometer or so. We saw a total of 4 tarsiers. It was during the day so they were all resting in the trees. Loboc River Cruise and Lunch One of the unique stops along our Bohol Countryside Day Tour was lunch along the Loboc River. Lunch was served on a boat that slowly cruised down the Loboc River. Lunch was buffet style and had a lot of good options from giant prawns and noodles to grilled skewers and grilled chicken. The food was surprisingly good. The boat ride was a solid hour and a half. The river was beautiful and the water was very calm. Each side of the river was lined with palm trees. Halfway through, there was a dance performance by locals. The Loboc River Cruise was a nice break in the middle of our day tour in Bohol. Chocolate Hills Natural Monument The Chocolate Hills is probably Bohol’s most popular and busy attraction. Bohol Island Day Tours save the best for last. For me, besides the Tarsiers, the Chocolate Hills were my favorite. The Chocolate Hills makes up an area of Bohol that has very unique landforms. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen. There are an estimate 1,700 hills scattered around the area. Reading an information sign at the site, the Chocolate Hills were formed by the uplift of coral deposits mixed with erosion. Most tours will head straight to the Chocolate Hills Viewing Deck. There is a large parking lot here with an observation deck that is a hundred or two hundred stairs up. Trust me, it’s worth it. You can see the entire Chocolate Hills and surrounding area. Ending with Coconut Wine We had a little spare time on our tour and after visiting the Chocolate Hills, our tour guide asked if we wanted to try Tuba, also known as “Coconut Wine.” We stopped at a local house where a family makes coconut wine and got to try it. Coconut wine is made of fermented coconut or the sap on the palms. The color was unexpecting as it was a brown-red color due to the extract used from dried bark. Tuba is relatively low in alcohol. It is usually around 2 – 4%. But the flavor is very potent. I enjoyed it, but don’t think I could drink to much in one sitting. Conclusion A Bohol Day Tour from Cebu City is a must when staying in Cebu for longer then a day. This day trip from Cebu City was one of the highlights of my entire stay in the Philippines. Although a lot of travelling to get here was involved, I feel I experienced enough of Bohol Island to truly enjoy the nature and simplicity of the island. The history of the Blood Compact Monument was interesting as was the Baclayon Church, the tarsiers were adorable and I am thrilled to have seen them sleeping during the day. Lunch on the Loboc River was satisfying but the views from the boat of the surrounding river and rainforest were unmatched. Finally, the Chocolate Hills were a unique attraction, unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Bohol Island is a beautiful island in the Philippines and it well worth a day trip from Cebu City. Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️ 🇵🇭 Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖 For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours 🏖️🚁 Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options. In need of a car rental? 🚗🚘 I recommend checking with Rental Cars.
Cebu City Food Tour: Eat, Drink, and Explore
Cebu City, Philippines is rich in culture and history but is also known to be a haven for food enthusiasts. To fully explore the food scene here, it is highly recommended to join a Cebu City food tour. Let the professionals and locals guide you around Cebu and show you the historical monuments and all the best places for authentic dishes. From delightful dishes like Sisig to the downright weird food like Balut, we tried it all and want to share our Cebu City food tour experience to include how to book a tour, expectations, and the food we got to try. **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Booking a Cebu City Food Tour Compared to other cities I’ve traveled to, there were not a whole lot of food tours offered for Cebu City, at least through Viator. Through Viator, we ended up booking the Cebu City Historical Street and Food Tour. Using this link through Viator you can enter in your travel date, number of people, and read the overview, what is included in the tour, and even read up on some of the reviews from fellow travelers. The Cebu City Historical Street and Food Tour was definitely one of the highlights from our trip to Cebu City and I highly recommend booking it. Cebu City Historical Street and Food Tour Our tour guides met us at Ayala Center, we hopped in a Jeepney (which is something I really wanted to do while in the Philippines), and started our food tour. After riding in the Jeepney, the rest of the tour was on foot and it ended at the Carbon Market. The tour consisted of two guides. They were both very knowledgeable in regards to both the historical attractions and Filipino cuisine. They also provided us with water and several other drink options throughout the tour. What I really liked about this food tour was that it combined a traditional food tour with a historical tour. So we got to see some of Cebu cities most important historical sites while sampling delicious Filipino Street Food. Historical Monuments Visited on the Tour Yap-San Diego Ancestral House Built during the Spanish colonial era, Yap-San Diego Ancestral House is a 17th century home in the heart of Cebu City. The house was built by a Chinese merchant, Don Juan Yap and it still belongs to the family. The family still lives in the house from time to time, even when open. Today, the house can be explored by visitors. There are many antiques scattered throughout two floors. There is a 100 peso fee per person to visit the Yap-San Diego Ancestral House. It is well worth a visit. Heritage of Cebu Monument Across the street from the Yap-San Diego House is the Heritage of Cebu Monument. This large and detailed monument showcases the history of Cebu City. There are several depictions on the monuments, from the Battle of Mactan to important structures found throughout Cebu City. Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and Sto. Nino de Cebu You can’t visit Cebu City without stopping by one of the churches. On our Cebu City Historical Street and Food Tour we briefly stopped at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and Sto. Nino de Cebu. These cathedrals and churches reminded me of the ones from Europe or Central and South America. They were elaborate and massive. Magellan’s Cross Perhaps one of the most well known attractions in Cebu City is Magellan’s Cross. Magellan’s Cross is encased in an Octagonal building with the cross in the dead center. The cross you see today is actually a covering to protect the real cross. The famed conquistador, Ferdinand Magellan planted a cross at this location and it is still preserved to this day. Food and Dishes We Tried Fried Food at Pungko-pungko sa Fuente Our first stop on the Cebu City Historical Street and Food Tour was to Pungko-pungko sa Fuente. Once we arrived, I noticed there were several tables at the restaurant, each table had large tubs of primarily fried food. You pay for what you pick, but this style of eating is very cheap. We tried several different things here at Pungko-pungko sa Fuente. We ate various fried pork bits, crab innards, small sausages, and spring rolls. Definitely not the healthiest of options, but I honestly did not care, it was for the most part, delicious. Pusô Pusô seemed to be everywhere in Cebu City. Heck, even some of the convenience stores had it. Pusô is basically a ball of rice that is boiled n a hand woven pouch that is generally made of palm leaves. We had Pusô twice on our food tour, once with the Sisig and Tuslob Buwa and one with the Lechon. Locals eat Pusô with just about every meal and they love it! It even goes well with drinks. Sisig One of my favorite Filipino dishes on our Cebu City Historical Street and Food Tour was Sisig. Our tour had us sit down at a restaurant called Red Barracks, not far from the Heritage of Cebu Monument. At Red Barracks, we actually tried Sisig, Tuslob Buwa and Pusô. Sisig is a pork dish where many parts of the pig are used and cut into small pieces. The meat is usually mixed with calamansi and other spices and usually serves with an egg. Each bite has a nice mix of crunchy, soft, fatty, and flavor. The calamansi, which is like a Shikuwasa or lime adds a nice refreshing taste. Tuslob Buwa A dish that I’ve never heard of is Tuslob Buwa. Tuslob Buwa was a bit bizarre and could be added to my Interesting food around the world post. Tuslob Buwa is kind of soup like and meant to be eaten with Pusô or just plain rice. This dish is made out of primarily pig brain, liver, and broth. The restaurant in Cebu City we went to, Red Barracks, had stove grills on the table. Our guide then added garlic, oil, and other ingredients to the grill before dumping in the brains and liver. Honestly, dunking the Pusô in the Tuslob Buwa was really good. I would definitely eat this dish again. Lechon Lechon is king in Cebu City. Lechon is a roasted suckling pig and it is found everywhere in Cebu City. We tried Lechon at the Carbon Market. Think of pulled pork but with a crispy and crunchy outside. The meat was moist and the skin was crunchy. Lechon is delicious and is a must when sampling Filipino foods. Balut The star of the show, at least for me. I’ve been wanting to try Balut since moving to Asia. I knew the Philippines was going to be my best shot at trying Balut from a local street food vendor. After trying Lechon and ending our Cebu City Historical Street and Food Tour, our guide found me a vendor outside selling Balut. Balut is one of those dishes that many have heard of but are to squeamish to try. I’ll be honest, I was a little nervous to try it. So what is Balut? Balut is a fertilized duck egg. The duck eggs I tried had an incubation period of 16 days. Anywhere from 14 -21 days is pretty typical. So how do you eat Balut? You crack the egg and suck out the juices. The juices tasted like you would expect. It tasted like duck broth and egg. You then crack more of the egg off and eat the different parts of the egg. Yes, since Balut is a fertilized duck egg, there is a lot more to these eggs then your typical store bought egg. You can see the duck that started to form. Depending on the incubation period, the duck can be further along and even have feathers. After trying Balut for my first time in Cebu City, I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I wouldn’t say it was delicious but to me it tasted like a normal egg with a little texture to it. I would definitely try Balut again. Conclusion What better way to explore one of the Philippines top destinations then by booking a Cebu City Historical Street and Food Tour. This tour combines history and food. I guarantee you will learn a lot about Cebu City and its history but at the same time explore Cebu’s culinary scene. You’ll try popular food like Lechon and Sisig, if you are brave enough, try the Balut, I bet you will be surprised! I highly recommend booking a Cebu City Historical Street and Food Tour while on vacation in Cebu City, Philippines. Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️ 🇵🇭 Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖 For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours 🏖️🚁 Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. 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