Mactan Island
Flat 62sqkm (24sqmi) Mactan Island is known for its history, as well as its many guitar factories and beaches. Furthermore, Cebu International Airport is situated on Mactan, near Lapu-Lapu City, still known under its former name Opon.
Connected with Cebu Island over the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge, Mactan can be attained by jeepney (Lapu-Lapu City - Carbon) within 45min from downtown Cebu. (The bridge had been damaged during the typhoon of November 13, 1990 and was thereafter closed for traffic; however, as the link is essential, it was clear that it would be just a matter of time until the bridge would be repaired and re-opened.)
Apart from jeepneys on the routes Lapu-Lapu City - Cebu City and Cordova - Cebu City, the means of transportation on Mactan are tricycles (fare example: Lapu-Lapu to Marigondon P 2 per person; for foreign tourists commonly P 10 to 20; the tricycle drivers of Mactan are no better than the taxi drivers of Cebu City).
Along the coast are moderate beaches with bare coral reefs. However, 4 luxury beach resorts are located there; because the natural Mactan beaches are not very exciting, some resorts have resorted to build artificial sand beaches). For those visiting beaches away from resorts, it is good to know the times of low and high tide because during low tide the beaches are sometimes muddy. The time intervals between tides are approximately 11 hours. The high/low tide difference is larger during full moons. The only Mactan beach frequented by budget travelers is Marigondon Beach.
Accommodation
Silangan Inn (5) - at the airport, Tel 884-62
sgl/dbl 185/250 (ac, tb)
Phoenix (2) (formerly Imperial)
between Mactan bridge and airport
sgl 110 (tb); dbl 120 (tb), 200 (ac, tb)
Heidelberg (3) - right after Mactan bridge
Beach Resorts
Tambuli Beach Resort (7)
Buyong, north of Maribago, Tel 720-96
Mla Off: Suite 1401, 14th fl Victoria Bldg
UN Ave, Ermita, Tel 522-23-01
Cebu Off: Borromeo Arcade, 39 Ramos St
Tel 702-00, Tlx 24757 Tambuli PH
sgl/dbl $ 50-56 / 56-62 (standard-superior)
rest, bar, swpl, aqua sports facilities
wind surfing $ 5/hr, instructor $ 5
scuba diving: day tours $ 30-70 pp; diving courses $ 160-300 (depending on number of divers)
entr for non-guests P 50, food and drinks included
Costabella Beach Resort Hotel (9) - Buyong
Cebu Off: Montebello Hotel, Tel 854-75
Tlx 62115 Costa PN
sgl/dbl $ 40/45; suites $ 90-135 + tax
rest, bar, swpl, aqua sports facilities
wind surfing $ 5/hr, instructor $ 5/hr; snorkeling trip $ 10/person; scuba diving: introductory scuba course: 1 day $ 75; diving courses: 3-5 days + exam $ 300
entr for outsiders P 150, food and drinks for P 100 incl.
Hadsan Beach Resort (12) - Agus, Tel 921-54
Cebu Off: Tel 726-79, Tlx 48085 RCC PM
sgl 336 (tb), 448 (ac, tb)
dbl 448 (tb), 560 (ac, tb); VIP 728; extra bed 120
rest, swpl, aqua sports facilities, conf rm; entr for outsiders P 10; sun shades P 60-150
Coral Reef Hotel (10) - south of Maribago
Tel 792-03, 615-72
Mla Off: Tel 818-97-04; Tlx 64481 ispen PN
sgl/dbl $ 60-70 / 68-78, suites $ 110-180
(plus service charge & tax)
five-star facilities, tennis; outsiders not welcome
scuba diving tours: $ 25-40 (1-2 dives)
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This page: http://www.cockatoo.com/english/philippines/philippines_islands_mactan.htm
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