Lapu-Lapu Travel Guide

  1. Lapu-Lapu

LapuLapu is a bustling little city that encompasses most of Mactan Island, a popular beach destination just off Cebu Island in the southern Philippines. The city was named after the Mactan king who killed the Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan.

The city of LapuLapu has a rich historical heritage based around early encounters between the Spanish and local Filipinos. In 1521, the Spanish arrived on the island and their colonial presence can still be seen in the city’s architecture and layout.

Today, LapuLapu is best known as one of the southern Philippines’ main hubs for industry and commerce. The city is renowned for its production of musical instruments, particularly guitars and ukeleles.

The Lapu-Lapu Shrine is the most interesting historic site in the city. It depicts the king who killed Magellan in battle in 1521 on the exact spot where the fight took place.

The real attractions of LapuLapu lie in the surrounding beaches and scuba diving sites that litter Mactan Island. White sandy beaches like Shangri La, White Sands, Plantation Bay and Blue Waters are simply stunning and ideal for enjoying water sports or working on your tan.

LapuLapu is a major center for scuba diving as well. The underwater dive sites around the island are considered some of the finest in the world. There are countless dive shops in LapuLapu and on the beaches that can arrange many kinds of excursions.

Travel to LapuLapu - getting there

Mactan-Cebu International Airport is located right on Mactan Island, just a few minutes from LapuLapu by taxi. This airport handles frequent flights from many regional destinations, and acts as a major transit point for flights from Manila. There are also two bridges connecting Mactan Island with much larger Cebu Island, which is home to busy Cebu City.

In brief

Worth it? Only as an urban diversion from the scenic beach resorts on Mactan Island.

What to do: see the exact site where legendary Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan was killed by the king Lapu Lapu, check out the Spanish colonial architecture, head to one of the many nearby beaches for some sand and sun and go scuba diving.

Best time to go: December to February sees the coolest driest conditions.

How long? A day or less is plenty to see LapuLapu.

Trivia: LapuLapu is named after the king who killed Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan in battle in 1521.

LapuLapu attractions

  • Lapu-Lapu Shrine: this monument in the city commemorates the battle where Lapu-Lapu killed Magellan in 1521.

Events

  • Lapu-Lapu Fiesta: each November the city holds a number of cultural events to celebrate the history and lifestyle of LapuLapu.