Traveling is not always pretty. Sometimes the reality is not tastefully designed, safe and clean. The street markets in Cebu are dirty, smelly, crowded and noisy. They will irritate your nose, eyes and you might get robbed, but you will get to experience authentic Philippines. And this is where I also find the beauty of the country, in the true places like that. You may spot beautiful handicrafts, and flowers vendors, skilfully presented fruits and vegetables and taste the weirdest foods ever. In the fake world, where machines took over so many activities, it’s interesting to see the Filipino’s daily life and the street markets in Cebu are great opportunity for that. You can get lost in a narrow dirty street, spoil you taste buds with new meals and experience the authentic Philippines like a local.

Soup on the street of Cebu. It may look disgusting to some of you, but this is their true, simple life.

Visiting the street markets in Cebu City

I love to visit street markets whenever I travel. There is the vibrant life happening, the real people and simplicity. Markets in Asia such as Myanmar or Thailand, in the Middle East such as Iran or Turkey, were my favorite places to visit in the cities. Moreover, shopping locally while traveling supports small producers and farmers from the region. It’s a great way to help the economy, and you are sure to get the fresh products at the best prices. By supporting local businesses, you help them to survive, feed their families and pay the bills. The street markets in Cebu are lively, full of colors and kids running around and saying “Hi”. The live of authentic Philippines is just there on the dirty streets and smelly corners.

Kids running on the streets of Cebu will accompany you on the markets, saying hello and waving at you.

The streets markets in Cebu which I present, are all in downtown area. Once you get to see the historical sites such as fort, St. Nino Basilica and Magellan’s cross, the markets are in a walking distance. Chock full of everything you can imagine and get the best prices in Cebu. You can see what people eat here, what kind of jobs they have, what types of entertainments and how polluted is the country. This can be a great visit of the authentic Philippines and discovering the culture or a big disappointment if you don’t like going off the beaten path.

Street food near Colon Street

Colon Street – the oldest street in the country

The historical street in Cebu which got the name from Cristobal Colon (Christopher Columbus) and it’s considered the oldest street in the Philippines. The Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi arrived here to establish a colony in 1565 and planned a town structure. Before, Colon was the center of business, very good shops and offices. It was also where all the happenings took place such as social and cultural events. The street witnessed the rise and fall of the economy and political competence over the years.

Nowadays, Colon Street is dirty and ugly, but you can get things in the great prices from clothes to fake GUCCI bags and other goods. You can see the real life, traffic and the vendors not only in the shops but also on the sidewalk, street, moving around, simply – everywhere. You may encounter pickpockets so be careful of your belongings.

Coming from the St.Nino Basilique towards Coron street, you may notice the street with food stands all along with traditional Filipino food. Delicious soups, sea foods and meat, all good looking and very cheap. This is where I tried the shrimps and squid in the black sauce as well as for the first time the sea grapes – sea weed which you eat raw. Quite an interesting experience, worth trying. Another surprise was waiting in the kitchen…

Taboan Market – a danggit lovers paradise

This public market is a paradise of Cebu delicacies. The first one is dried fish, which you can see in every form and size possible. The smell is disgusting but such an interesting experience to see skilfully displayed dried spinefoot or rabbitfish, which is popularly known as the danggit. Cebu is considered to produce the best danggit in the country and the Taboan Market is the best place to get it in the reasonable price. Mounds and basketfuls of dried fish offer a variety of choices, sizes and shapes. You can also get a dried mango there. The smell of the dried fish sticks to your clothes after some time, so be sure that you don’t have other plans then a shower, after visiting Taboan Public Market.

Dried fish called danggit is a delicacy in Cebu.

Dried fishbons on Tabouan Market.

The second delicacy you can find on Taboan Market is the Cebuano chorizo and other meat packed in the colons for barbeque. Famous Cebuano chorizo you can find on every street barbeque in Cebu city. On Taboan Market you can even see men packing meat unbelievably fast, like machines. If you are looking for a local experience that is definitely the place to be, make shopping and try to talk with Filipinos which are very hospitable and friendly.

Chorizo of Cebu you will see on every street stand with barbeque.

Carbon Market – the biggest farmer’s market in Cebu

Carbon Market

Carbon Market is the biggest one and the oldest farmer’s market in Cebu. Typical Filipino market with vendors selling all possible goods. Here come all the fruits and vegetables from the farmers of Cebu. Walking from the city center you will first come across the flowers market. On the other side hand made baskets from Bohol, straw bags and plates. Such a great hand work as well as unique and cheap souvenir from the Philippines. Plenty of stands with beautiful flowers for bouquets and funeral arrangements. Later you will see fruits, veggies, fresh fish and sea food, clothes, shoes and whatever you can imagine. There are chickens, eggs, cocks for fighting and butcher’s shops.

This is place for local people, and you will see dirty kids playing around, they wanted me to take pictures of them all the time. Be aware, that you will be the only tourist there, so keep an eye on your belongings. You enter the markets in Cebu are your own risk.

It happened that I was there 2 days after a fire which destroyed the houses nearby. Over 600 families were left without a house. All the buildings were just black, and people were trying to clean the mess. That disaster was really sad to see. People are so poor there, living simple life with the very basic things and conditions.

After the fire, the street became a bathroom for those who lost their houses.

First time I tried raw sea grapes here in Cebu.

Flowers market is part of the Carbon Market in Cebu.

Street food in Cebu is the best way to experience the authentic Philippines. Sea shells on the sticks in one of them.

Playing board game on the Cebu street.

Selling tobacco on the street market in Cebu.

Experience authentic Philippines

One of the many rivers in Cebu city. All look like a garbage bin.

The Philippines is not just the white sand beaches and turquoise waters which I showed you from the Palawan Island or Siquijor. The country also struggles with overpopulation. This neighbourhood made me see the poverty of people in the Philippines. Houses from wood or some simple materials looked terrifying. So were the dirty kinds playing around and asking for money.

If Manila sounds to big, busy and intimidating for you, and you would love to see some true Philippino city, Cebu will be great choice. Not to mention the paradise beaches, tiny islands and waterfall the island has to offer. Cebu City is surely one of the cities in Far East, you should visit.

I cannot describe the shock when I came to see the rivers passing through the city, all looked like a garbage dump, so black and stinky. Huge population does not help the poverty problem and the pollution. That’s the reality of the Philippines most of the tourist don’t see hiding on the paradise islands. Seeing this kind of pictures makes me focus even more on responsible tourism practices and giving my bit to the world.

When traveling in the Philippines keep in mind, that waste you produce during your trip, may end up in the river like that, later in the ocean. There is no recycling in the Philippines so trash usually ends up on the landfill site which are numerous in the country. Moreover, corruption and addiction to single-use plastic products are another reasons why Philippines are the third largest ocean polluter in the world.

The Philippines generates 2.7 million tonnes of plastic waste per year and 20 per cent of it ends up in the ocean. That’s terrifying! As travelers in the Philippines, we contribute to those numbers, therefore it’s important that we produce as less waste as possible during our trip. Even if you are not traveling to the Philippines and thinking that this problem is far away from you, be aware, that countries such as Canada, Australia or Hong Kong ship their rubbish to the Philippines. Smelly landfills of trash look bad, right? And the Philippines cares more about money than esthetics. Trash from UK and US started to land in the Philippines as well, after China banned their deals of receiving trash shipments. We usually don’t think about where is our waste going, but when we become conscious, the facts are shocking.

Pollution in the Cebu River.

Time Travel Bee

The Bee is a nature lover and tea addict. Loves the idea of slow life and responsible traveling, constantly trying to improve to bee more eco-friendly. Appreciates old cultures and traditions, loves to immerse with locals, listen to ethnic music as well as taste regional food and drinks. Her favorite spots while traveling are family houses and street markets.

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