From a weekend beach getaway, Mactan Island is rapidly urbanizing without losing its natural vibe, with integrated master-planned townships and the expansion of resort-style residential communities.

Historically, the island is a renowned vacation spot for its top-notch beaches, rich history, and thriving developments.

Mactan’s pristine beaches and nearby islets are practically a seaside playground for island hopping, diving, parasailing, fish feeding, snorkeling, and water sports activities.

For revisiting its historical past, the Mactan Shrine complex hosts the Lapu-Lapu Shrine, where stands the bronze statue of the datu, the Magellan marker, indicating the area where the Portuguese explorer succumbed, and the Battle of Mactan mural, depicting the historic battle between Magellan’s forces and Lapu-Lapu’s warriors.

A food adventure on the island's traditional eats isn’t complete without the taste of Sutukil (seafood cooked three ways), crispy Cebu Lechon, Ngohiong (five-spice rolls), and mango floats.

Inaugurated in 2022, the newest link to Mactan Island is the Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), a four-lane, 27-meter-wide, 8.9-kilometer bridge across the Mactan Canal connecting Cebu City to the municipality of Cordova. This connection serves as a monumental catalyst for real estate development and economic opportunities across the island.

Also strategically located in Mactan, Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) is the country’s second busiest airport. Last year, MCIA’s passenger traffic peaked at 11.6 million, roughly three percent growth from the 11.3 million recorded in 2024. Currently undergoing a multi-billion peso expansion, the airport is expected to bring in more domestic and foreign tourists. More than transit infrastructure, MCIA is one of the main drivers behind the island's booming luxury real estate and township developments, opening more opportunities to investors, retirees, digital nomads, and OFWs.

The centerpiece of Mactan’s modernization is the "live-work-play-learn" township model, engineered to exist completely independent of mainland Cebu.

The Mactan Newtown is a 30-hectare master-planned township that blends contemporary urban living with the natural environment and cultural heritage. The 30-hectare Mactan Newtown is Megaworld Corporation’s first township development outside of Metro Manila, the only mixed-use community on the island with its own beachfront.

With over 2,000 residential condo units across nine fully operational towers, the township caters to people who plan to live, work, and play in a micro city. Mactan Newtown is the epitome of sustainable, all-encompassing island living, with the presence of residential, office, commercial, and retail components in a community that promotes an effective, integrated lifestyle. In addition, there’s the Lasallian-supervised Newtown School of Excellence—and a soon-to-rise two-level lifestyle mall along a beachside cliff.

Investors can own a leisure and beach escapade with Belmont Hotel Mactan in Mactan Newtown. By owning one of the 550 hotel rooms like a condominium unit, investors will receive a title, earn shared income from the hotel’s operations, and experience a 30-night stay a year for free.

Hotels like Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown and Mercure Mactan Cebu serve both leisure and business travelers, adding to the township’s reputation as a world-class destination. These hotels also benefit residents who want access to high-end hospitality amenities.

Additionally, other residential options in Mactan Newtown feature 8 Newtown Boulevard, One Pacific Residence, and La Victoria Global Residences—all strategically situated within the township.