I'll be travelling to Cebu, Philippines in March. Any recommendations of where to stay, visit, and what activities to do? Also, any tips for visiting nearby countries? I will be travelling for one month.

When I was in Cebu, I stayed around Ayala Mall, plenty of shops and restaurants there. It seemed like the newer hotels were built southeast of there, near the water. I'd recommend going to Bohol, El Nido and Coron while you're in the Philippines. I believe Boracay has reopened as well, but I heard it was very touristy so I didn't go. If you want to visit other countries, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam. You'll need to get a visa beforehand for Vietnam but you can get a VOA for the others.

If you are looking for other countries in the area you have so many great options to pick from. Consider Bali, Indonesia as it will still be slow on the tourist side at this time. I've been to Boracay a few years ago and it was fun. With all the upgrades to Boracay last year it is supposed to be even better now. Have fun!

My little diary on our 7 months (still going!!) around S.E. Asia posts on Bali, Vietnam,Loas and Myanmar, Malasian Borneo maybe of interest to you.
www.fullcircle.earth

Borocay, Palawan and Bohol. Cebu city is like any inner city. I wouldn't recommend staying there at all.

Take a bus to the northern tip and then take a boat to Malapascua... it's quiet and has great beaches. You can take a boat to see Thresher sharks from there.

While in cebu, go swimming with whale sharks! Amazing! Then I'd recommend going to el nido and Coron!

Cebu City is good for a day or two for tourist stuff, but the traffic is horrendous. And it can be MUCH hotter (and drier) than Manila. Eat lechon belly at Zubuchon or Rico's (just to say that you did - eating it in Cebu makes it taste better than Manila). All the beaches/resorts are in Mactan (the island where the airport is).
HIGHLY recommend a side trip to Panglao/Bohol (you can take a ferry, 2 days is enough, 3 is perfect). Chocolate Hills, bee farm, etc. Gorgeous out there. Beaches aren't as pretty as Palawan or Boracay, but... it's still a beach in the Philippines. I enjoyed the Alona Beach area. It's small town and small scale tourist-y. Lots of live music, fresh (but $$$) seafood, and it's very safe. Lots of nice hotels (small and large) around the beachfront.
Avoid Oslob. It's unnatural to feed whale sharks like they're stray dogs. Swimming with whale sharks in Donsol (Legazpi) is much more environmentally friendly.

Russ Thank you so much for all of the info!

Go to Palawan. Much nicer

It was almost 20 years ago I went, but Bohol was beautiful. Cebu I could take or leave.