Foolproof first date places in Cebu for value-conscious youngsters

First dates can be intimidating. There’s still the buzz of slowly getting to know each other — and the place contributes a lot as to how everything goes. Finding the best place for the date — whether it be a quaint little coffee shop by the edges of the mountains or an adventurous place that would kick-start your heart rates — can help set a budding relationship on the right note.

Here are some of the best, foolproof places in Cebu where you can spend a day with your significant other this season of love:

Fun and films

For people who are into games and looking for a place to occupy their time, Timezone offers the ultimate arcade experience. Adding to that experience is the mini bowling alley over at AyalaMalls Central Bloc that lets starters have fun. The movie theaters are also there for the cheesy romance flicks just waiting to be watched. Any awkward air is easily dissipated by the rush of action in the arcade and the dialogues in the films, so this is a true fail-safe date place option. (Plus, you could grab a bite from the stores inside when you get tired from all the fun!)

Coffee shops

Conversations flow better with coffee and what better way to know each than with the sweet aroma of freshly ground coffee beans? If you have an expendable budget, you could pay a visit to Commonly Uncommon in Banilad and spend time in the company of good coffee and good food. The new Bo’s Coffee at the Casa Gorordo is also a neat option, where the stone walls add to the character of the coffee shop. The place also gives you quick access to the Casa Gorordo Museum for a guided tour, giving you a chance to spend more time with each other.

Ice skating

Now, it’s unfamiliar (maybe,) and sometimes we just end up falling when we try to glide across the ice but it does add to a lighter and a fun way of getting to know each other better. SM Seaside City Cebu offers ice skating and if you think you both really can’t keep yourselves upright the whole time, a polar bear is there to help you both. Going ice skating is a fun and easy way to break the ice (pun intended) between you two.

Quiet walks and chill hangouts

This one is for the laid-back crowd out there whose love language is just keeping company and slow, mellow hours spent in the presence of each other. The Fort San Pedro offers a (surprisingly) cheap entrance of P30. You could opt for a guided tour, or you could just go and wander around the place. The ideal time to visit is late afternoon, with the golden warmth of the sun just gently touching over the Spanish-era ridges and walls of the fort. Going out of the fort, Plaza Independencia is there to offer its sprawling grounds.

Food trips

If there’s one reason for coming home that a Cebuano could name off the top of his head, it’s food. The city does not lack in its options for local food and cuisines. The popular Sugbo Mercado is there for a rowdy trip through different stalls of food ranging from the lechon belly to Korean street food. If Sugbo is not your thing, the simple pungko-pungko along Carbon is a good choice — one for the more on-the-go people who are keen with anything. The Carbon Night Market that opens from Friday through Sunday is also a treat for foodies who want to try a mix of everything.

These are only ideas. Ultimately, the way people spend their time with their significant others is up to them. Don’t be too caught up in finding the perfect place when you’ve already met the perfect person.