TOPS Cebu - is it worth the hype?

Sunday, March 3, 2024 I was really curious to check out this place as it’s being hyped much on social media. A local friend that I just met warned me that while the view was spectacular, you will not hear able to enjoy this place because of the crowd and the challenges in when queuing for the ride. Despite the warning, I decided to experience this myself. I commuted via Grab from my hotel to Cebu IT Park because that’s the only pickup and drop off point for this attraction. I’ve been to Cebu a couple of this and I haven’t tried to commute using the normal transport system. For convenience, I always use Grab. Anyway, you can easily find the location of the shuttle, it’s in front of the Ayala Mall just look for the someone wearing a TOPS t-shirt and just ask them about it the shutse service. It would cost you ₱200, this already includes the fare to and from the attraction as well as the entrance fee. For me, this is a very good deal compared to hiring a special trip. So I was there around 5:30 PM hoping that I would be able to see the view before it gets dark but lo and behold, the queue was so long. I almost gave up but I decided to push through with it. I was my fault going there on a weekend and rush hours. The shuttle buses are few so it took 30 minutes before we were able to leave the terminal. The ride to the attraction was 30-40 minutes, including the traffic. So this is the fun part, as we approach the entrance, I can already see the longest queue ever - this was the queue going back to IT Park, and man, I already had so much regret hahaha. I even heard someone saying that the queue may take hours LOL. Anyway, before leaving the shuttle, they will be collecting the ₱200 payment. Be sure to have cash because are not accepting card payments, am not sure tho with digital wallets. Also, it is very important not to lose your ticket - make sure to keep it safe, else, you will have to pay again. Fast forward to the view it self, it was indeed spectacular, you can see the whole view of cebu city, the main highlight is CCLEX. There are a few restaurants but all of them are full. As expected there’s a lot of people so you can’t really enjoy the view. Some are even sitting on the steps because there are no places to sit on. The place is not fully constructed so so don’t get to do much. To be honest, I wouldn’t want to go back here not until the area is fully constructed. I am curious tho about the view during the day but that wouldn’t change my mind. I only took a couple of pictures and videos. I was only there for 10 minutes and I decided to line up for the queue which was excruciating! I took definitely more than an hour before I was able to ride the shuttle. Good thing I was alone so I was able to ride at a faster pace, those who are in groups had to wait for the other shuttles to come. Conclusion: Do not go here during peak hours and weekends. Try going on a weekday if you can. Is it worth it? For me, not a the moment.