Cebu City

Cebu City is the main city on Cebu Island in the Philippines and is known as the Queen City of the South. It is the capital of Cebu Province, a transport hub, and a popular tourist destination in its own right.

Cebu is part of the country's second largest large urban area, Metro Cebu, whose other main components are the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu. This is a booming metropolitan area with all the conveniences of a modern city, as well as many of the problems of squalor, traffic, noise and pollution. Cebu City is clearly the center of the urban region, though the other towns are far from insignificant.

The area has excellent transport links and is the main hub for travel in the central and southern Philippines either by sea or by air. Cebu City has the busiest seaport in the Philippines. Lapu-Lapu has the Mactan-Cebu International Airport with direct international flights and many domestic flights. It is far more traveller-friendly than the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila.

Understand
The term "Cebu" is somewhat ambiguous; it can refer to the city itself (the commonest usage), to the whole Metro Cebu urban area, to Cebu Island or to Cebu Province which includes Cebu Island and a few nearby smaller islands.

The Colon district near the port is the oldest part of Cebu; it was the first Spanish city in the country and has tourist sites from that era, listed under. It also has much of the low-cost accommodation and a lot of department stores or small malls which, while not as large and modern as those in other areas, are often more affordable.

Osmeña Boulevard is one of the city's main streets, running approximately north from Colon district out to the provincial capitol. About halfway along is Fuente Osmena Circle.

Mango Avenue, officially General Maxilom Avenue, runs east from Osmena Circle. During the day it is a busy area full of shopping centers, restaurants and some hotels. In the evenings, it becomes a major nightlife area.

For climate information, see Metro Cebu.

Get in
See Metro Cebu for general information about reaching the urban region.

By plane
Mactan-Cebu International Airport is in Lapu-Lapu. Many travellers land there and head for Cebu City by bus or taxi.


 * MyBus travels from SM City to Mactan Airport via Park mall. Buses depart from 6AM-midnight at 20-min intervals) and cost from park mall and 50 from SM per person. All the MyBus vehicles have air-conditioning and CCTV. The last bus from the airport is midnight . The first bus from SM is 6AM.
 * Sugbo Airport buses run from the Marina Mall near the airport to the South Bus Terminal via the Pacific Mall, the Northern Bus Terminal, SM City Mall, and Mango Square. The fares are . The buses start at 5AM, and go every 45 minutes. The last bus leaves at 9PM. The Sugbo Airport Buses have free Wi-Fi (Aug 2018).
 * Topline express ferry from Mactan marina wharf which is just behind Island central mall Mactan. There are two fast ferries a hour going to pier 3 in downtown cebu. . The ferry takes 30 minutes. There are yellow jeepneys from Terminal 1 at Cebu Airport going to Island Central Mall for.
 * Taxis are also readily available for . Coming out of the terminal, turn right and walk a bit past the end of the building to reach the main taxi stand.

For either the bus or taxi, 45 minutes is a typical time. However, either can sometimes be a bit faster or much slower depending on traffic conditions.

By ferry
Cebu City's domestic port is the country's busiest and is home to almost 80 percent of the country's passenger vessels. The passenger port is in Cebu City, near downtown. The parts of the port that handle containers and other freight extend for a long way north of that, reaching into Mandaue.

Note that Cebu City ferry terminals charge a terminal fee. The fee is approximately , depending on pier. Only cash is accepted and no ATMs are available prior to the secure area (which you can only get to by paying the terminal fee).

Identification is usually required to pick up ferry tickets, but this is at the discretion of the check-in agent. Seats are usually selected at check-in. If you are stranded overnight at a ferry terminal, you may be required to present identification or to complete a questionnaire about your intentions by security.

If planning a trip, consider buying a Sun Star newspaper; it has a shipping guide with information on passenger shipping schedules, updated daily.

Large 2Go passenger ferries with a capacity of 1,000 or more passengers ply the routes such as to Manila, Butuan; Cagayan de Oro. Iligan and Ozamiz. Medium-sized vessels with a capacity of 500 passengers or fewer such as the roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) types go to nearer destinations: Tagbilaran, Iloilo City, Ozamiz, Iligan, Dipolog, Surigao, Dumaguete, Masbate, Calbayog, Ormoc, Baybay, Maasin Hilongos, Naval, Palompon, Tubigon, Tailbon, Getafe, Catbalogan, Larena Siquijor, and Plardel.

The shipping lines that depart from Cebu city are.
 * 2Go Travel, Manila.
 * Trans-Asia, Tagbilaran, Cagayan de Oro, Ozamiz, Iligan, Masbate.
 * Cokaliong, Dumaguete, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo City, Dipolog.
 * Lite, Siquijor, Bohol, Cagayan de Oro, Ormoc.
 * Super Shuttle, from Jagna Bohol island to Camiguin island.
 * Roble shipping lines Baybay, Ormoc, Naval and Catbalogan
 * Medallion Transport. has a ferry to Dipolog.

For some destinations, fast hydrofoil ferries are available. Travel time is about half that of a RoRo and the comfort level higher, but prices are at least double.
 * Fastcat has a ferry to Tubigon
 * Weesam Express to Tubigon
 * Oceanjet Tagbilaran, Ormoc, Camotes Islands, Getafe Bohol. From Cebu to Siquijor via Tagbilaran.
 * 2Go Supercat. Tagbilaran and Ormoc.

Within Cebu Province

 * Metro Ferry operates ferries from Lapu-Lapu to Pier 3. Departures every 20 minutes, 5AM-9PM daily. Fare:
 * Topline Express has a ferry from Mactan Marina in Lapu-Lapu to Pier 3 every 30 minutes from 6AM till 8PM. The trip takes 30 minutes and cost . You can also take Topline Express from the airport, alongside a jeepney ride from the airport on route MI05-B from Terminal 1.
 * My Boat Mejia: 64-seat ferry from the promenade of Naga City. 16-18 trips per day, with departures every 30 minutes. Fare:

By bus
Buses come from most nearby cities, mainly along the north-south coastal highway. From more distant places such as Dumaguete, Bacolod or even Manila, the buses ride ferries for parts of their routes.

There are two major bus terminals: the north bus terminal at the SM City Mall and south bus terminal in Cebu City next to E mall. Ceres Bus Lines operates regular bus services to these terminals and is considered the safer alternative to the smaller privately-operated bus lines.

Get around
See the Metro Cebu article for a more general discussion of getting around in the large urban conglomerate of which Cebu City forms a part.

By jeepney
Do as the locals do and catch a colorful jeepney. They are available 24 hours and cover most of the nooks and crannies of the city. Ask around for which route to take, or read the signs on the sides of the vehicles showing their routes. Routes within the city are also listed on Google Maps; Google Maps lists certain stops but you don't actually have to get on or off at any particular stop -- you can get on and off anywhere along the jeep's route. Costs start at for the first 4 km and increase for longer distances. Beware of pickpockets and other theft, this is unfortunately very common on jeepneys and even locals fall victim. Hidden pockets, money belts and carrying goods near one's nether regions are common but they are not infallible strategies to avoid theft.

By bus
MyBus have five bus routes around Metro Cebu. Fares are from (except route 5), and all buses are fully air-conditioned and low-floor.


 * Route 1 between SM Seaside and Park Mall (in Lapu-Lapu) via SM City Cebu and the North Bus Terminal,
 * Route 2 between SM Seaside and Talisay
 * Route 3 between SM City Cebu and Mactan Airport via Park Mall
 * Route 4 between Park Mall and Talisay via the North Bus Terminal and SM City Cebu
 * Route 5 between BDO Fuente branch and SM Seaside. Free.


 * Robinsons Malls offers free shuttle buses between Robinsons Fuente or Robinsons Cybergate and Robinsons Galleria. Services between 30 minutes.

Sugbo Tours transit buses have large air conditioned buses every 45 minutes from 5AM till 9PM from the southern bus terminal going via Mango Square, SM City Mall, Northern Bus Terminal, Pacific Mall, Island Central Mall in Mactan. Fares (May 2023).

Beeps buses have fully air-conditioned low-floor buses. In the future, they will replace all routes served by jeepneys'. Fares are for the first 4 km and  for each succeeding km (as of May 2023). Buses depart every 15 minutes. Unlike the other operators, they operate 24/7.

Cebu City is building a bus rapid transit (BRT) system which will run between Cebu IT Park and SM Seaside since 2022, passing through the capitol, Fuente and CSBT. It is still under construction (between the capitol and CSBT) as of 2023, but the city operates an interim bus service runs along the route.

By taxi
Taxis are omnipresent in Cebu City. But there's a decent chance you'll be overcharged by a taxi driver at some point during your trip to Cebu. This should be considered a cost of visiting Cebu (or anywhere in the Philippines). You can (and should) report improper taxi behavior to the Department of Tourism in Cebu by phoning +63 32 254 2811.

Unless you're familiar with the city, always insist on a metered fare as a negotiated fare will almost always be much higher. If you know the city and need to go a long distance, it may be worth paying a negotiated fare so that the driver doesn't take the scenic route or you become victim of an uncalibrated meter. Late in the evenings, there could be taxis driving with an uncalibrated, inflated meter.

Most trips around the city should not cost more than. The fare from the airport to most of central Cebu should be (2023) depending on whether you use the white or yellow cabs (white ones are reportedly cheaper).

If you know the name of the building, establishment, area or street you wish you reach, taxis are still the fastest way to your destination. Most drivers know where almost everything is. If the driver is pleasant, a tip is warranted, especially if he loads or unloads your bags. Most drivers do not have, or will tell you they do not have change, so be ready with 50s and 20s when going on short trips.

It is best to avoid the "Private" taxis as they take advantage of tourists and charge 5-10 times the normal fare. You will find these taxis at the some of the high-class hotels. They are normally owned by the hotel to make money and may charge for something that should cost. Some hotels make it hard for other taxis to pick you up at their premise and you may need to walk outside to save money.

Another place where private taxis are common is the airport. To avoid them, simply ask a porter for help and for a metered taxi. Downstairs at the exit for arrivals, there is a booth that will flag down a taxi for, but you can also go up the ramp and there are a lot of metered taxis waiting for you. You can also wend your way upstairs to Departures where many metered taxis are available. Fare down town to Ayala or SM Malls should be around (May 2022) on the meter. You may be told "500" by the driver. Just grab the door handle and say "What, you don't have a meter?" Don't travel unless the meter is used; not using the meter is illegal, and you can report it to local officials.

Talk
The main language spoken throughout Cebu Province and in many nearby areas is Cebuano, the most important of many Visayan languages in the Philippines.

English and Tagalog are common as additional languages though using the former is usually preferable to the latter. Sometimes, they also speak in Bislish (Bisaya Cebuano + English) and/or Taglish (Tagalog + English) when they cannot find the appropriate word to use. Younger people speak English with a Cebuano accent, often interchanging i and e, and o and u.

The city also has some speakers of other Visayan languages such as Ilonggo and Waray, and the Chinese minority speak Hokkien, but most speakers of those languages can also speak at least one of Cebuano, English or Tagalog.

See
The city was well established as a trade center and regional capital even before the first Europeans, under Magellan, arrived in the 1520s. When the Spanish returned to colonize in 1565, Cebu became the first Spanish city in the country and (briefly) the capital. Many of today's tourist sites go back to the period of Spanish rule which lasted until the Americans took over in 1898.

Shrines and historical landmarks




Do

 * Ride a tartanilla - Head to Cebu's old quarters in Carlock St and try riding a horse drawn carriage called a tartanilla. Remember to negotiate with the driver before taking a ride.
 * See the scenic view of Cebu City's skyline - The Marcelo Fernan Bridge or  Second Mactan Bridge offers some interesting views of the city at night, and is even picturesque from below. Arrange for a taxi to take you there.
 * See the scenic view of Cebu City's skyline - The Marcelo Fernan Bridge or  Second Mactan Bridge offers some interesting views of the city at night, and is even picturesque from below. Arrange for a taxi to take you there.

Sinulog
This festival honouring Santo Niño, the Holy Child, is held annually on the third Sunday of January. It is centered on the Basilica in Cebu City but is celebrated throughout Cebu Province and to some extent even in nearby provinces; it attracts large numbers of both tourists and pilgrims. Festivities last for about a week leading up to the Sunday climax.

There are colorful parades in many towns. Main thoroughfares around the city are blocked for an all-day and all-night loud and colourful street party. Don't forget your dancing shoes!

On one hand, Sinulog can be one of the most interesting times to visit Cebu. On the other, some consider it a time to avoid. Hotels tend to sell out, streets and restaurants are crowded, and traffic may be horribly jammed. For example a bus heading south from the south bus station normally takes under an hour to reach Carcar, but it can be over three hours during Sinulog because the highway is also the main street of various towns along the way, and several have parades along it.

Buy
There is quite a bit of shopping in various neighbourhoods of Cebu, especially in the old downtown Colon area and around Fuente Osmena Circle.



Banks, ATMs & foreign exchange
Most ATMs in the Philippines accept foreign ATM cards and many will issue cash advances against foreign credit cards. In nearly all cases there is a fee (usually ) for the service, only Philippine pesos can be withdrawn, and there is a limit (often ) per transaction.

Eat
One great thing about Cebu is that, while being an island paradise on the one hand, it's also a sophisticated city, with a wide range of pretty decent restaurants to choose from. However, Cebu's all-you-can-eat buffets are more expensive than those elslewhere in the country.

Street-food abounds in Cebu. You can buy all sorts of Philippine delicacies from the many street stalls scattered around Cebu City.

Food courts
All the major malls (listed under ) have food courts, and major chains &mdash; KFC, Shakey's Pizza, Starbucks, Bo's Coffee and others &mdash; have locations in many of them. The downtown area around Colon Street has a large number of restaurants including many budget places and many fast food chains.

Budget
All these are in the city center:

Splurge
For tourists who want upmarket restaurants, two good areas are Ayala Mall and the IT Park.

Chains
Some Filipino chains have multiple locations in Cebu and some in nearby towns:



Drink
Mango Avenue (officially General Maxilom Avenue) and Mango Square is where the bulk of the nightlife is. The typical venues are nightclubs, bars and karaoke boxes.

There are many girlie bars, mostly along Mango Ave. It is fairly common to visit these clubs just to enjoy the show, a lot of scantily-clad dancers who compete to catch customers' eyes. However, the dancers are more-or-less all also available for sexual services. Prostitution is illegal in the Philippines but quite common, and these bars are the most usual front; see the Philippines article for discussion.

There are also a number of western-style pubs popular with the local expat community; most are listed below.



Stay safe
Cebu is a relatively safe city where violent crime is rare. This being said, you should be aware of your surroundings.

Beware of pickpockets. It's common to spot them in downtown Cebu and on jeepneys.

Parts of downtown Cebu are unsafe at night.

Stay healthy

 * Hi-Precision Diagnostics Medalle Building G/F Osmena Blvd. +63-32-2554131. ₱300 to see a doctor.
 * MyHealth Clinic -- Cybergate Cebu, 3rd floor, Robinsons Cybergate Mall by Fuente Osmeña Circle. Privately-owned general health clinic. +63 32-268-8502
 * Chong Hua Hospital by Fuente Osmeña Circle. Filipino-Chinese private non-profit hospital. It was founded to address healthcare discrimination against Filipino-Chinese, but it is open to all and is generally considered the best hospital in Cebu. Emergency care is available. +63 32-255-8000
 * University of Cebu Medical Center. Private hospital affiliated with University of Cebu Medical School. Poor reputation within Cebu due to quality of care concerns within its acute and emergency care wards, especially due to a relatively small bed capacity. +63  (32) 517-0888
 * The Hospital at Maayo. Private hospital focused on holistic care. Better suited for those looking for executive health checkups or having a defined need to meet with a specialist. Emergency care and isolation wards are available. +63 (32) 888 2662
 * University of Cebu Medical Center. Private hospital affiliated with University of Cebu Medical School. Poor reputation within Cebu due to quality of care concerns within its acute and emergency care wards, especially due to a relatively small bed capacity. +63  (32) 517-0888
 * The Hospital at Maayo. Private hospital focused on holistic care. Better suited for those looking for executive health checkups or having a defined need to meet with a specialist. Emergency care and isolation wards are available. +63 (32) 888 2662

Dental clinics
The dental clinics listed here have good prices. There are also clinics in the malls, but they are about three times as expensive.

Cope
Most of the foreign consulates are in Cebu City, but some are in Mandaue. For a list, see the Metro Cebu article.

Government offices
Cebu City does not have an immigration office; the "Cebu office" is actually in Mandaue. For information on that and the Lapu-Lapu office, see Metro Cebu.

Airlines offices
Quite a few airlines have offices in town: Others have offices at Mactan-Cebu International Airport: Of course there are plenty of travel agents in the city, so for many things you need not deal directly with an airline.
 * Qatar Airways
 * China Southern Airlines +63-2-5248888.
 * Sichuan Airlines
 * China Airlines Taiwan.
 * China Southern Airlines +63-2-5248888.
 * Sichuan Airlines
 * China Airlines Taiwan.
 * China Southern Airlines +63-2-5248888.
 * Sichuan Airlines
 * China Airlines Taiwan.
 * China Airlines Taiwan.

Go next
Anywhere in Cebu Province is easily reached, and anywhere in Metro Cebu is close; see those articles for lists of all the possible destinations. Popular beach resorts in the province include: Other parts of the Visayas, and the main cities of northern Mindanao, are also easily reached. Popular Visayan tourist destinations usually reached by ferry from Cebu are:
 * Moalboal beach, bus 2½-3 hr from south bus terminal, + tricycle to beach around, a diving destination with generally moderate prices
 * The Camotes Islands, fast ferry from Cebu city (to Poro port) or by Jomalia ferry from Danao to Consuelo port (bus from Cebu City, 1-2 hours).
 * Bantayan Island, off to the north of Cebu island.
 * Oslob, south of Cebu, known for whale shark watching, can be visited en route to Dumaguete
 * Bohol, an island province east of Cebu, popular for its scenic Chocolate Hills and tarsiers.
 * Dumaguete, capital of a neighboring province, with a relaxed bar scene and good diving nearby.
 * Bacolod, capital of a neighboring province and second-largest city in the Visayas, is reachable by taking a bus to Toledo, a ferry to San Carlos and then another bus.