Cebu (island)
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Cebu is a large island in the Visayas region of the Philippines. The larger Negros Island lies just across the Tanon Strait to the west.
The largest city (and the oldest in the Philippines) is Cebu City, often called the Queen City of the South.
[edit] Cities
[edit] Other destinations
[edit] Understand
[edit] Talk
The main local language of Cebu is Cebuano / "Bisaya". Most younger people also speak English and Tagalog, so communicating is usually not a problem.
Because of the recent Filipino diaspora in search of employment opportunities, it's also not so rare to encounter talented Filipinos with at least a smattering of Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia and Malay, Mandarin and Fukien Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean and Spanish.
[edit] Get in
[edit] Fly
Most flights come from Manila with service from the two major national airlines, Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines, or you can fly from Singapore with Silk Air, from Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific or Cebu Pacific and from Doha with Qatar Airways direct to Mactan Airport. Cebu Pacific will add Bangkok as a direct destination in April, 2008. The airport is located on a different island and takes about 20-30 minutes to get to the actual city of Cebu. From the Airport you will need to hire a taxi.
[edit] Get around
For most tourist the only way to get around is via taxi. They are everywhere, cheap and efficient. You simply flag one down and tell them where you want to go. Most drivers know where almost everything is. If they don't then simply flag down another one.
Almost all of the taxis in Cebu are metered. They charge 30 pesos for you to get in and 2.5 pesos for every 5 minutes they wait, and 2.5 pesos for every half km. Most of the time a taxi driver is very nice but sometimes you will find ones that will want to charge your more than the meter or not use the meter at all. Avoid these taxis unless you enjoy getting ripped off. If they refuse to use the meter, or they go the wrong way more than once to try to increase the meter then get out and find another taxi. You are not required to pay more than what is on the meter no matter what the driver says. If the driver is pleasant, feel free to tip 10-20 pesos for nice service, and a bit more if he loads or unloads your bags.
The so-called private taxis should be avoided. They try to take advantage of tourists by charging 5-10 times the price that should be paid.
However, if one is indeed adventurous enough, another way to get around the city is via the colorful (and noisy) jeepneys that can be seen almost everywhere on the road. Jeepneys have specific routes assigned to them and will stick to that route only. The routes are marked by number plus letter (ie 03B, 03G, 13C, 04L). Jeepneys also place the route on the side of their jeepneys. Most jeepneys, though, go around the downtown area first before heading back to the start/end of their route.
Jeepenys are usually safe. During rush hour, though, be warned that it tends to get crammed and stuffy.
To get in a jeepney, call the attention of the driver by waving one arm as the jeepney approaches you. Drivers usually stop once they see this arm-waving. To get off one should say "LUGAR LANG" in a loud voice. Make sure the jeepney driver hears you, if not, he will continue to drive away.
[edit][add listing] See
[edit] In Cebu
- Ayala Mall
- SM Mall
[edit] Near Cebu
- Bantayan Island
- Mactan Island - diving and beaches
- Malapascua island - thresher shark watching
- Moalboal - nice dive spots
- Olango Island - bird watching
[edit][add listing] Do
Eat at Siomai sa Tisa - Although there are a lot of spin-offs of this 'restaurant', there is only one Siomai sa Tisa and it is, obviously, located in Tisa, Labangon. It only open during night until the wee hours of the morning. This 'restaurant' are just tables and chairs located at the side of the road. They serve the best siomai (Chinese food, steamed) coupled with the best sauce and the best halo-halo (Filipino dessert). This is true Cebuano dining out.
To get to this place, one may take a cab - the driver probably knows this place. or one can take a jeepney. All 12L jeepneys pass through there.
[edit][add listing] Drink
The water in cebu is generally considered safe. Most establishments offer beverages such as Coca-Cola, Sprite, Pepsi, 7-up, Ice Tea and other local non-alchoholic beverages. Alchoholic beverages are also served at your request.
[edit] Stay safe
Just the same as other cities, there are areas in cebu which should be avoided especially at night.
[edit] Get out
- Negros Occidental - the north-western half of Negros Island, in the Western Visayas region
- Negros Oriental - the south-eastern half of Negros Island, in the Central Visayas region
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