Cebu City

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 #See. 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. Outside the center but still in the city is the IT Park. The area has many restaurants, mostly upmarket and with international menus, quite a few expat residents, and some work opportunities for techies. For climate information, see Metro Cebu.

Getting there

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

By plane Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB IATA) 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 ₱25 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 ₱20-40. 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 an hour going to pier 3 in downtown cebu. ₱20-25. The ferry takes 30 minutes. There are yellow jeepneys from Terminal 1 at Cebu Airport going to Island Central Mall for ₱12. Taxis are also readily available for ₱300-450. 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 ₱25, 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. Mediu

Getting 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 ₱12 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 ₱25-50 (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 ₱20-40 (May 2023). Beeps buses have fully air-conditioned low-floor buses. In the future, they will replace all routes served by jeepneys'. Fares are ₱14.00 for the first 4 km and ₱1.50 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, 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 visitin

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 1 Basilica of Santo Niño (Basilica del Santo Niño (Basilica of the Holy Child)), Osmeña Boulevard, ☏ +63 32 2556697. A large and venerable church that traces its history to the founding of the convent of the Santo Niño de Cebu in 1565. It contains a statue of the Santo Niño (Holy Child) that is regarded as the oldest religious relic in the Philippines. The statue was presented by Ferdinand Magellan to Queen Juana during the baptism of King Humabon and his wife Queen Juana on 14 April 1521. The natives of Cebu were formally Christianized by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Father Andres de Urdaneta on 27 April 1565. However, as they found the natives hostile, the village was set on fire. Later on, in a burnt-out house, a soldier named Juan Camus found the statue untouched. This was proclaimed a miracle. The statue, adorned with gold and precious stones, is in a glass case to the left of the altar. The church sees a constant stream of devotees praying at pews in the sanctuary and in front of statues of saints. The Basilica del Santo Niño Museum (open Tu-Su 8-11:45AM, 1:30-4:45PM) contains the vestments used to dress the Santo Niño and jewellery offered to the Santo Niño for use during his feast (#Sinolog) on the third Sunday of January. ₱30 for museum.

2 Magellan's Cross, Plaza Sugbo, off Magallanes St (between the Colegio de Santo Niño (south of the Basilica of Santo Niño) and Cebu City Hall - if you approach the Basilica from Osmeña Boulevard, walk through the courtyard of the Basilica and the Colegio to reach the Plaza). An octagonal building decorated with murals containing a large wooden cross that commemorates the Portuguese conquistador Ferdinand Magellan who planted a wooden cross upon converting the original inhabitants to Christianity. A plaque states that the visible wooden cross contains the original cross, but some historians say the original cross was reduced to firewood by local inhabitants when the Magellan fleet headed elsewhere. Take time to appreciate the various candle sellers who dance around during worship and while selling the candles. Free. 3 Colon St. Brave the cacophonous traffic to see the oldest street in the Philippin

Do

1 Tops Lookout. This sits at the top of the Mt Busay and has an unobstructed view of the entire city at night. A few shops and restaurants stand along the way for a short stop. Taxi drivers may want as much as ₱1000 for a trip to Tops, so the best way to get there is by mountain bike. This is a world class climb and on any given day, Cebu's bikers are humping the 45-minute to 1-hr trek filled with switchbacks and views better than you see actually at the very top. Ask your hotel where you can rent a mountain bike. They may have to ask around a bit, but it's worth it. 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. 2 Sky Experience Adventure (Xtreme Rides) (Adjacent Robinson's Mall in the Crown Regency Cebu), ☏ +63 32 418 7777. The tallest building in the city. Adventure seekers may head to the top floor to experience a breathtaking view of this modern city and its environs. You may also opt to join in the Xtreme Rides that puts you on the edge of the city, or you may walk around the edge of the building (don't worry, safety cables are attached) to experience this for a fee. Abellana Cebu Sports Center & Public Swimming pool, 179 R R Landon Road off Osmmena Blvd, ☏ +63 32-2531091. 9AM-9PM. Full-size Cebu City Council-run outdoor swimming pool 50 m by 25 m. Has ten lanes. There have been reports of people getting ear infections using this pool. (updated Jan 2020)

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

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.

1 Ayala Mall. Has several department stores, two supermarkets, a movie theater, lots of restaurants and hundreds of stores. The terraces have a central park-like area and several floors of shopping, mostly restaurants, on either side. The mall is in the Cebu Business Park which hosts the Cathay Pacific office, foreign banks a few consulates, and the Seda hotel. There is now a 2nd Ayala mall at the IT park. 2 SM Seaside. A huge mall with a large department store, bowling center, movie theaters, Olympic-size ice skating rink, and 447 shops and restaurants. 3 SM City Cebu. Northeast of downtown. Has a large supermarket. 4 Robinson Mall Fuente, B Rodriguez Street (right on Fuente Circle), ☏ +63-32-2555590. 8AM-8:30PM. A bakery on the ground level is popular for coffee. The mall has a food court and supermarket. 5 Elizabeth Mall, Natalio B Bacalso Avenue. 9AM-8PM. Has a supermarket, travel agents, cellphone shops, and lots of places to eat. (updated Mar 2017) 6 Carbon Market. The largest farmers' market in the city — both a shopping area and a tourist attraction. Colonnade Mall, Colon Street, ☏ +63-32-2540618. 6AM-9PM. The biggest air-conditioned mall in downtown Cebu. Has a discount supermarket, two bake shops, bank, two money exchanges, many cell phones shops, a pharmacy, a food court and a two-screen cinema. lower prices. (updated Jun 2019)

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 ₱250) for the service, only Philippine pesos can be withdrawn, and there is a limit (often ₱10000) per transaction.

7 HSBC Bank (UK), G/F Philamlife Center, Cardinal Rosales Avenue corner Samar Loop (Cebu business park near Ayala Mall), ☏ +63-32-2344180. 24-hour ATMs. Has the only Mastercard and Visa card ATMs in Cebu without a fee for overseas cards. Also the only ATMs in Cebu where you can take out up to ₱40,000 per time. 8 Alco Foreign Exchange, Shop 108 Rain Tree Mall, General Maxilom Avenue, ☏ +63 32-2552704. 8:30AM-5PM. Good foreign exchange rates. (updated Oct 2017)

Books 9 Fully Booked, Level 2, The Terraces, Ayala Centre, ☏ +63 32 4171007, +63 32 4171400, [email protected]. A modern bookshop with a good selection of imported fiction and non-fiction books, a smaller collection of books about the Philippines and an in-shop café. National Book Store, Locat

Eat

Cebu City has a wide range of reasonably good places to eat, from restaurants and buffets to street-food stalls. All-you-can-eat buffets tend to be more expensive than in many other parts of the country. Street food is abundant, with stalls across the city selling a variety of Filipino snacks and local specialties.

Food courts All the major malls (listed under #Buy) have food courts, and major chains — KFC, Shakey's Pizza, Starbucks, Bo's Coffee and others — 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.

1 Robinsons Fuente food court, B Rodriguez Street (Right on Fuente Circle). 10AM-8:30PM. Lower ground floor near the supermarket. Good bakery and coffee shop. (updated Feb 2023) 2 Elizabeth Mall Food Court, 3rd floor, E mall, Natalio B Bacalso Avenue. 9AM-8PM. (updated Feb 2023)

Budget All these are in the city center:

3 Muvanz Pocherohan And Seafoods, Century Plaza Complex, Juana Osmeña St. (updated Aug 2022) 4 Ned Nanay's Grill, Don Mariano Cui St. (updated Aug 2022) 5 Healthy U, A Tormis St. (updated Aug 2022) 6 Yakski Barbecue, 268 Don Mariano Cui St. (updated Aug 2022) 7 Chik Chow Food House, 18 General Maxilom Ave (at the end of the alleyway that branches southward off of General Maxilom Ave, a.k.a. Mango Ave, just west of where it crosses the Kamputhaw River). (updated Aug 2022)

Mid-range 8 La Vie Parisienne, 371 Gorordo Ave, ☏ +63 32 505 0274. French bakery. (updated Aug 2022) 9 Ipar's Restaurante Y Bar De Tapas, 157 F. Ramos St. (updated Aug 2022)

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

10 Cebu IT Park. Offices, rental and condo apartments; the area has many foreign employees and a good selection of western restaurants. Not much shopping. 11 Ayala Terraces (one side of Ayala Mall). Many restaurants including several foreign chains such as Burger King, Army-Navy, Starbucks and TGI Friday's, Filipino chains, and many non-chain places.

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

12 Alberto's Pizza, 15 B. Rodriguez Ave. (opposite Vicente Sotto Hospital), ☏ +63 32 254 0042. 9AM-11PM. Offers a good and rather affordable locally made thin crust pizza. Has branches all over Cebu. (updated Feb 2017) 13 Ngohiong Express, Mango Square. 24 hours. Has many branches all over Cebu. (updated Feb 2017) 14 Orange Brutus, Fuente Osmena Circle (Cinco Centrum), ☏ +63 32-2554783. 24 hours. Burgers, rice meals, sizzing pork chop.

Drink & nightlife

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

1 301 Ramos St Sports Bar & Grill, 301 F Ramos street, ☏ +63-32-5132706. 11AM-11PM. A sports bar & grill. A 320ml beer is ₱75. (updated Apr 2021) The Philly Sports Bar & Restaurant, 53 AJ King Bulg General Maxilom Avenue (near mango sq.), ☏ +63 9171333497, [email protected]. 3PM-11PM. An expat sports bar, serving Western & Filipino food. Excellent choice of imported beers & ciders from Europe in their beer garden. Happy hours beer is from ₱45. Very good English breakfast for 199 pesos. 320ml beer from only 45 pesos. (updated May 2021) 2 Our Place Pub & Restaurant, Pelaez street (down town cebu), ☏ +63 32-4168243, +63 32 888 9523. 7:30AM-11PM every day. Established 1978. Meet other expats from all over the world. Good British & European food at a great prices. Sells beer for only ₱70. meals from ₱149. (updated Apr 2019)

Sleep

Backpacker hostels Nacho Hostel Cebu, Sandy Drive Bulacao Talisay City Cebu, ☏ +63-9562845390, [email protected]. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. 4-6-8 bed dorms, Air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, cable TV, common room, cooker, fridge freezer, microwave, hot showers, outdoor swimming pool, outdoor terrace, security lockers, washing machine, adaptors, bbq, 24 hour reception. Dorm bed from ₱300 per person. (updated Aug 2022) Nomad's Hub - Best Value co-living Hostel, F Ramos Street 1 Yap Bldg (0.6 miles from the centre), ☏ +63 32-3480071, [email protected]. Check-in: 00.00, check-out: 00.00. 8 bed Dorm, Free Wi-Fi, lockers, safety deposit box, 24-hour front desk, movie nights,. From ₱420 per person. (updated Aug 2022) 1 Food District Hostel, 12 Torralba Street Cor Wilson street Brgy Apas Lahug (near Camp Lapa-lapu), ☏ +63-9778531685. Check-out: noon. 8-bed dorm with shared bathroom. Free Wi-Fi. Dorm bed ₱635 per person. (updated Aug 2022) Murals Backpackers Hostel, Corner President Roaxs and President Magsaysay streets Kasambagan (1.6 miles from the centre), ☏ +63-9984711065, [email protected]. Check-in: 14.00, check-out: 12.00. A/C 6-8 bed dorms. Free Wi-Fi. restaurant, free parking, 24 hour security, garden, sun terrace move nights, bar, Lockers, luggage storage,. A/C dorm ₱350,. (updated Aug 2022) 2 Le Village Guest House & Backpackers Hostel, 84 Gorordo Avenue (near Ayala Mall), ☏ +63 32-4203405. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Has a bar. Free Wi-Fi. Fan dorm bed ₱300. (updated Dec 2016) 3 Naps X Adventures Hostel, 145 M Velez Street Guadalupe, ☏ +63 32 4151065. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. A/C dorm with 12 beds, free Wi-Fi. Every bed has a power point and locker. ₱350 per person. (updated Jan 2019) Mad Monkey Backpackers Hostel, 79 Echavez Street, ☏ +63-9669915886, [email protected]. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: Noon. 6-8 bed air-con dorms. Free Wi-Fi wifi, bar, swimming pool. Restaurant. from ₱400 a night. (updated Aug 2022)

Budget 4 Alemar Budgetel Hotel, P Lopez Street (over the street from the Metro Colon department store), ☏ +63 32 -2542785. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. A/C single/double rooms with 32-inch LED cable TV, hot and cold shower, free Wi-Fi. Breakfast for ₱100. single From ₱750. 5 Robes Pension House, 41R Landon Street Cornor don Pedro Cui Street, ☏ +63-32-2530104, [email protected]. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. A/C single/double room with own hot water bathroom and cable TV, free Wi-Fi. From ₱900. 6 Mc Sherry Pension House, Pelaez Street, ☏ +63 32 254-4792. Check-out: n

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:

Moalboal beach, bus 2½-3 hr from south bus terminal, ₱140 + tricycle to beach around ₱20, 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 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:

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.