Cebu General Tourist Information

Time and again Cebu City, and the entire province, has been consistently ranked as one of the finest destinations in the world. Highly receptive to tourism and business, its economy has just grown stronger through the years, and progress has made the province a great location to visit and live in.

Location & Geography

Cebu is situated to the east of Negros, on the southeast by Bohol and directly to the west is Leyte. In between Cebu and Bohol is the Bohol Strait, while Tanon Strait lies alongside Negros and Cebu.

Geographically, the island stretches some 149 miles (225 km). The terrain varies widely as there are plenty of hills and plateaus. At the north and south ends are striking mountain ranges, most rising over 3,000 ft.

It should also be mentioned that there more than a hundred small islands surrounding Cebu, a majority of which have become popular with tourists and adventurers. Among them are Bantayan, Mactan and Camotes.

Language

Cebuano is the language not just of the Cebuanos, but also of the people of Bohol. Negros Oriental, and other places like Davao, Zamboanga, and Surigao. There are some differences between the Cebuano spoken in each province, but the similarities are still strong. Most of those living in Cebu are also highly conversant in Tagalo and English.

Religion

As the first province to come under heavy control and rule of the Spanish conquistadors, Cebu is predominantly Roman Catholic. Like Manila they have their own Archdiocese and several churches. The Basilica Minore del Santo Nino holds the the statues of the Sto. Nino de Cebu, which, along with the Our Lady of Guadalupe, are the most revered saints in the province.

Other prominent churches are the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Sacred Heart Church, Santo Rosario Parish Church and several others.

Infrastructure

The key to the economic success of the province is its infrastructure, which can rival that of any city in the Philippines. In the capital city lies the Cebu Business Park, which is considered as one of the main business and commercial centers in the country.

There is also the South Road Properties Economic Zone, the Mactan Export Processing Zone and the Asiatown Information Technology Park. All three serve as showcase areas for the finest in business and tourism.

The Mactan-Cebu International Airport is capable of handling flights from all over the world, while the Cebu International Port, covering roughly 10 hectares, is one of the most vital shipping ports in the archipelago.

The telecommunications industry is one of the best, with everything from cable TV, cell phones to broadband Web access widely available. An abundance of coal powered and geothermal power plants ensure the steady flow of electricity in the province.

Economy

With a large percentage of shipping done in Cebu, as well as substantial air shipments as well, the entire province has become one of the most vital cogs in the economic growth of the Philippines. Not only are its ports and facilities numerous, but they are world class, leading to the establishment of foreign companies in the area.

Unlike other provinces, the province is more oriented towards industries than agriculture. One of its most well known is the making of furniture, which have grown to an extent that it is recognized as the finest in the country. Information technology, electronics, mining, banking are other businesses flourishing in Cebu.

History

Cebu was once known as Sugbo or Zubu even before the Spanish colonizers first came to its shores. It was inhabited both by Animist and Islamic tribes way back in the 13 and 16th century. These local tribes, even in those early days, were known to have strong trade relations with neighboring Asian countries like Indonesia and Malaysia.

Famed Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan made his mark in Philippine history as the man who reached the said islands from Europe in March 16, 1521. His expedition also gave the early Filipinos a first glimpse of Christianity. Unfortunately, Magellan met his end in the Battle of Mactan where his crew was defeated and he eventually died.

The survivors of the expedition brought tales of the so-called savage yet bountiful islands and this led to more expeditions from Spain. This ushered in the more than 300 years of Spanish colonization in Philippine history. This era ended in 1898 when the Cebu and the entire archipelago came under American control.

It was then followed by a brief three-year occupation by the Japanese during World War II. Cebu was liberated from Japanese control around three years later. After the Philippines finally became independent from colonial control Cebu became one of the major cities of the Philippines.

Climate

The weather in the city is relatively moderate for a tropical country. It is one of the few places in the Philippines that have no distinct dry or rainy seasons. This simply means that you’ll be seeing a lot of tropical sunny days during an entire year. But that doesn’t discount the fact that storms do pass by here.

Given its tropical climate, the humidity remains around 78 percent. The coldest months in the whole year are from December to February. You should expect the most number of rainy days to occur during the month of November since it is the wettest month of the year.

Annual rainfall averages to about 1,638 mm while the monthly minimum rainfall is at 50.4 mm. The most amount of rain in a month you’ll experience is rated at 206.5 mm. The coldest temperature here is at 22.69 degrees Celsius while hottest days will rise up to 33.19 degrees Celsius.

Tourism

Tourism is one of the major sources of income in the city’s and the province’s economy. The city itself has hosted several gatherings and forums on tourism. To accommodate its guests, you’ll find some good options when looking for hotels and resorts in the city. You have the Hilton Resort and Spa, Crown Regency Suites, Marco Polo Plaza, Waterfront City Hotel and Casino, and the Alegre Beach Resort as prime options.

However, if you’re looking for cheaper options you can settle for mid-range to shoe string budget hotels and accommodations. Some of the popular options include the Diplomat Hotel, Rajah Park Hotel, Alta Resort, San Remigio Beach Club, West Point Inn, and the Kiwi Lodge.

Touring the Cebu will open you up to a huge portion of the early history of the Philippines. Some of these historic sites have been around since the colonial era, which basically gives you an idea what life was like back then. Two of the oldest historic sites in the city are Fort San Pedro, which is also the smallest outpost in the country during the colonial days, and Colon Street, which is also the oldest street in the country.

Other important historic sites include the Lapu-Lapu Monument and Magellan’s Cross, each of which are tributes to these brave men. Since you’re already within the urban area you can take time out from the historic scene and lounge in the many malls in the city area.

Money and Banking Matters

A lot of the international and local banks in the Philippines have local branches here in Cebu. You’ll find such names as Citibank, UCPB, HSBC, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Security Bank, and Keppel Bank. Banks in the city usually have ATMs in each of their branches taking out your cash via ATM won’t be much of a problem. There are also money changers in the rural areas where you can change your money into the local currency.

Internet Providers

Tourists in Cebu should be aware of helpful tips to learn how to get around or what to do in the city. For your online needs while in the city of Cebu, there are a lot of choices for the Internet providers to use. You have the Bayan Internet in Cebu which is the pioneer in this industry, and also has some safety tips for usage of the older generation (like grandparents) and younger generation who are still learning the Internet for the first time. You can also choose the Cyberjet Online which has its office at Labangon in Cebu City. This particular Internet provider also provides various services and products that customers may like such as the selling of hardware or software, web design, training, and others. Some go for the largest provider of Internet known to many as the MosCom Network (or MosNet) which has a multimedia broadband that works with a good signal nationwide and also overseas. This broadband feature is of a higher quality than other providers in the country. There are still more to mention like the RAYnetworks, Inc., Data Link Devices, Inc., INFOCOM Technologies Inc., and Sotelco.

Visa for Foreign Tourists

One of the most helpful tips to remember by tourists in Cebu is to always have a legitimate passport with you. If you have a valid passport with you – but have no visa to show – that passport of yours would usually be enough to enter Cebu City. Visitors of the country of the Philippines are allowed up to twenty one (21) days to stay not only in Cebu but also in other parts of the country. But bear in mind that you have to present a ticket to show your travel itinerary. There is an exception to this, however, and that is mainly for those whose countries of origin do not have diplomatic affairs with the country. For Taiwan or Hong Kong passport, a special permit from either a consulate in other countries or the Philippine embassy is required before coming to any area of the country.

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Visa Extensions

For tourists in Cebu who desire to have their stay extended can do so. Typically, extensions of about thirty eight (38) days can be arranged. You merely have to drop by at the Immigration Office in the city of Cebu to request for this extension.
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Electricity

Having information on electricity is imperative. If you would go to Cebu, don’t forget to pack a converter. That is another of those helpful tips for tourists in Cebu that you should bear in mind. The city use 220V. But you may find many hotels in the area with outlets of electricity using 100V.

Airport

Flying to Cebu via an airplane of your choice is the most convenient of transportation. There are chartered and regular flights offered by the airport. At the Mactan Cebu International Airport, you would see scheduled flights that bring passengers to and from different countries such as Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and others. For helpful tips on saving for your airfare, you may want to book your flight to Cebu during Tuesdays up to Thursdays when the rates can be less expensive than going on other days. Weekend trips are usually taken by those seeking for a vacation; business travelers usually book their trips on Mondays. Cheap airfare can also be availed from these airlines: South East Asian Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, Asian Spirit, and Air Philippines. There are also international airlines that can bring you to the city. These include the Singapore Airlines and China Airlines. You may also choose to book on an off-season travel to lessen your expenses.