Travelling to Cebu
Flights to Cebu
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 (minimum price of 400 Pesos).
Going 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. If you call a metered taxi to pick you up at one of the isolated resorts on Mactan Island, be prepared to pay more than you actually should. Drivers will manipulate the meter or simply ask you for a fixed price.
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.
Jeepneys 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.
For trips around the island there are several bus operators (e.g. Ceres or Sunrays) leaving from Cebu South Bus Terminal. Most routes are serviced with airconditioned buses, too. Prices are very cheap.
A 2 hour trip to Dalaguete in the South from Cebu City in an aircon bus will cost you around 110 Pesos. Tickets are bought at a conductor inside the bus who comes to you after getting in. The same route by taxi would cost you around 1500-2500 Pesos as the driver would usually have to get back empty.
ESSENTIAL PHONE NUMBERS
POLICE STATIONS
Mobile Patrol: 166
SWAT: 166 or 233-2178
Downtown: 254-8635
Fuente: 253-5636, 255-7350
Guadalupe: 256-2193
Mabolo [near Ayala]: 233-6793
Port Area: 254-6968
Talamban: 344-7400
Pardo: 273-3642
Consolacion: 346-2847
FIRE STATIONS
Cebu City: 160 or 256-0541
Lapu-Lapu City: 340-0252
Mandaue City: 344-4747, Hotline: 344-3364
Talisay City: 272-8277
Naga Municipality: 272-6410
AMBULANCES
Cebu City ERUF: 161
Lapu-Lapu ERUF: 340-2994
Mandaue ACERT: 345-0652
BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION
340-0781
DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM
254-2811, 254-6077
Airport Office: 340-8229
CEBU PROVINCE TOURISM COMMISSION
253-3083
CEBU CITY TOURISM COMMISSION
253-2047
The area code for Cebu Province is 032.
The International Dialling Code for the Philippines is +63.
