Cebu (city)

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 with many bars and clubs, including most of Cebu's "girlie bars".

By plane

Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) 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 behide 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

Magalhães

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.
If planning a trip, consider buying a Sun Star newspaper for ; 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 and Cagayan de Oro. 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, 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 Bohol every Monday at noon, for . Cagayan de Oro, Ozamiz, Iligan.
• George & Peter Lines, Dumaguete
• Cokaliong, biggest ferry company in Cebu has new clean ferries. Dumaguete for every Sunday at noon. Cagayan de Oro for . Iloilo for . Dipolog for .
• 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 the new Dipolog port 6 times a week for .

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, Bohol
• Weesam Express Tagbilaran, Ormoc and Maasin
• Oceanjet Tagbilaran , Ormoc, Camotes Islands, a ticket to Siquijor from cebu costs
• 2Go Supercat. Tagbilaran and Ormoc.

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 in Mandaue and south bus terminal in Cebu City. Ceres Bus Lines operates regular bus services to these terminals and is considered the safer alternative to the smaller privately-operated bus lines.

• Cebu South Bus Terminal

  address: Natalio Bacalso Avenue,

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. Ask around for which route to take, or read the signs on the sides of the vehicles showing their routes. They are available 24 hours and cover most of the nooks and crannies of the city. Costs start at and increase for longer distances. Beware of pickpockets and other theft, this is common and even locals fall victim.

By bus

• MyBus have five bus routes around Metro Cebu, fares from all buses are fully air condition.
• Route 1. SM Seaside, SM City, North bus terminal, Park mall.
• Route 2 SM Seaside, Talisay.
• Route 3 SM City, Park Mall, Mactan Airport.
• Route 4 Park mall, North bus terminal, SM City, Talisay.
• Route 5 BDO Bank Fuente going to SM Seaside (this bus is free).

• Robinsons free shuttle buses to/from Robinsons Fuente & Robinsons Cybergate going to Robinsons Galleria every 30 min.
• Sugbo Tours transit buses have large air condition 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 2019).
• Beeps buses 34-seat fully air-conditioned buses with TVs serving two routes in Cebu City. Route One City Hall to IT park via Robinson Gallery, Ayala Business Park. Route Two . Duterte Street Banawa Barangay Guadalupe to Sykes Barangay Mabolo via Mango Square, Ayala Business Park, Landers Superstore. Fares are (May 2019), and buses are every 15 minutes 24 hours a day.

Local ferries

• Metro ferry has a ferry every 20 minutes from 5am till 9pm from Pier 3 to Lapu-lapu city. the trip takes 25 minutes and fare is 20 pesos.
• Topline Express has a ferry every 30 minutes from 6am till 8pm from Pier 3 going to Mactan Marina wharf (behide Island Central mall). the trip takes 30 minutes and cost 25 pesos. you can use Topline Express to go too and from the airport. as over the street from Island central mall there are Yellow Jeppneys going to/from Cebu airport (terminal one) for 8 pesos.
• MY Boat Mejia 64 passenger seat ferry from Pier 3 too Boardwalk Naga city. 16-18 trips per day. with a fare of 60 pesos. travel time just over 30 minutes.

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 (July 2019) 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 2019) 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.

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. 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.

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

• Basilica of Santo Niño

  phone: +63 32 2556697
  address: Osmeña Boulevard
  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.

• Magellan's Cross

  address: Plaza Sugbo, off Magallanes St
  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.

• Colon StBrave the cacophonous traffic to see the oldest street in the Philippines with some nice worn-out classical buildings dating back to the American Era. At night, this street transforms into a market with good buys everywhere. Be wary of pickpockets though.

• Fort San PedroThe smallest Spanish outpost in the Philippines during the colonial era. It has a small museum showcasing the wreckage and treasures from the sunken San Diego galleon from Mexico. The area is scenic with the newly renovated and open-air Plaza Independencia at the entrance.

• The Chinese Taoist TempleThere are many people of Chinese ancestry in Cebu, and several Chinese temples; one is the Taoist Temple. From there you can see a nice view of the city because it is on a hill.

• Cebu Metropolitan CathedralA church built in 1565 by the first Spanish missionaries in Cebu, seat of an Archbishop who has subordinate Bishops in many cities of the Visayas. It was mostly destroyed during World War II and had been rebuilt a bit differently. Behind the church is a cemetery where several prominent churchmen including Cardinal Rosales are buried.

Museums

• Casa Gorordo Museum

  phone: +63 32 2555630
  address: 35 Lopez Jaena St
  A well-preserved Spanish colonial mansion constructed largely of wood, set in a pleasant, manicured garden. The lower floor has a collection of old tools, and an A/C room that has changing displays such as art exhibitions. The more interesting upstairs level was the former living quarters of the Gorordo family. It features lovely carved wooden furniture and a wide patio. The kitchen is particularly interesting, as it contains a traditional dirt stove, a wooden food safe, and a traditional dish drying rack fitted to the outside of the window.

• Jose R. Gullas Halad MuseumA museum that pays homage to the musical heritage of Cebu. This museum is operated under the Tipiganan sa mga Handumanan sa Kanta ug Kinaiyang Sugbuanon (Treasury of Memories) Foundation. In the old building of The Freeman Newspaper.

• Cebu Provincial MuseumThe museum is housed in the former Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, which was once the Carcel de Cebu. Its four Spanish-era buildings made of coral stone contain artifacts relating to the history of Cebu.

• Rizal Memorial Museum

  address: Osmena Blvd
  Paintings and sculptures by local artists and antiques donated by wealthy Cebuanos.

Other sights

• Provincial CapitolParticularly scenic at night, is by far the largest provincial capitol building anywhere in the entire archipelago. It was built during the American era, and the design is a miniature of the White House.

• Heritage of Cebu

  address: Sikatuna St,
  A massive and particularly detailed monument showcasing the heritage of Cebu from the old Spanish to the American colonial era.

• Tops LookoutThis 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 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.

• Sky Experience Adventure

  phone: +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.

• Backstreet Academy

  phone: +63-9772033565
  address: Capitol Site
  An alternative tour experiences platform, they enable locals to offer authentic and unique activities to tourists such as street food tours, weaving workshops, landscape painting classes, Lechon feasts with locals and various types of Filipino Martial Art lessons with masters. A social enterprise, they work with many underprivileged people who either serve as hosts or facilitators. The facilitators will be your medium of communication with the local hosts. Transport is provided for some of the activities.

• Abellana Cebu Sports Center & Public Swimming pool

  phone: +63 32-2531091
  address: 179 R R Landon Road off Osmmena Blvd
  Full-size outdoor swimming pool 50 m by 25 m. Has ten lanes.

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.

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

• Ayala MallHas several department stores, two high price supermarkets and a movie theater, and it offers 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.

• SM SeasideA huge mall with a large department store, bowling center, movie theaters, Olympic-size ice skating rink, and 447 shops and restaurants.

• SM City CebuNortheast of downtown. Has a large supermarket.

• Robinson Mall Fuente

  phone: +63-32-2555590
  address: B Rodriguez Street
  A bakery on the ground level is popular for coffee. The mall has a very good food court, and the Cebu Pacific airlines main ticket office. Has a large supermarket.

• Elizabeth Mall

  address: Natalio B Bacalso Avenue
  Has a supermarket, travel agents, cellphone shops, and lots of places to eat.

• Carbon MarketThe largest farmers' market in the city — both a shopping area and a tourist attraction.

• Colonnade Mall

  phone: +63-32-2540618
  address: Colon Street
  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.

Banks, ATMs & foreign exchange

Most ATMs in the Philippines accept foreign ATM cards and all 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.

• HSBC Bank (UK)

  phone: +63-32-2344180
  address: G/F Philamlife Center, Cardinal Rosales Avenue corner Samar Loop
  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 per time.

• Citi Bank (USA)

  phone: +63 234 9999
  address: Ground Floor, Ayala Life-FGU Center, Mindanao Avenue corner Biliran Road
  Has a 24-hour ATM with a max of per use and a fee.

• Alco Foreign Exchange

  phone: +63 32-2552704
  address: Shop 108 Rain Tree Mall, General Maxilom Avenue
  Good foreign exchange rates.

Books

• Fully Booked

  phone: +63 32 4171007, +63 32 4171400
  address: Level 2, The Terraces, Ayala Centre
  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

  address: Locations: Ayala Center, Mango Avenue; and SM City Cebu
  Bookshop chain with local and foreign books, academic texts and stationery.

• Book Sale

  address: Locations: Elizabeth Mall; Park Mall; Robinsons, SM City, Gaisano
  Used books and magazines, mostly imported from the UK & US. It may take some searching but there are often gems to be had.

The 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. Street-food abounds in Cebu. You can buy all sorts of Philippine delicacies from the many street stalls scattered around Cebu City. However, compared to Metro Manila/Central Luzon (especially Pampanga province) Cebu's all-you-can-eat buffets are much more expensive.
For tourists who want upmarket restaurants, two good areas are Ayala Mall and the IT Park.

• Cebu IT ParkOffices, rental and condo apartments; the area has many foreign employees and a good selection of western restaurants. Not much shopping.

• Ayala TerracesMany restaurants including several foreign chains such as Burger King, Army-Navy, Starbucks and TGI Friday's, Filipino chains, and many non-chain places.

• Flame ItGood burgers at moderate prices. Not much else. No beer.

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.

• Robinsons Fuente food court

  address: B Rodriguez Street
  Lower ground floor near the supermarket. Good bakery and coffee shop with quite a few expatriate customers.

• Gaisano Main Food Court

  address: 5th floor Gaisano Main, Colon Street
  Meals with a drink from .

• Elizabeth Mall Food Court

  address: 3rd floor, E mall, Natalio B Bacalso Avenue

Chains

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

• Alberto's Pizza

  phone: +63 32 254 0042
  address: 15 B. Rodriguez Ave.
  Offers a good and rather affordable locally made thin crust pizza. Has branches all over Cebu.

• Ngohiong Express

  address: Mango Square
  Has many branches all over Cebu.

• Orange Brutus

  phone: +63 32-2554783
  address: Fuente Osmena Circle
  Burgers, rice meals, sizzing pork chop.

• Jo's Chicken Inato

  phone: +63 32-2540194
  address: Gospel Building V Ranudo Street
  Native chicken.

• Julie's Bake shops

  phone: +63-32-2310593
  address: 252 Gorordo Avenue
  Bread & cakes & drinks.

• S & R New York Pizza

  phone: +63-32-5057057
  address: Ayala & SM City Malls & Tafa East Gate Tower
  Freshly baked New York-style pizza, fried chicken, cheeseburgers and fries, salads.

• Beestop Restaurants

  address: Elizabeth Mall and J Center Mall
  Good value for money meals.

Others

There are also many non-chain places:

• Persian Palate Restaurant

  phone: +63-32-4126795
  address: Mango Sq Mall Gen Maxilom Avenue
  Indian and Persian food. (Thursday-Friday-Saturday, after 6PM, all you can eat buffet for ). All day breakfast for only (a la carte).

• La Vie Parisienne

  phone: +63 32 505 0274
  address: 371 Gorordo Ave
  French bakery.

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.

• Mango SquareA mall with shopping by day and entertainment by night.

301 Ramos St Sports Bar & Grill

phone: +63-32-5132706

address: 301 F Ramos street

A sports bar & grill. Has chicken wings for each. A beer in happy hour is .

El Gecko Resto Bar

phone: +63 32-4164983

address: Gen Maxilom Corner D Jekosalem street

A good expat bar which also sells food. Has breakfasts from 9AM. Happy hours are 11AM-6PM beer for .

Our Place Pub & Restaurant

phone: +63 32-4168243, +63 32 888 9523

address: Pelaez street

Established 1978. Meet other expats from all over the world. Good British & European and US food at a great prices. Sells beer for only .

The Joker's Arms Pub & Restaurant

phone: +63-32-4120263 or +63-9988822396

address: Dioisio Jakosalem Street

A British pub with pool table, dart board. Has a varied selection of food, but a bit overpriced: bangers and mash and house-made pies are each.

All-Stars Sports Bar

phone: +63-32-4155369

address: General Maxilom Avenue

Has a pool table. Happy-hour. Free Wi-Fi.

Rhocky's Bar and Grill

phone: +63-9953271348

address: One Mango Avenue

A resto/disco bar in the heart of Cebu City. Fish and chips for . All-day breakfast for . Bacon sandwich with fries ₱220.

You can pay by the month at most pension houses, from a month.

Backpacker hostels

• Cebu Guest Inn

  phone: +63 32-2361839
  address: Holy Family Road Brgy Busay
  4-6-8 bed dorms. Free Wi-Fi.

• City Circle Guest house & Backpackers Hostel

  phone: +63-9239137585
  address: Fuente Osmena Circle
  Dorm beds and single/double rooms. Free Wi-Fi.

• Food District Hostel

  phone: +63-9778531685
  address: 12 Torralba Street Cor Wilson street Brgy Apas Lahug
  8-bed dorm with shared bathroom. Free Wi-Fi.

• Hey Fellas Guest House

  phone: +63-9166465789
  address: 22-K General Maxilom Avenue
  A/C and fan 4-6 bed dorms. Free Wi-Fi. Free breakfast.

• Le Village Guest House & Backpackers Hostel

  phone: +63 32-4203405
  address: 84 Gorordo Avenue
  Has a bar. Free Wi-Fi.

• Naps X Adventures Hostel

  phone: +63 32 4151065
  address: 145 M Velez Street Guadalupe
  A/C dorm with 12 beds, free Wi-Fi. Every bed has a power point and locker.

• 8th Street Hostel

  phone: +63-32-4106075
  address: D.Jakosalem Street
  Air-conditioned 8-bed dorm. Free Wi-Fi.

• Friendly's Guest House

  phone: +63-9338586898
  address: 60 General Maxillom Avenue
  Fan 6-bed dorm or fan single/double rooms. Free Wi-Fi. Shared kitchen.

Budget

• SanJose Pension House

  phone: +63 32 2534052, +63 32 2550524
  address: 131 Rahmann Street
  One-star hotel with A/C double rooms with own bathroom and cable TV, free Wi-fi in all the rooms.

• Alemar Budgetel Hotel

  phone: +63 32 -2542785
  address: P Lopez Street
  A/C single/double rooms with 32-inch LED cable TV, hot and cold shower, free Wi-Fi. Breakfast for ₱100 pesos.

• Robes Pension House

  phone: +63-32-2530104
  address: 41R Landon Street Cornor don Pedro Cui Street
  A/C single/double room with own hot water bathroom and cable TV, free Wi-Fi.

• Sugbutel Bed & Bath

  phone: +63 32 232-8888
  address: S Osmena St, North Reclamation area
  5-min walk from SM City Mall complex and 5-min walk from the New Robinsons Mall and close to Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), near Pier 5. Hostel accommodation with A/C accommodation area free WiFi, 24 hr security with CCTV cameras, 24-hr back-up generator and entertainment area with wide screen LCD TV. Has 136 dorm beds. Best to book online.

• Mc Sherry Pension House

  phone: +63 32 254-4792
  address: Pelaez Street
  In quiet lane next to hotel de Mercedes. Fan/A/C rooms with own bathrooms and cable TV. All rooms double occupancy.

• La Guardia Hotel

  phone: +63 32 416-7889, +63 32 416-7881
  address: Osmena boulevard
  A/C double rooms with hot water and cable TV. Free Wi-Fi. 11 rooms at a night and 11 rooms at a night. You must pay a deposit when you book in.

• Capitol Tourist Inn

  phone: +63 32-253-2850
  address: Don Gil Garcia street
  A/C single rooms with own bathroom, cable TV, A/C double rooms with own bathroom and cable TV, nice size rooms.

• L S Pension House 1 and 2

  phone: +63 32-256-2893
  address: RR Landon Street
  A/C single rooms with own bathroom and cable TV. A/C double rooms with own bathrooms and cable TV. Has 24-hour security and a standby generator. There is also LS pension house 2 and LS pension house 3 all near LS Pension House 1. Free Wi-fi.

• Wins Pension

  phone: +63 32- 2561977
  address: Rahmann Street
  A/C double rooms with own bathrooms and cable TV. Has a good rate for the month.

• Cest La Vie Pension House

  phone: +63-32-2532376
  address: 13 Juana Osmena Street
  2-star hotel with A/C double rooms with own bathroom and cable TV. Free Wi-Fi.

• GV Tower Hotel

  phone: +63-32-2536518
  address: Osmeña Boulevard
  A/C single or double rooms with own bathroom cable TV.

Mid-range

• Cebu Century Hotel

  phone: +63-32-2551341
  address: Colon corner Pelaez Street
  A/C double rooms with cable TV, hot water, free Wi-Fi.

• NS Royal Hotel

  phone: +63 32 254-5358
  address: Juana Osmena Street
  2-star hotel, A/C rooms, hot water, cable TV, free Wi-Fi.

• Azia Suites

  phone: +63 32 260-1111
  address: 8 Rahmann Extension
  5-storey hotel, 60 A/C rooms, hot water, cable TV, view of the city. free Wi-Fi.

• Holiday Plaza Hotel

  phone: +63 32 254-9880
  address: F Ramos Street
  A/C rooms with coffee and tea-making facilities, 21” cable TV, full baths.

• Metro Park Hotel

  phone: +63 32 233-3677
  address: Saint Lawrence Street La Guardia Lahug
  A/C rooms with hot water bathrooms cable TV, safe.

• Elegant Circle InnCentral location, at one end of Mango Avenue.

• Casa Rosario Pension House

  phone: +63 32 2535134
  address: 101 E R Aboitiz Street
  40 guest rooms with cable TV, hot water, A/C, telephone with IDD and NDD, free Wi-Fi.

• Cebu R Hotel Capitol

  phone: +63-32 505-7188
  address: 101 Don Mariano Cui Street
  TV, free Wi-Fi, hot showers. Nice place, and better price than most in the area though there are some cheaper.

• Beverly Boutique Business Hotel

  phone: +63 32-254-8570
  address: F Manalo Street Cor Queens Road
  A/C rooms, hot water, cable TV, free Wi-Fi.

• Travel Bee Business Inn

  phone: +63-32 505-8884, +63 32 236 1111
  address: Dionisio Jokosalem Street
  A/C rooms, hot water, cable TV, free Wi-Fi, free breakfast.

• Hotel de Mercedes

  phone: +63 9226473380
  address: 7 Pelaez Street
  A/C double rooms with cable TV, hot water, free Wi-Fi.

• Cebu Tourist View

  phone: +63-32-2588333
  address: 200 Sanciangko street
  A/C double rooms with cable TV, hot water, free Wi-Fi.

• Fuente Pension House

  phone: +63-32-4124988
  address: 175 Don Julio Liorente Street
  A/C double rooms, cable TV, Hot water, free Wi-Fi, own restaurant.

Splurge

• Cebu Parklane International Hotel

  phone: +63 32 234-7000
  address: Corner Archbishop Reyes Avenue and Escario Street
  Cebu Parklane International Hotel claims to be a five-star hotel but does not really live up to that title. Elevators (lifts) are totally inadequate and you can spend 15 minutes waiting to get to your room when the hotel is crowded with conferences.

• Hotel Elizabeth Cebu

  phone: +63 2 912 2691
  address: Archbishop Reyes Ave, Camputhaw
  A/C, private toilet and bath, cable TV and mini-bar in all rooms. Wi-Fi, massage service, and a fitness centre/gym.

• Seda Hotel

  phone: +63 032 411 5800
  address: Cardinal Rosales Avenue
  The hotel is now managed by Ayala's subsidiary Seda. It was managed by Marriott until the end of 2017.

• Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino

  phone: +63 32 232-6888

Cebu is a relatively safe city where violent crime is rare. Your biggest concern should be pickpockets who are active in downtown Cebu and on jeepneys.
Parts of downtown Cebu are unsafe at night, particularly along Colon and areas immediately to its north. If you're male and look remotely foreign or tourist-like, you will likely be accosted by prostitutes (both genders, plus ladyboys) and pimps. Even if you do want a prostitute, these girls should be avoided; highly available women patrol all the major malls and they can be picked up there under safer conditions, with no pimps and better lighting. Or go to a girlie bar where you can select among a dozen or more, albeit at higher prices since the bar takes a large cut.

• Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center

  phone: +6332 2539898
  address: B Rodriguez Street
  DOH Hospital with lower fees

• Cebu City Social Hygiene Clinic

  phone: +63 93 21081556 (mobile)
  address: Room 103. City health office. General Maxilom Aveune
  free STD and HIV testing and treatment. For Social Hygiene Clinics in Mandaue & Lapu-Lapu, see Metro_Cebu#Stay_healthy.
• Hi-Precision Diagnostics Medalle Building G/F Osmena Blvd. +63-32-2554131. ₱300 to see a doctor.

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.

• Comfort Dental Centre

  phone: +63 32 2623062
  address: Joeilno building 4th floor room 4D Kalubihan Sanciangko Street
  Dr Rhebecca Marie Rebalde Osorio.

• RT Clinika Dental Centre

  phone: +63 32 2549648
  address: room 148 1/L Raintree mall General Maxilom Avenue

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.

• Department of Tourism Cebu tourist office

  phone: +63 32 2542811
  address: Gf LDM Bldg Corner Legaspi & MJ Cuenco streets
  Free maps for Cebu Island & Bohol island & Siquijor Island. There is also a tourist info counter at the airport.

• Tourist Police Office

  phone: +63-32 2538536, +63-32 2540080 (after 5PM)
  address: Plaza Sugbu

• Cebu Public Library

  address: Osmena Blvd.
  Free Wi-Fi.

• Main Central Post Office

  address: Plaza Independencia

• Phil Health Office

  phone: +63-32-2333270
  address: Golden peak. Gorordo Avenue
  If you stay in the Philippines more than 59 days and get a I-card you can in roll on Phil Health for a month.

Airlines offices

Quite a few airlines have offices in town:

• Cathay Pacific airlines

  address: 12 floor FGU Center, Mindanao Avenue Ayala Business Park

• Cebu Pacific Airlines

  phone: +63-32-2308888
  address: Robinsons Fuente, Osmena Blvd

• Philippines Airlines

  phone: +63 32 2544655
  address: Osmena Blvd

• Singapore Airlines & Silkair

  phone: +63 32 2326211
  address: Cebu Holding Center Cardinal Rosales Avenue Ayala Business Park

Others have offices at Mactan-Cebu International Airport:

• Emirates Airlines

• Asiana Airlines

  phone: +63-32-3428066

• Korea Airlines

  phone: +63-32-2531753

• Air Asia

• Scoot Airlines

• Eva Air

  phone: +63 32-2323395

• China Eastern Airlines

  phone: +63-25515212
• China Southern Airlines +63-2-5248888.
• Sichuan Airlines

• Xiamen Air

  phone: +63-2-801755

Of course there are plenty of travel agents in the city, so for many things you need not deal directly with an airline.

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, + 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 City 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.