Cebu Travel Tips: Five Excellent Hints and Advice When Visiting Cebu

“Life is not meant to be lived caged within walls and mindsets. The only way to break free from the shackles of monotony is to travel. Bon Voyage.” –Author Unknown

Known as the Queen City of the South, Cebu is a multicultural city with a lot to offer in terms of activities and destinations. As it is considered a melting pot of several Visayan cultures, you can expect to come across a zany set of individuals. In the same sense, you can expect Cebuanos to be an incredibly diverse bunch. English is widely spoken, so in this regard, visitors from overseas would not have such a hard time communicating with locals should they need to ask for directions and the like. Moreover, the people of Cebu City are generally warm and welcoming and although there is much left to be desired in terms of traffic flow, the City makes up for it by providing a myriad of transportation options (Uber, Grab and Angkas are available in the city). If you have ever planned on visiting the Queen City of the South immersing yourself in Cebuano culture, it is best if you read on a few handy tips, hints and helpful advice on how to best go about your journey before you book that hotel in Cebu City.

In any case, here are some indispensable tips should you be planning to visit Cebu anytime soon:

1   

         Customs and Etiquette

Most of the people residing in Cebu are Christians and are members of the Roman Catholic denomination. Alternatively, some Cebuanos who live in Cebu belong to other sects such as the Protestant or Baptist churches. Although largely Christian, Cebuanos are quite liberal with their sartorial choices. So, you should not be surprised to see a more eclectic and sultry fashion scene. Body language is quite provocative as well considering that there are far fewer social taboos in here than in some Asian countries. Cebuanos typically attend church on Sundays, but businesses would still operate and cater to customers. Tipping is not mandatory, but it is welcome. However, thoroughly check your bill. If a service charge is imposed, there is no need to tip.

       Money

The Philippine peso is the official currency of all of the cities and provinces in the Philippines. If you wish to change money, your best bet is to do it in the banks as you can be assured that any transaction would be legitimate. Banks are open on weekdays from 9AM to 5PM. However, some banks located in malls may choose to open on Saturdays. Depending on the retailer, malls and boutiques in Cebu typically accept most credit cards (even international ones). However, mitigate the risk of having your card declined by asking them first if they accept your credit card.

   Weather

Fortunately, Cebu is blessed with a tropical climate. In this regard, it is best for travelers to time their visits during the summer. In this way, they can take advantage of the hot weather and visit the beaches Cebu is well-known for. However, brace yourself for extremes as the weather can get scorching hot during the height of summer and can be quite stifling.  Avoid visiting anytime from June to August as these are the season where Cebu experiences torrential rains.

      Transportation

Buses are few and far between in Cebu. However, you will be pleased to know that there is always a trusty cab to take you around wherever you are. However, for safety and convenience reasons, it is best to find your ride via a booking app such as Uber and Grab. In this way, you can be assured that what you are paying is a legitimate price and not a jacked up one. Brace yourself for the traffic though as there are times it can get bad as the ones in Manila.  

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