A lot of the information on the internet becomes quickly dated, and so I thought that I would ask here if anyone has any tips for Cebu City, 4 nights December 2013. I am staying close to Mango Ave. Sights worth seeing, Sights not worth seeing, best place for a therapeutic massage, bars worth visiting, bars not worth visiting, etc etc. and any other tips. I am definitely not a sex-tourist, but curious to visit, drink and chat in the bikini bars too. Tips on tipping, tips on safety, etc. Thanks.
Cebu City Any Tips
Peck on 22/09/2013 - 12:10
Comments
Seriously didn't spend much time in the city. I recommend checking out Kawasan Falls on Cebu Island. I reccommend Moalboal area. Good diving, canyoning etc. Resorts. You can easily find a massage here or anywhere in Phils for that matter.
When I went there I took a boat to nearby Camotes Island. There was a cave there where saltwater intermingled with fresh, so the brackish water meant that you could open your eyes underwater without it stinging, because the salinity in the water was the same as your tears.
We were on a banca (motorised canoe) coming back to Cebu with all the pigs and chickens on board. By god that was a bad boat trip. I vomited all over the pigs and chickens and they vomited all over me. I could have kissed the the ground when I got back to Cebu, probably not a good idea because the docks at Cebu are pretty funky.
Davao is the cleanest major Filipino city, Manila is the dirtiest and Cebu somewhere in between. I agree with the chap above there is not much point to staying in any of the cities themselves, the attractions are generally to be found away from the cities.
Cebu is broadly safe. Just use normal discretion.
I would forget about the bikini bars. They're a proud nation over there and you won't find that kind of scene that you might find in other places. The negative stigma over there that is associated with being a foreigner's moll is extreme, even women who have been over to Japan and worked in cabaret clubs there tend to cop it. The motto over there is, if you like it then you better put a ring on it. Fair enough I say.
Stay away from the ferries, they are a death trap at the best of times. there are regular disasters on ferries around central Phils every year or two, usually during monsoonal weather — it's little wonder that most ferry rides begin with prayer and end with a cheering applause, (this is often the case with Filipino airlines such as CebuPacific). Smaller boats are typically the safest way to travel, faster and you have a life vest in case anything happens.
Cebu is safer than Manila, where pickpockets, hotel theft and taxi scams befall many unwary travellers, keep your wallet hidden and make sure the taxi has a 'working' meter before you board.
Cebu has a wealth of Catholic Cathedrals, Basilicas, Monuments and Museum, but if they aren't your cupoftea, there are a few Hitorical Monuments and Museum, Golf courses, and plenty of good diving sites. Apart from that there are shopping malls — Ayala and a few SM malls, all predictably similar but shopping is what Pinays love more than life.
If you happen to travel further afield, such as to Davao in Mindanao, beware of Militant groups who are notorious for kidnapping tourists and foreign businesspeople for ransom, they occasionally target Cebu and Manila though this is less common than the South (of course with the separatist and army fighting in Mindanao at present most people would stay well clear). Island resorts are typically safe, as many resorts have their own private security staff to protect guests.I have flown CebuPacific and they seemed perfectly safe to me. I liked the fact that they put on games for the kids and had a bit of a song and dance show by the hostesses during the flight.
I love Cebu my gf lives there i go there every 2 months to see her i also stay near mango ave and Robinson mall. Fuente Osmena circle and Casino is there but the pokies are a terrible rip off. I know good cheap hotels in the area if you need i never pay more than $25 a night with aircon and 32 inch plasma. Just be careful of beggers in that area i had one rip my gfs neckless off in front of us he put it in his mouth and ran off, i chased him up the middle of the road for 200 meters but he was about 10 and got away.
Several times i have had 2 approach me one being a teenage girl she held my arm and the other one tries to pick pocket you. Many shopping malls around there Ayala ,SM,Robinsons and Robinsons Cybergate. Many bikini bars there ,Pussycats Hot lips .Silver Dollar to name a few. Many tourist places to see just hire a private taxi for a day to show you around should only cost less than $50 . If you bring cash as i do the best exchange rate i found is at the the Rajah hotel in Fuente Osmena circle. If you are a daredevil try EXTREME EDGE COASTER RIDE & SKYWALK. CROWN REGENCY, CEBU. PHILIPPINES its near where you stay http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIflMwnSFpE.
When you get to Cebu Airport walk out the airport door and ignore the yellow taxi drivers trying to get you to ride with them and walk across the road and up a ramp which leads to the white metered taxis ,should cost no more than 250 pesos about $6 to mango ave just pray before the journey begins they drive like dodgem cars there.
Many good massages there also mon to wed beore 4pm get a 1 hour massage for less than $3 and they are pretty much all real massages not many happy ending ones. Im back there from Oct 12-26 then Nov 14-28 so just miss you. And if you are single beware the ladyboys i had one fool me i thought it was a dead set chick so pretty and i took her home what a surprise ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Oh well have fun in Cebu
Hi Paulaus, thanks for the info. Would love to hear your list of hotels. I have already booked at a big hotel - Crown Regency - for safety on my first trip to Cebu, but hopefully it won't be my last. And I will do a 'walk in' to your top couple of recommendations. I tried to PM you but your messaging settings do not allow.
Crown Regency is nice i stayed 2 nights once but because i go there often i can get 3 nights elsewhere for the cost of 1 there. I changed the messaging option i didn't know i had to tick a box to allow messages.
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Thanks for the info and for the effort folks! Travelling Mnl - Ceb - Mnl with Cebu Pacific Airlines, and so it may be 'On a wing and a prayer' (struggling home after a bombing raid)
Watch out for the ladyboys :)