Cebu An island of revelry, a captivating paradise Cebu lies in the heart of the Philippine archipelago and serves as the ideal gateway for tourists to Getting there: more than 7,100 fascinating islands of the country. Major Airport Gateway Mactan-Cebu International Airport Airport Road, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu Philippines 6016 LAOAG A visit to Cebu presents a pleasant discovery of its Tel. Number: +63 (032) 340 2486 Cebu Banaue rich history, multifaceted culture and captivating people. It provides a glimpse of the country’s Air Transport: Luzon Travelers may fly directly into the Mactan-Cebu glorious past, with a number of preserved historic PHILIPPINE SEA International Airport from Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei, relics standing until today. Apart from its popular Busan, Palau, Tokyo, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, MANILAMANILA heritage sites, Cebu is endowed with a wealth of Shanghai and Doha, Qatar. A wide range of domestic PUERTO inviting, natural attractions that engage visitors in flights from Manila and other parts of the country are GALERA various activities. It boasts of white sand beaches, also available. Being centrally located, most domestic Mindoro pristine waters and rich marine life fit for diving flights to and from Cebu last about an hour. Boracay Aklan Samar and snorkeling, as well as verdant mountains, Water Transport: Visayas Palawan Panay Iloilo mysterious caves and challenging trails for Cebu is home to over 80% of inter-island shipping in the CebuCebu Leyte CEBUCEBU mountain trekking, spelunking and other outdoor Philippines. The Cebu International Port is the biggest and sports activities. main seaport of entry in the province and the Central Visayas Negros Bohol Region. Various shipping lines sail to Cebu regularly from SULU SEA Cebu is also home to a vast array of products that key cities all over the Philippines. Check out the services are at par with the world’s best. provided by shipping lines like Cebu Ferries, Trans-Asia, DAVAO But more than these, Cebu offers distinct warmth Sulpicio and SuperFerry, to name a few. of the people that sets Cebu apart from other A one-way trip between Cebu and Manila takes Basilan tropical destinations. Cebuanos, known for their approximately 22 to 24 hours. Mindanao hospitality, friendliness, industriousness, resilience CELEBES SEA and deep sense of patriotism, are gracious and friendly hosts. Getting Around Public transport is available round the clock using seafood. Try the dish with the ever-popular San Miguel Come and experience life in Cebu, the Queen of jeepneys, buses or taxicabs. In outlying areas, try out Beer or the multi-awarded Tanduay Rhum. the tricycles (motorcycles with sidecars). Fares are Southern Philippines! Visitors are spoilt with a seemingly endless choice fixed and inexpensive, except for taxicabs, which have for nightlife in Cebu City with its various restaurants, metered fares. casinos, nightclubs, discotheques, music lounges, Fast Facts Hotels and Resorts pubs and cafes. Entertainment venues are relatively cheap and some remain open until the morning. Time Zone: GMT + 8 All types of accommodation facilities can be found Visa: Only required if staying more than 30 days throughout Cebu City and Mactan Island, ranging from Shops, Markets and Crafts prime hotel/resort chains to meager apartelles and Climate: November to February – cool and Cebuanos have managed to produce all sorts of pension houses. Scores of resort facilities can be mostly dry; March to June – warm and mostly dry; handicrafts as they are blessed with an inherent found in the outlying tourist islands and beaches, July to October – warm and mostly wet entrepreneurial spirit and creativity. Cebu has with many operating 5-star luxury dive centres. Average Temperature Year-round: 24°C – 32°C practically everything from silver jewelry and hand-woven cloth to Capiz lampshades and ashtrays, Attire: Light casual clothes all year round Eating out and Nightlife abaca bags and coral jewelry boxes. At Carbon Money: Philippine Pesos. Check with the local It may not be as famous as French, Indian, or Chinese, Market, which is Cebu’s biggest public market, there banks for current exchange rates. All major credit but Cebuano cuisine holds its own against the great are many great bargains. Another choice is to take a cards accepted culinary cultures of the world. The style is distinctive stroll down Colon Street, with its many stores and and the flavours are subtle. Like other cuisines common Water: Bottled water available in resorts, malls it offers the best of Cebu. in humid climes, Cebu’s dishes tend to be wet - soups restaurants and convenience stores Philippines Department of Tourism and sauteed dishes prevail. Even table salt has been You can watch the craftsmen at work at Maribago, the Communications: International and direct dial 10 -11 Suffolk Street London, SW1Y 4HG phone and fax. Internet cafes are widely available replaced by a liquid seasoning. This may take some centre of Cebu’s guitar-making industry. The quality Tel: 020 7321 0668 Fax: 020 7925 2920 getting used to at first, especially for Europeans. But the of Cebu’s hand-crafted, shell-inlaid guitars can be What to Bring: Sun block, tanning lotions, E-mail: [email protected] effort to adapt and learn is definitely worth your time. compared to the best in the world. All kinds of musical insect repellant, personal medication, swimwear www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.co.uk “Sugba” is a Visayan word which means grill, and is instruments are produced from ukuleles and guitars and accessories, etc. usually the preferred manner by which to cook fresh to banjos and mandolins. MALAPASCUA ISLAND One of Cebu’s top export earners is rattan furniture with 6. University of San Carlos – The oldest Jesuit-run school in Sumilon Madridejos Useful Websites: over 2/3 of the country’s rattan furnishings made in Cebu. the country, formerly known as Colegio de San Ildefonso, Daanbantayan Mariplpl Located in the southeastern tip of Cebu, Sumilon is a Doña Marilyn Cebu has also attracted international recognition with was established in 1565. BANTAYAN Talisay Wreck www.cebucentral.com ISLAND favourite diving environment for all enthusiasts. Dubbed the Cebuano’s craftsmanship in making furniture of Silon 7. Capitol Building – The seat of the Provincial government is Gato Island as the country’s first marine reserve, Sumilon Island is a www.cebu.gov.ph Antipolo Calape Maria’s Point bamboo, stone and other indigenous materials. Many Bantayan treasure trove of hundreds of marine flora and fauna of pre-war vintage and has the undulating mountains of www.cebucitytour.com good buys can be found in Mandaue City furniture shops. Medalin North Point species guaranteed to give a truly unique diving experience. Cebu for its background. Majestic and imposing, it is Santa Fe Bantigi For antiques, Cebu is a good hunting ground. Cebu is considered as one of the most beautiful buildings in the Bogo Large coral formations blossom under its sparkling clear www.mactan-cebuairport.com.ph filled with religious relics and architectural details that country, and was constructed in 1937 during the blue waters making it a breeding foreground to one of Lighthouse Malapascua http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cebu_City date back a couple of centuries since it was an early administration of Governor Sotero Cabahug. Odlot Tapilon Wreck Island the region’s most magnificent aquatic life. www.malapascua-island.com Spanish settlement. Salag 8. Basilica Minore del Santo Niño – This church was built by Monad Shoal Argao Dakit Dakit www.moalboalguide.com Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Fr. Andres Urdaneta on the site Tabogon Chocolate Island One of the most interesting places in the province, Argao Calangaman Festivals where the image of Santo Niño was found in 1565. Tagnucan Nuñez Shoal has prominent traces of Spanish and early-American Cebu is host to a dozen festivals, but the Sinulog Festival Conferred the status of Basilica in 1965, this church is a Tabunok influences. It is also blessed with its share of natural Borbon Useful Contacts: is the biggest and most popular. The feast is in honor of famous pilgrimage site for devotees of the Holy Child Jesus. Tabuelan attractions from pristine white-sand beaches to intricate Pilar the Señor Santo Niño de Cebu (the Holy Child) and takes cave systems. Department of Tourism Offices: 9. Image of Santo Niño – Considered as the oldest religious Sogod CAMOTES MANDAUE place annually on the third week of January. It is the most Esperanza ISLANDS relic in the Philippines, the image was a baptismal gift CEBU Tuburan Calmon CITY Danao London +44 (0) 20 7321 0668 celebrated among Cebu’s events, where people converge presented by Magellan to Queen Juana. A replica is housed in TO CEBU CITY along the routes of a grand solemn procession and partake Poro Danao City is a major seaport which links the Camotes [email protected] a side altar inside the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño. Cortez Gen. Caridad Consuel Hospital group of islands with the Cebu mainland. As such, the www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.co.uk in the gaiety amidst a madri-gras parade immersed in Tudela Cebu International 10. Mactan Island – is a coral island 15 minutes away from Cebu City Convention Centre wild colours and the constant beating of drums. SM City Hospital fishing industry is very much alive in Danao. Here one Carmen Santiago Cebu +63 (0) 32 254 2811 City. It is a famous resort island equipped with numerous Mt. Lanoga Lapulapu finds colourful fishing boats line up along the city’s shores Other festivals are: Pasko sa Sugbo, Sanayon, Paskuhan, Asturias LAPU LAPU Memorial beach resorts of international standards, each offering easy Central CITY 4 [email protected] Public Market Magellan in the daytime, when local fishermen are at rest.