Cebu

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Cebu, Philippines

• One of the highly recognized travel destinations in the Philippines, Cebu city has been capturing the hearts of many tourists all over the world.

 

The Life: Diverse

• Cebu is a well-developed metropolitan area. Almost all the amenities available in a modern city are found in the place – from topnotch hotels to reasonably-priced pension houses, expensive dining to affordable cuisine.
• Entertainment and nightlife are among its highlights with a unique combination of a laid-back, stress-free and pleasant environment.
• Cebu boasts of its vast array of commercial and untouched white sand beaches with Mactan as the most popular destination.
• Its historical sites are a pride of the city as well. These historical sites are a reflection of the past including influences from countries like Mexico, China and America.

 

Cost of Living: Very Low

• With a conversion of $1 to around 42 Php, living in Cebu is not expensive. $100 can already rent out a two-bedroom apartment every month. Fast food meals are pretty cheap as well with $1 per meal, per individual. Sit down meals are a little bit higher but not costly at all; while $3 is sufficient for a decent meal.

 

Poker: Legal and Popular

 

• Playing poker in Cebu is allowed. In fact, it is a phenomenal game as evidenced in its numerous poker venues. Poker tournaments take place on a daily basis with poker rooms are scattered all over the area.
• Poker clubs provide avid local and international players with interesting experiences. Games normally start at 3pm and onwards.

Internet Speed: Fast but may have some issues

• DSL, cable connection or WIFI connection is the fastest way to surf the internet although a few areas may have some issues of slow and inconsistent connection.

 

Weather:  Stable

• The weather is generally warm for the whole year making it ideal for tourists to come at any time of the year. If concerned weather conditions, the following information may be useful for US tourists.
  • November to January will be the wettest months.
  • February to April will be mostly dry.
  • The rest of the months may be hot.

 

U.S. Visa/Entry Difficulty Level: Hassle-free

• Tourists do not need any visa prior to visiting Cebu. With a US passport, they are allowed to stay in the country for about six months. Initially, a 21-day entry visa will be provided. Should the US citizen choose to stay longer, visa extension is available at the Bureau of Immigration of the Philippines.

 

Banking: Challenging

• The banking system has strict requirements for US tourists. Legal documents will be asked and the process may take a long time. ATMs are all over the place; however, it may not be convenient especially if tourists choose to take a longer vacation.

 

Language: Various

• There are quite a number of languages spoken in Cebu but Cebuano is its main language. Most people can speak English with a bit of an accent but will fairly be easy to understand. US tourists can pretty much talk to anyone.

 

Food: Cheap and Yummy

• There is a variety of restaurants in Cebu with all types of Philippine delicacies. Street stalls offering cheap food are available as well.
• Sugba (grilled fish or meat), Kilaw (raw meat cooked in vinegar) – these are among the most popular selections of food. But lechon (roasted pig) is considered to be the best in Cebu and the whole country.

 

Recreation: A Good Selection

• Biking is an exciting activity in the city with special recommendations of a trek to Mt. Busay. Being on top of the mountain welcomes US tourists to the spectacular views of the whole city.
• Party – Cebu is one city that travelers, seeking for fun and entertainment, should not miss out. Bars, clubs as well as commercial establishments and a lot more are available to cater to various needs.
• Swim, snorkel, scuba dive or simply watch the birds – All of these are fascinating activities in Cebu with beaches and small islands lavishly available.
• Adventure! Real adventure comes from taking extreme rides. Being on top of Cebu’s tallest building, tourists can have a grand view of the city. While experiencing the breathtaking views of the city, tourists can literally be from edge to edge of the place. And the best about this experience is that tourists enjoy them at a small fee.