Travel tips · Cebu · Philippines
Cebu travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Tyrll Adolf Itong, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Cebu is the cradle of Catholicism in the Philippines, and devotion to the Santo Niño shapes the city's calendar, culminating in the Sinulog Festival each January. Cebuano (Bisaya) is spoken everywhere, people are proud of their island's food and history, and English is widely understood.
Key facts
- Language
- Cebuano, Filipino and English
- Currency
- PHP
- Plugs
- Type A, B and C sockets, 220 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Drink bottled or filtered water rather than tap water; refill stations are…
- Emergency
- 911 (national emergency hotline)
Things to know
- Dress modestly in churches and at the Basilica del Santo Niño, covering shoulders and knees.
- Use 'po' with elders and a friendly greeting in shops and restaurants.
- Avoid raised voices in disputes; calm, polite negotiation works best.
- On island-hopping trips, do not stand on coral or take shells and starfish.
- Follow no-touching and distance rules around whale sharks, turtles and other marine life.
- Remove shoes if invited into someone's home.
- Ceres buses cost a fraction of private transfers to Moalboal, Oslob and the northern ports.
Tipping
Restaurants often add a 10% service charge; otherwise leave about 10%. Boat crews, dive guides and canyoneering guides appreciate a tip at the end of the day.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Maayong buntag | Good morning (Cebuano) |
| Salamat | Thank you |
| Pila? | How much? |
| Lami | Delicious |
| Palihug | Please |
What to wear
Light summer clothes, swimwear for the islands and a cover-up for towns and churches. Bring water shoes for canyoneering and rocky shores, and a rain jacket from June to December.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A, B and C sockets, 220 V, 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- Drink bottled or filtered water rather than tap water; refill stations are common in resorts and dive towns.
- Emergency number
- 911 (national emergency hotline)
- Phone and internet
- Globe and Smart prepaid SIMs and eSIMs are sold at the airport; SIM registration with ID is required. Coverage is weaker on small islands.
- Time zone
- Asia/Manila
Petty theft and phone snatching occur in crowded downtown Cebu City, so keep valuables secure. At sea, use licensed boat operators with life jackets and check weather warnings; typhoons and storms can cancel ferries. Canyoneering should only be done with registered guides and safety gear.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Philippines's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Cebu?
Restaurants often add a 10% service charge; otherwise leave about 10%. Boat crews, dive guides and canyoneering guides appreciate a tip at the end of the day.
+Can you drink the tap water in Cebu?
Drink bottled or filtered water rather than tap water; refill stations are common in resorts and dive towns.
+What plugs are used in Cebu?
Type A, B and C sockets, 220 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in Cebu?
Cebuano, Filipino and English.