GETTING THERE
Manila and Cebu are the international gateways. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila is the premier gateway. The Mactan International Airport (MIA) in Cebu handles regular flights from Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Busan, Doha, Seoul, and Australia as well as chartered flights from the United States and other major travel capitals.
ENTRY REGULATIONS A VISA IS NOT REQUIRED FROM MOST COUNTRIES
A valid passport is required.
Except for stateless persons and those from countries with which the Philippines has no diplomatic relations, all visitors may enter the country without visas and may stay for 21 days provided they have tickets for onward journey. Tourist Visa Extensions are easily processed in Cebu City and one can stay up to one year, provided the visa extensions are processed. Visas and special permits may be obtained from Philippine embassies and consulates (paid in Philippine pesos only).
Departing passengers for international destinations are advised to check with airport or tourist information counters. The departure fees may change without further notice. DEPARTURE TAX, when the time comes to leave the Philippines and go home you must pay P550.00 at the Cebu airport before going to your gate area. BE SURE TO HAVE THIS WITH YOU WHEN YOU GET TO THE AIRPORT. If you don’t have the money in Pesos you will have to exit the inner section of the airport and get the Pesos and then go back through the security screening. Many a flights have been missed for the lack of P550.00 The fee may soon go up to P750.00
VISA EXTENSIONS
As noted above all tourists from countries with diplomatic relations with the Philippines entering the Philippines need only a valid passport and an onward ticket. Upon entering the country your passport is stamped for a 21 day tourist visa. Should you desire to stay longer you may get an extension processed for 38 days, then 59 days at a time for up to one year. At the one year mark you need to leave the country, even is just for a day. Many Expats have lived in the country for years doing this please click this site for further details on Tourist visas and extensions, http://www.gov.ph/faqs/visa.asp Many Philippine travel agencies will process the extensions for you for a low fee.
ADDITIONAL VISA INFORMATION http://www.fmh.ph/immigrat.htm
GROUND TRANSPORTATION FROM CEBU MACTAN AIRPORT
Taxis and V-Hires are available from the Cebu airport. If you have a hotel or resort reservation, check with the booking agent before your arrival for shuttle service. Taxis start the meter at P30.00 and V-Hires will charge a flat rate that will be negotiated with you before getting into the car. Several V Hire greeters will greet you as you exit the airport and there is an outside V Hire counter. Get your V Hire receipt at the counter before getting into the car. DO NOT get into a taxi cab that does not have a working meter. The Taxi driver will over charge you. BE SURE TO HAVE SMALL BILLS (P50.00 and P100.00) FOR THE DRIVER AS THEY RARELY HAVE CHANGE.
CLIMATE
March to May is hot and dry. June to October is rainy. November to February is cool. Average temperatures: 78°F to 90°F.
TIME ZONE
The Philippines has just one time zone and depending on which state you live in it’s 12 to 17 hours ahead of the USA.
WHAT TO WEAR
Light, casual clothes are recommended. When visiting churches and temples, propriety dictates that shorts and scanty clothing be avoided. Most Filipinos wear sandels or sneakers. Islander Sandels are the most popular and cost about P200.00 ($4.00).
CURRENCY
Unit of currency: Philippine Peso (PHP) One Peso= 100 centavos. Bank notes: P10.00, P20.00, P50.00, P100.00, P200.00, P500 and P1,000.00, Coins: .5c, .10c, .25c, P1.00, P5.00, P10.00
TIPPING
Tipping is expected for many services. The standard practice is 10% of the total bill.
LANGUAGE
Filipino (Tagalog) is the national language. English is the business language and spoken widely. In the Province of Cebu the language is Cebuano. Transparent Language Store
DINING OUT
Filipino food is an exotic, tasteful blend of Oriental, European, and American culinary influences. There is a wide variety of fresh seafood and delectable fruits. First class restaurants offer gourmet specialties as well as Filipino cuisine. American fast food restaurants are also in Cebu City.
SHOPPING
Visitors can choose from an exciting selection of great buys in a country known for export-quality items at reasonable prices. Big malls, Ayala and SM are located in Cebu City, while handicraft, antique and curio shops abound at the several market areas around the city.
BUSINESS AND BANKING HOURS
Private and government offices are open either from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Some private companies hold office on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Most shopping malls, department stores, and supermarkets are open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily. There are also 24-hour convenience stores and drugstores nationwide.
Banks are open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays, with automated teller machines (ATM) operating 24 hours. Most ATM Machine have a maximum withdrawal of P4,000.00 to P5,000.00 and the card can be used only three times per day at the ATMs
CREDIT CARDS
International credit cards such as Visa, Diners Club, Mastercard, and American Express Card are accepted in major establishments.
ELECTRICITY
220 volts, A.C. 60 cyles. Most hotels have 110-volt outlets.
WATER
Water in Cebu City and in key cities and towns is potable and safe for drinking. Bottled water is available in many hotels, restaurants, resorts, supermarkets, and convenience stores.
MEDICAL SERVICES
Hospitals in the country are equipped with modern facilities to meet any medical need. In some remote towns and cities, clinics and health centers provide emergency medical attention. Most hotels and resorts provide medical assistance. Hospitals are listed in the "Yellow Pages" of the local telephone directory.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
New Year's Day, January 1; Edsa Revolution Day, February 24; Araw ng Kagitingan, April 9; Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, moveable; Labor Day, May 1; Independence Day, June 12; National Heroes Day, last Sunday of August; All Saints' Day, November 1; Bonifacio Day, November 30; Christmas Day, December 25; Rizal Day, December 30.
SAFETY AND SECURITY ISSUES
Cebu has no major safety issues or problems. Of course there are some areas one should not walk alone in but that is true for just about every city on the planet. Why the U.S. and some other countries make a blanket warning about the Philippines is because the people who write these warnings have no real first hand knowledge of the Philippines and have probably never been there. I have lived here for more than three years and I feel safer here than I did in my Fort Myers, Florida home.
The country has problems, but not in Cebu. The problems are far south from Cebu in the Autonomous Region of Mindanao Islands. It really upsets me when I talk to folks back home and they ask how I can live in such a dangerous place. My response is simply this; There were more murders and violent crime committed in New York last year than there was in cebu. After the attack on 9/11 was the USA labeled as a dangerous place to live? Of course not and Cebu is much safer than New York and my old state of Florida. So, when I hear the blanket statements made about the Philippines being unsafe I just consider the source as uninformed and silly.
Tips to help prevent becoming a crime victim in Cebu City. As a foreigner and believe me you will look and act like foreign tourists on your first trip and you will stand out from others. Remember, many Filipinos think all foreigners are rich and you can easily become a mark for a pick pocket in the city. I recommend using Money Belts: Many Types Save Big: Dress, Casual Money Belts, Waist, Neck Under Garment Styles.
Use these precautions:
Don’t accept a ride from a stranger (ok you already knew that one) Don’t carry lots of cash, keep your wallet in your front pants pocket, Don’t wear lots of shinning jewelry, Keep your passport in a hotel safe, but carry a copy of the photo page and entry date page/s. When carrying a camera or cam recorder be sure you have the strap around your neck and shoulder. Use a taxi and not a jeepney. Remember to always lock the taxi door once you get in.
Places to use caution are: Market areas, congested sidewalk areas where several street vendors are selling goods. In the Colon area of Cebu City there are several vendors and just as many pick pockets and prostitutes and sometimes they work together. When shopping in these areas you can find some really great deals on some really great Philippine products. Just be sure you don’t get over loaded with shopping bags as someone may take a bag from you.
In short, just use common sense. Chances are you won’t have any problems. I have lived here for more than three years and I really enjoy going into the market areas and I have NEVER had a problem.
