traveling to see my girlfriend in cebu never been there in my life i am hispanic born american. i will be flying by myself any advice?
2006-08-07 17:20:32 · 9 answers · asked by LeoLion 1 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Philippines
Do you have tickets already through to Cebu? Depending on the airline, there is a chance you will need to change airports in Manila. This is very easily done via taxi. Once in Cebu you will use taxis to get around mostly. Taxis in Cebu are very safe and rip offs are rare. Just make sure the driver turns on the meter. Having your girl meet you at the airport is not as good of an idea as one would think. Trying to pick her out of the crowd after a very long flight, well I think it's best to just have her meet you at your hotel. You simply get in taxi and tell driver the name of your hotel. Do an online search for Cebu and you will have a wealth of information, but I'm sure your girlfirend will be your best source. You are going to have a great time!
2006-08-08 22:21:25 · answer #1 · answered by Bud B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you'll be travelling to Cebu for the first time (and there are so many crooks, looking for people like you to pounce on - believe me, they do it to locals who come from other islands! - just like any other big city, I guess - just like what happens when one takes the EuroRail sometimes) - the best thing to do, especially if you have some money set aside for this trip, is to book a room in one of the better hotels - scrimping might just be a little riskier.
First, they will surely have a website and you can book online; second, they will have a hotel shuttle so you do not have to risk getting conned by people who will try to make you believe that they just want to help you; third, they will have packages for tours if you need to see more of the island, and they can help you with different tour packages - of course, they will be a little more expensive, but since you will be using foreign currency and converting it to Philippine pesos, you'll realize that most are relatively cheap in the Philippines; fourth, these hotels themselves would already have lots of amenities and facilities - nice restaurants of different cuisines, swimming pool, bar, etc. Fifth, their brand of service is tried and tested - their people are trained to please the guests.
The three reliable ones are:
- Mactan Shangrila Hotel (it's very near the airport; situated on the same island, or Mactan Island, as the airport; Cebu City is actually on the main Cebu Island). It has its own piece white sand beach (the entire thing was actually transported from a neighboring island, Bohol). This hotel is part of the world-wide chain of Shangrila hotels, hence, familiar (important since you're a newbie) and reliable.
- Plantation Bay Resort - it's a locally-owned hotel, but it's also on Mactan Island and very close to the airport. It features a man-made lagoon and has a very relaxing atmosphere.
- Waterfront Hotel - there are two of this. One is right next to the airport. But it's boring there. Get the one in the main Cebu Island. It's very close to the nightlife and the rest of Cebu.
And, never miss the Filipino food - there's a place, again on the airport island of Mactan called "Sutukil" (a play on "shoot to kill" but which comes from shortening three ways of cooking food - "SUgba" or open flame, "tola" or "TUla" or stewed, and "KILaw" or raw, "cooked" only in vinegar). It's like a wet or fish market - they sell fresh fish, then you ask them to cook it for you while you wait in the seaside, fresh air Filipino restaurant.
Then, if you are the "party" kind of person, don't miss the bars and music bars - you have a choice of disco bars, karaoke bars, live band bars, or just quite canned music bars.
Finally, never leave Cebu without trying snorkeling, or better still, scuba-diving!
2006-08-09 01:29:02 · answer #2 · answered by Yeye Vonnel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yup i agree with jnablo you should ask your girlfriend to fetch you at the airport. its true that taxi drivers really does take advantage of foreigners(especially when you tour around the city). but transportation is not really a problem in the airport becuase there are a lot of rent a car there who would issue receipts.
you could ask your gf to book a hotel for you and also plan an itinerary so that it would be easier for you.
2006-08-07 18:48:16 · answer #3 · answered by judy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would recommend that you ask your girlfriend to pick you up at the airport as it is difficult for foreigners in getting a decent deal in taxi fare...check the hotels for your accomodations....get a map of Cebu so that you can be familiar with the streets..have a safe trip my friend...
2006-08-07 18:22:17 · answer #4 · answered by jnablo1125 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have only one advice go to these places in CEBU:
you first go to the Magellan's Cross.... then the Sto. Niño Church... the market where you can see many dried seafoods... specially DANGUIT!!! -dried fish... it taste SO good!!! and also in their markets are Dried Mangoes, Otap... and more mangoes.... then the Mactan Shrine... Fort San Pedro... The place where they make guitars..... and the beaches which are really good and beautiful...
2006-08-08 02:51:06 · answer #5 · answered by laviet09 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
u must know how to speak korean. cebu is now a korean city. expect a lot of koreans. kkkk...
2006-08-07 22:15:24 · answer #6 · answered by jongbong 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just make sure that you really know your gf i mean you just didnt meet her online..
and dont bring a lot of cash ONLY atm
be aware and dont talk if you dont know the person
have fun in Philippines!..its a paradise!!!!
2006-08-10 23:53:31 · answer #7 · answered by Wenielyn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yea check out this site and ask again.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Retiring-To-Philippines/
2006-08-07 19:08:59 · answer #8 · answered by nicelvguy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wish you have a great journey.
2006-08-07 17:56:48 · answer #9 · answered by alexmr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋