I'll probably be flying out of KL at this stage and FWIR I cant see the point in even leaving the terminal at the airport in Manila - just wait for the connecting flight and take my chances in Cebu. If I'm honest, I want to be able to tick that box without hanging around AC and Manila - the consensus seems to be that Cebu is the pick of the other PI cities for a newbie in country, and Cebu it is. At this stage, it will be part of my next visa run to M'sia in June, political situation in both Thailand and PI permitting.

Happy to hear from those who've been there and done it - none of my plans are chiselled in stone at this stage. Hoping to find something other than bars to do, particularly during the day, but it will be interesting given that I dont dive or lie on the beach

Thanks,

MrWW

Just fly direct Kl to Cebu with Air Asia.

Everybody has their own opinon, but I liked Cebu a lot more.

I lived in Cebu 1.5 year since 2011.

You get 30 days visa on arrival, outbound ticket must be shown at Immigration.

Airport taxi are yellow and charge twice the normal white taxi to the city, typical 400-500php.

To find normal white taxi, exit the building, cross the road, enter the outdoor ramp going left and up to 2 level. Enter the building and exit on front side, where one find normal white taxi. Taxi always use meter, starts at 40P. To city 200-250php.

When stay in Cebu, one must make a choice due to heavy traffic. For beach one stays at Mactan Island. For shopping one stay near Ayala Mall. For nightlife one stay near Fuente Osmena. Since you don't want beach or nightlife, near Ayala Mall is where I would stay. Tune hotel 2*, Quest hotel 3*, Elizabeth hotel 4*, Park Lane hotel 4*, Marriot Hotel 5*, Waterfront hotel 5*

Most expats and tourist hang out in Robinsons mall Fuente Osmena for breakfast or coffee.

Ayala mall from noon to 8 pm. Usually at TGIF or Bo's coffee shop in Ayala. Easy to make expat friends here.

Not much to do in Cebu except 'malling', and Mango at night. Met a few Pattaya expats, who mostly found Cebu very boring.

Easy to get a date in Cebu but they usually don't turn up, or the usual 3 hrs late, with friend/chaperone. And yeah they date mornings and early afternoon only!

Best: Filipino people and hospitality. They are very polite, friendly and helpful.

Worst: It's sure not Thailand. Infrastructure, very slow internet, food, brown-outs.

Cheap: Taxi - cigarettes 1,50$, Beer 1$, Cable TV 20$ month. SMS package (unlimited text).

Expensive: Visa extension every 2 months - hotels - apartments rental - electricity - food and clothes - medicines.

Apartments are mostly old, usually cost 2-3 times more than Pattaya apartments. 1 year lease is the norm, a few offer 6 months lease. 2-4 months advanced deposit is requested most places, and seldom given back.

I was out 24/7 and never felt unsafe, although downtown Colon area in Cebu should be avoided after dark. Watch your cell phone and other valuables at daytime. Street kids everywhere have long fingers, and are incredible fast.

Traffic is gridlock from 3pm to 9pm. From Cebu city to beach near Mactan airport or Lapu Lapu will cost 6-9$ one way.

Most beaches are owned by 5 star Hotels, and they demand entrance fee 50$ or more. Public beaches are free, but the quality don't remind one about a beach. Alternative is 3 jeepney rides 0.20$ per ride from Cebu city to the beaches, if you not in a rush (2 hours or more).

Don't use Jeepney after dark, hold ups are frequent.

V-hire from Jeepney terminal behind Ayala mall, for faster transport in a 10 seter shared van.

North of Cebu Island is Bantayan Island, a beautiful place (at least before the hurricane). 2500 php with Taxi from Cebu.

Bohol is a nice Island near Cebu, ferry was 13$ one way. Alona beach is small but incredible beautiful. Taxi mafia at the Pier, watch out. Hotels 30 feet from the water line can be had for 50$. Book ahead. Many other beaches. Hugely damaged after earthquake last autumn, check Youtube and other for present situation and rebuilding.

Dumaguete is another Island south of Cebu. 1/2 hr flight from Cebu with Cebu Pacific. Small city, very friendly people, even their big Swat team hang around Expat hangout, near the beach walk. Even less to do there, but big expat community. A few malls and foreign restaurants, and a slow pace of life. Smoke free city, most Hotels as well.

Boracay Island was somehow same Phuket. Hordes of Asian tourists, beautiful beach but don't have beach chairs or sun shade. Everything over priced, hot and humid as Thailand. Bora Bora is a expression used by many, for boredom on the island.

'Other than bars and beach' ...... Cebu don't have much to offer, so I'm afraid you will be disappointed.

High unemployment, people go home before dark 6pm, many public holidays where the city practically shut down (check Calender).

Check out local forums before you go, and consider again if Cebu is the place you want to go.

Thanks for the feedback guys, particularly the outstanding efforts from Asia2000. I admit that it doesnt sound terribly promising but if I dont go I'll never know for myself - even a hellhole like Jakarta has its surprises and I would hope that Cebu is the same. Spoke to an American last night who confirmed that his Fili GF was given a hard time when she last flew out of Manila - she had to show them proof that she was able to support herself when she left the country. The crackdown seems particularly odd given that PI's biggest export earner has long been its people and FWIR domestic unemployment is high. The traffickers will always find ways around these measures and I'll be very surprised if it has put a dent in the Fili working girl population in places like Singapore and KL. Clearly, further research is in order

I wouldn't call Cebu a hellhole. It's not the best city, but it's far from the worst. I was in the area for a bit over a month. Cebu for 4 days or so. Bohol for a few days. Dumaguete for about 10 days. Cruised around Cebu island for about a week. Manila for a few days.

Stayed at Moalboal for 3-4 nights. Nice, relaxing area that has some pretty good scuba diving. Not a lot to do, but a few bars and very friendly people. Went to the bottom of Cebu and caught a boat over to Dumaguete. I liked the town. If you are into diving, you have to visit Apo island. It's got a site called Clown Fish City. It's one of the most fun sites I've ever been scuba diving. Amazing. Quite a few resorts down that way also. Great to relax.

As was stated above, lots of attention from the locals. And yes, I tried to setup a few dates, but after waiting more than an hour after the designated time, I just took off.

It's for sure worth a trip to that area if you have never been. One spot at the top of my list is Palawan island. Can't wait to go.

Thanks Craig and I'm sure its not the worst - that would be Kuta ....

http://www.news.com.au/travel/world-travel/sex-addict-todd-gisondi-steals-the-limelight-on-channel-7-show-what-really-happens-in-bali/story-e6frfqai-1226934522770

I console myself with the belief that while our tabloid media are concentrating on twits like him they aren't publishing anything negative about Thailand. I guess they figure they'll get their chance the next time an Australian loses the plot in Phuket or Patts. Gotta love the way that article makes it look like all Mr Wonderful needed was his 'rugby gear' and a dog - no doubt mummy and daddy are funding his extended stay in 'paradise'.

I have done a lot of bicycling around the PI , Esp Visayan and I would say that Cebu, the southern part in particular is one of my favorite islands. The exception being Moalboal- I can't comprehend why this place is so popular:The beach sucks, and the hotels and food are probably the most overpriced in the whole of Southeast asia.But heading south from Moalboal to Santander and over to the eastern side of Cebu the scenery is great and traffic is light. The closer to Cebu-City you get the uglier it gets, and the traffic is horrendous.

i have heard the girls do dracula impersonation.

North and south Cebu island and the surrounding islands are great and plenty to chose from, but having been to Cebu City too many times, I would rate it only 2nd to Manila for filth, poverty, crime, scammers, costs, quality of food and accommodation ............but as mentioned, the Visayan women are the most beautiful in the country, if you like the Malaysian and Spanish mixes.

my 2 pisos..........