Cebu City, Philippines 🇵🇭
#582
,
Nomad Score:
74%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Cebu City is known as the Queen City of the South, the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines, and a major center of commerce, trade, education, and industry in the Visayas. |
| 👥 Population | approximately 1 million people |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed is about 30 Mbps, with fiber options available for those seeking faster speeds. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Philippine Peso (PHP); approximately 1 USD ≈ 56 PHP |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not recommended to drink directly; bottled water is widely available. |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 60Hz, Type A/B/C sockets are commonly used. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Globe and Smart; prepaid SIM cards can be purchased easily at shopping malls. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | International cards like Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted; local banks include BDO and Metrobank. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from budget hostels to upscale condos, with Airbnb being popular for short stays. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, digital payments are increasingly accepted, especially in malls and restaurants. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local real estate platforms offer many options for short-term stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel options like Mad Monkey Hostel Cebu and Cebu Guesthouse offer affordable rates. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Ayala Center Cebu and IT Park are preferred for their proximity to attractions and amenities. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | The IT Park area is popular for its many coworking spaces, cafes, and vibrant nightlife. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | T Work is a highly-rated coworking space with various amenities for remote workers. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in Ayala Center is a popular spot for remote work. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Tech and startup meetups are often hosted at coworking spaces and local bars; check local Facebook groups. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Cebu Expats Group on Facebook hosts regular meetups and events for newcomers. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Grab is the most popular and reliable transportation app for ride-hailing. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Scooter rentals are available at various locations; companies like EasyBike offer services. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Mactan Island Beaches are just a 30-minute drive away, offering beautiful shorelines. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Cebu Pacific is a major airline for regional travel within the Philippines. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific operate international flights from Mactan-Cebu International Airport. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Cebu South Road and North Road provide easy access to different regions of the city and beyond. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Cebu City does not have a train system; public transport mainly consists of jeepneys and buses. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | No standard transport passes exist; jeepneys charge fare based on distance. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses and ferries provide access to nearby islands and cities, including Mactan and Bohol. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Cebu Doctor's University Hospital is a top healthcare facility in the region. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Hub Cebu offers various classes for different skill levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Anytime Fitness and Gold's Gym have multiple locations in Cebu City. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Self-service laundromats and laundry services are available in many neighborhoods, such as Laundromat 101. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Foodpanda and GrabFood are popular for delivering various cuisines. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Lechon (roasted pig) is a must-try dish in Cebu, known for its crispy skin and flavorful meat. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Kusina Salud offers traditional Filipino dishes with a vegetarian twist. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | The Dessert Deli is famous for its unique cakes and pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Local markets such as Carbon Market offer fresh produce and inexpensive goods. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Lazada and Shopee are popular online marketplaces for shopping in Cebu. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Metro Grocery and Robinsons Supermarket provide delivery services within the city. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The Mango Avenue area is well-known for bars and nightlife activities. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Cebu Brewing Company produces a variety of local craft beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Wine Cellar offers a selection of local and international wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street food is abundant in Cebu, with options like fish balls and barbecue skewers available in various locations. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | The Dessert Factory serves a mix of international dishes in a cozy setting. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Magellan's Cross and Basilica Minore del Santo Niño are notable historical sites. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Yap Sandiego Ancestral House showcases local art and history. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Fort San Pedro is a significant landmark dating back to the Spanish era. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Taoist Temple offers stunning views and insight into local religion and culture. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Sinulog Festival, held every January, attracts thousands for its street dancing and cultural presentations. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Colon Street is the oldest street in the Philippines and a center of commerce and entertainment. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Cebu Cultural Center hosts performances and local events. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Taboan Market is famous for dried fish and other local delicacies. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music is popular in bars and restaurants, especially in tourist areas. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Various neighborhoods feature vibrant murals reflecting Cebu's culture. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cebu Culinary Institute offers classes for those wanting to learn local cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Art Center and Galleries in Cebu support local artists and exhibitions. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral showcases Spanish colonial architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Cebu is known for its rich history, which is evident in its festivals and celebrations. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Balamban and the mountains surrounding Cebu offer hiking and adventure options. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Osmeña Peak in Dalaguete is a popular hiking destination with stunning views. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Cebu IT Park has landscaped pathways ideal for jogging and walking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Tops Lookout provides panoramic views of the city and coastline. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Cebu City Zoo and nearby natural reserves are great for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Some beaches on Mactan Island allow bonfires; check local regulations before planning. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | LBC and JRS Express are popular for local and international parcel deliveries. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iRepair and FixIt Mobile provide repair services in various parts of the city. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Several local recreation centers offer ping pong facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Cebuano language courses are offered by various language schools throughout the city. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Cebu City Library offers a quiet space for study and research. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Various community centers offer classes and programs for residents and expats. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gaming lounges are scattered across the city, appealing to both locals and tourists. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | CityTimes Square has a gaming area and offers entertainment options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₱90,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ₱3,600,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₱60,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ₱2,400,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₱80,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₱4,800,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₱55,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₱3,300,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₱75,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₱6,000,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₱50,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₱4,000,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 30% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Philippines uses a progressive income tax system based on income brackets. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 35% |
| 🧾 VAT | 12% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, CFC rules apply for foreign corporations operating in the Philippines. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Generally 1% of assessed value for properties. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 6% for commercial properties and 1% for residential properties. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | No specific incentives; tax rates apply as per local taxation regulations. |