Discover Cebu

Cebu is one of the most developed provinces in the country and the main center of commerce, trade, education and industry in the central and southern parts of the country. 

Its capital is Cebu City, the oldest city in the Philippines aptly named the Queen City of the South. Cebu City is host to the popular Sinulog festival, held every third Sunday of January in honor of Santo Niño, the "Holy Child". Fiesta Señor, as it is widely known, is the most celebrated among the Philippine festivals where people converge along the route of a grand solemn procession and partake in the gaiety amidst a mardigras parade.

Food is a big part of Cebuano culture and has made the province more famous and tourist-friendly. Cebuano cuisine is known for its uniqueness and its distinctive taste. Cebu also stakes a claim as having one of the finest mangoes in the world. Dried strips of sweet, ripe mango are very popular and exported worldwide.

Cebu has the fastest growing economy in the country, with an average growth rate significantly higher than that of the entire nation, and any other province. Due to its burgeoning furniture-making industry, Cebu has been hailed as the furniture capital of the country. Cebu’s furniture is made of natural materials such as rattan, shell, abaca fiber and brought to life by the hands of local artisans. 

Tourists and investors from all over the the country and the world flock to Cebu to experience five-star international resorts and pristine white sand beaches of Mactan Island and other beach destinations of Cebu. Here you will find the Philippines’ thriving guitar-making industry where local handcrafted and world-class guitars are made. We invite you to discover Cebu and all its fantastic colors and diverse cultures.

Climate

Cebu's climate is tropical. September can be considered cool with temperatures ranging from 24°C to 28°C.

Currency

The official currency in the Philippines is the Peso, equivalent to 100 centavos. The average foreign exchange rate as of March 2010 is about PhP 45 to a US$ 1.

Electricity

Electricity in the Philippines is 220 volts, 60 cycles. The standard plug is two-prong flat.

Local Time

GMT +8 hours is observed in the whole Philippines.

Office Hours and Holidays

Government and most private offices are open from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday to Friday with some private offices open on Saturdays. Mall hours are usually from 10:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M.

Transportation

From the Mactan International Airport, the Shangri-La's Mactan Island Resort & Spa is a short 15-minute drive accessible by airport taxi, hotel shuttle or via pre-arranged pick up service. Please identify your pick up requirement in the hotel registration form.