Drift into Cebu:

Checklist: What to Pack & Prepare

Pre-Departure Checklist

✓ Valid ID / passport (if coming from abroad)

✓ Printed & digital copies of accommodation & tour confirmations

✓ Travel insurance that covers water activities

✓ Local SIM or eSIM with data

✓ Power bank + charging cables

✓ Rain jacket or poncho (Cebu’s weather can shift)

✓ Quick-dry clothes, swimwear, hiking shoes, sandals

✓ Waterproof pouch (for phone/wallet on island trips)

✓ Basic first-aid kit, medications

✓ Travel towel, sunscreen, insect repellent

✓ Light daypack

✓ Reusable water bottle

Cebu-Specific Checklist

✓ Waterproof camera or GoPro (for snorkeling, waterfalls)

✓ Snorkel mask (sometimes cheaper to bring than rent)

✓ Drone (if your gear allows; check local regs)

✓ Shoes with good grip (for canyoneering)

✓ Light sweater (for evenings or higher altitudes)

✓ Filipino pesos in small bills (for markets, tricycle rides)

✓ Local phrasebook or translation app (Cebuano / Bisaya basics)

✓ Use this checklist before departure—and again just before you leave your lodging.

Safety Tips, Transport Hacks & Local Know-How

Safety & Health

• Cebu is generally safe for tourists, but always stay alert in crowded markets.
• Carry a copy of your passport and a local emergency contact list.
• Use official ride apps or licensed taxis; avoid “befrienders” offering tours unasked.
• Check travel advisories and local weather warnings (especially for typhoons).
• Stay hydrated and protect yourself from sun and insects.
• Save the contact of a trusted local clinic or English-speaking doctor via Air Doctor.

Getting Around

Traffic in Cebu City and surrounding areas can be intense. Choosing the right mode at the right time can save hours.

Ride-hailing & motorbike taxis:

• Grab – widely used for car rides, deliveries, and groceries.
• Move It – motorcycle taxis that zip through traffic faster than cars.
• Angkas – another reliable motorbike taxi option (coverage may vary).
• Micab – Cebu-based app for hailing metered taxis safely.

Local public transport:

• Jeepneys: iconic, affordable, but routes can be tricky for first-timers.
• Buses: MyBus connects malls and major destinations.
• Tricycles: short-distance transport, usually with fixed local fares.

Island & inter-town travel:

• Ferries: connect Cebu to Bantayan, Malapascua, and nearby islands.
• Vans or shuttles: book in advance for Oslob, Moalboal, or Dumaguete trips.

Navigation tools:

• Google Maps (download offline areas before your trip)
• Waze (real-time traffic updates)
• Local Cebu transit apps for route planning

Local Hacks

• Start early for waterfalls or southern Cebu routes to avoid crowds and rain.
• Ask locals for “habal-habal” shortcuts when traffic or roads close.
• Negotiate politely for tricycle or motorbike fares if meters are absent.
• Carry small bills (₱20, ₱50) for easier transactions.
• Use your accommodation as a home base—return nightly for flexibility.
• Stay adaptable; weather or tides may shift plans unexpectedly.

Island Conditions & Travel Timing

Cebu’s islands, coasts, and highlands each dance to their own rhythm.

Knowing when to move—and when to pause—makes all the difference.

• Best months: December to May (dry season, calm seas, best visibility for diving and island hopping).
• Rainy season / risks: June to November—occasional downpours, rougher ferry crossings, and flash floods in mountain routes.
• Tides: Island-hopping in Mactan, Bantayan, and Malapascua is best at mid to low tide for clearer sandbars and easier docking.
• Wind & sea: The Amihan (northeast) from Nov–Feb keeps skies clear and seas gentle; Habagat (southwest) from Jun–Oct can stir up southern and western routes.
• Microclimates: Mountain and southern coastal areas like Osmeña Peak or Oslob can shift from sun to fog fast—pack light layers.
• Use tide, weather, and ferry apps daily. Cebu’s conditions can change within hours, especially in the south.

Power, Connectivity & Cash Essentials

• Electricity: Generally stable in the city, but expect occasional brownouts in rural or island areas. Charge devices overnight.
• Internet: Cebu City has fast Wi-Fi; connection slows in mountain and remote island zones. Globe often performs better across coastal regions; Smart is more stable inland.
• ATMs: Widely available in urban centers but scarce in Moalboal, Oslob, and island towns—bring enough cash before heading out.
• Digital payments: GCash, Maya, and QR-based payments accepted in most cafes, shops, and resorts—but cash remains king in small towns.
• Offline backup: Save maps, itineraries, and QR codes in apps like Notion, Google Docs, or Apple Notes for offline access when signal drops.