General Information

[QUOTE=Phantomtiger2]I've been on overnite ships before (but not the one from Cebu) and I can tell you that having a life preserver may not save you. I found that on the boat I was on the hallways were very narrow and if the boat had sunk rapidly (as most ferries tend to do)--only large ships ,like ocean liners or naval vessels because of their size and having multiple airtight compartments tend to sink slowly, but on a smaller vessel it would be almost impossible to get out of the room, pass the narrow hallways- which by now will be packed with other passengers trying to get out and then climb another narrow stairway up to the opening just to jump off into the dark waters hoping not to hit anything in the water---thats why in most ferry sinking most of the victims are still found INSIDE the boats because most simply can't get out in time--so good luck.


PT[/QUOTE]

Best to just take a cheap bunk on the deck, at least you will make it to the water's surface and not drowned like a rat.

Hi folks,

I am contemplating a hop over to Cebu (I am trying to decide between there and Thailand, where I have been many times before). I am looking for the usual night-time fun, but I need some beach tranquility by day. Any recommendations? Are there any beach areas that have a good nightlife? Or if I stay in Cebu city (neighborhood recommendations?), are there nice beaches that are easily reachable for day trips? I tend to like my beaches kind of rustic. More into bungalows than 5-star hotels.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[QUOTE=Gogobarlover]If you want to stay very close to the action, then you should consider Beverly Boutique Hotel. It's very close to Mango Avenue where all the top gogo bars are at in Cebu. Nearby is Mango Square where there is Juliana disco club and karaoke places. It's not the nicest hotel but, the walk to the nearest gogo bar is literally just under 2 minutes. The rooms is small for the Standard Room but the price is cheap at $32/night. There is no internet in the room but, there is free internet in the restaurant and lobby. The Wifi is slow though. Also, consider the Parklane Hotel across Ayala Mall. The price is more reasonable than the Marriott and it has internet in the room if you get the Deluxe Room. The taxi ride is short from Parklane to Mango Avenue. I enjoyed my stay at Parklane Hotel. The staff is friendly and it comes with a free breakfast buffet between 6-9:00 am Most of the hotels in Cebu are guest friendly. Do not book it through Parklanes website though. You can get a cheaper rate with Expedia.com, Agoda.com or Hotels.com.[/QUOTE]
I use aisatravel.com and I take the time to compare to the others and sometimes it is $20 (cheaper) difference in price. But if asiatravel is sold out the other sites will still have rooms.

Robb

Last time I came the only hotel I could find that met the above criteria in Cebu was the Mango Park where the rooms are not fantastic and the staff somewhat unfriendly. Anybody got a smarter suggestion or am i going to end up there again?

The killer issue seemed to be unmetered wifi. There are much beter mid range options but they all charge something often per hour for wifi so if you are like me and spend along time on wifi you get screwed. And i wanted to be the one doing the screwing.

[QUOTE=Phred Phish]Hi folks,

I am contemplating a hop over to Cebu (I am trying to decide between there and Thailand, where I have been many times before). I am looking for the usual night-time fun, but I need some beach tranquility by day. Any recommendations? Are there any beach areas that have a good nightlife? Or if I stay in Cebu city (neighborhood recommendations?), are there nice beaches that are easily reachable for day trips? I tend to like my beaches kind of rustic. More into bungalows than 5-star hotels.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks![/QUOTE]

It depends how much time you have and how much nightlife you want.
In my view the bar scene inpaces like Cebu does not really compare with that of say Pattaya. The reason for coming to Cebu would be that you have got tired of the commerical scene in Thailand and want to try the infinitely easier and better semi pro action available in Cebu and are prepared to tolerate the overpriced and poor quality food and accomodation cebu has to offer. Cebu does have a beach area near the airport in Mactan but i never went out there so can't comment. if you have areasonable amount of time and manage to hook up with some nice semi pros in cebu you might think about taking them on a trip to hang ou on a beach resort or island somewhere. Boracay is the conventional destination and most cebuanas would do anything to geta freebie holiday there (its a BYOB place). Personally I would rate Palawan as more jaw dropping. The islands around Honda Bay are amazing as is the El Nido area. This all takes time to organize though and if you are just looking fto hit some bars and hang out on a scruffy beach, you are probably better sticking with Pattaya

If a frequent traveller, why not buy mobile broadband?
I got one from my office and depending on what hotel I stay at (in Manila that is) I use the SMART Mobile Broadband.
Right now I dont remember the costs, sorry about that, but there is some initial cost for the usb-plug and the simcard, but usage is rather cheap, if recalling correctly, compared to 3-4-5-600 pesos an hour or day.

[QUOTE=GregLondon]The killer issue seemed to be unmetered wifi. There are much beter mid range options but they all charge something often per hour for wifi so if you are like me and spend along time on wifi you get screwed. And i wanted to be the one doing the screwing.[/QUOTE]

its a good idea myex gf tin phils had one, the speed is on the slow side and if you are a heavy user the costs mounts up but it does give you some flexibility

[quote=greglondon]its a good idea myex gf tin phils had one, the speed is on the slow side and if you are a heavy user the costs mounts up but it does give you some flexibility[/quote]
i have a globe tattoo and it isn't real fast in cebu (almost dsl), but in manila it is like dsl. cost is dirt cheap, 5p for 15 minutes (20p an hour)

robb

[QUOTE=Marconista]If a frequent traveller, why not buy mobile broadband?
I got one from my office and depending on what hotel I stay at (in Manila that is) I use the SMART Mobile Broadband.
Right now I dont remember the costs, sorry about that, but there is some initial cost for the usb-plug and the simcard, but usage is rather cheap, if recalling correctly, compared to 3-4-5-600 pesos an hour or day.[/QUOTE]


You can get the SmartBro USB-plug&sim at any Smart Wireless store for around 1000 pesos. Then when you go online with it, it costs 10p per 30 minute increment. That means if you are online for 29 minutes, it will cost 10p, if you are online for 31 minutes it will cost 20 P, etc. You can replenish your load with SmartBro cards (300p and 500p), again bought at Smart Wireless stores.

Hope this helps.
Mantaray

Good accurate advice from GL. The Mactan beach resorts are very nice, but they are overpriced and most of the sand is imported ...from BOHOL.

Take a ferry 90 min to Tagbilaran, Bohol and then a 20/30 min taxi ride to Alona beach on Panglao Island. Great place! You can also find nice beaches on the north or south ends of Cebu island.

These are all BYOBabe places, and as GL suggests, many gals (especially the bar gals) would jump at the chance to go to such a place --- especially Borocay (which is a bit overcommercialized in my opinion!).

X



[QUOTE=GregLondon]It depends how much time you have and how much nightlife you want.
In my view the bar scene inpaces like Cebu does not really compare with that of say Pattaya. The reason for coming to Cebu would be that you have got tired of the commerical scene in Thailand and want to try the infinitely easier and better semi pro action available in Cebu and are prepared to tolerate the overpriced and poor quality food and accomodation cebu has to offer. Cebu does have a beach area near the airport in Mactan but i never went out there so can't comment. if you have areasonable amount of time and manage to hook up with some nice semi pros in cebu you might think about taking them on a trip to hang ou on a beach resort or island somewhere. Boracay is the conventional destination and most cebuanas would do anything to geta freebie holiday there (its a BYOB place). Personally I would rate Palawan as more jaw dropping. The islands around Honda Bay are amazing as is the El Nido area. This all takes time to organize though and if you are just looking fto hit some bars and hang out on a scruffy beach, you are probably better sticking with Pattaya[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=X Man]Bohol.

Take a ferry 90 min to Tagbilaran, Bohol and then a 20/30 min taxi ride to Alona beach on Panglao Island. Great place! You can also find nice beaches on the north or south ends of Cebu island.

X[/QUOTE]X Man,

Bohol keeps coming up in my conversations with people about the Philippines. I would really appreciate it if you could do a detailed report about Bohol. Where to fly to, where to stay, best beaches, good restaurants? It sounds like a byog place, but any info would be appreciated.

Sorry for posting in the wrong section. I will look for your answer in the "other areas" section.

Thanks

[QUOTE=X Man]Good accurate advice from GL. The Mactan beach resorts are very nice, but they are overpriced and most of the sand is imported ...from BOHOL.

Take a ferry 90 min to Tagbilaran, Bohol and then a 20/30 min taxi ride to Alona beach on Panglao Island. Great place! You can also find nice beaches on the north or south ends of Cebu island.

These are all BYOBabe places, and as GL suggests, many gals (especially the bar gals) would jump at the chance to go to such a place --- especially Borocay (which is a bit overcommercialized in my opinion!).

X[/QUOTE]X,

Bohol is great much less tourist than Boracay and Cebu and scuba diving is great at Panglao island, there are a few bar at Panglao there with girl and Tagbilglaran is a university town with many college babes you can pick up and bring to Panglao island.

Fast eddie 48

[QUOTE=Phred Phish]I am looking for the usual night-time fun, but I need some beach tranquility by day. Any recommendations? Are there any beach areas that have a good nightlife? Or if I stay in Cebu city (neighborhood recommendations?), are there nice beaches that are easily reachable for day trips?[/QUOTE]
Check out Mactan island which has just about everything available in all price ranges but the beaches are not the best. If you want specific resort info, PM me. There is a fair amount of nightlife available in Lapu Lapu city.

Heading out of Cebu city to the north around Carmen, the beaches get better and you will find many quaint resorts, many foreigner managed. The same goes if you travel south of the city past Naga. Argao has some excellent beaches and a few resorts but is a 1.5 hour drive from Cebu city.

[QUOTE=GregLondon]Last time I came the only hotel I could find that met the above criteria in Cebu was the Mango Park where the rooms are not fantastic and the staff somewhat unfriendly. Anybody got a smarter suggestion or am i going to end up there again?[/QUOTE]
The are many mid priced hotels and pension houses that have free or inexpensive wireless. The problem is they have no swimming pools. If you really need a swim everyday, you can get a day pass at Waterfront Lahug which has the best pool in the city. They also have a decent exercise room as well.

[QUOTE=Mattrick]The are many mid priced hotels and pension houses that have free or inexpensive wireless. The problem is they have no swimming pools. If you really need a swim everyday, you can get a day pass at Waterfront Lahug which has the best pool in the city. They also have a decent exercise room as well.[/QUOTE]

OK its as I was last time. Personally i can live without a swim, but its a real attraction for the babes. The Pool oin mango is not bad and if there is noone around one can indulge in a little underwater sex.