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Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands are an island group in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba. They are a self-governing British Overseas Territory. The stunning coral reefs and outstandingly clear waters have made this island group a popular destination for divers. Great beaches and fine restaurants and resorts make it an excellent tourist destination as well.

Cities

 * - the capital

Other destinations

 * Hell - Small island community that is known for its eerie, red rock formations around back of the store that markets wares playing up its namesake, such as Hell t-shirts, postcards from Hell, etc. All island tours stop here.
 * Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman - a public beach which many of the islands hotels and resorts overlook.
 * Pedro St. James national historic site in the eastern district of Savannah on Grand Cayman
 * Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park off Frank Sound Road on the North Side of Grand Cayman
 * Rum Point on the North Side of Grand Cayman
 * Boatswain's Beach - Home of the Cayman Turtle Farm on Grand Cayman
 * Stingray City in the waters off Grand Cayman. It's a shallow dive that allows visitors to swim and pet hundreds of friendly stingrays, available since the mid 1980s.

Understand

The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries. Administered by Jamaica from 1863, they remained a British dependency after 1962 when the former became independent. Although tourism is a major part of the economy (see below) it is a relatively recent development. Prior to the 1960s, mosquitoes made the island unattractive to visitors. A major effort in this area (including the creation of a research unit) allowed the development of the tourism industry.

In addition to banking (the islands have no direct taxation, making them a popular tax haven), tourism is a mainstay, aimed at the luxury market and catering mainly to visitors from North America. Total tourist arrivals exceeded 2.19 million in 2006, although the vast majority of visitors arrive for single day cruise ship visits (1.93 million). About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world. The Cayman Islands are one of the richest islands not only in the Caribbean but in the world.

In 2004, hurricane Ivan damaged or destroyed 95% of the buildings on the island. The island has completely rebuilt, and new developments are held to very strict building requirements.

Climate
Tropical marine. Warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April). In 2004 the Cayman Islands, and especially Grand Cayman, were hit hard by Hurricane Ivan.

Landscape
Low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs. Its highest point is The Bluff on Cayman Brac, at 43 m (141 ft).

Visitor information

 * Cayman Islands Tourism website

By boat
George Town on Grand Cayman is a popular port for cruise ships.

By car
Car rentals are readily available. You must be 21 years old to rent a car. Driving is on the left hand side of the road and seatbelt use is mandatory. Visitors must get a temporary driver's licence from the police station or car rental agency. This is obtained by showing a valid drivers licence from their home country, and paying a US$8 fee.

By moped or scooter
Mopeds and scooter rentals are available on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac. Helmet use is required. Usual daily rate is US$25 for helmet and permit.

By plane
Domestic flights arrive and depart from the airports mentioned under "get in" as well as the following

Cayman Airways is the flag carrier and operates many international and basically all domestic flights.

Talk
English is the official language and is spoken by virtually everyone. Native Caymanians have a pleasant and unique accent with many charming turns of phrase. For example, in Cayman rumours are not heard "through the grapevine", instead they're heard "along the marl road". Locals pronounce Cayman as Kay-MAN, and not KAY-min.

See
The main attraction in Cayman is the water. Snorkeling and diving draw many visitors each year. However, there are several attractions on land worth visiting. Most attractions can be reached by bus, however, a car is significantly more convenient.

Beach access is guaranteed by the Cayman constitution, so walking along the beach is permitted everywhere (all beaches are public), although getting to the beach is only allowed in certain areas.

Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman is approximately of tourist hotels, with white sand beaches. It is a public beach and visitors can walk the entire stretch, no matter which hotel they are staying at.

On Seven Mile Beach, The Ritz has a walkway over the main road containing local artists' work. Finding it can be challenging, however, the staff are happy to point you in the right direction.

Pedro St. James national historic site is an attractive old house and grounds on the ocean. There is a multimedia show telling the history of the house, and an exhibit center with more Cayman historical displays.

Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park is a large botanical garden which includes gardens with plants arranged by colour, a large orchid garden, a gazebo on a lake and many Iguanas, including the rare blue iguanas.

The Cayman Turtle Farm is a turtle farm where you can swim and pet turtles. A recent review of the farm indicated concerns for the animals, so this may be something some people want to research before visiting.

Stingray City in the waters off Grand Cayman is reached by several tour companies by boat. In the shallow water many stingrays gather, and you can interact with them. If you book on a sailing vessel, you then get to sail back to port. The stingrays have been gathering here since the mid 1980s when boaters would clean their fish near the port.

Do
Several activities are available for children and adults alike:

 * The Cayman Turtle farm is a fun place for children to learn about wildlife preservation
 * Be sure to visit the Stingrays at the sandbars in the Cayman Islands. This is a popular tourist destination, and unlike swimming with dolphins in places such as Florida and the Bahamas, these stingrays are willfully living in the wild and can choose to leave at anytime. Several guided tours are available, in addition to packages that include this as well as snorkeling
 * Several beautiful reefs are a fantastic place for beginner snorkelers. More experienced venturers can visit the two smaller Islands, which are world renowned for their waters and reefs
 * On the East side of the Island lies the Queen's Botanical gardens, a beautiful place to get away from the crowds and beaches
 * The Tortuga rum factory shows how rum and rum cakes are made, and also provides opportunities to purchase Tortuga Rum and Rum Cakes
 * The Seven Mile Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and most of the beach is public.

Money
The country's currency is the Caymanian dollar, denoted by the symbol "$" or "CI$" (ISO currency code: KYD). It is subdivided into 100 cents. Banknotes are issued in denominations of CI$1-, 5-, 10-, 25-, 50-, and 100, and coins are issued in denominations of 1-, 5-, 10-, and 25 cents.

U.S. currency is accepted everywhere. Be careful and always know if you're paying in CI$ or US$. The basic conversion is US $1.25 to CI$1 ($1=CI $0.80).

Costs
Almost everything must be imported and is subject to a 20% import tax (sometimes higher depending on the product). Food and other items are relatively expensive.

Shopping
Most shopping is in George Town and Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman.
 * Caymanite is the Cayman Islands' own semi-precious stone.
 * Black Coral is often used in jewellery here.
 * Rum cake from Tortuga Rum Company is very popular with visitors to Grand Cayman.
 * There are many tourist shops where you can buy t-shirts, hats, postcards and other souvenirs. Don't buy any seashells though; beachcombing is much more fun, and cheaper too.
 * Grand Cayman features duty free shopping, enabling visitors to buy many luxury items duty free, including fine china, jewellery, electronics, and more shopping

Eat
The culinary influences of many regions are reflected in Cayman cuisine. Local specialities such as fish, turtle and conch are delicious and often less expensive as they don't need to be imported. With more than 150 restaurants, unwinding with a good meal in the Cayman Islands can include chic five-star dining as well as a more casual venue under the stars, or even a themed event. From traditional Caymanian seafood to Caribbean and Thai to Italian and New World cuisine, discerning diners are sure to find something to fit their taste. Other exciting options include dinner cruises on luxury catamarans and even an authentic tall ship. Meal prices range from $10 to well over $30 per person at high-end restaurants.

While in Cayman ask your taxi driver for their favourite local jerk stand (a must try) and also ask them the tourist spot they suggest.

Drink
Alcohol is very expensive on the islands, even from the liquor stores. You can expect to pay approximately twice as much in the liquor stores as you would at stores in the United States, however it is still the cheapest way to purchase alcohol.

Typical drink prices in bars and clubs range from CI$4–7.

Liquor stores typically close at 18:00 or 19:00, all though some are open until 22:00 or 22:00.All liquor stores are closed on Sundays.

Visitors flying into the Cayman Islands are able to bring either 1 bottle of duty free spirits, 4 bottles of wine or champagne, or one 12-pack of beer per person 18 years of age or older. Exceeding this duty allowance will result in substantial taxation to the excess items.

You will of course want to check out some of the local drinking establishments.

Sleep
Accommodations are ample but tend to be relatively expensive, even on the two smaller islands. There are several luxury resorts with all amenities, as well as other less expensive options. In addition, the cost of food and drink is high in Cayman, but many visitors stay in condominiums with kitchen facilities and take advantage of the first class supermarkets and cook and barbecue on the beach.

Cayman is not known for all inclusive resorts, but there are two smaller Caribbean style properties that do offer this option.

The majority of hotels and resorts are in Grand Cayman, where the main hotel "strip" is Seven Mile Beach, home to several major chain hotels and numerous condominiums.

Off Seven Mile Beach are several dive resorts and, in the Eastern Districts, numerous private homes and villas, as well as several resorts and attractions for those preferring a more tranquil vacation.

Little Cayman focuses on dive vacations and has a unique charm, as well as some of the best diving anywhere.

Camping is illegal on all three islands at all times. There are no campsites on any of the islands.

Work
Grand Cayman has growing offshore banking and tourism sectors. Tourism represents about 60% of the economy. About 30% of residents are expatriates working on "work permits" and unemployment is very low.

Stay safe

 * Hurricanes are possible from June to November.
 * Despite being more liberal than other Caribbean islanders, Caymanians are still relatively conservative. Public displays of affection (both gay and straight) are not usually acceptable. Acceptance of homosexual tourists is relatively new and visitors should refrain from any sort of public displays of affection. In past years gay cruise ships have been barred from calling in the Cayman Islands, but recent policy is to remain non-discriminatory. Gay visitors can expect the same levels of hospitality and service as any other visitor, but should expect some hesitation from older Caymanians. Young Caymanians are very liberal and for the most part, won't care either way.
 * The Cayman Islands is a "relatively low-crime area, especially compared to other vacation destinations in the Caribbean".

"However, that being said, crime is on the rise on Grand Cayman. Walking or riding a bicycle at night along dark roads (for example, along Courts Road) puts one at risk for assault and/or robbery. Pedestrians also need to worry about being hit by cars along soft shouldered roads. Drunk driving and hit-and-run accidents have been a problem. The police regularly conduct roadblocks to deter and detect drunk driving, making numerous arrests most weekends. Drink driving is a serious offense in Cayman.

The capital city of George Town is generally safe. Tourists should avoid certain areas (Rock Hole, Swamp, Jamaica Town/Windsor Park, Courts Road, and Eastern Avenue) and this shouldn't be a problem as these areas are all well out of the way for most activities. In addition, George Town is virtually deserted at night as there are few centrally located restaurants, bars, or nightclubs.

You need not be too concerned about miscellaneous belongings. While at the beach, no one will be stealing your lunch, towel or sneakers. Cayman thieves are not desperate individuals, and have no interest in normal personal effects or used snorkeling gear. Most likely the thieves are just local teens looking for items that they can sell to other local teens. Example: an average pair of sunglasses will not "grow legs"; but a flashy pair of Chanel knock-offs just might.

Women travelling alone should be especially careful at night, as sexual assaults do occasionally occur. Carry a phone capable of emergency calls to local 911. If you feel you are being followed or inappropriately watched, you should immediately call the police. The police are a very responsive and extremely professional organization. They will take your complaint seriously.

You can enjoy a relaxing and "incident-free" holiday if you take care to be aware of your surroundings and lock doors and windows when possible.

Stay healthy

 * Many locals won't eat barracuda because it is likely that it is poisonous. Be aware of that. Other reef fish (groupers, amberjack, red snappers, eel, sea bass, and Spanish mackerel) are not likely to cause ciguatera (fish-borne nerve poisoning).
 * No natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies are met by desalination plants and rainwater catchments.
 * Make sure you have sunscreen on if you plan on walking around town. It is sunny all year.

Respect
Caymanians are very respectful. Greetings and pleasantries are common and expected, even to shopkeepers when entering their stores. Most islanders use titles of respect, such as Mr and Miss, followed with the given or first name, when addressing other islanders.

title: Cayman Islands


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Cayo

Cayo district is the central inland region of Belize. It is the largest district in Belize.

Cities

 * - district capital
 * - national capital
 * - Hispanic town, near Guatemalan border and Xunantunich ruins
 * - village on the road to El Pilar Mayan ruins
 * - multicultural village
 * - ethnic Mayan village
 * - German-speaking Mennonite community

Other destinations

 * (ATM Cave) - Mayan burial site
 * - Mayan ruins
 * - Mayan ruins
 * - Mayan ruins
 * - Mayan ruins
 * - Mayan ruins
 * - Mayan ruins

Talk
As with the rest of Belize, English is the official language, but as Cayo is the main entry-exit point for Guatemala you should expect a higher proportion of Spanish speakers here.

Get in
The George Price Highway (previously called the Western Highway) cuts through the middle of Cayo, running from the Guatemalan border in the west all the way to Belize City in the east, via Belmopan. The Hummingbird Highway links Belmopan with Dangriga in Stann Creek.

Do
Cayo is mostly about the jungle experience, but there are also historical and cultural attractions. Visit Mayan ruins at Cahal Pech, Xunantunich, or Caracol. Go caving. Experience the rainforest, watching birds, mammals and insects, at one of the many lodges. Tube down the rivers. See the canopy on a zip line tour. Go horseback riding on a jungle trail. Go to the Saturday market in San Ignacio.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Cayo


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Cayo Coco

Cayo Coco is an island in the Jardines del Rey (engl. King's Gardens) chain off the north coast of Ciego de Avila province in Central Cuba.

Cayo Coco is very relaxing and is the perfect place to go to if you want to do close to nothing for your vacation. You will find a few resorts, a spa, an international clinic (hospital), a night club (the Bat Cave) and an airport. In other words, there is not much to do or to visit there but sometimes all you need for your vacation is a little calm and quiet, and you will find that in Cayo Coco.

Understand
While beautiful in terms of nature, Cayo Coco is hardly part of typical Cuba. These islands are isolated from the mainland, connected only by a man-made causeway 27 kilometers long. Access is controlled by a security checkpoint.

A visit to Morón is a good way to see more of what Cuba really is like. Taxi drivers can organize inexpensive tours for groups of 4-5 people which may include visiting a country farmhouse.

Talk
The language spoken in Cayo Coco is Spanish. Cubans have free education and you will often find a Cuban able to speak many languages but sometimes not fluently. Most employees of all-inclusive hotels understand and speak some basic English. Outside of resorts, you may have some difficulties to communicate if you don`t understand or speak a little bit of Spanish.

Get in
Many airlines and charters fly to Cayo Coco airport (CCC). From Canada, you have Air Canada, Sunwing, Westjet, Air Transat and Cubana that provide service from many Canadian cities. European centres of London, Glasgow, Manchester, Milan, Moscow, Paris and Warsaw are all connected to Cayo Coco by European carriers.

Get around
From the airport to resorts, your transportation is already organised in big comfortable buses. It takes about 15 minutes to get to the hotels which are all located around the same area on the north shore of Cayo Coco island.

Your resort sometimes may organise disco to other resorts (so all the tourists of different resorts can party together) or go to the only night club located on Cayo Coco island, the bat cave. They provide the transportation in vans or buses for a minimum fee.

See
Playa Pilar is one of the most beautiful beaches of the world. It is possible to take the local bus (hop on, hop off style). It costs 5CUC, but it takes an hour because it stops at every resort and it's located in Cayo Guillermo Island. There's chairs in the beach but you have to pay 5CUC to use them. It is also possible to reach the beach by catamaran but it depends it itinerary.

It is also possible to visit the nearest town Morón. We can also visit the capital city Ciego de Avila and a crocodile farm. Theres some tours organise from most of the resorts

Do
Most of the people come to Cayo Coco to enjoy the beautiful white sand beach and enjoy some hot weather while escaping the freezing Canadian winter. There's also many activities provided in most resort such as aquaform, dancing lessons or night shows.
 * The usual sort of all-inclusive stuff. Fry in the sun, drink too much, prove that white men can't dance.

Eat
Someone who decides to go to anywhere in Cuba needs to keep an open mind when mealtime arrives. They are very limited in resources and they don't import anything from the USA. Importation being very expensive since goods come from Europe. They use well what they have and you will rarely eat something that tastes bad unless you are picky, but you will sometime find the food a little bland. Cuban food is not spicy at all. They serve a lot of chicken, pork and fish. Plenty of vegetables. Some fruits. Here is a hint, bring steak spice and tabasco on your trip and you will always have seasoning.

Usually all the meals are included in most all inclusive resorts. They also have snackbars and à la carte restaurants.

Sleep
Several hotels - all "all-inclusive", most operated by foreign companies:

 * Melia Cayo Coco
 * Sol Club Cayo Coco
 * Iberostar Cayo Coco
 * Iberostar Mojito
 * Tryp Cayo Coco
 * Blau Colonial
 * Hotel Playa Coco
 * Memories Caribe
 * Iberostar Daiquiri
 * Memories Flamenco
 * Pestana Cayo Coco
 * Melia Jardines del Rey
 * Pullman Cayo Coco

Go next
The nearest town is Morón. There's also a cavern converted into a disco place. It's a nice place to have a good. There's transportation form most resort to this cave.

title: Cayo Coco


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Cayo Guillermo

Cayo Guillermo (gee-ER-mo) is an island in the Jardines del Rey chain off the north coast of Ciego de Avila province in Central Cuba.

Understand
Cayo Guillermo consists of 3-4 all-inclusive hotels, many shrubs and birds, a boating station and absolutely nothing else. No Cubans reside in this region as it is a dedicated (and completely segregated) tourist location. Cayo Coco is similar, but more built up.

The local language is Spanish, but English is spoken in the hotels.

Get in
Most visitors arrive at the Jardines del Rey International Airport on the neighbouring Cayo Coco and then by road across the causeway connecting the two.

Itineraries
There is little to see other than the beach and the wildlife. Getting out into the real Cuba is highly recommended. A day trip to Moron or an overnight trip to Trinidad or Havana are some of the organised trips on offer.

Do
Hotels have daily entertainment and organised excursions elsewhere in Cuba are available, but are quite expensive.

Sleep
All-inclusives hotels:

Stay safe
The safe in the rooms at some hotels in Cayo Guillermo are operated by the same key as the room. This could lead to your wallet being slightly lighter than it was when you put it in at the beginning of your holiday, as you won't need it for the duration of the all-inclusive stay. Somewhat annoying if you choose to tip the cleaner and find out on the bus back to the airport!

title: Cayo Guillermo


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Cayo Largo

Cayo Largo is an island in Cuba.

Get in
The island airport has direct flights from Toronto, Montreal, Milan, Rome.

Get around
Jeep rentals are easy and cheap. Although there isn't much to view around the island, if you have a true desire for absolute privacy it is easy to get to the north east end of the island for complete seclusion. Depending on the time of year there are complimentary shuttles from the hotels to the beach Playa Serena, at other times there is a minimal fee involved. Typically the bus transport to/from the airport is included with the vacation packages.

title: Cayo Largo


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Câmpulung

Câmpulung (occasionally Câmpulung Muscel) is a city in Muntenia.

Understand
One of the medieval capitals of Wallachia, Câmpulung has several interesting historical sites and a convenient location next to the Carpathian mountains.

By bus
Câmpulung is linked by very frequent (every half hour) buses with the regional hub Piteşti (1½ hours away). There are several direct buses from Bucharest (a 3hr trip), Braşov (2½hr) and Târgovişte (2hr). Most of their schedules are available on autogari.ro.

By train
The city is reached by three direct trains from Bucharest (offering a 2hr45min travel time) and two commuter trains from Piteşti (2hr travel time), all operated by the public railway operator CFR. Timetables can be accessed on the CFR website.

Get around
Most of the city can be visited on foot.

Budget
There are several guesthouses in the city, with prices starting around €14/night.

title: Câmpulung


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Câmpulung Moldovenesc

Câmpulung Moldovenesc is a city in Southern Bukovina.

Understand
Located in a mountainous area on the main route linking Bukovina with Transylvania, Câmpulung Moldovenesc is a good base for hiking trips and to some extent for visiting the Painted Monasteries.

By train
There are trains from the regional hub Suceava (1½-2 hours away) approximately every two hours, 4-5 trains from Iaşi (3½ hours), Cluj (5 hours) and one night train from Bucharest (9 hours).

By bus
Frequent buses link it with Suceava (1½ hours travel time); there are also several buses from Bistriţa, Cluj, Iaşi and one from Bucharest.

Do
There are several relatively easy hikes into the neighboring Rarău massif.

Sleep
Numerous local guesthouses provide accommodations with prices starting around €15/night.

title: Câmpulung Moldovenesc


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Córdoba (Mexico)

Córdoba is inland from Veracruz. The city boasts of its historical importance, its colonial places and buildings, its cultural centers, parks and its gastronomy.

Understand
Córdoba is the business center for the State of Veracruz. It is within the mountains about a 90-minute drive northwest.

Córdoba is the location of the signing of the Mexican Independence Treaty with Spain (September 15, 1821). The building where the treaty was signed still stands on the city square. There is a significant celebration in town every September 15.

By plane
There is no airport. Fly to Veracruz and either rent a car or take a bus.

See

 * Parque de 21 de Mayo, the central plaza, uses the traditional Spanish layout, with a church on the east side, the Palacio Municipal (city hall) on the west, and commercial establishments on the north and south sides.

Do

 * The Paso Coyol Ecological Park (Parque ecológico Paso Coyol) is a 4-ha park (9.9 acres) that was once an abandoned lot.

Festivals

 * Córdoba Dance Festival: It takes place every 2 years in different venues in the city of Córdoba, although it has already been extended to Veracruz and Xalapa as a special gala. It is part of the Youth America Grand Prix and attracts representatives from the best dance schools worldwide.
 * Emilio Carballido Festival: It is held every year in August in honor of the Cordovan playwright Emilio Carballido Fentanes . Within the framework of this festival there are presentations of books, orchestras, opera, dance, dance, painting, cinema, and photography.
 * Córdoba Treaties Festival: It is held every year in celebration of the signing of the treaties that gave Mexico freedom from Spain. Its main venues are the Pedro Díaz Theater and the Los Portales cultural center.
 * Empanada Festival: It takes place every August 21 of each year in which all the types of empanadas that are in the region are presented.

Mid-range
Around the Hospital Covadonga are several very good restaurants.

title: Córdoba (Mexico)


text:
Côte d'Ivoire

Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) is a country in West Africa, visited for its beaches, rainforest, wildlife and tourist villages. Resort lodgings in coastal areas draw many visitors.

Cities

 * – the administrative center; other countries maintain their embassies there.
 * – although it has been the capital since 1983, it is not the administrative centre.
 * – Rebel HQ; otherwise idyllic, bursts with commerce during Feb–May because of flowing cotton and cashew trade.
 * – important milestone on the route connecting Abidjan and Ghana trade route
 * – the second largest city
 * – the second port city
 * – a coastal town full of colonial charm, often a retreat for local Ivorians seeking to escape the city life of Abidjan on the weekends.
 * – a coastal town full of colonial charm, often a retreat for local Ivorians seeking to escape the city life of Abidjan on the weekends.

Other destinations
Three National Parks are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

History
Côte d'Ivoire was home to several states including the Kong Empire, Gyaaman, Baoulé, and the Sanwi until it was colonised by the French in the late 19th century.

Close ties to France since independence in 1960, the development of cocoa production for export, and foreign investment made Côte d'Ivoire one of the most prosperous of the tropical African states, but did not protect it from political turmoil.

In December 1999, a military coup - the first ever in Côte d'Ivoire's history - overthrew the government. Junta leader Robert Guei blatantly rigged elections held in late 1999 and declared himself the winner. Popular protest forced him to step aside and brought runner-up Laurent Gbagbo into liberation. Ivorian dissidents and disaffected members of the military launched a failed coup attempt in September 2002. Rebel forces claimed the northern half of the country, and in January 2003 were granted ministerial positions in a unity government under the auspices of the Linas-Marcoussis Peace Accord. President Gbagbo and rebel forces resumed implementation of the peace accord in December 2003 after a three-month stalemate. Elections were finally held in 2010. The first round of elections were held peacefully, and widely hailed as free and fair. Runoffs were held 28 November 2010, after being delayed one week from the original date of 21 Nov. Laurent Gbagbo, as president, ran against former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara. On 2 Dec, the Electoral Commission declared that Ouattara had won the election by a margin of 54% to 46%. The majority of the rest of the world's governments supported that declaration, but the Gbagbo-aligned Constitutional Council rejected it, leading to a political crisis and then a Civil War, which ended in 2011 with Gbagbo's arrest.

Climate
Tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry (Nov-Mar), hot and dry (Mar-May), hot and wet (Jun-Oct). The coast has heavy surf and no natural harbours; during the rainy season torrential flooding is possible.

Terrain
Mostly flat to undulating plains with mountains in the northwest. Most of the inhabitants live along the sandy coastal region. Apart from the capital area, the forested interior is sparsely populated. The highest point is Mont Nimba at.

People
Côte d'Ivoire has more than 60 ethnic groups but the Baoule are the largest ethnic group.

Tourist information

 * Côte d'Ivoire Tourism

Visa
All ECOWAS countries, as well as Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Morocco, Tunisia, Mauritania, Seychelles, Chad, Singapore and Philippines citizens may get a Côte d'Ivoire visa on arrival. Other visitors are able to apply for an E-Visa online beforehand, which pre-approves travelers and allows them to receive three-month visas on arrival at Felix-Houphouet Boigny International Airport in Abidjan. Please consult the E-Visa website for further details and to apply. The cost of the visa is €73 (as of Oct 2022). It is recommended to print out the Approved Pre-enrolment to show it at the airport.

By plane
The Felix-Houphouet Boigny International Airport has daily scheduled flights to and from Paris with Air France and Brussels with Brussels airlines. There are also regular flights to other African capitals. The airport is a modern facility and increased security has shaken its old reputation as a place for travellers to be ripped off.

By train
There are weekly trains from Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso to Abidjan, operated by Sitarail. Travel time for the full journey is scheduled for 36 hours but delays are the norm. The train does not feature couchettes or sleeping cars so it's a rather uncomfortable journey.

By car
It is ill advised to try to enter Côte d'Ivoire from Guinea, Liberia, Mali, or Burkina Faso. The Ghanaian border is fairly secure. If you enter at Elubo, you can easily catch a shared taxi to Aboisso and then a bus to Abidjan. There are about ten military check-points between the border and Abidjan so have your documents ready. If you do not have proper documentation of your inoculations at the border you will be forced to pay a small fine and they will give you an injection at an on-site clinic.

By bus
Buses run daily between Abidjan and Accra. The service is offered alternating between the STC (Ghana) and its Ivorian equivalent.

Get around
Intercity travel in Côte d'Ivoire is usually more comfortable than travel in neighbouring West African countries. The roads are generally in good condition and the bus service is relatively modern. The downside is the very frequent military checkpoints which add hours to a trip. Though the stops are a hassle, Ivorian soldiers tend to be quite professional and don't hassle non-French Western travellers. Soldiers in Ghana, for example, are much more likely to demand a bribe than in Côte d'Ivoire. Most Western governments recommend that their citizens steer clear of Côte d'Ivoire. This should be taken particularly seriously by people who are not travelling on French passports. An Ivorian soldier's attitude towards you will change very quickly when and if you explain that you are not French.

Travelling around Abidjan is easiest when you have your own vehicle. The roads are very good and the traffic rules are obeyed to the T, except some taxi drivers who steer everywhere on the road. Lane discipline and traffic lights are followed with rigour.

Taxis are a great and easy way to get around in Abidjan. Just look for an orange coloured car and flag it down. Fares are very cheap: USD2–4 depending on the length of the journey. Always bargain before you get into the taxi. Overall however, they are reasonably priced, unlike in Accra.

Talk
The official language is French, which is widely spoken and the main language of most urban areas. There are also around 70 native languages: important ones include Anyin and Baoulé (related to Twi), Attié, Bété, Dan, Dioula, Guro, and Senari. English is not spoken outside of major international hotels, so basic French proficiency is essential to getting around.

See

Fine beaches, tourist villages, rainforests and wildlife preserves are the principal attractions of Côte d'Ivoire.
 * Taï National Park has the largest tropical rainforest in West Africa.
 * Comoë National Park is the biggest and best-known national park in Côte d'Ivoire. It has plenty of wildlife including birds, elephants, giraffes, lions, monkeys and antelopes.

Do

 * Football: the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations was hosted by Côte d'Ivoire 13 January - 11 February 2024, with 24 national teams participating. Games were played in Abidjan, San-Pédro, Yamoussoukro, Bouaké and Korhogo. The new national stadium, opened in 2020, is Stade Olympique d'Ebimpé (capaity 60,000), and internationals are also played at Stade Félix-Houphouët-Boigny (capacity 50,000); both are in Abidjan. The top tier for club competition is Ligue 1, with 14 teams, and a playing season Oct-May.

Money
The currency of the country is the West African CFA franc, denoted CFA (ISO currency code: XOF). It's also used by seven other West African countries. It is interchangeable at par with the Central African CFA franc (XAF), which is used by six countries. Both currencies are fixed at a rate of 1 euro = 655.957 CFA francs.

ATMs
ATMs are generally available at banks in urban areas and accept both Visa and Mastercard.

Afriland First Bank seems not to charge a fee for withdrawing money.

Eat
Good eats are cheap and you can find very good restaurants in Abidjan. You should get a vaccine for Hepatitis A before coming but even street foods are fairly clean. Try the national dishes like "garba", "alloco" and "attiéké". Alloco is simply fried plantains, mostly accompanied by a spicy vegetable sauce and boiled eggs. L'attiéké, grated cassava that look like couscous but taste slightly, is often served with grilled fish and vegetables (tomatoes, onions, cucumber) and a must-try. Braised fish and chicken are also very good and can be found on every corner. The most established chain is Coq Ivoire. When you order, make sure that you let them know whether you want the intestines. You can always ask for extra vegetables, especially avocados, which are amazing during the season. Another speciality is the excellent "shoukouilla" a blend of charbroiled meat. For the ones who are not adventurous you can find the Hamburger House or the French restaurant at the Sofitel Hotel. Kedjenou is a spicy stew and is very popular.

Stay safe
Côte d'Ivoire experiences periodic political unrest and violence in northern regions, and it is recommended to contact your embassy or consult other travellers about the present situation prior to travel inland.

The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth office as well as the US State Department advises against all but essential travel to the western regions of Dix-Huit Montagnes, Haut-Sassandra, Moyen-Cavally and Bas-Sassandra of Côte d'Ivoire at this time.

Most of the crime committed in Abidjan is by unemployed youth. Should you ever feel in danger it would be wise to seek the help of a middle-aged man. This older generation is often very contemptuous of young criminals and will likely help you out if you are being hassled. Generally Ivorians will recognize the dangers to foreigners in their country and will often be very protective of naïve travellers. This is especially true in the Abidjan neighbourhoods of Treichville and Adjame.

On 14th March 2016, militants killed at least 16 people in a gun attack on a Grand Bassam beach resort about 40km from Abidjan. The attack was claimed by al Qaeda (AQIM). Côte d'Ivoire had been previously listed as at risk of attack by militants and security had been tightened.

If you drive at night do not stop fully at lights or signs. Be aware of car jackers. Keep a brisk pace so they cannot carjack you. Travellers from the West might also want to take a security detail with them when visiting bars and night clubs.

Stay healthy
HIV/AIDS had once reached epidemic proportions in the country but has since seen huge improvements with an adult prevalence of 2.7% as of 2016.

Tap water is generally not drinkable. Stick to bottled water.

Respect
Although the country was previously referred to in English as "Ivory Coast", the country has requested that it be called "Côte d'Ivoire" (the equivalent in French). Pronouncing it "Coat di-VWAR" is close enough for an English-speaking person.

title: Côte d'Ivoire


text:
Cúcuta

Cúcuta is in the Eastern Andino subregion of Colombia.

Understand
Cúcuta is the capital of Norte de Santander, home of 1 million people (all of the metropolitan area). It's a major commercial hub in the northeastern Colombia, playing a significant role in trade between Colombia and Venezuela. Cúcuta is in the northeast, 580 km to the north of the capital Bogotá.

The area of the city is 1.176 km².

By plane

Cúcuta can be reached also by the neighboring airport of San Antonio (Venezuela).

It is usual the arrival of passengers in transit to San Antonio, Venezuela.

By bus
Cúcuta is connected by national highways with Bogotá (14 hours, COP$80,000) and Caracas (16 hours) in Venezuela.

Get around
The city of Cúcuta is built on a grid system. The calles (also streets) cross the Avenidas (also Avenues) and run from East to West. Calles are abbreviated as C, Cll and Cl.

Avenidas, abbreviated as Av, are usually larger and main streets. The numerical system for the Avenidas is used but some have names that are more commonly used such as Avenida Libertadores or Avenida de Los Faroles. Each address consists of a series of numbers, for example: Av. 4 #12-24. This indicates that the building on Av. 4 is 24 meters from the corner. The city's avenues are numbered both east to west and west to east, starting from a central avenue numbered 0 (Avenida Cero). Like in the example, the letter E is added to avenues numbered west to east, as to denote East (Este).

By bus
There are many public and private transportation companies that offer bus services and cover almost all of the metropolitan area (Villa del Rosario, Los Patios and El Zulia). It's a cheap way (ticket costs around US$0.45, but it will cost more depending on the bus, the route and the day) to travel around Cúcuta. Buses may be overcrowded, lack air conditioning and could be traveling very fast to try to outdo those from the competing lines that covers the same route. Beware.

By taxi
This is by far the best way to travel around if you don't mind spending a bit more for transportation. The cabs here may take you to anywhere you want. Expect to find a fleet of small but newer vehicles that are typically not more than 3–5 years old.

Driving in Cucuta can be a challenge, as it is very crowded. It can be exciting to watch the private cars, taxi and lots of motorcycles vie for the limited road space.

By bicycle
A ride on Cúcuta's modern Ciclo-Vía is a very exiting and healthy way to get to know the city and get closer to the people. There are rules that must be followed: helmet must be worn when riding, also a reflective vest must be worn. The bicycle must have reflective panels in the wheels and back.

The Av. Libertadores (the largest and most important of the city) is closed to use it as Ciclo-Vía on Sundays (8AM-1PM)

See

 * Santander Park
 * Municipal Park
 * Colon Park
 * Municipal Park
 * Colon Park

The Malecon
In the Av. Libertadores there are ample green zones and platforms that allow their visitors to walk and to contemplate the own nature of the Pamplonita River; this proximity to the shore has allowed that the custom has named it “Malecon” becoming a site of recreation par excellence. It runs from the San Rafael bridge in the south of the city to Arnulfo Briceño Square, where there's a beautiful metallic sculpture called “Musical Mirror” as well as a skating track and children's park.

Shopping malls

 * Ventura Plaza This is the biggest shopping center of Cúcuta. It is in the heart of the city and close to the Casino International Hotel. (Diagonal Santander between tenth and eleventh street).
 * Vivero Almacenes Vivero was creaed in 1969 as a T-shirt store, but now is one of the most important malls in Colombia. Av. Demetrio Mendoza, Diagonal Santander. +57 5766108
 * Gran Boulevard It is one the most traditional mall of Cùcuta, in the Av. 0 (unique in the world). It has a building of apartments. There you can get computers, shoes, clothes and visit an excellent bar called "La Micro". The main office of Movistar Colombia for Cúcuta is there.
 * Plaza de Los Andes
 * Plaza de Los Andes

Fast food

 * Kokoriko Av. 0 Calle 8 Esquina Tel. 5722822
 * Presto Av. Los Libertadores # 3-08 +57 577 5596 / 577 4949
 * Los Carritos Av. 0 # 15-71 +57 5710097
 * Los Carritos Av. Los Faroles # 9E - 51 +57 5741506
 * Juan K Av. 3E #1-218 La Ceiba +57 5779113 / 5779114

Restaurants

 * Restaurante Rodizio Malecon II Etapa La Riviera +57 5739029 / 5751719
 * Pinchos & Asados (Rodizio) +57 5739039
 * Restaurante El Corral +57 5745701 / 5773152
 * Mangos Av. Libertadores #7-22 +57 5752648
 * Restaurante La Gran Muralla Av. Libertadores #10-84 Malecon +57 5753946 / 5755156 / 5755069

Drink

 * Local coffee is excellent.
 * Aguardiente is a must for all tourists. It can be found at all cafes and bars.

Sleep

 * Hotel Quinta Avenida
 * Hotel Villa Antigua. (on the highway to Venezuela).
 * Hotel Arizona Av 0 # 7-67
 * Hotel Bolivar Av. Demetrio Mendoza
 * Hotel Acora Calle 10 #2-75
 * Hotel Acuaris Calle 5 # 3-37
 * Hotel Amaruc Av. 5 # 9-73
 * Hotel Chucarima Calle 7 # 2-30
 * Hotel Exelsior Av 3 # 9-65
 * Hotel Lord Av. 7 3 10-58
 * Hotel Luxor Calle 10 # 2-66
 * Hotel Victoria Plaza Calle 8 # 2-98
 * Hotel Paraiso Calle 10 # 5-84
 * Hotel Conquistador Av 11 E. Frente al Parque Simón Bolívar, Colsag.
 * Hotel La Paz Calle 6 Av 3 y 4
 * Hotel Cacique Av 7 calle 9 y 10
 * Hotel El Samán (Prosocial) Autopista Internacional, en Villa del Rosario
 * Hotel La Paz Calle 6 Av 3 y 4
 * Hotel Cacique Av 7 calle 9 y 10
 * Hotel El Samán (Prosocial) Autopista Internacional, en Villa del Rosario

Go next
Venezuela via San Antonio del Táchira

title: Cúcuta


text:
Călărași

Călăraşi is a city in Muntenia.

Understand
The seat of Călăraşi County, Călăraşi is a city of about 70,000 people located in southeastern Romania near the Danube river.

By bus
There are buses every 30-60 minutes from Bucharest (2½ hours travel time) and multiple buses from Constanţa (also 2½ hours away). Most of their schedules are available on autogari.ro.

By train
The city is reached by several local trains from Ciulniţa junction on the nearby Bucharest-Constanţa mainline (a 30 minutes trip). There is also one direct train from Bucharest (3½ hours travel time) and one from Constanta (over 3½ hours away). Timetables can be found on the railway operator CFR's website CFR's website.

By ferry
There are ferries across the Danube to/from the village Ostrov every 15 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes at night; the docking area at Ostrov is on the outskirts of the Bulgarian city Silistra, right next to the border crossing point (a separate, direct ferry to Silistra used to exist, but it's no longer running).

Get around
Several bus lines cover the city.

Do

 * There are several beaches near the city and the nearby islands/marshes along the Danube are a great fishing area.

title: Călărași


text:
Călimănești

Călimăneşti (also known as Călimăneşti-Căciulata) is a spa town in Oltenia.

Understand
Located in a beautiful mountainous area between Sibiu and Râmnicu Vâlcea, Călimăneşti is a small resort known for its mineral springs.

By bus
Călimăneşti is along a major bus route: hourly buses reach it from Râmnicu Vâlcea (a 20-30 minutes trip), 8-9 buses from Sibiu (1½ hours away), 7-8 buses from Cluj (5 hours away) and at least six direct buses from Bucharest (a 3½-hours trip).

By train
There are trains from Rămnicu Vălcea approximately every two hours (travel times between 15 and 45 minutes), 4-5 times per day from Sibiu (2-2½ hours travel time), two trains from Bucharest (4½-5 hours) and one from Craiova (2¼ hours).

Get around
Călimăneşti itself is walkable, but to get to the northern suburb Căciulata it's advisable to take one of the above mentioned buses or the train (get off at Păuşa station).

Sleep
Accommodations are available in numerous guesthouses (prices starting around €10) and several hotels (from €25).

title: Călimănești


text:
Ceará

Ceará is a state in Northeast Brazil. Traditionally one of the poorest in the country, certain regions have developed almost beyond recognition over the last 20 years, mostly from tourism and light manufacturing. The population is closing in on 9 million, of which almost a third lives in the capital, Fortaleza.

The coast is quite different from the inland. While the state features a range of nice beaches, including a few of countrywide fame, the only developed destination further in is Guaramiranga.

Cities

 * , the most well preserved fishing village in the region.
 * Excellent nightlife and more sandstone cliffs - 2.5 hours east of Fortaleza)
 * is known as one of the best places in the world for kitesurfing.
 * Excellent nightlife and more sandstone cliffs - 2.5 hours east of Fortaleza)
 * is known as one of the best places in the world for kitesurfing.
 * is known as one of the best places in the world for kitesurfing.
 * is known as one of the best places in the world for kitesurfing.
 * is known as one of the best places in the world for kitesurfing.

 * Rated among Brazil's top beaches.
 * , -deep inland.

 * , still not fully developed, nice beaches and dunes.
 * , another small cearense beach village slowly growing into a tourist destination.

 * — center of an agricultural region.
 * — center of an agricultural region.

Other destinations

 * — wide open beach (12 km), the most reliable kitesurfing playground on earth between mid-July to mid-January.
 * — caves and waterfalls in the interior of Ceara 5.5 hours west of Fortaleza

Get around

 * Good bus connection along the main highway, with Fortaleza as the obvious hub. Scarcer to smaller town, especially at night.
 * The only air travel worth considering within the state is to between the capital and Juazeiro do Norte.

Itineraries

 * Travel by beach buggy along the coast from Fortaleza to Natal, stopping in Canoa Quebrada and a couple of other spots. Typically 4 days, can be arranged with many travel agencies in both ends.
 * West from Fortaleza there are many nice beaches before hitting the most famed, Jericoacoara. Or you could stop by Sobral to get a feel of the inland. Camocim is the Brazilian fishing village, almost on the border of Piauí.

Do

 * Due to its constant breezes and otherwise stable climate, Ceará has slowly conquered the fame of Kite Surfing Paradise. Most of the coast is suitable, but the prime destinations are Cumbuco, followed by Flecheiras.

Eat

 * While the standard Brazilian lunch is always accompanied by rice and beans, the latter in a gravy of sorts, the cearenses prefer Baião de Dois. This is also made from rice and beans, only cut the gravy and add melted cheese instead.
 * Go away from the coast, and panelada will appear on the menu. This is a sort of stew mostly made of tripe.
 * Crab is at its most popular in this state, particularly on the beaches around Fortaleza. Most commonly served by itself, with a tray and a wooden hammer to get access to the goodies. Some would consider this more of a pastime than a meal.
 * Feijao Verde is white(!) beans in a sauce of cheese and cream, and whatever else the cook chose to throw in.
 * Peixe a Delicia is fish, fried bananas and cheese in a creamy sauce.

Drink

 * Even though the coconut can be found along most of the Brazilian coastline, Ceará is the state that has arguably the most of it, and sometimes priced as low as 50 centavos cold and ready to drink.

title: Ceará


text:
Cebu

There's more than one place called Cebu:

Philippines

 * Cebu Island - an island in the Central Visayas, 9th largest in the country at over 4400 km2 or 1700 mi2.
 * Cebu Province - a province consisting of that island plus several smaller ones nearby
 * Cebu City - capital and largest city of the province
 * Metro Cebu - the urban region around Cebu City, second largest in the country
 * Mactan-Cebu International Airport, or just Cebu airport, second busiest in the country

The language of this region, and several nearby regions as well, is Cebuano.

title: Cebu


text:
Cebu City

Cebu City is the main city on Cebu Island in the Philippines and is known as the Queen City of the South. It is the capital of Cebu Province, a transport hub, and a popular tourist destination in its own right.

Cebu is part of the country's second largest large urban area, Metro Cebu, whose other main components are the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu. This is a booming metropolitan area with all the conveniences of a modern city, as well as many of the problems of squalor, traffic, noise and pollution. Cebu City is clearly the center of the urban region, though the other towns are far from insignificant.

The area has excellent transport links and is the main hub for travel in the central and southern Philippines either by sea or by air. Cebu City has the busiest seaport in the Philippines. Lapu-Lapu has the Mactan-Cebu International Airport with direct international flights and many domestic flights. It is far more traveller-friendly than the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila.

Understand
The term "Cebu" is somewhat ambiguous; it can refer to the city itself (the commonest usage), to the whole Metro Cebu urban area, to Cebu Island or to Cebu Province which includes Cebu Island and a few nearby smaller islands.

The Colon district near the port is the oldest part of Cebu; it was the first Spanish city in the country and has tourist sites from that era, listed under. It also has much of the low-cost accommodation and a lot of department stores or small malls which, while not as large and modern as those in other areas, are often more affordable.

Osmeña Boulevard is one of the city's main streets, running approximately north from Colon district out to the provincial capitol. About halfway along is Fuente Osmena Circle.

Mango Avenue, officially General Maxilom Avenue, runs east from Osmena Circle. During the day it is a busy area full of shopping centers, restaurants and some hotels. In the evenings, it becomes a major nightlife area.

For climate information, see Metro Cebu.

Get in
See Metro Cebu for general information about reaching the urban region.

By plane
Mactan-Cebu International Airport is in Lapu-Lapu. Many travellers land there and head for Cebu City by bus or taxi.

 * MyBus travels from SM City to Mactan Airport via Park mall. Buses depart from 6AM-midnight at 20-min intervals) and cost from park mall and 50 from SM per person. All the MyBus vehicles have air-conditioning and CCTV. The last bus from the airport is midnight . The first bus from SM is 6AM.
 * Sugbo Airport buses run from the Marina Mall near the airport to the South Bus Terminal via the Pacific Mall, the Northern Bus Terminal, SM City Mall, and Mango Square. The fares are . The buses start at 5AM, and go every 45 minutes. The last bus leaves at 9PM. The Sugbo Airport Buses have free Wi-Fi (Aug 2018).
 * Topline express ferry from Mactan marina wharf which is just behind Island central mall Mactan. There are two fast ferries a hour going to pier 3 in downtown cebu. . The ferry takes 30 minutes. There are yellow jeepneys from Terminal 1 at Cebu Airport going to Island Central Mall for.
 * Taxis are also readily available for . Coming out of the terminal, turn right and walk a bit past the end of the building to reach the main taxi stand.

For either the bus or taxi, 45 minutes is a typical time. However, either can sometimes be a bit faster or much slower depending on traffic conditions.

By ferry
Cebu City's domestic port is the country's busiest and is home to almost 80 percent of the country's passenger vessels. The passenger port is in Cebu City, near downtown. The parts of the port that handle containers and other freight extend for a long way north of that, reaching into Mandaue.

Note that Cebu City ferry terminals charge a terminal fee. The fee is approximately , depending on pier. Only cash is accepted and no ATMs are available prior to the secure area (which you can only get to by paying the terminal fee).

Identification is usually required to pick up ferry tickets, but this is at the discretion of the check-in agent. Seats are usually selected at check-in. If you are stranded overnight at a ferry terminal, you may be required to present identification or to complete a questionnaire about your intentions by security.

If planning a trip, consider buying a Sun Star newspaper; it has a shipping guide with information on passenger shipping schedules, updated daily.

Large 2Go passenger ferries with a capacity of 1,000 or more passengers ply the routes such as to Manila, Butuan; Cagayan de Oro. Iligan and Ozamiz. Medium-sized vessels with a capacity of 500 passengers or fewer such as the roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) types go to nearer destinations: Tagbilaran, Iloilo City, Ozamiz, Iligan, Dipolog, Surigao, Dumaguete, Masbate, Calbayog, Ormoc, Baybay, Maasin Hilongos, Naval, Palompon, Tubigon, Tailbon, Getafe, Catbalogan, Larena Siquijor, and Plardel.

The shipping lines that depart from Cebu city are.
 * 2Go Travel, Manila.
 * Trans-Asia, Tagbilaran, Cagayan de Oro, Ozamiz, Iligan, Masbate.
 * Cokaliong, Dumaguete, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo City, Dipolog.
 * Lite, Siquijor, Bohol, Cagayan de Oro, Ormoc.
 * Super Shuttle, from Jagna Bohol island to Camiguin island.
 * Roble shipping lines Baybay, Ormoc, Naval and Catbalogan
 * Medallion Transport. has a ferry to Dipolog.

For some destinations, fast hydrofoil ferries are available. Travel time is about half that of a RoRo and the comfort level higher, but prices are at least double.
 * Fastcat has a ferry to Tubigon
 * Weesam Express to Tubigon
 * Oceanjet Tagbilaran, Ormoc, Camotes Islands, Getafe Bohol. From Cebu to Siquijor via Tagbilaran.
 * 2Go Supercat. Tagbilaran and Ormoc.

Within Cebu Province

 * Metro Ferry operates ferries from Lapu-Lapu to Pier 3. Departures every 20 minutes, 5AM-9PM daily. Fare:
 * Topline Express has a ferry from Mactan Marina in Lapu-Lapu to Pier 3 every 30 minutes from 6AM till 8PM. The trip takes 30 minutes and cost . You can also take Topline Express from the airport, alongside a jeepney ride from the airport on route MI05-B from Terminal 1.
 * My Boat Mejia: 64-seat ferry from the promenade of Naga City. 16-18 trips per day, with departures every 30 minutes. Fare:

By bus
Buses come from most nearby cities, mainly along the north-south coastal highway. From more distant places such as Dumaguete, Bacolod or even Manila, the buses ride ferries for parts of their routes.

There are two major bus terminals: the north bus terminal at the SM City Mall and south bus terminal in Cebu City next to E mall. Ceres Bus Lines operates regular bus services to these terminals and is considered the safer alternative to the smaller privately-operated bus lines.

Get around
See the Metro Cebu article for a more general discussion of getting around in the large urban conglomerate of which Cebu City forms a part.

By jeepney
Do as the locals do and catch a colorful jeepney. They are available 24 hours and cover most of the nooks and crannies of the city. Ask around for which route to take, or read the signs on the sides of the vehicles showing their routes. Routes within the city are also listed on Google Maps; Google Maps lists certain stops but you don't actually have to get on or off at any particular stop -- you can get on and off anywhere along the jeep's route. Costs start at for the first 4 km and increase for longer distances. Beware of pickpockets and other theft, this is unfortunately very common on jeepneys and even locals fall victim. Hidden pockets, money belts and carrying goods near one's nether regions are common but they are not infallible strategies to avoid theft.

By bus
MyBus have five bus routes around Metro Cebu. Fares are from (except route 5), and all buses are fully air-conditioned and low-floor.

 * Route 1 between SM Seaside and Park Mall (in Lapu-Lapu) via SM City Cebu and the North Bus Terminal,
 * Route 2 between SM Seaside and Talisay
 * Route 3 between SM City Cebu and Mactan Airport via Park Mall
 * Route 4 between Park Mall and Talisay via the North Bus Terminal and SM City Cebu
 * Route 5 between BDO Fuente branch and SM Seaside. Free.

 * Robinsons Malls offers free shuttle buses between Robinsons Fuente or Robinsons Cybergate and Robinsons Galleria. Services between 30 minutes.

Sugbo Tours transit buses have large air conditioned buses every 45 minutes from 5AM till 9PM from the southern bus terminal going via Mango Square, SM City Mall, Northern Bus Terminal, Pacific Mall, Island Central Mall in Mactan. Fares (May 2023).

Beeps buses have fully air-conditioned low-floor buses. In the future, they will replace all routes served by jeepneys'. Fares are for the first 4 km and  for each succeeding km (as of May 2023). Buses depart every 15 minutes. Unlike the other operators, they operate 24/7.

Cebu City is building a bus rapid transit (BRT) system which will run between Cebu IT Park and SM Seaside since 2022, passing through the capitol, Fuente and CSBT. It is still under construction (between the capitol and CSBT) as of 2023, but the city operates an interim bus service runs along the route.

By taxi
Taxis are omnipresent in Cebu City. But there's a decent chance you'll be overcharged by a taxi driver at some point during your trip to Cebu. This should be considered a cost of visiting Cebu (or anywhere in the Philippines). You can (and should) report improper taxi behavior to the Department of Tourism in Cebu by phoning +63 32 254 2811.

Unless you're familiar with the city, always insist on a metered fare as a negotiated fare will almost always be much higher. If you know the city and need to go a long distance, it may be worth paying a negotiated fare so that the driver doesn't take the scenic route or you become victim of an uncalibrated meter. Late in the evenings, there could be taxis driving with an uncalibrated, inflated meter.

Most trips around the city should not cost more than. The fare from the airport to most of central Cebu should be (2023) depending on whether you use the white or yellow cabs (white ones are reportedly cheaper).

If you know the name of the building, establishment, area or street you wish you reach, taxis are still the fastest way to your destination. Most drivers know where almost everything is. If the driver is pleasant, a tip is warranted, especially if he loads or unloads your bags. Most drivers do not have, or will tell you they do not have change, so be ready with 50s and 20s when going on short trips.

It is best to avoid the "Private" taxis as they take advantage of tourists and charge 5-10 times the normal fare. You will find these taxis at the some of the high-class hotels. They are normally owned by the hotel to make money and may charge for something that should cost. Some hotels make it hard for other taxis to pick you up at their premise and you may need to walk outside to save money.

Another place where private taxis are common is the airport. To avoid them, simply ask a porter for help and for a metered taxi. Downstairs at the exit for arrivals, there is a booth that will flag down a taxi for, but you can also go up the ramp and there are a lot of metered taxis waiting for you. You can also wend your way upstairs to Departures where many metered taxis are available. Fare down town to Ayala or SM Malls should be around (May 2022) on the meter. You may be told "500" by the driver. Just grab the door handle and say "What, you don't have a meter?" Don't travel unless the meter is used; not using the meter is illegal, and you can report it to local officials.

Talk
The main language spoken throughout Cebu Province and in many nearby areas is Cebuano, the most important of many Visayan languages in the Philippines.

English and Tagalog are common as additional languages though using the former is usually preferable to the latter. Sometimes, they also speak in Bislish (Bisaya Cebuano + English) and/or Taglish (Tagalog + English) when they cannot find the appropriate word to use. Younger people speak English with a Cebuano accent, often interchanging i and e, and o and u.

The city also has some speakers of other Visayan languages such as Ilonggo and Waray, and the Chinese minority speak Hokkien, but most speakers of those languages can also speak at least one of Cebuano, English or Tagalog.

See
The city was well established as a trade center and regional capital even before the first Europeans, under Magellan, arrived in the 1520s. When the Spanish returned to colonize in 1565, Cebu became the first Spanish city in the country and (briefly) the capital. Many of today's tourist sites go back to the period of Spanish rule which lasted until the Americans took over in 1898.

Shrines and historical landmarks

Do

 * Ride a tartanilla - Head to Cebu's old quarters in Carlock St and try riding a horse drawn carriage called a tartanilla. Remember to negotiate with the driver before taking a ride.
 * See the scenic view of Cebu City's skyline - The Marcelo Fernan Bridge or  Second Mactan Bridge offers some interesting views of the city at night, and is even picturesque from below. Arrange for a taxi to take you there.
 * See the scenic view of Cebu City's skyline - The Marcelo Fernan Bridge or  Second Mactan Bridge offers some interesting views of the city at night, and is even picturesque from below. Arrange for a taxi to take you there.

Sinulog
This festival honouring Santo Niño, the Holy Child, is held annually on the third Sunday of January. It is centered on the Basilica in Cebu City but is celebrated throughout Cebu Province and to some extent even in nearby provinces; it attracts large numbers of both tourists and pilgrims. Festivities last for about a week leading up to the Sunday climax.

There are colorful parades in many towns. Main thoroughfares around the city are blocked for an all-day and all-night loud and colourful street party. Don't forget your dancing shoes!

On one hand, Sinulog can be one of the most interesting times to visit Cebu. On the other, some consider it a time to avoid. Hotels tend to sell out, streets and restaurants are crowded, and traffic may be horribly jammed. For example a bus heading south from the south bus station normally takes under an hour to reach Carcar, but it can be over three hours during Sinulog because the highway is also the main street of various towns along the way, and several have parades along it.

Buy
There is quite a bit of shopping in various neighbourhoods of Cebu, especially in the old downtown Colon area and around Fuente Osmena Circle.

Banks, ATMs & foreign exchange
Most ATMs in the Philippines accept foreign ATM cards and many will issue cash advances against foreign credit cards. In nearly all cases there is a fee (usually ) for the service, only Philippine pesos can be withdrawn, and there is a limit (often ) per transaction.

Eat
One great thing about Cebu is that, while being an island paradise on the one hand, it's also a sophisticated city, with a wide range of pretty decent restaurants to choose from. However, Cebu's all-you-can-eat buffets are more expensive than those elslewhere in the country.

Street-food abounds in Cebu. You can buy all sorts of Philippine delicacies from the many street stalls scattered around Cebu City.

Food courts
All the major malls (listed under ) have food courts, and major chains — KFC, Shakey's Pizza, Starbucks, Bo's Coffee and others — have locations in many of them. The downtown area around Colon Street has a large number of restaurants including many budget places and many fast food chains.

Budget
All these are in the city center:

Splurge
For tourists who want upmarket restaurants, two good areas are Ayala Mall and the IT Park.

Chains
Some Filipino chains have multiple locations in Cebu and some in nearby towns:

Drink
Mango Avenue (officially General Maxilom Avenue) and Mango Square is where the bulk of the nightlife is. The typical venues are nightclubs, bars and karaoke boxes.

There are many girlie bars, mostly along Mango Ave. It is fairly common to visit these clubs just to enjoy the show, a lot of scantily-clad dancers who compete to catch customers' eyes. However, the dancers are more-or-less all also available for sexual services. Prostitution is illegal in the Philippines but quite common, and these bars are the most usual front; see the Philippines article for discussion.

There are also a number of western-style pubs popular with the local expat community; most are listed below.

Stay safe
Cebu is a relatively safe city where violent crime is rare. This being said, you should be aware of your surroundings.

Beware of pickpockets. It's common to spot them in downtown Cebu and on jeepneys.

Parts of downtown Cebu are unsafe at night.

Stay healthy

 * Hi-Precision Diagnostics Medalle Building G/F Osmena Blvd. +63-32-2554131. ₱300 to see a doctor.
 * MyHealth Clinic -- Cybergate Cebu, 3rd floor, Robinsons Cybergate Mall by Fuente Osmeña Circle. Privately-owned general health clinic. +63 32-268-8502
 * Chong Hua Hospital by Fuente Osmeña Circle. Filipino-Chinese private non-profit hospital. It was founded to address healthcare discrimination against Filipino-Chinese, but it is open to all and is generally considered the best hospital in Cebu. Emergency care is available. +63 32-255-8000
 * University of Cebu Medical Center. Private hospital affiliated with University of Cebu Medical School. Poor reputation within Cebu due to quality of care concerns within its acute and emergency care wards, especially due to a relatively small bed capacity. +63  (32) 517-0888
 * The Hospital at Maayo. Private hospital focused on holistic care. Better suited for those looking for executive health checkups or having a defined need to meet with a specialist. Emergency care and isolation wards are available. +63 (32) 888 2662
 * University of Cebu Medical Center. Private hospital affiliated with University of Cebu Medical School. Poor reputation within Cebu due to quality of care concerns within its acute and emergency care wards, especially due to a relatively small bed capacity. +63  (32) 517-0888
 * The Hospital at Maayo. Private hospital focused on holistic care. Better suited for those looking for executive health checkups or having a defined need to meet with a specialist. Emergency care and isolation wards are available. +63 (32) 888 2662

Dental clinics
The dental clinics listed here have good prices. There are also clinics in the malls, but they are about three times as expensive.

Cope
Most of the foreign consulates are in Cebu City, but some are in Mandaue. For a list, see the Metro Cebu article.

Government offices
Cebu City does not have an immigration office; the "Cebu office" is actually in Mandaue. For information on that and the Lapu-Lapu office, see Metro Cebu.

Airlines offices
Quite a few airlines have offices in town: Others have offices at Mactan-Cebu International Airport: Of course there are plenty of travel agents in the city, so for many things you need not deal directly with an airline.
 * Qatar Airways
 * China Southern Airlines +63-2-5248888.
 * Sichuan Airlines
 * China Airlines Taiwan.
 * China Southern Airlines +63-2-5248888.
 * Sichuan Airlines
 * China Airlines Taiwan.
 * China Southern Airlines +63-2-5248888.
 * Sichuan Airlines
 * China Airlines Taiwan.
 * China Airlines Taiwan.

Go next
Anywhere in Cebu Province is easily reached, and anywhere in Metro Cebu is close; see those articles for lists of all the possible destinations. Popular beach resorts in the province include: Other parts of the Visayas, and the main cities of northern Mindanao, are also easily reached. Popular Visayan tourist destinations usually reached by ferry from Cebu are:
 * Moalboal beach, bus 2½-3 hr from south bus terminal, + tricycle to beach around, a diving destination with generally moderate prices
 * The Camotes Islands, fast ferry from Cebu city (to Poro port) or by Jomalia ferry from Danao to Consuelo port (bus from Cebu City, 1-2 hours).
 * Bantayan Island, off to the north of Cebu island.
 * Oslob, south of Cebu, known for whale shark watching, can be visited en route to Dumaguete
 * Bohol, an island province east of Cebu, popular for its scenic Chocolate Hills and tarsiers.
 * Dumaguete, capital of a neighboring province, with a relaxed bar scene and good diving nearby.
 * Bacolod, capital of a neighboring province and second-largest city in the Visayas, is reachable by taking a bus to Toledo, a ferry to San Carlos and then another bus.

title: Cebu City


text:
Cebu Province

Cebu Island is a large island in the Visayas region of the Philippines. Cebu Province is that island plus several nearby small islands. The larger Negros Island lies just across the Tañon Strait to the west. Leyte and Bohol are to the east.

The main urban area is Metro Cebu, located near the middle of Cebu Island's long east coast. It is the country's second largest urban region, after Metro Manila, and the main urban center of both the province and the larger Visayas region. The central city of Metro Cebu is Cebu City, often called the Queen City of the South. It was a substantial settlement before the first European, Magellan, arrived in the 1520s, then became the first Spanish city in the Philippines; today it is the provincial capital.

Cities
Metro Cebu includes three substantial cities (several hundred thousand people each) which are administered separately and have separate articles here:

About a dozen other towns with separate articles here are also administered as parts of Metro Cebu; see that article for a list.
 * - largest city and provincial capital
 * - just north of Cebu City, on Cebu Island
 * - on Mactan Island, offshore from Mandaue

There are also towns in other parts of the island.

On the west coast: North of Cebu: South of Cebu:
 * - directly across the island from Cebu, with ferries to San Carlos on Negros
 * - a popular diving destination
 * - south of Moalboal
 * - up near the northern end of the island, on the east coast
 * - further north, almost at the tip
 * - on the northwest side of the island
 * - coastal town with a monastery and church that draw many pilgrims
 * - another coastal town, has ferries to Bohol
 * - on the southeast side of the island, known for whale shark watching
 * - southernmost municipality on the island, 137 km from Cebu. Has ferries to Negros Oriental and Siquijor

Other destinations
Most of the province is on Cebu Island (in red on the map), but several other islands or island groups are included. They are shown in white on the map. Two are part of Metro Cebu and easily accessible from anywhere in the urban region: Others are further out:
 * Mactan Island is the large island shown in white just east of Cebu island; it has the city of Lapu-Lapu and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport on it. Lapu-Lapu is a bit north of Cebu City, directly opposite Mandaue on the coast of Cebu Island, and there are two large bridges. The port area that is the center of Cebu City is on the bay between Mactan Island and Cebu Island.
 * Olango Island is the smaller island just beyond (east of) Mactan and can be reached by ferry from there. It is the country's most important site for bird watching and also has a protected reef area with excellent diving.
 * The Camotes Islands are east of Cebu Island, about halfway to Leyte
 * Malapascua is a few km off the coast near the northern tip of Cebu Island
 * Bantayan is an island group off to the northwest

All of these have beaches, reefs, resorts and dive sites.

Understand
There are high-end resorts on the islands of Mactan, Bantayan, and Malapascua and the Camotes group, and in the Badian region. Price levels are high for the Philippines but cheaper than comparable places in many other parts of the world. They generally have beautiful pool areas, nice restaurants, spas, cable channel TV, internet and all kinds of luxury. Most are located on or near fine beaches.

Moalboal has many dive schools and a range of tourist-oriented restaurants, bars and resorts. A few decades ago it was mainly a backpacker destination, but now there are many mid-range and some upmarket places; it is one of the best places in the country for a diving holiday at moderate prices. Getting there is not particularly convenient; from Cebu City or the airport it is about three hours on a bus.

Apart from that there are smaller resorts in fisher villages in the south and north, and on Olango Island, offering a more Filipino experience. Price levels for food, drink, watersports and trips there are generally much lower. Some of these resorts have beautiful coral reefs right in front of the resort - perfect for those who plan to go snorkeling or to make some easy dives in amazing coral reefs. The upland areas also offer majestic views of the mountains and seas.

Poverty is commonplace throughout the province. It is generally recommended not to show off too much luxury in front of people who have to work hard to earn their daily food and drink. Those people are generally very friendly and helpful but caution is recommended. Apart from the poor, there is a well established middle class and an extraordinarily rich upper class that come mostly from present or former government representatives or business people.

Talk
The local language of the entire province and several nearby areas is Cebuano, also called "Bisaya" by its speakers or "Visayan" in English. Educated people generally also speak English and Tagalog well; those are the country's two official languages and are taught in all schools. Even people like cab drivers and waitresses often have reasonable English, so communicating is usually not a problem. Signs written in Cebuano are commonplace.

Various other languages are also spoken; most Chinese Filipinos speak Hokkien and people from nearby provinces speak other Visayan languages, but most of both groups also speak at least one of Cebuano, Tagalog or English. Because many Filipinos have emigrated in search of employment opportunities, it is also fairly common to encounter a few Filipinos with anything from a smattering of to complete fluency in Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia and Malay, Mandarin, Cantonese, French, German, Japanese, Korean or Spanish.

Speaking in Tagalog while in Cebu may offend local sensitivities; some Visayans resent the elevation of Tagalog to the status of a national language. Despite that, educated Cebuanos do speak Tagalog, and most will be happy to use it with visitors. However learning some Cebuano instead of speaking in Tagalog is appreciated.

Get in
The main airport is Mactan-Cebu International Airport, located in Lapu-Lapu, about half an hour and from Cebu City by taxi. It is a major hub for domestic flights; there are direct flights to most cities in the south and some in the north, and connections via Manila to many others. It also has many international flights.

Cebu City has the country's busiest port which serves as the main hub for ferry travel anywhere in the Visayas and also has some boats to Manila and Mindanao.

There are buses to Metro Cebu from cities on other islands, including Dumaguete, Iloilo City, and Quezon City in Metro Manila. They ride ferries part of the way.

Get around
Within the main cities most tourists get around either by taxi or by jeepney; see Metro Cebu and the individual city articles for details.

For trips around the island starting from Metro Cebu there are several bus operators (e.g. Ceres or Sunrays) leaving from either the South Terminal in Cebu City or the North Terminal in Mandaue; check the article for your destination to see which you need. Most routes are serviced with air-conditioned buses, and prices are low. A trip to Dalaguete, 85 km south of Cebu City, in an aircon bus costs around. Tickets are bought from a conductor inside the bus who comes to you after you board or once under way. The same route by taxi would cost you at least as the driver would usually have to come back empty.

To travel between towns starting from a smaller place, most journeys are also by bus; if the two places are on the same bus route you can often just get on at one and off at the other. However, the bus will not stop if it is full and for some routes you need to change buses. There are also jeepneys or vans ("V-Hire" or UV Express) available for some trips.

In Cebu City

 * Basilica Minore Del Santo Nino: The catholic church where the statue of baby Jesus (Santo Niño) is enshrined. The Santo Nino was a gift given by the Portuguese explorer Magellan to Raja Humabon upon Magellan's and the Spanish explorers' arrival in March 1521.
 * Mactan Cross: The cross given by Magellan to Raja Humabon, located near the Basilica Minore Del Santo Nino.
 * Casa Gorodo: Former residence of the provincial governor of Cebu. (Located in the Fuente Osmena neighborhood)
 * Cebu Cathedral: The birthplace of Catholicism in Asia. Also has a museum with many historical artifacts from the cathedral.
 * Fort San Pedro: The first, oldest, and smallest Spanish fort in the Philippines. It is located near the port area near Pier #1
 * Tops: An overlook point at the "top" of the island. A good place to look over the city.

Near Cebu

 * The Mactan Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City: The shrine to local chieftan Lapu Lapu, who led the defence of his island in 1521 that resulted in the death of Magellan.
 * Bantayan Island
 * Kawasan Falls - two beautiful waterfalls near Badian in the South where you can swim or drive by float under the waterfalls for a relaxing massage
 * Mactan Island - diving and beaches
 * Malapascua island - thresher shark watching
 * Moalboal - nice dive spots
 * Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary

Do
Cebu is a good place to relax and enjoy the beautiful island. For those who want some more activity, most resorts offer watersport activities such as diving, snorkeling, kiteboarding, windsurfing. Resorts also offer trips around the island to see all the beautiful churches, fisher villages and the amazing Kavasan Falls. Of course these activities will be relatively costly if you are residing in one of the upper-end resorts on Mactan Island. If you go further south to some of the nice value resorts near Dalaguete or Oslob, activities can be much cheaper and be conducted by enthusiastic local guides.

Eat
Siomai sa Tisa. Although there are a lot of spin-offs of this 'restaurant', there is only one Siomai sa Tisa and it is, obviously, located in Tisa, Labangon. It only open at night, until the wee hours of the morning. This 'restaurant' is just tables and chairs at the side of the road. They serve the best siomai (Chinese food, steamed) coupled with the best sauce and the best halo-halo (Filipino dessert). This is true Cebuano dining out. To get to this place, one may take a cab - the driver probably knows this place. Or one can take a jeepney. All 12L jeepneys pass through there.

Eat lechon, or roasted pig. Among the recommended lechon makers are CNT and those sold at stalls in Talisay City, Carcar City and Lilo-an. A newer version of this beloved Cebuano fare is the boneless lechon sold at Park Mall in Mandaue City.

Drink
The water in Cebu is generally considered safe. Bottled water is as cheap as or 20 per litre. Most establishments offer beverages such as Coca-Cola, Sprite, Pepsi, 7-Up, iced tea and local non-alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic beverages are also served at your request. Local beers are San Miguel, San Miguel Light and Red Horse Stallion (stronger beer also brewed by San Miguel). Beers from abroad can also be found in more touristic areas but will be much more expensive if not brewed somewhere near.

Stay safe
As in other cities, there are areas in Cebu City which should be avoided, especially at night. The Carbon market area in the central city is best avoided by foreigners; pickpocketing and robbery are a problem in the market area. Use caution around the main port area; tourists are mobbed by cab drivers looking for fares and the pickpockets take advantage of this.

In general, the further you go from Cebu City and into the mountains, the poorer people will. Some of them commit crime to survive and eat. Insurgents may also be present further inland.

Respect
Cebuanos are laid back and easy-going than their Manila counterparts, but criticism or jokes about their culture, and comparisons with "Imperial Manila" (as some Cebuanos call the national capital pejoratively) are not welcome. Cebuanos are proud to be Filipino, but are also proud of their distinct cultural, ethnic and linguistic identity. Cebu City, as the Philippines' second largest city, is as prosperous and no different than Manila, so do Metro Cebu.

Go next
Metro Cebu is the main transport hub of the Southern Philippines. There are flights to almost all major cities in the south plus some international flights; see Mactan-Cebu International Airport for details. For northern parts of the country, one often needs two flights with a connection in Manila.

There are ferries from Cebu City to almost anywhere in the Visayas plus Manila and a few places on Mindanao, of which Cagayan de Oro is closest.

Particularly popular nearby destinations are:
 * Bohol - an interesting island accessible via a short ferry ride, with fine beaches and good tourist facilities
 * Boracay - probably the country's best-known beach area, certainly among its most highly developed, a short flight away
 * Dumaguete - capital of a nearby province, with good tourist facilities and a laid-back atmosphere, reachable by ferry or bus

title: Cebu Province