A few things may feel different from back home. Most are small, some are useful, and a few might make you laugh. These are the things we want you to know before we get to Cebu.
THE GOOD NEWS
LOST IN TRANSLATION? NOT HERE.
English is widely spoken throughout the Philippines and is commonly used in hotels, restaurants, shops, airports, and tourist areas. You should have little trouble communicating during the trip. Learning a few Filipino or Cebuano words isn’t necessary, but it’s always appreciated. We’ll give you a few good ones below.
THE FORECAST IS A BIT OF A DRAMA QUEEN
July is part of Cebu’s rainy season, so weather apps may show rain almost every day. That doesn’t necessarily mean an all-day washout—tropical showers can pass quickly, with plenty of hot, humid, sunny weather in between. It’s also typhoon season in the Philippines, so tropical storms are possible and can bring periods of very heavy rain. Bring a compact umbrella or light rain layer, but still plan for heat and humidity.
Do: bring a compact umbrella or light rain layer, not expedition-grade rain gear.
THE LONGEST 5 MINUTES EVER
Traffic is mostly something to watch for while we’re in Cebu City and Mactan, where even short distances can take surprisingly long—especially during busy periods. Moalboal is generally much easier to get around. We’ve built extra travel time into the itinerary, but if you head out on your own in Cebu City or Mactan, give yourself more time than the map suggests.
YOU ARE YOUR PHONE’S WORST ENEMY
Loose pockets are a bigger risk to your phone than pickpockets. With all the moving around, it’s easy for a phone to slip out or get left behind. Use a zippered pocket, crossbody bag, or waterproof phone pouch—especially on activity days.
🧳 PACK FOR THE HUMIDITY, NOT THE ’GRAM
Cebu in July is hot, humid, and tropical. Think lightweight quick-drying clothes, water shoes, a rash guard, and a compact umbrella. And don’t forget a light layer—indoor A/C can be surprisingly aggressive.
FULL PACKING CHECKLIST — COMING SOON
👐 CASH RULES EVERYTHING AROUND ME
Cash is still king in the Philippines. Hotels and malls generally accept cards, but most restaurants, local transportation, markets, and smaller businesses rely on cash. ATMs are less convenient in Moalboal and parts of Mactan, so plan ahead. Keep smaller peso bills handy. Getting change for larger bills can sometimes be difficult.
🚕 WHEN IN DOUBT, GRAB
Grab is the easiest way to book a car in Cebu City and Mactan. It works much like Uber, with the fare shown in the app before you ride. It’s useful for airport trips, malls, restaurants, and getting around on your own. Download the app and set up your account before the trip. It’s much easier to do that while you’re still at home.
LITTLE THINGS THAT FEEL DIFFERENT
A few small things that are good to know before you arrive.
🚻 CR MEANS RESTROOM
CR stands for “Comfort Room,” the common term for a restroom in the Philippines. If you need one, just ask where the CR is.
💧 DRINKING WATER
Tap water is generally fine for everyday use, but visitors may prefer bottled or purified water for drinking. Purified ice is widely available too. The hollow, cylindrical ice cubes commonly seen at restaurants and shops typically come from commercial water-purification suppliers.
🔌 SAME PLUG, DIFFERENT ATTITUDE
Most outlets accept the same two flat-prong plugs used in the U.S., but the Philippines uses 220V power. Phone and laptop chargers should be fine, but check for “100–240V” on the label. Be careful with hair dryers, flat irons, shavers, and other 120V-only devices—they can fry on 220V. And don’t assume a travel adapter will protect them—most adapters change the plug, not the voltage. Ask me how I know. 😅
❄️ COLD INSIDE, HOT OUTSIDE, REPEAT
Cebu is hot and humid, but malls, restaurants, vans, and hotels can be heavily air-conditioned. A light layer can come in handy.
🚽 BATHROOMS ARE A LITTLE DIFFERENT
Keep a small pack of tissues with you—not every restroom will have toilet paper. Plumbing can also be finicky, so if there’s a wastebasket beside the toilet, used toilet paper usually goes there instead of being flushed. You’ll also meet two Filipino bathroom staples: the tabo, a small plastic dipper used for washing, and the handheld bidet sprayer next to the toilet. Give either one a try—you may wonder why we don’t have them everywhere. 😅
🛍️ SERIOUSLY, SPEND SOME TIME AT THE MALL
Malls are a big part of everyday life in the Philippines—not just places to shop. They’re massive, air-conditioned social hubs filled with restaurants, groceries, entertainment, services, and just about anything else you might need.
A TASTING FLIGHT OF CEBUANO
Four small language pours to get you started.
👋 SALAMAT
Thank you. Learn this one first. You’ll use it a lot.
🙏 SALAMAT KAAYO
Thank you very much. A warmer way to say thanks.
👋 MAAYONG ADLAW
Hello / good day. A simple Cebuano greeting you can use throughout the day.
🍺 USA KA BEER, PALIHUG.
One beer, please. You’ve now learned palihug (please) and acquired an immediately useful life skill. 😄
YOU’LL SEE OR HEAR THIS EVERYWHERE
KUYA / ATE
Literally “older brother” and “older sister,” but commonly used as friendly, respectful ways to address people—even if you’re not related.
PO / OPO
Words used to show respect, especially when speaking to elders. You’ll hear them often throughout the Philippines, although they’re more associated with Tagalog than Cebuano.
TRICYCLE
A motorcycle with a covered sidecar used for short local trips. You’ll see them everywhere in Moalboal and smaller towns.
JEEPNEY
The Philippines’ iconic shared public transport. Colorful, inexpensive, and usually running along fixed routes.
SIR / MA’AM
You’ll hear these constantly. They’re commonly used as polite, respectful ways to address customers, guests, and strangers.
Be curious, ask questions, and go with the flow. You don’t need to know everything before you arrive—that’s part of the fun.
