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| Population & Language |
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Cebu has a total population of around 3 million. English and Tagalog is widely spoken in addition to Cebuano, the local dialect in the Visayas and Mindanao region. |
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| Weather |
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Cebu's climate is characterized by clear blue skies and a refreshing sea breeze, a perfect climate for beach and outdoor activities. During the dry season the temperature can run as high as 37 degrees Centigrade. The hottest months are March and April.
It is best to visit Cebu from December to May when the weather gets pleasantly warm. The rainy season starts in June and ends in November but sporadic rainfall can occur every month. Temperatures during this season drops to 24 to 30 degrees Centigrade. Even during the rainy season, the island is very seldom hit by typhoons since Cebu is situated on the southern edge of the typhoon belt. |
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| Transportation |
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Colorful jeepneys and buses ply the major city routes at a minimal fare. Taxi cabs are widely available and can be fagged down anywhere. Air-conditioned taxis cost P24.00 on the meter and an additional P2.00 is added for every succeeding 200 meters to the final cost. Most taxi rides should be well under P100. At least a 10% tip is expected. |
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| Clothing |
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| People dress for the weather, typically natural fiber, lightweight outfits. Most people dress casually, wearing t-shirt, jeans and shorts. Semi-formal attire are worn in offices, schools, churches, temples and other important places. |
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| Voltage |
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| Most areas in Cebu are supplied with 220 volts, 60 cycles. A plug with 2 flat parallel prongs is the norm. |
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| Food |
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The Philippine cuisine is a nice blend of Spanish and Chinese influence. Seafood dishes abound in Cebu prepared in various cooking styles. Oriental and Continental dishes are widely served in restaurants and diners throughout the island. |
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| Currency |
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'Peso' is the Philippine currency and is available in 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 notes. Most establishments in Cebu do not accept foreign currencies expect for the US dollar. Major credit cards are accepted by most businesses. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks, hotels and authorized money exchange dealers.
US$1 is about P50 pesos. |
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| Time Zone |
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| Philippine standard time is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Meantime. |
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