Safety in Cebu City

This post is also available in:

We’re often asked about safety in Cebu City and whether you can explore the city as a tourist without any major risks. In this article we go into detail on whether Cebu City is dangerous and which general safety rules you should follow.

Crime in Cebu City – statistics

Cebu City presents law-enforcement authorities with various challenges when it comes to crime. Some of the most common offenses have been pickpocketing, robberies, burglaries, and drug-related crime.

Pickpocketing and bag snatching were often recorded in busy areas such as shopping malls, markets, and public transport. Robberies were a problem especially at night or in less crowded areas. Burglaries occurred in both residential and commercial areas, with valuables and cash often the target.

Drug-related crime has also been a concern, as the Philippines takes a hard line against drug trafficking and use, which has led to clashes between drug gangs and security forces.

According to various sources, Cebu City ranks between 55th and 66th among the safest cities in Asia as a whole, which is generally not a bad result. For comparison: if Cebu City ranks 66th in the crime statistics for cities in Asia, then it is on the same level as the popular tourist city of Pattaya in Thailand.

Looking at Southeast Asia alone, Cebu City’s safety index is roughly on a par with Ho Chi Minh City, Pattaya, Jakarta, and Phnom Penh and clearly better than Manila and, for example, Kuala Lumpur. So as far as the statistics go, the question of whether Cebu City is dangerous can be answered like this: no more or less than other cities in Southeast Asia.

Source: Numbeo

Is Cebu City dangerous? Our honest opinion

To be completely honest, we definitely do not consider Cebu City dangerous. In Southeast Asia we feel just as safe in Cebu City as in Bangkok, Saigon, or Hanoi, for example. At times we’ve felt less comfortable in cities like Berlin or Barcelona than in Cebu City. Here are a few of our impressions of safety in Cebu City in some of the areas and neighborhoods in the city.

1. IT Park – a safe retreat: IT Park feels very safe for visitors around the clock. Thanks to a well-developed security setup and active monitoring, tourists can spend their time here without worry. Enjoy the modern facilities and relax in this safe environment 24/7 – the attractive residential complexes, the wide choice of restaurants, and the Sugbo Mercado night market make IT Park in Cebu one of the best spots for tourists. Many companies are based in IT Park, and educated office workers with, in some cases, solidly paid jobs are out and about here. The crime rate in this neighborhood is definitely the lowest.
2. Port area – safe during the day, caution at night: The port area can be explored safely and without problems during the day, even if there are some children begging. It’s advisable, however, not to walk around there alone at night, because the area is fairly isolated and there’s little going on. That said, we wouldn’t really know what you’d be doing there at night anyway, so it’s not an area tourists tend to visit in the first place.
3. Colon – lively and full of life: Colon, known for its lively atmosphere, also offers an exciting experience at night. In the early evening it generally feels relatively safe here. Still, in the late night hours, and especially if you’re alone, the risk of being robbed can be slightly higher. Be especially alert for pickpockets in the crowds at Colon Market. It’s a good idea to take only a few valuables with you to minimize the risk of theft.
4. Ayala Center and Business Park: Cebu Business Park and Ayala Mall form the business and financial center of Cebu City and are considered extremely safe areas for tourists and locals alike. Ayala Mall is well guarded, and security guards are present throughout the area. Visitors generally feel safe here both during the day and at night. The presence of security staff across the area and effective monitoring help tourists move around freely without having to worry about their safety.
5. General caution about theft: Theft affects locals and tourists alike. Although tourists may be more vulnerable because they’re less familiar with the surroundings, locals are affected too. For example, my sister had her earrings ripped off and stolen by passing scooter riders during a night walk some years ago. That incident was already more than 10 years ago, though, and the overall safety situation and the population’s standard of living have changed a great deal for the better since then.

All in all, then, Cebu City is for us a very safe city that you can explore without worry, as long as you follow the usual ground rules. During the day we see virtually no risk of becoming the victim of a crime, and at night the main business and nightlife districts are very safe as well.

Safety rules for tourists in Cebu City

For tourists in Cebu City there are a few important safety rules to follow if you want a pleasant and safe stay:

1. Keep your valuables safe: Carry valuables such as money, IDs, and electronic devices securely on you, ideally in a bag that sits close to your body. Don’t leave valuables unattended, whether in your hotel room or in a vehicle. Use the hotel safe.
2. Stay alert in busy areas: Especially in crowded places such as shopping malls, markets, and public transport, you should watch out for pickpockets. Keep bags and backpacks close to your body, or carry valuables in a front pants pocket.
3. Avoid unsafe areas: Stay away from isolated or so-called “unsafe” areas, especially at night. Stick to well-lit and well-populated places.
4. Use licensed transport: Only use licensed taxis or vehicles from well-known ride-hailing services. Avoid getting into a vehicle with people you don’t know, and share your location with friends or family if needed. Jeepney rides at night aren’t necessarily dangerous, but tourists should tend to avoid them, because jeepneys are sometimes the target of robberies, or have been in the past. A lot has improved on this point as well, though.
5. Only take as much as you need: When you’re out and about, don’t carry large amounts of cash, especially in the nightlife. Don’t flash expensive jewelry or your money, as that could attract unwanted attention. A good alternative to paying in cash is a credit card.
6. Drink responsibly: Consume alcohol responsibly and be careful, especially in unfamiliar surroundings. Being drunk can impair your awareness and make you more vulnerable. Under the influence of alcohol you often make yourself an easy target, or you may end up in unpleasant situations with other drunk people (locals and tourists alike).
7. Keep an eye on your travel documents: Keep your travel documents stored safely and only carry them with you when it’s absolutely necessary. The hotel safe is the best place for your passport. Make copies of your documents and keep them separate from the originals, or store them online in the cloud.

In general, these are just the usual safety tips that can apply to any city in Asia or anywhere in the world. A healthy degree of caution (not suspicion) and leaving the large amounts of cash and expensive jewelry at home usually already do everything you need to explore Cebu City safely.

Tip: In the extremely rare event of a theft or robbery, it’s advisable to simply hand over the items that are demanded. Situations like this often get worse if you put up unnecessary resistance.

Still have questions or anything to add about safety in Cebu City? Feel free to leave a comment!