Cebu, Philippines Travel Guide
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Money Matters in Cebu
Sterling Banks of Asia in Cebu
The currency in the Philippines is the Philippine peso, also called piso. PHP is the currency code and P is the official abbreviation. P150 for example. Banks and ATMs abound in Cebu City and Mactan Island. Seems like competing banks are right next to each other or across the street from each other. Local or country-specific ATMs do not take international credit cards such as the ATM machine at the entrance of Robinsons Place. When withdrawing money from an ATM, just be discreet and don’t show off or fumble around with your cash, as Cebu is still a developing province and there is a lot of poverty. Philipinos are nice and respectful but just use common sense.
Carry small change with you at all times, especially for taxis and small retail stands and vendors. Make change by exchanging denominations at your hotel or going to a local convenience store and purchasing a bottle of water or something inexpensive. That will save you some money in the long run.
And, as usual, the money changers at the airport do not give you great conversion rates. MS Money Changer outside the Robinsons Supermarket in the basement level of Robinsons Place gives a fair conversion rate.
Sterling Bank of Asia
Location: Corner of General Maxilom Ave and F. Ramos Street across from Robinsons Place and Cebu Midtown Hotel.
Accessibility: The bank is wheelchair accessible. There is a gradual ramp up to the entrance of the bank and to the ATM room off to the side.
Robinsons Bank
This bank is located inside Robinsons Place on the first level of the mall. The bank exchanges currency but I believe an international credit card does not work with its ATMs.
Location: Fuente Osmena circle, Cebu City
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
BPI ATM in Ayala Mall in Cebu
China Bank
Location: located throughout Cebu, these China Banks take international credit cards, Visa and Mastercards, with the Cirrus and other logos.
Accessibility: This large international bank is generally wheelchair accessible
BPI
Bank of the Philippines Islands branches and ATM kiosks are located throughout Cebu City, particulary in the Fuente Osmena circle, uptown area and the Cebu Business District.
Location: Fuente Osmena circle, General Maxilom Ave and Ayala Center
Accessibility: The BPI ATM in the Ayala Center mall is wheelchair accessible. Some, like the one across the street from Sterling Bank of Asia on General Maxilom Ave, are not wheelchair accessible.