You are planning a wonderful trip to the Philippines and want to know if there are any dangerous neighborhoods in Cebu City and areas to avoid on Cebu Island.

Cebu is one of the most touristy islands in the Visayas region of the Philippines. It is a destination that attracts for its culture, its nature and the beauty of the islands that surround it such as Malapascua or the island of Kalanggaman.

But, whether for safety reasons, hygiene reasons or simply to avoid poorly frequented areas, it is important to know which places to avoid in Cebu.

In this article, you will find a list of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Cebu City, areas to avoid on Cebu Island, and tips for choosing the best place to stay.

Sources: Studies, statistics and web rankings on crimes, press articles and forums

Is Cebu City a dangerous city?

In the Philippines, the level of violence and crime has been decreasing for several years (read my article: Areas to Avoid in the Philippines ). However, there are still places in the country where the safety of tourists is not guaranteed. But is this the case for the city of Cebu?

According to the latest Numbeo ranking , Cebu is not considered a safe city. Its crime index is quite high: 51.52, although significantly lower than Manila 's.

Cebu City is the 7th most crime-ridden city in all of Southeast Asia. It is more dangerous than Pattaya , Bangkok , Phuket , Denpasar , Siem Reap or Luang Prabang.

When compared globally (see map below), Cebu ranks 129th out of the 334 most crime-ridden cities in the world. According to this ranking, Cebu is more crime-ridden than Cairo , Istanbul , Edmonton , Denver , or Mumbai.

Areas to avoid in Cebu Island?

Cebu Island is not among the dangerous areas to avoid in the Philippines according to the recommendations of the France Diplomatie website.

Currently, apart from the dangerous areas of Cebu City (see list below), the island does not have any areas where tourists could be in danger.

You can check the crime level of Cebu yourself on the statistics of the Philippine Government.

Map of neighborhoods to avoid in Cebu City

Cebu City, capital of the province of Cebu in the Philippines, has a population of just over 900. It is divided into 000 districts (barangays) and many unofficial neighborhoods.

To help you locate neighborhoods to avoid (listed below) as well as the best places to stay in Cebu City: Neighborhood Map

Dangerous neighborhoods in Cebu City

By synthesizing numerous information published on the internet, here is the list of the least safe neighborhoods in Cebu City:

• Pasil near the fish market;
• parian, the old Chinese quarter;
• Duljo Fatima, area with many drug traffickers;
• Alaska Mambaling is also a difficult neighborhood;
• Colon street which is not a criminal place but this street attracts many pickpockets;
• Hermitage near the Carbon Market is also an area to avoid;
• Some places of Downtown Cebu (see red districts listed below);
• Neighborhood ;
• Some neighborhoods in the city of Mandaue right next to Cebu City.

You can click on the links to locate these neighborhoods to avoid in Cebu on Google Maps.

Red Light Districts in Cebu

While not exactly dangerous, Cebu's red-light districts are areas to avoid, especially at night. There are several such districts, including Kamagayan, particularly on Junquera Street and Mango Avenue in the Carreta neighborhood.

Safe neighborhoods to stay when visiting Cebu City

Cebu City is not the best place on the island to stay (noise, pollution, traffic).

But if you want to discover its heritage, the Santo Nino basilica, the Cebu heritage monument, the Taoist temple and its lively markets, you will have to stay there for 1 or 2 days.

The historic district called San Roque is the place which concentrates the most tourist attractions and entertainment. There is no problem visiting it during the day, but in the evening it can be noisy and uncrowded.

If you are looking for a safer area, you can choose your hotel in the Luz district or in the nearby Ayala district .

Here is a hotel with a swimming pool very well located in the Ayala district, right next to a huge shopping center: Seda Ayala Center Cebu

Also note that Mactan is an island where the international airport is located. If you're only in transit for one night before flying to other islands, you can stay on the island without necessarily going to Cebu City. In fact, there are many hotels all around the airport.

Where to stay in Cebu for a seaside vacation?

Cebu is home to some of the best beaches in the Philippines with white sand and crystal clear waters.

Here are some of the best places in Cebu where you can stay for a relaxing stay:

White Beach in Moalboal (Cebu)

Moalboal is an ideal base for exploring southern Cebu. The best areas to stay are Panagsama Beach, about 5 km from town, or near White Beach, which is famous for its white sand and turquoise waters.

Another good reason to choose Moalboal is its proximity to Kawasan Falls and Mantayupan Falls in Barili.

Here's accommodation facing a beautiful beach with a snorkeling spot to see turtles: Sambag Hideaway Bungalows

Oslob (Cebu)

Oslob is one of the most popular tourist destinations on Cebu Island. The main reason for this is the whale shark. Indeed, in Oslob (just like in the Maldives ), more specifically in Tanawan, you can dive with whale sharks. Oslob is also well located for exploring Sumilon Island or the Tumalog waterfalls.

Bounty Beach on Malapascua Island

Bounty Beach in Malapascua is a beautiful beach near Cebu. Famous for its crystal-clear waters and tranquility, this beach is an ideal place to stay for those looking to escape the crowds.

Santa Fe Beach on Bantayan Island

Santa Fe Beach on Bantayan Island is one of Cebu's most popular beaches. With its white sand and clear waters, this beach offers an ideal setting to relax and soak up the sun.

Image by Sharon Ang from Pixabay