Currency/Credit Cards
The monetary unit is the Philippine Peso, divisible into 100 centavos. There are 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 Peso notes; coins for .05, .10, .25, P1, P5 and P10. Commercial banks, hotels, and tourist-oriented businesses exchange foreign currencies and cash travelers cheques. Pesos may be reconverted to US$. Major international cards such as VISA, Diners Club, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted in major establishments. Foreign currency is not readily taken by the establishments in Cebu. Visitors are advised to bring sufficient amount of change in small bills or coins.

Business Hours:
Banks - 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday; government agencies and offices - 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday; private firms - 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, 9am to 12noon Saturday; Shops - 9am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday. Most department stores stay open on Sundays and holidays.

Country Code
The Philippines country code is 63. When calling Cebu direct, pls. add 63 + 32 , Cebu's area code. Please remember the Philippines is 8 hours ahead of GMT.

Communication/Internet Facilities
Philippine Long distance Telephone Company (PLDT), and Globe Telecom, leading telecommunications companies, offer modern facilities and services that include international direct dialing (IDD), telex, facsimile and Internet services. Worldwide courier delivery, postal, and telegraph services are also available. Major newspapers are in English. Foreign publications such as newspapers and magazines can be found in bookstores, supermarkets and in major hotels.

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