Cebu City, Philippines
The upscale commercial district with Ayala mall, international restaurants, and business hotels. Very safe day and night, everyone speaks English, but expensive and feels like generic Asian mall districts everywhere.
Centered around Ayala Center Cebu mall with designer shops, international restaurants, business hotels. Middle-class and wealthy Filipinos come here for shopping and dining, along with business travelers and expats. Security guards at every entrance, maintained sidewalks, good lighting. Restaurant staff speak English since they serve international customers. The crowd skews older and more professional than IT Park - business suits, not backpacks. You'll pay tourist prices - meals cost 2-3x local areas - but you get international service standards. Quieter at night than IT Park since most places close by 10-11pm, though still well-lit and safe.
Daytime Safety
ExcellentNight Walking Safety
ExcellentHarassment Risk
LowPublic Transport Safety
GoodPickpocketing Risk
LowScam Risk
LowPolice Visibility
ExcellentEmergency Services
ExcellentEvening Venues
ExcellentSolo Dining
ExcellentDrug Activity
LowHomelessness Visibility
LowGetting By in English
Excellent"Very safe but also very expensive compared to other areas"
"Perfect for business travelers or those wanting a predictable experience"
"Everyone speaks English and service is professional"
"Feels like an upscale mall district anywhere in Asia"
"Great for a safe evening out but limited nightlife options"
Areas with comparable safety profiles for solo female travelers
IT Park runs 24/7 on call center hours with constant security presence and lighting. It's safe and English-speaking but pricey and doesn't feel particularly Filipino - more like a generic tech district.
Beach resort island 20 minutes from the city. Resort areas are safe with private security but you're in a bubble - limited transport and not much outside the resort zones. Good for beach time, not for exploring.
Where expat families and locals actually live - suburban, safe, cheaper than tourist areas. Good for longer stays if you want local life, but you'll taxi everywhere since it's residential.
Help other women stay safe in Cebu Business Park (Ayala)
Neighborhood conditions can change. Check recent news, ask locals or your accommodation about current safety, especially for nighttime plans.