Whether you are an island-hopper or bar-hopper, Cebu has a lot of sights to offer. However, it is easy to miss out on all these awesome places if you do not know your parking spaces.
This goes especially if you are renting out a pretty impressive car during your stay here. Some parking spaces are good, some are so-so but it is important to know they all come in different types. These types tell a lot about their unique rules and levels of safety.
Unlike larger cities, Cebu has yet to offer something on the level of a fully dedicated parking garage. There are some areas that come a little close, but that is why knowing the different types can be better for your driving experience.
1. Makeshift parking spaces.
These parking spaces can appear crude but are considered legal in a weird way. Oftentimes, you find these in some of the small-sized restaurants that are nonetheless very, very popular. They are also very common in beach resorts.
Some of these are nothing more than stamped out dirt spaces (especially in the beach and rural resorts). Others are just gravel parking lots with no clear dividers.
For the most part, these spaces are still overseen by the management so don’t worry too much about parking illegally. There are still rules though (whether it is eating at the establishment or paying a fee). Make sure to also exercise great caution when doing the actual parking. Also, they may not always be secure, so make sure to check if there are guards or at least hired parking helpers keeping an eye on everyone’s vehicles.
2. Mall parking spaces.
When it comes to availability, Cebu’s largest malls also have the biggest and most dedicated spaces. (This goes especially for the Ayala and SM malls.) They are well-guarded, so you can definitely be assured that your rental car is safe.
On the flip side though, mall parking spaces are also the busiest and you can certainly expect them to be packed (especially during the holiday season). If your Cebu trip is going to involve a lot of indoor shopping, then make sure to still arrive early before opening hours so you have a good chance of finding a space.
These malls also charge a parking fee, but it is easily affordable and it is worth the security it comes with. But to stay on the safe side, they do caution drivers to still not leave any valuables in the car.
3. Condo and office parking spaces.
While not entirely as spacious, these can be just as numerous (especially in workplace hubs like IT Park and Cebu Business Park). They are also just as secure and well-maintained.
Their caveat, though, is that they are more accessible and stress-free for employees, building owners and condominium residents. Otherwise, expect them to be either restricted or charge a very, very high fee for parking.
Of course, these are not much of a problem if you actually happen to be doing business in the area. Make a point to contact your associates about parking and see if they can help you out in finding the proper space when organizing a meet-up.
Now, if you are looking for a more general parking rule to follow while driving around Cebu City, then you will never go wrong avoiding sidewalk parking. Many streets in Cebu may appear messy at first glance, but car clamping campaigns have been ramped up in recent years. (And half the time, traffic enforcers come in when perpetrators least expect it.) Make sure to just stick to the spaces mentioned above, understand how they are run and you will be just fine!
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