Mactan Cebu International Airport Shops

There is a bit of catharsis to be had in commerce. This makes shopping or window shopping a relaxing activity while waiting for flight departures at the airport. Though this isn't exactly my scene, I have posted features here on airports, the services they offer, and the shops they have - as part of my travel survival posts. They may not be beautiful sights, but they remain an essential part of travel.

In this post, we try to document the shops found at the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA). Compared to NAIA 3, shops here are more local fare than international brands. In fact, a good number of these shops (or stores) feel like sari-sari store, with a smattering and bits of everything on their shelves.

The shops are mostly found in four areas. First, at the entrance hall just before passing through security check. Second is at the check-in hall. Third is the pre-departure hall, which has the most number of shops. The fourth one is at the international pre-departure area which we probably won't see since we don't see ourselves leaving the country through Cebu.

"Atin Ito" (This is Ours) is one of the bigger shops at the Departure Building just before the check-in hallway.  It has handicrafts, books and souvenirs.

cXpress is also a new shop, replacing what used to be D'Lindth beside PhilPost.

Money Changer beside the bright and colorful "Island Souvenir".

There are 2 ATM machines: a Land Bank and a BPI ATM machine as you enter the departure building. Further on are the following: Value Money Changer (for your foreign exchange requirements), Gala Cafe (fruits and seafood), Islands Souvenir, Visual Expressions Arts Shop, Hi-Tech Telecommunications - Airport Internet (telecom, internet, gaming, long distance calls, phone cards, printing), Jeshan and Ann Gift Shop and Souvenirs; the comfy but pricey Cafe Cesario (top photo), cXpress shop (replacing D'Lindth Snackshoppe and Pasalubong) and PhilPost (below, for your postcard and snail mail needs). There's a huge waiting area near PhilPost if you came in too early to check-in.

Cafe Cesario offers Pinoy cuisine: lechon kawali is worth a budget-busting P320 - and this doesn't even include your rice yet; braised pork belly (humba) at P210; pork chicken adobo, which I ordered, has tasty adobo sauce but the chicken is bony and the pork meat isn't even tender. Even the serving feels too limited for something that's worth P200+ without the rice. Order a soda and a small serving of rice, and you're unappealingly set back more than you'd care to spend on your next meal. There are several turo turo more appetizing inside the check-in hall and even at the pre-departure area at a price a fraction of what you'd pay in Cafe Cesario. Cafe Cesario is affiliated with Hotel Cesario located in M.L. Quezon Highway in Lapu Lapu City. They open from 1 AM to 9 PM daily!

The entrance hall also has Relaxing Massage booth with rates similar to those in Manila or Davao: foot spa at P250; foot spa with pedicure at P300; 1-hour massage at P250; 30-minute massage at P130, manicure and pedicure at P75, and so on. There's another massage stall at the check-in hallway and then again at the pre-departure area.

At the extreme end of this entrance hallway (prior to entry into the check-in hallway) are several travel shops:  A Zest Air ticketing office, Tiger Airways, Sea Air, and ETA Air. I have never heard of ETA Air until now, but they have flights departing from Cebu to places like Romblon, Camiguin, Cotabato, Tandag, Maasin, Masbate, Catarman, Tacloban, Iligan, Pagadian, Jolo, Siargao, Tawi tawi, Zamboanga, Sta. Fe-Bantayan, etc. Their future international flights include Port Moresby, Seoul, Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu, and Jakarta. They have a catch phrase that says: "We fly you the Pinoy Happy Way" which doesn't seem like such a savvy verbal hook. But this is great news so we're wishing ETA Air good luck. More air carriers will bring better service to the current crop of airlines serving the country. Here is their website: http://www.etaair.com/

After these airline hub, there's the passenger's waiting area, and beside it are the toilets.

Shops after security check (at the Check-in Hallways)are as follows: Lulanbies Pasalubong Center (they have this really confusing signage: Lulanbies? Lulanbles?), Airport Guitar Center, Christian Ventures (books, Christian magazines, etc.), another Gala Cafe Bar/El Garaje Pasalubong, Echevarrias Rolling Snack Bar (Dimsum and Native Food), Cash N' Carry Food Delicacy.

There is a Malayan Insurance Counter and the new Concierge Luggage and More: left luggage, shipping, and packing needs. Beside this is a payphone beside the main entrance from the outside hallway. Across this payphone is the Office for Quarantine Services, and nearby is the Airphil Express Office, beside the Cebu Pacific check-in counters.

The check-in counters have assigned spaces. From right to left: Zest Air, Airphil Express, Philippine Airlines, then Cebu Pacific which has the most number of check-in counters. Beside Bo's Coffee, is a massage stall. Right across the massage corner is the Wildlife Office (where you'd probably need clearances and permits for your animals).

Cash 'N Carry Food Delicacy offers turo turo fare and rice meals, right across Zest Air and Airphil Express check-in counters. Island Souvenirs have shirts as low as P260. 

Pre-Departure Shops and Bars (Updated pre-departure shops as of August 2014)

Bo's Coffee Club, Mikel's Philippine Delicacies, Ato-MCIAA Employees Multipurpose Cooperative (a shop, not an office), Silangan Snack Bar, Ricky's Pasalubong Center, Twin's Pasalubong, Sinia's Snack Bar, Bennette's Snack Shop (Pudding Taho & Snow Ice), the brightly lit Dunkin Donuts, Clothes Minded (an apparel shop), Reflections Gift Shop, Alma Gift-Novelties and Guitars (or is it Alika?), Massage (right at the corner near Gate 4 and 5 and the toilet), Marlboro Buon Volo Smoking Cafe and Lounge, a separate Smart Bro free internet counter, and MCIAA MD station (for those who require health attention), the Mabuhay Lounge of Philippine Airlines and Ezekiel Souvenirs.

They have a small hallway where occasional exhibits are held. I chanced on a painting exhibit once. This area is flanked by a massage stall and the toilets.

The stalls across the pre-departure hall include Timex Watch, Bag Tag, Island Souvenirs, another watch stall without a name, Fruit Magic, and Coffee Dream.

If you've read enough "pasalubong" in this post, this is a Tagalog word referring to gifts you buy from travels.

There was a cafe the interested me - Cafe Wien, and if you've traveled around Europe, you'd know that some quarters call Vienna (Austrian capital) as Wien. You read this in sign boards or train posts when your hopping in transits. Imagine, an Austrian cuisine in the heart of Cebu? Do they have strudels and schnitzels too like the Germans? Maybe I can try their germnodel or schweinbraten? The thought made me salivate. I eagerly checked it out then saw delectable photos of the following (see photo below): beef caldereta, lechon, chili con carne, baby pork ribs, beef tapa! Darn! How Austrian! :) But to be fair, their meals looked delicious, I'd have tried them if I didn't get my breakfast prior to my airport arrival. I've tried a meal here recently, but though they're pricy, food is good and has bigger serving; a lot better than Cafe Cesario outside.

Update: New Set of Shops at the Domestic Predeparture Hall

As of August 2014, most of the shops at the domestic pre-departure area have been "removed" and very few of the "old batch" were allowed to continue operations, e.g. Dunkin Donuts, Bo's Coffee, Potato Corner, etc. Check out these new Pre-departure shops here:

New Shops: http://eye-in-the-blue-sky.blogspot.com/2014/07/shops-at-mactan-cebu-international.html

Shop lovers will have enough shops to fill their time with.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

The Visayan version of Starbucks - Bo's Coffee Club, with branches found all over Visayas and Mindanao.

Cafe Wien

Cafe Wien's menu

Pre-departure area

Smoking Cafe

Fruit shakes and juices at Fruit Magic.

Mactan Cebu International Airport Departure Hall

Much like your arrival in Cebu, getting to your departure is a no-frills experience at the Mactan Cebu International Airport.

The Departure Hall is roughly divided into 3 parts: the Entrance Hall (which is lined with small shops, an ATM machine and a PhilPost counter); the Check-in Hall (you get through the airport's lone security check before heading towards your respective counter for check-in); the Pre-Departure Area which has more shops (please check out our separate posts on these shops).

After checking -in, you're supposed to pay for your Airport Fee of P200 or $4.60 (for domestic flights) before heading towards your Gate, but this fee has mostly been incorporated when you purchased your plane ticket. Check your itinerary.

 Passengers bound for Davao, Manila and Kalibo are assigned a special hallway (a room) at the extreme left of the predeparture area (and away from the shops). This is mostly Gate 5. There is a stall with 3 table screen for your internet browsing, but since a lot of people tend to monopolize its use, don't bet on being able to check your mails there... unless you get lucky.

The departure hall has 4 jetways (boarding bridges) but plans are underway to add two more to accommodate increasing traffic. On the whole, MCIA is a convenient gateway to your next destination, if a tad undersized for its reputation as the Philippines' second biggest airport and gateway to the country.

Have a safe flight, everyone.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

Arriving into the airport's Departure Hall.

PNB ATM machine just outside the departure hall. There are a couple more ATM's inside.

Entrance

"Atin To" (This is Ours) is one of the bigger shops found at the Departure Building before entering the check-in counter. It has souvenir items, handicrafts, books, etc.

A new shop just before check-in called cXpress, just beside the PhilPost counter.

Money changer just before entering the check in counter hallway.

BPI and Landbank ATM machines are found inside just before security check to your check in counters. 

A wall of plants has been incorporated into the departure entrance.

Entrance into the first security check and into the check-in hallway is for ticketed guests only.

This used to be the older entrance to the check-in counters. The new one (above) has a lot more breathing space.

The view after the security (Xray) check. This area has the Quarantine Office, a phone booth, and a new Concierge Luggage and More (left luggage, shipping packing) beside the Malayan Insurance Counter.

The busier side of the check-in counter hallway is the Cebu Pacific side.

Check in counters. Counters are duly assigned - this one is for the Cebu Pacific which has a more extensive network. The airline counters are as follows: Cebu Paciific, then Philippine Airlines, Airphil Express then Zest Air at the end of the hallway beside the Marlboro Smoking Lounge and Cafe.

Check in counters. Cebu Pac has greatly improved customer relations, unlike our last visit here and elsewhere. Their ground personnel are polite, accommodating and easily offer a smile; a demeanor that is gravely required in this anxious-ridden industry. Bravo to their current human resources and training arm.

This was where Airport Tax of P200 ($4.60) is paid but this has been mostly incorporated upon purchase of your ticket.

A smoking lounge cum cafe at the Check-in Hall. There's another smoking lounge (Buon Volo) at the Predeparture Area. Beside this is Bo's Coffee.

Predeparture area servicing flights to Davao, Manila and Kalibo. This is a separate room (Gate5) from the bigger hall with shops.

Facade of Mactan Cebu International Airport's Departure Hall. This photo only courtesy of wikpedia's magalhaes.

New Set of Shops at the Domestic Pre-departure Hall:

- http://eye-in-the-blue-sky.blogspot.com/2014/07/shops-at-mactan-cebu-international.html

Mactan Cebu International Airport Arrival Hall

Arriving in Cebu, a traveler is ushered into this relatively laidback metropolis through the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) located in Mactan Island which is a mere 20 minute ride to Cebu City center, barring traffic. But traffic has engulfed the byways that take you to the city center so expect a plodding, snail-paced ride as you get to and away from the airport. My trip to the city center (Fuente Osmena area) took 40 minutes; and a bit faster - 30 minutes getting back to the airport from the centro.

Arrival is pretty much a straight forward affair. You deplane and head straight to a common hall (above) for your baggage claim. This hall also leads straight to the exit doors. Within the same hall, you find a helpful information counter that will suggest hotels for you (they'll ask what your budget is) and has information on several other concerns.

If you require left luggage facility, head leftwards to find Ibales Baggage Depository (see below for rates) just beside the entrance for passengers with connecting flights. There's not much here in terms of shops which are mostly found at the Departure Hall located at the other end of the building.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE COUNTER

Arrival Hall has 2 Foreign Exchange counters. The one beside a souvenir shops (left, if you're standing from the baggage claim facing exit) is open from 5:30AM to 11:30PM. There's another stand-alone counter near the post just before the exit door, but they seem to have different times, but most probably has the same schedule as the aforementioned. There is no ATM machine at the arrival hall, but you can proceed to the departure hall and find a couple of ATM machines - if you need to withdraw local money upon arrival.

TAXIS

Once outside Arrival Hall, there's a narrow lane that faces the departure hall building where , from across, your welcome party waits. Posts are marked 21-23, and so on thus you can use these posts as point of reference. If you're leaving the airport on your own, then there are three types of taxis to consider: a fixed-rate taxi (which is pricey) a yellow airport taxi, and the white metered public taxi which is the cheapest option.

Get the white metered taxis (photo below). White taxis queue and wait for passengers near the airport entrance so head towards that queue (cross the road to the front building and turn right). This queue is accessible at the end of the departure building. A guard will moderate the queue and give you a coupon before entering your cab (just in case you have complaints about your ride).

The Yellow Airport Taxis which start their flag-down rate at Ph70 then an additional P4 for every 300 kilometers to your destination. Once again, you're given a complaints coupon bearing your taxi number just in case there's a reportable incident. Possible infractions are enumerated on that piece of paper: rude driver, no meter, overcharging, etc.

Yellow taxis are expensive, almost 2x the rate you'll get compared to the ordinary white metered taxis - but you don't have to haggle anymore - or worry about overpricing. The 3rd and more expensive option is the fixed-rate taxis - so let me not discuss this further. Cebu drivers are relatively an honest lot - and in my numerous Cebu visits, I realized that these yellow taxis or fixed rate taxis are not necessary anymore. Save up and use the white-metered taxis. Prepare to pay between PhP230 to PhP260 if your destination is Cebu City. 

If you're heading to Talisay or Danao, then taxi would be an expensive option. When I asked one my downtown hotels how much they charge for their hotel service, it was a whooping P600. Why pay that much when most rates shouldn't cost you more than PhP250? 

The airport is the Philippines' second primary gateway after the NAIA airports in Luzon. The terminal building incorporates both international and domestic flights with a combined capacity for almost 5 million passengers. However, with such estimates, MCIA feels small, and hallways have low ceilings. Plans are underway for expansion and and the construction of two more boarding bridges or jetways to complement the existing four. A new cargo terminal has also been proposed.

The more exciting news is, MCIAA General Manager Nigel Paul Villarete also proposes to establish a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line, not dissimilar to Malaysia's Rapid Transit system, to transport airport passengers to and from MCIAA from different parts of Cebu. This will complement and maybe integrated into the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System being planned in Cebu City.

Arrival Hallway

CARRIERS

Airlines flying into MCIA are as follows: Air Busan, AirPhil Express, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, Jeju Air, Korean Air, Mid-Sea Express, Philippine Airlines, Qatar Airways, SilkAir, Tiger Airways, and Zest Airways. Air Asia and Tiger Air have been added to this rooster. Before we forget, the airport has a terminal fee of P200 ($4.60) payable in local currency, but most tickets incorporate this upon purchase..

PORTERAGE

If you require help in carrying your luggage, porterage service charges PhP10 for the first two baggage, then another PhP10 for every succeeding items. That's exceedingly cheap, if you ask me. Otherwise, trolleys are free.

This is the Eye in the Sky.

The way out from the arrival hall.

Arrival hallway where the baggage claim is.

Alegre Beach Resort booth has folded and is replaced with a Foreign Exchange Counter and an Insurance Company (Mapfre/Insular). This foreign exchange counter is open from 5:30AM to 11:30PM.

Currency Exchange  and a Mapfre/Insular Insurance Corporation booth. Beside this, to its right, is the "Arrival Shop" selling stuff like flipflops and souvenir items. Forex is open from 5:30AM to 11:30PM.

Ibales Luggage Depository is the airport's Left Luggage service. It is located on the same hall as the baggage claim (at the far end, left of the conveyors). To leave a baggage here, you have to submit your baggage at the security check first. Once done, take your bags at Ibales, complete a "Deposit Form", remove any cash or jewelry from them.

The rate is as follows: 0 to 2 hours - P75; 2 to 4 hours - P150; 4 to 10 hours - P250; 10 to 24 hours - P300. For over-sized baggage (bikes and surfboards) - 0 to 2 hours - P200, 2 to 4 hours - P300; 4 to 10 hours - P400; 10 to 24 hours - P500. Baggage not claimed 45 days from depositing them becomes Ibales' property.

Outside the arrival hall. The opposite side is where the Waiting area is. Greeters wait just across (though it's not much of a place).

Diagonal Parking just outside the arrival hall. To get to the white taxi stand, cross this road and turn right until you reach a stair to your left. On top of the stair and to the right is the taxi stand for white metered taxis. There is no haggling here and is generally safe. Taxi coupons are given to you by a guard before getting inside your cab.

White metered taxis queue by the shed, located just outside the arrival hall. This is near the airport entrance. A guard gives away coupons and facilitates the queue of passengers and taxis.

Airport Taxi counter - yellow taxis to transport you to your destination. At the arrival building just across this arrival lobby is the queue for the cheaper white metered taxis. To get to the cheaper non-airport taxis, you have to cross the street and wheel yourself out of the front building (the arrival hall). White metered taxis queue just in front and the guard will give you a coupon just in case you have complaints about your taxi ride.

Yellow taxis are metered but they have higher rates per kilometer travelled. You get them from a taxi queue just outside the arrival hall. The cheaper option is the white metered taxis available at another stand across this road and up a stair, at the entrance of the airport.