Cebu and Google Mapmaker

Request:  If any of the info in this page (especially the mapmaker links) is inaccurate, outdated or just plain wrong – please do let me know by leaving a comment.  The mapmaker coordinates especially will change since Google Mapmaker Cebu is always a work in progress.


Because Google local business listings is not yet available for the Philippines, Cebuanos have been adding businesses to Google Mapmaker instead.

The number one question we usually get is “how far is the airport from this location”.

We can use Mapmaker to find the answer.  Please click on the links directly below for direct examples.

Airport to La Guardia Hotel

LGH to Fort San Pedro

LGH to Weesam Ferry Terminal

Pretty map is pretty

Pretty map is pretty

•••••••••

The Accurate Way to use Google Mapmaker

It’s easy to use Google Mapmaker and its Directions feature.  Most of the time, just typing in Location A and Location B (in Directions) will work, but when it doesn’t – when you get “We could not understand the destination.” or “We could not understand the source location.” errors, we’ve got to take a few additional (still very easy) steps.

Google Mapmaker no understand

First, make sure that the location/s we’re interested in have been listed on Mapmaker.  Use the Search function.  If they are listed, make sure to copy their exact names for pasting in Directions.  That should do it, but if we still get the errors – we have to get the coordinates.

Let’s try Mactan Cebu International Airport  Terminal and Pier 4 (where the SuperCat Terminal is located).

Mactan-Cebu International Airport (Mapmaker)

Mactan-Cebu International Airport (Mapmaker)

Second, we have to manually get the coordinates of at least one of them.  Let’s get Pier 4′s coordinates.  On its overview info page, click on “Get Directions” and then click on the tiny play button.

Pier 4 (Mapmaker)

Pier 4 (Mapmaker)

You’ll get an error but don’t worry about it.  We’re just after the coordinates of Pier 4.

Pier 4 Mapmaker Coordinates

Pier 4 Mapmaker Coordinates

Complete coordinates look like this:  Pier 4, Cebu City, Cebu, Central Visayas, Philippines.@10.300891,123.914199

Third, we go back to Mactan Cebu International Airport Terminal – Mapmaker Coordinates.  Click on “Get Directions”.  Then, Click on “From here”.

Airport to Pier (Mapmaker)

Airport to Pier (Mapmaker)

Paste Pier 4, Cebu City, Cebu, Central Visayas, Philippines.@10.300891,123.914199 in the “End Address” field.  You can also skip pressing “From here” and paste “Pier 4″ into the “Start Address” field.  Just keep in mind that directions from the airport to the pier is not the same as directions from the pier to the airport.

Airport-to-Pier (Mapmaker)

Airport-to-Pier (Mapmaker)

Fifth, if all things go well, we should be seeing something like (below).

Airport to Pier (Mapmaker Directions)

Airport to Pier (Mapmaker Directions)

Google Mapmaker is pretty.

Google Mapmaker is pretty.

•••••••••

These are some of the locations I have been asked to find.  Links directly to their mapmaker coordinates:

Transportation

Mactan Cebu International Airport

Pier 4 – this is where the SuperCat Ferry Terminal is located.

Weesam Ferry Terminal

Hotels

Crowne Garden Hotel

Metro Park Hotel

La Guardia Hotel

Shopping Malls

Ayala Center Cebu

SM City Cebu

Tourist Sites

Alegre Guitar Factories

Fort San Pedro

Lapu-Lapu Shrine / Mactan Shrine

Magellan’s Cross

Basilica del Sto. Niño

Taoist Temple


Request:  If any of the info in this page (especially the mapmaker links) is inaccurate, outdated or just plain wrong – please do let me know by leaving a comment.

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