A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cebu vs. Atami for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cebu or Atami?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Cebu or Atami? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Cebu or Atami?

Cebu

Cebu Island is an important island in the Visayas region of the Philippines, characterized by its main port at Cebu City as well as many natural features. The most-visited areas include islands of Mactan, Bantayan, Badian, Malapascua and Camotes, all which have resorts and hotels. Scuba diving and snorkeling are common activities along the shoreline, while hiking the mountainous spine of the island is popular inland.

Atami

Sharing a home with the famous Mount Fuji inside the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Atami is a Japanese city set on the seaside of the Izu Peninsula. With volcanic hills and natural hot springs, visitors are very much drawn to the unique landscape of the place. There are many hot springs resorts that take advantage of the area's natural features, which have been attracting visitors since the 8th century.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.


Which place is cheaper, Atami or Cebu?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cebu is $80, while the average daily cost in Atami is $108. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cebu and Atami in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cebu $25
    Atami $44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cebu $50
    Atami $88
Compare Hotels in Cebu and Atami

Looking for a hotel in Cebu or Atami? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Cebu


Hotels in Atami


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Cebu Hotel Prices and Atami Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cebu $26
    Atami $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:

  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cebu HTL-APT (CEB): $31
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cebu APT-HTL (CEB): $18
  • Private Airport to Hotel Transfer in Cebu City: $35
  • Oslob Private Van Transfer between Cebu, Mactan or Mandaue City: $175
  • Mactan-Cebu Island Hopping Cruise with Lunch & Roundtrip Transfer: $196
  • Kawasan Falls Canyoneering w/ Lunch & Transfers from Cebu City: $122
  • Danasan Eco Adventure Park Including Round-Trip Hotel Transfer: $161
  • Cordova Private Transfer from Cordova city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $28
  • Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $26
  • Private Car Transfer with Driver (Flexible Routes): $28
  • Oslob Whale Shark Encounter & SUMILON with Transfers: $196
  • One-way Airport Transfer to Cebu City Hotels: $89

Is it cheaper to fly into Cebu or Atami?

Prices for flights to both Atami and Cebu change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cebu $36
    Atami $43

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cebu

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cebu.

  • Carbon Market Food Tour & Bars with Jeepney Ride: $16
  • Highlands Guided Tour with STREET FOOD TOUR OPTION: $45
  • The Ultimate Cebu Food Tour: Local Tastes & Cultural Journey: $70
  • Cebu City: Historical Street and Food Tour: $89
  • Cebu Traditional Cuisine Cooking Class: $98
  • Private Panoramic Tour with Dinner: $100
  • Cebu Traditional Bamboo Cooking Class: $107
  • Cebu Traditional Bamboo Cooking: $110
  • Cebu Vegetarian Cooking Class: $110
  • Cebu Traditional Cuisine Cooking Class: $110
  • 5-Hour Evening Tour from Cebu with Dinner: $110

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cebu $17
    Atami $7.96

Tours and Activities in Cebu

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cebu are as follows:

  • BEST OF Cebu City Heritage with Uphill Tour | Joiners: $64
  • Cebu Steet food, historical and mountain tour: $110
  • 3-Hour Small Group Cebu City Tour: $38
  • Aqua Sports Adventure Package with 3 Water Activities: $129
  • BEST OF Cebu City Heritage with Uphill Tour: $61
  • BEST OF Guided Heritage City Joiners Tour: $44
  • Badian Canyoneering Adventure and Kawasan Waterfalls Private Tour: $149
  • Badian Cebu Canyoneering Experience: $146
  • Badian Cebu Canyoneering Experience: $103
  • Balamban Uphill Adventure Tour in Cebu: $100
  • Best Seller Cebu City Group Tour: $53
  • Bohol Countryside Day Tour From Cebu City | Lunch at Loboc River Cruise: $145

Tours and Activities in Atami

For Atami, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Experience Tea Ceremony at a Traditional Japanese Inn : $46
  • Japanese Traditional Music Experience: $48
  • Odawara Ramen Crawl Experience: Visit 2 Iconic Shops: $52
  • 2025 1 Day Winter Sumo Official Provincial Tour at Odawara: $104
  • Ninja, Samurai, Odawara Castle Experience: $138
  • Odawara Castle and Town Guided Discovery Tour: $138
  • Odawara to Hakone Scenic Adventure: $172
  • Hakone customized private one day tour: $173

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cebu $14
    Atami $5.65

Sample the Local Flavors in Cebu

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cebu:

  • Makati Pub Crawl with Optional City Tour: $18
  • Cebu City Light's Pub Crawl: $110


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cebu and Atami, we can see that Atami is more expensive. And not only is Cebu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cebu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cebu and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Atami would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Atami than you might in Cebu.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cebu Expensive? and Is Atami Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cebu or Atami?

Cebu has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Atami. When comparing the sizes of Cebu and Atami, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Cebu or Atami?

Atami has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cebu experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Cebu or Atami in the Summer?

Both Atami and Cebu during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cebu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Atami for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Cebu is around the same temperature as Atami. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cebu in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Atami averages at about 26°C (78°F).

Atami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Cebu. Cebu usually gets less rain in July than Atami. Cebu gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Atami receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cebu 28°C (82°F) 
    Atami 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Cebu or Atami in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cebu and Atami. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Atami because of the shopping scene.

In October, Cebu is generally much warmer than Atami. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 28°C (82°F), and Atami fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Atami receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cebu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cebu usually receives around the same amount of rain as Atami. Cebu gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Atami receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cebu 28°C (82°F) 
    Atami 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Cebu or Atami in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cebu as well as Atami. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Atami this time of year.

Cebu is much warmer than Atami in the winter. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Atami fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

Cebu usually gets more rain in January than Atami. Cebu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Atami receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cebu 27°C (81°F) 
    Atami 5°C (42°F)

Should I visit Cebu or Atami in the Spring?

Both Atami and Cebu are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Atami for the beaches.

In the spring, Cebu is much warmer than Atami. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cebu in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Atami averages at about 14°C (57°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atami. In April, Cebu usually receives less rain than Atami. Cebu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Atami receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cebu 29°C (84°F) 
    Atami 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Atami and Cebu

Cebu Atami
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 5°C (42°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 6°C (42°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 9°C (48°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 50 mm (2 in) 14°C (57°F) 163 mm (6.4 in)
May 30°C (86°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 18°C (65°F) 164 mm (6.4 in)
Jun 29°C (84°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 22°C (71°F) 254 mm (10 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 160 mm (6.3 in) 26°C (78°F) 202 mm (8 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 27°C (80°F) 222 mm (8.7 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 23°C (74°F) 209 mm (8.2 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 154 mm (6.1 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 108 mm (4.2 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 8°C (46°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)