A Travel Price Comparison for Philippines Cebu vs. Boracay for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cebu or Boracay?

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

Should I visit Cebu or Boracay? 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 Boracay?

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.

Boracay

A small island in the Philippines known for its resorts and beaches, Boracay is a little escape. Each beach has its own unique character, each with new treasures waiting to be discovered.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines, The Best Budget Tours to Philippines, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines.


Which place is cheaper, Boracay or Cebu?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cebu is $65, while the average daily cost in Boracay is $56. 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 Boracay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cebu $25
    Boracay $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cebu $50
    Boracay $46
Compare Hotels in Cebu and Boracay

Looking for a hotel in Cebu or Boracay? 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 Boracay


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cebu $26
    Boracay $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:

  • Bohol Day Tour with Round-Trip Transfers from Cebu: $190
  • Cebu Private Transfer from Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB) to Lapu-Lapu city: $41
  • Cebu Private Transfer from Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB) to Mandaue city: $41
  • Cebu Private Transfer from Mactan Cebu International Airport (CEB) to Cebu city: $41
  • Cebu Private Transfer from Mactan Cebu International Airport (CEB) to Cordova: $41
  • Cebu Seaport - Mactan Hotel (Any Hotel) - One Way Transfer: $22
  • Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $26
  • Danasan Eco Adventure Park Including Round-Trip Hotel Transfer: $161
  • Exclusive Canyoneering Cebu Badian with Meals and Private Transfers option : $53
  • Hotel Private Transfer Airport to Cebu, Mandaue, LapuLapu: $26
  • Kawasan Falls Canyoneering w/ Lunch & Transfers from Cebu City: $122
  • Mactan Airport - Cebu City Sepoart (Transfer): $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boracay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boracay:

  • Shared Transfer from/to MPH for Domestic Passports: $21
  • Airport Transfer to Boracay or vice versa: $21
  • Caticlan: Shared Airport Transfer From/To Boracay: $22
  • Private Transfer from Caticlan Airport to Boracay: $28
  • Departure: Speedboat Transfer Boracay to Caticlan Airport: $34
  • Boracay Adventures Transfer Services Via Caticlan: $35
  • Caticlan: Speedboat Airport Transfer To Boracay: $42
  • Boracay Transfer round trip with Island Hopping: $70
  • Speedboat Caticlan to Boracay Transfer (Oneway): $83

Is it cheaper to fly into Cebu or Boracay?

Prices for flights to both Boracay 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 $21
    Boracay $14

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cebu

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

  • Private Half Day Ultimate Food Tour in Cebu: $66
  • Cebu City: Historical Street and Food Tour: $68
  • Cebu City Historical Street and Food Tour: $69
  • Panoramic View of Cebu and Dinner with Night View: $89
  • Cebu Highland Tour with Dinner at Tops of Cebu: $99
  • Traditional Filipino Bamboo Cooking Class: $111
  • Private Panoramic Tour with Dinner: $131

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cebu $17
    Boracay $15

Tours and Activities in Cebu

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

  • Moalboal Sardines Run Private Tour: $20
  • 3-Hour Small Group Cebu City Tour: $38
  • Guided Heritage City Tour: $45
  • Cebu Highlands Tour(Cebu Taoist, Temple of Leah and Sirao Garden): $46
  • Highlands Guided Tour w/ Hotel Pickup: $46
  • Land Tour | Bantayan Island - Sightseeing - Guided Tour: $46
  • Group Tour of Cebu City's Tourist Spots: $50
  • Cebu Half Day City Tour (Private Tour): $53
  • Canyoneering Experience in Kawasan Falls with Lunch: $55
  • Cebu Tour Package: $55
  • Cebu City with Sirao Garden Half Day Tour: $57
  • Highland Vista Tour: $58

Tours and Activities in Boracay

Here are a few actual costs in Boracay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Crystal Kayak Photo-op Experience: $6.46
  • Boracay - Crystal Kayak phot-op Experience: $9.22
  • Flying Donut Water Tubing Experience: $15
  • Boracay Sunset Cruise: $16
  • Boracay UFO Adventure: $17
  • Sunset Cruise with Water Activities: $17
  • 2 Hours Boracay Land Tour via Etrike: $18
  • Island and Beach-Hopping Boat Tour with Snorkeling: $20
  • Boracay Island Rhythm Sunset Cruise: $21
  • Stand-up Paddleboard Experience: $22
  • Helmet Diving Experience with Photos and Videos: $22
  • All-Terrain Vehicle or Buggy Car Experience: $23

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cebu $14
    Boracay $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Cebu

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cebu:

  • Cebu City Light's Pub Crawl: $99


When comparing the travel costs between Cebu and Boracay, we can see that Cebu is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Cebu or Boracay?

Cebu has a larger population, and is about 350 times larger than the population of Boracay. When comparing the sizes of Cebu and Boracay, 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.