Which place is cheaper, Hongcun or Cebu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cebu or Hongcun?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cebu or Hongcun? 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 Hongcun?
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.
Hongcun
When you picture ancient China, you likely picture old cobblestone streets, white homes with pointed black roofs and a slight air of mysticism in the surroundings. This is Hongcun.
The backdrop for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not usually on the top of many traveler's lists. This isn't a bustling tourist town with guides offering to show you the sights or carts peddling the latest tacky souvenir. It's a quiet village where you'll see the real Chinese culture. The homes along the complex water canals air their fish in their windows to preserve it for their family dinners. There is no bowing to tourism here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Philippines, The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCebu $65Hongcun $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Cebu is $65, while the average daily cost in Hongcun is $53. 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 Hongcun in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCebu $25Hongcun $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCebu $50Hongcun $46
Compare Hotels in Cebu and Hongcun
Looking for a hotel in Cebu or Hongcun? 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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cebu $26Hongcun $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:
- CEB Private Airport Transfer to Cebu City Hotel: $23
- Mactan-Cebu International Airport Private Transfer: $24
- One-way Airport Transfer to Hotel: $25
- Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $26
- Hotel Private Transfer Airport to Cebu, Mandaue, LapuLapu: $26
- Private Car Transfer with Driver (Flexible Routes): $29
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Mactan-Cebu International Airport: $35
- Mactan Cebu Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $35
- Cebu Departure Transfer from Lapu-Lapu city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $42
- Cordova Private Transfer from Cordova city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $42
- Canyoneering Cebu in Kawasan falls + meals + Cebu transfer option: $53
- Cebu Airport Transfer within Mactan Island, Cebu or Mandaue City: $64
Is it cheaper to fly into Cebu or Hongcun?
Prices for flights to both Hongcun 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
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Food Meals for one dayCebu $21Hongcun $19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cebu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cebu.
- Cebu city: Walking Historical and Street Food Tour: $33
- Private Half Day Ultimate Food Tour in Cebu: $66
- Street Food Tour and Historical Sites Adventure: $73
- The Original Cebu Historical Street and Food Tour: $74
- The Original Cebu City Historical Street and Food Tour: $75
- Panoramic View of Cebu and Dinner with Night View: $97
- Traditional Filipino Bamboo Cooking: $99
- 5-Hour Evening Tour from Cebu with Dinner: $110
- Traditional Filipino Bamboo Cooking Class: $111
- Private Panoramic Tour with Dinner: $131
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.93
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Breakfast of Dumplings$2.11
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cebu $17Hongcun $18
Tours and Activities in Cebu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cebu are as follows:
- Day Adventure Pass Ticket (All Day Unlimited Rides): $16
- Cebu City Wonder Tour: $28
- Cebu City Tour: Temple of Leah and many more: $37
- 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
- Cebu City and Uphill Tour: $46
- Heritage Tour and Uphill Tour: $46
- Highlands Guided Tour w/ Hotel Pickup: $46
- Cebu City: Cebu Heritage & Uphill Tour on Two Wheels: $52
- Cebu Half Day City Tour (Private Tour): $53
- Kawasan Falls Canyoneering Tour from Moalboal: $54
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:
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Two Entrance Tickets$29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCebu $14Hongcun $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cebu and Hongcun, we can see that Cebu is more expensive. And not only is Hongcun much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hongcun would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hongcun 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 Cebu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cebu than you might in Hongcun.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cebu Expensive? and Is Hongcun Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Cebu or Hongcun?
Hongcun 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 Hongcun in the Summer?
Both Hongcun and Cebu are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year.
In July, Cebu is generally around the same temperature as Hongcun. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 28°C (82°F), and Hongcun fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hongcun. It's quite rainy in Cebu. In July, Cebu usually receives less rain than Hongcun. Cebu gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCebu 28°C (82°F)Hongcun 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Hongcun in the Autumn?
Both Hongcun and Cebu during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cebu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Cebu is much warmer than Hongcun in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Hongcun fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cebu. Cebu usually gets more rain in October than Hongcun. Cebu gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCebu 28°C (82°F)Hongcun 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Hongcun in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cebu and Hongcun. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round.
It's quite cold in Hongcun in the winter. In the winter, Cebu is much warmer than Hongcun. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cebu in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Hongcun averages at about 4°C (40°F).
In January, Cebu usually receives more rain than Hongcun. Cebu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCebu 27°C (81°F)Hongcun 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Hongcun in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Cebu as well as Hongcun. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Cebu is generally much warmer than Hongcun. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 29°C (84°F), and Hongcun fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
It's quite rainy in Hongcun. Cebu usually gets less rain in April than Hongcun. Cebu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCebu 29°C (84°F)Hongcun 17°C (62°F)
Typical Weather for Hongcun and Cebu
| Cebu | Hongcun | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.