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

Should you visit Cebu or Kamakura?

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

Should I visit Cebu or Kamakura? 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 Kamakura?

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.

Kamakura

An old city center of medieval Japan, Kamakura sits today on the seaside just south of Tokyo. Due to its early beginnings, the city is dotted with Buddhist Zen temples and Shinto shrines. It has become a prominent resort town drawing visitors with its many historic landmarks as well as nearby beaches.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Kamakura 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 Kamakura is $123. 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 Kamakura in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cebu $25
    Kamakura $78
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cebu $50
    Kamakura $156
Compare Hotels in Cebu and Kamakura

Looking for a hotel in Cebu or Kamakura? 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 Kamakura


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 Kamakura Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cebu $26
    Kamakura $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:

  • CEB Airport to City Centre|Hotels Private Transfer: $7.00
  • Cebu Airport Private Transfer to Cebu City Hotel: $18
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cebu APT-HTL (CEB): $18
  • Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $26
  • Cordova Private Transfer from Cordova city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $28
  • Private Car Transfer with Driver (Flexible Routes): $28
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cebu HTL-APT (CEB): $31
  • Private Airport to Hotel Transfer in Cebu City: $35
  • Cebu Airport Transfer to / from Anywhere in Cebu: $37
  • Canyoneering Cebu in Kawasan falls + meals + Cebu transfer option: $53
  • One-way Airport Transfer to Cebu City Hotels: $89
  • Cebu Safari & Adventure Park: Wildlife Tour with Transfers: $102

Is it cheaper to fly into Cebu or Kamakura?

Prices for flights to both Kamakura 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
    Kamakura $36

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kamakura

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

  • Sushi Roll Bento Cooking Class: $59
  • Community Dinner with Locals: $81

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cebu $17
    Kamakura $5.79

Tours and Activities in Cebu

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

  • Cebu City: Walking Tour: $21
  • Cebu City: Guided Trekking Experience: $32
  • Adventure Hiking Trip in the City: $36
  • 3-Hour Small Group Cebu City Tour: $38
  • City Sightseeing Group Tour: $39
  • BEST OF Guided Heritage City Joiners Tour: $44
  • Heritage Tour and Uphill Tour: $45
  • Scuba Diving Experience beach entry in Mactan: $45
  • Cebu Highlands Tour (Taoist temple, Leah and sirao garden)PICK UP: $46
  • Cebu City: Best of Cebu Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour: $49
  • Thrill Seekers Paradise Kawasan Canyoning Adventure: $50
  • Cebu Half Day City Tour (Private Tour): $51

Tours and Activities in Kamakura

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

  • Ofuna Kannon Temple and Japanese Sweets Tour: $27
  • Authentic Japanese Tea Ceremony Experience in Kamakura: $37
  • Walking Tour through the City of Samurai: $44
  • Kamakura; First Samurai Capital walking tour: $47
  • Tsurugaoka Hachimangu & Komachi Street Tour: $51
  • Kamakura (Ofuna) : Ramen Crawl Tour with a Local Guide: $51
  • Visit Daibutsu and shopping experience: $52
  • Private History and Heritage Tour by Rickshaw: $54
  • Night Izakaya Bar Hopping Tour: $57
  • Half day Walking tour & Japanese sweets: $57
  • Kamakura:Largest Wooden Buddha, Temples, Cultural Experience: $67
  • Kamakura and Historic Sites Guided Tour: $68

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cebu $14
    Kamakura $14

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 Kamakura, we can see that Kamakura 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 Kamakura would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kamakura 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 Kamakura Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cebu or Kamakura?

Cebu has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Kamakura. When comparing the sizes of Cebu and Kamakura, 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 Kamakura?

Kamakura 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 Kamakura in the Summer?

Both Kamakura and Cebu are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year.

Cebu is a little warmer than Kamakura in the summer. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Kamakura fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kamakura. It's quite rainy in Cebu. In July, Cebu usually receives more rain than Kamakura. Cebu gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cebu 28°C (82°F) 
    Kamakura 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Cebu or Kamakura in the Autumn?

Both Kamakura 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. Also, many travelers come to Kamakura for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Cebu is much warmer than Kamakura. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cebu in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Kamakura averages at about 18°C (64°F).

Kamakura 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 October than Kamakura. Cebu gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 177 mm (7 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Cebu or Kamakura in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cebu and Kamakura. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round. Also, many visitors come to Kamakura in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Cebu is generally much warmer than Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 27°C (81°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In January, Cebu usually receives more rain than Kamakura. Cebu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cebu 27°C (81°F) 
    Kamakura 6°C (43°F)

Should I visit Cebu or Kamakura in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cebu as well as Kamakura. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Kamakura for the beaches during these months.

Cebu is much warmer than Kamakura in the spring. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Kamakura fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

It's quite rainy in Kamakura. Cebu usually gets less rain in April than Kamakura. Cebu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cebu 29°C (84°F) 
    Kamakura 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Kamakura and Cebu

Cebu Kamakura
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 6°C (43°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 6°C (44°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 9°C (48°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 50 mm (2 in) 14°C (58°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
May 30°C (86°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 19°C (65°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)
Jun 29°C (84°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 22°C (71°F) 218 mm (8.6 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 160 mm (6.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 139 mm (5.5 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 23°C (74°F) 180 mm (7.1 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 177 mm (7 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 13°C (56°F) 113 mm (4.4 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 9°C (48°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)