Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao or Cebu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cebu or Koh Tao?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cebu or Koh Tao? 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 Koh Tao?
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.
Koh Tao
With a name that literally means, "Turtle Island," Koh Tao, Thailand is the type of vacation spot divers dream of. There is the faintest current and a buffet of dive sites and shops.
This tiny island hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, but take not that there are no garbage disposal facilities. Everything that can't be burnt needs to be taken from the island. Avoid plastic bags, and don't dump your trash in the open landscape (then again, why would you?) because there are no departments for road clean up. Water and electricity on the island are scarce, so use them wisely.
Keep in mind that monsoon season from November to January so you may be faced with constant rain for days at a time in those months.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCebu $65Koh Tao $37
The average daily cost (per person) in Cebu is $65, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $37. 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 Koh Tao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCebu $25Koh Tao $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCebu $50Koh Tao $28
Compare Hotels in Cebu and Koh Tao
Looking for a hotel in Cebu or Koh Tao? 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 and Koh Tao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cebu $26Koh Tao $8.67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:
- Bohol Day Tour with Round-Trip Transfers from Cebu: $190
- Oslob Private Van Transfer between Cebu, Mactan or Mandaue City: $175
- Danasan Eco Adventure Park Including Round-Trip Hotel Transfer: $161
- Oslob Car Hire and Transfers: $150
- Kawasan Falls Canyoneering w/ Lunch & Transfers from Cebu City: $122
- Malapascua: Advance Divers Shark Dive & Optional Transfer: $108
- Cebu Whale Shark Snorkeling & Tumalog Falls w/ Meals and Transfer: $95
- Transfer Cebu City - Bantayan Island: $70
- Cebu Airport Transfer within Mactan Island, Cebu or Mandaue City: $64
- Private Canyoneering in Kawasan falls + meals + Cebu transfer opt: $53
- Cebu Departure Transfer from Mandaue city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $40
- Cebu Private Transfer from Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB) to Lapu-Lapu city: $40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Tao
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Tao:
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Motorbike Rental$5.18
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Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry$18
Is it cheaper to fly into Cebu or Koh Tao?
Prices for flights to both Koh Tao 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 $21Koh Tao $9.21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cebu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cebu.
- Cebu City: Historical Street and Food Tour: $67
- Cebu City Historical Street and Food Tour: $69
- Panoramic View of Cebu and Dinner with Night View: $89
- Traditional Filipino Bamboo Cooking Class: $108
- Private Panoramic Tour with Dinner: $131
Typical Food Prices in Koh Tao
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Tao:
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Sit Down Lunch (for One)$5.46
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Breakfast$4.09
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Casual Breakfast (for Two)$3.27
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$13
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Pancake$1.91
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American Breakfast (for Two)$7.64
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Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)$7.36
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cebu $17Koh Tao $26
Tours and Activities in Cebu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cebu are as follows:
- Cebu Steet food, historical and mountain tour: $110
- 3-Hour Small Group Cebu City Tour: $38
- A snorkelling tour to Cebu’s Hilutungan: $130
- Badian Cebu Canyoneering Experience: $84
- Balamban Uphill Adventure Tour in Cebu: $80
- Beach Adventure: $85
- Bohol Countryside Day Tour From Cebu City | Lunch at Loboc River Cruise: $145
- Bohol Countryside Day Tour from Cebu City or Mactan - Best Seller: $155
- Bohol Countryside Joiners Tour From Cebu City: $144
- Bohol Countryside Private Tour From Cebu City: $213
- Canyoneering Experience in Kawasan Falls with Lunch: $55
- Cebu City All Day Tour; An Unforgettable Experience of Cebu.: $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Kayak Rental (One Hour)$6.82
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Snorkel Rental$2.73
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Kayak and Snorkel (2)$2.73
Tours and Activities in Koh Tao
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Tao.
- Full day snorkeling adventure around Koh Tao: $22
- Snorkel Tour to Koh Nangyuan and the hidden bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $22
- Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $23
- 5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan: $24
- Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan : $28
- Premium Snorkel Tour to the Bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $33
- Koh Tao Viewpoint and Snorkeling Tour: $55
- Basic Diver ( One Day Experience): $124
- Koh Tao Cliff Jumping Snorkeling Experience: $135
- Koh Tao Snorkeling and Island Hopping Tour (Private) : $175
- Advanced Adventurer - 2 days ( Advanced Open Water): $277
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCebu $14Koh Tao $7.14
Sample the Local Flavors in Cebu
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cebu:
- Cebu City Light's Pub Crawl: $99
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Tao
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Tao from other travelers:
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Beer$1.77
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Bottle of Wine$10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cebu and Koh Tao, we can see that Cebu is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Tao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tao 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 Koh Tao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cebu Expensive? and Is Koh Tao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cebu or Koh Tao?
Cebu has a larger population, and is about 580 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of Cebu and Koh Tao, 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 Koh Tao?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Cebu or Koh Tao in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Cebu as well as Koh Tao. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Koh Tao. Cebu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cebu usually gets less rain in July than Koh Tao. Cebu gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Cebu is a little warmer than Koh Tao. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cebu in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 24°C (76°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCebu 28°C (82°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Koh Tao in the Autumn?
Both Koh Tao and Cebu are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Koh Tao is October and November. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tao. It's quite rainy in Cebu. In October, Cebu usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Cebu gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Cebu is generally a little warmer than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 28°C (82°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCebu 28°C (82°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Koh Tao in the Winter?
Both Koh Tao and Cebu during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cebu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.
February to June is the dry season in Koh Tao. Cebu usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Koh Tao. Cebu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Cebu is a little warmer than Koh Tao in the winter. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCebu 27°C (81°F)Koh Tao 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Koh Tao in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cebu and Koh Tao. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season. In April, Cebu usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Cebu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Cebu is a little warmer than Koh Tao. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cebu in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 25°C (77°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCebu 29°C (84°F)Koh Tao 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Cebu
| Cebu | Koh Tao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.