Which place is cheaper, Sandakan or Cebu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cebu or Sandakan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cebu or Sandakan? 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 Sandakan?
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.
Sandakan
Located on the Northeast side of the state of Sabah in Borneo is the city of Sandakan, which is the 2nd largest city in the country. Sandakan was a prosperous port town in the 1800s because of its exports of tobacco, timber, pearls, and ivory. However, this booming town that was formerly the administrative capital in North Borneo was bombed practically out of existence at the end of World War II.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCebu $65Sandakan $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Cebu is $65, while the average daily cost in Sandakan is $58. 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 Sandakan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCebu $25Sandakan $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCebu $50Sandakan $40
Compare Hotels in Cebu and Sandakan
Looking for a hotel in Cebu or Sandakan? 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 Sandakan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cebu $26Sandakan $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:
- Mactan Airport - Cebu City Sepoart (Transfer): $20
- Cebu Seaport - Mactan Hotel (Any Hotel) - One Way Transfer: $22
- Seamless Transfer from MactanCebu Airport to Your City Hotel: $23
- Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $25
- Hotel Private Transfer Airport to Cebu, Mandaue, LapuLapu: $25
- Mactan Cebu Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $35
- Cebu Departure Transfer from Mandaue city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $40
- Cebu Private Transfer from Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB) to Mandaue city: $40
- Cebu Departure Transfer from Lapu-Lapu city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $40
- Cebu Private Transfer from Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB) to Lapu-Lapu city: $40
- Cebu Private Transfer from Mactan Cebu International Airport (CEB) to Cebu city: $40
- Private Canyoneering in Kawasan falls + meals + Cebu transfer opt: $53
Is it cheaper to fly into Cebu or Sandakan?
Prices for flights to both Sandakan 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 $21Sandakan $19
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sandakan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sandakan.
- Mangrove Cruise with Fireflies Tour Including Dinner from Sandakan: $64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cebu $17Sandakan $7.19
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
- Cebu City Tour: Temple of Leah and many more: $36
- 3-Hour Small Group Cebu City Tour: $38
- Cebu City: Cebu Heritage & Uphill Tour on Two Wheels: $40
- Cebu City Tour (Joiners Tour): $41
- Guided Heritage City Tour: $44
- Highlands Guided Tour w/ Hotel Pickup: $45
- Cebu Highlands Tour(Cebu Taoist, Temple of Leah and Sirao Garden): $46
- Land Tour | Bantayan Island - Sightseeing - Guided Tour: $46
- Cebu Half Day City Tour (Private Tour): $52
- Canyoneering Experience in Kawasan Falls with Lunch: $55
- Cebu City with Sirao Garden Half Day Tour: $57
Tours and Activities in Sandakan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sandakan are as follows:
- Private Tour: Half Day Sandakan City Tour Including Local Lunch: $51
- Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip: $78
- Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan: $90
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Centre Tour: $105
- Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour: $125
- Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch: $138
- Sepilok Orang Utan & Bornean Sun Bear Centre with Sandakan City Tour with Lunch: $191
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 2 Days 1 Night At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $197
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 3 Days 2 Nights At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $241
- 2D1N Sandakan Private Tour with Kinabatangan River Cruise: $290
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCebu $14Sandakan $6.59
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 Sandakan, 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 Sandakan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cebu or Sandakan?
Cebu has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Cebu and Sandakan, 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 Sandakan?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Cebu or Sandakan in the Summer?
Both Sandakan and Cebu are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. It's quite rainy in Cebu. In July, Cebu usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Cebu gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Cebu is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cebu in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Sandakan averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCebu 28°C (82°F)Sandakan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Sandakan in the Autumn?
Both Sandakan 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.
Sandakan 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 Sandakan. Cebu gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 253 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Cebu is generally around the same temperature as Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 28°C (82°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCebu 28°C (82°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Sandakan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cebu and Sandakan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Cebu usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Cebu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Cebu is around the same temperature as Sandakan in the winter. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Sandakan fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCebu 27°C (81°F)Sandakan 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Sandakan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Cebu as well as Sandakan. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Sandakan. Cebu usually gets less rain in April than Sandakan. Cebu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Cebu is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cebu in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Sandakan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCebu 29°C (84°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Sandakan and Cebu
| Cebu | Sandakan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 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.