Which place is cheaper, Xiamen or Cebu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cebu or Xiamen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cebu or Xiamen? 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 Xiamen?
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.
Xiamen
Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCebu $65Xiamen $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Cebu is $65, while the average daily cost in Xiamen is $64. 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 Xiamen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCebu $25Xiamen $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCebu $50Xiamen $60
Compare Hotels in Cebu and Xiamen
Looking for a hotel in Cebu or Xiamen? 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 $26Xiamen $5.98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:
- Transfer Cebu City - Bantayan Island: $70
- Seamless Transfer from MactanCebu Airport to Your City Hotel: $23
- Private Canyoneering in Kawasan falls + meals + Cebu transfer opt: $53
- Oslob Private Van Transfer between Cebu, Mactan or Mandaue City: $175
- Oslob Car Hire and Transfers: $150
- Malapascua: Advance Divers Shark Dive & Optional Transfer: $108
- Mactan Cebu Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $35
- Mactan Airport - Cebu City Sepoart (Transfer): $20
- Kawasan Falls Canyoneering w/ Lunch & Transfers from Cebu City: $122
- Hotel Private Transfer Airport to Cebu, Mandaue, LapuLapu: $25
- Danasan Eco Adventure Park Including Round-Trip Hotel Transfer: $161
- Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Gaoqi Airport to Xiamen City Hotel: $10
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Transfers in Xiamen City: $12
- Xiamen North Railway Station Private Transfer from City Area: $19
- Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Private Transfer to Local Railway Station : $19
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
- Private Transfer between Riyue Gu Hotspring Resort and Xiamen City : $32
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $47
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
- Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hua’an Earth Building: $89
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
Is it cheaper to fly into Cebu or Xiamen?
Prices for flights to both Xiamen 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 $21Xiamen $26
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cebu $17Xiamen $16
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
Tours and Activities in Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Xiamen Private English Tour Guide Service: $93
- Xiamen Private Half Day Tour of Gulangyu Island and Shuzhuang Garden: $97
- Private Xiamen Half Day Tour to Gulangyu Island and the Hi Heaven Villa: $97
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour to Experience Xiamen Botanical Garden: $105
- Private Xiamen Sea Food Market & Zhongshan Road Shopping and Eating Experience: $107
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour with Meal Option: $109
- Flexible Private Half-Day Tour to Visit the Top Attraction Xiamen Yuanbo Garden: $110
- Day Tour to Admire the Panorama of Gulangyu Island and Visit the Precious Birds: $110
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $113
- Xiamen Half-Day Private Tour include Gulang Yu Island and Garden : $119
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCebu $14Xiamen $17
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 Xiamen, 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 Xiamen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cebu or Xiamen?
Cebu has a larger population, and is about 38% larger than the population of Xiamen. When comparing the sizes of Cebu and Xiamen, 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 Xiamen?
Xiamen 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 Xiamen in the Summer?
Both Xiamen and Cebu during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cebu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Cebu is generally around the same temperature as Xiamen. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 28°C (82°F), and Xiamen fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
Xiamen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Cebu. Cebu usually gets more rain in July than Xiamen. Cebu gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCebu 28°C (82°F)Xiamen 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Xiamen in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cebu and Xiamen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round.
Cebu is a little warmer than Xiamen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Xiamen fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Cebu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cebu usually receives more rain than Xiamen. Cebu gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCebu 28°C (82°F)Xiamen 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Xiamen in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cebu as well as Xiamen. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Cebu is much warmer than Xiamen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cebu in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Xiamen averages at about 14°C (58°F).
Cebu usually gets more rain in January than Xiamen. Cebu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCebu 27°C (81°F)Xiamen 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Xiamen in the Spring?
Both Xiamen and Cebu are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year.
In April, Cebu is generally a little warmer than Xiamen. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 29°C (84°F), and Xiamen fluctuates around 20°C (69°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Xiamen. In April, Cebu usually receives less rain than Xiamen. Cebu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCebu 29°C (84°F)Xiamen 20°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Xiamen and Cebu
| Cebu | Xiamen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 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.