A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cesis vs. Manila for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cesis or Manila?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cesis and Manila can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Cesis or Manila?

Cesis

Cesis is the quintessential old world town in Latvia. It is nestled among rolling hills, giving it a beautiful, fantasy world like setting. The small town is sprinkled with old castles, fortresses, and parks that you can leisurely wander through to pass the time. There's a lovely town square that is the perfect place to grab a seat on a bench and people watch. Because of the square's central location, many residents pass through it on their way to and from the market. The town is intertwined with lovely cobblestone streets that are lined with old homes, in various stages of disrepair. Cesis manages to perfectly balance a level of authentic wear and tear with a fairytale ambiance. Outside of town you'll find great hiking trails that you can use to explore the rolling hills and picturesque countryside. The small town is also conveniently located less than 100 kilometers from Riga, making it an easy trip on a bus.

Manila

A sprawling metropolis that is home to more than 12 million people, Manila is one huge, misunderstood concrete jungle, full of diverse cultures, traffic, pollution, restaurants, shopping malls, noise and nightlife. If you're looking to soak in culture and feel the vibe of a place rather than seeking a city that specifically caters to tourists, Manila is the place to be. Capital of the Philippines, Manila is also the center for education, business, and transportation.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines.


Which place is cheaper, Manila or Cesis?

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 Cesis is €138, while the average daily cost in Manila is €84. 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 Cesis and Manila in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cesis 47
    Manila 43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cesis 94
    Manila 86
Compare Hotels in Cesis and Manila

Looking for a hotel in Cesis or Manila? 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 Cesis


Hotels in Manila


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: Manila Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cesis 30
    Manila 11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:

  • Airport Transfer from Manila Airport: $96
  • Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic filipino lunch Plus Transfers frm manila*: $150
  • Escape to Enchanting Hidden Valley Springs! with Transfers***: $170
  • Full On 5-7 hours ATV Adventure Rivers-Mountains-Jungle with Transfers Manila: $280
  • METRO MANILA AIRPORT TRANSFERS | VAN: $64
  • Manila Airport Transfer: $38
  • Manila Airports Quality Safe and Reliable Airport Transfer: $40
  • Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
  • Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $52
  • Manila International Airport Private Transfer To & From City: $30
  • Manila Private Airport Transfer: Comfortable & Affordable: $38
  • Amazing Taal Volcano Island Boat Tour with Transfers: $120

Is it cheaper to fly into Cesis or Manila?

Prices for flights to both Manila and Cesis 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
    Cesis 71
    Manila 24
Typical Food Prices in Cesis

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cesis:


  • Lunch in town for two
    6.67

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manila

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

  • Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $60
  • Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $60
  • Ugbo Manila Street Food Tour with Tuktuk Ride: $60
  • ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $62
  • Guided Food Tour of Binondo with Tastings: $65
  • Street Food tour & Local Jeepney, Tuktuk Ride: $66
  • Binondo Chinatown Food Tour with Free Food Samples: $70
  • Manila Chinatown Food Tour with Local Guide: $71
  • Intramuros and Chinatown Food Tour with Food Samples: $80
  • Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $105
  • A taste of Manila's History & Filipino Culture with Buffet Dinner: $175
  • Subic: Sunset Dinner Yacht Cruise from Manila & Clark: $212

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cesis 16
    Manila 15

Tours and Activities in Manila

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

  • Skip the Line: Hike Eat Swim at Mount Purro Nature Reserve Ticket: $22
  • A Night in Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $23
  • Explore the Urban Art of Mural and Street Art Tour: $25
  • Fort Santiago Guided Tour: $25
  • The Dessert Museum Entry Ticket: $27
  • Viva Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $27
  • Historical Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $30
  • Old Manila Intramuros Area Walking Tour: $30
  • Manila night cruise, night life, foodie tour and 3d theather: $32
  • Intramuros Night Bamboo Bike Tour: $34
  • Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $34
  • Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $39

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cesis 17
    Manila 7.84


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cesis and Manila, we can see that Cesis is more expensive. And not only is Manila much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cesis is in Europe and Manila is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Manila would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Manila 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 Cesis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cesis than you might in Manila.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cesis Expensive? and Is Manila Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cesis or Manila?

Manila has a larger population, and is about 570 times larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Cesis and Manila, 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 Cesis or Manila?

Cesis has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Manila experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Manila in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Manila. Many visitors come to Cesis in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Cesis is much colder than Manila. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cesis in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Manila averages at about 27°C (80°F).

Manila receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Cesis usually receives less rain than Manila. Cesis gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Manila receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cesis 17°C (63°F) 
    Manila 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Cesis or Manila in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Manila. Most visitors come to Cesis for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year.

In October, Cesis is generally much colder than Manila. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 7°C (45°F), and Manila fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

It's quite rainy in Manila. Cesis usually gets less rain in October than Manila. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Manila receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cesis 7°C (45°F) 
    Manila 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Cesis or Manila in the Winter?

Both Manila and Cesis are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Cesis because of the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The weather in Cesis can be very cold. Cesis is much colder than Manila in the winter. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Manila fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

In January, Cesis usually receives more rain than Manila. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Manila receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cesis -5°C (23°F) 
    Manila 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Cesis or Manila in the Spring?

Both Manila and Cesis during the spring are popular places to visit. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Cesis this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round.

In the spring, Cesis is much colder than Manila. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cesis in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Manila averages at about 29°C (84°F).

Cesis usually gets more rain in April than Manila. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Manila receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cesis 5°C (42°F) 
    Manila 29°C (84°F)

Typical Weather for Manila and Cesis

Cesis Manila
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -5°C (23°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 24°C (76°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Feb -4°C (24°F) 25 mm (1 in) 25°C (77°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Mar -0°C (31°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 27°C (80°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 5°C (42°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 29°C (84°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
May 12°C (53°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 29°C (83°F) 142 mm (5.6 in)
Jun 15°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 303 mm (11.9 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (80°F) 408 mm (16.1 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (80°F) 452 mm (17.8 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 76 mm (3 in) 27°C (80°F) 357 mm (14.1 in)
Oct 7°C (45°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 240 mm (9.4 in)
Nov 2°C (36°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Dec -2°C (28°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 50 mm (2 in)