Which place is cheaper, Cebu or Koh Tarutao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Koh Tarutao or Cebu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Koh Tarutao and Cebu. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Koh Tarutao or Cebu?
Koh Tarutao
While much of Thailand has been built up into a tourist destination of hotels and resorts, there are spots that are still untouched and covered in the beauty of this part of the world. The unspoiled regions of the Ko Tarutao Marine National Park is 51 islands of rainforest ready for visitors. Established in 1974, the park is the second oldest in the country, and was the setting for the 2002 season of the reality television show Survivor. The park includes stunning coral reefs, pristine white beaches and wildlife of all shapes and sizes. Trek through and keep your eyes out for mouse deer, wild pigs, sea otters, tree pythons, sea eagles, hornbills, reef egrets and so much more.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Tarutao $98Cebu $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Tarutao is $98, while the average daily cost in Cebu is $65. 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 Koh Tarutao and Cebu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Tarutao $50Cebu $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Tarutao $100Cebu $50
Compare Hotels in Koh Tarutao and Cebu
Looking for a hotel in Koh Tarutao or Cebu? 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.Koh Tarutao $34Cebu $26
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Tarutao or Cebu?
Prices for flights to both Cebu and Koh Tarutao 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 dayKoh Tarutao $28Cebu $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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Tarutao $14Cebu $17
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Tarutao $7.01Cebu $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Cebu
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cebu:
- Cebu City Light's Pub Crawl: $99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Tarutao and Cebu, we can see that Koh Tarutao 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 Koh Tarutao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Tarutao 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 Koh Tarutao Expensive? and Is Cebu Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Tarutao or Cebu?
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 Koh Tarutao or Cebu in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Koh Tarutao as well as Cebu. Koh Tarutao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Cebu. Koh Tarutao receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Tarutao usually gets more rain in July than Cebu. Koh Tarutao gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Koh Tarutao is around the same temperature as Cebu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Tarutao in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Cebu averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Tarutao 27°C (81°F)Cebu 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Cebu in the Autumn?
Both Cebu and Koh Tarutao are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tarutao throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cebu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Koh Tarutao is November to April. The rainy season in Koh Tarutao is May and October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Cebu. It's quite rainy in Koh Tarutao. In October, Koh Tarutao usually receives more rain than Cebu. Koh Tarutao gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Koh Tarutao is generally around the same temperature as Cebu. Daily temperatures in Koh Tarutao average around 27°C (81°F), and Cebu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Tarutao 27°C (81°F)Cebu 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Cebu in the Winter?
Both Cebu and Koh Tarutao during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tarutao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round.
Koh Tarutao usually gets less rain in January than Cebu. Koh Tarutao gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
Koh Tarutao is around the same temperature as Cebu in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Tarutao averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Cebu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Tarutao 27°C (80°F)Cebu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Cebu in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Tarutao and Cebu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tarutao year-round. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
November to April in Koh Tarutao is the dry season. Also, May and October is the rainy season in Koh Tarutao. Koh Tarutao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Koh Tarutao usually receives more rain than Cebu. Koh Tarutao gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Koh Tarutao is around the same temperature as Cebu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Tarutao in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Cebu averages at about 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Tarutao 29°C (85°F)Cebu 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Cebu and Koh Tarutao
| Koh Tarutao | Cebu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 355 mm (14 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 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.