Which place is cheaper, Cebu or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pai 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 Pai 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: Pai or Cebu?
Pai
As the lush green mountains adorn the blue horizon amidst its creamy clouds, Pai, in northern Thailand, works as one of the many hubs for some of the world's most exciting cultural adventures and natural wonders. Within this small town just north of the Mae Hong Son Province, near the Myanmar border, Pai lays on the Pai River and holds a population of no more than 2,500. Despite its geographical insignificance, this town attracts a wide array of tourists. From breathtaking waterfalls to relaxing hot springs, you will find yourself astonished at how much this little city holds within its borders.
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 G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, 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 dayPai $64Cebu $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $64, 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 Pai and Cebu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $14Cebu $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $28Cebu $50
Compare Hotels in Pai and Cebu
Looking for a hotel in Pai 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: Pai Hotel Prices and Cebu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $37Cebu $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pai
Also for Pai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Pa Pae Meditation: Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $70
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to or from Pai(Mae Hong Son): $107
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $132
- Chiang Mai City to/from Pai Hotel: Private Transfer: $132
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $149
- Transfer and Tour to Pai / Chiang Mai: $149
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 Pai or Cebu?
Prices for flights to both Cebu and Pai 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 dayPai $21Cebu $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.Pai $40Cebu $17
Tours and Activities in Pai
For Pai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Jungle Tipsy Tubing Experience with Shots: $6.76
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 dayPai $13Cebu $14
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 Pai and Cebu, 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 Pai Expensive? and Is Cebu Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai 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 Pai or Cebu in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Pai as well as Cebu. Pai 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. Pai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pai usually gets more rain in July than Cebu. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Pai is around the same temperature as Cebu in the summer. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Cebu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPai 29°C (85°F)Cebu 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Pai or Cebu in the Autumn?
Both Cebu and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cebu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cebu. It's quite rainy in Pai. In October, Pai usually receives less rain than Cebu. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Pai is around the same temperature as Cebu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pai in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Cebu averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPai 29°C (84°F)Cebu 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Pai or Cebu in the Winter?
Both Cebu and Pai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round.
Pai usually gets less rain in January than Cebu. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Pai is generally cooler than Cebu. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 24°C (74°F), and Cebu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPai 24°C (74°F)Cebu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Pai or Cebu in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Cebu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Pai usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cebu. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's very hot in Pai this time of the year. Pai is around the same temperature as Cebu in the spring. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 32°C (89°F) in April, and Cebu fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPai 32°C (89°F)Cebu 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Cebu and Pai
| Pai | Cebu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 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.