Which place is cheaper, Cebu or Puerto Princesa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Puerto Princesa or Cebu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Puerto Princesa and Cebu 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: Puerto Princesa or Cebu?
Puerto Princesa
The island of Palawan is known the Philippines' last frontier and its capital, Puerto Princesa, is considered the greenest city in the Philippines. With plenty of land that has yet to be explored and inundated with tourists, Puerto Princesa, also known as "The City of the Living God," is a nature buff's dream. Whether you want to swim with starfish, walk among the mangrove treetops, or visit the world's largest saltwater crocodile at the Palawan Nature Conservation Center, Puerto Princesa and its surrounding area offers plenty of opportunities to get into the great wide open.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Philippines, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, and The Best Adventure Tours to Philippines.
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Puerto Princesa Prices
Philippines PricesCebu Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Princesa $80Cebu $74
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Princesa is $80, while the average daily cost in Cebu is $74. 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 Puerto Princesa and Cebu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Princesa $22Cebu $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Princesa $44Cebu $46
Compare Hotels in Puerto Princesa and Cebu
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Princesa 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: Puerto Princesa Hotel Prices and Cebu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Princesa $47Cebu $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Princesa
Also for Puerto Princesa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Airport Transfers to/from hotel: $7.11
- Transfers to/from Port Barton: $14
- Puerto Princesa:El Nido – Shared Van Transfer: $14
- One-Way Transfer To/From El Nido: $16
- Transfer to/from Puerto Princesa and El Nido: $17
- Shared Transfer Puerto Princesa/Port Barton: $17
- Transfer between Puerto Princesa and El Nido: $18
- Private Airport Transfers to/from hotel: $21
- Relaxing Massage with optional transfers: $23
- Puerto Princesa City Van Transfers: $23
- Puerto Princesa Palawan Private Transfers - Airport Transfers: $27
- Honda Bay Island: Island Tour with Lunch & Transfer: $52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:
- Shared Joiners Transfer to Maya Port for Malapascua Island: $47
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Mactan-Cebu International Airport: $35
- Private Airport to Hotel Transfer in Cebu City: $35
- Private Airport to Hagnaya Going to Bantayan Island Transfer: $122
- Private Airport Transfer: Hotel → Cebu Airport (CEB): $33
- Private Airport Transfer: Cebu Airport (CEB) → Cebu City Hotels: $33
- Oslob Private Van Transfer between Cebu, Mactan or Mandaue City: $175
- Moalboal Sardines Run Private Tour w/ Transfers Option: $22
- Mactan-Cebu Island Hopping Cruise with Lunch & Roundtrip Transfer: $204
- Mactan Airport - Cebu City Sepoart (Transfer): $20
- Kawasan Falls Canyoneering w/ Lunch & Transfers from Cebu City: $137
- Danasan Eco Adventure Park Including Round-Trip Hotel Transfer: $212
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Princesa or Cebu?
Prices for flights to both Cebu and Puerto Princesa 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 dayPuerto Princesa $31Cebu $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Puerto Princesa
For Puerto Princesa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Firefly Watching Paddle Boat Tour & Dinner: $27
- Jungle Firefly Watching Boat Tour & Dinner: $32
- Firefly Watching Bay Cruise with Dinner: $34
- Firefly Watching with Dinner: $39
- Firefly Watching Tour with Dinner: $53
- Seafood Lunch or Dinner with transfers: $59
- Underground River with Dinner at Kalui: $80
- Underground River and Firefly Watching with Dinner: $87
- Balayong People's Park with Dinner and Show: $116
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cebu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cebu.
- Carbon Market Food Tour & Bars with Jeepney Ride: $16
- Highlands Guided Tour with STREET FOOD TOUR OPTION: $45
- Cebu City: Historical Street and Food Tour: $89
- Cebu Traditional Cuisine Cooking Class: $98
- Private Panoramic Tour with Dinner: $100
- Cebu Traditional Bamboo Cooking Class: $107
- Cebu Traditional Cuisine Cooking Class: $110
- Cebu Traditional Bamboo Cooking: $110
- Cebu Vegetarian Cooking Class: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Princesa $6.27Cebu $15
Tours and Activities in Puerto Princesa
For Puerto Princesa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- PPS CITY TOUR: $13
- Puerto Princesa; Half day City tour: $13
- Cathedral and Baker's Hill Tour: $14
- Puerto Princesa City Tour with Snacks: $14
- Half-Day City Tour with Optional Massage: $14
- Half Day City Tour with Butterfly Garden: $14
- Half-day Puerto Princesa City Tour: $15
- City tour of Puerto Princesa Palawan Philippines: $20
- Puerto Princesa Half Day City Tour (shared tour): $27
- Shared Half City Tour with SPA: $30
- Half Day City Joiners Tour | Puerto Princesa: $34
- Puerto Princesa shore City Sightseeing Port of call tours: $35
Tours and Activities in Cebu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cebu are as follows:
- A Half-day Guided Pilgrimage Tour in Cebu CIty: $111
- Aqua Sports Adventure Package with 3 Water Activities: $129
- BEST OF Cebu City Heritage with Uphill Tour: $61
- BEST OF Cebu City Heritage with Uphill Tour | Joiners: $64
- BEST OF Guided Heritage City Joiners Tour: $44
- Badian Cebu Canyoneering Experience: $128
- Beginner Scuba Diving in Moalboal | Safe & Easy Experience: $65
- Best Seller Cebu City Group Tour: $53
- Bohol Countryside Day Tour w Lunch at Loboc River From Cebu: $142
- Bohol Countryside Private Tour From Cebu City | Private Tour: $187
- Bohol Countryside Tour From Cebu | Lunch at Loboc River Cruise: $175
- Bohol Countryside Tour from Cebu Loboc River Cruise with Lunch: $145
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Princesa $13Cebu $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cebu
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cebu:
- Makati Pub Crawl with Optional City Tour: $18
- Cebu City Light's Pub Crawl: $110
When comparing the travel costs between Puerto Princesa and Cebu, we can see that Puerto Princesa 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 Puerto Princesa Expensive? and Is Cebu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Princesa or Cebu?
Cebu has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Puerto Princesa. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Princesa and Cebu, 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.
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.