Which place is cheaper, Cebu or Vang Vieng?
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 Vang Vieng or Cebu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Cebu? 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: Vang Vieng or Cebu?
Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.
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 Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesCebu Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $19Cebu $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $19, while the average daily cost in Cebu is $80. 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 Vang Vieng and Cebu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.25Cebu $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.50Cebu $50
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Cebu
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng 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: Vang Vieng Hotel Prices and Cebu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.11Cebu $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vang Vieng
Also for Vang Vieng, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared transfer from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang city: $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:
- Bohol Day Tour with Round-Trip Transfers from Cebu: $208
- Oslob Whale Shark Encounter & SUMILON with Transfers: $196
- Mactan-Cebu Island Hopping Cruise with Lunch & Roundtrip Transfer: $196
- Bohol Day Tour from Cebu (Shared) w/ RT Transfers & Ferry: $185
- Oslob Private Van Transfer between Cebu, Mactan or Mandaue City: $175
- Danasan Eco Adventure Park Including Round-Trip Hotel Transfer: $161
- Kawasan Falls Canyoneering w/ Lunch & Transfers from Cebu City: $122
- Cebu Safari & Adventure Park: Wildlife Tour with Transfers: $102
- One-way Airport Transfer to Cebu City Hotels: $89
- Canyoneering Cebu in Kawasan falls + meals + Cebu transfer option: $53
- Cebu Airport Transfer to / from Anywhere in Cebu: $37
- Private Airport to Hotel Transfer in Cebu City: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Cebu?
Prices for flights to both Cebu and Vang Vieng 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 dayVang Vieng $11Cebu $36
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
- The Ultimate Cebu Food Tour: Local Tastes & Cultural Journey: $70
- 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 Bamboo Cooking: $110
- Cebu Vegetarian Cooking Class: $110
- Cebu Traditional Cuisine Cooking Class: $110
- 5-Hour Evening Tour from Cebu with Dinner: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.76Cebu $17
Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- Nam Song River Kayak Tour: $18
- Tham Nangfar and Tham Nam Day Tour with Kayaking: $24
- Get Your Laos–China Train Ticket Fast – No Waiting, No Worries: $30
- Blue Lagoon and Countryside Bike Tour with Lunch: $38
- Vangrong Full Day Tour: $45
- Vang Vieng Shared Tour with Kayaking in Nam Song River: $48
- Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $49
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
- Kayaking&Zipline&Cave Tubing&cave tour: $51
- Vangrong One Day Shared Tour: $52
- Vang Vieng Tour B - Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour: $55
- Laos: Jungle Zipline and Caving Tour: $58
Tours and Activities in Cebu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cebu are as follows:
- BEST OF Cebu City Heritage with Uphill Tour | Joiners: $64
- Cebu Steet food, historical and mountain tour: $110
- 3-Hour Small Group Cebu City Tour: $38
- Aqua Sports Adventure Package with 3 Water Activities: $129
- BEST OF Cebu City Heritage with Uphill Tour: $61
- BEST OF Guided Heritage City Joiners Tour: $44
- Badian Canyoneering Adventure and Kawasan Waterfalls Private Tour: $149
- Badian Cebu Canyoneering Experience: $146
- Badian Cebu Canyoneering Experience: $103
- Balamban Uphill Adventure Tour in Cebu: $100
- Best Seller Cebu City Group Tour: $53
- Bohol Countryside Day Tour From Cebu City | Lunch at Loboc River Cruise: $145
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.11Cebu $14
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Cebu, we can see that Cebu is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vang Vieng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vang Vieng 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 Cebu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cebu than you might in Vang Vieng.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vang Vieng Expensive? and Is Cebu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Cebu?
Cebu has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng 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.
When is the best time to visit Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng or Cebu in the Summer?
Both Cebu and Vang Vieng during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round.
Cebu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in July than Cebu. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Vang Vieng is cooler than Cebu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vang Vieng in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Cebu averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Cebu 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Cebu in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Cebu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Cebu receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Cebu. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Vang Vieng is generally cooler than Cebu. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Cebu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Cebu 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Cebu in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Cebu. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year.
Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in January than Cebu. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
Vang Vieng is cooler than Cebu in the winter. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Cebu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Cebu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Cebu in the Spring?
Both Cebu and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cebu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Vang Vieng. In April, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Cebu. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Cebu receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Vang Vieng is cooler than Cebu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vang Vieng in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Cebu averages at about 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Cebu 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Cebu and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Cebu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 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.