Is Cebu expensive to visit?
Cebu is a smaller destination that draws visitors with a range of travel styles, spending habits, and budget preferences. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly hostels to mid-range hotels to high-end luxury properties.
You can find Cebu to be very expensive if you're not careful, but methods like looking for discounts and coupons can help you save money.
On average, budget travelers spend $34 (₱1,991) per day, mid-range travelers spend $77 (₱4,530) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $151 (₱8,836) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Cebu.
Within Asia, Cebu is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Jakarta or Sandakan.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Cebu Expensive?
Cebu Island, Philippines
How much money do I need for a trip to Cebu?
The average Cebu trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Cebu travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Cebu cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's important to be realistic about your travel budget when visiting Cebu. Although some travelers believe they can get by on a shoestring budget, most people aren't comfortable with that type of travel. Consider what you enjoy on vacation and how you've traveled in the past. Do you like staying in resorts, hotels, vacation rentals, or hostels? Are dining out and visiting attractions a priority? Your preferences will affect your overall budget and itinerary.
What is a budget traveler, anyway?
Although you may consider yourself a budget traveler, unless you're ready to cut out many creature comforts, you'll likely spend much more than the $34 per day that young budget travelers often get by on.
For backpackers, this tight budget typically involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest eateries or fast food joints, using public transportation, and sticking to free attractions.
Fortunately, you'll find plenty of hostels in Cebu, such as Mad Monkey Cebu City, Nacho Hostel Cebu, and Jiji's Hostel. These hostels provide inexpensive dormitory lodging and a friendly atmosphere, but amenities are quite limited.
Are You Considered an Average Traveler?
Couples and families traveling for leisure often prefer mid-range hotels, dine at popular eateries, and visit key museums and attractions that require an entry fee. Many visitors to Cebu are keen to visit the prominent attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. It's important to remember that most activities will cost you money. Consequently, you should anticipate your daily budget to be closer to $77 per person, per day.
What Luxury Travel Looks Like
If you're looking for an all-encompassing vacation filled with luxurious amenities and higher-level service, prepare your budget for around $151 per day. Selecting nicer hotels, savoring meals at award-winning establishments, indulging in lavish adventures, and traveling around the destination with taxis or private drivers will call for a luxury budget. Many high-end visitors also prefer unique experiences such as Private Cebu & Lapu-Lapu City Tour with Uphill Spots & Lunch at House of Lechon - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Cebu
In Cebu, hotel prices can swing drastically. Higher-end hotels offer more luxury, but come at a cost, especially in peak season when prices are higher. Off-season prices are more reasonable, averaging $33, but during peak season they jump to an average of $62. You can find budget options starting at $19 up to luxury rates at $131. Hostels are typically cheaper, especially dorms. Book early and avoid peak season to save money.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Cebu for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $48 (₱2,803). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $24 (₱1,402) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Cebu? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Visiting in the low or shoulder season, rather than , will allow you to find cheaper accommodation and fewer tourists.
Transportation Budget in Cebu
Cebu does not has a good public transit system.
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $25 (₱1,467) per person, per day, on local transportation in Cebu. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Cebu is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$25
₱1,467
A few of the typical transportation options and hotel transfers include:
- Kawasan Falls Canyoneering w/ Lunch & Transfers from Cebu City for $122 details
- Cebu Private Transfer from Mactan Cebu International Airport (CEB) to Cebu city for $40 details
- Oslob Private Van Transfer between Cebu, Mactan or Mandaue City for $175 details
How much does it cost to go to Cebu? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Cebu will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Cebu
Food is a major attraction for travelers, so make sure you don't miss out on the local culinary delights.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Cebu can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Cebu is $35 (₱2,078) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$35
₱2,078
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Cebu is around $35 (₱2078) per person, with previous travelers spending from $15 to $69. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Cebu are as follows:
- Breakfast: $4 to $11
- Lunch: $5 to $14
- Dinner: $11 to $25
- Coffee: $3
- Fast Food or Street Food: $5
As far as food goes, Cebu city will have just about anything from tasty local street food to international flavors like Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Italian, American, Spanish, Thai, and Indian-you name it. For tourists, the two best areas to find dining options are Ayala Mall and IT Park. The Ayala Center in Cebu has an extension (adjacent to Marriott Hotel) called The Terraces with an abundance of food choices. It also has two grocery stores with large sections of food imported from all around the world. The IT Park, on the other hand, has over 20 restaurants with most of them open 24 hours a day. Both of these eating areas offer plenty of options as well as free Wi-Fi.
Several hotels include breakfast with your stay, while others charge separately for it. The cost and quality can vary significantly depending on the hotel. Knowing this in advance can guide your budget decisions. It could be worth it for the tasty buffet available at the hotel, or you may wish to find a cheaper option at a local bakery or cafe.
Take a water bottle with you to save on drinks. It's also an environmentally friendly option.
If you're considering a tour, double-check which meals are included in the package. There may be instances where you'll have to pay for your own meals, potentially stretching your budget.
If you want to experience the culture in Cebu, a food tour or cooking class is a great way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:
- Private Half Day Ultimate Food Tour in Cebu for $66 details
- Panoramic View of Cebu and Dinner with Night View for $97 details
- Cebu Vegetarian Cooking Class for $100 details
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Cebu
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Cebu typically cost an average of $16 (₱944) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$16
₱944
Cebu has plenty to see and do both within and outside the island's main city. Exploring Cebu City, visitors will come across a number of historical landmarks, shrines, and other monuments like the Basilica of Santo Niño - a Catholic church where a statue of the baby Jesus is enshrined. This statue (the Santo Niño) was a gift given by the Portuguese explorer Magellan to Raja Humabon upon Magellan's and the Spanish explorers' arrival in March 1521. Additional sights in the city include the The Mactan Shrine (to a local chieftain, Lapu Lapu), the Casa Gorodo (former residence of the provincial governor of Cebu), Fort San Pedro (the first, oldest, and smallest Spanish fort in the Philippines), and Magellan's Cross (in commemoration of the Portuguese conquistador who introduced Christianity).
Beyond Cebu City, there are plenty of stunning locations amidst beaches, mountains, and waterfalls. Bantayan Island, for example, has beautiful white sand beaches, while Osmeña Peak provides a popular hiking destination. Most hikers will begin in Dalaguete town in the south and can continue to traverse the island to the Instaworthy Kawasan Falls in Badian. Mactan Island is home to a number of resorts and hotels, while Malapascua Island offers scuba diving, thresher shark watching, and uncrowded white sand beaches. Other nearby attractions include the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary and the Camotes Islands, featuring a number of beaches, natural pools, waterfalls, and a lake.
From beach and mountain scenery to historical landmarks, Cebu is an island with plenty of opportunities for sight-seeing. In addition to these features, many come to the island to kick back at a resort or get active with watersports like scuba diving, snorkeling, kiteboarding, and windsurfing. Mactan and the surrounding smaller islands are hubs for scuba with over 20 dive sites in the general area. Kontiki reef is one particular site that is considered to be the best scuba training area for recreational scuba diving certification.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Cebu. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Scuba Diving Experience beach entry in Mactan for $45 details
- Moalboal Sardines Run Private Tour for $20 details
- Cebu Whaleshark Tour for $130 details
Cebu City, Philippines
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.