How to travel Cebu on a budget

Cebu is one of the easiest places in the Philippines to travel on a small budget. Buses are cheap, local food is filling, and many of the best things to do, like swimming with sardines or watching the sunset from a beach, cost little or nothing. With a bit of planning you can see the city, the south and the islands without stretching your wallet.

All prices below are rough ranges to help you plan. Fares and fees change often, so check locally before you go.

How much does a day in Cebu cost?

A rough guide per person, per day, not counting flights:

• Shoestring: about ₱1,200-₱2,000. Dorm bed or basic fan room, local eateries, buses and jeepneys, mostly free activities.
• Comfortable budget: about ₱2,000-₱3,500. Simple private room with air-con, a mix of local and tourist restaurants, one paid tour every few days.
• Extras: canyoneering, island hopping and diving are the big costs. Budget for them separately and choose your favourites.

Cheap ways to get around

Public transport is where you save the most. See our full guide to getting around Cebu for details.

• Jeepneys are the cheapest rides in Metro Cebu. Short trips usually cost around ₱13-₱15. Keep small coins and notes ready.
• Buses from the South and North Bus Terminals reach almost every town on the island. A long air-con ride, for example to Moalboal, is usually around ₱200-₱250. Non air-con buses are a little cheaper.
• Airport buses run from Mactan airport to parts of Cebu City and cost far less than a taxi. Read our guide to getting from Mactan airport to Cebu City.
• Grab and taxis are handy at night or with luggage. Share the ride with friends to split the cost.
• Habal-habal (motorbike taxis) cover the last few kilometres to waterfalls and viewpoints. Agree on the price before you get on, and ask for a helmet.

Eating well for less

Cebuano food is cheap if you eat where locals eat. A carinderia (small local eatery) shows its dishes in pots at the front: point at what you want and pay for rice and one or two dishes. A filling meal is often around ₱80-₱150.

• Try puso (rice cooked in woven coconut leaves) with grilled pork or chicken from street barbecue stalls in the evening.
• Markets and bakeries are good for cheap breakfasts and snacks.
• Buy drinking water in big bottles, or refill at your guesthouse if they offer it, instead of buying many small bottles.
• Save tourist restaurants for a treat now and then. See what to eat in Cebu for dishes worth trying.

Where to sleep cheaply

Backpacker dorm beds in Cebu City and Moalboal often start at around ₱400-₱700 a night. Simple private rooms with a fan, or basic air-con rooms, are widely available in most tourist towns. Prices rise around Christmas, Holy Week and Sinulog, so book early for those dates.

• Stay a few streets back from the beach. Rooms are usually cheaper and still close.
• Ask about weekly rates if you plan to stay longer in one place.
• Check that the price includes taxes and whether breakfast is included.
• For ideas by area, see where to stay in Cebu.

Free and low-cost things to do

• Swim with the sardine run right off Panagsama Beach in Moalboal. Bring your own mask and snorkel.
• Walk the old city in Cebu City: Magellan's Cross, the Basilica del Santo Niño and the streets around Colon. Some sites ask a small entrance fee.
• Climb Osmeña Peak for sunrise. The hike is short and the fee is small.
• Relax on public beaches such as Lambug Beach in Badian.
• Watch the sunset from the seawall or a hilltop. Our list of sunrise and sunset spots has ideas.

Money tips

• Carry cash. Small towns, islands and jeepneys run on cash, and ATMs can run empty on weekends.
• Withdraw larger amounts at once to save on ATM fees, but keep the cash split between your bag and your pocket.
• Keep small notes (₱20, ₱50, ₱100). Drivers and stalls often cannot change ₱1,000 notes.
• Environmental and entrance fees are usually small but add up. Keep ₱300-₱500 aside each day for them.
• Travel in the shoulder months. Read the best time to visit Cebu.

Save on tours

Joining a group tour is often cheaper than hiring a private boat or guide. Ask other travellers at your hostel if they want to share an island-hopping boat. For canyoneering, compare a few accredited operators and check what the price includes, such as the guide, helmet, life vest, fees and lunch. A good deal is one that is safe, not just cheap.

Ready to plan? Try our 5-day Cebu itinerary, and read the tips for your first time in Cebu.

Photo: "Cc jeepney cebu city a" by Øyvind Holmstad, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.