Which place is cheaper, Yaeyama Islands or Cebu?
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 Cebu or Yaeyama Islands?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cebu or Yaeyama Islands? 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: Cebu or Yaeyama Islands?
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.
Yaeyama Islands
The Yaeyama Islands is a cluster of islands located in the southwestern part of Japan, close to Taiwan. There are nine different islands, varying from small islets to large holiday resort islands. The Yaeyama Islands are one of the most popular destination in Japan due to their beautiful beaches and underwater ruins. Yaeyama is also known for having their own language and writing system. For the most part, everyone on the Islands speak Japanese, but you'll often find the Yaeyama writing on T-shirts in souvenir shops or scattered around Yaeyama.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo.
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Cebu Prices
Philippines PricesYaeyama Islands Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCebu $80Yaeyama Islands $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Cebu is $80, while the average daily cost in Yaeyama Islands is $118. 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 Cebu and Yaeyama Islands in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCebu $25Yaeyama Islands $56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCebu $50Yaeyama Islands $112
Compare Hotels in Cebu and Yaeyama Islands
Looking for a hotel in Cebu or Yaeyama Islands? 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: Cebu Hotel Prices and Yaeyama Islands Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cebu $26Yaeyama Islands $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:
- CEB Airport to City Centre|Hotels Private Transfer: $7.00
- Cebu Airport Private Transfer to Cebu City Hotel: $18
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cebu APT-HTL (CEB): $18
- Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $26
- Cordova Private Transfer from Cordova city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $28
- Private Car Transfer with Driver (Flexible Routes): $28
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cebu HTL-APT (CEB): $31
- Private Airport to Hotel Transfer in Cebu City: $35
- Cebu Airport Transfer to / from Anywhere in Cebu: $37
- Canyoneering Cebu in Kawasan falls + meals + Cebu transfer option: $53
- One-way Airport Transfer to Cebu City Hotels: $89
- Cebu Safari & Adventure Park: Wildlife Tour with Transfers: $102
Is it cheaper to fly into Cebu or Yaeyama Islands?
Prices for flights to both Yaeyama Islands and Cebu 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 dayCebu $36Yaeyama Islands $50
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.Cebu $17Yaeyama Islands $8.93
Tours and Activities in Cebu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cebu are as follows:
- Cebu City: Walking Tour: $21
- Cebu City: Guided Trekking Experience: $32
- Adventure Hiking Trip in the City: $36
- 3-Hour Small Group Cebu City Tour: $38
- City Sightseeing Group Tour: $39
- BEST OF Guided Heritage City Joiners Tour: $44
- Heritage Tour and Uphill Tour: $45
- Scuba Diving Experience beach entry in Mactan: $45
- Cebu Highlands Tour (Taoist temple, Leah and sirao garden)PICK UP: $46
- Cebu City: Best of Cebu Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour: $49
- Thrill Seekers Paradise Kawasan Canyoning Adventure: $50
- Cebu Half Day City Tour (Private Tour): $51
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCebu $14Yaeyama Islands $6.51
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 Cebu and Yaeyama Islands, we can see that Yaeyama Islands is more expensive. And not only is Cebu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cebu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cebu 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 Yaeyama Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yaeyama Islands than you might in Cebu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cebu Expensive? and Is Yaeyama Islands Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Cebu or Yaeyama Islands?
Yaeyama Islands has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cebu experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Cebu or Yaeyama Islands in the Summer?
Both Yaeyama Islands and Cebu are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Yaeyama Islands because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Cebu is around the same temperature as Yaeyama Islands in the summer. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yaeyama Islands. It's quite rainy in Cebu. In July, Cebu usually receives less rain than Yaeyama Islands. Cebu gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 179 mm (7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCebu 28°C (82°F)Yaeyama Islands 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Yaeyama Islands in the Autumn?
Both Yaeyama Islands and Cebu during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cebu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Yaeyama Islands this time of year.
In the autumn, Cebu is around the same temperature as Yaeyama Islands. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cebu in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Yaeyama Islands averages at about 26°C (78°F).
Yaeyama Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Cebu. Cebu usually gets less rain in October than Yaeyama Islands. Cebu gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCebu 28°C (82°F)Yaeyama Islands 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Yaeyama Islands in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cebu and Yaeyama Islands. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round. Also, many travelers come to Yaeyama Islands for the museums and the cuisine.
In January, Cebu is generally a little warmer than Yaeyama Islands. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 27°C (81°F), and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Yaeyama Islands receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Cebu usually receives less rain than Yaeyama Islands. Cebu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCebu 27°C (81°F)Yaeyama Islands 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Yaeyama Islands in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Cebu as well as Yaeyama Islands. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Yaeyama Islands in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
Cebu is a little warmer than Yaeyama Islands in the spring. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
It's quite rainy in Yaeyama Islands. Cebu usually gets less rain in April than Yaeyama Islands. Cebu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year. May to June in Yaeyama Islands is the rainy season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCebu 29°C (84°F)Yaeyama Islands 23°C (74°F)
Typical Weather for Yaeyama Islands and Cebu
| Cebu | Yaeyama Islands | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 231 mm (9.1 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 203 mm (8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.