Which place is cheaper, Boracay or Yangshuo?
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 Yangshuo or Boracay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Yangshuo and Boracay can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Yangshuo or Boracay?
Yangshuo
A county of the city, Guilin, Yangshuo is located in a region famous for its karst topography. Surrounded by jagged mountain peaks and bordered on one side by the Li River, Yangshuo has become a popular home base for tourists looking to explore the region's natural wonders. Backpackers and tourists, both foreign and domestic, come to Yangshuo every year making it a city of many cultures. Most locals are even able to speak English, which is fairly uncommon for Chinese cities.
Boracay
A small island in the Philippines known for its resorts and beaches, Boracay is a little escape. Each beach has its own unique character, each with new treasures waiting to be discovered.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to China, The Best Tours for Seniors to China, The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Philippines.
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Yangshuo Prices
China PricesBoracay Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYangshuo $86Boracay $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangshuo is $86, while the average daily cost in Boracay is $66. 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 Yangshuo and Boracay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangshuo $26Boracay $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangshuo $52Boracay $46
Compare Hotels in Yangshuo and Boracay
Looking for a hotel in Yangshuo or Boracay? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yangshuo $43Boracay $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo
Also for Yangshuo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Transfer 3 hours Private Tour: $89
- From Rock Climbing with Transfer Private (3 hours): $69
- Guilin Private Transfer in English-speaking Services: Between Airport & Yangshuo: $106
- Guilin: Li River Cruise with Transfer to Yangshuo: $80
- Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $62
- Private Airport Transfer: Yangshuo Hotel to Guilin Liangjiang Airport: $45
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
- Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
- Private One Way Transfer Service to Guilin City Hotel or Airport from Yangshuo: $48
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Longsheng hotel: $107
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo(Xingping) Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boracay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boracay:
- Speedboat Caticlan to Boracay Transfer (Oneway): $81
- Private Transfer from Boracay Port to Boracay Island Hotel: $59
- Private Transfer from Boracay Island Hotels Boracay Cruise Port: $59
- PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER TO BORACAY: $58
- Caticlan Airport (MPH) to Boracay - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $53
- Caticlan Airport (MPH) to Boracay - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $53
- Private Transfer from Caticlan Airport to Boracay: $43
- Boracay Adventures Transfer Services Via Caticlan: $35
- Two-way Shared Transfer from/to Airport to Hotel: $34
- Caticlan: Speedboat Airport Transfer to Boracay: $34
- Departure: Ferry boat Transfer Boracay to Caticlan Airport: $30
- Airport Transfer to Boracay or vice versa: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangshuo or Boracay?
Prices for flights to both Boracay and Yangshuo 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 dayYangshuo $33Boracay $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangshuo
For Yangshuo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Yangshuo Cooking Class with Market Trip: $45
- Full-day Cultural Experience: Taichi, Cooking & Painting Lessons: $100
- The impression Liu sanjie show and local dinner in town : $145
- Combo Impression Sanjie Liu Show and Authentic Cooking Experience: $199
- Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yangshuo $24Boracay $15
Tours and Activities in Yangshuo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Yangshuo.
- Impression Sanjie Liu Show Ticket: $45
- Impression Sanjie Liu Show Ticket: $45
- Impression Sanjie Liu Show Ticket Booking : $45
- Yangshuo Impression Liusanjie Show Ticket: $45
- Impression Liusanjie Show Ticket: $48
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata Ticket: $49
- Yulong River Bamboo Rafting Experience: $52
- Yangshuo Ruyi peak & round way cable car ticket: $55
- Yangshuo Walking Day Tour: $56
- Half/Full-Day Yangshuo Countryside Moderate Cycling and Sightseeing Private Tour: $60
- Ticket of Impression Sanjie Liu Show: $62
- Amphibious Off-Road Biking Experience: $67
Tours and Activities in Boracay
Here are a few actual costs in Boracay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hours Boracay Inland Private Tour in E-Trike: $125
- 2-Hour Boracay Land Tour via Etrike: $32
- Boracay - Crystal Kayak phot-op Experience: $8.95
- Boracay ATV Tour and Kawa Hot Bath: $85
- Boracay Atv Mainland Adventure with lunch: $59
- Boracay Cliff Jumping & Snorkeling Experience (Private): $105
- Boracay E-trike Land Tour: $23
- Boracay Eco-Hopping Tour: $85
- Boracay Island Hopping Experience: $63
- Boracay Island Hopping Tour with Hot Kawa Bath Experience: $30
- Boracay Island Hopping with Lunch+ Atv Mainland Adventure: $57
- Boracay Island Hopping+ Helmet Diving (Shared Tour): $63
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYangshuo $34Boracay $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yangshuo and Boracay, we can see that Yangshuo is more expensive. And not only is Boracay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Boracay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boracay 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 Yangshuo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yangshuo than you might in Boracay.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yangshuo Expensive? and Is Boracay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yangshuo or Boracay?
Yangshuo has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Boracay. When comparing the sizes of Yangshuo and Boracay, 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.