Cebu is the island at the heart of the central Philippines, and it suits people who like to be in the water. On the west coast, Moalboal is famous for its sardine run, a shimmering wall of fish just off the reef, and for turtles close to shore. Inland, canyoneering down to Kawasan Falls is a full day of jumping, swimming and sliding through turquoise pools.
Accommodation in Cebu is some of the best value in this part of Asia: A$451 covers a comfortable room for two for the week. Flights are the larger share, at A$2,098 for two. Food and day-to-day spending come to A$1,002, which leaves room for a boat trip out to Bantayan or Malapascua.
What Cebu is known for
Best time to visit: December to May
Cost by month
A week for two from Sydney (est. flights, stay & food), by the month you travel.
From other cities
The same week for two (est. flights, stay & food), by the city you fly from.
Where Cebu ranks
How we priced this: two travellers, seven nights, at the Comfortable level, from Sydney unless another city is shown, with no month chosen (a year-round average). Prices checked on 4 November 2026. Totals are estimates of return flights, accommodation, and daily food and spending; they aren't package prices. 1 flight price from other cities is a model estimate because we don't yet have cached fares for those routes. The month list uses each month's flight and hotel season. Open the trip to change the dates, city or comfort level and see it re-priced.
Questions
When is the cheapest time to go to Cebu?
From Sydney, August and November are the cheapest months, at an est. A$3,400 for two for a week. Both fall outside the dry season, which runs from December to May. December is the dearest month, at an est. A$4,344.
Is Cebu cheaper from Perth or Brisbane?
Perth is the cheapest place to fly from, at an est. A$2,909 for two for a week, with Brisbane next at A$3,067. From Melbourne it's an est. A$3,200 and from Adelaide A$3,245.
What is there to do in Cebu besides the beach?
Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls, snorkelling with the sardine run at Moalboal, diving at Malapascua, and the old Spanish quarter of Cebu City with Magellan's Cross and the Basilica del Santo Niño. See how it compares in where to go in January.
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