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  • Ballin’ On A Budget: 3D2N In Cebu For Under $360!

    Klook Team
    Klook Team
    Last updated 25 Mar 2024
    budget guide cebu cover image 1

    Travel to Cebu on a budget!

    Been wanting to visit the Queen City of the South but on a budget? We’ll be showing you how you can enjoy your trip to Cebu for just $360 ALL-IN! From getting around the city to enjoying the white sand beaches of Mactan, we break down the perfect 3D2N guide for your Cebu getaway!

    Before Your Flight

    Before you head off to Cebu, here are a couple of things you need to take note of prior to your trip so you can leave all the heavy planning and stress behind for your vacation

    1. Budget Flights

    Cebu-budget-airways
    There are several flights offered daily from Singapore to Cebu. However, if you’re staying on a budget, it’s best to opt for budget airlines such as Cebu Pacific, Scoot and AirAsia.
    These budget airlines should offer the best prices for flights going to Cebu. Keep a look out for promotions or track flights on platforms like Skyscanner to get the best deals. With these airlines, the prices of flights coming from Singapore can range from $187 to $362 (last updated on September 2019) round trip usually.

    2. Accommodations

    accommodations-cebu
    Since Cebu has a variety of activities at the city center, it is best to stay at the heart of the city where everything is just a drive away. For as low as $19 per night, you can already find strategically located rooms on Agoda. However, if you are particular with accommodations but would still like to stay cost-efficient, there are also budget hotels like Alicia Residences, Travelbee Inn, and Uncle Tom’s Cabin for an average of $37/night!

    3. Staying Connected

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    With unlimited data connection, calls and texts for just under $10, picking up your 3G/4G SIM Card is also fuss-free. Head to Mactan Cebu International Airport Terminal 2 straight upon alighting and viola! You’re now ready to update your Cebu travel in real time.

    Getting Around Cebu

    1. Private Airport Transfer 

    private airport transfer
    Given that the airport is located away from the main island of Cebu, it is best to secure a ride to your hotel beforehand. This airport transfer service offers a choice of Sedan, SUV, or Van with a maximum capacity of 10 pax, perfect for any large families or friends travelling together!

    2. Private Car Charter 

    private car charter cebu
    Especially if you are traveling as a group, having a pre-booked transportation service will surely be more convenient for your everyday transportation needs. Avoid splitting up the squad into 2 or more taxis and simply travel at your own pace.

    DAY 1

    9:00 AM: Have brunch in a cafe in Cebu City

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    Photo credits: @birdseecafe on Instagram
    cebu-budget-guide-yolk-cafe
    Photo credits: @yolkcafeph on Instagram
    Brunch cafes in Cebu have increased over the years and not only do they serve yummlicious food but they’re also very Instagrammable too! Since hotels and Airbnb accommodations usually have fixed check-in times, you can spend your morning fueling up for your afternoon activities in restaurants like Bicester Cafe, Birdseed Breakfast Club + Cafe, or Yolk. From the classic good ol’ American breakfast to a fusion of Philippine’s traditional cuisine, there is something for everyone’s palate!
    However, if you prefer to just relax and recharge, you can also ask your hotel or Airbnb host if you could do an early check-in. This is usually allowed if there are rooms available by the time you arrive and sometimes they even do it for free!

    1:00 PM: Discover the rich heritage of Cebu City

    cebu-budget-guide-rediscovery-tour
    Kickstart your Cebu adventure with a fun half-day Rediscovery Tour. Visit some of the most iconic historical landmarks like Fort San Pedro, Magellan’s Cross, and Sto. Niño Church, and learn more about the rituals of devotees at the Taoist Temple.
    The rest of the tour will take place in urban attractions like the South Road Properties, Asiatown IT Park, and the Ayala Business Park, so you can choose to stay there and have your dinner at one of the restaurants or food markets around the area.
    cebu-budget-guide-rediscovery-tour
    Not to be missed, the iconic Magellan’s Cross is perhaps one of the major highlights of this tour. Look up to capture the remnants signifying the very first Catholic mass in the Philippines. Although the original cross slowly deteriorated across the century, the locals of Cebu salvaged it and rebuilt their faith along with it. With so many historic landmarks dotted within Cebu, rediscover Cebu in a new facet in the Rediscovery Tour.

    Day 2

    6:30 AM: Breakfast and get picked up at your hotel

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    Don’t forget to fuel up before the tour’s pick up service fetches you from the hotel. If your hotel does not offer free breakfast during your stay, you can always stop by for some food during your road trip! If you want, you can even buy your lunch ahead of time when you pass by Carcar which is best known for Lechon! This Spanish pork dish is best drenched in their signature peppery sweet gravy and its crispy thin skin gives off one eargasmic experience you’ll never forget!

    10:00 AM – 5:30 PM: Osmeña Peak and Kawasan Falls

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    Photo credits: @todayweexplore on Instagram
    The Kawasan Falls is Philippines’s hidden gem; piercing jewel waters, lush tropical rain forest and a tranquil hideaway perfect for anyone who wish to escape from the city crowd. You can bet that many more wanderlust travellers will be flocking to this crystal lagoon and photobombs may be inevitable. Lucky for you, our Cebu Kawasan Waterfalls & Osmena Peak Day Tour includes a morning dip at 10.30AM so you can have this picture-perfect paragon all to yourself (and your tour mates)! Plus. the extra glow of sunshine makes the perfect filter for your IG shot.
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    Photo credits: @todayweexplore on Instagram
    After bathing yourself in Cebu’s clear water, head on to the Osmena Peak, Cebu’s highest mountain range from 1,000 above sea levels. This stunning landscape is another must-visit bucket list item to check off. Climb to the peak and witness a 360 degree panoramic view of Cebu itself. We promise that the 30 minutes hike to the top of Cebu makes the calorie deficit worth it.

    Day 3

    7:00 AM: Early morning breakfast

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    Like from the day before, you can have breakfast at your hotel or you can grab some on the way such as the famous Titay’s Liloan! Mama Titay has been a celebrated bakery chef loved by every Cebuanos within the town. Her signature classic treat include the Rosquillos Corazon, a scrumptious heart-shaped biscuit best paired with a can of soda as recommended by the locals. Did you also know that for every 5 peso spent,  the amount is channeled to Cebu’s charity for education? Now you can splurge while doing good!

    9:00 AM: Cebu Safari and Adventure Park

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    Cebu’s enchanting waterfalls and tropical landscape may have won you over, but a trip to Cebu Safari and Adventure Park is one family-friendly activity you should opt for when it comes to witnessing Cebu’s natural wildlife enclave. Needless to say, this is one popular attraction to curry favours from the little ones as well. Explore exotic species such as the magnificent Bengal tiger, an undefeating champion when it comes to the fastest mammal within the animal kingdom, cute and sneaky meerkats as well as the peaceful-loving Philippine deers.
    Exclusively only on Klook, get up close with your favourite wildlife neighbors in a bird-feeding session! Gear up your cameras and clear your memory space because this is the time to binge snap your intimate moment right at Cebu.
    #Klooktip: Since Cebu Safari and Adventure Park is a long way from the city, this is the time to put your Private Car Charter into good use! You can now free up more time for breakfast or invest in a power nap while your hired driver safely transports you to your next destination.
    Cost: $21.90

    5:00 PM: Food Trip in Sugbo Mercado

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    Photo credits: @sugbomercado on Instagram
    Still up for one last adventure before your flight? We guaranteed that a food trip in Sugbo Mercado will cap off your Cebu visit perfectly!
    Every week, this food market located in the Garden Bloc of the Asiatown IT Park introduces a variety of new food stalls that will surely satisfy whatever cravings you have. It is also conveniently located beside The Pyramid, a very Instagrammable wine and dine bistro inspired by the Louvre. Just a 10-minute drive away from La Vie Parisienne, this is yet another must-visit establishment for every Cebu tourist.

    Budget Breakdown