Comparison · Bali vs Cebu · Indonesia / Philippines
Bali vs Cebu
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Paskuu, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Choose Bali for Hindu temples and Rice terraces; choose Cebu for Cebu lechon, Sinulog Festival, lower day-to-day costs and free sights. Cebu is generally less expensive, and the two are about 2,294 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 2,294 km
- Less expensive
- Cebu
- Best time for Bali
- April–June and September–October
- Best time for Cebu
- February–May
Side by side
| Bali | Cebu | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Indonesia | Philippines |
| Known for | Hindu temples, Rice terraces and Surfing | Cebu lechon, Sinulog Festival and Magellan's Cross |
| Best time to visit | April–June and September–October | February–May |
| Ideal stay | 10 days | 6 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $80–$180 | $70–$150 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Affordable |
| Warmest month | April, 32°C (90°F) | May, 33°C (91°F) |
| Coldest month | June, 30°C (86°F) | January, 30°C (86°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 1 | 6 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 4 |
| Beaches | Seminyak and Double Six Beach | Bounty Beach, Malapascua |
| Airports | DPS | CEB |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Bali for…
Hindu temples and Rice terraces. Bali is a Hindu island in mostly Muslim Indonesia, about 140 km across, where daily offerings sit on doorsteps and temple ceremonies close roads. The south — Seminyak, Canggu, Kuta, Uluwatu and Nusa Dua — has the beaches, surf breaks and beach clubs, while…
Choose Cebu for…
Cebu lechon, Sinulog Festival, lower day-to-day costs and free sights. Cebu is a long, narrow island in the central Philippines and the province around it, with Cebu City, the country's oldest Spanish settlement, at its centre. Magellan's Cross, the Basilica del Santo Niño and Fort San Pedro tell the story of 1521 and 1565…
Top sights compared
| # | Bali | Cebu |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uluwatu Temple and Kecak dance | Magellan's Cross |
| 2 | Tanah Lot | Basilica del Santo Niño |
| 3 | Tegallalang Rice Terraces | Fort San Pedro |
| 4 | Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary | Casa Gorordo Museum |
| 5 | Tirta Empul | Yap-San Diego Ancestral House |
Food compared
| Bali | Cebu |
|---|---|
| Babi guling | Cebu lechon |
| Bebek betutu | Hanging rice |
| Nasi campur Bali | Sutukil |
| Sate lilit | Larsian barbecue |
Which is cheaper?
Cebu is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $70–$150 per person there, against $80–$180 in Bali (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Cebu on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 2,294 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 17 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Bali or Cebu cheaper?
Cebu is usually less expensive: about $70–$150 a day mid-range against $80–$180 (estimates).
+Is Bali or Cebu better for a first trip?
Pick Bali for Hindu temples and Rice terraces, or Cebu for Cebu lechon, Sinulog Festival, lower day-to-day costs and free sights.
+How far is Bali from Cebu?
About 2,294 km in a straight line.