Comparison · Cebu vs Palawan · Philippines
Cebu vs Palawan
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Tyrll Adolf Itong, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Cebu for Cebu lechon, Sinulog Festival, lower day-to-day costs and nightlife; choose Palawan for El Nido lagoons and Island-hopping. Cebu is generally less expensive, and the two are about 566 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 566 km
- Less expensive
- Cebu
- Best time for Cebu
- February–May
- Best time for Palawan
- January–April
Side by side
| Cebu | Palawan | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Philippines | Philippines |
| Known for | Cebu lechon, Sinulog Festival and Magellan's Cross | El Nido lagoons, Island-hopping and Coron wreck diving |
| Best time to visit | February–May | January–April |
| Ideal stay | 6 days | 9 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $70–$150 | $90–$200 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Affordable |
| Warmest month | May, 33°C (91°F) | April, 33°C (91°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 30°C (86°F) | January, 31°C (88°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 6 | 4 |
| Day trips in our guide | 4 | 4 |
| Beaches | Bounty Beach, Malapascua | Nacpan Beach |
| Airports | CEB | PPS, USU, ENI |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Cebu for…
Cebu lechon, Sinulog Festival, lower day-to-day costs and nightlife. 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…
Choose Palawan for…
El Nido lagoons and Island-hopping. Palawan is a long, narrow island province of about 1,700 islands between the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea. Most visitors fly into Puerto Princesa, the capital, for the UNESCO-listed underground river, then head north by road to Port Barton and El Nido…
Top sights compared
| # | Cebu | Palawan |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magellan's Cross | Puerto Princesa Subterranean River |
| 2 | Basilica del Santo Niño | Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon |
| 3 | Fort San Pedro | Hidden Beach and Matinloc Shrine |
| 4 | Casa Gorordo Museum | Snake Island and Tour B |
| 5 | Yap-San Diego Ancestral House | Nacpan Beach |
Food compared
| Cebu | Palawan |
|---|---|
| Cebu lechon | Chao long |
| Hanging rice | Kinilaw |
| Sutukil | Tamilok |
| Larsian barbecue | Crocodile sisig |
Which is cheaper?
Cebu is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $70–$150 per person there, against $90–$200 in Palawan (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Cebu on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Cebu and Palawan are about 566 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 6 days in Cebu and 9 in Palawan.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Cebu or Palawan cheaper?
Cebu is usually less expensive: about $70–$150 a day mid-range against $90–$200 (estimates).
+Is Cebu or Palawan better for a first trip?
Pick Cebu for Cebu lechon, Sinulog Festival, lower day-to-day costs and nightlife, or Palawan for El Nido lagoons and Island-hopping.
+How far is Cebu from Palawan?
About 566 km in a straight line.