[A Must-Read for Students] How to Make Sure Your Graduation Trip to Cebu Is a Success | A Comprehensive Guide to Budget Estimates and Sample Itineraries for Your Cebu Trip!
Why Cebu Island is the Choice for Graduation Travel and its Attractions
With graduation from university or vocational school approaching, many students may be planning a "graduation trip" to make the last big memory of their student life!
The main reason for this is that, after all, "cheap, quick, and easyThe reason for this is the high cost-performance of the "Tropical Resort" and the fact that you can fully enjoy the extraordinary feeling that only a tropical resort can offer.
In this issue, we would like to introduce you to the Cebu graduation trip!
◆To get an idea of the actual cost and budget for a trip to Cebu Island.
◆Those looking for tips on how to keep travel costs as low as possible.
◆If you want to know about recommended model courses and activities
Click here to see the ranking of popular plans in Cebu Island
Cost for Cebu graduation trip
Actual travel costs and budget estimates
When deciding on a destination for a graduation trip, the biggest concern is probably the budget: "How much money do I need?
Compared to far-flung resorts such as Hawaii and Europe, Cebu Island is veryinexpensiveThe feature of this hotel is that you can fully enjoy it at a reasonable price!
Here is a detailed breakdown of the actual travel costs for a graduation trip to Cebu and an estimate of the total budget.
By number of days (3 nights/4 days/4 nights/5 days)
Total cost price
The most common length of stay for a graduation trip to Cebu is "4 days/3 nights" or "5 days/4 nights".
The total cost of each is quoted below.
For a 4-day/3-night trip, the approximate cost of the entire trip (including airfare, hotel, local food/transportation, and activities) is "Approx. 70,000-100,000 yenIf you use a low-cost carrier (LCC) and choose a standard-class hotel, you can enjoy your trip even with an unbelievable budget of 70,000 yen.
In the case of 4 nights and 5 days, the cost will increase slightly to about 80,000-120,000 yen for one more day of stay.
With more free time in the day, you can make more fulfilling plans, such as taking a whale shark tour or island hopping.
Be sure to book this early along with your flight tickets!
Click here for popular activities on Cebu Island↓
Perfect for school trips!
Click here for island hopping↓
Approximate cost of airfare and hotel (lodging)
Airfare and hotel costs make up the bulk of travel expenses.
The approximate cost of a round-trip air ticket is "$3,000" if you use an LCC (Cebu Pacific, Air Asia, etc.).Approx. 30,000 - 60,000 yenIt's about "1.5".
Prices fluctuate depending on the time of year, but it is not uncommon to be able to book a round-trip ticket for less than 30,000 yen if you aim for a sale timing.
On the other hand, if you use a full-service carrier such as Philippine Airlines, you can expect to pay around 60,000-100,000 yen round-trip. If you have a lot of baggage or if you want in-flight meals and comfortable service, choose a full-service carrier; if you want to keep travel costs low, choose an LCC.
Hotel charges (accommodation fees) vary widely depending on the area where you stay and the rank of the hotel. A casual business hotel or city hotel in the center of Cebu City will cost about 4,000 to 8,000 yen per room per night (2,000 to 4,000 yen per person if two people stay together).
On the other hand, a 5-star luxury resort hotel (with private beach) on Mactan Island is priced around 20,000 yen to 50,000 yen per room per night. Since this is a special graduation trip, we recommend that you splurge and stay at a luxury resort for one night, and save money at a city hotel for the rest of the trip.
↓ Activity tours that include lunch are popular on Cebu Island!
Local accommodation expenses (food, transportation, souvenirs)
The cost of local accommodation is a key factor that makes the Philippines a unique place to live with a low cost of living.
It is sufficient to expect to spend 3,000 yen to 5,000 yen per day for food.
Transportation
Cabs are the main means of transportation in Cebu. The starting fare is very inexpensive, about 100 yen, and a 30-minute ride will cost only a few hundred yen to 1,000 yen.
Souvenirs
Standard baramaki souvenirs such as dried mangoes, banana chips, papaya soap, and hair oil (such as ellips) can be purchased at local supermarkets for tens to hundreds of yen each.
Optional Tours and Activities
Price quotes
One of the best parts of a trip to Cebu is the marine activities in the beautiful sea.
Local Optional ToursPrice quotesin advance.
The most popular "Whale Shark Watching Tour in Oslob" costs about 10,000 yen to 15,000 yen, including round-trip transportation from the hotel and lunch. Since it takes 3 to 4 hours by car from Cebu City or Mactan Island, it is common to join a tour that includes transportation.
Island hopping tours" that take you to several beautiful remote islands by boat cost about "5,000 to 10,000 yen. Many plans include snorkeling set rental and BBQ lunch, allowing you to enjoy the sea all day long.
A must-see for students!
Tips on how to save money on your graduation trip to Cebu
For students who have a limited budget for their graduation trip but want to enjoy their trip to the fullest, here are some tips to make your trip to Cebu Island even more affordable.Smart money saving tipsto the following!
With a little ingenuity and information gathering, it is possible to save tens of thousands of yen in travel expenses.
Use the money you save to go to a slightly nicer restaurant or add a spa or massage to further enhance your trip!
Aim for low-cost travel periods and seasons.
The "time of departure" is a major determinant of the cost of travel. The graduation travel season from February to March also coincides with spring break for university students, so prices tend to be higher in the travel industry as a whole.
However, among them, simply shifting the itinerary a little can bring the price of airfare and hotels down dramatically.
LCC (Low Cost Carrier)
Take advantage of direct flights and sales
If you want to save money on travel expenses when accessing Cebu, using LCCs (low-cost carriers) is a prerequisite.
Cebu Pacific Air and Air Asia are representative LCCs that operate direct flights from Japan to Cebu. It is not uncommon for these airlines to offer tickets at less than half the price of full-service carriers.
To get it even cheaper, don't miss out on the "promotions" (see below) that each LCC holds irregularly.sale(The "Mere Old Man").
By adding only the necessary options and compacting your luggage, you can wisely reduce your total travel costs.
Costa hotels and
Choose a Package Tour
Keeping lodging costs down is also directly related to reducing your overall travel budget. Cebu has world-class luxury resort hotels as well as one-nightseveral thousand yenThere are countless clean and comfortable hotels and guesthouses where you can stay in a
In particular, hotels on the Cebu City side, which do not face the ocean, tend to be much less expensive than those in the resort areas of Mactan Island.
Another option is to use "dynamic packages" or "package tours" that include airline tickets and hotels.
In some cases, taking advantage of "graduation travel support campaigns" for students offered by travel agencies can be cheaper than making separate arrangements on your own.
Enjoyed Cebu graduation trip very much!
Recommended days and model courses
What kind of schedule is best for experiencing all that Cebu has to offer?
In order to efficiently enjoy the classic tourist attractions, natural activities, and even shopping and dining in a limited amount of time,Advance Planningis very important.
Here is a recommended model course to make your stay in Cebu fulfilling based on the most popular days as a student graduation trip.
Enjoy the classic
Royal model course for 4 days/3 nights
Here is a 4-day/3-night royal roadmap course that covers all the points you must not miss on your first trip to Cebu Island.
After a flight from Japan, arrive in Cebu in the afternoon or evening. After checking into your hotel, head to the huge shopping malls Ayala Center Cebu or SM City Cebu. After exchanging money, check the prices of random souvenirs at a supermarket. For dinner, experience the chicken and spaghetti set at Jollibee, the Philippines' national fast food, or try the classic roasted whole pig "lechon (two-legged Chinese musical instrument played with a bow)It is recommended to enjoy the "I'm sorry, but I'm sorry.
Day 2: A moving experience! Whale Shark Watching]
We will leave the hotel early in the morning (around 3-4 am) for Oslob in the southern part of the island. We will participate in an exciting activity where we can swim with whale sharks. After seeing the powerful whale sharks up close, a popular tour includes a stop at Kawasan Falls, a mysterious waterfall with outstanding clarity. Refresh yourself with plenty of negative ions. Return to the hotel in the evening and spend the night at an inexpensive local massage parlor (from about 1,000 yen per hour) to thoroughly relieve the day's fatigue.
Day 3: Island hopping and shopping
In the morning, board a bunker boat (traditional boat) and depart for "island hopping" around the beautiful remote islands around Mactan Island. We will enjoy snorkeling around Hilutugan Island and Naruan Island, and enjoy colorful tropical fish and coral reefs. A BBQ lunch on the boat or on the island is also part of the fun. After returning to the hotel in the early afternoon, we will go to the shopping mall again to buy souvenirs in bulk. On your last night, you can enjoy the beautiful night view at a restaurant on a hill or a trendy bar, where you can share the memories of your graduation trip.
Day 4: Return to Japan
Travel to the airport in time for your flight. Souvenir stores in the airport are pricey, so be careful not to forget to buy anything. With the beautiful sea of Cebu Island and happy memories in your hearts, you are now on your way back to Japan.
On a graduation trip to Cebu
Recommended Hotels and Areas to Stay
TravelObjective.The hotel and area you should choose depends on whether you want to "relax by the sea" or "actively enjoy shopping and sightseeing.
Here we will explain the characteristics of the two main areas that serve as bases for sightseeing in Cebu and how to select recommended hotels for different purposes.
If you want to enjoy the resort atmosphere and private beach
Mactan Island
"I'm at a tropical resort!" "I'm at a tropical resort!sense of the extraordinaryIf you want to enjoy the best of the island, staying in the resort areas that line the east coast of "Mactan Island," where the international airport is located, is by far the best choice.
One of the greatest features of this area is that many of the hotels have expansive grounds, "private beaches," and huge swimming pools.
Another major advantage is that many marine activities, such as island hopping and diving, depart from this Mactan Island, eliminating the need for travel.
Held on Mactan Island!
Learn more about our popular tours
Shopping and dining
Cebu City" convenient for sightseeing in the city
More than a resortstrolling on the streetFor groups that want to enjoy shopping, dining, and nightlife, we recommend staying in "Cebu City" on the main island side, just across the bridge from Mactan Island.
Cebu City has huge shopping malls such as "Ayala Center Cebu" and "SM City," where you will have no trouble finding souvenirs and shopping for fast fashion!
This area is ideal for those who go out for activities during the day and enjoy shopping and dinner in the city at night.
On a graduation trip to Cebu
Security and necessary personal belongings to be aware of
Cebu is one of the most tourist-friendly resort areas in Southeast Asia, but one should never forget that it is a foreign country, different from Japan!
To avoid ruining an enjoyable graduation trip, please make sure you have a proper understanding of the local security situation and take the appropriatesecurity measuresIt is important to do the following. Also, be sure to prepare the documents required for entry into the Philippines and other essential items unique to Cebu.
Always be vigilant.
Place valuables in a bag with a zipper.
Use of the car-dispatch app Grab is strongly recommended.
◆Necessary personal belongings
Passport (valid for the number of days of stay + at least 6 months remaining validity)
Registration in the online system "eTravel" is required.
sun cream
sunglasses
hat
Long-sleeved rash guards and trenchers.
swimsuit
Flushable pocket tissue
wet wipes
Cebu Graduation Travel
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Simple English is sufficient for communication at tourist spots, hotels, and shopping malls! By utilizing gestures and translation apps, even those who are not good at English can enjoy themselves with ease.
The best time to visit Cebu Island is during the dry season, from December through May. February and March, which coincide with the graduation trip season, are especially ideal for enjoying marine activities to the fullest, as there are plenty of sunny days and the sea is calm!
Free Wi-Fi is available at hotels and cafes, but if you want to stay connected while traveling or doing activities, we recommend renting pocket Wi-Fi from Japan or purchasing a SIM card or eSIM locally!
summary
Cebu Island is the perfect destination for a graduation trip, with its easy access from Japan, reasonable prices, and breathtaking ocean and natural activities!
The best way to reduce costs and increase travel satisfaction is to aim for periods when travel prices are low and to make arrangements for airline tickets and tours as early as possible.
Please enjoy the time you spend planning your trip with your travel companions while referring to the actual budget guidelines, model courses, and money-saving tips we have introduced here!
⬇︎ Read the article at ⬇︎
