BookNoFees
Holiday rentals in Cebu.
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The difference
A host wants NZ$1,975. Here’s what it costs.
The host keeps their full price. The displayed total includes a 3.9% cost contribution for Stripe payment fees and refunds. BookNoFees earns nothing from it.
Take a simple example: an owner who wants to earn $1,975 for a week.
| What each platform takes | Airbnb | Booking.com | BookNoFees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform commission | 15.5% | 15%–25% | 0% |
| Payment processing & protection | included | contract-specific | 3.9% |
| Owner keepson a $1,975 listing | $1,669 | $1,481–$1,679 | $1,975 |
| Guest paysfor $1,975 to reach the owner | $2,337 | $2,323–$2,633 | $2,052 |
Over 18 weeks let, that is more than $4,938 a year in this example — money that stays with the guest or reaches the owner.
Rates checked in September 2026. Under its single-fee structure, Airbnb charges most hosts 15.5%; Airbnb says other hosts typically pay between 14% and 16%. Exceptions depend on country and account type. Booking.com sets the commission rate in each accommodation agreement, and visibility programmes may increase it. This worked example uses a possible range of 15% to 25%. If Booking.com facilitates payment, the applicable payment terms and transaction cost are contract-specific. Our 3.9% cost contribution is included in the displayed total and contributes towards Stripe payment fees and refunds. BookNoFees earns nothing from it. Nothing is added at checkout and nothing is deducted from the owner. Fee models can change, so please check each platform’s current terms. Sources: Airbnb Help Center and Booking.com General Delivery Terms.
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About Cebu
Staying in Cebu
Cebu is a long, narrow island in the central Philippines and the beating heart of the Visayas. Its capital, Cebu City, is one of the country's oldest settlements and its busiest tourism gateway after Manila, so most trips begin here or on neighbouring Mactan, where the international airport and the beach resorts sit just across the bridges. What makes Cebu special is how much it packs into one island: Spanish-era churches and forts in the city, sardine shoals and turquoise waterfalls in the south, and quiet white-sand islands off the northern tip. You can dive with thresher sharks at dawn, swim through a river canyon by lunch and watch the sun set over a sandbar the next evening. Distances look small on a map but roads wind through mountains, so many visitors base themselves in two or three areas rather than day-tripping everywhere. Booking a home or apartment directly with a local host keeps more of your money on the island and often lands you closer to the beaches and dive shops than the big resort strips. Cebu rewards a slower pace over a rushed checklist.
Good to know
Holiday rentals in Cebu — FAQ
What is the best time of year to visit Cebu?
The dry season, running roughly from December to May, is generally considered the best window: skies are sunnier, rainfall is lower and sea crossings to islands like Bantayan and Malapascua tend to be calmer. Many travellers single out March to May for the most reliable beach weather, though this is also the busiest and hottest stretch. The wetter months can still bring good days, but expect more rain and occasional storm disruption to ferries and small-boat trips. Diving highlights such as the Moalboal sardine run are reported year-round, with visibility generally better in the dry months.
How do I get around Cebu?
Most visitors arrive through Mactan-Cebu International Airport on Mactan Island, connected to the mainland by bridges including the CCLEX toll bridge that helps you skip city traffic when heading south. Long-distance travel usually means the Ceres/provincial buses from Cebu's North and South bus terminals, private car-and-driver hire, or vans. Reaching the north islands involves a bus to a port (Hagnaya for Bantayan, Maya for Malapascua) then a short ferry or bangka crossing. Locally, tricycles, jeepneys and rented scooters cover shorter hops. Because mountain roads wind, journeys often take longer than the distance suggests, so plan generous travel time.
Is swimming with whale sharks in Oslob ethical?
It is genuinely controversial, and worth understanding before you decide. In Oslob, in the south of Cebu, local operators hand-feed whale sharks close to shore so tourists can swim alongside them. Conservationists and many marine scientists criticise the practice, arguing that feeding can alter the animals' natural behaviour, make them dependent on handouts and put them at greater risk from boat strikes. Supporters point to the income it brings a rural community. Some travellers choose to skip Oslob entirely and instead look for encounters where sharks are wild and unfed, such as certain seasonal sightings elsewhere in the Philippines. We'd encourage reading up on the current situation and making your own informed choice.
What is the Moalboal sardine run and can anyone see it?
Moalboal, on Cebu's west coast, is famous for a massive shoal of sardines that gathers just off Panagsama Beach, forming swirling silver clouds only a short swim from shore. Because the shoal sits in relatively shallow, accessible water, you don't need to be a certified diver to experience it, snorkellers can often see the bait ball too, though divers get to move right into it. It's reported to be present year-round, but the size and shape of the formation changes day to day and visibility varies. Nearby Pescador Island adds dramatic coral walls and the well-known 'Cathedral' cavern for those who dive.
What is Kawasan Falls canyoneering like?
Kawasan Falls, near Badian in south-west Cebu, is a multi-tiered waterfall known for its vivid turquoise water. The most popular way to reach it is canyoneering: a guided route down a river canyon that combines cliff jumps, natural water slides, short rappels and swimming through cold pools before you arrive at the falls. Operators generally make the higher jumps optional and offer alternative paths, so it can suit a range of comfort levels, but it is still an active, physical half-day adventure. You can also simply visit the falls to swim or ride a bamboo raft without doing the full canyon route.
Should I base myself in one place or move around Cebu?
It depends on your time and interests. Cebu is a big island and the highlights are spread out, the diving and waterfalls cluster in the south and west (Moalboal, Badian, Oslob), while the quietest beaches and shark diving lie off the far north (Bantayan, Malapascua). Trying to day-trip everything from one base means long hours on the road. Many visitors split their stay: a couple of nights around Cebu City or Mactan for history and the airport, then several nights in the south or north depending on whether they're chasing waterfalls, the sardine run or island beaches. A direct-booked home in each area is often more comfortable and better value than resort hopping.
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