Planning your first trip to Cebu or Bohol? One of the first choices you'll make is whether to book a joiner tour or a private tour. Both visit the same famous spots. The difference is who you travel with, how flexible the day is, and how much you pay per person. This guide explains both, so you can pick the one that fits your group.
What is a joiner tour?
A joiner tour is a shared tour. You ride in the same van and follow the same guide as other travelers who booked the same itinerary on the same day.
- Lower price per person, because the van and guide are shared.
- Set schedule. Pickup times and stops follow the day's plan.
- Meet new people. Great for solo travelers, couples and small barkadas.
- At Pox, joiner bookings start at 2 travelers per booking.
See our Cebu & Bohol joiner tour packages
What is a private tour?
A private tour is for your group only. The van, driver and guide are just for you.
- Your trip, your pace. Ideal if you travel with kids, seniors or a big group.
- More comfort and privacy. No waiting for other guests.
- Pickup that fits your plans, such as your hotel, Mactan-Cebu airport or Cebu City seaport (depending on the package).
- Available for solo travelers up to groups of 12. The more people in your group, the lower the price per person.
See our Cebu & Bohol private tour packages
Joiner vs private: quick comparison
| Joiner tour | Private tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Who's in the van | You + other travelers | Your group only |
| Price per person | Lower | Higher for small groups; gets lower as your group grows |
| Schedule | Fixed plan for everyone | Your trip, your pace |
| Best for | Solo travelers, couples, small barkadas on a budget | Families with kids or seniors, big groups, special occasions |
| Hotel room (multi-day) | Private room for your group | Private room for your group |
Simple rule: if saving money matters most, choose joiner. If comfort and your own pace matter most, choose private.
What to expect on tour day
We keep your day hassle-free from pickup to drop-off:
- Pickup. We confirm your pickup point and time before the tour (for example your hotel or the airport, depending on the package).
- Your driver-guide. Pox uses its own vans and driver-guides, not outsourced ones. Our team has been driving visitors around Cebu since 2020.
- The stops. Your guide takes care of entrance fees and timing, so you can just enjoy.
- Going to Bohol? Multi-day tours to Bohol include the ferry fare, and Bohol tours include pier pickup and drop-off.
- Drop-off. We bring you back to your hotel or agreed drop-off point.
Hotel rooms on multi-day tours
On our multi-day packages, your room is always private for your group. You never share a room with strangers, even on a joiner tour.
What's included and what's optional
Usually included (check each package for the exact list):
- Transportation in our own vans
- Driver-guide
- Entrance fees
- Ferry fare for Bohol (on Bohol packages)
- Hotel nights (on multi-day packages)
Not included:
- Airfare
- Meals (unless the package says otherwise)
- Optional activities
About optional activities: activities like whale shark watching or canyoneering are not packed into the price. You only pay for them on site, if you choose to join. That's how we keep the price clear, with no hidden fees.
What to bring
- Valid ID
- Cash for optional activities, food and souvenirs
- Swimwear and a change of clothes
- Sunblock, hat and sunglasses
- Aqua shoes or sandals for waterfalls and sandbars
- Waterproof bag or phone pouch
- Small towel
- Any personal medicine
Traveling with kids or seniors?
Our tours keep a family-friendly pace, so kids and seniors can enjoy the trip without rushing. For extra comfort, many families choose a private tour.
Kids' rates on our packages: children under 4 travel free, and kids aged 4 to 10 get 10% off the adult price.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pox Travel and Tours legit?
Yes. We are a DTI-registered business with a Lapu-Lapu City Business Permit and a real office on M.L. Quezon National Highway, Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City. You can see our documents in our Legitimacy Corner.
Will I share a hotel room with other travelers?
No. On multi-day packages, your room is always private for your group.
Are there hidden fees?
No. Your quotation shows your total price. Optional activities are paid on site only if you choose to join them.
Can I bring kids?
Yes. Children under 4 travel free and kids aged 4 to 10 get 10% off.
How do I book?
- Send us a quotation request.
- We send you a quotation with the final price.
- Pay the reservation fee: ₱500 per person (maximum ₱2,500 for groups of more than 5), deducted from your total. We accept GCash, bank transfer, card or cash.
- Your booking is confirmed once we verify the payment.
- You receive a link to send your travel details.
What if the weather is bad?
If your tour is cancelled because of bad weather, you can choose:
- a 70% refund of your payment, or
- rebook to another available date with no extra payment.
For other cancellation questions, please message us and our team will explain our policy for your booking.
Ready to plan your Cebu & Bohol trip?
See joiner packagesSee private packagesGet a free quotation
Pox Travel and Tours · M.L. Quezon National Highway, Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu 6015 · (032) 520-9039 · 0955 372 8504 · booking@poxtravelcebu.com