Is Phu Quoc expensive? A Guide for families
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Phu Quoc has exploded in popularity over the last few years, and it’s easy to see why. With turquoise water, white sand beaches, brilliant family activities and some of the best food we ate in Vietnam, it’s no surprise many travellers now squeeze it into their Southeast Asia itinerary.
But with that rise in popularity comes the question we had too, long before we arrived on the island:
Is Phu Quoc actually expensive — especially for families?
We spent several weeks on Phu Quoc during our family gap year, trying everything from night markets to beach restaurants, waterparks to cooking classes, cheap local eats to resort cafés. And like most places in Vietnam, we quickly realised that the real answer is: it depends where you spend your money… and how you travel.
Some things were far cheaper than we expected (meals at local restaurants, getting around by Grab, certain tours). Others were a little pricier (resort dining, some activities, and anything involving the cable car). And there were a few things we simply wouldn’t have known without experiencing the island firsthand with kids.
In this guide, we break down exactly what Phu Quoc costs in 2025 — from food and accommodation to transport and activities — and share our honest experience of what a family can expect to spend here. Whether you’re on a tight budget, travelling mid-range like us, or leaning towards a splashier resort trip, you’ll get a clear, realistic picture.
By the end, you’ll know whether Phu Quoc is expensive for you, where to save, where it’s worth splurging, and how much to budget per day.
Table of Contents
- Is Phu Quoc Expensive? (Quick Answer for Families)
- How Much Does a Trip to Phu Quoc Cost? (At a Glance)
- Is Accommodation Expensive in Phu Quoc?
- Is Food in Phu Quoc Expensive?
- How Much Do Activities Cost in Phu Quoc?
- Which Activities Are Worth the Money?
- Is Transport Expensive in Phu Quoc?
- Cost of Groceries & Essentials
- Is Phu Quoc Expensive for Families? (Our Experience)
- Budget Tips for Saving Money in Phu Quoc
- Do You Need Cash in Phu Quoc?
- Conclusion: Is Phu Quoc Expensive? Our Honest Verdict
- Planning a Trip to Phu Quoc? Start Here
Is Phu Quoc Expensive? (Quick Answer for Families)
In one word: no. Phu Quoc is really not expensive, especially compared to Western destinations.
Food, transport and accommodation — the three biggest costs for travelling families — are all incredibly affordable. Some of the big-ticket attractions are pricier, so you’ll need to factor those in if you’re on a very tight budget.
For us, backpacking on a small budget, Phu Quoc was the perfect base. We kept our daily spend low while still enjoying loads of the activities on offer. Even though we’d hoped it would be a budget-friendly stop, we were still surprised at just how affordable it was.
On our very first evening, we paid just £7/US$9 for four big bowls of pho and a drink each — and immediately realised we’d landed somewhere we could properly relax without constantly worrying about the cost.
Of course, this varies massively depending on your travel style. If you’re staying in one of the big family resorts with infinity pools, kids clubs and wellness spas, then yes — your costs will be higher. Eating in resort restaurants and sipping cocktails in beachfront bars is always going to cost more than street food and supermarket beers.
But even those “expensive” options are still incredibly good value compared to most other beach destinations.
How Much Does a Trip to Phu Quoc Cost? (At a Glance)
| Accommodation | Budget: £20–30/US$27-40 per night Mid-range: £30–90/US$40-120 per night Luxury resort: £90–350+/US$120-465+ per night |
| Food | Street food meal: £1.50–2/US$2-2.50pp Vietnamese restaurant: £4–5/US$5.30-6.60pp Western/resort restaurants: £10–15/US$13-20pp |
| Activities | £20–40/US$27-53pp, depending on activity |
| Transport | Grab taxi (local ride): £1.50–2/US$2-2.50 Airport → Duong Dong: £3.50–4/US$4.60-5.30 Taxi to cable car/Vinpearl/VinWonders: £8–10/US$10.50-13 |
And for complete disclosure, our total daily spend was £65/US$86 for a family of four, including accommodation
Is Accommodation Expensive in Phu Quoc?
Budget Stays (£10–£25/US$12–$30)
If you’re sticking to a tight budget, you’ll be very happy in Phu Quoc. Basic guesthouses and homestays are widely available, especially around Duong Dong. We paid £21/US$28 for a simple but perfectly comfortable room at Duong Dong Hotel during our first week.
It wasn’t fancy, but it was clean, central and ideal for families who spend their days out exploring. And even at this end of the market, most places still have a pool.
Mid-Range Hotels & Resorts (£25–£80/US$30–£100)
This is where Phu Quoc really shines. You can find sea-view rooms, pools, breakfast buffets and direct beach access without blowing your budget. We stayed at Vida Loca Sunset Beach Resort for £65/US$86 and honestly couldn’t believe the value — beachfront location, happy hours, family-friendly vibes and sunsets we still talk about now.
Luxury Resorts (£80–£250+/US$100–$300+)
If you want the full beachfront-resort experience, Phu Quoc is still significantly cheaper than most island destinations. Think infinity pools, kids clubs and spa days. Lahana Resort and Spa, for example, starts around £150/US$235 — a fraction of what similar properties would cost in Thailand or Bali.
What We Paid
Across our stay, we mixed it up — budget guesthouse first to keep costs low, then a few nights at Vida Loca to enjoy beachfront sunsets. It was the perfect long-term travel balance.
Need more help choosing? Read our personal guide to where to stay in Phu Quoc.
Is Food in Phu Quoc Expensive?
Short answer: nope! Even on a budget, eating out in Phu Quoc is incredibly affordable.
Our most expensive meal — burgers and milkshakes in a beachfront bar — came to £24.75 for all four of us.
Local Restaurants, Banh Mi & Night Markets
This is where Phu Quoc truly shines. The street food is not only cheap but amazing, and it meant the boys could try new dishes without us stressing about whether they’d eat everything.
Throughout Duong Dong, you’ll find:
- Banh Mi: £0.60/US$0.80
- Fruit smoothies: £0.50/US$0.66
- Coffee: £1/US$1.30
- Pho: £1.50–2/US$2-2.50
We loved sitting on the little plastic stools in the evenings, slurping pho while watching the buzz of the street go by.
Western Restaurants & Cafés
More expensive, as you’d expect, but still reasonable. Burgers and pizza usually cost £6–7/US$8-9pp with a drink.
We also loved popping into the French bakery O Bon Pain — cakes are £2–3/US$2.50-4, and eating pastries with an ocean view was one of those small-but-perfect holiday moments.
Resort Dining Prices
Most mid-range and luxury resorts offer large buffet breakfasts — usually included in the room rate — which is great for hungry kids. Pool bars and beachfront restaurants are noticeably more expensive than local eateries, with mains generally costing £10–15/US$13-20pp. Drinks vary: fruit smoothies around £3–4/US$4-5, cocktails £5–7/US$6.50-9, and kids’ meals around £5/US$6.50.
Street Food Tour Value
If you’re unsure where to start with Vietnamese food, book a street food tour. We discovered so many places we’d never have found alone — and the boys loved hopping between tiny local eateries.
You can find all of our personal recommendations on where to eat in Phu Quoc here.
How Much Do Activities Cost in Phu Quoc?
Daily life in Phu Quoc is cheap, but tourist activities come at a higher price — and they’ll likely be your biggest spend.
That said, we’d still recommend doing as many as your budget allows. These were the moments that made our stay truly memorable.
Top Attractions
- Cable Car + Aquatopia Waterpark: £30 adults / £25 kids (under 140cm)
- Vinpearl Safari: £22 adults / £17 kids
- VinWonders: £32 adults / £25 kids
- Snorkelling tours: £40–45 adults / £30–35 kids
- Cooking class: £34/US$45 adults/
- Street food tour: £35 adults / £21 kids
Health & Wellness
Given the relatively low cost, we opted to indulge ourselves with a few wellness extras during our stay, including:
- Yoga Classes: £3.75/US$5 per class
- Massages: c.£5-6/US$6.50-8 per hour
- Acupressure/Physio Massage: £12.50/US$16.75 per hour
- Gym Membership: £16/US$21 per month
Free or Low-Cost Activities
Beaches
Phu Quoc is blessed with miles of stunning coastline, and the best part? Most of it is completely free. Our boys spent hours digging in the sand and swimming until sunset — no tickets, no queues, just easy, wholesome family time.
Khem Beach
Soft white sand, calm turquoise water and a beautifully quiet vibe. It’s one of our all-time favourite beaches on the island. A Grab taxi is your only real cost here.
Markets
Both the night market and the smaller local markets are brilliant for an atmospheric wander. It’s free unless you give in to the temptation of ice creams, skewers or mini souvenirs (which we inevitably did… frequently).
Sunset Spots
Sunsets in Phu Quoc are spectacular — and 100% free. Grab a fruit shake from a nearby stall and park yourselves on any patch of sand. Magical.
Which Activities Are Worth the Money?
These were the ones our boys STILL talk about:
Is Transport Expensive in Phu Quoc?
Not at all. Transport was one of the cheapest parts of our stay.
We relied heavily on Grab taxis — they’re plentiful, reliable and brilliant for families, especially in the heat.
Typical Grab Prices
- Grab taxi (local ride within Duong Dong): £1.50–2/US$2-2.50
- Airport → Duong Dong: £3.50–4/US$4.60-5.30
- Taxi to cable car/VinPearl Safari Park/VinWonders: £8–10/US$10.50-13
Renting a Motorbike
Scooters cost £3.75-5/US$5–7 per day, but you’ll need an International Driving Permit. For us, it wasn’t worth it — we’d have needed two bikes, and Grab worked out cheaper, safer and easier with kids.
Cost of Groceries & Essentials
If you’re staying longer-term or want to keep daily costs down, groceries are another area where Phu Quoc offers great value. We did self-cater for most breakfasts and kept costs down by buying snacks and treats from the supermarket. However, the cost of cooking vs eating at a street food stand is, to be honest, pretty similar.
The huge King Kong supermarket in Duong Dong stocks everything you might need (including clothing and homewares).
- Water: £1/US$1.30 for a large bottle
- Snacks: Cheap and plentiful. Ice creams for example are around £0.50/US$0.60 each.
- Toiletries: Cheaper in supermarkets than minimarts. Local insect repellent costs around £1.50/US$2
- Laundry: £1–1.50/US$1.30-2 per load
- Kids’ essentials: Easy to find, though bring specific brands you rely on
Supermarkets vs minimarts
Supermarkets win on price, minimarts win on convenience. We used both — supermarket for big shops, minimarts for emergency “we’re-too-hot-to-walk” snack runs.
Is Phu Quoc Expensive for Families? (Our Experience)
For us as a family of four on a gap year, Phu Quoc struck that perfect balance of fun and affordability. We rarely felt like we were overspending, even on days when we splashed out on activities. The boys were thrilled because they could try so many new foods and activities without us constantly saying no.
A few things surprised us:
- How cheap the food was, especially compared to other islands we’d visited.
- How much activities added up, even though they were totally worth it.
- How little we spent on transport, thanks to Grab.
- How far leftover food went — especially after Troc’s cooking class, when we ate well for two whole meals afterwards!
The overall verdict? Phu Quoc is incredibly manageable for families, whether you’re travelling long-term or planning a one-week winter-sun escape.
Budget Tips for Saving Money in Phu Quoc
- Eat the street food. It’s cheap, delicious and incredibly varied.
- Use Grab taxis. They’re reliable, cheap and so convenient when the heat hits.
- Stay central if you’re on a budget. Duong Dong has affordable food and easy transport.
- Check if your accommodation offers free airport or ferry pick-ups. Many do!
- Plan your big days out. Spread out the higher-cost attractions so your daily budget stays balanced.
- For beach days: pack snacks, drinks and sunscreen from a supermarket rather than resort kiosks.
Do You Need Cash in Phu Quoc?
Yes — more than you might expect.
Most street food stands and many restaurants are cash-only. Larger resorts and Western restaurants accept cards.
ATMs are easiest to find in Duong Dong, although not all of them worked with our UK cards. Outside town, ATMs are rare, so take cash if you’re exploring further afield.
Conclusion: Is Phu Quoc Expensive? Our Honest Verdict
So… is Phu Quoc expensive?
Overall, no — especially for budget and mid-range families. Phu Quoc offers amazing value for food, transport, beaches and mid-range accommodation. But you can spend more if you want the full resort experience.
After several weeks on the island, we still rate Phu Quoc as one of the best-value beach destinations in Southeast Asia.
For families, the sweet spot is to:
- splurge on a couple of standout activities,
- eat mainly in local restaurants, and
- stay in comfortable mid-range hotels.
It gave us incredible experiences without blowing our budget — and the boys never felt like they were missing out.
Whether you want beach days, cultural activities, wildlife encounters or big-day-out fun, Phu Quoc offers options at every price point. And the best parts — the food, the beaches, the sunsets — are low cost or totally free.
Planning a Trip to Phu Quoc? Start Here
👉 Our favourite things to do in Phu Quoc with kids
👉 Phu Quoc cooking class review
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