The Philippines
Discussion
Evening all, after doing Thailand to death, I have booked a ticket to the Philippines for later this year. As I've never been before, it's kind of overwhelming the amount of choice of places to go there. Wondering if anyone on here had any recommendations? Fly in to Manila. 3 days there and then where...? Is 3 days too long to spend in Manila, not long enough? I have 2 weeks there. Thanks.
Al.
Al.
Great choice, you won't be disappointed!
I went 18 months ago as part of 31 days in Asia in general over Xmas and new year with 2 mates.
We visited Donsol to go swimming with Whale Sharks which was a bit hit and miss with whether you see them. Over 3 days we were in Donsol we with swam one for about 2 minutes, having had 2 trips on the boat for about 4 hours each time. Not a lot else to do there.
Also went to Boracay for New Year's Eve, once voted the worlds best Island and Asias best beach. Excellent for hitting a few chilled out bars and clubs. Spent 4 days there over New Year 2015/16.
Highlight of the trip and would be my must do activity if you wanted an adventure and don't mind losing some home comforts for 5 days is the Tao trip. http://www.taophilippines.com/ , 5 days on a boat remote beach hopping eating fresh sea food and drinking loads of rum. Had 23 on our boat, 5 Aussies, 2 Germans, 4 Dutch, 3 Americans, 6 English, 1 South African, 1 Irish, 1 Swedish. All got on brilliant. Met up with with a few later on our own individual trips, some in Boracay, one later in Hong Kong.
Manila maybe we didn't research well enough but personally I wouldn't want to be there more then 2 days.
I went 18 months ago as part of 31 days in Asia in general over Xmas and new year with 2 mates.
We visited Donsol to go swimming with Whale Sharks which was a bit hit and miss with whether you see them. Over 3 days we were in Donsol we with swam one for about 2 minutes, having had 2 trips on the boat for about 4 hours each time. Not a lot else to do there.
Also went to Boracay for New Year's Eve, once voted the worlds best Island and Asias best beach. Excellent for hitting a few chilled out bars and clubs. Spent 4 days there over New Year 2015/16.
Highlight of the trip and would be my must do activity if you wanted an adventure and don't mind losing some home comforts for 5 days is the Tao trip. http://www.taophilippines.com/ , 5 days on a boat remote beach hopping eating fresh sea food and drinking loads of rum. Had 23 on our boat, 5 Aussies, 2 Germans, 4 Dutch, 3 Americans, 6 English, 1 South African, 1 Irish, 1 Swedish. All got on brilliant. Met up with with a few later on our own individual trips, some in Boracay, one later in Hong Kong.
Manila maybe we didn't research well enough but personally I wouldn't want to be there more then 2 days.
3013buz said:
We visited Donsol to go swimming with Whale Sharks which was a bit hit and miss with whether you see them. Over 3 days we were in Donsol we with swam one for about 2 minutes, having had 2 trips on the boat for about 4 hours each time.
I swam with whale sharks in Oslob in Cebu. They guarantee that you will swim with them any day of the year. They feed them in the same spot all the time, so they're always there. Maybe not as 'wild' as your trip, but it was still good. Probably about 30-40 minutes in total, with most of that spent in the water with several whale sharks. It was quite popular but you didn't really notice anybody else once you were in the sea. 
I was there in January this year. We went to Cebu, Bohol, Negros, and Malapascua
On Bohol - chocolate hills, Tarsier sanctuaries - I can highly recommend Nuts Huts. Great location on a river, in the jungle, but you better like lots of steps. The firefly boat trips near Tagbilaran City were also incredible - never seen so many in one place.
Negros - Sugar Beach, Sipalay. Only get there by boat from neighbouring bay, but I actually learnt how to relax on a beach for a while. I'm normally off exploring, so this was new for me. TakaTuka Lodge was awesome. West facing so also fabulous sunsets, and good snorkelling and diving.
We did consider the whale sharks off Cebu, but heard how they corral them into an area so you can swim with them. They are wild animals, and I don't think should be treated like this, so we didn't bother with it.
Malapascua is a good place if you like diving. Small island off the north of Cebu, and an adventure just getting to it (especially in a storm...oops!)
Talking of getting to places, it can easily take twice as long as you think, especially if using local busses and boats. Might be different if hiring a driver, but just be warned! I loved it over there, and want to go back so I can get over to Palawan - just google it!
On Bohol - chocolate hills, Tarsier sanctuaries - I can highly recommend Nuts Huts. Great location on a river, in the jungle, but you better like lots of steps. The firefly boat trips near Tagbilaran City were also incredible - never seen so many in one place.
Negros - Sugar Beach, Sipalay. Only get there by boat from neighbouring bay, but I actually learnt how to relax on a beach for a while. I'm normally off exploring, so this was new for me. TakaTuka Lodge was awesome. West facing so also fabulous sunsets, and good snorkelling and diving.
We did consider the whale sharks off Cebu, but heard how they corral them into an area so you can swim with them. They are wild animals, and I don't think should be treated like this, so we didn't bother with it.
Malapascua is a good place if you like diving. Small island off the north of Cebu, and an adventure just getting to it (especially in a storm...oops!)
Talking of getting to places, it can easily take twice as long as you think, especially if using local busses and boats. Might be different if hiring a driver, but just be warned! I loved it over there, and want to go back so I can get over to Palawan - just google it!
Thanks all for the great input. After much deliberation, I have decided on Manila for 3 days. Boracay, Palawan, and back to Manila for a day before the flight home. Would fly to Boracay sooner, but at the time of year, flights only run certain days, and I don't want to spend my whole holiday travelling. So we'll just stick to that for now. I feel some future trips back to the Philippines coming on....
Hello all,
Bit of help needed as planning to go next Monday (yeah bit last minute but there you go);
Im pretty set on doing Manila (then ideally getting out asap) and then either counter clock or clockwise direction;
Manila - Coron - Palawan - Boracay - Manila
From Coron to Palawan (or P to C) you can do the 2N/3D boat Tour that stops off at various locations for a bit of camping out but some also offer Camping Tours for X amount of days doing the same routes, has anyone done this as i cant figure out the difference between the two.
The plan is to spend a few days in each location but the Boat Tours have a set date so that means i might end up spending 1 relaxation day in either Coron/El Nido before moving on.
Though if you want abit of Nightlife, would it be better to sack Boracay off for one of the places mentioned above?
Bit of help needed as planning to go next Monday (yeah bit last minute but there you go);
Im pretty set on doing Manila (then ideally getting out asap) and then either counter clock or clockwise direction;
Manila - Coron - Palawan - Boracay - Manila
From Coron to Palawan (or P to C) you can do the 2N/3D boat Tour that stops off at various locations for a bit of camping out but some also offer Camping Tours for X amount of days doing the same routes, has anyone done this as i cant figure out the difference between the two.
The plan is to spend a few days in each location but the Boat Tours have a set date so that means i might end up spending 1 relaxation day in either Coron/El Nido before moving on.
Though if you want abit of Nightlife, would it be better to sack Boracay off for one of the places mentioned above?
Well this is a timely thread resurrection! I've literally just arrived on boracay. We're staying out of it a bit up in Diniwid. In a couple of days were moving down to station 2. Manila was hectic. The Asean conference is in town and were staying at our hotel. Road closures. Bomb squad, Dogs, police in riot gear every where. Every floor had security stood round and you had to get scanned in and out of the hotel. Although having said That, it was an amazing place to stay (new world Manila bay). Enjoy!
SlackBladder said:
Stay with Borocay, the whole island relies on tourists and nightlife.
Had a google of Subic Nightlife and looks more like its where to go for some local loving/company.Im guessing Boracay is 'Western' mainly? Is it busy out there at this time of year?
Though the diving (aqua not muff) looks interesting at Subic
lemmingjames said:
SlackBladder said:
Stay with Borocay, the whole island relies on tourists and nightlife.
Had a google of Subic Nightlife and looks more like its where to go for some local loving/company.Im guessing Boracay is 'Western' mainly? Is it busy out there at this time of year?
Though the diving (aqua not muff) looks interesting at Subic
Try Bantayan instead of Boracay maybe, not as touristy and a heck of a lot cheaper.
What is the situation at the minute regarding security etc given the political crazyness that is going on?
Have been lead to believe it may not be the best time to go, but plenty seem to be off on their hols no worries.
Thinking maybe of Borocay over Christmas - want to get away from the cold in Japan for a bit.
Thanks
Have been lead to believe it may not be the best time to go, but plenty seem to be off on their hols no worries.
Thinking maybe of Borocay over Christmas - want to get away from the cold in Japan for a bit.
Thanks
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff