Phillipines guidebook, Rough Guide or Lonely Planet?

[swiftpete]

Which one is better? I've read the reviews from amazon and both books get terrible reviews, but I want to get something and can't be arsed to get both.
Anyone have any ideas? I'm there for 3 weeks and want to have a mix of decent nightlife/motorbiking/diving etc etc.

Cheers guys!

[Jackleman]

I think the Lonely Planet guides are a little better.

[mvalek1]

makati is great, everywhere else you'll possibly get kidnapped

[floydbax]

I have read both these pretty much and been Philis quite a few times (just returned last week - been there since April). In my experience NOTHING will prepare you for the Philippines. Just keep your wits about you as you would in any rough place anywhere in the world and you will be ok. You WILL get ripped off, but if you are careful it is usually only by a few quid (i.e. means little to you but a lot to them) it is in the national psyche to extract as much as they can from anybody, even more so if you are white!! Don't take it personally. I thought these books were written by people who had not really 'travelled' there which was a little disappointing given both their historical bases!! That said they are useful for information on actually getting to places and accommodation details. (edit) Oh yeah, don't forget to keep 1000 pesos for the departure tax in the airport on your way home!! (It's 750 pesos atm but they were talking about raising it!!)

Edited by floydbax on Wednesday 22 June 10:35

edit- If you want to escape the complete madness for a while (and go diving) I can recommend this place, its only an hour or so drive south of Manila then 3/4 of an hour on a boat, they might arrange full transfer for you from Manila( http://www.sandbardivers.com/ ). Ask them if they need cash or if they take credit card though so you can take enough cash if needs be!!

Staying in Manila, yeah the previous poster is right Makati is the safest by far, but last time I spent a couple of months staying in Malate which is ok as well. There are many executive (cough cough) bars around Malate and its close to the Mall of Asia, Manila Zoo, Itramanos, Harbour Square, the Museum, the Cultural Centre, Ocean Park and Star City. Just don't walk,get taxis everywhere theyt are cheap enough (make sure they go on the meter and its cool to tip them 20 or 50 pesos).

Edited by floydbax on Thursday 23 June 14:29

[BigAlinEmbra]

Depends what you're after.
Imo Lonely Planet tends to be a bit more geared towards longer term trips backpacking style, and tends to budget accordingly.

Rough Guide is better for shorter holiday length trips, and tends to feature some slightly more up market places.

No personal experience of the Phillipines Guides, more a general impression from other places.

If it's a while till you go get both and you'll get a more balanced view.
They'll only be about a tenner each.

[v15ben]

I had similar questions when travelling to other places and I went to Waterstones (other bookshops are available ) and had a flick through Lonely Planet, Rough Guide and any others on the shelf. It depends what you are looking for, but personally I've used both on previous trips and both are good. Probably prefer Lonely Planet overall though

[swiftpete]

Thanks for the tips guys, I've been to Thailand a few times, once for a few months, so I know roughly what to expect from the place. I'll probably go for LP then, I know it's not going to be great, but as long as it helps a bit that will be good.