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latinthrilla
Joined: 10 Feb 2006
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 Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 10:22 pm Post subject: Meeting parents in Cebu, what to do? |
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My gf and I will my parents (flying from Canada) in Cebu in mid August for two weeks. We want to relax on the beach and explore some natural surroundings.
Which places are suitable for two couples with a 25 year age gap?
Thanks |
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ajgeddes
Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Location: Yongsan
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| Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 10:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Alona Beach, and cue Ttompatz. The man knows everything about the Philippines and the Cebu area in particular. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 12:23 am Post subject: Re: Meeting parents in Cebu, what to do? |
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| latinthrilla wrote: |
My gf and I will my parents (flying from Canada) in Cebu in mid August for two weeks. We want to relax on the beach and explore some natural surroundings.
Which places are suitable for two couples with a 25 year age gap?
Thanks |
I think someone rang my bell...
Lots of information here about resorts. Yes, I know it was a honeymoon plan but the resort information is still valid.
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=88000
There is lots to do in Cebu city but the beaches there leave a little to be desired.
I would recommend Bohol and Alona beach.
There are the usual beach activities AND you are a 30 minute drive from the city of Tagbilaran. There you will find shopping and western as well as local restaurants, banking and the other amenities that your parents would expect.
To amuse your parents there are the island tours (old Spanish churches, etc) and a couple of museums and the chocolate hills. There is also some eco tourism in the mid island area around the mangrove swamps (protected habitat) and the Tarsiers (worlds smallest primates).
There are facilities for every taste and budget.
It is easy to get to. If you/they are flying into Cebu I would recomment the Bella Vista hotel (5 minutes from the airport, $60, free pickup and breakfast for 2).
Catch the fast ferry to Tagbilarn the next day ($10-15 each - round trip). Take a taxi or (if you are adventurous a trike) out to your resort ($ .
http://www.bohol.ph has lots of good information to get you started. Feel free to ask specific questions if you have some. |
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john
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 2:14 pm Post subject: Yes Bohol |
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| Alona Beach is the place to go. I like the 60ish dollar pool side rooms at Bohol Divers hotel. |
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latinthrilla
Joined: 10 Feb 2006
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| Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 5:28 pm Post subject: Inexpensive places to stay |
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Thanks for the help. It's amazingly useful. I think we will stay in Bohol and Alona beach for a week and then go try somewhere else. I have all the info. on places to stay ranging $40 and up. Is there anything available along the beach for less than that with airconditioning. I saw some pictures of the beach huts for $25 but I only saw fans. Are there any websites I can look at?
Cheers |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 8:03 pm Post subject: Re: Inexpensive places to stay |
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| latinthrilla wrote: |
Thanks for the help. It's amazingly useful. I think we will stay in Bohol and Alona beach for a week and then go try somewhere else. I have all the info. on places to stay ranging $40 and up. Is there anything available along the beach for less than that with airconditioning. I saw some pictures of the beach huts for $25 but I only saw fans. Are there any websites I can look at?
Cheers |
You won't find anything on the beach WITH aircon for less than $40 per night. IF you want cheaper you will have to give up aircon or leave the beach.
Just behind the beach (on the road down to Alona Tropical) there are a few places (apartment style) that run from $25ish and up. In the $50 range there is the sunapartelle ( http://www.sunapartelle.com/ ). Basically a 2 bedroom apartment just behind the Alona Palm resort.
I can tell you from personal experience that if you get the beach huts with fans at Alona Tropical (try to get room 2,3,4) you won't need aircon (cooling breezes from the sea come right in your window). These rooms are only good for 1 couple. If you still think you need aircon after that you can upgrade your room. The room rates also include an "when you get up" al-la-carte breakfast. They also have a dive shop, pool and can take care of a hire car for an island or eco tour to give you a day off the beach.
Lost horizon had aircon rooms with two double beds for $40.
If you want to leave the beach you can get aircon rooms in the city at Tavers pension house for about $15 per night. Taver's Pension, Remolador Street, Tel. +63 38 411 4896, Fax: +63 38 411 4790
http://www.bohol.ph/article.php?id=75#panglao lists all the places with rooms for rent on BOTH islands (Panglao and Bohol). |
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latinthrilla
Joined: 10 Feb 2006
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| Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 3:51 am Post subject: one more question |
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ttompatz, awesome info! The two bedroom apartments look really nice. One more thing. I read that you should negotiate the price before you book because they will discount by as much as 40%. Is that true or will they just laugh at me? I'm asking pricing questions because to fly us and my parents there it's costing a small fortune.
Cheers |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 4:02 am Post subject: Re: one more question |
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| latinthrilla wrote: |
ttompatz, awesome info! The two bedroom apartments look really nice. One more thing. I read that you should negotiate the price before you book because they will discount by as much as 40%. Is that true or will they just laugh at me? I'm asking pricing questions because to fly us and my parents there it's costing a small fortune.
Cheers |
If you are booking for more than a week the prices are negotiable.
There are 4 rates: daily, weekly, monthly and LONG term.
They usually will NOT negotiate the daily rate.
Weekly discounts can run 10-25% depending on occupancy rates and season. These would be prepaid and NOT refunable if you book from abroad.
IF you book for a month you can expect a discount of up to 40% or more. Bookings of several months duration will resemble regular rent and are very negotiable.
I would suggest that you book the place of your choice. Pay the 1st night deposit, spend a night there and make sure you like the place. Then you can negotiate or move.
There is NO shortage of affordable places along the beach and on a week long booking you are only talking about a difference of about $50. Not worth ruining a vacation over. |
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4 months left
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 9:23 pm Post subject: |
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| If your parents are flying all that way, you should go to Boracay. Not that far or expensive from Cebu. To come from Canada and not go to one of the world's great beaches would be crazy. |
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latinthrilla
Joined: 10 Feb 2006
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| Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 10:09 pm Post subject: Ummm |
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I hadn't planned on going there because I read that there isn't much to do besides sitting on the beach, which we can do on any beach. But you're right, it would be shame for them not to see it. Does anyone know the best way to get there from Cebu? How long of stay do you think is best (remember we only have 2 weeks in the Philipines).
cheers! |
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4 months left
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 10:14 pm Post subject: |
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| Mostly just beach but some water sports and other things to do. If you are just looking for activities then maybe not the best place to go but then again maybe a good place to go and relax for a few days in the middle of your vacation. I think the best way is to fly, I believe there is a ferry/bus route but very long. |
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latinthrilla
Joined: 10 Feb 2006
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| Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 10:23 pm Post subject: ummm2 |
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| That does sound good. I think after we do some exploring in the first week we'll head there for 3 days or so and relax. I'll figure out the best way to get there and post in tomorrow for others who are in a similar situation. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 10:35 pm Post subject: Re: Ummm |
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| latinthrilla wrote: |
I hadn't planned on going there because I read that there isn't much to do besides sitting on the beach, which we can do on any beach. But you're right, it would be shame for them not to see it. Does anyone know the best way to get there from Cebu? How long of stay do you think is best (remember we only have 2 weeks in the Philipines).
cheers! |
IF everyone is flying into CEBU (rather than Manila) ....AND you want to hit Boracay for a couple or 3 days (not a bad idea - but not worth 2 weeks), THEN
get into Cebu. Take a room at the Bella Visa hotel (about a 5 minute drive from the airport and FREE shuttle service. Book ahead so they will be waiting for you at the airport - phone number is on their home page.
http://www.stratacreations.com/bellavistahotel/index.html
Next morning, walk out the front door of the hotel, make a right turn and walk for 10 minutes. You will come to a pedestrian overpass (don't cross).
Keep walking about 100 meters more (directly across the street from the shopping mall (Gaisano mactan). You will find a travel agent and cyber cafe. The name is 3 J M travel. Go inside and ask for FLORA (she is the owner).
You can book a package on Boracay (air/transfers/hotel/breakfast) for about $200 (or less) per person for 3 days on Boracay. SIDE NOTE: While you are there get Flora to take care of your plans for Alona beach as well if you haven't made arrangements already. She will get you Pinoy pricing instead of foreigner pricing - makes a difference.
The flight will take you to the Caticlan airport (NOT Kalibo - which is a 2 hour jeep ride from Caticlan). From there you catch a trike down to the beach and a short 20 minute boat ride over to Boracay.
It really is a nice place to go (the wife and I go there often) but the activities are limited to the beach and the bars (there is one mediocre golf course).
On your return to Cebu you can spend a day or 3 in the Queen City of the South then head over to Alona beach to round out your holiday.
Pricing for this whole package is about the same as spending 2 weeks on the beach (or in an apartment behind it) anyway so you might as well get the whole bang for your buck.
. |
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4 months left
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 1:29 am Post subject: |
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You can do the package deal but I think you can do it cheaper as you said your parents were paying a lot of cash fly there. You can get a nice enough hotel, a/c fridge and cable TV for 35,000 -40,000, and food can be really cheap depending if you want to eat lobster or get some food from the store or a burger. You can buy booze cheap and find lots of happy hour at bars.
You'll be there in low season so negotiate the price, when you arrive let your parents relax and have a drink and you and your girlfriend check out the hotels, it doesn't have to be an expensive side trip. |
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4 months left
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 1:52 am Post subject: |
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| Lat, I will probably be going to Boracay in June so I'll update you then. |
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