Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ttompatz]

There are several flights each day from Manila to Tagbilaran for about US$50 won (or less) per flight.

If your flight is into Cebu, then you will have to overnight at someplace like the Bella Vista hotel (they have airport pickup and include breakfast) for about $50 per night and then catch the fast ferry to Tagbilaran the next morning. Tickets on the fast ferry run about $10-15 return.

There are also lots of slow boats, bankas, and car ferries for about $2 each way but take 3-7 hours to get to Tag from Cebu. (Most of them land at Tubigon and then you catch a minibus / van to Tag).

Take US$ and NOT KRW on your trip. Purchase about p5000 (~100k won) HERE at the airport before you leave. Get the smallest bills you can. p200 is a day's salary for the average worker so finding someone to change a p1000 note is NOT easy.

It is a 400 peso taxi ride (8k won) from the airport out to Alona tropical resort on Alona beach. The standard rate is meter +150p so if the driver asks for more than the meter you will know why. (Changing islands).

Alona tropical is a great resort. The off season price is p1100 for a beach hut (no aircon) to p2000 for an aircon room 1 row back from the beach. Prices include breakfast for 2 at the restaurant.

Alona Tropical Resort,
Alona Beach, Tel.
+63 38 502 9024,
Fax: +63 38 411 2244

Other alternatives to the Alona tropical and in the same price range are the Alona Kew and Lost horizon. I have stayed at them all and have no problem recommending any of them. Alona Tropical is my favorite.

I like the nipa huts on the beach. #2, 3 & 4 are the best choices. #1 is next to the restaraunt and #5 is next to the dive shop so you would be woken a little earlier than you might like. They do not have aircon (not necessary here IMHO) but do have the sea breeze and you are right on the sand and under the coconut palms.

The best room in the house is p5000 (about $100) per night and has everything. They are located right beside the pool.

The Alona restaurant has the best breakfast on the beach and it is included with your room. I like the places on the beach between Alona Kew and Lost horizon for lunches and/or afternoon beers and Oops bar for dinner and evening activities.

It is a great place to spend 4 days - even if the weather turns rainy (as might happen because it is the rainy season in south east asia). It is below the normal typhoon path so the chance of really bad weather is really small. (HongKong on the other hand has about a 10% chance of getting smacked by a typhoon at that time of year.)

You can hire a car (Lugod car rentals - ask for them at the hotel front desk) for p2000-p3000 per day including gas and guide/driver. (Average cost is about p250 per hour when they calculate your rate - so the prices are for 8 hours and 12 hours).

There is lots of old Spanish architecture / churches, etc to see. There are the open markets in the little coastal towns. Each town has market day on a different day so there is always one somewhere. There is also shopping at the BQ mall downtown and the new "ISLAND MALL". Shopping is cheap.

For your day trips you can go see / play with the little monkeys (Tarsiers), go up the Loboc river, visit the chocolate hills, and drive once around the island on the coastal road. Great scenery.

If the weather holds for you there are always the beach activities. There is an OK reef about 100 meters out from the beach in about 7-12 meters of water for snorkeling on. Scuba is cheap and there are several GOOD diveshops on the beach. You can get open-water certified in 2-3 days if you aren't already.

Pack light. Dress is real casual and clothing shopping is super cheap.

Did I miss anything?

[mick]

Hey ttompatz,

Just got back from Alona Beach on Saturday. Spent 7 days staying at Alona Tropical and had a great time. Nice resort, friendly staff and best spot on the beach however I did mention to the staff at reception at the gate about breakfast being included in the price and thyey flat out said said no. We stayed in a nippa hut 1 for P1320 a night. I would recommend hiring a motorbike and exploring Bohol - best way to see it.

[creeper1]

Wow! There is so much detailed information here. I think I'm going to stay at this resort and also Cebu city in the first week of October.

If anyone else is going at that time and wants to hang out and party let me know by PM.