Korean Job Discussion Forums

[njp6]

Me and the better half are thinking of getting out of here around Christmas and heading to the Philippines, the only question is where? Can anybody recommend a place they enjoyed and the appropriate airport to fly into. We are low to mid range travelers. Secluded beaches and scuba diving is more our style rather than resorts and golf courses. Any info/ advice is appreciated.

[ttompatz]

[discostar23]

I was recently there and i went to alona beach on bohol the first week. (I am sorry some people on here recommended it) I thought it was an awful experience. I couldn't stand the beach, people (I got ripped off alot) and the food.

My second week we went to negros to a beach called sugar beach. It was a completely different experience. Very secluded, you can only get there by boat. Great food (I highly recommend staying a taka-tuka or at least eating there every day). You need to fly into bacolod. You can hire a taxi or take the bus to sipalay. Then a quick boat ride from the beach.
Here is the website for taka-tuka
http://www.takatuka-lodge.com/

There is tonnes of scuba and the beach is all sand...no seaweed or rocks...beautiful!
The people seriously rock! Tell Cathy we sent you!

[fortysixyou]

M'lady and I really enjoyed Bantayan, it's a little island just north of Cebu. I thought Cebu city was poopy, but Bantayan was awesome. Super quiet, nice beaches, not much scuba though. There's a really great website on it, just do a google search.

[Konglishman]

[aloysha]

Without reservation, I would say Palawan. Specifically, El Nido.

It is a little of a pain to get there, but you will kick yourself for
not having discovered it sooner.

We kayaked out to three beaches, the one you can see looking out from the main beach, helicopter island and Commando beach. Helicopter beach
was stunning. Bring some eats, a book and simply relax enjoying the seclusion and the view.

There is a lot more to do if you are so inclined.

[aloysha]

Forgot.....you can fly right into El Nido, but you have to wrangle a bit
in setting your itinerary. It is a small plane, so it fills fast and the schedule
might noy be in sync with your plans.

That said, the usual route is through Porto Princessa. Nice place, very chill
and very clean and green. The day trips that are around - river cave, hiking trails, and the beach that is just outside the cave are all cheap and
very relaxed.

In the town at night there are a few good places for excellent european eats.

I think a plan of less than 6 days, from touching down to flying out, would feel rushed....

[rokricky]

Boracay, Boracay, Boracay!!!!!! I just spent 4 days there with my boyfriend. Okay it's a total tourist destination but sooooo beautiful. Now it's the off season so it shouldn't be too bad. If you go to Bans you can stay for 1500/night about 40$ : hot shower, air con. I'm sure there are cheaper places. The food is okay. I didn't eat anything particularly delicious...oh...I had good cup ramyeon. You can kite surf there but it can be a bit pricey.

We also went to Bantayan island...it was nothing compared to Boracay, but quieter and there's a super good restaurant there : Jungle restaurant.

I spent the rest of my time in Cebu...dirty, polluted, so many poor people, probably dangerous. I wouldn't recommend it. [/img]

[Dukey77777]

Cebu city is a slum...Manila has good parts....Boracay is amazing

[R-Seoul]

LA Cafe, Malate

[hamlet712]

My ife and I went to White BEach in Puerto Gallera,

Freakin Awesome.

Fly into Manilla, stay a night at a hotel )whose name eludes me, but I can find out if you are seriously interested) in Manilla.

The shuttle Buss picks you up at 7 am to take you to the docks.

Ride on a catamaran for about 2 hours ( the only crappy part of the tip I am afraid)

Arrive at White beach, A secluded, not overly touristy area ( at least as of 04) There is 2 - 3 kms of white sand beaches, we were there for 2 weeks over Christmas and my wife and I could find a spot EVERYDAY where the nearest person to us was NEVER closer than 200 meters or so, We had to regular ladies who gave us ten dollar massages everyday, we tipped them 10 bucks everytime and they gave us their phone number and told us to call them anytime.

3 dollar chicken dinners, the most friendly scuba guys on the beach at Pacific Divers who quickly brefriended us and made the trip awesome. The town is a quick 15 minute drive away on 3 or 4 dollar tuk tuk ride.

Scenery was quite good.

We got a place near the beach, no reservation for 25 a night, queen bed, shower, tv dressor, air con.

etc

[njp6]

Can anybody tell me how feasible it is to tour the island of Palawan? It looks like a great place. If I go, I'll have about 13 days altogether there. I'd like to stay in one area a few days, head to another area, stay there a few days, head to another area... I just have no idea what the roads or transportation are like. Is this possible?

I was also wondering how easy it is to island hop from Boracay. Can you just hop on a boat and check out some of the other islands like Negros? I really have no idea about the scale of this thing.

I also appreciate everyone's advice. If you have any other ideas, keep um coming.

[aloysha]

Feasible for sure. Keep in mind though that it can be rough going from
Puerto Princessa to El nido.

If you take the bus it is bumpy and cramped.
Our bus broke down on the way back and almost tipped over while going
through wet mud, quite scary indeed. The road is being developed as we
speak. Just shell out more cash and take a mini van, if you prefer.

Things usually seem to take a few hours to get to, but it is well worth the adventure. There is a tourist office right next to the airport in Puerto that
has really helpful staff to help you out.

In El nido, the art cafe will be your hub. they will be able to set you up with all your activities. You can also hire someone privately for the
hikes/waterfall/cliff climb. It will be cheaper. Let me know if you want this option, i know a good guy to help you with this.

Beyond Peurto and El Nido, perhaps someone else could help, but we spent 8 days between these two places and we had plenty to do.

Beware though, Palawan does not have a Boracayish vibe. Think picturesque landscapes, adventure and romance.

[discostar23]

If you are staying in Manila, stay at bianca's flower garden hotel. Its an old spanish colonial house with tonnes of antiques. Its got a pool out back and its very quiet inside the hotel...the street out in malate where it is located is a whole different story but I loved the night I spent there.

[superdave]

a few people have mentioned boracay ... and i'd have to concur!! it's an awesome place.

i had a great time while i was there.

if you go, make sure you head to the hobbit restaurant ... staffed by midgets. freaking awesome place!!