Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Burndog]

Hello there!

I want a quiet vacation by day, and a few bevvies in the company of strangers by night.

I really just want to swim and take it easy during the day...a bit of dolphin watching maybe...anyway....I will cut to the chase.

I'm going from January 20 - 24 (if that helps with the tips) and looking for a wee bit of advice. How bad is the sea urchin situation? I really can't be arsed looking out for sea urchins...it seems a bit of an annoyance really...when a fella is just trying to take it easy.

The second question is...where would you stay? I know a few of you have been here before...so just curious about what you would recommend (boholdiver...I need you now!!!).

Thanks a lot!

[DrugstoreCowgirl]

I would stay at Alona Tropical. I really, really enjoyed my week there. It's right on the beach and the staff is friendly and the beach is secluded and gorgeous. I would love to go back someday.

As for the sea urchins, there are a lot of them, but the water is so crystal clear you'll be able to see them long before you step on them. They mainly hang out around the rocks so unless you're wanting to lay on the rocks you shouldn't have a problem

http://www.alona-tropical.com/

[machoman]

i was there last year. i can't make any comments about the sea urchin....

but i stayed at alona citadel and it was nice. had a kitchen you cook in and everything. the price was really affordable if that's what you're looking for.

alona beach wasn't that good for swimming around though, there's a cheaper and better beach called bantayan on the northern tip of cebu island. no one's there, BEAUTIFUL blue water, clean sand. just absolutely gorgeous view.

but if you're set on staying at alona beach, there is an AWESOME AWESOME waterfall called mag-aso falls. i stayed in the philippines for 22 days and that was probably my favorite thing. beautiful blue water, a 5-6 meter cliff u can dive off of. just an awesome place. i might post pictures later. anyways, you need to rent a motorbike to get there, it takes about an hour or two i believe but definitely worth the trip.

[ttompatz]

I will second Alona Tropical (always my choice when we go down island to the beach - my house is at the north end of the island) and concur with her comments on the sea urchins.

There is also a reef about 100 meters out from the beach that you can snorkel on (they often use it for training dives when people make their 1st dive getting certified).

.

[Burndog]

Thanks for the swift replies!

I shall check out the Alona Tropical...and the waterfall...sounds awesome! I always knew that Dave's was good for something!

[ttompatz]

[Burndog]

I was thinking Alona Beach because it has a little bit of quiet beach time, and a little bit of drinking in the evening...but I am open to places that offer better beach options and less decent beer options!

[BoholDiver]

I was just in Alona a week ago, so it's fresh in my mind.

In only 1 year I felt the area really went downhill. I still love Bohol (hence my name) but they have to clean up some problems.

I did not see any sea urchins.

Tip: If you want a beach chair/umbrella, it's best to go to Oops Cafe and buy a few drinks. Thn you can use their chair with umbrella for a while. If you're paying for a chair, you might as well get something with it. That, or come out of Alona Tropical and get some shade from under the coconut trees.

Swimming isn't all that good due to way too many boats in the water, seaweed, and shallow water (even in high tide)

[Burndog]

Anywhere else on the island you would suggest instead?

I have booked myself flights into Cebu, and have two nights in Cebu (one at the start because I arrive at 2 am) and one at the finish as I leave early in the morning) and four nights in between. I could realistically go anywhere within five or six hours of Cebu...and I have been looking at various islands and towns aside from Bohol. I'm open to suggestions.

[BoholDiver]

For4nights, Bohol is still your best choice. I still enjoyed it but I guess I had high expectations and it didn't live up to them the 2nd time. Bantayan would be a good 2nd choice but Bohol is the most frequented in the area.

As far as swimming goes, just make sure you get a hotel with a good pool. Island hopping tours are easy to find from touts on the beach. You're pretty much guaranteed a good time.

[Burndog]

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate all of you taking the time to answer my questions!

[Yaya]

I found this too funny to ignore:

Chances are, you will find some tipsy Korean stumbling around looking for Caucasians to have sex with and have free English lessons (which seems to be very common thing in the Philippines and the local Korean expatriate community hates to admit- the rising number of Korean prostitutes in the Philippines are being whispered around but not really openly admitted). Not a very pretty sight.

http://tourism-philippines.com/why-go-bohol/

[Koreadays]

[Crockpot2001]

We stayed at a place about 6km from Alona, I can't recall the name. It was OK but we kept going over to Bohol Bee farm. They have no beach but the place just rocks.

On alona beach there are some cool places for beers (CHEEP!) and drinks at night. There is a fantastic Thai place at one end of the beach that we at at every other day. Good coffee can be had at the German place on the way down to the beach. There is a Lechone chicken place on the way to the beach that is just out of my mind tasty and fun at night.

As for Koreans, nothing obvious to us except that there are a few dive place that deliberately don't have Korean speaking staff. Other than that, everyone was behaved.

[BoholDiver]

I wouldn't say they deliberatey don't have a Korean course. Maybe it isn't economical.