Korean Job Discussion Forums

[noobteacher]

Alright, I have 8 days of vacation that I will be spending in the Philippines. After looking at flights between the islands, if I do both Palawan and Boracay it will end up costing more than my actual round trip flight from Korea. Is this typical? Money really isn't a huge deal but I chose the Phils because of the super cheap airfare I got, but now that seems thrown out the window. Is Palawan or Boracay enough on their own to spend an entire 8 day vacation or will I be bored to tears and regret my decision?

Just curious what other people might do in this situation.

[northway]

I think Boracay is a bit boring for an eight day trip, but if you like water sports you could have fun. Personally, I lean more in the hiking/sightseeing/foodie direction, and was pretty bored in Boracay after three days. I haven't been to Palawan, but it seems like the kind of place where you could stay busy for a couple weeks doing outdoors stuff. That said, if it's parties you're looking for, Boracay is definitely a better bet.

[Yaya]

If you haven't been to Boracay yet, by all means go there. If you want to explore Palawan, well, it's more laid back and small town with little or no nightlife.

From Palawan, you can hit Port Barton or El Nido but getting to those places will require long bus rides. That said, Palawan is clean, quiet and charming.

[BoholDiver]

You could be entertaine on Boracay for 8 days in many situations:

1. You really like swimming in awesome beaches.
2. You are takig a divng course or diving for fun.
3. You want to style the ladies and/or drink your guts out.

If you are a nature lover, I suggest avoiding Boaracy. The beaches there are second to none, but the rest of the isand is dirty and scummy looking. The island is run like a business with everyone with their hands out, milking you dry. Also, the Filipinos there are a lot less friendly than other Filipinos I have met.

[noobteacher]

Thanks for the input everyone! Although I would like to visit Boracay to see what the hype is about, my tastes run a bit more similar to yours northway in that I am not looking for the parties/clubs and more for the nature activities, food, etc. So, seems like Palawan might be a better fit for me.

Now I'm also thinking of maybe heading to Davao or Cebu for a few days as well. I hear that Davao is a nice city but Cebu has a better mix of nightlife, shopping, and beaches. Is there anything else to consider when making my final decision?

[MrMr]

I was in Palawan this time last year for about a month and loved it. However 8 days is a little short because of travel time. I had to overnight in Cebu to connect to Puerto Princessa. Then in Palawan to get to Port Barton is a 4 or 5 hr bus ride and to El Nido 6 to 8 Hours. I traveled up the coast by small boat which was lovely but took even more time.

If you could connect in Manilla to the airport near El Nido then it might be worth it but I don't know anything about this.

Anyway I like to move around but traveling all the time and having no chance to chill and relax in one spot would spoil the vacation for me.

[BoholDiver]

From what I have heard, OP, if you want to see the most stunning parts of Palawan, you will need to devote your entire 8 days to the trip.

You can hang out in Puerto Princesa for a day or two, head up to Sabang and see the underground river. Then head to Port Barton and do whatever there. El Nido is a few hours away, and it is stunning. Look on google is for El Nido. You will be sold.

[noobteacher]

Again, thanks for the replies everyone! I think I have finally made my decision and looks like I will just be sticking with Palawan and splitting my time between El Nido (you're right boholdiver, saw the pictures and I was sold!) and Puerto Princessa. Now if only these next few weeks would hurry up so I can get outta here!

[jb99]

[BoholDiver]

Awesome, I am glad I could give you good advice. This is aso heresay, but Port Barton is way more interesting a place than Puerto Princesa.

The Sabang Underground River is a must if you have time.

[fitzyvt]

I went to Palawan a couple years ago for about the same time as you. I agree that Puerto Princesa is nothing special. I stayed there a couple days but just did a couple tours during the day. Did the underground river tour one day, and halong bay island hopping tour the other. If you do stay in Puerto Princesa for a couple days I would recommend doing both of these. In my opinion the only good thing about puerto was that I found some pretty good restaurants.

The rest of the time I would just spend on transit and relaxation time to El Nido. Figure a day there and a day back, with three days of different island hopping tours there. That place is awesome!

I would also recommend doing the river/halong bay first. Halong bay is beautiful but a little less appreciated if seeing it after the El Nido area.

One more thing...
If you have a little more cash to spend, try to find other travels to split a private van to get to El Nido and back. A little more than half the time of the bus and a lot more comfortable. The road there is not paved and full of potholes.

[Yaya]

[fitzyvt]

[BoholDiver]

Um....off topic, are we?

[AsiaESLbound]

Boholdiver best decribes what the cesspool Boracay really is that should be avoided unless you want to visit a polluted money grubbing mass tourism center. Only go if going as a group or at least a couple, because the dive shops and boat trip operators won't take single people out and only 2 days is enough unless doing diver training or dive trips. Had I know, I wouldn't had gone to a place where resorts say breakfast is included, then serve you half cooked raw bacon and eggs you can't eat only to charge you 300 pesos for it upon checking out. Crummy Boracay people are not representative of the Philippines for Manila big city people are incredibly warm, friendly, and sensible in comparison.

I was going to go to Palawan earlier this week, but the rains were so bad, waist deep flooding was reported in Puerto Princessa several days ago. This is a La Nina year so it's wet, sultry, muggy, and rainy most of the time this dry season. The flights to and from Boracay cost more than others and you have to route through Cebu or Manila to get to fly to other areas doubling the fares so you'd best hit up Manila or Cebu on your way to Palawan and passing over Boracay if seeking the real Filipino hospitality and nature.