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banjois
Joined: 14 Nov 2009
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 Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 2:03 am Post subject: Bohol or Palawan? |
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| I've got 11 days at Christmas, and am trying to decide. Thoughts? I'm not looking for any kinda crazy nightlife; just want to kick back on the beach and see a few interesting things... |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 2:51 am Post subject: Re: Bohol or Palawan? |
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| banjois wrote: |
| I've got 11 days at Christmas, and am trying to decide. Thoughts? I'm not looking for any kinda crazy nightlife; just want to kick back on the beach and see a few interesting things... |
If you have the time and patience then Palawan is great. You need the time and patience to get there and get around.
IF you have a shortage of either then Bohol, Camiguin, Siargao are also nice and can provide what you seek.
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Lazio
Joined: 15 Dec 2010
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| Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 6:51 pm Post subject: |
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Visited both places in March.
It really depends on the person but both my wife and I prefer Bohol over Palawan.
Bohol has some really great diving and snorkeling sites if you are into that. You can bus around the island on the cheap side for day trips to see the chocolate hills, go up on the coast to Anda etc. You can rent a motorbike, go on island hopping, hang around shopping...
You can also take a ferry to Cebu which doesn't take more than 2 hours and costs some 500 pesos. I didn't really like Cebu though but you can plan a few nights there and fly back to Manila from there or even straight to Incheon. Just something to consider when booking your tickets.
Palawan is nice too. Honda bay is not that great. There were some nice reefs but the visibility is very poor everywhere in the bay. Sabang is ok but no chance to snorkel. You could try Port Barton instead. El Nido is of course the nicest part of all but snorkeling is kinda dissapointing with all the dead reefs. The scenery above the water is breathtaking though. And yes, you will spend some time on the road. It's about 6 hours from Puerto Princesa to El-Nido. |
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passport220
Joined: 14 Jun 2006
Location: Gyeongsangbuk-do province
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| Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 11:29 pm Post subject: |
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I had the same choice and I decided Camiguin and Bohol Islands, will go later this month. I picked Camiguin/Bohol for the reasons others have said, layed back, yet plenty to do between the two islands and the costs once on the islands are generally lower than Palawan. I can get a basic but decent a/c bungalow with WiFi, hot water shower, fridge, TV, etc. and rented motorbike from the hotel, all for about $30 usd (1,300 pesos). This is an example of this level of accomodation type on Camiguin Island: http://www.agoda.com/asia/philippines/camiguin_misamis_oriental/paguia_s_cottages.html
However, if you do decide on Palawan, check out the AirAsia promo fare, you can get flights from Manila (Clark) to Puerto Princesa - Palawan up to Dec. 18th for less than $23 usd (970.00 PHP) inclusive of all taxes and fees. http://www.airasia.com/th/en/home.page |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 12:27 am Post subject: |
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| passport220 wrote: |
| However, if you do decide on Palawan, check out the AirAsia promo fare, you can get flights from Manila (Clark) to Puerto Princesa - Palawan up to Dec. 18th for less than $23 usd (970.00 PHP) inclusive of all taxes and fees. http://www.airasia.com/th/en/home.page |
* does NOT include airport terminal fees - paid locally at the respective airports AFTER you get your boarding pass and before you go into the final security check.
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banjois
Joined: 14 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 1:14 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks for all the input. I'm definitely leaning towards Bohol. That bus ride back and forth from El Nido sounds like a bit much for the length of time I have, all in all. |
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passport220
Joined: 14 Jun 2006
Location: Gyeongsangbuk-do province
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| Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 2:03 am Post subject: |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| passport220 wrote: |
| However, if you do decide on Palawan, check out the AirAsia promo fare, you can get flights from Manila (Clark) to Puerto Princesa - Palawan up to Dec. 18th for less than $23 usd (970.00 PHP) inclusive of all taxes and fees. http://www.airasia.com/th/en/home.page |
* does NOT include airport terminal fees - paid locally at the respective airports AFTER you get your boarding pass and before you go into the final security check.
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Yeah, but it is not really a factor when you are comparing air fares, as it is true at all air or sea ports and the same fee regardless of airline, you have to pay it just the same if you go to Palawan or Bohol, etc.
I think it is 200p for domestic flights at both Clark and the main Manila airport. 200p also at the Cebu and Davao airports, less at the smaller ones. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 3:28 am Post subject: |
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| passport220 wrote: |
| ttompatz wrote: |
| passport220 wrote: |
| However, if you do decide on Palawan, check out the AirAsia promo fare, you can get flights from Manila (Clark) to Puerto Princesa - Palawan up to Dec. 18th for less than $23 usd (970.00 PHP) inclusive of all taxes and fees. http://www.airasia.com/th/en/home.page |
* does NOT include airport terminal fees - paid locally at the respective airports AFTER you get your boarding pass and before you go into the final security check.
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Yeah, but it is not really a factor when you are comparing air fares, as it is true at all air or sea ports and the same fee regardless of airline, you have to pay it just the same if you go to Palawan or Bohol, etc.
I think it is 200p for domestic flights at both Clark and the main Manila airport. 200p also at the Cebu and Davao airports, less at the smaller ones. |
Not an issue for fare comparison but might be a factor if you don't have any pesos yet (or pesos left) and need to pay the terminal fee.
Not that they are expensive but that they are not included in the airfare costs and do need to be considered with pesos in your pocket.
Boat terminal fees are usually on the order of 10-20 pesos (except Boracay p50).
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alwaysbeclosing100
Joined: 07 Feb 2009
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| Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 5:44 am Post subject: re |
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| i will put in a plug for choosing palawan. it certainly is off the beaten path especially once outside of puerto princesa. IMO it is an amazing place and one of the best in all of asia. rent a motorcycle and you can ride through for hundreds of miles without ever seeing another tourist. |
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espo
Joined: 20 Aug 2006
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| Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 4:46 pm Post subject: |
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| I went to Palawan for 10 days in Feb for the 2nd time and it was fantastic. You can hire vans that will take you all the way, and it really isn't that bad. There is some great scenery and the time flies. |
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banjois
Joined: 14 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 8:03 pm Post subject: |
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| So I think we've settled on Palawan. Any recommendations other than El Nido? We're thinking about going to Coron for a few days too, but nothing else on the island is jumping out at me... |
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Yaya
Joined: 25 Feb 2003
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 8:50 pm Post subject: |
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Bohol, namely Alona Beach, was a huge disappointment. I was there in July last year and was like meh. The beach is small and not happening, prices are higher than in Boracay, and NO sunset. Many whom I have talked to about Bohol say they won't go there again.
I give another vote for Palawan. |
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Caffeinated
Joined: 11 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 6:30 pm Post subject: |
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| Coron, El Nido and Sabang for the underground cave. |
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