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Meeting parents in Cebu, what to do?
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latinthrilla



Joined: 10 Feb 2006

PostPosted: Tue May 22, 2007 10:22 pm    Post subject: Meeting parents in Cebu, what to do? Reply with quote

My gf and I will my parents (flying from Canada) in Cebu in mid August for two weeks. We want to relax on the beach and explore some natural surroundings.

Which places are suitable for two couples with a 25 year age gap?



Thanks
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ajgeddes



Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Location: Yongsan

PostPosted: Tue May 22, 2007 10:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Alona Beach, and cue Ttompatz. The man knows everything about the Philippines and the Cebu area in particular.
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ttompatz



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea

PostPosted: Wed May 23, 2007 12:23 am    Post subject: Re: Meeting parents in Cebu, what to do? Reply with quote

latinthrilla wrote:
My gf and I will my parents (flying from Canada) in Cebu in mid August for two weeks. We want to relax on the beach and explore some natural surroundings.

Which places are suitable for two couples with a 25 year age gap?

Thanks



I think someone rang my bell...

Lots of information here about resorts. Yes, I know it was a honeymoon plan but the resort information is still valid.
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=88000

There is lots to do in Cebu city but the beaches there leave a little to be desired.

I would recommend Bohol and Alona beach.
There are the usual beach activities AND you are a 30 minute drive from the city of Tagbilaran. There you will find shopping and western as well as local restaurants, banking and the other amenities that your parents would expect.

To amuse your parents there are the island tours (old Spanish churches, etc) and a couple of museums and the chocolate hills. There is also some eco tourism in the mid island area around the mangrove swamps (protected habitat) and the Tarsiers (worlds smallest primates).

There are facilities for every taste and budget.

It is easy to get to. If you/they are flying into Cebu I would recomment the Bella Vista hotel (5 minutes from the airport, $60, free pickup and breakfast for 2).

Catch the fast ferry to Tagbilarn the next day ($10-15 each - round trip). Take a taxi or (if you are adventurous a trike) out to your resort ($Cool.

http://www.bohol.ph has lots of good information to get you started. Feel free to ask specific questions if you have some.
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john



Joined: 15 Jan 2003

PostPosted: Wed May 23, 2007 2:14 pm    Post subject: Yes Bohol Reply with quote

Alona Beach is the place to go. I like the 60ish dollar pool side rooms at Bohol Divers hotel.
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latinthrilla



Joined: 10 Feb 2006

PostPosted: Wed May 23, 2007 5:28 pm    Post subject: Inexpensive places to stay Reply with quote

Thanks for the help. It's amazingly useful. I think we will stay in Bohol and Alona beach for a week and then go try somewhere else. I have all the info. on places to stay ranging $40 and up. Is there anything available along the beach for less than that with airconditioning. I saw some pictures of the beach huts for $25 but I only saw fans. Are there any websites I can look at?

Cheers
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ttompatz



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea

PostPosted: Wed May 23, 2007 8:03 pm    Post subject: Re: Inexpensive places to stay Reply with quote

latinthrilla wrote:
Thanks for the help. It's amazingly useful. I think we will stay in Bohol and Alona beach for a week and then go try somewhere else. I have all the info. on places to stay ranging $40 and up. Is there anything available along the beach for less than that with airconditioning. I saw some pictures of the beach huts for $25 but I only saw fans. Are there any websites I can look at?

Cheers


You won't find anything on the beach WITH aircon for less than $40 per night. IF you want cheaper you will have to give up aircon or leave the beach.

Just behind the beach (on the road down to Alona Tropical) there are a few places (apartment style) that run from $25ish and up. In the $50 range there is the sunapartelle ( http://www.sunapartelle.com/ ). Basically a 2 bedroom apartment just behind the Alona Palm resort.

I can tell you from personal experience that if you get the beach huts with fans at Alona Tropical (try to get room 2,3,4) you won't need aircon (cooling breezes from the sea come right in your window). These rooms are only good for 1 couple. If you still think you need aircon after that you can upgrade your room. The room rates also include an "when you get up" al-la-carte breakfast. They also have a dive shop, pool and can take care of a hire car for an island or eco tour to give you a day off the beach.

Lost horizon had aircon rooms with two double beds for $40.

If you want to leave the beach you can get aircon rooms in the city at Tavers pension house for about $15 per night. Taver's Pension, Remolador Street, Tel. +63 38 411 4896, Fax: +63 38 411 4790

http://www.bohol.ph/article.php?id=75#panglao lists all the places with rooms for rent on BOTH islands (Panglao and Bohol).
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latinthrilla



Joined: 10 Feb 2006

PostPosted: Thu May 24, 2007 3:51 am    Post subject: one more question Reply with quote

ttompatz, awesome info! The two bedroom apartments look really nice. One more thing. I read that you should negotiate the price before you book because they will discount by as much as 40%. Is that true or will they just laugh at me? I'm asking pricing questions because to fly us and my parents there it's costing a small fortune.

Cheers
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ttompatz



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea

PostPosted: Thu May 24, 2007 4:02 am    Post subject: Re: one more question Reply with quote

latinthrilla wrote:
ttompatz, awesome info! The two bedroom apartments look really nice. One more thing. I read that you should negotiate the price before you book because they will discount by as much as 40%. Is that true or will they just laugh at me? I'm asking pricing questions because to fly us and my parents there it's costing a small fortune.

Cheers


If you are booking for more than a week the prices are negotiable.
There are 4 rates: daily, weekly, monthly and LONG term.

They usually will NOT negotiate the daily rate.

Weekly discounts can run 10-25% depending on occupancy rates and season. These would be prepaid and NOT refunable if you book from abroad.

IF you book for a month you can expect a discount of up to 40% or more. Bookings of several months duration will resemble regular rent and are very negotiable.

I would suggest that you book the place of your choice. Pay the 1st night deposit, spend a night there and make sure you like the place. Then you can negotiate or move.

There is NO shortage of affordable places along the beach and on a week long booking you are only talking about a difference of about $50. Not worth ruining a vacation over.
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4 months left



Joined: 07 Feb 2003

PostPosted: Fri May 25, 2007 9:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If your parents are flying all that way, you should go to Boracay. Not that far or expensive from Cebu. To come from Canada and not go to one of the world's great beaches would be crazy.
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latinthrilla



Joined: 10 Feb 2006

PostPosted: Fri May 25, 2007 10:09 pm    Post subject: Ummm Reply with quote

I hadn't planned on going there because I read that there isn't much to do besides sitting on the beach, which we can do on any beach. But you're right, it would be shame for them not to see it. Does anyone know the best way to get there from Cebu? How long of stay do you think is best (remember we only have 2 weeks in the Philipines).


cheers!
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