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Philippines is one of my favourite country i’ve visited so far. I’ve spend 3 weeks over there . I’ve started my trip in banaue . Banaue is rice field on the north of Philippines. I did hike for 3 days into the rice field and the jungle . It was amazing .
And then i’ve continued my trip to Palawan . Palawan is an island of the west south of Philippines . The most famous city is El nido . I’ve spend the most of my time in Port barton . Port barton is a fishing village between puerto princesa and el nido . You can do island hopping , walking in to the jungle to go to the white beach and going to the waterfall . It’s very small but for me it was much better than El nido because there have less people and it’s more quiet .
Philipinos are very friendly , welcoming and kind people . They speak good english so it’s very easy to communicate with them .
If I could use one word to sum up my experience in the Philippines it would be AMAZING! The food, hospitality, lodging, affordability, history, and activities all amazing! I started off my trip in the city of Manila. I was surprised to see it so industrialized. A lot of high-rise buildings and very busy. Everywhere is easily accessible by meter taxis, which were very affordable or if you’re friendly enough to ask a local to call a Grab (equivalent of an Uber) even more affordable! I stayed at the Sofitel (luxury experience) and was very close to all the nightlife and restaurants (tons to choose from). There were quite a few activities I did, but the most memorable for me was the bamboo bike tour through Intramuros where I was able to see beautiful landmarks and learn more of the city’s history during the World War. After 4 days I flew to Cebu which was absolutely breathtaking! Here had more of an island feel. I stayed at Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island (another luxury experience with views to die for). While in Cebu I visited Kawasan Falls and Sky Experience Adventures, which were equally great activities for me. Both very endearing, and one giving you beautiful views of nature while the other’s giving you beautiful views of city life. If you’re visiting Kawasan Falls just be prepared for a 12-hour day. I’d definitely love to go back to the Philippines as there is so much more for me to see.
If you love a good party, Boracay is an excellent place to go. I stayed in a hostel this adventure. Mad Monkey was clean and definitely the party hostel. I think the cost was about $15 a night. Happy hour was amazingly cheap(free shots) and they even had a DJ that came. If you want to rest, this is not the place. This hostel had beds of 4( I went with 2 other people) so I knew my cabin mates and it was nice and safe. This hostel had AC, which was VERY IMPORTANT. hostel is short distance to the beach with a pool also in the front yard and close to all the hot spots the night as to offer. The people at the hostel booked you on any tours you may want to visit. Hands down, just go !
Philippines is my number one destination. I’ve visited twice and have to say Filipino’s are the friendliest people i have ever come across.
It also makes you reflect on life when you visit the rural parts. I say this because where i visited they were poor but so happy. (happiness is the key)
I’ve been to Cebu, Bohol, El Nido, Coron and Manila. I plan to go back to visit more island.
Theres so much to do, the food is amazing, the beaches at nice and the waterfalls are stunning.
I first visited in 2015 and then went back in 2018. I was upset to see how touristy it had become in such a short time, however it still has hidden gems.
Snorkeled with turtles & sardines in Moalboal
Swan with Whale sharks in Oslob
Sea walking in Mactan island
Canyoneering hole in Cebu
Kawasaki Falls in Cebu
Tumalog Falls in Oslob
I was my first holidays as solo traveler far from my comfort zone.
The Philippines is a Southeast Asian country made up of an archipelago of over 7,000 islands
The largest being Luzon in the North, where is the capital Manila
Manila
As soon as I arrived in Manila, I have already experienced a great event! Not having cash (yes I know I know …) The only atm available refused foreign cards to withdraw money
Fortunately, there is a Grab application that allows you to order taxis at a reasonable price because the official taxis ask 3 times the price to naïve tourists!
I stayed at Guijo Suites Makati and was very pleased. I did not stay long in Manila because there is not much to do. I spent the afternoon at Intramuros and in a mall for shopping.
Bohol or Chocolate Hills Island and Tarsiers
In the program:
Butterfly Garden
Man-made Forrest
Loboc Floating Restaurant
Chocolate Hills
Tarsier Sanctuary
Loboc Zipline
Blood Compact Shrine
Hanging Bridge
Baclayon Church
Souvenir Shop
A great day!
The van picked me up directly from my place and dropped me back
What I really enjoyed: The meal on a floating boat in the Loboc jungle!
The Chocolate Hills, a really beautiful landscape to watch
The Tarsiers, too funny these little primates but also very fragile
And the Hanging Bridge
I did not like the Butterfly Garden because in addition to butterflies there are snakes, crocodiles, chickens and monkeys in captivity. I did not appreciate seeing these poor animals locked.
Anyway all over the country we can see that animals are in a bad shape.
Dogs and cats are skinny and injured.
Cows, ewes, pigs are kept tied up on empty lots.
In Manila, I saw horses hitched to horse-drawn carriages all day in the heat under the sun.
Poor animals.
I stayed at Open doors haven and Dayview tourist home on Tagbilaran
I recommend both! The first was rather rudimentary and the second was more comfortable and nothing was missing.
I was brunch at the Maria Clara Tablea that I recommend!
The atmosphere is nice and I ate the biggest Pancakes!
Cebu
On Cebu City, you can do Island-Hopping Day Tour
But it’s quite expensive.
I stayed at Hotel Elizabeth Cebu
Then I went to Moalboal in the south of the island
I loved! I stayed at Teobas Homestay
In a super cute bamboo hut!
The estate was on the edge of the Turtle Bay so I was able to go snorkeling near to the hotel.
I visited White Beach and Panagsama in Tricyle. Holy trip!
I boycotted whale sharks because I am against the principle in disrupting the naturalness of this migration. The activity is a tourist factory disrespectful of the animal.No!
Coron
After, I established my quarters in Coron Town
I stayed at Apo Pension House which I recommend
I signed up for the Coron Island Ultimate Tour:
Twin Lagoons: snorkeling and swimming from one lagoon to another
Siete Pecados Marine Park: kayaking, swimming and snorkeling
Beach 91: lunch
Skeleton Wreck: swimming, snorkeling and fishing for fish that thrive at the wreck of the skeleton
Kayangan Lake: easy trek and photo, swimming and snorkeling at the lake
Malwawey Reef & Coral Garden: snorkeling at one of Coron’s excellent coral reefs
CYC Beach: swimming, photography and snorkeling
In the evening , diner at Lolo Noynoy, a very good Filipino restaurant.
El Nido my favorite!
The city is not beautiful but the atmosphere is there! It’s quite a seaside resort.
There are a lot of tourists in the streets and beach bars are open all night.
I found a great bar, the Happiness Beach Bar. I met nice people at this bar!
As we were many, we rented a private banka. We were given a personalized tour:
Entalula Island
Turtle Island
Big Lagoon
Shimizu Island: We met some lizards!
Seven Commando Beach – Papaya Beach
We spent a wonderful day!
In the evening we went for a drink at SAVA Beach Bar. Atmosphere assured!
The next day I had a brunch at El Nido Artcafe and we ate at the Mezzanine El Nido before my return to Manila. I stayed at David’s guest house
Back in Manila … That’s the end of the holidays!
To be close to the airport I stayed at Cozy Nest at Two Palmtree Villa
Tips: I brought a Globe sim card with internet and phone.
The network was good everywhere except in El Nido.
Transport is the real bad part of the Philippines.
It takes a long time to get from one place to another or from one island to another.
For exemple: the bus took 3/4 hours to make about 75 km from Cebu to Moalboal and the ferry took 4 hours to make Coron – El Nido
For food, not a lot of choice. A lot of meat! Difficult for vegetarian, vegan and religion restrictions.
We you read vegetarian dishes that only means there is vegetables in the dish! But you will find also meat inside. You have to be careful of what you have in your dish.
In summary, I loved my vacation! Very good experience, beautiful landscapes, beautiful memories
And beautiful meetings!
This review is for Manila and Cebu city. I made the mistake of staying in the city instead of beach towns or islands. The pollution is terrible; I recommend buying a face mask if you’re staying in the city. Manila and Cebu are not vegetarian friendly and a lot of dishes have some form of pork. It was a struggle for me eating out. It’s also very sketchy in the city; luckily I stayed with a trusted local. Many people speak English in Philippines being that tourism is a big part of their economy.
The Philippines is one of the most magical places that I have ever visited. We made a short trip(5days) to the Philippines in the first week of April but we made sure to pack in as much as we could. With 7000 islands to choose from, travelling around the Philippines can be quite tricky. That being said, Id advise deciding what your “must see/must do” things are and then working towards that.
Our travel itinerary was roughly as follows ; Shanghai -> Manila -> Coron —> El Nido -> Manila -> Shanghai. Our international flights were on AirAsia. I knew that they were a budget airline but I really didn’t expect the plane to feel that cramped. However, given that our flight was only 3.5h it was manageable. Meals, Luggage and seat changes are all considered as “add-ons” so just bear this in mind. We opted to purchase one ticket with 20kg baggage included and just packed into one suitcase. The flight between Manila and Coron was on SkyJet Airlines and thankfully ticket prices already include baggage. Our return flight was on AirSwift as they are the only airline flying out of El Nido. You will need to take a taxi between the international and domestic terminal. I would advise downloading Grab , a taxi hailing app. Alternatively, you can get the airport bus for PHP20, however, they are not too frequent and the wait time may be long in peak time.
*CORON*
We only spent one night in Coron. We stayed at the SkyLodge Resort. You can book them online through trip.com and they will assist with arranging everything.
They offer an airport shuttle for PHP 300 for 2 people and you can request this prior. The hotel is really stunning. Although it is not completed and currently under construction(so just be prepared) the views are stellar and the staff are ever so friendly and helpful. The hotel also offers a free shuttle into the town which is really help. However, you can get around using a tricycle.
Coron is a bit of a sleepy port town and there isn’t a huge amount to do. However, you can take a great stroll around the town. Island Boy Bar is a great place to go to for drinks and some Filipino food, they also have live music so the overall atmosphere is great.
As mentioned previously, we wanted to see as much as we could in the short time there. So we opted for the #UltimateAdventure Tour which we booked through El Nido Paradise. (https://www.elnidoparadise.com/)
This tour was a 3day 2night adventure tour which literally takes the road less traveled and allows you to enjoy the beauty of the Philippines without the crowds. Hands down this was the best investment I have made thus far. Although the tour isn’t super luxurious it is definitely the best way to truly enjoy the islands. In 3 days we saw about 13/7000 islands and were able to snorkel, kayak, cliff jump, swim and relax without being rushed by an impatient tour guide. The cost includes delicious food, unlimited drinks, kayak and snorkel gear, and accommodation. I would definitely recommend this tour ! My bf got ill on our last day at sea and the crew were phenomenal in caring for him. Everyone was so genuine. We really formed a little family onboard and that made it all the more special.
The company also offers day tours which are a great option if you aren’t too comfortable with overnight camping.
*El Nido*
Our tour ended at El Nido port and we only spent one night here. Given that we had spent the last 3 days “roughing it” we opted to stay at One El Nido suite which we booked through Trip.com – the hotel was great in terms of location and had everything we needed wrt amenities.
El Nido has a lot more to offer in terms of night-life. Sava Beach bar is a definite if you’re keen to dance with your toes in the sand whilst listening to the waves crashing metres away. Pukka Bar is another great option – it’s a reggae bar that serves Mexican food.
There are several day tours departing from El Nido which can be booked at any of the tour offices on the islands., The island also has an amazing Zipline and Stunning Waterfalls which I would advise visiting.
Filipino people are extremely friendly and helpful ! All in all the Philippines was an absolute paradise. getting off the beaten path allowed us to experience the tranquil beaches, mesmerizing sunsets and stunning coral reefs.
The Philippines is hands down my favourite country to travel to, with over 7000 islands to choose from there are all kinds of adventures to experience.
I chose to spend my time on the tear dropped shaped island, Siargao Island. An island covered in palm trees as far as you can see, surrounded by crystal clear waters, the best beaches and home to the best people (honestly, people in the Philippines are SO kind it’s unbelievable!) And of course, with the many wave filled beaches, Siargao is definitely a surfer’s paradise!
Siargao Island is truly a has a range of different accommodation options, from luxury to mid-range to budget friendly options. I would definitely fall into the budget friendly category.
Lampara Siargao
I stayed here for three nights at the end of my stay and loved it! I wanted somewhere nice but not too expensive to stay for my last few days on holiday and didn’t regret it at all.
Although the prices are low, the hostel definitely has a luxury feel. Newly built (Lampara only opened in February 2019) and aesthetically pleasing, the only thing better than the hostel is the people who stay and work there. Lampara has a real family vibe, which immediately made me feel at home. Everyone eats together, cooks together and the hostel regularly organise activities for everyone to get involved in, such as road trips, boat tours and bonfires.
Also, it’s right on the beach! What’s better than leaving your room and walking for two minutes to relax on the beach?
Prices:
8 bed dorm – 1050PHP/£15 p/n
Glamping tent – 3200PHP/£47 p/n
Avocado Tree Hostel
I stayed here for two nights in the non air-conditioned room and it was great. Hot showers (which can be hard to find on the island) and friendly people. Each dorm holds 16 people, which makes it really easy to socialise and meet people. 5 minutes after arriving, I had already made friends, made my way to go out for lunch and made plans for the next couple of days!
Cost:
Dorm room with fan – 600 PHP/£9 per night
Dorm with AC – 800 PHP/£12 per night
I spent one week in Cebu City, it was amazing! The hotel I stayed was Castle peak hotel and was very affordable and it had a gym and a roof top pool. I paid around 340usd. People there were very friendly as well, no discrimination at all. Best time I had there was going to the kawasan falls. It was soooo beautiful!! The fee to get in was a bit priced but it was totally worth it! It was mandatory to pay for a tour guide so I think that’s why the price was so high, just for your safety, I would recommend Cebu 100 percent!
Going to the Philippines was one of the best vacations that I had. As I’ve said in many blog posts, when I travel I really like to fill my days with adventure. While I was in the Philippines, I went to two places, Boracay and Oslab. This post will mainly focus on the latter because Boracay is the place to go if you want to party and do water activities such as island hop, snorkel, scuba dive etc.
So in order to get to Oslob you must fly to Cebu from either Manila or another city in the Philippines. The flight to Cebu from a neighboring city is very cheap and short. When you get to Cebu you have to take a bus to go to Oslob. The ride to Oslob is about 4 or 5 hours. Being dropped off in Oslob is kind of like being dropped off in the middle of nowhere…..because it kind of is the middle of nowhere. I stayed at the GT Seaside Inn and the owner of the hotel was very nice and accommodating. He was very helpful and set me up with everything that I wanted to do and even organized a driver!
The first day, I wanted to swim with the whale sharks. The driver came to pick me up and took me to the place to see them. The whole experience was a bit overwhelming, not because I was scared or anything BUT because I didn’t realize that they were sooooooo big….so maybe I was scared a little. There was a time when I was in the water and I saw a fin glide like 5 feet away from me, I dang near jumped back on the boat! This was definitely an amazing experience and the pictures that you can take will be great. It makes you realize that the animals that we see on TV are a lot bigger in real life.
The second place I went to was Aguinid Waterfalls. This place is pretty cool because not only do you get to hike through the jungle you also get to climb a waterfall. You have two tour guides who are very knowledgeable about the area and are happy to take pictures for you. There are small ponds for you to swim in and even a place where you can cliff dive. This park is funded by donations and tips but after this experience I am sure that you will be more than willing to oblige.
Although small cities like Oslob are not well known in the Philippines, I definitely suggest taking a couple of days there!
I purchased a flight to Manila, the Philippines for $450. I used this to get to get Bali and Tokyo as a direct flight from NYC would be twice that amount. I spent about a day and a half and it was a pleasant time. Upon stepping off the plane I promise I ‘ve never been greeted by so many “welcome” and “thank you for visiting” smiling face in my life. The city was very inexpensive, I live for an affordable city.
I stayed at the Manila H2o Hotel right in the small city center. It was only 15 minutes away from the airport (not rush hour). The hotel rooms include a beautiful aquarium which I was in love with.
During my day I visited The Dessert Museum, which is similar to the Ice Cream museum here in the U.S. except on steroids and ONLY $13. Includes beautiful Instagram props and dessert tastings.
Strolled around Manila Bayfront, tried street food and interacted with locals. There was not a whole bunch to do in Manila that would be new for me (I’ve visited 32 counties)or interesting. If I visit the Philippines again I will definitely explore the other cities. Also, remember to take a ride in a Jeepney, which is equivalent to a Tuk Tuk in Thailand, but at your own risk =). More information on how I spent my time https://therichauntlife.com/blog-posts/2018/11/12/mission-manila?rq=philippines
El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
Took a solo venture during Christmas 2018, and it was a GREAT time! I stayed in a hotel on the main street in El Nido, which was walking distance (7 minutes) to the beach where the boats go and come back from island hopping.
My island hopping adventures (Tour A, B, and C) were booked before my arrival through El Nido Paradise, and they were a great company to tour with. Prices for these tours were less than $25 USD. I HIGHLY recommend Tours A and C, and tour C with Jun! He was awesome.
Those two tours offer great locations to see the islands of El Nido and provide you with plenty of time to snorkel with the fishes. The food on the tours are great and filling as well. Tours run from 9ish am-4ish pm, which leaves you time to get back, rest up a bit, and head to dinner afterwards.
Please do note that with a group tour or private tour, Filipinos are very laid back and are not on time! So when a tour is scheduled to begin at 9am, it won’t start until 30 minutes later. One tour, I waited 45 minutes, but it’s them getting people for the tours or the equipment/food ready. Don’t be upset. Rather just go with the flow. You’re on vacation.
Staying on the main street made it convenient to get to the restaurants and shops. Although touristy, it was convenient. Rent a motorbike and ride up to Nacpan Beach and catch the sunset on another day.
Caution: Please do be careful of the corals! I ended up getting cut on my foot and my wounds are still in the process of healing. Wear aqua shoes to protect yourself.
Overall, El Nido is a great place to relax and unwind. It’s a great place to snorkel/scuba dive. Very affordable for accommodations, food, and activities. I’m looking forward to my next adventure there.
Ive been to 20 country and hands down the Philippines was the best vacation of all time. Beautiful site seeing, very affordable, good food, plenty of fun activities, and the nicest people.
Cebu and Palawan Philippines
This is one of my top 3 trips I’ve taken
I went right after thanksgiving and we stayed in Cebu the whole trip for less than $700 for 4 people at our Airbnb for 8 days. We also took a $220 round trip flight to Palawan total for 4 persons and stayed two days. Now I’ll start with Palawan. You can get a cheap Airbnb and then a must is to do the tour to the islands I think we paid like $40 for all and it’s all day with a meal that you go to the market and pick out which is pretty dope to see all the seafood choices they have we spent about $20 it that on all the food which i think was way cheaper I’m sorry i can’t remember that. There are so many small islands they’ll take you to visit but also relax and enjoy the crystal clear waters. Then later get a massage for about $3-$5 for one hour. Enjoy local foods big meals about $3-$5 as well.
Cebu it’s more so the tourist Big city they have it all from massage houses for pleasure to casinos and night clubs. I suggest staying north of Cebu and taking a tour south to the whale sharks and canyoneering tour. Please do the canyoneering and whale shark tour it’s one of the best it’s like $60-$70 per person and all day with meal included. Now this is hard to say coming from the south but they have some of the best fried chicken on this tour hands down. The tour with whale sharks can have photos taken if u don’t have a go pro they will have one. Small overview but definitely a cool trip in a third world country
Our trip to Philippines was so enjoyable! We stayed in El Nido, Palawan and the islands were simply breathtaking. We recommend taking a local tour to the Small and Big Lagoon and go kayaking, Corong-Corong beach (stunning sunset here), Secret Lagoon, Snake Island (you can go zip lining here over the island/ocean which is amazing), Matinloc Shrine, and Hidden Beach. The water is absolutely clear and blue and the sand is white. We also went on a booze cruise on my friend’s party boat. We couldn’t believe how beautiful Philippines was but we had such a relaxing and great time.
My friend’s party boat (elnidopartyboat.com) and eco-friendly resort (Plumeria Eco Resort) are places you should check out! I highly recommend and you won’t be disappointed!
One of my favorite places on the Earth is Coron Philipines. It’s absolutely stunning and unlike anything else. So virgin, untouch and sooo underrated ! In my opinion Manila you can just skip over. There is so much to do for sooo cheap. Scuba diving, snorkling, sailing island hopping and so much more. They have a lot of affordable things to do you will not run out of things. They speak English REALLY well and are very friendly. I highly recommend coron.
Stayed in the only 5* hotel in Manila (Sofitel). Great location and also has one of the top rated restaurants in the capital called Spiral. You have a number of option to travel to other parts of the island with flights being obviously the quickest but the most expensive (necessary if you only have a short time) I flew from Manila to El Nido in Palawan via AirSwift which cost on average £170 per person return flight to Manila. A number of places to stay but very disconnected from the other parts of the country. Regular power outages so make sure you find a hotel with a back up generator. You can the do day tours and island hopping. My recommendation is tour A and C best experience ever with blue lagoons, snorkerling and stops at all their famous sites. I then flew to Bohol south of the country. You can not fly direct from el Nido and will need to fly back to Manila connecting to Bohol. On average flight costs about £100 pp return to Manila. I stayed in the hennan resort, one of the best resorts I have ever stayed in on the famous Alona Beach. It is close to all nearby bars and restaurants. Very good trip overall and will be returning shortly.
Let’s just say I can not wait until I’m back in the Philippines!!! Such a beautiful place with beautiful people !!! While visiting the Philippines I decided to visit Cebu. While in Cebu I got the chance to experience some incredible waterfalls. I also got the chance to swim with the giant whale sharks. Once in a life time experience I must say and highly recommend it.
The Philippines is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited. If you’re looking for beautiful beaches and lush green forest without floods of tourists, The Philippines is it. We landed in Manila and stayed in a great Airbnb which was located in Makai, just a 5 min walk from the famous Greenbelt shopping centre. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/6470288. We spent two days in Manila which was just enough time to explore the busy metropolitan city and get a feel of the people. Filipinos are extremely nice and hospitable; everybody greets you with a warm smile. Also, 90% of the people speak english so communication is never a problem. We then flew to Palawan’s capital city Puerto Princesa. Please take into consideration, Palawan is still a developing island so it does not have the most efficient airport. Upon arriving, we took a taxi to our hotel which was a luxurious secluded resort about an hour away from the capitol call Astoria Palawan Resort. We spent our first day lounging around the pool which had a great view of the beach. Next day, we went on a tour of the Underground River. It was a great experience located inside of a cave where you go down a 5-mile river, afterwards our tour provided lunch by the beach where you could buy great pearl jewelry. Headed back to our hotel and prepped for the best part of Palawan, the seven island tour in El Nino. Next day, we woke up early and got ready for our Island hopping tour. Of the 3 options, we did the most popular tour A. Hands down the BEST part of our trip. The water was a warm crystal turquoise blue and the sand was soo soft! I would recommend water shoes since some of the coves are a bit rocky. 3 days is plenty of time for Palawan unless you want to add in another island hopping tour. Next, we flew out to Boracay, the “Miami of Philippines” with its powder white beaches, shops & great restaurants located up and down the beach. There is also great nightlife, plenty of clubs by the beaches which is totally safe. In Boracay, we just relaxed and hung out by the beach or pool. We stayed at a great hotel called Boracay Uptown hotel. After day 3, we flew back to Manila and then to The States.
Let’s talk adventure!! Swimming with Great Whale Sharks was the highlight of this trip!! No cages, no fear! You just jump right in. They are the oceans gentle giants! It was amazing. After that, canyoneering is a must! Jumping 40 feet high off trees into canyons filled with crystal clear water. Biking riding through Oolang Island outside of Cebu was awesome. On the Island of Palawan, the town of El Nido is a hidden gem. Over 2 days we visited over 13 islands for a total cost of about $31. The water was the most clear I had ever seen in my life. You can see the sand at the bottom from up on the boat. Hidden lagoons, kayaking, snorkeling, the Philippines is where it’s at!!!