Other activities in Philippines
-
DiveCal
Associated with Dive Link Resort.
reviewed
-
Deep-Sea Fishing
Siargao is one of the few places in the country with organised deep-sea fishing; by all accounts it’s top-notch. Reeling in a 300lb sailfish isn’t uncommon – mahi-mahi and Spanish mackerel are also on the menu. The season lasts roughly from January to May. Contact Junior Gonzalez ([tel] 0920 772 8875), who also offers accommodation at his home in Pilar.
reviewed
-
Ardent Hot Springs
Near the Katibawasan Falls are the lukewarm to hot Ardent Hot Springs; head out late in the afternoon when the air temperature has cooled down a bit. The big pool is emptied for cleaning on Wednesday and takes the best part of the day to refill. The springs are in a lush setting and get very busy on weekends.
reviewed
-
The Spa
This is a legitimate spa chain that won’t break the bank. It has about a half-dozen locations, including Greenbelt 1 in Makati and Bonifacio High Street in the Fort.
reviewed
-
Planet Action
Active travellers should visit Jochen and Jinky at Planet Action. They offer some of the most exhilarating adventure tours in the Visayas. Trips cater for beginners through to advanced actioneers and include all equipment and meals. On Cebu there is a range of one-day excursions offering everything from canyoning to caving to mountain biking (hire a bike or bring your own). The mountain biking packages are divided into ‘easy’, ‘hardcore’ and ‘DIY’, which pretty much encapsulates Planet Action’s adventure-for-everyone philosophy. The average price range for one-day activities is P2000 to P3000 per person; groups of four or more are preferred. The most challenging of Planet…
reviewed
-
Pagsanjan
About 70km (44mi) southwest of Manila in the Laguna Province is a popular spot for tourists to shoot the rapids in canoes. For a fee, you are paddled upriver to a waterfall (a good place for a swim), and then go rushing down the rapids, getting a good old soaking on the way.
Many rich tourists have thrown the pesos around, so you can expect to be hassled for extra money. Some travellers have reported having an unpleasant time after refusing to pay extra to the boatmen. This part of the river was where the final scenes of Apocalypse Now were filmed, but you're more likely to have a pleasant cruise than an existential encounter with pure evil.
reviewed
-
Palogtoc Falls
A successful conquest of Mt Bulusan deserves a soak in the Palogtoc Falls. This grotto is accessible by a 500m walk from a trailhead off the main road between the park entrance and San Roque (it’s also on the Bulusan–Irosin jeepney route). It features a gorgeous cold-water pool fed by falls beside a shady river, with mercifully no visible concrete, just a few low-key bamboo and nipa huts. It’s a lovely spot, especially if you luck out and are there alone.
reviewed
-
Bohol Travel & Tours
For something even more special, you can go on a Cambuhat Village Ecotour, a cruise up the mangrove-lined Daet River from Buenavista to the village of Cambuhat, where you’ll see an oyster farm and raffia weaving, and enjoy a delicious seafood lunch. The tour takes six hours, costs P750 (less for group bookings) and includes transfers from Tagbilaran. Contact Bohol Travel & Tours in Tagbilaran.
reviewed
-
Kadlagan Outdoor Shop & Climbing Wall
For gear rental, guides and tips on hiking and climbing, Kadlagan Outdoor Shop & Climbing Wall is the place to go. Shop owner Jojo Villareal is a wealth of information, knows all the local rocks and routes (and won’t recommend those he thinks are overused) and is usually here in the evenings. He can organise guides for hikes up Mt Isarog and occasionally takes groups to the Caramoan Peninsula.
reviewed
-
Queen Anne Divers
The only way to visit Tubbataha is on one of the half dozen or so liveaboards operating from Puerto Princesa. The average cost for a week-long trip is US$1000 to US$1500. Queen Anne Divers based in Puerto Princesa has received positive feedback from travellers. The season for visiting Tubbataha runs from March through June.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Showtime Adventures
Showtime Adventures is run by the entrepreneurial Betan Pe (just ask for him around town). Trips, including fishing, overnight kayaking and even horseback riding excursions, can be arranged. Make sure everything is agreed upon in advance, including whether Betan or another English-speaking guide will be accompanying you.
reviewed
-
Cruise Island Adventure Inc
The only way to visit Tubbataha is on one of the half dozen or so liveaboards operating from Puerto Princesa. The average cost for a week-long trip is US$1000 to US$1500. Cruise Island Adventure Inc based in Manila received positive feedback from travellers. The season for visiting Tubbataha runs from March through June.
reviewed
-
Mt Isarog Hot Springs
At Panicuason, Mt Isarog Hot Springs has five natural hot-to-tepid pools. These offer a good way to relax after a trek in the Mt Isarog National Park. The springs are a 1.3km walk off the main road, just before the road to the national park, and combined with Malabsay Falls make a good day trip from Naga.
reviewed
-
Tuba Tours
Rightfully so, the most popular activity in El Nido is island-hopping in the Bacuit Archipelago. Tuba Tours, basically a hole-in-the-wall operation received good reports from travellers. A lunch of freshly grilled fish, vegies and rice is usually included; snorkelling gear may cost extra.
reviewed
-
Tao Philippines
Tao Philippines, an upmarket operation, at least in terms of price runs island-hopping trips, some further afield, as well as camping expeditions between El Nido and Coron. It’s probably best to contact them via email since there’s often no cell signal where they’re travelling.
reviewed
-
Enca Farm
Fulfil your farming fantasies as a volunteer on the Cosalan family’s organic Enca Farm in Acop, Benguet, an hour north of La Trinidad on the Halsema Hwy. In 2005 the farm became the first in the Philippines to be certified by Willing Workers on Organic Farms.
reviewed
-
Hinagdanan Cave
Snorkellers can experience the refreshingly cold waters of Hinagdanan Cave at Bingag, on the island’s northern coast, with its mixture of fresh and salt water. Sadly, the entrance is entirely obscured by a small village of souvenir stalls.
reviewed
-
Tao Philippines
Tao Philippines operates Coron to El Nido expeditions from June to September. Island-hopping trips involve overnight camping on islands east of Culion. Trips however aren’t inexpensive; a two day–one night package costs P12,000.
reviewed
-
Steady Eddie
Steady Eddie is the only dive centre in town. You can call a few days ahead and try to join one of the weekend dive expeditions to sites such as Pasacao, on the Ragay Gulf, and Catanduanes. Costs run from US$80 for three dives.
reviewed
-
Balatoc Mines
At this abandoned mine, you can don helmet and headlamp, board an underground train and pretend you’re a miner. To get there take an Acupan–Balatoc jeepney (P28, 40 minutes) from Harrison Rd near the Burnham Hotel.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Makinit Hot Springs
An activity that is often included in a bangka day trip is a soak in the soothing-to-scalding Makinit Hot Springs, 5km east of town and not far from Siete Pecados; it’s also accessible by tricycle (one way P200).
reviewed
-
Geldasa
This motorcycle rental stall is located on the corner of Santa Rosa and Perdices Sts, near OK Pensionne House. Bikes go from as little as P300 per day, or P1400 per week. It pays to check brakes and headlights.
reviewed
-
Sipalay Tourist Information Centre
Boats for exploring the marine idylls of nearby Maricalum Bay and Tinagong Dagat can be hired through the Sipalay Tourist Information Centre, just back from Poblacion Beach.
reviewed
-
Siete Pecados
Snorkelling at Siete Pecados, a small protected sanctuary not far offshore from Makinit Hot Springs, is a reminder of what has been destroyed elsewhere – the coral here is a wonderland of colours and shapes.
reviewed
-
A
Pasyar Developmental Tourism
Dedicated to conservation and community-based tourism, this organisation is able to tailor a trip for just about any itinerary. Especially recommended for overnight trips, or if you want to go south, or for dolphin watching.
reviewed