Philippines

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Jan 17, 2012 9:45 PM
smaaug

last reply
Feb 27, 2012 10:56 PM
smaaug

11 replies
1,305 views
location: Philippines

Tagaytay - Hotel and Scooter Rental?

Hi Guys,

I will be in Tagaytay from Feb 15th to 19th and am looking for hotel recommendations... preferably under 2000 but will stretch to 2500 if its something nice.

A few options I saw online are View Park Hotel, 5R Rooms For Rent, Villa Pura, Starflower so would also appreciate comments on those.

I would also like, if possible, to rent a scooter while I am there... anyone know if this is possible and where I would ask about it?

Thanks for the help.

Jan 17, 2012 4:29 PM
jate

last reply
Jan 20, 2012 11:19 AM
nadya_mb20

19 replies
865 views
location: Philippines

Pages 1 2

Itinerary

We will be arriving in Manila on Jan 26 and have five weeks in the country. We are wanting to do a decent amount of diving, relaxing and some other adventures and have a few questions......

1. We would like to visit the following areas and wondering what "order" is best to do them in? Donsol, Bohol, Cebu, Boracay and El Nido (and other areas in between these places). Is it best to fly to Cebu City right off the bat or over to Puerto Princesa or Boracay?

2. We need to extend our Visa also and have read there are crazy long lines in Manila to do this, but you can pay a travel agent to go for you. Is this recommended or is it easier going to one of the smaller cities?

3. Have read the Philippines can get pretty busy during the Chinese New Year. We prefer to not pre-book accommodations but is it recommend during this week for the Visayas and Palawan areas?

Thanks for ... more »

Jan 17, 2012 4:54 AM
Herbie47

last reply
Jan 19, 2012 2:46 AM
gregs3071

23 replies
1,156 views
location: Philippines

Pages 1 2

Ice in Palawan

A word of warning about ice in Palawan, many local restaurants and places that sell fruit shakes/smoothies use ice that is made from tap water. My wife checks everytime and they all said the same thing, one woman did say that the water she uses is OK as she waits for it to settle. Not sure why they use tap water because you can buy large containers (blue) from water filter places cheaply. From tourist restaurants I believe the ice is safe as from distilled water that is why it costs much more ie 70 pesos v 25 pesos.

So to be safe ask first if you are not sure.

Jan 17, 2012 2:18 AM
peripateticgirl

last reply
Jan 19, 2012 5:18 AM
debs42

2 replies
624 views
location: Philippines

Donsol & Bicol advice

Hi,
I have a 9 day holiday in Bicol during Easter (hope it won't be too crowded). I'll head to Donsol first and then maybe do a trip to Manta Bowl. I've heard that it's harder to see mantas and whalesharks lately. Hope I get lucky!

After Donsol/Manta Bay, does anyone have advice about other activities around Bicol? I was initially considering a climb up Mt. Mayon, and then finding a beautiful beach somewhere. However, now I'm considering climbing Isarog or Bulusan instead of Mayon. Bulusan erupted last year. Is it safe to climb now? It looks like Isarog or Bulusan might be more beautiful/forested. I'd love to find a hot spring too. Would be terrific if anyone had experience with any of these volcanos.

After climbing, I'd love to relax on a beautiful, non-touristy beach somewhere, though I'm not sure if I have time to get to Caramoan. Hopefully, I can find a beach that is rela... more »

Jan 16, 2012 5:02 PM
Jabberwocky

last reply
Feb 12, 2012 11:15 PM
jmbouchard

2 replies
1,263 views
location: Philippines

Coron - Palawan - places to stay and dive

Hi everyone,

I am planning on going to Coron in Feb. Has anyone been there?

I will be travelling on a budget of 3000 pesos per day (for the room + about 3000 for the diving / snorkelling) - am looking for a good dive center with rooms. Planning on snorkeling one day and diving one day.

Do you have any suggestions wrt places to stay and dive / snorkel? Looking for a quiet place. Internet connectivity and satellite tv would be an asset, but not necessary. If the snorkelling is close to the resort (esp. if it is just off the resort / hotel and does not need a boat), that would be great.

Thanks a lot.

Jan 16, 2012 12:13 PM
wolfsmi

last reply
Jan 19, 2012 8:21 AM
legs_and_shoes

5 replies
713 views
location: Philippines

whale sharks

Hi,

Is Donsol the only place in the Philippines where you can swimm with whale sharks?
Whould be nice if closer to Manila it would be possible, but I think not.

Jan 16, 2012 8:07 AM
flyoverocean

last reply
Jan 18, 2012 5:02 PM
callippo

10 replies
729 views
location: Philippines

now i was forced to cancel my travelling to the philippines

as i mentioned b4, i planned to start travel to the philippines on jan 18th to feb 1st for the chinese new year holiday. anf there are only 2days to go.
but now i was informed that my leave (only 2days more than the scheduled holidays of my company) could not be approved by my boss.

so, all my air tickets booked ahead have to be wasted.
(don't know why, when i login my cebupacificair account and try to cancel all my tickets, but it cannot tick the box b4 the journey. don't knw why. i think it is bcoz the tickets are bought on very very cheap prices.)
now i just want to say thanks to the guys who gave me some good info about travelling i the philippines these days. thank u guys so much.
love
leo

Jan 16, 2012 5:01 AM
Darellvdv

last reply
Jan 31, 2012 7:12 PM
JanKochMogensen

6 replies
1,034 views
location: Philippines

Visa internship Philippines

Hi,

I have a question, i'm going to Palawan in the Philippines for my internship. I will be staying in The Philippines for 6 months and 7 days in total. 5 months will be for the internship in Palawan and the rest for traveling around the Philippines.
Now i'm wondering what i should do with my visa. I went to the embassy in the Netherlands and they told me i needed a business visa. But for that i need an official letter with signature from my internship project. I don't know if i will be able to get that in time and my internship company said that i just have to get a tourism visa, but the embassy wont give me that.
I also have to option to just go with the 21-day free entry and then extend it for 59 days several times. Also the business visa is for 6 or 12 months, i'm staying 6 months and 7 days, do i have to get (the expensive) 12 months visa then or is it also possible to use ... more »

Jan 16, 2012 4:08 AM
xiaoyu

last reply
Jan 27, 2012 3:07 AM
Nomadcitizen

11 replies
4,341 views
location: Philippines

Manilla to Puerto Galera - How?

Hey guys,

I get to Manilla on Sunday evening and want to make my way to PG on Monday - don't want to fly. Understand it involves a bus and then a ferry but beyond that I have no idea - can anyone help me with how to get to PG from Manilla?

Thanks,

Jan 15, 2012 5:15 PM
cherubamy

last reply
Jan 17, 2012 5:05 AM
JEWELLERBOY

6 replies
536 views
location: Philippines

Suggestions for one week with a range of activities

We are currently in Manila looking for our next destination. We want it all! Some nature hikes, a beach, a small town. Surfing would also be great but not essential. Good food is important to us as well as a couple of bars. Maybe something in the Vasayas? We just came down from North Luzon and we don't want to move around much anymore so we're hoping for a place that has lots to offer. We have about one week. Any suugestions?
Thanks!

Jan 15, 2012 12:06 PM
getholdofgraeme

last reply
Feb 5, 2012 10:13 PM
Samorse

9 replies
1,219 views
location: Philippines

Dive Phillippines in 10 days

We are planning our honeymoon to Philippines from 26.03.12 to approx the 5th/7th of April 2012.
We arrive in Cebu early morning on the 26th March and fly out to Borneo on or around the 5th of April 2012 from Manila.

Of importance for us to consider in respect of public transport is Easter Weekend, and related celebrations in Philippines. 6th April is Good Friday (marking the end of the Holy Week). Does Manila shut down, or will we be able to get to the airport (not sure which airport in or around Manila we will be flying from yet).

We would like to dive several locations, could anybody reccommend us an itinerary or just some ideas, please?.

The plan is to work our way from Cebu to Manila. We are thinking: Visayas (Malapascua Island - Monad Shoal for threshers and mantas), Donsol (for whale sharks), Siquijor (??), Bohol (Cabilao Island), Mendoro (Apo Reef and Puerto Galera).... more »

Jan 15, 2012 11:16 AM
bdon

last reply
Jan 19, 2012 12:59 AM
surfboy

4 replies
659 views
location: Philippines

Manila Airport to South Harbor and general hostel questions

Hi there,

I'm flying into Manila on tuesday, arriving at 11:45am. There is a ferry to Iloilo at the south harbor that I would love to take, but it leaves at 1:45pm. Now, this doesn't seem too likely that I'll make it. What, if any, public transportation can I take to the South Harbor, and is it even likely that I'll make this ferry? If I took a cab do you know how much it would cost

If not, no biggie I guess I'll take another one. There is a ferry the next day to Bacolad that I could take. But I still would like to know how to get to the harbor regardless. :)

Also, I've been looking up some cities, such as Iliolo, and I can't find any budget (<US15 hostels online). Is this something that I need to bargain for when I arrive? Is it even possible to find budget dorm rooms in many phillipine cities?

Thanks for your help.

Bdon more »

Jan 15, 2012 11:03 AM
1hb1

last reply
Jan 17, 2012 4:07 AM
SamalBahayKubo

2 replies
494 views
location: Philippines

batanes and davoa

hi all,
in may i go back to the philiipines I was there already many times and saw ofcourse many nice places and islands, I dont no were to go I never was in Davoa hope its safe, who knows about the eagle farm I like to go there who can tell me about this.
And how about batanes, its expencive to go there from manila, who knows a cheaper way.
thanks

Jan 15, 2012 10:30 AM
spiketaiwan

last reply
Jan 16, 2012 4:54 AM
gregs3071

1 replies
371 views
location: Philippines

Cabilao Accommodation

Hi, I'm planning on going to Cabilao in Feb. Does anyone know what the accommodation options are there? I know there are three resort type spots but would like to know if there are also any cheap guest houses or bungalows available there and if so are there any recommendations! Thanks

Edited by: spiketaiwan

Jan 15, 2012 6:52 AM
chenmo

last reply
Jan 18, 2012 8:35 AM
chenmo

4 replies
411 views
location: Philippines

Who know the date of the Vigan festival of the arts

Thanks everyone!
I will be there in May, I want to know the date .
I just know the festival will be in the frist week of the May.
But , it will be in 1st - 7th ,or only one day in the frist week?
Sorry for my poor English!

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