Logical route linking islands
Replies: 14 - Last Post: Feb 25, 2013 4:45 AM Last Post By: callippo
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Logical route linking islands
I'm planning to spend 3 weeks in the Philippines hoping to see the major tourist destinations. Would the following travel sequence make it ?Clark (arrival). Take bus to Banaue.
1. Banaue - Back to Manila, take ferry to Boracay.
2. Boracay - Take ferry to Cebu.
3. Cebu - Ferry to Bohol
4. Bohol - Ferry to Mindanao
5. Mindanao (if time allows) - Ferry to Palawan
6. Palawan - Ferry to Manila
Clark (departure)
I hope not to spend too much time criss-crossing the islands and am having a nightmare thinking how to go about it. Ferries would save me $ as i'm backpacking but if its too time-consuming, might as well opt for flights. I've heard of ferries sinking, have the standards improved or am i penny-wise / life foolish ?
Appreciating anyone helping here..
1
sorry this is just totally misconceived. It's full of too many holes to mention them all. For a start there is no ferry from Mindanao to Palawan, or Manila to Boracay. You haven't realised how long it takes ferries to sail even short distances, plus they rarely leave on time and there's usually a lot of faffing about at the port prior to departure. Also I'm not too sure why you got it in your head that ferries are much cheaper than flying, they are only a little cheaper. There is no way you could do a scheduele even remotely like the one you proposing in the time you have without flying almost everywhere.2
As above, flying is a far better option, ferries take a long time and dont cover most of your routes, also I think your trying to do too much. From Manila take a bus up to Banaue etc. Then back to Manila and fly to Boracay, then fly to Cebu. Ferry to Bohol. Ferry back to Cebu fly to Puerto Princesa..3
Perhaps i haven't been accurate in my descriptions, pardon me as i'm still in the midst of doing research. Philippines sure is a pain in terms of moving around.Clark (arrival). Take bus (7 hr) to Banaue.
1. Banaue - Back to Manila, take ferry (Php1,000, 10 hr) from Batangas to Caticlan/Boracay. Flight Php3,000, 1 hr
2. Boracay - Take bus (6 hr) to Iloilo, then ferry (Php1,000, 12 hr) to Cebu. Flight Php6,000, 1 hr
3. Cebu - Ferry to Tagbilaran/Bohol (2 hr).
4. Bohol - Ferry to Dapitan (Php1,390, 4 hr).
5. Mindanao (if time allows) - Fly from Dipolog (Php4,000, 1.5 hr) to Puerto Princesa/Palawan
6. Palawan - Fly to Manila (Php1,000 1.5 hr)
Clark (departure)
The flight sure wasn't cheap, i'm wondering if its because of the year-end holidays ? Then i've come at the wrong time. Save a butt-hurting 12hr or pay extra Php5,000 ? Damn.
5
I agree with Callippo on this one...you are trying to do way too much and ferry journeys just aren't worth it for the time spent versus money saved.With 3 weeks I think you should pick 3 places and not try and cram all of that in. Travelling in the Philippines is tiring and can be frustrating with transport not linking or working how it should. It's just going to be too stressful for you to do everything on your wish list.
As surfboy says, where the hell are you getting those flight prices from?!
7
I would skip ferries, due to time, cost and safety, better off flying with one of the cheap airlines, flights are $20-$50 each.Don't forget taxes at paid at airport not included in your ticket. 3 weeks, I would say 1 weeks rice terraces. 1 week north Palawan and then 1-2 other central islands like Bohol.
8
If by year end holidays, you mean xmas, yes, flights are very expensive at xmas time as the Philippines is flooded with cashed up Filipinos returning home.You have to look carefully at your boat options.
Some of those cheap boat fares are for an outside but undercover bunk. Where if it starts raining, they roll down the canvas to keep the wind and the rain off the passengers.Not sure how big you are but the bunks are not as wide and as long a I am. And, sometimes, the only place to sit is on your bunk.
I just checked the Cokaliong website. The boat from IloIlo to Cebu is Filipinas Cebu
Here is a video of the boat, if you are interested
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAmFSqfzyjw&feature=share&list=UUWCedzded8zkzrckDPuX6ig
9
Too much to attempt in 3 weeks. Travel alone will take up 7 to 10 days of your trip.Clark to Banaue in 7 hours seems very optimistic.
Focus on 3 places that you want to visit and plan a more relaxed itinerary and always have a plan b
Things dont always run to schedule in Philippines (probably the understatement of the year)
10
Have you heard of the Pan Philippine Highway, or Maharlika highway? It's the highway connecting the Philippines from Davao to Ilocos. You can follow the route if you like. Get al flight to Cebu get the boat to Surigao or Leyte. The highway passes those provinces.13
Hi everyone, can I ask you a similar question?I'm planning on flying in to Manila for a holiday (not looking to spend a huge amount of money, but not on a backpacker budget) for about 10 days. It's not the longest trip but it's the most time I can get off work!
I was wondering:
Is it worth spending any time in Manila or should I jump straight on a plane to get to the beaches?
Where would you recommend for a very well seasoned traveller who has spent a lot of time in SE Asia, but never visited the Philippines?
I'm primarily looking at chilling out on the beaches, probably doing some diving (basic level open water stuff) or snorkeling, not so keen on the water sports...but if it's there might give it a shot.
I prefer chilled out to party style resorts, but hopefully with a few people around to meet.
and most importantly - should I stick to one place or do I have time to fit in a couple.
It will be 2 girls travelling, mid-twenties.
Thanks in advance!!!
14
forget Manila. It's very unlikely that you will like it. Get on a plane straight out of there. With 10 days you can easily do an 'open jaw' type vacation, where lets say you fly into Dumaguete, do some of the atrractions around there and then up to Cebu for Moalboal or the whalesharks at Oslob or both, before finally flying up to Manila for your flight out from Cebu.others could be Tagbilaran-Cebu for Alona beach and Panglao plus day trip excursions on Bohol, or Tagbilaran-Dumaguete or even Cagayan de Oro-Tagbilaran if you like the look of Camiguin island, but be careful not to be too ambitious 10 days is only enough for 2 places really.
