Palawan, Coron, or Boracay?

Surfboy, do continue commenting, you have a lot of interesting experience that few people have here.
It would suck if everyone flocked to a single forum like Tripadvisor. If everyone uses one company only it gives them too much power over their users and no alternative. Thorntree has a great, clean forum format. I really like it compared to some of the others.

Forum2233, thanks for that! very generous thing to say. Problem is precisely as you say. Many of the long term posters have moved on to other forums in the last few years and never returned.If you look back at posts from 5 or 6 years ago you will see that this used to be an incredibly vibrant and interesting branch of the TT. Hopefully it is gradually returning to what it used to be, but at present its a pale shadow of its former self..

OP, you could consider going straight to Boracay, for the first two days, to get an idea of the place. On Sunday head off early to Kalibo for the festival, one day there would be enough. Fly out from Kalibo Suday night.

As between Coron and El Nido, as you're a diver I'd suggest Coron. At both places it is the island hopping rather than the township that most people go for. The beach at El Nido was nothing to write home about. Both Coron and El Nido have great day trips to the islands, but Coron has the diving as well.

With just one day in Manila consider staying in Intramuros. A nice area, close to some of the historic attractions.

Personally I thought the islands around El Nido and Coron more interesting than the islands in Halong Bay, with their "hidden" lagoons and good snorkelling.

OP, you could consider going straight to Boracay, for the first two days, to get an idea of the place. On Sunday head off early to Kalibo for the festival, one day there would be enough. Fly out from Kalibo Suday night.

As between Coron and El Nido, as you're a diver I'd suggest Coron. At both places it is the island hopping rather than the township that most people go for. The beach at El Nido was nothing to write home about. Both Coron and El Nido have great day trips to the islands, but Coron has the diving as well.

With just one day in Manila consider staying in Intramuros. A nice area, close to some of the historic attractions.

Personally I thought the islands around El Nido and Coron more interesting than the islands in Halong Bay, with their "hidden" lagoons and good snorkelling.

Thanks for the input. Given travel times, I decided to limit myself to Coron. Nido is just too hard to get to. Hopefully the beach days in Coron will compare to El Nido!

Actually, I will have a total of 3-4 days in Manila. 2 days in front and at the back. Your recommendations on the best area to stay?

Actually, I will have a total of 3-4 days in Manila. 2 days in front and at the back. Your recommendations on the best area to stay?

Can't really comment on the best area in Manila to stay, as I rarely go there. A few weeks ago I stayed in Intramuros, the first time in Manila for years. I really liked the area, quiet, cobbled streets, clean, no beggars, close to some historic buildings. A lot more relaxed than the hustle and bustle of the Ermita/Malate area.

Stayed in the White Knight Hotel. No complaints, room was large and clean. Hotel has a reasonable restaurant and bar (very cheap cocktails), and a courtyard outside. Live music (singer/guitarists) several nights a week in the outside area. Close to some good restaurants.

Others here could give you better recommendations for Manila.

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