Hi,
Here is a little information to get started.
If you are flying into Clark (Diosdado Macapagal International Airport) keep in mind that this airport is no where close to Manila! Some advertising implies that Manila and Clark are close together - they are not! Once you leave the airport and get a bus at the Dau Bus Station just outside the gate you have at least 2 hours to Manila if you are lucky. But figure on 3 hours without a toilet either! Use this information for scheduling flights from MNL.
If your flights are the same price for MNL as for Clark my preference is to start in Manila. But it depends on the cost. Manila is worth a little look-see too.
Angeles City is right outside the airport. There are some cheap hotels, restaurants, travel agencies and many bars, especially on Fields Avenue. If you are coming from a long distance you might want to use a hotel there. But looking at your bio you look like a female so maybe all those bars would not be an enticement. From that area Mount Pinataubo tours are popular. Swagman Travel Agency is one of the companies offering tours.
I have been to the Philippines in all seasons. The Christmas - New Years holiday season is probably better for weather BUT also more crowded with returning Filipinos for Christmas and hotels are higher priced. Maybe close to March would work out okay to start your holiday. Some places better than others for weather because the Philippines is spread out so much.
How much money for your trip depends on you! You may be able to find some crappy places to sleep at cheap (with the cockroaches) and save money. I personally prefer a hotel where I have a safety box and close to restaurants, etc. Manila does have some hostels and even women only places to sleep at. Different strokes for different folks.
Work up a budget and see how much per night you can afford for hotels. Then try to match your accommodation to what you can afford. You can probably have a budget similar to what you used in Malaysia. Check out what visas are necessary for you to travel to the P.I.
Boracay is popular with tourists. You have plenty of time to firm things out.
Good luck.
Hi,
I will have a long break starting March 2012.
I would like to backpack Philipines and need some advise as When? Where? How? How Long? How Much?When? Since there will be monsoon and typhon, which is the best month to visit to avoid having trapped in a weather condition.
Where? I will be flying in and out from Clark Airport. I read about Mayoyao/Batad, Baracuay, Donsol, Bohol, Coron and Palawan.
Is there any other places recommended? Or I should skip any of the above.How? With the above places, what is the best way of travelling around? Fly or Ferry? What airline or ferry are recommended?
Any recommended route?How Long? With the above places or recommended route, how long it takes to cover the whole journey? I normally takes 2-4 nights per place.
How Much? With the above recommended route and duration, what is the budget for backpacking? in USD?
Appreciate your advice. Thanks.
Regards,
Fui
Hi Fui,
Karazyal is right, if you have the chance to change flights, it'll be better since your places of interests will be reached easier from Manila.
If you are to go to Palawan, you'd have to book flights for it since there is no chartered ferries to take you there. In Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan, you'll get the chance to visit the Underground River (which i believe is once again part of the 7 natural wonders of the world), Crocodile farm, El Nido, Dos Palmas, Baker's Hills, Iwahig and a lot more, but i'd have to warn you, one place is quite far from the other, usually takes 3-4 hours to reach the Underground River from the city proper. Sad to say, if you are to visit Coron, Palawan, you'd have to take another flight from Manila which is Busuanga bound, not sure if there already are direct flights from Puerto Prinsesa to Busuanga though, but i tell you, Coron will be worth your money and time, go arranged boat rides with the bangkeros (boatmen) to take you to the Twin Lagoon, Kayangan Lake, Malcapuya Island and Culion Island. Despite of the abovementioned factors, i'd still recommend these places for you to visit.
If you love the beach and you are a party person, id suggest you go visit Boracay, you have an option to take the flights from Manila to Kalibo/Caticlan or if you are on a budget, you may want to try the RORO (Roll-On/Roll-Off, these are aircon buses that will take you from manila to Caticlan in more or less 14-15 hours on both by land and sea, with the help of chartered ships of course) which will only cost you more or less $20 on a one way trip.
If you are to go to Bohol, i suggest you go there via Cebu. First is to book flights from Manila to Cebu, OR if you already will be going from Boracay, you have the option to go back to Kalibo via ferry and bus, and ride another bus from Kalibo to Iloilo, and it'll be 40-minute plane ride from Iloilo to Cebu of course you have to book flights prior to your trip. You can roam around Cebu first, spend a night so you can visit some of the historical spots it has got to offer (Magellan's Cross, Lapu-Lapu Shrine, Sr. Sto Nino de Cebu Church, Alegre guitars, and a lot more) . Then on the next day, you'd have to go on a SuperCat (ferry) ride to reach Bohol in 2 hours, check in on your hotel/hostel and haggle with the van drivers to take you to the different attractions, and do not miss the Tarsiers and the Bee farm on your visit.) From Tagbilaran, Bohol, you can now book your flight back to manila.
Donsol is in Bicol Area, which can be travelled by land in more or less 10-12 hours.
I still have long list but it might bore you, if you have questions just leave it here or message me and ill see if i can help.
Regards,
Chona P.
Hi if your on a budget. You can try the cheap hotels in the philippines. They have in bacolod, mandaluyong, dumaguete, tacloban and puerto princessa. They have really reasonable prices. Here is the site -snip-.... Enjoy uour stay!
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