BANTAYAN ISLAND, CEBU

BANTAYAN ISLAND, CEBU

Location:  Bantayan Island, Cebu

Epals:

Bantayan Island is the shining tropical paradise of Asia. Who will not fall in love with the crystal clear blue water and fine white sand...Relaxing ambiance, peaceful and very friendly cebuanos.

The island for me has the best sand bar among all the beaches in the Philippines.

The island has 3 municipalities but the place for the best beaches are found in Sta. Fe! For people who's up for a quiet place to spend their vacation yet dont want to spend so much money, this is the place for you. Several beach resorts are available, but no five star facilities can be found. Everything's simple, but the beaches were insane beautiful!

Tips: 

Best time to visit Bantayan Island is during summer where the water is calm...Unless you up for some extreme adventure, the 2 hour ferry ride is a bit scary because it's wavy, so make sure to rake your anti-emetic before you ride the ferry. Nothing much to do, no night life, rarely you will see some water adventures...Really, for people who seek peacful environment.

When you get to the Island, pay the entrance fee for one resort only, or to where you would want to spend your night...Dont pay for the entrance fee of other resort, because you can walk through the long stretch of sand passing all the beach resort in sta fe. For somebody who can spend a little more money, there's sta fe beach club, quite cozy but still affordable. There's also Budyong Beach, Marlin's Beach and alot more. All can be reach by foot. That's how you can explore the Island because there's no island hopping like that of Boracay, Guimaras or Puerto galera.

Budget:   

I always say when you intend to travel by air, make sure to book your flight 2 or 3 months before, 99% you'll get the promo fare... always check the airlines website. For this trip, i got the ticket for P999 roundtrip. For accommodations, there are rooms from P300-P1000 per night. Food are of normal charge, though a bitexpensive at Sta Fe beach club, but i liked it! sulit naman...Ferry ride i think was around P70 one way, and bus from Cebu city to Hagnaya port is P70 one way. So, for a 2 days 1 night stay, i spent more or less P4000 for this Bantayan adventure.

 

Personal rating:   * * * * *

BOHOL w/ my FAMILY

BOHOL, PHILIPPINES

LOCATION:   Bohol, Philippines (March 2009)

EPALS:

Bohol trip was a side trip from Cebu i took with my family.... I decided to bring them out of town. First time ever we went out of town, originally plan for merely Cebu, but went a day side trip to Bohol, since it's just a ferry away from Cebu..

OceanJet transport passengers coming from Cebu, less than 2 hrs ride i thnik, a very comportable sea transport to Tagbilaran, Bohol. What i remember is how strict i am with time management, because its just a day spent in one of the most beautiful place in P.I.

Chocolate Hills

Man made forest

This moment was remarkable, going out w/ your family is beyond compare....Plus, give n the fact Bohol, which has a world class beach, not to mention the wonders of the world, "Chocolate Hills". Breath taking views, pretty sure, every single tourist will fall in love with the nature of Bohol.

w/ Tarsier

Dumaluan Beach, Panglao

Bohol has so much to offer... From the  most luxurious Eskaya, level next to Amanpulo, to a more public Dumaluan beach where i enjoyed so much beacuse of long stretch of sand. There's Alona beach, more private but mostly you'll get along w/ foreigners, pricey place and truly intimidating...very short stretch of sand, but definitely very private...

I could'nt say so much of Bohol, Chocolate Hills, a place where you dont afford to miss seeing while in Bohol, Panglao Beach, a world class, the only beach for me that will compete to Boracay in terms of sand and clear water, There's loboc river, famous with its buffet served while crossing the river..a very romantic and fun experience..these are 3 most important places to discover in Bohol. Makre sure not to miss 'em.

 

TIPS:

For the best experience of 2 places in one trip, get a flight from Manil-Cebu...Plan the trip ahead, cebu and bohol are not tough to visit, since it is highly commercialized. What matters most is time management....Budget your time on both places, it is important to rent a Van to tour you around Bohol, 'coz Chocolate Hillss to Panglao island will be end to end travel...its good to have somebody to take care of you, it's convenient and cheaper to do.

BUDGET:

Merely Bohol trip (minus cebu) would be money consuming...so i always suggest to get a flight to Cebu instead...so, cebu plus bohol trip, for a 3 day vacation would cost you around P6000 and up per person, all inclusive with flights...Basta kailangan, always keep your eye on the promo fare...and plan ahead of time...(months of planning..) Airfare is more or less P1000 roundtrip, rent van would cost you 2,200, oceanjet from cebu city to bohol is around P800 rountrip, but only P500 during promo period.

Personal Rating:    * * * * *

BORACAY: My Ultimate Favorite Destination

BORACAY AKLAN

 

 

LOCATION:  Boracay, Aklan

EPALS:

When we talk about beaches in the Philippines, sino naman ang hndi nkakaalam sa "the most famous Beach in P.I", truly a world class beach at pride na maituturing...

I could'nt forget this trip with my 2 best girl friends at work back home. Mga takas sa work, at talagang naisikreto namin dahil kung hindi, PATAY kame! hahaha!

This was my second time to visit Bora, and im telling you, i am willing to go here again and again...Its beyond compare, kasi narito na lahat.. If you want to enjoy the paradise and party at night at the same time...This is the perfect place for you!

We got to Bora via my dream airline, SEAIR! Lucky we were, feeling private talaga...we're like less than 20 passengers lang, and we're the only pinoys on the plane at that time. Very comfortable, may free shuttle pa to the arrival area...Lucky enough because they're the only airlines that time that flies directly to Caticlan. So no need for a 2 hrs commute from Kalibo airport to Caticlan.

Fly via Seair! yahoo!!

 

 

TIPS:

Its cheaper to visit Bora when its not peak season, para hndi rin crowded...Habagat season starts in January i think...pero the whole island is not as nice, may mga harang na fence ang bawat resto/bars along the beach kasi mahangin...its cheaper though, but as for me, summer time is still the best time khit maraming tao. I dont suggest getting tours because it will cost you double, kasi madali lang namang puntahan ang Boracay.

It doesnt matter if you stay at station 1, 2 or 3 because you'll be sharing the same beach anyway...Well.. for more private, go to a cozy but more private Station 1. But i recommend station 2, so you'll be just in the middle, malapit sa attractions.

Budget:

We got the airline ticket for P1,200 roundtrip! And the usual Seair flight is around 6thou and up... Zestair and Cebupacific always post promo flight, better check it out! I suggest you book your flight super ahead of time...All inclusive, budget is around 4thou-5thou..

Accomodation is around P800 per night for 3 people.  But if you want beach front stay, maghanda ng 2000 and up per room. Food varies, from P50 per meal to the most luxurious. Island hopping is around P1,500 to rent a boat.

Personal Rating:   * * * * *

SURVIVOR CAMSUR

 ISLANDS OF CARAMOAN

LOCATION: Caramoan, CAMARINES SUR

EPALS:

It was a dream come true to reach the tropical paradise of CARAMOAN! we been planning this trip for months, kaso laging hndi natutuloy because vacation in Bicol is weather permitted. Being the wettest part of the Philippines, it's really an adventure to go to Camsur.

Make sure, you'll plan a head of time...Oh what, the problem is pabago bago ang weather sa Camsur, kahit summer minsan bumabagyo pa, so always check the weather before going there, hmm you dont want to be stucked in there, stranded in middle of a paradise that will turned into a nightmare pag tlagang sumungit ang panahon...

Back to planning ahead of time...Camsur can be reach via Air or by land...Both will pass by Naga and from there you need a 2 hrs bus ride to Sabang and then you will embark on a quite wavy boat ride to Caramoan Island. See, its never an easy travel, so regardless of the many discomfort experience along the way, its always fun going out w/ travel buddies who always find laughter after all...

We stayed at La Playa, a satisfying place to sleep over with...at least meron silang videoke to end the night away...We could have stayed at the Famous Gota Village because i heard, there's a shorter boat travel there from the port, but it was closed because it is being use for survivor episodes.

So many islands to visit like Lahos, Matukad, Sabitang-Laya and many more. Adventures that you dont wanna missed.

TIPS:

We chose to travel by land, it's cheaper and there's relaxing view along the way. But make sure to travel at night so you'll get there sunrise. Buy your ticket at least 3 days before, konti lang ang biyahe going there, travelling hours is about 10hrs long. Many bus lines are offering comfortable seats found in Cubao and pasay terminal. I dont recommend travelling by air, 'coz it's more expensive, you need to check in hours before the filght, hassle going to the airport (mahigpit pa sa bagahe), besides it will only stops at naga and you still need a bus ride and boat rides, so it will just be the same...Mahirap maiwan ng bus, so make sure to buy a roudtrip ticket to ensure you'll get home on time.

Summer time still is the best to visit, hindi masyadong maalon, at masmalinaw ang tubig. Use your haggling skills kasi ang rate sa Camsur when it comes to island hopping, transpo, accomodations paiba iba, kaya wag agad kakagat sa first offered price.

BUDGET:

For this trip, i spent more or less P4000, all inclusive. Bus ride is 1,000 roundtrip, accomodations is P1,000 and up, boat from Sabang port to Caramoan is P120 one way, island hopping is P1,700 and up for 4 people. Basta, always look on line to find the cheapest price possible, kung magaling ka tumawad, mas OK!

Personal Rating:   * * * * *

coron: untouched paradise

BANOL BEACH, yung nsa likod taga singil ng entrance fee, ng emote! hehe

KAYANGAN LAKE

LOCATION:  CORON, palawan (may 2009)

EPALS:  

Coron is one paradise that is almost undiscovered, a place for relaxation...a truly an escape to the hustle and bustle of manila. In fact, it is one of my favorite place to visit in the Phils. 

BANOL BEACH

I fell inlove with the people and the simplicity of the place. Feeling ko, this is the safest place to visit if you're alone. The natives dont overcharged tourists, i think the whole of palawan. There are few bars, restaurants and turo-turo all over the town.

water melon shake at Seadive

No five star facilities are to be found in the area, nung magpunta ako, ni hndi pa nagooperate ang kaisa isang ATM machine, but i heard now meron na. The whole town can be reach by foot kaya mapapansin halos walang jeepney at tricycle.

Snorkling at Baracuda lake and lagoon

Tips:

Dahil mahirap ang transportation sa Coron, it's better to book your transpo from busunga airport to coron town and vice versa. Seriously, pag naiwan ka ng van, siguradong maiiwan ka rin ng eroplano dahil wala nang susunod na biyahe. What's good thing about Coron, lahat ng Van driver, iniikot ang mga hotels/motels to make sure walang passenger na maiiwan. I remember, busuanga airport is on top of the hill, pababa ng COron town, puro bukid at sapa ang dinadaanan...after 45 mins flight, relaxing travel down the hill.. haaist...kakamiss..

SunRise at Mt. Tapias

Very limited ang options when it comes to accomodations, i recommend PATRICK'S guesthouse, they charged P300 and up. Anyways, you wont find any beach accomadations in Coron so i guess you wouldnt mind much on how nice your room would be, as long as its clean and comfortable, ayos na!

Lunch time at Banol Beach, with new found buddies Tess, Roxanne and Tita.

The best way to go around the attractions of Coron is to book the " 1 day coron loop" there are i think 8 areas to visit, banol beach,kayangan lake,CYC,baracuda lake etc.etc. They charge pretty cheap included pa ang lunch at tour guide. May mga bagong friends pa sigurado! there are a bunch of island hopping available, merong zafari, ship wrecked etc. If you have the time and budget spend a week to go around the whole island. Ako kasi, 3 days lang, and i think the most important island hopping to book ay yung coron loop.

KAyanga lake has always been awarded as the cleanest lake in PI

BUDGET:

For a 3 day/2 nights, i spent less than P5000 including airfare via Cebupacificair. (take note, i only buy promo flights, this time i got P973, round trip) Food can cost you P50 and up per meal, t-shirts are P120. Accomodations from P300-1,200. Airport transfer P200 one way. Coron loop island hopping P1,300.

Personal Rating:  * * * * *