One month in Philippines – Part 1

The Philippines are surely one of the most beautiful countries I have visited so far. The nature is magnificent, the beaches perfect. The locals are very nice. If there is a country that I would advise, it is this one. But you need to have time because it is very big and traveling between the islands takes time. One month already allows you to see a lot. I would not go for less time.

TIPS

* Moving around : To move between the islands, you have the choice between the ferry or the plane. The plane is very expensive, so make sure you book in advance. The ferry is much cheaper and easier, but it takes more time. However, there are night boats that save time and money. They are relatively comfortable, so consider taking the tourist class. I don't recommend the lower class at all. You can book tickets on the internet. On the islands, you have the famous tricycles or tuktuks. Don't hesitate to ask the person in charge of your accommodation how much a trip costs to avoid scams.

* Money : The currency is the Pesos. It is a rather expensive country, especially for Asia. For a month's travel, count on a minimum of 1000€, or more depending on your activities, because it goes up quickly. There are ATMs everywhere and many establishments accept credit cards.

* Visa : A visa is not necessary for Belgians if you stay less than 30 days. Beyond that, you will have to pay for a visa and it's quite a hassle. You have to go to an immigration office well in advance of the end of the 30 days. Some offices ask you to come back for the visa several days later, or to pay 80€ for an express delivery. Others give it directly. A bit of a hassle, so it's better to avoid it.

* Seccurity : The northern part of the Philippines is not dangerous. The inhabitants are very nice. However, the southern part, so the Mindanao part, is absolutely not recommended for tourists and should be avoided.

ITINERARY

We did everything in one month, but I stayed an extra week in Siargao. We started by the west because we had a cruise booked but this order is probably not the best. Indeed, from Siargao, the return to Manila is complicated and expensive. On the other hand, to finish by Siargao is perfect. So, it's a choice to make, but I'm glad I did it this way.

Manila – Port Barton – El Nido – Coron – Cebu City – Moalboal – Siquijor – Bohol – Siargao

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MANILA

We stayed one night in Manila because we had a plane to Palawan the next day. Manila is not a recommended city for tourism because it is supposed to be dangerous. We walked around anyway but many locals warned us when they saw two tourists alone in the streets. So it seems that it is, be careful. If you have time, don't hesitate to visit the city for a day or two, otherwise it's not worth it.

To get around, we used the local transport, the "Jeepneys". It costs between 8 and 10 pesos (compared to about 250 pesos for a Grab). It's not expensive but a real headache for non-locals. Each jeep goes to a specific area and it is written on the front of the jeep. So, before getting in, ask some locals to tell you which district your destination is, they are so nice, they will help you with pleasure. It was a great experience.

* Accommodation : We stayed at the Ola! Hostel. The rooftop is very nice and the food is good (big up for the bolognese pasta).

* Activities : With the little time we had, we concentrated on the Intramuros neighborhood. It is a neighborhood built during the Spanish colonization. The architecture is magnificent. You can see the Fort Santiago, the big cathedral, etc. There are many signs in the streets with historical explanations.

PORT BARTON

To get to Port Barton, you have to land in Puerto Princessa and take a shuttle that costs about 12€, but be careful because the last one is at 6pm.

* Accommodation : We slept in My Green Hostel. Very nice, clean. The dormitories are of 16 but it is not too noisy and there are curtains. There is a way to order to eat and to be delivered. Negative point, there is no network or wifi.

* Activities : We made a day of Islands Hopping. For 1250 pesos per person for a private boat, we made 5 or 6 stops with corals, turtles, incredible beaches where we were alone. We had a very good meal at midday with fresh grilled fish, rice, vegetables and fruits in dessert. They give masks and tubas. It is really worth it, it is one of the most beautiful places that we discovered. Don't hesitate to negotiate the prices.

* Restaurants : Big blow of heart for the restaurant Mabuti. The food is not very local but it is very good. We tested the pasta with the pesto, the lumpias, the shakshuka, the granola and fruits, pancakes with the peanut butter. In short, everything is super good. We heard about the restaurant Reef which makes very good burgers as well as Lunazal which makes tapas and paëllas.

EL NIDO - CITY

I advise to stay 4 days in El Nido city and then do 2 days in Nacpan Beach. This one is quite far from the city (about 40min by tuktuk) and there are no restaurants around.

* Accommodation : We first stayed at the Big Paul Hostel. I don't recommend it, it's very noisy, not enough toilets for everybody and not very clean. Then, we went to the Outpost Hostel. It's a very nice hostel along the beach but very expensive for what it is. It's about 15min by tuktuk from the center with all the bars.

* Restaurants : There is plenty of choice in El Nido. For fresh fish and shellfish, go to Angel Wish without hesitation. For Filipino cuisine, there is Fish Filet. For a great pizza on the beach, Bella Vita. Big Bad Thai is in the center and the curries are very good. A little less in the center, the restaurant Lonesome Carabao Lounge is very good for breakfast, the burritos are too good. For a nice restaurant with atmosphere, there is Happiness in the center. The food is very filling so don't order too much if you want to go out afterwards. To finish, we tested Glow, there are two in El Nido. They make smoothies bowls but I do not recommend it. To party, there is the Pukka Bar. Very nice, live music some evenings and it gives on the beach.

* Activities : We chilled a lot in El Nido, so we didn't do a lot of activities nor visited the surroundings, which I advise because it looks very beautiful, and there are notably waterfalls. We made an Island Hopping. This time it was 1500 pesos by person for a private boat, we simply reserved it by an agency on the beach. We made 4 or 5 spots of which the small lagoon (we must now choose between the small or the big, we cannot make both any more). We were advised to make the small because less crowded and just as beautiful. It is necessary to pay 150 pesos more by kayak of two persons to the lagoon, therefore to foresee the money in cash.

EL NIDO - NACPAN BEACH

It is a beautiful beach of white sand. Perfect to rest and enjoy the beach. There are no restaurants around.

We stayed at the Mad Monkey Hostel. It is amazing. Located on the beach, the dorms are good. There is a way to play volleyball on the beach or to take a nap in the beanbags they provide. The food is very good (the Mac & Cheese is yummy). And in the evening, it's a fiesta. Open bar between 7 and 7:30 pm and every evening a different theme. Since there is nothing else around, it is "The place to be" to party.

CRUISE EL NIDO - CORON

We booked a cruise that connects El Nido to Coron. You can choose between 3 or 5 days and the prices vary between 300 and 500€ per person. It's expensive but clearly worth it. We booked with Native Exploration but I don't recommend this agency because we were disappointed, especially for the price. We were strongly advised to go with Tao Experience so if we had to do it again, I would go with them.

During 3 days we sail, alone. We sleep on isolated beaches, in huts or small tents on the beach. We had the right to snorkeling spots, beaches more beautiful the ones than the others, very fresh fish. Even if the comfort is put aside, this experience was incredible and I advise 10000% to make it.

CORON

We stayed there only one night because the activities to make on Coron are the same ones as those during the cruise, that is to say snorkeling and Island hopping and that our time was counted. But I would still advise to stay 2 days there and see the lake among other things. To reach the airport, we paid 600 pesos for 4 people.

* Accommodation : We stayed at RB Transient Guesthouse (3€/night). At this price, you can't expect great luxury. But it's very good for small budgets.

* Restaurants : We ate at Trattoria Altrove. It's everywhere in the Philippines and it's a great value. The pizzas and pastas are very good. For breakfast, we tried the Epic Cafe. It's good and the setting is very nice.