Philippines Travel Answers

I'm just back from six months in the Philippines and loved every minute of it. I went to Boracay for a VT meet when I was there. It depends very much what you want. I enjoyed Boracay in some great company although I found it a bit commercialised. I expect it will be pretty lively over New Year. It is a bit of a party island if that is your thing. One island I would recommend is Siquijor. It has some excellent beaches and a pretty relaxed feel although, in complete contrast to Boracay, it is quiet at night. A day trip to Apo Island or possibly a night or two there would also be good. Apo is accessed from Negros island where I based myself most of the time I was there Bacolod and mostly Dumaguete). It is beautiful with protected waters and some great diving / snorkelling. Manila is OK for a few days but it is a big city with lots of pollution and appalling traffic and wasn't really my kind of place although again I was in some great company and enjoyed myself. Here are some pages on the various places. "Truly a paradise island." - Apo Island by planxty "A very wonderful place." - Bacolod by planxty "Paradise Lost?" - Boracay Island by planxty "Went for a few days and spent five months!" - Dumaguete City by planxty "An interesting introduction." - Manila by planxty "I finally made it." - Philippines by planxty "Slightly confusing." - Siquijor by planxty there are a few mor on smaller places but I won't list them all here. Hope this assists, and I am sure you will have a great time in what is a wonderful country. fergy.

Hi Eamonn ,not 100% sure but think the only flights from brunei to philippines will arrive in manila -if ur looking cheap flights -then look at cebu pacific website regularly for promos like this one cebupacificair.com/pages/Sea... from manila then u have to get flight to other islands ,note xmas /new year is busy time in phils so probably need advance booking if going to boracay -which is very busy at that time and rates are much higher than at moment , there are loads of islands /cities u can go from manila that wont be as busy as boracay -how long u plan to stay ?.

As Planxty says Siquihor is nice, i nearly bought land down there 20 yrs ago, but i have lived in Palawan for 20 yrs so i suggest this. Check out Sabang and the underground river, Port Barton El Nido and Coron. This would make a good trip. I assume there are flights from Brunei to Davao, then fly to Puerto Princesa. check out my travel pages for more info.

Remember that if you are doing a low-cost flight, you are likely to be landing at Clark rather than NAIA (the main airport) so factor in a good travel time if you want to go to Manila from there. Obviously not a problem if you are going to fly straight to the Provinces.

Yes be in Boracay on New yr's eve or you will miss one of the most spectacular new yr celebrations it's crazy! The island is so alive and loud, lots of parties along the main white beach, reggae, trance, lots of music, seems like thousands of people troop to the beach for the parties and to witness the fireworks. It's one amazing place to greet the new yr. Also include Bohol and Palawan islands in your trip.

Thanks everyone, some great advise!! I will definitely factor in all of these suggestions for my trip. I will definitely do Boracay for 5 nights over New Years. I am thinking I probably need to visit islands close to there as we only have just over 2 weeks in total. Are there islands to go to from there by boat or are other popular islands only assessable by flying? If not will just take a look at flights and pick 2 other places before returning to Manilla to depart. Thanks again everyone!!

Well, you can get to Negros is a fairly long day as I did. Get the boat back to Caticlan and then get a bus to Iloilo, which is a fairly tiring trip. you might want to break there, the ast ferry leaves for Negros at 1700. Get the ferry to Bacolod, spend a few days there and then get a bus (Ceres Liner, about 7 hours via Kabankilan and Mabinay) and go to Dumaguete. Well worth a day or two. There are good connections from there or nearby (Sibulan etc.) to Cebu and then you can go where you want, Cebu city has good boat connections.

You may consider this route: Fly Manila to Bohol, ferry to Cebu, fly to Boracay, fly back to Manila. From Cebu, you have the option to take overnight ferry to Iloilo, then bus to Caticlan, Boracay. Although not yet in the popular loop, there are dozens of islands nearby Boracay like the Romblon islands. One of which, Carabao Island, is the closest to Boracay.

After chatting with my girlfriend I think we are going to Manilla first, Puerto Princesa then Boracoy and then maybe another island. Do anyone know the best\fastest way to travel from Puerto Princesa to Boracoy? Seems to be only flight via Manila? Thanks again for all your suggestions!

Cebu Pacific are just starting flights to ILOILO then bus to Cataclan, bangka to Boracay. Last year there were flights from PPC to Boracay but the advertisement has been removed so i don't know if they are still operating or maybe they will resume again in the tourist season at a hefty 6000+pesos. Check out my PPC transportation pages for the details. If You are coming to PPC check out Port Barton, lovely beach and coconut lined bay 150 kms north of PPC.

Hi Eamonnmcc! I'll be in Boracay on December 30 til Jan 2 with my travel friends. So will be celebrating New Years in Boracay. You might want to meet and join us. Here's a draft of our itinerary Dec 30 - arrival at Boracay (PM)/ Dinner Meet Dec 31 - Carabao Island Hopping or Cliff Diving/ New Years Eve Celebration Jan 1 - Clean up Boracay/ to Kalibo in the Afternoon Jan 2 - going back to Manila (AM)

options for boracay to pp or vv via manila ,cebu or davao cebu pac have flights from kalibo -davao -pp