Panglao Island Travel Forum

Hi,

I'm planning on visiting Panglao Island after Christmas 2006
(maybe Dec.26-29) , is this a peak season and do I need to do advance booking and payment?
My planned budget is from 1K to 2K only, no a.c. necessary but a good view of the beach and 2 single beds are a must.

The three resorts I have researched from VT are;
1. Bohol Divers Resort - deluxe room 1K (no ac)
2. Playa Blanca - "038 5029015. Ask for Tita Baby". < info from ino_hsb.
3. Isis Bungalow - 38$US room (from their website)
4. Alona Kew - Bungalow Cottage for 2 is P2,035 (rates till Nov 06)

Is there any other resort that can offer better accomodations within my budget.

Are beach beds + umbrella for hire? - i'm expecting this because budget accom. doesn't usually provide these features.

Which is the best area to swim? - I wont have enough time to get PADI certified to dive but I love to swim laps as long as the waters are calm. I gather that I should be wary of sea urchins, is this a common occurence in the swimming areas.
Is there a snorkeling trip in this island - if I can't dive then I might snorkel.

------------

Countryside Tour:
I would also like to do a countryside tour in Bohol on the next day at Panglao.
That means either I will either have to join a group leaving Panglao or contact someone and show me the sights personally. Whats the deal with the motorbike tour? do you ride at the back of the motorbike or is it a tricycle? I might consider hiring a car instead as its probably better when shooting pictures or video.

Also, I might be traveling alone during my entire stay at Panglao as I can't be really sure about my companion yet, would it be boring to do this? (though I'm used to being alone but not going to resorts).


Thanks in advance for any assistance.

i want to reply on your queries about the "Countryside Tour"

it would be best if you join a tour group. this will be cheaper and you get the chance to meet new friends. your tour guides can even arrange the "match-up" for you!

the motorbike tour is just the motorbike where you ride behind the driver. i would not recommend this mode for a tourist. you will stand to loose time if it drizzles plus two wheels is of course more dangerous than four! its not also very convenient for your driver/guide to be talking (inside his helmet) while driving. and it won't be any more interesting for you. inside a tour van or bus, your tour guide will keep blabbering as you look out into the sceneries while the driver does his thing - rain or shine!

a tricycle will be very slow and may not be able to easily climb some of steep roads.

btw, i have a write up on this inside my blog.

good luck!

Thanks PinoyTraveler,
I'll be checking out your travel page. I think i'll ditch the motorbike tour and find a car instead.

Isis and Alonakew has responded with full booked rooms (or the room type that i'm after).

Bohol Divers had no response.

The others will need a phone call.

Is Pangalao Island similar to the seasonal changes of tourists like Boracay?
(i.e. they have low, high & peak seasons too?)

I have a feeling that it might be difficult to get affordable accomodations at this time around December.

---

Pinoytraveler,

The tour group you had with new hi-ace and a well educated lady guide is what i need. how do i get in touch with them? is this a pre-booked? or can I just drop by at Tagbilaran and find them there.

Panglao Island is becoming a top tourist destination in the Philippines so I bet that hotels/resorts there have both low season/high season/peak season rates and December, whether you like it or not, is considered peak season, more so between Christmas and New Year!! So if you are not too choosy, at this point I will take the first available room in the hotel of your choice. Also, as far as the countryside tour is concern, most hotels have packages that include this tour and if not, we saw a few drivers/guides offering their services both in the airport and in the seaport. Good Luck.

I stayed at Bohol Divers in February this year and paid 700 peso per day for a twin en suite room with fan. It wasn't a sea view but is set in the beautiful gardens at the back (only 50m from the sea) and you get to use the pool and all other facilities. Great base for boat trips, snorkeling trips, scuba diving, bars and resuarants not that there is too many. Good base to see Chocolate Hills About 800 pesos for mini bus tour.

scarp601

its appears to be that way with Panglao. i've already spoken with the owner
of Playa Blanca - im still hesitant when she mentioned that their water is a bit salty (in reference to the bath room water). I gather this is deep well water that may have some saltwater seepage.

i dont really feel like showering in salty water, but i hope its not that bad. - if it feels like
you've just had another beach swim - then i wouldn't want that in a shower.

marabones,

I just got a reply from Bohol Divers offering a garden room alternative & probably similar to yours at 800 pesos but i replied back wanting a beach view room.

rizza,

thanks for the recommendation, would she be the one Pinoy Traveler was saying in his blog?
(they have a hi-ace van, and the lady guide was a UP grad of History), btw i dont want a
private tour alone but prefer to join a tour group so its less expensive. Anyway i'll try to email
her on what they offer after I have secured my accommodations.

Thanks for all your replies.

does anyone have an email address of Alona Tropical Beach Resort?

I have their phone but I prefer to consolidate my questions via email,
plus its economical to follow up my queries than calling them all the time.

Thanks.

I'm pretty sure my sisters and their friend stayed at Alona Tropical Resort while we stayed next door at Alona Palm Beach (they dilly-dallied about their reservation for so long at Alona Palm that in the end there was no villa left for them to stay so they panicked and stayed next door). I walked there and the resort was pretty neat--there's even a very affordable and good restaurant next to it. I asked them how they were able to reserve and they said they just went to a travel agency (SM Ortigas) and picked a package for 3N/4D including airfare and breakfast! I forgot the cost but it was really reasonable. They (agency) said the resort does not have an email address so I think you might need to call them unless you want to do a package.