Philippine Travel Forum

We would like to spent January 08 holiday on a beach. At least 2-3 weeks. We don't know where would be the best. We will take our 1yo child and her grandma... I guess we look for something like a resort or a calm beach. We still need the pubs in the evenings :)...and so everyone will be happy.
We won't fix a budget but should be average, variations are tolerated though. We will highly appreciate any advises, as we want to make it nice.
From Shanghai, with thanks !

I am inclined to suggest Boracay but for 2 to 3 weeks I am afraid grandmas children may get bored visiting the hundreds of pubs in the whole island :) They're all very similar to each other anyway.

So my best bet would be any of the resorts on Mactan Island in Cebu. Oh hey, that time of your travel may actually accidentally get you to catch the Sinulog Festival '08. Then you can leave granny w/ the little angel watching TV inside your resort room as you, granny's children, go out to the city streets and experience the spectacle of a parade - live!

Don't forget the sunblocks - though they're easily had even at little stores by the beach!

I'd suggest Boracay, as it's probably the best all-round destination with a bit of something for everyone and not too sleazy (no girlie bars) so good for grandma and the kids. There are loads of activities for children, from watersports to horse riding, and the place is well set up for families, with well stocked shops and plenty of facilities as well as a great choice of restaurants. If you are not particularly into the party scene, look for a place towards the southern end of the island where it is quieter and better value for money.

Well Sirenna lives on Boracay, so she will know if it is a good place or not.

I am loathe to endorse the Mactan Island option as Mactan Island is not a tourist island like Boracay. Mactan island is a place of factories, industry and the airport, It just happens to have some expensive resorts on the best bits.

If not Boracay, I personally would suggest Alona Beach, Panglao island, Bohol. If you run out of things to do on Bohol, you can be in Cebu City by fast ferry in 90 minutes from Tagbilaran Bohol. Plenty of things to do in Cebu City and there are also facilities for a 1 year old including temporary day care in the SM Mall while you tour or shop.


Regards: Jim

hey hey... its a family w/ a baby & a granny in tow for 2 to 3 weeks! i'd be bored in bohol or boracay or mactan so i might as well stay inside the cebu city proper as a base - and yes the sinulog beckons (so as the ati-atihan and the dinagyang)!

the factories are on the other side of mactan (airport, city side). c'mon be fair, in fact that'd even be a better destination, like catching a sale on Timex or Levi's or even some winnings at the Waterfront Mactan's Casino! or even a visit at that film academy cum resort whatever operated by Hollywood folks!

Truce! My take would be a week on Palawan, another week on Cebu (with a side trip to Bohol - like a day or two) and a week on Bora. Then back to Manila for Shanghai!

That would be grand indeed!

I will also suggest Boracay. We stayed there for a week and never got bored. We even wished we could stay longer because there was still so much to do and see in the island. I even wished I could live there, but due to work and family, I could only wish. Sirenna, I envy you!:) Boracay has something for everyone. Baby and grandma will definitely love the sun, sand and water. What's 2 weeks anyway? We never noticed time passed by until it was time to leave.

Try Boracay! This is one of the best!

MANY THANKS FOR YOUR TIPS !
I GUESS BORACAY WOULD BE A GOOD CHOICE FOR FEW WEEKS, SINCE TRAVELING AROUND IS NOT EASY IN SUCH FORMATION.