• Notice regarding image hosts and attachments. See here.

Philipines / Manila

Van Hellseek

Van Hellseek

Van Hellseek

Soldato
Joined
2 Jun 2004
Posts
18,423
Considering it for a hol in jan/feb (possibly for up to a month). Anyone been? Tips, advice, recommendations etc?

I've already spent time in Thailand so comparisons would be useful. :)
 
If I get my things sorted out in Jakarta next week I could be going to a freinds wedding there early November, if i do ill let you know.

From freinds who have been before its pretty good, not like thailand but some places like Baraki are really nice beach resorts and can range from super cheap to super expenisive.
 
I like the Philippines, although I don't recommend Manila , didn't like it there much really - only stopped over inbetween flights. Very dirty, and lots of people begging which gets a bit annoying.

People in Philippines are generally very friendly, speak good english - and everything is cheap :D

Boracay is quite a nice place to go, although quite commercial now - but not at all compared to most places in Thailand I guess (never been to Thailand yet!). The beaches in Palawan and Boracay are very nice - would definetely recommend.

Stay away from Puerto Gallera, supposed to be horrible from what I've heard ...

Next time I'm planning to go to Bohol for a few days - apparently beautiful place to visit.

Don't book accomodation online if you're on a budget, just go there and you should be able to find something reasonable for PHP650 / night (£10).

I didn't feel too safe in Manila, with the bars having signs on the door such as "No Firearms allowed" and "Please hand firearms to guard on duty before entry" :p also had someone trying to sell me a tazer/stun gun on the street :p
 
Don't spend too long in Manila if possible, the city is riddled with problems, extremely bad traffic, quite expensive etc..

Take a flight from Manila to Boracay island, it's a much cheaper resort island, watersports, beaches and all that and it's not overcrowded, great restaurants with plenty to see and do.
 
As others have said, Manila is not the best place to go, I've got friends from the Philipines that have advised me not to go there, a lot of gang crime and nasty stuff.
 
I grew up in the Philippines and lived their for 7 years. We used to go on holiday to Boracay and it was like a paradise. Though I think it is a lot more built up now (more hotels etc) then it was back when I used to go but I still can't wait to go there again one day.

Definitely worth spending some time there and try to avoid the big cities like Manila.

:)

boracayarwanabeach.jpg
 
Dont go to manila too exspensive and too over crowded go to cebu instead im going there later this month for 17 days. They got friendly people and prices are cheap when it comes to food but remeber to take some insect spray or you will be bit every day.
 
seek said:
That looks stunning. What is Boracay like for bars/partys etc? Is there much in the way of nightlife?
Click to expand...

Boracay is a small island exstreamly nice beach but there will be lots of americans there as well but dont exspect big night clubs but im sure the bar girls will keep you happy ;)
Im married to a filipino so i go every year to see my wifes family and enjot the weather as its hot all day and night so make sure you go some place that has aircon or you wont be able to sleep.
Places to eat jolly bees and kfc if you want fast food jolly bees much better than mcdonalds and cost you about £1 a meal.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom