Spec me a holiday (Costa Rica, South Africa or Philippines)

Ahleckz

Ahleckz

Ahleckz

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Can’t decide between South Africa, Costa Rica or Philippines. Help! I’m looking to go in May or June. Flights are basically identical costs but reckon the costs there will differ wildly but not that fussed about that to be honest.

Anyone got any input?

I like food (I eat everything but good vegan (or at least veg) options are a must), wine, cocktails, beer. Wildlife, beaches, exciting cities, starry nights, relaxation and adventure. Swimming, diving, fine food, and another cocktail at the end.

I don’t care for resorts, children, or bus tours.

South Africa pros - Safari, wine, Cape Town.
Cons - Cost, may get shot.
Itinerary - fly into Cape Town, eat fish, drink cocktails, hire a car and visit wine country. Chill on the beach. Fly to JoBurg. Hire car, go to Kruger National Park, fail to spot animals, drink whisky and pretend I’m in the olden days. Fly home.

Costa Rica pros - wildlife, Caribbean and Pacific coasts should give lots of variety, great beaches.
Cons - Will it be full of Americans? A bit resorty? Weather may too be rainy.
Itinerary - Fly into San Jose, explore the city. Hire a Suzuki Jimny and bomb around visiting jungles, waterfalls, trying to spot toucans. End the holiday on the Caribbean coast checking out surfer chicks and drinking rum.

Philippine's pros - food, beaches, jungles, I love SE Asia.
Cons - long flight tome, lots of internal flights.
Itinerary - cocktails in Manila, like a budget Lost in Translation. Island hop (via plane) around the best islands in the world. Explore caves, do some diving, crash a scooter, drink cheap rum and lie on a beach.
 
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Ahleckz said:
Philippine's <<snip>> Island hop (via plane) around the best islands in the world
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My stepdaughter did 3 months around SE Asia in 2019 and said that out in the sticks, the locals were not very friendly at all. A complete contrast to everywhere else she went. Said she'd never go back to the Philippines
 
Singapore ? It's just all food but the wildlife, there are beaches but man-made...i won't count that.

(sorry for not sticking to the list)
 
krooton said:
Going to Cape Town at the end of Autumn isn't a great idea :p
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End of our Autumn, or end of their Autumn? Why not?

Raymond Lin said:
Singapore ? It's just all food but the wildlife, there are beaches but man-made...i won't count that.

(sorry for not sticking to the list)
Click to expand...

Two weeks in a city state? No thanks! I'd definitely go to Singapore at some point but I don't think it warrants two weeks. Plus, it's mad expensive!
 
Ahleckz said:
End of our Autumn, or end of their Autumn? Why not?



Two weeks in a city state? No thanks! I'd definitely go to Singapore at some point but I don't think it warrants two weeks. Plus, it's mad expensive!
Click to expand...

One week in Singapore and one week in Manilla? Or do 4/10 day split. If you are moving around between island on planes anyway.

But that time of the year, it's going to be brutal.
 
Philippines gets my vote. Had a few trips to Boracay, beautiful island, great night-life. Amazing sunsets on the west-facing white sand beach that runs the length of the island, crystal clear water and great snorkelling.

I think they've clamped down on tourism a fair bit in recent years to prevent overdevelopment, so check what the rules are atm.

edit: just googled and it looks totally spoiled now, beaches are rammed, looks like an awful Mediterranean resort. Shame :(
 
Don't spend any time in Manila unless you're transiting. There's not much there except malls. If you want to visit several locations be prepared to use internal flights for all of your journeys. Air Asia Zest and Cebu Pacific are the best options.
Food in the Philippines is very different to the rest of SE Asia. Its mostly BBQ, stew based food and cooking with condiments i.e vinegar, pepper.
 
mid_gen said:
Philippines gets my vote. Had a few trips to Boracay, beautiful island, great night-life. Amazing sunsets on the west-facing white sand beach that runs the length of the island, crystal clear water and great snorkelling.

I think they've clamped down on tourism a fair bit in recent years to prevent overdevelopment, so check what the rules are atm.

edit: just googled and it looks totally spoiled now, beaches are rammed, looks like an awful Mediterranean resort. Shame :(
Click to expand...
It's probably cleaner than when you visited. They closed it for a whole season to all tourists recently to clean up. Still rammed though. Mostly Korean and Chinese tourists.
 
I think May/June would be rainy season in the Philippines. I know it is in Thailand so might not be the best time.

I like SE asia obviously but too much of it is trashy, Particularly at the beaches so I'd say to go remote as possible as long as you're comfortable. I'd probably go with Costa rica personally as I'm not a massive beach person and the jungle provides a bit more to do. I Lived in SA for a bit and it's a horrible place so would not recommend it. Diving/snorkeling there also comes with a bit more risk.
 
I think we’re going to go to Costa Rica!
Now just to plan it.

Appreciate the weather comments about South Africa. I really want to go there but if it’s going to be UK style weather we will maybe go in our Autumn.

Philippines looks cool, but she’s never been to Vietnam so I’d probably prefer to take her there if we’re going over that way. Certainly don’t fancy spending seven days in Manilla either!
 
Pipe & Slippers said:
My stepdaughter did 3 months around SE Asia in 2019 and said that out in the sticks, the locals were not very friendly at all. A complete contrast to everywhere else she went. Said she'd never go back to the Philippines
Click to expand...

I found the exact opposite in PH - the locals were amazingly friendly. Without a doubt the best place I've visited so far, and would love to go back.

If you do spend any time in Manila should you go - make sure you take the biggest risk ever and ride a Jeepney hanging on for dear life with 40 other Filipinos.
 
We went to Costa Rica 7 years ago in may and it was amazing. Stayed at the Papagayo secrets resort. Plenty of options to explore in terms of excursions but that resort is probably not the type of you want to just grab a rental and do it yourself.
However the country and the people are amazing.

We went into the jungles, zip wired. Seen waterfalls, wild monkeys, volcano trail etc.
 
I travel to the Philippines for work quite a bit just outside Manila (going in a couple of weeks in fact), Manila is not somewhere I would choose as a holiday destination tbh. The Phillipines is an odd place really, Manila is not that safe for tourists, but the Philippines does have some beautiful islands to visit (although I have heard some off putting stories when talking with the guys there). I think like anywhere there are good and bad poeple, I personally have found the people there to be lovely and kind. Not been to South Africa or Costa Rica but my mother in law raves about South Africa, shes very well travelled and says its one of here favourite places.
 
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