holiday in the phils

[stevewool]

having only been to the phils the once, and we are going next jan for 24 days, 3rd to the 27th we would love to be close to a beach for a week or so and if we could take the nieces and nephews with us, so 5 kids ages from 20 to 10 and me and emma, this is the problem, love to do borocay, palawan , puerto galera or any places like that or even batangas, its the cost of the travel and accomadation, traveling so far and not having a holiday all year i want to be somewhere that is wow, so the cost , which is cheaper and not so much cheaper but the wow factor too, any help and advice would be great thanks,

[subseastu]

A mate of mine just came back from touring the phils with his family and he raved about Palawan. I'm sure someone on here will steer you right, either that or try trip advisor for hotel / apartment / self cater deals. I stayed in Puerto Galera for a few days but that was 7 or so years ago, can't remember much to be honest, I've just realised this reply isn't much help to you is it steve :doh

[Dedworth]

Boracay doesn't win any prizes from me - over rated, priced and hyped, better beaches elsewhere. As with all islands once on it you are trapped and must pay their prices.

[stevewool]

done the boracay and i did enjoy itbut there is more out there to see,

[Terpe]

I've heard really great things about Palawan. I've never been but it's way up on my list
Take a look here:-
http://filipinaroses.com/showthread.php/29032-NatGeo-Recommends-Palawan.?highlight=Nat+geo+palawan

I have been to Bohol and was very impressed. There is plenty of interesting places to see and things to do for all ages. What's more there on stunning beaches that range from beautiful , simple local beaches to 5 star luxury hotels with beach dining (I feel above the quality of Boracay)

For a small taste of My Bohol Experience look here:-
http://filipinaroses.com/showthread.php/27556-My-Bohol-Experience?highlight=my+bohol++experience

[Englishman2010]

Steve, I've managed to cram quite a bit in on my visits, and seen:

Bohol & Panglao, you'll need to fly there and it's not cheap when you get there, similar prices to Boracay, but nicer and quieter than Boracay

Boracay - You've been there anyway and know what its like

Palawan - My favorite place so far, fairly cheap, quiet and very clean and green

Oriental Mindoro - Where Elaine is from. There's not much in the south, just small fishing villages, it is beautiful with lots of quiet untouched beaches, Boktod is worth a visit.

Puerto Galera - Just over the channel from Batangas. Quite a small resort, but it is friendly and cheap. I'd go back there again, but just be warned it is a magnet for ladyboys:omg: We stayed at the Sea Breeze Hotel just off White Beach, it was a nice really clean family run hotel, the rooms were decent for 1800 a night.

Tagaytay & Taal - You've been there too and know what's there.

If you want a relatively cheap break, I'd recommend you go to Puerto Galera for a few days to a week. I stayed at White Beach, but Sabang is meant to be Ok too, although I never went there. You can get there by boat and bus from Cavite, and it doesn't cost that much to get there. I may well go back for a few days in April or August this year.

[ampy]

the nearest and cheapest of all 3 is the puerto galera white beach,2-3 hrs by bus or car if you are from manila o cavite ,then you ll take a boat when you reach the port for 45 mins,,,palawan and bora is very far and you will need a domestic flight to take too which can be very expensive if you will take extra 5 kids with you,
january is not a pick season anyway , so you should get a good price for rooms,,,,we normally pay for a day or two and then look around for better accommodation when we are not so tired anymore,we normally stayed for 3 weeks with my late husband, he love it so much there,we have to go every year for 14 years with out absent,,,hope it will help you Stevewool.good luck :Wave:

[stevewool]

i think if its just me and em we would do bohol and maybe a few days in palawan, but with the tribe of 5 screaming kids puerto galera is the best for the cos and they live in dasmarinas so we are half way there, just look for a nice place now , thanks

[grahamw48]

Puerta Galera is good, but I'd give Sabang a miss, as it's basically the redlight area, mucky beach, and not really suitable for respectable family.

There are lots of other nice resort beaches in the area though (like White beach), although there are strong rip currents there, so maybe not too safe for kids to swim.

A good compromise would be Small or Big La Laguna, where there are coral reefs a few yards out, and excellent snorkelling/swimming. Only a 10 minute walk along the beach to the shops in Sabang. There are 'private' resorts, but a lot more expensive.

Below: I think this was Big La Laguna (could have been White Beach)

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/8568/negs6022.jpg
.
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Sabang:

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/8193/philippines2001005.jpg

[Ako Si Jamie]

I was thinking of going back in May and a first visit to Boracay but it's unlikely now due to me being at loggerheads with my boss :rolleyes:

[Englishman2010]

I was thinking of going back in May and a first visit to Boracay but it's unlikely now due to me being at loggerheads with my boss :rolleyes:

Hope you get it sorted out Jamie:xxgrinning--00xx3: Boracay will be very hot in May, I was there last May and everyone said it was the hottest time of the year.

[Ako Si Jamie]

Hope you get it sorted out Jamie:xxgrinning--00xx3: Boracay will be very hot in May, I was there last May and everyone said it was the hottest time of the year.Not that bothered about the heat so long as I'm near the sea or a pool!

[Englishman2010]

Take plenty of cash to Boracay, everything's double the price of everywhere else in the Phil's. Prices for drinks and food are on par with Southern Europe:omg:

[Ako Si Jamie]

Noted - although my mate goes there annually and stays at a good hotel that does half board for about £30-£35 per night.

[Englishman2010]

Noted - although my mate goes there annually and stays at a good hotel that does half board for about £30-£35 per night.

If it's any good let me know:xxgrinning--00xx3: Most hotels there are anything from £50 - £300 a night for B&B only

[Ako Si Jamie]

If it's any good let me know:xxgrinning--00xx3: Most hotels there are anything from £50 - £300 a night for B&B onlyI think he did a deal with the owners actually. He said he'd stay there for a fortnight every year if he got a cheaper rate - and by all accounts it sounds a nice place. He's a very clean person and likes good nosh so it's probably of a decent standard. But then again he is a tight git! His words not mine! :icon_lol:

[Dedworth]

I think he did a deal with the owners actually. He said he'd stay there for a fortnight every year if he got a cheaper rate - and by all accounts it sounds a nice place. He's a very clean person and likes good nosh so it's probably of a decent standard. But then again he is a tight git! His words not mine! :icon_lol:

:icon_lol: If the owners fell for that it goes to show that there's one born every minute

[Ako Si Jamie]

:icon_lol: If the owners fell for that it goes to show that there's one born every minuteThat's what he told me and he's got no reason to lie but I must admit, the owners were a bit naive to believe him at first even though he has returned year after year .

[worthingmale]

palawan, it was amazing you will love it

[Ako Si Jamie]

Scott off here invited Maria and I to Palawan when I went over in January but sadly we couldn't make it.

[Englishman2010]

Scott off here invited Maria and I to Palawan when I went over in January but sadly we couldn't make it.

If you get the chance, go. You'll love it:xxgrinning--00xx3: I'm going back in January but for 10 days this time as 5 days wasn't long enough:D