Philippine places rating. Resorts of the Philippines, a detailed description. The most beautiful beaches in the world. Features of national cuisine

We tell you where in the Philippines it is best to live and relax for those who dream of heavenly landscapes and the cleanest sea, but at the same time prefer peace and solitude. All about Bantayan Island: detailed guide and tips.

Exchange rate: 1 Philippine peso (PHP) ≈ 1.3 RUB.

Why you should go to Bantayan

Tired of the noisy and dirty Manila and Cebu City, we decided to settle on some paradise island that the Philippines is famous for for two weeks. The question arose where it is better to live and relax in the Philippines. We collected information about various islands for a long time and chose the best one for living according to the following criteria:

• excellent beaches;
• peace and quiet;
• lack of crowds of tourists;
• inexpensive accommodation;
• inexpensive food;
• safety.

Comparison with other islands. Boracay, Panglao, Palawan, Malapascua and Bantayan claimed the title of the best island in the Philippines. We immediately threw back the south of the Philippines because of the terrorists - just recently, tourists were kidnapped from the Samala resort, and we didn’t want to take risks. Boracay did not suit us because of the high prices and congestion of tourists, Palawan - remoteness, high cost and lack of permanent power supply (El Nido), the once paradise Malapascua, judging by the reviews, has not yet fully recovered from the devastating typhoon, and the reviews about Panglao were not the best, as we ourselves were convinced by visiting the island at the very end of our trip to the Philippines. Bantayan remained: good feedback, beautiful photos, proximity to Cebu. And we went there.

Atmosphere on the island. After living for two weeks on the island in the resort of Santa Fe, we can say that this is the place where you want to return. In Santa Fe, there is an atmosphere of thoughtful idleness: during the day there is practically no one on the streets, only European expats sip beer in bars, and in the evening tourists creep out to restaurants. There is always a siesta here, and the scenery is almost like from a Bounty advertisement. Bantayan can rightfully be called one of the best islands in the Philippines for recreation and life.

Feel free to choose Bantayan Island for relaxation - it has not yet been spoiled by tourists at all. Read this review - our tips will help you easily organize your vacation.

How to get to Bantayan from Cebu City

Bantayan Island is located in the northwest of Cebu Island. There are no ferries from Cebu City to Bantayan, you need to sail from the port of Hagnaya Port. You can get to the port by bus, which departs from the North Terminal - you can get there by taxi, tricycle or jeepney (route 01K and several others run from the city center). Buses from Northern bus station They run frequently, about every half an hour, from 4 am to 5 pm. Travel time is approximately 4 hours. The ticket costs 170 pesos.

We were on a flight that leaves at 10:30 (actually it leaves at 11). The buses are comfortable, with air conditioning, TV and Wi-Fi. On the way, one stop lasting half an hour - you can eat and go to the toilet (entrance 2 pesos). In total, we drove 4 hours, but the way back took a little longer due to traffic jams - about 5 hours.

The bus arrives directly at the port of Hagnai, upon arrival we purchased tickets for the nearest ferry (180 pesos ticket and 10 pesos port tax). Ferries run from approximately 6 am to 6 pm hourly. On the way - about 1 hour. Schedules can be viewed and, but it's hard to say how relevant they are - this is the Philippines.

The port of Santa Fe is full of tricycles (motorcycles with a sidecar) that will take you anywhere. Bargain, the ticket costs 15-25 pesos per person depending on the distance.

Where to live in Bantayan: hotels, resorts, guesthouses

The most pleasant place to live in Bantayan is the resort town of Santa Fe (although you can hardly call it a city). Why is he good? As we wrote above, there is a pleasant atmosphere, deserted beaches, clear sea and beautiful landscapes. The best beaches are in Santa Fe - the rest are unsuitable for swimming.

The second major city is Bantayan. There is a large market, many cafes, an old church, an ATM. Tourists come here only for food and attractions.

The third city is Madridejos. There is a dilapidated Spanish fort (Kota Park). There are practically no tourists.

We lived in Santa Fe, so we give the names and prices of the resort hotels that we went around on our own, and also give advice.

The most expensive hotels are located on the first line: in general, rooms with a fan cost from 800 pesos, with air conditioning - from 1000 pesos. It is cheaper in guesthouses and small hotels: from 500 pesos for a room with a fan and from 800 for an air-conditioned room.

Casa Isabel Hostel

600 pesos for two for a barn with a disgusting smell of paint, poisonous green walls, a noisy fan and a shared bathroom. Here we spent our first night in Santa Fe. The beach is quite far. On the plus side: friendly hostess who personally prepares a delicious breakfast.

Nordic Inn

900 pesos for two for a room with its own bathroom. The room is nice but modest, there was no table and chair. Quite expensive, they refused to give a discount for a long stay, although we read a review that someone lived in this guesthouse for 15 thousand pesos a month. Very close to the beach.

Mayet's Beach Resort

Located on the first line, right on the beach, but far from the city center - next to the Ogtong Cave Resort. There are no places to eat nearby. A room with a fan - 600 pesos, with air conditioning - 1200 pesos. The furnishings are meager, there was practically no furniture in the rooms for 600 pesos. The reviews wrote that a lot of ants.

Yooneek Beach Resort and Yooneek Inn

There are bungalows on the beach (Resort) and across the road (Inn). Prices are high both there and there: for a room with a fan 1100 and 990 pesos, respectively, with air conditioning - 1700 and 1300 pesos. Repelled by a large number of European tourists and high prices. At the reception it was written that there is a discount for long-steers.

Budyong Beach Resort

Good retreat. Bungalow on the third line with a fan and a bathroom - 800 pesos. Outside there is a table and chairs, in the room there is a TV and a wardrobe. Up to 700 pesos off for long stays. On line 3, the Wi-Fi signal is weak.

Kota Beach (next to Budyong Beach Resort)

Beautiful resort on the first line. The cheapest room costs 900 pesos (with fan) - cool, comfortable, furnished and with its own bathroom. Outside, on the terrace, there is a table and chairs. Air-conditioned room - from 1400 pesos. Significant minus - Wi-Fi only in the public area.

There is also Kota Beach Resort near the port, we were not there - we are talking about the fact that next to Budyong Beach Resort.

Sophia Resort

Rooms with a fan - 800 pesos, with air conditioning - 1000 pesos, 1500 are good bungalows. Rooms for 800 pesos are modest, there is a bathroom, but there is no wardrobe. There are sockets on the street, a table and chairs, but the room smells unpleasant. Far from the center of the resort.

seven star

Bungalow with fan for 700, with air conditioning - 800. Beach 3 minutes walk. Discount for long stay - 100 pesos. The bungalows are not bad, but from the outside the courtyard looks bad - construction debris is lying around.

Amihan Beach Cabanas

Very nice and cozy resort with bungalows, hammocks and gazebos on the beach. Expensive: a bungalow with a fan 2500 pesos, with air conditioning - 3000. But there are all the amenities, even a refrigerator and hot water which is rare in the Philippines.

RR Lodging House

After looking at a bunch of hotels, we stopped at this guesthouse. The room is very bright and comfortable, spacious enough, there is a shower and toilet, a table, a wardrobe, a TV, and air conditioning - we paid 650 pesos per day for it (800 without a discount). Room with fan and no bathroom - 450 pesos. There is a terrace with table and chairs. The owner - his name is Raul - brings a thermos of hot water every morning. Laundry - 50 per kilogram.

Of the minuses: a lot of insects (ants and large cockroaches!); cold shower only; there was no cleaning for 2 weeks at all (1 time they changed the linen); During the day, the owner's child was constantly crying. From the pros: nice room, to the beach - 1 minute. How to find: A. Batobalonos street, after HR Music Bar and opposite Casa Blanca.

Adviсe:

• If you arrive late in the evening it is better to book inexpensive hotel for one night, and in the morning go around the city in search of suitable housing - Santa Fe is very small, it is easy to get around on foot.
• We recommend that you do not book accommodation for a long period at once, but visit hotels and choose the best option, since often the picture on the site is not true: there may be a dark and musty room, poor Wi-Fi signal or thin walls, etc. besides if you are going to stay for more than two weeks, you can ask for a discount for a long stay (long stay).
• There is a large selection of houses on the island - you just need to walk around and look for the appropriate signs and announcements (House for rent) or contact the locals.

How else can you look for accommodation in Santa Fe? Look for hostels, apartments and hotels on the Roomguru search engine, it will select the most profitable options among a variety of booking systems.

Prices for food and products in Bantayan (Santa Fe)

Filipino food is not very varied: mainly rice with additives, grilled meat and soup. All this is inexpensive if you find an institution for locals. There are few of these in Santa Fe - most cafes and restaurants have a greatly inflated price tag.

In the city center there is a small place where you can eat tasty and inexpensive - we went there very often. This is an inconspicuous eatery, but the food is delicious. Address: on the right side of A. Batobalonos street, if you walk along it from the beach. There are two churches in the neighborhood (they are opposite each other), next to it is Burger Junction fast food, a little further away is Casa Isabel hostel.

Prices in the institution for locals:

• a plate of unleavened rice - 10 pesos;
• a plate of rice fried with garlic (garlic rice - very tasty!) - 25 pesos;
• grilled pork (3 skewers) - 20 pesos;
• grilled chicken leg - 45-50 pesos;
• grilled chicken breast - 45 pesos;
• plate of vegetables - 20 pesos;
• seafood - 40-50 per plate (serve);
• instant coffee - 15 pesos;
• tea - 15 pesos;
• a glass of water - 2 pesos.

You can also eat inexpensively at the food court, which is located on the same street approximately opposite Cafe del Mare - you can eat there relatively inexpensively, but the prices are almost one and a half to two times higher than in the previous establishment.

Food court prices:

• soup (small portion - 35 pesos, large - 70);
• pork barbecue (1 skewers) - 12 pesos;
• chicken wing - 40 pesos;
• chicken liver - 20 pesos;
• chicken with rice - 85 pesos;
• grilled squid - 85 pesos;
• grilled shrimp - 35 pesos;
• grilled bangus fillet - 85 pesos;
• drinks - 15 pesos;
• beer - 40 pesos.

On A. Batobalonos street there are many popular establishments of various cuisines: German, Italian, Portuguese, etc., there is also a small market on it, which in the morning is overgrown with additional tents in front of the entrance. Opposite the market, not far from the exchanger, there is also a fruit shop where you can buy fruits a little cheaper.

Fruit prices:

• mango - 90-100 pesos per kg;
• pomelo - 80 pesos apiece in the market and 40 per kg in a tent (however, they are dry there, it is better to take them in the market);
• papaya - about 50 per kg;
• bananas - about 40 pesos;
• soursop - 60 per kg;
• langsat - 90-100 per kg;
• coconut - 20-30 apiece;
• tangerines - 5 pesos apiece.

Prices for alcohol in stores are too high, for example, San Miguel beer - 37-50 pesos depending on the type, a little more expensive - in bars.

In Bantayan City, in the market, the cost of fruits is almost the same as in Santa Fe, food in the food courts is a little cheaper.

Also on our site you can read about housing, food and transport in the Philippines in general.

Rent a bike and bike in Bantayan

Renting a bike or bicycle on the island is not a problem at all. In Santa Fe, every second bike owner will take you to the rental shop, and on the street you will only hear "motorbike, ma'am" and "rent a motorbike, sir." Cost per day: from 200 pesos for a scooter, from 250 for a semi-automatic and 300 for a full-fledged motorcycle. The bikes are not bad, one might say, in excellent condition, but the roads are not, so you won’t particularly ride around the island. The asphalt is uneven, potholes and patches, in some places it simply does not exist - either concrete slabs or a dirt road.

Bicycle rental is not so common, you can find it in the supermarket area near the Corner Inn.

What to see in Bantayan

Bantayan is not rich in attractions. The road also does not bring pleasure because of weakness. The entire island can easily be explored in one day. What to see on the island? Here are some of the attractions that we liked, the cost of entry and tips on how to get there.

paradise beach

The one who always dreamed of visiting paradise beach, must definitely visit this place. Finding a beach is quite difficult, but possible. We found only the third time.

Instructions: you need to drive through Ogtong Cave Resort, then along the coast to the small village of Moalboal. After passing it, on the left, look for an inconspicuous path, as if leading into a thicket of shrubs and trees. There are no pointers. You turn there - the road over stones and frozen corals is unpleasant and exhausting. At the fork, you need to turn right - you will run into a fence. Behind him - Paradise Beach with a well-groomed area and a couple of pavilions. The place is non-tourist, during our visit for 2 hours there was not a single tourist. Very beautiful, quiet and secluded. Entrance - 50 pesos. If you get lost, ask in the village - we were guided by a local resident.

St Peter and Paul Church in Bantayan

The old church makes a good impression. Beautiful stained-glass windows and interior decoration in general - without pretentiousness and vulgarity.

Kota Park in Madridejos

old spanish fort pedestrian bridge and a lighthouse in the very north of the island. Couples in love come to the bridge to meet the sunset, and local children run along the corals exposed at low tide. To get to the fort, you need to arrive early.

Ogtong Cave

Located on the territory of the resort of the same name. For 120 pesos you can look at an underground cave with crystal clear blue water. someone writes that you can swim in it, and someone denies it. We decided not to visit it, as there is a similar one in Bohol.

Omagieca Mangrove Garden (Obo-Ob)

For those interested in mangroves. You can see turtles, fish, starfish, shrimps, birds. We saw only fish and birds. Calm and quiet. Entrance 50 pesos.

What else you can visit on Bantayan: Tiyaba Cave, Sunrise Beach, Dalton Pass Shrine. You can go to the next virgin island(Virgin Island) - approximately 700 pesos per person round trip.

Cons of Bantayan

And the paradise island of Bantayan has its drawbacks, alas:

• bad roads;
• poorly developed infrastructure;
• there are power outages;
• selection of fruit and inexpensive food is small;
• food is monotonous;
• hotel prices are higher than we expected;
• few attractions;
• to extend, you have to go to another island - for example, Cebu;
• pesky pearl dealers and children begging for money;
• the sea is shallow, it is not always convenient to swim - at low tide it can go 15-20 meters;
• corals are close, so there is a risk of stepping on sea ​​urchin, a star, a snake, or someone else worse - you need to carefully watch where you are stepping and not enter the sea if it is muddy and there are waves. We met all of the above, and Lyosha was also stung by a jellyfish - so just in case, get insurance before the trip. But here is great diving and snorkeling!

However, all these shortcomings are either characteristic of the country as a whole, or you can turn a blind eye to them. As a result, Bantayan is one of the best places in the Philippines, a must-see for anyone who is thirsty a relaxing holiday on the shores of a beautiful sea.

To get to know the country better, read our extensive material about - it contains all the useful information that a tourist may need on a trip, and our tips and recommendations based on personal experience.

Intro image source: © truetraveller.ru.

Many types of tourism are well developed in the Philippines. Everyone will find something to their liking here. Beach holidays, shopping, visiting festivals, ecotourism, climbing mountains and volcanoes (by the way, about mountains, there are great guys who climb and hike all over the world, their website: http://kuluarpohod.com/), diving, snorkeling , surfing, parasailing - not a complete list of what you can do in the Philippines. In addition, the Philippines has many interesting historical sites. For a long time the Philippines has been Spanish colony which left its mark on the culture of the country and the architecture of cities. Useful information about the Philippines (visa, language, currency, transport, etc.) can be viewed. Next, we will talk directly about the islands of the Philippines.

The Philippines is made up of over 7,000 islands, and each one is interesting and unique in its own way. The island should be chosen based on preferences. For divers, Luzon or Mindoro would be an ideal holiday destination, and for surfers, for example, Siargao. If you love history, then you should opt for the island of Cebu, and nature lovers will like the island of Palawan.

In this article, we will consider the tourist opportunities and the main attractions of the largest and most popular islands Philippines.

Luzon Island is the largest of the Philippine islands and is located in the north of the country. It is the capital of the Philippines - the city of Manila. The island has four international airports.

Manila

In Manila, you can see the old city of Intramuros, Rojos Boulevard, Rizal Park, the coconut palace, the aquarium, the Avilon Zoo (30 km northeast of Manila), the Manila Botanical Garden, the Santo Tomas University Museum of Arts and Science, the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We advise you to entrust the organization of the excursion program to local Russians offering guide services in Manila.

Attractions of the island of Luzon:

• Vigan. Historical Center. Spanish architecture.
• Baguio (Bagio). summer residence Philippine President. Historical Center.
• Rice Banaue terraces(Banaue Rice Terraces). Rice terraces are located on the slopes of the Cordillera.
• national park Subic Bay. Former American military base. Here you can see bamboo and mango forests, where giant bats live.
• Volcano Taal (Taal Volcano). This volcano is unique in that the crater of this relatively young volcano is located in the lake, and not vice versa as usual. Taal volcano is the smallest in the world, its height is only 260 meters.
• Quezon National Park.
• Volcano Arayat (Mountain Arayat National Park). Dormant volcano. Height 1026 meters.
• Mayon Volcano National Park. Active volcano. Considered one of the most beautiful active volcanoes in the world.
• Cagayan River Valley. The valley is located between the Cordillera Central and the Sierra Madre range. The longest river in the Philippines, the Cagayan, flows into the Luzon Strait in the north of the country.
• Lake Laguna de Bay. largest lake Philippines.
• Pangsanjan Falls. They used to be called Magdapio Falls.
• Mount Pulog (Mountain Pulag National Park). Height 2934 meters.
• Volcano Pinatubo.
• The capital of sex tourism is the Angels city.

Surfing

Diving

Popular places: Donsol, Nasugbu, Tikao Island, Subic Bay, Batangas Bay.

Manila Hotels

You can view a description of the most popular hotels in Manila among tourists, find out prices and book a hotel by clicking on the link.

The island abounds historical places. Here is the oldest Christian church, the first fort, monuments to Magellan, as well as the grave and cross of Magellan. In addition, there is amazing nature and the underwater world. Cebu Island is connected by a bridge with a small coral island Mactan, on which it is located international Airport Cebu.

Attractions of the island of Cebu:

• Ancient Fort San Pedro (Fort San Pedro).
• Chinese Temple (Taosit Temple).
• Cross of Magellan (Magellan's Cross).
• Jumalon Butterfly Garden.
• Kawasan waterfall.
• Bird Sanctuary on Olango Island.
• Mactan Island. On this island there is a monument at the site of the death of Magellan, as well as many monuments to the leader Lapu-Lapu, in the battle with whom Magellan died. In addition, there is a guitar factory here. They say that the best guitars in the world are made here.

Diving

Mactan, Pescador, Quattro, Quimodome, Gato and Malapascua (Monad Shoal dive site), Cape Copton, and Moalboal Marine Park.

Cebu Hotels

You can find out which of the hotels on Cebu Island is the most economical, which is the most expensive, which is closest to the airport, and you can also book a hotel by clicking on the link.

Boracay Island is the perfect place for a beach holiday. The island is only 7 km long and 1 km wide. This is a paradise for lovers of active sea recreation - diving, kiting, windsurfing. Nightlife lovers will also like it here, which is concentrated on White Beach. In the first days of your stay on the island of Boracay, we advise you to book a sightseeing tour on ATVs around the island, accompanied by a Russian-speaking guide.

Attractions of the island of Boracay:

• Bat caves.
• Mount Luho. Height 100 meters. The highest point on the island.
• Caves of Kabgan Beach.
• Mango forest (Bakhawan eco-park).

Windsurfing

Boracay has ideal conditions for windsurfing. The water is calm and the wind is always blowing.

Kiting

Bulabog beach is chosen by kiters from all over the world, as a steady and steady wind always blows here.

Diving

Crocodile Island, Friday's Rock, Lobster Rock, Laurel Island and others.

Boracay Hotels

Overview of hotels in Boracay with the possibility of booking.

Mindanao is the second largest island in the Philippines. Davao City is interesting for its historical sights, shopping centers, markets and casinos. There are three international airports on the island, they are located in the cities of Davao, Zamboanga and General Santos.

Attractions of the island of Mindanao:

• The most high mountain countries - Apo.
• Eagle reserve.
• Orchid plantations.
• Waterfalls in the city of Iligan.
• Lake Lanao.

Diving

Diving in San Jose. Strong undercurrents.

Surfing

Not far from the island of Mindanao is the island of Siargao. This island is famous for its surf spots, mostly for professionals. The famous reef "Cloud 9" is located on this island, in September international competitions are held here.

The seventh largest island in the Philippines. In the northern part of the island there is a popular resort - Puerto Galera, which is notable for its picturesque nature and rich underwater world.

Attractions of the island of Mindoro:

• Baco National Park (Mounts Iglit - Baco National Park).
• Mount Calavite.
• Mount Holkon (Bundok Halcon).
• Tamaraw Falls.
• Naujan Lake.
• Apo Reef.

Diving

Puerto Galera has a very diverse and rich underwater world. This place is popular with experienced divers.

The tenth largest island in the Philippines. The island is famous for its Chocolate Hills and a nature reserve inhabited by free-spirited tarsiers.

Attractions of Bohol Island:

• Chocolate Hills.
• Tarsiers reserve.
• Busay waterfalls.
• Church Immaculate Conception Blessed Virgin Mary.
• Cruise on the river Loboc.

Diving

The islands of Panglao, Balicasag and Kabilao, as well as Cape Arco and Snake Island.

The island is rich in nature and underwater world. The island abounds unique mountains, caves, dense jungle and mango forests. In addition, there are amazing beaches surrounded by coral reefs. The island has an international airport, Puerto Princesa.

Attractions of Palawan Island:

• St. Paul Subterranean River National Park. Underground river.
• Tabon Caves.

Diving

Night diving on the Tubbataha reefs.

Palawan Hotels

An overview of hotels in Palawan Island can be found.

It is located just two kilometers south of the popular tourist island of Boracay. Panay Island has two international airports: Iloilo and Kalibo.

Attractions of Panay Island:

• Volcano Nangtud.
• Havili and Cascade waterfalls.
• Pangikhan cave and Khurum-Khurum springs.
• Sibalom Natural Park.
• Rafting on the Butang River.

Diving

Diving for beginners and advanced divers.

The fifth largest island in the Philippines. It mainly attracts tourists with its nature and dive sites.

Attractions of Negros Island:

• Kanloan Volcano. Altitude 2460 meters.
• Lake Balinsasayo.
• Mount Talinis.

Diving

The island is washed by three seas at once, their underwater world is diverse and unique.

Islands of the Philippines on the map

We wish you a pleasant and interesting trip across the Philippines!

Our stay in China (Guangzhou) has come to an end. My contract at UCWeb ended, which meant I had a choice: renew it, look for another job, or move somewhere else. The craving for new knowledge nevertheless won, and Polina and I decided to go to the Philippines. The stock of money allowed me to live there for quite a long time, and the current possibilities of the Internet made it possible to earn good money online if desired.

The main criteria for choosing a country when moving

There are quite a few countries in Southeast Asia, we had a difficult choice among:

• Thailand (Koh Samui in particular)
• Vietnam
• Malaysia
• Indonesia (Bali in particular)
• Philippines

The main pros and cons of places to stay

1. Weather - warm weather all year round, no stuffiness like in Guangzhou;
2. The presence of the sea - access to the sea is required, so that if you wish, you could swim at any time;
3. Low prices - the lower the prices in the country, the better - this will allow you to stay there at a lower cost; but at the same time, we tried to avoid places like Yogyakarta with a very low level of economy, where living can be called very uncomfortable.
4. High internet speed is a very important factor. Internet speed should be sufficient for comfortable work, browsing websites and downloading/watching videos if necessary.
5. Presence of beautiful places and attractions nearby
6. Other features - such as hot water, electricity, political and other features of the country, the presence of a gym, etc.

What is special about the Philippines?

Why Philippines? Perhaps this is one of the most important questions that we ourselves asked ourselves when discussing next place residence. It probably coincided. Firstly, we were looking for a place where life was relatively cheap, so that we could live, work and enjoy the sun, warm weather and the sea at minimal cost. We have already been in Thailand, in Indonesia too, we knew practically nothing about Malaysia, but we had not yet been to the Philippines, and the beauty of the local islands and beaches was simply amazing even in the photograph.

About the Republic of the Philippines

Official languages: Filipino, English
Capital: Manila
Currency: Philippine peso
Population:~105 million people
The state is located on more than 7100 islands, the largest of which are: Luzon, Mindanao, Samar, Panay, Palawan, Negros, Mindoro, Leyte, Bohol, Cebu.
Climate in the Philippines~ 24-28 °С
The rainy season lasts from May to November, the dry season (or "high") from November to April

The main pros and cons of the most popular places in the Philippines

So, several places were considered for the move:

Boracay

• Boracay is perhaps the most popular resort in this country.
• Weather - yes (Philippines)
• The presence of the sea - yes
• Low prices - no (this resort has become quite popular in Lately, which led to a strong increase in prices for housing, food and recreation)
• Internet - yes
• Beautiful places and attractions - white sandy beach
• Peculiarities - party place, with a large number of tourists from different countries, including those from Russia, a good level of restaurants and hotels.

bohol

• The presence of the sea - yes (a very beautiful beach, as they say on the Internet, but worse than on Boracay)
• Low prices - yes (lower than Boracay)
• Internet - yes
• Beautiful places and attractions - chocolate hills and tarsiers
• Features - no

El Nido

El Nido (Palawan Island) - the most beautiful islands, incredible views for snorkeling and diving

• Nice beaches yes
• Low prices - no (lately, El Nido is a very popular place among tourists, hence the prices)
• Internet - no (local operators Globe and Smart catch not very well on El Nido)
• Beautiful places and attractions - yes, the islands near El Nido are on the list of the best places in the world for diving.
• Features - power outage from 6 am to 2 pm

Also considered options with Shargao (Siargao) and Cebu (Sebu). But about Cebu there were unflattering reviews about safety, as well as prices, and Shargao is more suitable for surfers (although there are good places for swimming, El Nido is far away).

Why did we choose o. Palawan?

I think the answer is obvious - El Nido. The first thing that our friend from the Philippines answered was El Nido - the most beautiful place in the Philippines with crystal clear water and gorgeous underwater views.

We really wanted to get to El Nido, but the moment of the power outage was embarrassing, because for us it meant, in practice, the inability to work until lunch. Yes, and many complained about the speed of the Internet. So we started looking at other options on the island of Palawan (Palawan)

And the first thing we noticed - Puerto Princesa - the capital of this island.

After reading more about this city, we learned that there are some disadvantages:

• there are problems with the beaches in this city
• lack of attractions and beautiful places

But nevertheless, if you find suitable apartments for living, good Internet, then you can periodically get out to the islands nearby, and from time to time go to San Vicente or El Nido to the north.

In addition, the presence of a gym was important to me, which is more likely in the capital of the island than in a small village.

So we decided to stay in Puerto Princesa on about. Palawan.

Read more about the Philippines in the following articles.

There are more than 7,000 islands in the Philippines and in this review article I will share with you where it is best to relax as a European traveler.

The Philippines is a Christian country with kind locals.

Filipinos love basketball, cockfighting, karaoke, and rice. Filipinos love and appreciate real chocolate, so grab a few for them as a gift.

I really like that Filipinos know English.

In this article, I have collected the best resorts in the Philippines, the islands where you can do:

• snorkeling;
• diving;
• beach holidays;
• wintering;
• freediving;
• recovery;
• sightseeing vacation;
• fishing;
• active sports (surfing), etc.

Caramoan beach in the Philippines

Islands are suitable for:

1. solitary rest;
2. rest savage;
3. a relaxing holiday;
4. active rest;
5. romantic getaway;
6. for holidays with children.

For each of the islands, I will indicate the level of comfort in life, the price level and the number of days worth spending on them.

Prices in the article are in Philippine pesos. For now, 1 peso is equal to 1.21 rubles.

There are islands with 24-hour supermarkets, huge malls, IMAX cinemas and food courts.

There are also non-tourist islands, where after 19 pm all establishments are closed.

So, where is the best place to go on a beach holiday (and not only) in the Philippines?

Cebu

Type of rest: active

What to do? Diving, freediving, swimming with whale sharks, waterfall, Filipino food

Comfort, modernity of life: average

Prices: medium

How long to arrive? 3-7 days

On the island of Cebu, the urban infrastructure is quite developed: there are several shopping centers with cinemas, food courts, fast food, hotels.

It is more profitable to book guesthouses, hotels in the Philippines on the sites: Agoda.com and Booking.com.

On the street in Cebu, local cuisine is ubiquitous: meat products, egg noodles and rice. At the time of 2015 in Cebu City, in many parts of the island there was a very weak Internet connection.

In my opinion, there is nothing to do in the city itself, if only to buy in the shopping center the necessary things for excursions, diving or just relaxing.

The city of Cebu is notable for its food. There is a lot of it here and it is everywhere, especially meat products. It is in Cebu that you can meet unusual-looking fat (from overeating) Filipinos.

Swimming with whale sharks

You can swim with whale sharks in Oslob, which is located 128 km from Cebu city (3 hours by transport). This pleasure costs about 2,000 pesos or more.

This interaction with sharks is more like a shark-exploiting zoo than a natural interaction with them.

Kawasan falls (cascading waterfall)

Kawasan Falls is incredibly beautiful due to the turquoise color of the water and is highly recommended for visiting. It is located 3 hours from the city of Cebu.

The cheapest and easiest way to get to Kawasan Falls is by bus. From Cebu City, go to South Bus Station and hop on any bus bound for Badian.

The price for an air-conditioned bus from Cebu City to Kawasan Falls is 150 pesos. The first bus from Cebu leaves at 5 am.

Entrance fee to Kawasan Falls: 40 pesos

Diving, diving in Moalboal (Moolbol) - a peninsula on the southwestern tip of Cebu

located 89 kilometers from Cebu city, about 2.5 hours by bus. Most of the resorts and restaurants are located on Panagsama Beach.

underwater reef at moalboal

Moalboal has a perfect reef. The structure of the reef that follows the entire coastline has made this place an ideal place for snorkeling, diving and freediving.

Divers can enjoy easy access to the reef as the lunge is shallow and close to shore, but the depth drops to over 40 meters.

Siquijor (Siquijor)

Type of rest: active,

What to do? Beaches, waterfalls, exploration of natural wonders, relaxation

average

Prices: low

How long to arrive? 3 days to a week or more

On this island, which is located near the islands of Bohol and Cebu beautiful beaches, the underwater world and cheap life (comfortable hotels with an infinity pool, in the first lane from the sea and with breakfast for $ 12).

Like most islands in the Philippines, Siquijor also boasts several natural wonders from pristine beaches, man-made forests and waterfalls.

Salajoung Beach in Siquijor

Budget resorts like Tori's Paradise rent out their dorm rooms for 300 pesos a night.

It is more profitable to book guesthouses in Siquijor on the websites: Agoda.com and Booking.com.

waterfall in siquijor

On the island, you can rent a motorbike for little money and travel around the entire island in just 3 hours.

Malapascua

Type of rest: romantic, holidays with children

What to do? Beaches, relaxation, snorkeling, swimming with a hammerhead shark, diving, drone, taking excursions to small neighboring islands

Comfort level, modernity of life: average

Prices: medium

How long to arrive? from 7 days to several weeks

Malapascua Island is ideal for a beach holiday.

The Bounty beach on this island is one of the best in the country, although it is quite touristy, but there are more secluded beaches in Malapascua.

Malapascua island

The underwater reef is ideal for snorkeling and diving, and you can easily rent a snorkel on the island.

The main attractions of the island:

Bounty Beach

It has a long white sand beach lined with bars and restaurants.

Bounty beach (Malipascuya)

This is the island's main beach and is free to visit.

Here you can easily find the right food for yourself, you can relax on the beach and swim in the sea.

Lighthouse Beach

Ideal for snorkeling as a Japanese ship sank in shallow water.

The wreckage of the ship is what is left and has become an artificial reef.

Kalanggamen Island

You can sail to this island in one day from Malapascua. The boat ride will take 1.5-2 hours.

This island has a very long sandy coastline and a beautiful stretch of coconut trees.

Kalanggamen Island (Near Malapascua)

Some consider it the most beautiful island in the Philippines.

A shared boat trip costs between 800 and 1,000 pesos, plus an island entry fee of 500 Philippine pesos.

Diving

If you go to Malapascua for diving, there is a 100% chance that you will see a hammerhead shark.

In addition to sharks, there are many diving sites with beautiful corals and fish. You will see seahorses, shrimps, crabs and other marine life on most dive slopes.

underwater world in Malapascua

• There is no ATM on the island, so be sure to bring enough cash with you;
• Malipascua can be visited all year round, but summer is the best time for tourism;
• Take your medicines, there is no pharmacy on the island;
• Take enough clothes with you as there are no laundry services on the island.

Palawan, El Nido

Type of rest:

What to do? Snorkeling, drone, excursions to hidden lagoons, small beaches, islands

Comfort level, modernity of life: average

Prices: above average

How long to arrive? ~ 5 to 12 days

Palawan island

On the island of Palawan, to the city of Puerto Princesa can be reached by plane from Manila.

It is most profitable to fly with low-cost Cebu Pacific or Philippine Airlines.

In Puerto Princesa, you can book an underwater cave tour on Klook.

The beaches in El Nido have one minus - small inconspicuous insects on the beach that bite invisibly and leave ugly marks on the legs, which then do not go away for months. Pay attention to the signs in front of the beaches, like "Beware of sand flies/insects" in English.

In the dry, scorching time of the day, they are less common, but it is still better to protect yourself from their bites and not go to bed even at the peak of the heat on the beach.

El Nido has plenty of paradise excursion tours : A, B, C, D, E. Most popular tours: A with secret lagoons and C with secret beaches.

The cost of one morning is from 1200 Philippine pesos. They run from 9 am to 4 pm.

Thus, El Nido (Palawan) is more suitable for a short (several days) viewing of the most beautiful, Disney paradise places, for beautiful photos than for a beach holiday or diving.

• There are no ATMs in tourist places in El Nido so be sure to bring enough cash with you;
• Some islands in El Nido have Monitor lizards, which can sting painfully and cause heavy bleeding. Be careful not to approach them;
• Be sure to take a small first aid kit;
• A waterproof bag for storing your camera, phone and other things will not hurt;
• Take mosquito repellent, there are a lot of them in El Nido.

Bohol

Type of rest: romantic, active, holidays with children

What to do? Drone, take excursions to neighboring islands, chocolate hills, torsiera monkeys, beach holidays, diving

Comfort level, modernity of life: average

Prices: above average

How long to arrive? ~ 10 to 30 days

Below is my detailed article about the island of Bohol, about its main attractions.

chocolate hills on Bohol island

Here are some of the reasons to visit Bohol Island in the Philippines:

• Chocolate Hills - Chocolate Hills;
• Lemur Torsier (Torsier monkey);
• Pamilacan Island;
• Underwater world on Balicasag Island;
• Virgin Island (Virgin Island);
• Underground cave Hinagdanan Cave with a crystal lake;
• Real ice cream from Bohol Bee Farm;;
• Diving;
• Swimming with whale sharks;
• Fireflies and Loboc river cruise;
• sunsets.

My article about the paradise island of Pamilacan, which is next to Bohol:

In general, the island of Bohol is more suitable for a bright, sightseeing, photo holiday than for a beach one.

The fact is that the beaches on the island of Busuanga, on Bohol, are rather inconvenient for swimming, they are not sandy, with underwater urchins. The only sandy beach where it is more or less comfortable to swim and relax is Dumaluan Beach, it is paid and filled with expensive resorts.

I didn’t understand a little what the feature of the hyped Alona beach on Bohol is. Because it is crowded with tourists, at night there are huge crowds of people, noisy, sellers are everywhere and the beach itself is crowded with hundreds of ships.

Panglao Island has a large number of guesthouses priced above average for the Philippines. Read a detailed article about rental housing in Bohol in the article:

The best Bohol excursions to book online

1. See Bohol's most popular attractions with this full day tour;
2. The main attractions of Panglao and Bohol: 2 in 1;
3. Anda Beach, Kabang Cave and other natural wonders private tour to Bohol.

The smallest monkey in the world "Torsier Tarsier" lives on the island of Bohol

Davao, about. Samal and Fr. Talikad (Davao, Samal, Talikud)

Type of rest: romantic, traveling with kids, single

What to do? Winter, eat fresh rare fruits and durians every day, get healthier, go for a massage, explore the beaches of about. Samal and Talikad Island, snorkeling, beach holidays, relaxation

Comfort level, modernity of life: average

Prices: low

How long to arrive? from 30 days

Davao City is unlike any other city I have ever seen. The people here are cordial, simple and open. They will not sell you a markup item (very few places have a markup price).

The island can be safely called durian due to the fact that they grow well here in the forests and are grown all year round.

During the season (August-October), durians in Davao cost from 15 Philippine pesos per 1 kg! There are 15 of them here. My favorite species: Arancillo

Davao

Davao Island has a very developed and cheap infrastructure of the city: there are several large shopping centers with cinemas, international hotels, taxis using the Grab application and very cheap Thai massage (from 100 pesos for half an hour).

The city is very safe due to the huge number of police and security guards throughout the city. At the entrance to the shopping center, there are obligatory 2-3 security guards who inspect the contents of your backpacks (bags).

Davao is a paradise for fruitarians and durian fruit lovers what am I my favorite person.

Locals from these places show interest in travelers who have arrived here, because. Davao is not a tourist city. Everyone here addresses each other to "sir" and "ma'am."

In this photo you can see: in the distance part of the island of Mindanao (Davao), on the left is the island of Talikad and beautiful sunset. Photo taken on the island of Samal

The disadvantages of living in Davao and on the islands nearby are that during the rainy season there is a chance of getting dengue. For example, I lived 4.5 months in these places in different time years and had no pain. Rather, on the contrary, I gained strength, health due to a large number fresh fruits, vegetables, sea and sunny days.

If you are going to these places, you can protect yourself from insects with an electric mosquito racket or a mosquito net, which is sold in large shopping centers in Davao.

Near the city of Davao are the islands of Samal and Talikad.

Samal

Samal Island has several beautiful beaches with beautiful reef and life here is very cheap. Some of my raw food friends have even bought plots here and built their own house, a guesthouse.

almost deserted San Remio beach on Samal island with a beautiful underwater world

San Remio beach on Samal island

The island is known among the locals for the fact that Russian raw foodists and vegans live and winter here.

Samal Island can be reached from Davao by public boats and by ferry, which departs every 15-20 minutes.

On Samal Island, the Smart operator has excellent Internet connection, namely Smart Bro LTE Pocket Wifi (up to 40 Mb/s).

Talikad

Talikad Island can be reached both by public boat from Davao and from Samal Island. The island is notable for its beautiful beaches and underwater world.

Talikad Island

The island can be viewed from all sides on a boat with Filipinos, snorkel for 1500-2000 pesos for the whole day.

At the time of 2018, there are no mobile towers for Internet communication on the island, they may appear in 2019. Accordingly, on about. Talikad does not have internet access.

In general, housing is very cheap on this island - from 3,500 Philippine pesos (4570 rubles) per month near the sea (without mosquitoes). But little variety of food, mostly coconuts and bananas.

Boracay

Type of rest: romantic, holidays with children

What to do? beach holiday

Comfort level, modernity of life: above average

Prices: above average

How long to arrive? from 5 days to a month, someone likes to stay here longer

Boracay Island is ideal for a beach (not secluded) holiday for a week or much more.

sunset on the white beach in Boracay (April 2018)

4 kilometers of white sand beach, feels like flour, ideal entry into the water for those who are not very good at swimming or for families with children.

White beach on about. Boracay is undoubtedly my favorite in the top of all the beaches in the world.

The minus of this beach is a huge number of tourists, but personally this did not stop me from enjoying my vacation on this beautiful beach.

I enjoy my vacation on White Beach of Boracay Island

The island has a very developed infrastructure: there are supermarkets, markets, shops with organic coconut ice cream, they sell fruits, durians, there are vegan cafes, a huge number of establishments with fresh seafood, an active night life, luxury and affordable hotels.

I booked a self catering accommodation in the center of Boracay Island on a private accommodation site: Airbnb.com. It came out for two at 800 rubles per night.

Ilig Iligan beach on Boracay island

Except White Beach(White beach) on about. Boracay there are others beautiful beaches, such as: Puka Shell Beach (Puka Shell Beach), Ilig Iligan (Ilig Iligan) and others.

On all beaches, except for White Beach, there is a rather strong current, so it is dangerous to swim far into the sea and the very poor underwater world, so we didn’t need a mask and snorkel on Boracay.

I want to remind you, while it is still relevant, that the island of Boracay is closed to tourists until the fall of 2018 by order of the country's authorities. It is now being cleared of garbage, which the island is full of.

Sibuyan and Carabao

Type of rest: savage, solitary, active

What to do? Beach (one-day) vacation, snorkeling, exploring neighboring paradise islands, swimming in waterfalls, climbing Mount Guiting Guiting, visiting the lighthouse

Comfort level, modernity of life: savage

Prices: medium

How long to arrive? 3 to 5 days

mountain carabao

carabao island

On the island of Carabao, you can climb Mount Guiting Guiting, which is known as one of the most difficult to climb in the Philippines. You can also explore four waterfalls, a lighthouse, several vantage points and the incredibly beautiful sandy beach of Cross de Gallo.

beaches in carabao

Sibuyan

Although Sibuyan Island is located in close proximity to about. Boracay, on it you probably will not meet a single tourist.

Sibuyan Island

On the island of Sibuyan, incredibly transparent azure water by the sea and swimming here is a pleasure!

Bonbon beach Sandbar

Bonbon Beach on Romblon Island in the Philippines is one of the most beautiful sandy beaches in the world.

The island is located 12 kilometers from Sibuyan Island.

bonbon sandbar beach

Sunrise and sunset in Bonbon are incredible!

bonbon sandbar beach

Beaches nearby:

• Tiamban (Tiamban Beach);
• Dolphin (Dolphin beach);
• Talipasak (San Pedro Beach) / Talipasak (San Pedro Beach).

Busuanga, Coron (Busuanga, Coron)

Type of rest: romantic, active, holidays with children

What to do? Beach (one-day) vacation, snorkeling, explore paradise islands, hidden lagoons, swim in the cleanest lakes

Comfort level, modernity of life: average

Prices: average

How long to arrive? 5 to 10 days

This island is interesting precisely for sea day trips on paradise islands with the best underwater world in the Philippines and with affordable excursions.

In the center of Coron, there are many excursion companies that will offer you a lot of excursions to the nearest islands, to secret lagoons, to the cleanest lakes, etc.

one of the most beautiful places in Busuanga is Coron Bay

On Coron Island itself, tourists are served by only a few medium-priced cafes and restaurants. Most of the tourists on the island are Chinese.

There are about 80 hotels, guesthouses in Coron. The cost of hotels in Coron starts from 1500 rubles per night. You can find cheaper options on sites: Agoda.com and Booking.com.

Isla Bulungan beach in Busuanga where we just had lunch on one of the excursions

tour cost, which includes: visiting 5 islands, meals with seafood, drinks, a mask with a snorkel and vests was at the time of 2014 650 pesos which is very cheap.

I liked that only 8-10 travelers are present on excursions in the boat.

we make a stop at one of the excursion islands for relaxation, snorkeling and swimming

Malcapuya is one of my favorite islands in the Philippines where Nemo fish are found as early as five meters from the beach.

Hidden Lagoon in Busuanga

Thus, it is worth coming to Coron Island for a few days (from 4-5 days) in order to purchase several excursions (from 650 pesos per person) and see the rich underwater world with a mask and snorkel, hidden lagoons with clear, very clear water and beautiful islands.

Dumaguette

Type of rest: romantic, active, holidays with children

What to do? Beach (short) vacation, waterfalls, diving (underwater gardens), snorkeling, swimming with turtles, natural park, Balinsasayao and Danao crater lakes, exploring paradise islands

Comfort level, modernity of life: average

Prices: average

How long to arrive? 2 to 5 days

Come to Dumaguette to discover Magic world underwater gardens Dumaguete

Book a 3-hour diving excursion in Dumaguette in advance on Klook.

You can also take a day trip to Apple Island, which translates as: "Turtle Island".

Dumaguette is located near the islands of Bohol, Siquijor and Cebu.

Dumaguette

You will see many large sea turtles around this island. You can jump off the boat and swim with them.

These turtles are accustomed to having funny tourists with selfie sticks floundering around them, so they will allow you to get close to them, even sometimes smiling in photos of tourists. Just respect their space.

Don't forget to visit Cassaroro waterfalls - you won't be disappointed with this place.

Manjuyod Sandbar Island

From Dumaguette, you can take a 2-hour drive to Manjuyod Sandbar, often referred to as the "Maldives of the Philippines".

Bantayan

Type of rest: romantic, healing, calm, holidays with children

What to do? Beach holidays, snorkeling, diving, see the mangroves, explore the paradise islands

Comfort level, modernity of life: average

Prices: below the average

How long to arrive? 5 to 10 days

This small island is ideal for a relaxing holiday with or without children. This island can be called healing the soul and body.

A nice and long white sand beach is located in the Santa Fe area. The people here are kind. The beach is perfect for kids and not much swimmers (like me).

Bantayan

The simplest and convenient way get to Bantayan Island by flying to Cebu City.

For flights between the islands of the Philippines, it is most profitable to use the services of low-cost airlines Air Asia, Cebu Pacific or Philippines Airlines, and you can track the best price for a specific date on the aggregator: Aviasales.ru

Interesting sights of the island:

Paradise Beach

Secluded beach in Santa Fe. If you want to get to the beach, where there will be no people at all. It is open from 9 am to 5 pm. Entrance fee: 50 pesos. There are a few other beaches in Santa Fe that I would recommend: Alice Beach, Sugar Beach, and Marikaban Beach.

Ogtong Cave

A small cave with a natural turquoise pool. Entrance fee 120 pesos if you want to swim in it.

Beach near Anika resort on Bantayan island

Eco-park with mangroves

The Eco Park is best explored by boat, kayak or on foot. Kayaks are also available for rent for 150 pesos and small boats for 350 pesos.

Virgin Island and Hilantagan Island

Bantayan Island can also be a starting point for nearby islands such as "Virgin" Island, Hilantagan Island.

"Virgin" Island (Virgin)

A day trip to the islands can be purchased for 1,000 pesos, and a half-day trip for 700 pesos.

On the island of Bantayan, life is very cheap. For example, a guesthouse can be rented from 400 pesos per night, and a tent for 200 pesos.

The most profitable hotels on Bantayan are best rented on the sites: Agoda.com and Booking.com.

Siargao

Type of rest: calm, active, solitary, savage recreation, romantic

What to do? Beach holidays, surfing, wintering, visiting many natural attractions, rice fields, wild natural places, exploring paradise islands

Comfort level, modernity of life: average

Prices: above average

How long to arrive? from 12 days to several months

This island has many natural attractions. It is full of beautiful landscapes.

Siargao boasts the best waves in the country and attracts surfers from all over the world.

surfing in Siargao

Perfect white beaches, charming lagoons, caves, beach bars near the sea, coral reefs, unusual rock formations, exotic wild nature, endless rice fields, waterfalls, a large mangrove forest reserve and much more.

Guyam Island near Siargao

Guyam Island is a tiny island covered with palm trees, which is located near the island of Siargao. It's a beautiful little oasis!

Pier Cloud 9 in Siargao

The relaxed and laid-back atmosphere on the island will probably make you stay here forever.

Siargao is suitable for a long paradise vacation (from 1 month).

Looking for accommodation on the island of Bohol? Order accommodation search by local

At the end of my trip to Bohol, I met a Russian-speaking couple: Daria and Alexander from Panglao, who live there.

Daria - lives with her husband in Panglao and helps tourists find the best accommodation

Daria and Alexander help people find very profitable housing options: from 7.000 to 70.000 pesos / month, depending on the client's requests.

Here example of a profitable option:

Loft accommodation 3 km from Alona Beach. 2 floors of rooms, large separate kitchens. Balconies overlooking the tropical garden. With pool and WiFi. Price: 20.000 pesos/month

There are dozens of such options and a variety of them.

They also help to select housing for rent and also land for purchase.

The guys take a commission for their help: from 25 to 35% of the monthly cost of housing or 15% if the housing is daily. Write to me in messengers on the number: +79876642764 to contact them.

It turns out very profitable - to contact them for help. They send photos of the rooms, all the necessary information.

First, it's cheaper. Secondly, you do not need to waste your time, resources searching. And it’s not a fact that in a few days of searching on the spot you will find good options.

Too bad I didn't know about these guys before coming to the island.

In order to order a service from them for the selection of housing for you in Panglao from locals, write to me in instant messengers at the number: +79876642764 and I will give you information about them. I will answer within a few hours.

Send the following to messenger:

1. Do you want to pay daily or monthly?
2. When do you plan to move in and for how long?
3. What is your daily/monthly budget?
4. What are your housing requirements (internet, location, kitchen, number of bedrooms, etc.)?

Conclusion

I would like to note that this list is incredibly small compared to the huge number of paradise islands in the Philippines and it will be updated as new ones are explored.

If you know about interesting islands in the Philippines for travel and they are not in this post - please write about them in the comments under the article.

Which of the islands for a trip to the Philippines suits you best?

If you have questions about the islands or have something to add to this article, write them in the comments below the article.

Unsure which island to choose? Book my consultation

This is my 5th trip to the Philippines at the moment.

In total, I visited 5 large tourist / non-tourist islands and dozens of small ones. Therefore, I have experience and I can help you plan a profitable desired vacation.

my master class in the Philippines for Russian-speakers on the topic “How to buy the most cheap flights» (December 12, 2018)

Why is my consultation paid? I believe that any experience, knowledge, time of a person who ultimately help should be rewarded.

Why is my consultation beneficial? I have been traveling since 2010 and I have a lot of experience in planning solo trips from A to Z.

I will help you organize a safe, comfortable vacation without overpayments in the Philippines.

During the consultation you will learn:

1. Which island is best for you?
2. How to find out which islands are safe and do not have typhoons, tsunamis and other cataclysms?
3. Where and how to rent affordable housing in the Philippines
4. How to buy the cheapest flights to the Philippines and within the Philippines
5. What kind of transport would you like to use
6. How to get to the necessary places, islands
7. How to navigate the Philippines and not get lost
8. What you need to be prepared for, what precautions to take
9. What is important to take with you from Russia
10. What is the minimum budget for the Philippines
11. What are the prices for different products, services on different islands
12. Which Internet is better to connect in the Philippines
13. Which bank card is better to use and where is it more profitable to withdraw money
14. What diseases lie in wait for a Russian tourist in the Philippines
15. What is the cheapest way to extend your visa?
16. How to solve the problem with English. What can you do if you do not know English at all
17. Which places in the Philippines are the most beautiful, must-see, and which islands, places not worth visiting
18. How to determine the season / off season, the weather in the Philippines by months, days

I will answer all your questions.

The most important thing is that we will arrange for you from A to Z comfortable, without overpayments, safe travel dreams in the Philippines.

Don't worry, get in touch ;)

The Philippines is a magnificent beaches, exotic nature and a comfortable stay.
One of the main advantages of the Philippines is its people. They are incredibly kind and hospitable. Filipinos are famous not only for their perfect hearing, and every second one plays musical instruments amazingly, but also they have a great sense of humor. Their smiles and interest in the guests of the country are so sincere that one never ceases to be amazed at their sensitivity and cordiality. In addition, the Philippines is a state in which the main religion is Christianity, the population is devout, but there are no severe prohibitions. About how to plan solo trip to the philippines, which islands to choose for recreation and how to get to them - in this article.

VISA

Visa to the Philippines. Russian citizens do not need a visa to visit the Philippines.

When is the best time to go to the Philippines

The best time to travel to the Philippines is from the beginning of November to the beginning of May. Local summer - the season of "taginite" lasts from March to the end of May. Taginite in the Philippines is considered the hottest time of the year. In May, the southwest monsoon "habakat" comes to the islands, which brings with it wet weather, and from June to November comes "tagulan" - the rainy season. In November, the monsoons give way to dry Amihan winds. From this month, the countdown of "cool" winter days tag-lamig season. For those who can hardly endure the hot, humid climate, the ideal time for a holiday in the Philippines comes when beautiful weather sets in almost the entire territory of the archipelago. The Philippine winter will last exactly until the beginning of March, then the heat will intensify.

How to get to the Philippines

There are no direct flights to the Philippines from Russia. Flights from Russia are carried out by companies Etihad(Docking in Abu Dhabi) Emirates(Dubai) and fly duba i (direct flight to Dubai from Samara, Ufa and Kazan), cathay pacific(via Hong Kong), Singapore Airlines(via Singapore) Qatar Airways(Doha). The main airport for international flights is located on the island of Luzon- the largest island in the north of the country; on the same island is capital of the Philippines - Manila, a huge metropolis, one of largest cities Southeast Asia. The second airport that also receives international flights, located on the island of Cebu.

With all the variety of choices, it is most convenient to fly to the Philippines via Hong Kong. Russian citizens do not need a visa to visit Hong Kong (as well as for the Philippines). Therefore, it is easy to combine Hong Kong and the Philippines in one trip (for example, book two nights in Hong Kong there and one night back, and devote the rest of the time to relaxing on exotic islands).

You don’t need to get a visa in advance to Singapore either, but a flight from Singapore to Manila or Cebu will take much longer than the same route from Hong Kong. Although the travel time Moscow-Singapore and Moscow-Hong Kong on direct flights is almost the same - about 10 hours. But a flight through Hong Kong is good because if you are flying to Boracay and there are no plans to visit Manila (and you want to get there quickly), then the easiest way is to book tickets Hong Kong-Boracay (Caticlan Airport on Panay Island) - Hong Kong for a flight Cebu Pacific Air(this option is especially convenient for those traveling with children). The flight has a connection in Manila, but if you buy tickets, for example, with a departure at 8.25 from Hong Kong, then at 13.50 you will be in Caticlan and you can easily catch the ferry, from the airport to the ferry station only 10 minutes by car. You need to book morning flights from Hong Kong because Caticlan only accepts small planes that do not have permission to fly at night. The last flight that departs from Manila to Boracay is around 17.00. Therefore, if you book tickets for flights Etihad(arrives in Manila at 16.00) or Qatar Airways, Emirates, then you need to book a hotel in advance for at least one night in Manila. If you are flying from Manila or Cebu to Kalibo International Airport, also located on Panay, then the time of arrival is no less important. From Kalibo to Caticlan, from where ferries depart to Boracay, the trip will take at least two hours, and the water area closes at night around 20.00. If you miss the last ferry, book a hotel for an overnight stay in Panay. Important. If the hotel offers a transfer, do not refuse, do not rely on your own wit, luck and the ability to book ferry or plane tickets "on the spot" cheaper. Remember that cheap is not yet high quality, and even half an hour spent in a tin can (no other associations arise at the sight of boats of private cabs) will cost much more than 15 on a speedboat, the trip on which the hotel organizes. Yes, you can get lucky, but you can also fail. And your own safety is not the case when you need to save.

Which island to choose? Features of independent travel to the Philippines.

Lovers of snow-white beaches and windsurfing go to Borokay. Cebu is a great opportunity to combine beach, entertainment and shopping. Bohol and Palawan are for fans of eco-tourism and secluded relaxation. One of the main questions that arises when planning a vacation on the islands is the ebb and flow of the tides. Of course, you should not be afraid that you will have to repeat the fate of Ferdinand Magellan.

It was ignorance of the tides in the Philippines that killed the navigator. The history of the country, which appeared on the world map relatively recently (less than 500 years ago), begins with the island of Cebu. In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan, heading with his flotilla - without knowing it - to the first trip around the world, lost his way and, as expected, in the best traditions of travelers in the Middle Ages, discovered new lands - the Philippines. Having quickly conquered the island of Cebu and its ruler Humabon, on April 27, 1591, the navigator headed for the neighboring island of Mactan, where local tribes lived. But the grandiose plans of Magellan were not destined to come true, his ships fell into a deep ebb. The flotilla was stuck a kilometer from the coast, and the entire crew was forced to unload from the ships and walk towards the coast. The natives, led by the leader Lapu-Lapu, were in a more advantageous situation. Thanks to dense tropical thickets and hilly terrain, they easily camouflaged themselves, while vigilantly watching the invaders, and as soon as they approached, they attacked the "medieval tourists", killing 9 Europeans, including Magellan himself. Those who managed to escape returned to Spain a year later and delivered the sad news of the death of Magellan.

For five centuries, the population of the country has become much friendlier and more hospitable to tourists, but the situation with the ebb is still the same. are especially felt tides on the islands Cebu and Bohol, they are also observed on Boracay, but no longer cause much discomfort. The resort reputation of Cebu and Bohol is justified by the fact that, in comparison with other islands, it is here that the entertainment infrastructure is most developed: promenades, bars and restaurants, plus great space for excursions. So if you can live a couple of hours on the beach or in the pool, then Cebu and Bohol are right for you.

These two wonderful islands suitable for those who do not like too complicated flights and transfers. A minimum of transfers from Russia to the Philippines in the event that you decide to rest in Cebu. The flight route will be as follows: Moscow-Hong Kong and Hong Kong-Cebu flights. Arriving in Cebu, you can check into a beach hotel and enjoy your vacation. This is also a convenient option also because while relaxing on the island of Cebu or on the island of Bohol, you can combine a beach holiday and an excursion program.

• DISCOUNTS AND SPECIAL OFFERS FOR ACCOMMODATION IN PHILIPPINE HOTELS

Cebu

The history of the Philippines begins in Cebu, and in terms of its popularity among travelers, the island competes with the island of Luzon and the capital of the state located on it - Manila. There are many historical monuments from the time of the colonization of the island by the Spaniards, space for shopping and entertainment. A good alternative to a beach holiday would be a trip to the Kawasan waterfalls, where visitors are offered unique hydromassage procedures: a person is placed on a raft woven from bamboo and led under a rock, under the jets of a waterfall. Visit an amusement park sky adventure V Crown Regency Hotels & Resorts and go ice skating in the park Fuente Osmena.

How to get to Cebu You can fly to Cebu from Russia (with one or two transfers) on flights Emirates, Korean Air , Aeroflot and other airlines, or fly a flight convenient for you to Manila, spend 1-2 days there, and get from the capital by plane or ferry to Cebu. We immediately warn you that ferry in this case, not the best option. Travel time by ferry is 20-22 hours. Company ferries SUPERCAT run between Manila and Cebu 5 times a week, the departure schedule often changes, so you need to check in advance. Ferry Carlos A. Gothong Lines departs from Pier 18 (Manila Pier 18) 2 times a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays, departure at 11.00. Cost from $16. By plane Travel time from Manila to Cebu is 1 hour 20 minutes. There are several flights per day. First departure at 04.00. The cost of a round-trip flight is just over $100.

WHERE TO LIVE. BEST HOTELS IN CEBU

Owners the best beaches to Cebu hotels Movenpick 5* And Shangri-La Mactan 5*. At Movenpick 5* there is a private beach where you can indulge in bliss under the sun and no one will bother you with annoying attention. Outdoor swimming pool Sapphirepool, surrounded by beautiful gardens. On the territory of the hotel's beach there is a marine reserve, with an amazing variety of underwater world - an ideal place for diving and snorkeling. A center aquatic species Sports offers a wide variety of water activities. The fitness center and health club with the latest equipment includes a gym, dance studio and thermae. The SPA center, surrounded by a fragrant garden, has six different treatment rooms and a variety of relaxation areas. Shangri-La Mactan 5*- Ideal for families with children. The hotel consists of two buildings: garden wing (modest rooms delux, delux sea ​​view and several suites) and ocean wing (closer to the ocean, club and premier level rooms). The hotel reception has Russian-speaking staff. Very well organized children's leisure. At the disposal of the kids is a three-story playroom, and for teenagers there is a game club stuffed with all kinds of slot machines and computer games. In the evenings, the hotel arranges entertainment programs, themed evenings with performances by Filipino performers are especially successful. If you are looking for an alternative Shangri-La Mactan, it is worth paying attention to Crimson Resort & SPA 5* . Alegre Beach Resort 4* suitable for those who seek solitude, as it is a 2-hour car ride from all settlements. Comfortable rooms, very nice pool and decent beach. Badian Island Beach Resort&SPA 5* located not on Cebu itself, but on Badian Island(across the strait) on the other side of the island of Bohol. This is an island hotel consisting of several bungalows with a pool. Very nice beach. In all pools sea ​​water. The hotel offers diet food from organic products. For entertainment, guests are offered every evening themed entertainment on the beach and barbecue dinners. At Badian Island Beach Resort&SPA have your own coral beach, where hotel guests are delivered by boat - a great place for snorkeling.

CEBU HOTELS: COMPARISON OF PRICES ON DIFFERENT BOOKING SITES

BOROKY HOTELS: COMPARISON OF PRICES ON DIFFERENT BOOKING SITES

Palawan

When people talk about the island of Palawan, they actually mean a mini-archipelago, consisting of several dozen tiny islands and one large one. This is a paradise for divers and lovers of expensive comfortable rest in "eco-style". Palawan is located 600 km from Manila in the southwestern part of a large archipelago. Philippine Islands. The main attraction of Palawan is considered national park Puerto Princesa Subterranean River- an extended network of many caves connected by an 8-kilometer underground river St. Paul.
The best time to travel to Palawan is from January to May; from June to the end of October, it is better to refrain from traveling to the islands, because despite the air temperature rarely falling below 30 degrees, it rains heavily here.

HOW TO GET TO PALAWAN

Depending on which of the islands of the archipelago the hotel is located on small airplanes local airlines can fly from Manila and Cebu airports Puerto Princesa, Cuyo, Tautau, Pamalican, Busuanga And El Nido. You can move between the islands on yachts or speedboats.
Hotels can also arrange Cebu airport charter or Manila, or pick up at Puerto Princesa Airport to take guests to the hotel by boat. The journey, for example, from the port of Puerto Princesa to El Nido will take about 40 minutes.

WHERE TO LIVE. THE BEST HOTELS IN PALAWAN

Most best hotels, where they offer the most respectable vacation, are located in nature reserve on the islands of El Nido. All resorts here offer all-inclusive accommodation, which includes not only food, but also a full range of entertainment. Therefore, upon arrival, you can immediately develop a program for your stay with an instructor and plan diving, kayaking or picnics on uninhabited islands. It is worth staying in Palawan for 3-4 days, rarely anyone stays longer here.
Local landscapes are very reminiscent of the area Phang Nga Bay in Thailand, so some tend to assure that the James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies, starring Pierce Brosnon, was filmed on El Nido. This is wrong. But local hotels have seen many celebrities without agent 007. So, for example, in the pearl of Palawan Amanpulo Resort 5* like to spend their holidays Robert DeNiro And Claudia Slate. This luxurious reservation, consisting of secluded villas and bungalows, is located on a separate island of the same name with the hotel. Twice a day: at 13.00 and 16.00 from Manila to the hotel runs its own charter. Back, from Amanpulo to the capital of the Philippines, flights are made at 9.30 and 14.30.
No less beautiful hotel El Nido Apulit Island Resort 4*, opened in 2010, is located in Taytay. Great for families with children, especially school age, as well as for honeymoon or organizing wedding ceremonies here. The hotel occupies the territory of a private island surrounded by rocks, hidden from prying eyes in quiet bay with white sand. The hotel offers 50 water cottages built on stilts over the water in a traditional Philippine style to accommodate hotel guests. architectural style on the seashore. Each cottage has a private veranda overlooking the turquoise bay of Palawan Taytay and the surrounding islands and rocks. The peculiarity of the hotel lies in the fact that only eco-recreation and complete immersion in nature are promoted on its territory, so you will have to forget about the TV for a while. But on the other hand, the hotel staff fully takes over the cultural and sports program of recreation for its guests. During your stay in El Nido Apulit Island Resort you can make daily boat trips to uninhabited islands, watch birds and animals that live in the rainforest, accompanied by a personal guide. And every evening there are themed dinners on the coast.
Another hotel of the chain is located on the island of Lagen El Nido - Lagen Resort 4*. It is considered one of the best resorts in this region. Lagen Resort consists of a complex of bungalows located on a hill or directly on the water. Before neighboring island Palawan can only be reached by boat in 30 minutes.
Economical holidays are offered in El Nido Mineloc Resort 3* located on the island of the same name. The rooms at the hotel are a little simpler than those of its two previous counterparts, but the beach here is much better than in Lagen Resort.
Palawan's collection of luxury hotels will soon be replenished with another hotel for an exceptional holiday, located on the island Huma- 80 water bungalows from Movenpick Hotels & Resorts, in the heart of the Palawan archipelago. The island is very popular among divers due to the rich marine life and the wreckage of 12 of the most legendary ships that were wrecked in the middle of the 20th century.
There are many mountains on Huma, completely covered with tropical forests and primeval caves, and endless clean beaches, encircling the island, were once the habitat of the "sailor Ibrahim", who was washed ashore in 1352 after the crash of his galleon "Huma" on the way from India to China. Ibrahim is no longer alive, but the legend about him and the name of his ship still live.

All hotels in Palawan on the map: price comparison on different sites

If planning independent travel to the Philippines is too difficult for you or there is no time for it, it makes sense to turn to specialists Top Travel Agent. There are two options: you can order the development individual itinerary to the Philippines or ask to pick up a ready-made offer from a tour operator that meets your needs. Feel free to leave a request - it does not oblige you to anything, travel agents will send you options and you can choose either the cheapest one or entrust the organization of your trip to a highly rated Philippines specialist