Where is the best vacation in the Philippines. Features of national cuisine. The best season to visit the Philippines

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: a 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 stayed: good reviews, 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 rightly 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 the Northern Bus Station run frequently, approximately 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 here, deserted beaches, clear sea and beautiful scenery. 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 very 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 an inexpensive hotel for one night, and in the morning go around the city in search of suitable accommodation - 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

An old Spanish fort, a footbridge 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 neighboring Virgin Island (Virgin Island) - about 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 a sea urchin, a star, a snake or someone else worse - you need to carefully watch where you are stepping and do 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, where everyone who longs for a relaxing holiday on the shores of a beautiful sea should go.

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.

Philippines is magnificent beaches, exotic nature and comfortable rest.
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). Main airport receiving international flights, 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, which also accepts international flights, is 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 - on 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 a lot of 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 are also 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 of the best beaches in 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 beach there is a marine reserve, with an amazing variety of underwater world - perfect place for diving and snorkeling. And the water sports center 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 delux rooms, 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 activities. 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. All pools have 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 has its 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 the large archipelago of the 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 a natural 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. Perfect for holidays with children, especially school age, as well as for a honeymoon or organizing wedding ceremonies here. The hotel occupies the territory of a private island surrounded by rocks, hidden from prying eyes in a quiet bay with white sand. The hotel offers 50 water cottages built on stilts over the water in a traditional Philippine 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, observe birds and animals living in tropical forests, 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. The neighboring island of 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 wrecks of 12 of the most legendary ships, shipwrecked in the middle of the 20th century.
Huma has many mountains covered with tropical forests and primeval caves, and the endless clean beaches that encircle 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 an independent trip 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

Seven thousand islands of the Philippine archipelago offer tourists such a varied vacation that travelers, without leaving this prosperous and hospitable country, can see and experience all the adventures of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia and Hong Kong at the same time in one trip.

In terms of the diversity of natural beauties, beach and ocean opportunities, the brightness of cuisine and the originality of culture, the country has left all the countries of Southeast Asia far behind. All this scattering of tourist treasures makes it equally good for those who have a tight wallet and those who never pay for air.

A few tips and directions for those who do not have much experience in saving on long-distance travel, quality preparation for the trip - and the Philippines turns from a dream into a fabulous reality.

Visa, vaccinations, money

If your visit to the Philippines does not last more than four weeks, then there will be no hassle regarding an entry permit. For more than a month, those who have a lot of free time and an unlimited bank account spend in the archipelago.

Despite the fact that the Philippines is a developed and civilized country, some vaccinations will come in handy:

• if you want to enjoy local cuisine without any restrictions, eat not in hotel restaurants, not in tourist establishments, then you need to be vaccinated against hepatitis A;
• if you like to travel from one fishing village to another, to see with your own eyes how real Filipinos live, a typhoid vaccine will make you feel more confident;
• lovers of the virgin jungle, impenetrable rainforest, you need to think about vaccination against encephalitis.

All these precautions are not a prerequisite for visiting the Philippines, but to be sure, this recommendation should not be neglected.

The Philippine peso is the most preferred currency in the country. You can also pay in dollars, but all prices are instantly rounded down to your unfavorable side. You can pay with cards in large cities and in the main ones. In short, cash is indispensable.

Road

There are no direct flights from Russia to the Philippines. You will have to fly through China (the most budget option). The flight from Moscow to Guangzhou, from Guangzhou to Manila is operated by China Southern.

The total travel time will not exceed 15 hours. The waiting time at the flight connection point can be up to 8.5 hours. But this is not scary at all, moreover, it is even beneficial. During this time, you can go to bus tour through the most beautiful city in China (up to 10 euros per person, trip duration 3.5 hours). Air ticket (round trip) for one person - from 447 euros.

A flight via Beijing costs a hundred euros more, via Singapore - the same story.

Hotels

Tourist accommodation in the Philippines is not as cheap as in Cambodia or Vietnam. If we talk about the capital, Manila, then for less than 20 euros per day it is almost impossible to find a room even in a very modest hotel. But the bulk of tourists travel to the Philippine archipelago not for the sights of the capital.

On the island of Luzon, the largest of all the Philippine islands, a place in a hostel will cost 5-6 euros, and a private room - 8-9 euros. Double room in an institution with a comfort level of 3 * - 13-15 euros.

Small hotel room private beach– 29-37 euros (buffet breakfast). Accommodation in a family pension - from 10 euros. In this case, a separate room is provided to the guests, and all amenities are shared with the family of the owners of the house.

If you are looking for comfort European level, then get ready to pay at least 30 euros per day for housing. Cheaper hotels offer very modest conditions, you will not find a TV in the room, and the shower will most likely be on the floor. Two parameters that guarantee the vast majority of hotels in the Philippines - a high level of service and cleanliness.

Cuisine and food prices

Features of national cuisine

Filipino cuisine is an amazing combination of Asian and Spanish culinary traditions, with a touch of American food preparation. Such a complex cocktail has spawned many completely unusual and unique flavor combinations.

Of course, local dishes are not distinguished by such exotic brightness as in neighboring countries, here they appreciate Tasty food and offer it on every corner. Tourists have nothing to fear from very spicy food, and there are very few exotic dishes that a traveler from the Old World is not prepared for.

It seems incomprehensible that, despite the widest opportunities to have the freshest fish and seafood on the table, most Filipinos are convinced meat eaters. However, to visit the archipelago and not try the special local fish dishes is an unforgivable mistake.

Only here you can try special red lobsters and crabs, amazingly prepared tuna on the archipelago, and dishes from sea bass, milk fish and sharks will make you forget all the previous taste experience.

Among the most common dishes, a special impression can be made:

• Bangus - fish casserole with raisins in sour sauce;
• Lechon - a pig baked whole, under a crispy crust;
• Chicharon - a popular appetizer made from pork skin, fried until brittle, served with a special vinegar filling;
• Kare - oxtail soup, hearty and fragrant. A bowl of this soup may well replace a full meal;
• Adobo is fried meat marinated in vinegar. Favorite addition to the dish is mashed pork liver or coconut cream;
• Halo-halo is an inexpensive but very popular dessert made from pieces of fruit and a special sauce made from milk and crushed ice;
• Rice cakes - dozens of different types of this delicacy will not harm the figure, but will bring a lot of pleasure to the sweet tooth.

A particularly tasty and unusual dish is crabs boiled in sprite. Spices give the dish a unique piquancy.

Of the exotic and unusual dishes, Balut can be considered the most common in the Philippines. A boiled duck egg with a germ is not the most pleasant sight, but the locals are sure of its usefulness, especially for men. The taste of the dish is really unusual, only the most courageous tourists dare to try it.

About prices

You can eat very cheaply in the archipelago. If your desires are limited to rice (there are thousands of different recipes in the archipelago), sweet rice buns and water, then expenses are limited to two euros per day.

Food in street canteens (namely, local residents eat in them) is a little more expensive: breakfast - 0.50 euros, lunch - two euros, dinner - 2-3 euros. Total: 4.5-5.5 euros. The canteens serve only national dishes. Despite the fact that at first glance these establishments are very suspicious, the food here is very tasty, and the food is absolutely healthy and safe.

There are a huge number of restaurants and cafes for tourists in the Philippines, but they are never crowded. Lunch here will cost 8-12 euros, and if with beer, wine or strong alcohol (there are no problems with drinking in the country, the country is Catholic), then 17-20 euros.

Italian pizzerias or Chinese restaurants are popular here, the average check is 10 euros. It is customary in the country to encourage service personnel with an amount not exceeding 10% of the order value.

It is best not to buy water, but to take it in special vending machines in your dishes, this allows you to save up to 5-7 euros per day.

Self-catering will cost a little more than food in street canteens. Be careful with alcohol - a liter bottle of rum (excellent quality) - 1.7-2.2 euros!

Where to visit and what to see?

The magnificent nature of the Philippines has the most exciting impression on European tourists. Of all the natural beauties not to be missed:

• The Banaue Rice Terraces are more than ten thousand square kilometers of rice cultivation areas, carved into the mountains with the help of hands and the simplest tools back in the 1st millennium BC. You can get from Manila (night bus, journey - 7 hours, ticket - 11 euros), it will take two days to visit (overnight - 10 euros, guide services - 5 euros);
• Palavat is a group of islands with a developed tourist infrastructure. The best beaches, great diving opportunities, magnificent scenery, protected areas - basically this is what tourists come here for. Quite an expensive pleasure: the road from the capital is by plane (52 euros round trip, housing - from 20 euros for a modest room);
• Beaches are one of the main wealth of the Philippines, more than 30,000 kilometers of white-sand ocean shores are ready to receive several million tourists every year, a convenient beach can be found on most of the islands of the country;
• chocolate hills- a natural masterpiece of the island of Bohol, located near the resort of Carmen. You can get there by ferry or plane. The journey does not take much time, tickets are within 30-40 euros;
• Volcanoes Taal and Mayon - the first - the smallest active in the world, Mayon - is famous for its ideal geometric outlines. Walk with a guide - from 7 euros per day;
• Diving is the best in the world. Many schools issuing certificates of different levels. Bright flora and fauna of the ocean, crystal clear water.

In all major cities of the archipelago can be found in the Gothic or Baroque style. These are churches built by the Spanish colonizers. In each temple you can find an altar painting of the Spanish school of painting, sculpture, and unusual interiors.

Good to know

The Philippines is a fairly calm and prosperous country. However, it is worth remembering some rules that will make your vacation on the archipelago truly cloudless:

• Visits to those islands where the Muslim population predominates should be avoided. These are places of inter-religious conflicts. However, no one sells tours to these islands, and local residents will always warn if a foreigner has a desire to go to unstable parts of the country;
• Stealing on the streets of the cities of the Philippines is rare, but such cases are happening more and more often. Immediately contact the police, the criminal will be found, and the money and valuables will be returned. The best option– have only copies of documents with you, never carry all the money with you, keep valuables in a hotel safe;
• Do not forget about tips, often only this money makes up the income of the attendants. The reward depends on the quality of work, and can range from 5% to 10% of the restaurant bill, or 20-25 pesos (0.50 euros) for porters, taxi drivers, etc.;
• Have good health insurance with you (not just mandatory!), otherwise, you will have to pay medical care pay very dearly;
• Do not pay attention to beggars, if you give a child chewing gum or candy, the next day a “flock” of 10-15 children will demand sweets;
• Beware of pimps who lie in wait for naive Europeans in large cities. They bring nothing but trouble to travelers.

Have a nice trip to the most beautiful country in Asia!

When is the best time to go to the Philippines

This is one of the reasons why so many couples travel to the Philippines with children.
A full lunch or dinner with freshly squeezed juices (without alcohol) will cost about $ 5-10
The average cost of an hour full body massage is about $11
Nightlife begins after sunset: bars, discos, karaoke, various shows
For 2000 pesos (about $44) you can rent a boat for a boat trip around the island
The walk usually includes snorkeling and visiting the beaches of the island
From the Ilig-Iligan beach you can walk to the caves where the Filipinos live where the foxes can rest
We could not get into the cave: the road to it is on private property, and on that day it was closed
But we still looked at flying foxes: right from the boat you can see a large colony that settled on several trees
If you are traveling with a small child, be sure to visit the small zoo not far from the first station on White Beach
There are very few inhabitants of the zoo, but most animals, birds and insects can be picked up and photographed with them
The ticket costs 150 pesos (about $3.5)
Bohol and Panglau Islands Further from Caticlan, our path lies to the island of Bohol
We get to it through the island of Cebu, the flight to which takes about 50 minutes
Large speed boats run from Cebu to Bohol every two hours
The locals barely speak English
Taking a taxi at the airport, we found that the driver also did not know the rules of the road, did not understand pantomime and was poorly versed in the drawings where we depicted the sea, the boat and the name of the Bohol island
During the trip, we looked at the trading port, listened to how our taxi driver talked about something for about five minutes with local residents and, desperate to get to their destination, asked the driver to stop at the policeman, who knew English at a basic level, and most importantly knew where he was the pier where our ship departs from
Despite the long rally, the taxi cost us only 200 pesos (about $ 4.5)
To buy a ticket for the ship, I had to look for a ticket office, which was located about a kilometer from the pier
Later it turned out that there was a bus from the pier to the ticket office.
In the port of Bohol Island, at the counters of small travel agencies, you can not only order a taxi, but also arrange excursions and choose a hotel
At the same time, if the hotel is not to your liking, the driver will offer other options.
The most beautiful beaches are on Panglau Island, which bridged with Bohol
On Panglau we were offered a hotel on Bolod beach
The cost of double rooms with breakfast - from 1600 pesos per day
We looked at 5 hotels on this beach and chose Dumaluan Beach Resort with the most beautiful beach and the largest and most beautiful territory
In standard rooms, as it turned out not immediately, hot water is not provided, so we eventually moved to a deluxe room, costing 2150 pesos, which, unlike a standard room, in addition to hot water, also amazed the imagination with a TV
The hotel does not have its own SPA, but for 500 pesos you can order an hour oil-body massage right in the room
The hotel restaurant overlooking the beach plays live music almost all the time
In the morning (even at 5 am, when we got up for a tour!) and in the afternoon, a blind musician played very romantic melodies on the piano
The cost of lunch or dinner is about $ 5-10
Bolod is a very beautiful beach, White sand and palm trees
In the ocean, about fifty meters from the shore, algae, sea urchins, stars and other living creatures begin
The sea is not deep at all.
The beach is ideal for families with small children
The greatest depth that can be reached on the sand is about waist-deep
The downside is that there is a strong low tide on the beach - swimming in knee-deep water is inconvenient, and it is difficult to go further - therefore it is best to swim at low tide only with a mask
For lovers of snorkeling here expanse! At arm's length, you can see several types of starfish, hedgehogs of various sizes and colors.
More Supporters of a beautiful tan will love long sandy beaches Philippines, to see the picturesque expanses of the Philippines, to fall in love with the endless rivers with turquoise water, to see the hospitality of the indigenous people, to taste the national dishes of their cuisine
Tours to the Philippines have different prices
It may not depend on one tour operator, but also on your intentions
You personally think over your weekend and accommodation - according to interests and means
Holidays from the company "Saga" will surprise you with the variety and acceptability of its price
Endless expanses of water, an exciting and dynamic weekend, contemplation of a variety of creatures, different kinds fishing, hiking, delicious food, the sweetest alcoholic nectars and a whole lot more - this is how the best vacation and your most long-awaited weekend look like
And the best tours to the Philippines are undoubtedly the travel company "Saga"
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Philippines

Are you going on a trip? This article, informative and interesting, will tell you about organizing a trip on your own, especially if you are going to go to the Philippines. In the material you will learn: "why and when to go, where to live and what to eat, what to see and what to do, and also important - how much all this pleasure will cost."

The Philippines is an amazing and unique country in Asia, where millions of people from all over the world dream of being. In these places you understand that the most beautiful things on Earth are created by nature. After all, nothing man-made can compare with the indescribable beauty of lagoons, bays, beaches, mountains, jungles, volcanoes. All this is worth seeing with your own eyes, especially since in our time people with completely different levels of prosperity can afford it.

How to organize a trip to the Philippines on your own?

When I choose a country for a trip, the first thing I ask is how much the cheapest ticket to this country costs and how much the most affordable flight costs (without 3 transfers of 15 hours each). With regard to the Philippines, everything is very clear: if you fly from Moscow, then vouchers will cost from 85 thousand for two (the price of the cheapest hotel and island, at the end of the season), and plane tickets around 50 thousand for two (when buying tickets in advance). The difference is significant and at the same time, a trip on a package tour cannot be compared in impressions with independent travel. Therefore, my choice (and millions of travelers a year) is to organize a trip to the Philippines on my own. Moreover, this country is attractive, simple and convenient for an independent trip. Why?

No language barrier

The official language of the country is English, the second official language is Filipino, in which the inhabitants chat among themselves. They really know English everywhere, because all schools are taught in English with American textbooks, and their native language is taught only as a separate subject so that children speak it at a conversational level.

Good communication between islands and settlements

You can get anywhere from anywhere. Two cheap airlines fly between the islands, ships, ferries, boats go. Some of the islands are connected by bridges. On the islands, for short distances, it is convenient to travel on tricycles (a motorcycle with a welded trolley for passengers, some of them are more like a car). To get from one end big island to the other there is a choice between regular buses, buses for tourists, minivans and jeepneys.

I am all hands and feet FOR regular buses and jeepneys, because they always have windows open, and in some places they don’t have any at all. And with the windows open, you feel such a drive, such a pleasure, and you don’t feel sick at all when driving along a serpentine. In jeepneys, locals transport everything in a row, this is a kind of transport company.

Of course, bus and jeepney trips take a little longer than a taxi or minivan ride. Therefore, if time is running out, then a minivan is an excellent transport - smart and clean. But! Some of the passengers could not stand each trip in a minivan and used the package for their “trouble”. Therefore, if your vestibular apparatus is not as resistant as that of astronauts, take care of motion sickness pills.

Availability of mobile internet

It’s not that the Internet in the Philippines is amazing, but it is there and it is enough to satisfy the necessary needs (see a map, read an article about a place, talk on Skype, albeit without a video, post a photo on a social network). Buy mobile Internet from Globe or Smart mobile operators: in most cases it will be enough for you.

Friendliness of the local people

If you follow basic safety rules and are kind to others, be calm. Filipinos are very friendly people, they constantly smile, sing, greet you (even in big cities). And this is not the kind of greeting that will be followed by begging for money - it's just how they do it. If you feel that in some area the atmosphere is not very friendly, then just be adequate and do not walk after sunset. However, I have not been to such places.

Season

The season in the Philippines lasts from early December to late May. Until the end of November, typhoons and showers are possible on the islands. Somehow, the locals told me when it is better to come to the islands: they argued heatedly among themselves, but everyone admitted that in January the probability of rains and typhoons is certainly minimal, and in December it is still possible. From personal experience, I was convinced that the Philippines is the country that is best visited in the season (try to go not in the midst, otherwise in all interesting places ah, it will be too crowded): so you will be insured against “sitting” in the hotel waiting for good weather. After all, the Philippines is a beach holiday, enjoying the stunning sea, trips to the jungle, tours along the rivers. All this beauty appears in full splendor when the sun is shining and the tropical rain is not pouring.

Of course, a trip during the season will cost you more (about 1.5-2 times), but then you can see incredibly beautiful lagoons and beaches when they are pierced by the sun, and the sea becomes amazing turquoise, blue, blue, and not gloomy gray from threatening clouds. Moreover, out of season, boats with strong waves and bad weather simply will not be able to take you to the most remote and beautiful places, and there will be a lot of nailed garbage on the beach and the sea will be muddy and dirty. But in good weather, the sea is so crystal clear that you can see all the underwater life even without a mask.

Visa

The last thing you need to worry about is a visa. The Philippines is a country with amazingly simple visa regime. Visa to visit the country for Russian citizens for up to 30 days is not required, upon arrival you are stamped on arrival and that's it. At the same time, you can renew your visa every month for an additional fee (the 1st renewal is about 3,000 rubles, the second, the most expensive, because you are given an ID, it costs about 7,000 rubles, all subsequent renewals are the same as the first).

Best Beach Resorts in Philippines

You can renew the stamp for at least a year without leaving the country. Tickets In order to conquer the Philippines you need to buy a ticket to Manila. Manila is the capital of the Philippines and all the country's cheap airlines fly from here, so it will not be difficult for you to get to any corner of the country.

Which islands to choose?

To further plan your trip, you just need to decide on the islands you want to visit. And this choice depends on your desires: beach holidays, active beach holidays, hiking, visiting rice terraces, diving, trekking in the jungle, visiting historical places of interest.

Boracay: the perfect beach vacation, diving

This heavenly tiny island is the most popular beach destination in the Philippines. And not in vain. This is an island 3x7 km, which you can get around on foot if you set such a goal.

There are many beaches on the island, but at least 6 of them will not leave anyone indifferent. They differ from each other in sand, waves, water, housing prices and infrastructure. Therefore, in Boracay, every traveler can find accommodation, cafes and affordable entertainment. What rhythm your rest will have depends on you. Even on the most popular White beach (white beach) you will find a secluded corner and you can enjoy your vacation, experiencing discomfort from other vacationers. If you wish, you can hang out all night in bars, clubs and parties. Well, sunsets, of course!

In addition, on the island you can buy tours to neighboring islands, dive courses, parachute flights, banana races and all other water activities. Also here you can visit the caves of bats and climb the most high point to admire the entire island from a bird's eye view.

Luzon: mountains, rice terraces, shopping, historical sites, natural attractions This is the island on which the country's capital, Manila, is located.

Tourists do not often linger in it due to the fact that the city is very chaotic, poor, jeepneys are driving around, and all this does not make a very good impression. However, there are large shopping centers where you can buy everything. There are many historical sights in Manila: the Intramuros district (Intramuros) - the fortress of the Spanish conquerors, Fort Santiago - the Spanish defensive fortress, as well as many temples. Luzon attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists because Taal Volcano is located here, rice terraces, which are carefully protected by UNESCO. Here you can observe the life of the mountain peoples and see the original way of burying people in hanging coffins on the rocks (Sagada hanging coffins).

Bohol: jungle, beach holidays, historical sites, rare animals, natural attractions, diving

Bohol is an island about 100 km long and 90 wide. This makes it very convenient and accessible for self-study. A visit to the Chocolate Hills, an acquaintance with an unprecedented animal - a tarsier (Tarsier), an explosion of emotions from riding a bike along a mountain road among trees that God knows how old - in Bohol you fully realize the expression that the path to the goal is sometimes more important than achieving this very goal . One day we were driving around the island and in search of a way we turned onto a country road, where we saw dozens of parked motorcycles and tricycles. There was a shed next to the road. We slowed down and then heard the reason for this pandemonium: there were real cockfights. Everything was very serious: that day the main prize was about 20,000 pesos!!! Not even very bad.

Through the entrance to the shed, we got into the yard, where an arena was built with seats for spectators: crowds of men are betting around, everyone is shouting, the owners show their valiant fighters, everyone wants to guess and raise their winnings, and then suddenly everything calms down. The fight begins. Almost from the very beginning it becomes clear who will win. A weak rooster behaves insecurely almost from the very beginning, gets confused in spurs, does not deliver strong blows. After a minute or two, a strong opponent delivers a winning blow, and the defeated rooster dies. A minute later, everything repeats again. Practical Filipinos quickly grab the vanquished, pluck and carry home for dinner. But there are also sad sides to the life of the Filipinos that can be seen in Bohol. Here you will find a lot of traces of the terrible typhoon of November 2013. It was hard for me to imagine what strength he was until I saw the old church (Loboc Church), which was almost wiped off the face of the earth: its entire middle seemed to be broken by a bulldozer. After what he saw, the question arises, what happened to the houses made of bamboo and wood of ordinary people?

Not far from the capital of Palawan is the village of Sabang with its underground river, which is included in the list of wonders of the world and is carefully protected by UNESCO. The Philippines is too many interesting places, so if you don't have much time, choose 1-3 islands that you would like to see and spend a varied, rich and interesting vacation there.

Cebu: historical sights, beach holidays, diving, shopping. Cebu is an island that has no beaches for swimming. It is usually used as a starting point to other islands of the country, because the city of the same name is an excellent transport interchange (port, airport, transport from which runs to all the islands of the country). There are also many traces of the Spaniards in Cebu, which tourists are not averse to seeing: the grave of Magellan, Fort San Pedro is the oldest spanish fortress in the Philippines (1565), the church of St. Augustine, where the icon of the Holy Infant Jesus is kept - the oldest Christian relic in the country, as well as the cross of Magellan.

It is not advisable to go to Cebu specifically to see these sights if you are not a historian or architect.

But, if you have a transfer in Cebu or you are going to Bohol, and you can find a couple of hours to see all the places, you will surely be satisfied. After all, it is not every day that you can see the cross that Magellan himself held in his hands!

Palawan: beach holidays, island tours, jungle, diving

It really is paradise. I don't embellish at all. I can not boast that I have been to all the beaches in the world, but Palawan is the virgin beauty of the sea and the jungle. No wonder this archipelago is a national park of the Philippines. When you get there, you realize the beauty of the jungle and enjoy its sounds. And the islands! Each island is unique, the sea water is of indescribable color, and what a rich underwater life you can observe! Rocks rise from the turquoise sea. On some of them it is not known how wild plants have grown, others are completely naked, which makes them even more attractive. Sea urchins gather in pieces 20-50 and lie in shallow water in anticipation of the victim. The sand beckons you to lie down on it, to dig into it.

Ease of converting Philippine pesos to rubles

It's great that the Philippine peso exchange rate is 0.75 Russian rubles. Therefore, it is always easy to understand how much, approximately, a hotel, a chicken or an excursion to secret island. The peso to dollar exchange rate is approximately 42-44 pesos per 1 US dollar.

The average cost for a month and a half for two is:

Snacks, chocolates, water — $150

Excursions and entertainment $200

Transportation, including rental of motorbike, car, taxi, spoons – $300

Hotel accommodation – $700

Keep in mind, taxi drivers in the Philippines are cunning, if the fare costs 30 pesos, and you only have 50, you most likely will not receive change. It is advisable to have small banknotes and arrange a trip in advance in advance and it would be useful to repeat a couple of times.

Why I would not choose a holiday in the Philippines again

Trips

The Philippines is a unique state, scattered over seven thousand islands, and this is not an exaggeration. The state actually includes 7107 different land areas scattered in the Pacific Ocean. Despite this, the best and most interesting resorts are located on just a few islands.

Tourist paradise - Philippines

The resorts, the description of which is so diverse that it can satisfy any tourist, offer luxurious service, exotic culture, and magnificent nature, and snow-white beaches, and modern megacities that are not inferior to those in Hong Kong. Add to this the hot climate and amazing diving opportunities, and it becomes clear that the tourism potential of the Philippines is much higher than that of any country in Southeast Asia.

The Philippines will please any tourist - for families and those who love passive recreation, calm islands with comfortable hotels and the cleanest beaches. It is better for young people to turn their attention to the popular resorts of the Philippines, where there are many bars, beach parties and a large number of dive sets. You can also buy a combined tour with a visit to several islands. Therefore, when choosing a resort, you need to carefully study its specifics.

Beach holidays on the island of Boracay

Boracay is an island with amazingly beautiful beaches. For example, White beach is one of the hundred most beautiful beaches in the world due to its white sand, coconut palms and the absence of ocean waves.

In the evening, there are many bars and restaurants on the embankment, which will not let the tourist pampered in the sun get bored. There are also numerous souvenir shops. Middle-class hotels are located near the waterfront, and the most luxurious hotels are located in separate lagoons, with their own beaches and access to the ocean.

However, this is a very small island, stretching 7 kilometers long and only 1 kilometer wide. Therefore, lovers of exploring new places and far from hiking trails corners on the island will quickly become boring. All its attractions are beaches and unique corals that can be viewed underwater.

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Cebu - the center of cultural life

For those who are not satisfied with beaches alone and want to plunge into the culture of the state of the Philippines, resorts need to be chosen more carefully. Such travelers should go to the island of Cebu. It was here that Magellan set foot, who discovered the Philippines, whose resorts are so attractive today. It was in Cebu that local tribes converted to Christianity, it is Cebu that is the flagship of the entire Philippine economy, and it is here that you can feel the spirit of the country, in which two cultures are mixed - indigenous people and European colonizers.

Adds popularity to the island and a major airport that accepts international flights. You can fly directly to Cebu from Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo or Seoul.

Among the attractions of the island are monuments to Magellan and the leader of the Lupa-Lupa tribe, who rebuffed the conquerors. You can also see the cross that Magellan stuck in the ground of the island, marking the beginning of the planting of Catholicism. Interesting from a historical point of view and the fortress of San Pedro, built by the Spaniards in the 16th century.

From natural wonders- Kawasan waterfall, located on an island adjacent to Cebu. This large three-stage waterfall, surrounded by picturesque jungle, is a real miracle of nature.

Bohol, an island with great potential

Attractive for tourists coming to the Philippines, resorts on the island of Bohol. Tourism is not yet as developed here as on Boracay or Cebu, but the island is so interesting that it will soon be able to compete with them. Therefore, if you do not like crowds of tourists and super-popular resorts, you are here.

Of interest to tourists are local natural attractions, which are called the Chocolate Hills. These are unique rounded hills, similar to each other like two drops of water. There are more than a thousand of them, and the grass burnt out on the slopes gives them a brown (chocolate) color, which contrasts with the rest of the nature of the island. Interestingly, scientists still do not know how these hills formed.

Here, in Bohol, lives a local unique animal - the Philippine tarsier. This is a monkey with bulging eyes, the smallest among primates. It is difficult to see her in the wild, but taking a picture in a local nature reserve is easy.

On the neighboring small islands - a paradise for divers. All conditions for comfortable diving are created here, and fans of extreme sports are waiting for the island of Balicasag - diving here, you can meet a dangerous hammerhead shark.

Luxury holidays in Palawan

Briefly characterizing the Palawan resort, we can say that this is a high-quality, expensive and secluded vacation for lovers of good diving. Without a doubt, Palawan is one of the best resorts in the state of the Philippines.

Resorts in Palawan are famous and unique object— El Nido.

Philippines where to relax - Where is it better to relax in the Philippines, where to relax in the Philippines

This is a nature reserve consisting of many small islands. Some of them house expensive eco-hotels with gorgeous beaches and amazing nature. Here you can meet rare representatives of local flora and fauna.

Here, in Palawan, is located and national park- a picturesque jungle, in the center of which stretches a network of caves connected by an underground river. Here you can meet the rarest sea cow, more than 1000 species of birds, ride a canoe and go diving or snorkeling in one of the best dive sets in the world.

Mindoro, mecca of divers

Mindoro Island has gained popularity and fame as the best resort in the Philippines due to its proximity to the capital Manila, the largest dive center, as well as thanks to its mountains and eco-villages.

The north of the island is the mecca of divers. This underwater park Puerto Galera, where there are many dive sets for both beginners and advanced divers. There are places where you can dive right from the shore, and there are places where you first need to sail on a boat. The Apo Reef Park is also interesting for diving, where you can meet moray eels, stingrays, reef sharks, barracuda and other underwater wildlife that the Philippines is rich in.

Resorts, reviews of which are always positive, can boast not only the inhabitants of the depths. The success of Mindoro among divers was also ensured by a sunken merchant ship carrying Chinese porcelain. Dive to it is especially interesting.

In addition to diving, on Mindoro you can climb Mount Alcon 3 kilometers high, watch cockfights or visit strip bars rare for the country.

The Philippines is a very colorful country, little explored by Russian tourists yet, but this is a great reason to explore it on your own.

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Best Philippines Beaches - Top 5. Philippine Resorts Where to Relax

Holidays in the Philippines - the best resorts

Remote and exotic Philippines - a country of thousands wonderful islands. Even the most captious traveler will be enchanted, surprised and will definitely find where to roam.

The resorts of this country delight tourists with endless beaches, white sand and surprisingly warm and gentle sea. The excursion programs are so rich that the impressions of the local exotic will last for many years to come, and the reviews about the trip will be the most laudatory!

The main advantage of a tour to the Philippines is the variety of forms and types of local nature. This is not only a beach holiday, but also visiting natural attractions and national parks, diving and snorkeling. The downside of vouchers to these islands is a long flight with a small connection at the airport in Dubai or Doha.

For divers, the Philippines is a desirable destination. The coral reefs here are the most beautiful on Earth, and the dive sites are amazing in their originality. The magical nature of the Philippine resorts will provide many unforgettable hours for beach lovers. It is worth enduring a many-hour flight only for the sake of fantastic landscapes and snow-white sand.

Boracay Island

One of the pearls of the Philippines is the island of Boracay. These are coconut palms, white sand, amazing beauty the sea changing its color is a classic paradise landscape. An ideal place for a wedding ceremony, honeymoon or simply unique photo shoots against the backdrop of sunsets (every day is different!). This resort is best suited to lovers of outdoor activities and fans of nightlife - the duration of parties here is all 24 hours a day.

Palawan Island

A very interesting resort, but relatively expensive - the island of Palawan. Divers come here from all over the world. Exotic fish frolic right at the shore - at the feet of vacationers, and bungalows on stilts allow you to dive into the water right from the bedroom. This resort is designed for an unforgettable family holiday.

Mindanao Island

The island of Mindanao is the focus of a variety of entertainment. In addition to a beach holiday, tourists ride yachts, jet skis, boats, and you can also visit many local attractions. Especially tourists like to visit crocodile farm, an eagle nursery and the most high peak in the Philippines - Apo.

Bohol Island

Bohol Island is a rich and vibrant resort for fans of water sports and enjoying the views of the underwater world. There are a lot of diving centers here. In addition, tourists can see rare species of animals here, including small tarsier monkeys.

Best Philippines Beaches - Top 5 |

The Philippines is a group of islands located in South-East Asia and are washed by the Pacific Ocean. The country is famous for its mild climate, picturesque nature, as well as mysterious healers-healers. Tourists and travelers from all over the world flock here all year round.

Where to relax in the Philippines

They are attracted by crystal clear water, sandy beaches, rich underwater world.

The coast of the Philippines offers vacationers a lot of sports entertainment: kayaking, windsurfing, yachting, spearfishing. After an active holiday, you can lie with great pleasure on the wonderful local beaches, since there are no problems with this.

The name of the beach speaks for itself. A five-kilometer strip of white sand along the ocean will not leave anyone indifferent from tourists. There are many quite inexpensive hotels, bars and restaurants along the coastline. White Beach is rightfully included in the hundred best beaches in the world. But distinctive feature of this place is a calm, cozy atmosphere and not very large crowds of people (with the exception of April-May, when school holidays come). There are practically no corals here, so diving enthusiasts will have to take a boat to the nearest reef. From November to April, the traditional time for the influx of windsurfers.

Honda Bay

The bay, located on the island of Palawan, traditionally attracts diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. This place has only recently become popular with vacationers, so the infrastructure is not so developed here - there are very few shops and restaurants. Honda Bay is white sand beaches and picturesque corals around them.

Malapaska

A small island has only recently taken a place in the ranking of the best beaches in the world. Malapasca is located near the island of Cebu. An attraction is the vast population of local sharks, which attracts the attention of divers from all over the world. The best time to relax on the island is February-May, when the weather is dry and warm.

At a distance of 15 kilometers from the island of Cebu lies Bantayan. It is famous for its crystal clear water and fine white sand. Bantayan is a relatively inexpensive resort. The influx of people here is quite significant, especially in the Santa Fe area. Those wishing to retire should go to the island of Puo.

One of the best surf spots in the Philippines. On weekends, metropolitan residents from Manila come here. The resort is also famous for its fine white sand and excellent, wide beaches. Puraran is located in the rainiest region of the country, so best time April-June will be for vacation.

These are the best beaches in the Philippines, but the choice was not so easy. After all, nature has generously endowed the country with luxurious beaches.

Where can I find cheap tours?

It is better to search for profitable tours through the Level.Travel service, which compares prices from more than 120 tour operators and allows you to find the cheapest deals. We do it ourselves and are extremely satisfied 🙂

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Resorts of the Philippines, a detailed description. The most beautiful beaches in the world.

The Philippines is located close to the equator and has the longest coastline in Asia. Many islands have wonderful natural beaches with white coral sand, and the turquoise color of the purest water cannot leave anyone indifferent. Internationally recognized resorts such as Boracay attract many beach lovers.

The Philippines is one of the top diving destinations in the world. Here you can see coral reefs, large marine animals, sunken ships, underwater islands and secluded lagoons. And the famous Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea is on the list world heritage UNESCO.

The resorts of the Philippines are the embodiment of the dream of a tropical paradise. Here you will find blue sea, white sand, exotic palm trees and modern hotels that have everything you need for an unforgettable vacation. Luxury resorts are located in areas where in the coastal waters you will see colorful coral gardens with many fish, and around the islands - limestone cliffs, volcanoes, lagoons.

The Philippines is famous for golf courses, diving, which is developed here at the state level, SPA and, of course, various attractions.

The most popular resorts of the Philippine archipelago are located in the provinces of Cebu, Boracay, Palawan, Bohol.

Boracay Island is located on the northern tip of Panay Island and is considered one of the most beautiful places in the world. The butterfly-shaped island is only 7 km long and 1 km wide at its widest point. For about 10 years, Boracay has been one of the five best beach islands in the world.

Boracay Boracay is famous for its beach holidays and entertainment. Here are the best beaches not only in the Philippines, but in the whole world. Diving, surfing, horseback riding, golfing will help diversify your vacation. The island is also full of nightlife: clubs, discos, entertainment programs, restaurants and bars. Boracay is a resort for active people and young people. Living conditions can be different: there are both expensive luxury hotels and villas, as well as hotels offering budget accommodation options. You can get to Boracay from Manila by plane in just an hour.

CebuThe island of Cebu is considered to be one of the most elite resorts. Almost all the islands of the Philippines are famous for good service, but it is here that luxury hotels, the best SPA-salons in the country and expensive restaurants with a variety of delicious dishes and drinks are located. In addition, the island attracts diving enthusiasts. IN different corners islands when diving, you can see dolphins, whales and even fox sharks.

Bohol No more than two hours by ferry from Cebu and you will find yourself in Bohol. This island is famous for its many interesting sightseeing routes. Here are the extraordinary Chocolate Hills, ancient temple made of stone in Baclayon and much more. It will be interesting for children to look at miniature tarsier monkeys, as well as see flocks of dolphins near Pamilacan Island. There are not a lot of hotels in Bohol, so people come here more often for day trips.

Palawan Holidays in this area will be appreciated not only by lovers of secluded corners, but also by professional divers. The untouched beauty of nature, the amazing flora and fauna of the surroundings of Palawan amaze tourists. In addition, you can visit the islands in the Philippines called Coron and Busuanga, which are protected natural areas.

philippines best place to relax

Where to go in the Philippines

I want to write in general about where it is better to go to the Philippines. After all, there are more than 7 thousand islands in the Philippines, and if you don’t know much about this country, it’s hard to decide which places to visit. When asked where it is better to relax in the Philippines, I can say for sure that these are the islands of Boracay and Palawan. I believe that these two islands must be visited so that you get exactly the right impression of the country. There are the best beaches, the best views, rocks, the best diving, the underwater world, and this best resorts Philippines. The best option would be to spend 10 days in Boracay and, for example, 14 days in Palawan. It is worth allocating more time to Palawan, because. there are more interesting places that the Philippines is worth where it is better to relax, there are a lot of excursions and nearby beautiful islands.

And in Boracay, 10 days is enough to enjoy the gorgeous long white beaches of White Beach and Puka Beach. diving at Ilig-Ligan Beach and Crocodile Island, sailing, etc. But in Palawan, I advise you to stay for a few days in its capital, Puerto Princesa, from where you should definitely go to underground river. and you can also visit waterfalls, butterfly garden, crocodile farm, promenade, Pristine Beach, etc. (more about excursions in Puerto Princesa) And then go to El Nido, because this is the best and most beautiful place in Palawan. And if you haven't been to El Nido. then we can assume that they did not visit Palawan itself. There are 45 islands in El Nido, so there are a lot of impressive and interesting boat excursions from there. Sometimes even two weeks is not enough! Be sure to go to El Nido on boat tours to neighboring islands - this is the A, B, C & D tour, to the Nagkalit Kalit waterfall and the Makinit Hotsprings hot springs, to the beaches of Nacpan and Marimegmeg Beach. to the mangrove forest, to the Ille Cave, to the island of Coron, you can go rock climbing, etc. (more about excursions to El Nido)

In general, Boracay and Palawan are at the top of the list when visiting the Philippines. There are also such islands in the Philippines as Bohol, Mindoro, Negros (Dumaguette), Samal, Mindanao, which are also interesting to see, you still have time left.

For a very cheap Filipino life, it is better to go to Samal Island. There are no such luxurious beaches as the Philippines where it is better to relax Boracay and Palawan, still the purest clear water. As well as all the conditions for life - low prices, all year round good weather, abundance of fruits, etc. and so on. Read more about Samal.

Holidays in the Philippines can be arranged in a variety of ways, depending on what you prefer. If a beach holiday, then Boracay is better, if diving and excursions - Palawan and Bohol, if you want to try all the best exotic fruits - Davao and Samal, because. there is little fruit in Palawan and Boracay. Spend October 2014 in the Philippines and leave your feedback. Holidays in the Philippines - beach holidays. The weather here is hot and sunny all year round, the air temperature is always above +20 degrees, and the air is always very humid, therefore, tourists choose the Philippines as a resort where they can relax in the winter months, enjoying the good weather and warm sea.

Beyond the hot sun clear water and stunning views and scenery, the Philippines has amazingly delicious cuisine. National dishes, this is a mixture of Malay, Chinese Spanish cuisine - the basis of all dishes, this is rice. There is always rice on the table and is an ingredient in almost all dishes, even if you are offered a seafood dish, there will definitely be rice in it. Sweet dishes and desserts also often contain this product.

The Philippines is a country of carnivals and holidays, something is always celebrated here, a fiesta takes place every day throughout the Philippines, rest is especially revered here, you can’t overload your body, so many institutions and even cafes are closed during the fiesta - as Filipinos go to take a nap, or just relax on the beach. As for holidays, each region of the country has its own calendar of holidays and festivals. Weather on Philippine Islands extremely unstable I was personally convinced of this last year I had a rest on the island of Cebu in mid-June In the morning I went to the neighboring island for shopping The weather was wonderful: the sun was shining, there was not a single wrinkle-wave on the ocean The ship quickly drove me to the town of Dumaguete, and then back The distance from the pier to the hotel was 15 minutes on foot In these 15 minutes, the weather changed dramatically: the sky became leaden, the wave rose such that all flights were canceled, the downpour went like a wall. I just couldn’t believe that the sun was just shining and birds were singing. this time there may be small short-term rains. True, these precipitations do not add freshness at all - strong evaporation begins, but surrounding nature they revive But in the rainy season in the Philippine Islands it is better not to be found, no matter how tempting the price for a ticket or flight was the wave washed away everything in its pathThese natural disasters are very harmful to the tourism business, which suffers great lossesBut the Filipinos are like a phoenix bird - they are reborn again and again They clean the coast, rebuild new hotels and houses, and now they are again ready to receive tourists The only thing that can be guaranteed is that in the Philippines for sure there will be no frosts But sunny, cloudless weather throughout your stay on these islands, hardly anyone can promise you