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Philippines Recommendations
Posted on 2/16/26 at 1:19 pm
Posted on 2/16/26 at 1:19 pm
Looking for any and all recommendations for the Philippines. Looking at booking a trip for early November staying around Palawan Island. Thinking one night in Manila, a couple of nights in El Nido and then Coron for the end of the trip. Also looking for experiences of anyone who's flown Philippines Airlines or Cathay Pacific business class. These two are the ones that are coming up the most for flights out of MSY/BTR to MNL.
3
Posted on 2/16/26 at 1:25 pm to OliverTwist225
Manila domestic airport is a shithole, so be prepared, but the international isn't bad. They are right next to each other.
Cathay Pacific is an amazing airline.
Boracay is freaking incredible, had the opportunity to visit just after they re-opened it years ago and would do it again in a heartbeat.
Cathay Pacific is an amazing airline.
Boracay is freaking incredible, had the opportunity to visit just after they re-opened it years ago and would do it again in a heartbeat.
Posted on 2/16/26 at 1:35 pm to Lsut81
Manila...depends on what you want to do. One or two days to see the sites there. But you can do some great excursions from there such as WW2 you may want to stay longer.
Another vote for Boracay, really enjoyed my time there. Lots of great watersports and relaxation.
Also, I like Cebu and Mactan island, and thought it was just as relaxing (not as great beaches) but much cheaper.
And flying domestically in the Philippines is not the best...but hey, any flight that lands is a great flight :)
Another vote for Boracay, really enjoyed my time there. Lots of great watersports and relaxation.
Also, I like Cebu and Mactan island, and thought it was just as relaxing (not as great beaches) but much cheaper.
And flying domestically in the Philippines is not the best...but hey, any flight that lands is a great flight :)
Posted on 2/16/26 at 1:47 pm to tccdc
I'm not a big history buff so I don't know if staying in Manila longer would be worth it for me. Really just looking to maximize my time beachside. What's the issue with the domestic flights? It does seems I will have to make a transfer after landing in MNL.
Posted on 2/16/26 at 1:48 pm to tccdc
quote:
And flying domestically in the Philippines is not the best...but hey, any flight that lands is a great flight :)
No lie, sitting around in the big room at the domestic airport had me sweating bullets before walking out to the tarmac and up the stairs.
Posted on 2/16/26 at 4:10 pm to OliverTwist225
quote:
I'm not a big history buff so I don't know if staying in Manila longer would be worth it for me. Really just looking to maximize my time beachside. What's the issue with the domestic flights? It does seems I will have to make a transfer after landing in MNL.
Nothing really...we are mainly spoiled here in the US...but when you are in the domestic airports there, you are 50/50 with AC working, so most of the time you drenched by the time you get on board.
And maybe it has improved, but listening for boarding groups is not really listened to, so it is dash for the boarding.
That being said, the stewardesses are all very nice and sweet. The pilots are well trained as most are ex military.
And the planes domestically tend to much much older, so it is a little bit of shock to they system when you see the ashtray in the armrests on some :)
Posted on 2/16/26 at 9:36 pm to OliverTwist225
EVA will fly to Cebu and you can get there from Houston or the west coast. Manilla is 100% skippable IMO and I would make Cebu / Mactan my home base. Savoy Hotel and Belmont (Mactan Newton) right next door are both nice options. We've flown first class on EVA and its top notch. From Cebu you can book a canyoneering day to see Kawasan Falls. We've done it before and after the storm did ALOT of damage to the falls and bottom area so it's not as nice as it was say ten years ago but its still awesome.
The Boracay sunset is incredible. Really fun at night and great bars, live music, shopping, people watching, etc.
Bantayan is gorgeous. Swim with the whale sharks in Bohol.
The Boracay sunset is incredible. Really fun at night and great bars, live music, shopping, people watching, etc.
Bantayan is gorgeous. Swim with the whale sharks in Bohol.
This post was edited on 2/16/26 at 9:37 pm
Posted on 2/17/26 at 6:30 am to LSUfan4444
Thanks for the recommendations. I've never heard of EVA so I'll have to look into that.
Posted on 2/17/26 at 7:22 am to OliverTwist225
Major Taiwanese airline so you'll fly into Taipei there and back but the lounge in Taipei is really nice. The pods don't look as "lush" as maybe other airlines but they are as comfortable as I have ever experienced and the service is top notch.
We prefer flying from IAH and just book our own flights from MSY to Houston. The departing flight out will leave around midnight so we usually find a morning direct flight on southwest or something and then book a room at the hotel at IAH to hang out for the day before boarding the late night flight from IAH to TPE (Taipei).
It's alot cheaper to do it that way (even with the added hotel cost) and if for some reason our flight had issues in the morning we have plenty of time to wait on another flight or in the worst case, rent a car one way and just drive over.
LINK
We prefer flying from IAH and just book our own flights from MSY to Houston. The departing flight out will leave around midnight so we usually find a morning direct flight on southwest or something and then book a room at the hotel at IAH to hang out for the day before boarding the late night flight from IAH to TPE (Taipei).
It's alot cheaper to do it that way (even with the added hotel cost) and if for some reason our flight had issues in the morning we have plenty of time to wait on another flight or in the worst case, rent a car one way and just drive over.
LINK
This post was edited on 2/17/26 at 7:25 am
Posted on 2/17/26 at 9:43 am to Lsut81
I worked in Manila for two years and have flown from Hong Kong & Macau countless times to the Philippines.
I've primarily flown Cathay from the US to Asia, Business Class - they're fantastic. A few flights on Philippine Airlines, which I would avoid.
I watched their security officers pull luggage through an x-ray machine with a broomstick and the machine was unplugged.
If you're intending to stay in Manila, I would recommend Makati City. Very nice and safe.
Yes, it is. I highly recommend. Palawan is on another level.
quote:
Cathay Pacific is an amazing airline.
I've primarily flown Cathay from the US to Asia, Business Class - they're fantastic. A few flights on Philippine Airlines, which I would avoid.
quote:
Manila domestic airport is a shithole
I watched their security officers pull luggage through an x-ray machine with a broomstick and the machine was unplugged.
If you're intending to stay in Manila, I would recommend Makati City. Very nice and safe.
quote:
Boracay is freaking incredible
Yes, it is. I highly recommend. Palawan is on another level.
Posted on 2/17/26 at 10:46 am to OliverTwist225
My information is about 11 years old so not sure how relevant it still is.
I wanted to do something quieter than El Nido and ended up spending time in Port Barton. There's not much there in the way of tourist infrastructure but that's what makes it great. There are a few small beach front hotels with restaurants.
The snorkeling and island hopping was the real get.
Accomodations
I wanted to do something quieter than El Nido and ended up spending time in Port Barton. There's not much there in the way of tourist infrastructure but that's what makes it great. There are a few small beach front hotels with restaurants.
The snorkeling and island hopping was the real get.
Accomodations
Posted on 2/17/26 at 8:16 pm to Novastar
Chocolate hills in Bohol are beautiful
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