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Message
What can you tell me about Philippines?
Posted on 12/25/19 at 8:48 pm
Posted on 12/25/19 at 8:48 pm
Semi thinking about going to Philippines end of June beginning of July. I have been pricing flights and it looks like 1200-1400 out of MSY into Manila. But would ultimately like to spend a large chunk of time in El Nido, Palawan.
A. Is this a good time of year to go?
B. Is 8–9 days long enough?
C. How much should I budget for a trip like this?
D. Any tips recommendations?
A. Is this a good time of year to go?
B. Is 8–9 days long enough?
C. How much should I budget for a trip like this?
D. Any tips recommendations?
This post was edited on 12/27/19 at 7:22 am
12
Posted on 12/25/19 at 9:09 pm to GeauxCroTigers
More a fan of Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians...
Posted on 12/25/19 at 10:39 pm to GeauxCroTigers
I remember learning a lot about it in Bible school. Let me see if I can find my notes.
Posted on 12/26/19 at 7:32 am to GeauxCroTigers
How are you going to travel to a place and you don’t even know it’s name?!
Posted on 12/26/19 at 11:08 am to GeauxCroTigers
“I’m planning to fly halfway across the world to spend 8 days in a place I’ve never been and know nothing about.
what should I do there?”
LOL
what should I do there?”
LOL
Posted on 12/26/19 at 11:25 am to GeauxCroTigers
I once dated a girl from the Phillipines. She told me Palawan was the most beautiful place on earth.
Couple notes:
1. U.S. dollars are accepted most everywhere and food is VERY cheap.
2. Get the peanut butter. It’s all homemade, nothing like what we have here, and tastes really good.
3. Get a good guide/driver. A lot of locals make their living from ripping off foreigners and travelers.
4. Try to learn a little tagalog to avoid getting ripped off.
5. Avoid rural forested areas in the southern island. ISIS hides out in these areas and they target travelers to kidnap and ransom. It’s apparently really bad. I have spoken to immigrants from the Philippines to the U.S. and many report still being scared of traveling through heavily forested areas in the U.S. because they still fear the bandits and terrorists.
6. Manilla is a cosmopolitan entertainment city that never sleeps. It’s like an asian Vegas/New York.
7. Boxing and basketball are the two big sports out there, and many people watch the NBA.
8. Do not do drugs or spend time with people who do. The President has essentially called for vigilante lynch mobs to kill all drug users and dealers.
9. The country is infamous for sex tourism, so don’t be surprised if people crack wise about that being the reason you’re going or if locals try to convince you to go to a brothel.
Couple notes:
1. U.S. dollars are accepted most everywhere and food is VERY cheap.
2. Get the peanut butter. It’s all homemade, nothing like what we have here, and tastes really good.
3. Get a good guide/driver. A lot of locals make their living from ripping off foreigners and travelers.
4. Try to learn a little tagalog to avoid getting ripped off.
5. Avoid rural forested areas in the southern island. ISIS hides out in these areas and they target travelers to kidnap and ransom. It’s apparently really bad. I have spoken to immigrants from the Philippines to the U.S. and many report still being scared of traveling through heavily forested areas in the U.S. because they still fear the bandits and terrorists.
6. Manilla is a cosmopolitan entertainment city that never sleeps. It’s like an asian Vegas/New York.
7. Boxing and basketball are the two big sports out there, and many people watch the NBA.
8. Do not do drugs or spend time with people who do. The President has essentially called for vigilante lynch mobs to kill all drug users and dealers.
9. The country is infamous for sex tourism, so don’t be surprised if people crack wise about that being the reason you’re going or if locals try to convince you to go to a brothel.
Posted on 12/27/19 at 3:39 am to kingbob
My wife is filipina and I've been to the Philippines 3 times in the last 7 years: durations of 1 month, 8 days (with 10 additional in Malaysia), and 2 weeks.
U.S. dollars are accepted in high traffic tourist areas... outside of that, hit or miss. Exchange rate is extremely favorable... just exchange at the Ninoy Aquino BPI branch as soon as you get in country and you'll never have to worry.
This is sort of true... There is a good chance Filipinos in any capacity will try to rip you off in one way or another... but they are also, as a general rule, extremely nice and treat Americans, in particular, like royalty. As far as transportation goes, public transport is ubiquitous throughout all parts of the Philippines, and you can get literally anywhere via public transportation. Wife and I traveled for three weeks riding only buses and jeepneys and taking the occasional taxi (which are dirt cheap by the way).
If you're going to stick to heavily touristed areas, I wouldn't bother... however, Filipinos do really enjoy Americans trying to speak Tagalog... pretty much always puts a smile on their face, particularly when your pronunciation is terrible. If you already know some Spanish, about half of Tagalog words are stolen directly from the Spanish language, albeit with different wording. For example, "How are you?" is kumusta ka (or po for formal), pronounced almost the same as "Como esta?"
The Southern half of Mindanao (the 2nd largest island in the Philippines) is a mess, and there are 4 provinces (states) that make up the AMMR (autonomous Muslim Mindanao Region), which is semi-self governing and where there is significant terrorist activity. If you are not going to Mindanao, which I wouldn't advise if it's your first time in country and you're alone, you dont need to worry. There is also a Communist guerilla group that has operated in Pi since the 70s called the NPA (New People's Army I believe)... but they've died down in recent years... every few months they'll assassinate a local mayor or something like that, but you dont have to worry too much about them. My wife has a few relatives who ran off to join them and live in the mountains with them, and they're pretty active in her hometown but it really isnt a big deal. Worry first about the bus you're in driving off a cliffside... that's much more likely.
Manila is a great city that will also open your eyes to what TRUE poverty looks like... there are massive malls, skyscrapers being built EVERYWHERE, and people living in cardboard boxes and begging all over. The city during the day and the city after 10pm are two completely different animals... good or bad, depending on what you like and want to see.
Additionally, there are MASSIVE criminal penalties for drug possession/use/distribution... like, decades in prison... and being a US citizen won't help very much, if at all.
Lots of prostitutes, to be sure, particularly in high traffic tourist areas... it's not technically legal, but as stated, it is a big driver of tourists, so the government at all levels more or less looks the other way... be aware that many prostitutes in the Philippines are sex trafficked, more or less sold by their families, and/or are underage as well, so like the drugs, I would stay away from anything having to do with the red light scene.
I'll address your original post and add some more info later when it isn't 3am.
quote:
1. U.S. dollars are accepted most everywhere and food is VERY cheap.
U.S. dollars are accepted in high traffic tourist areas... outside of that, hit or miss. Exchange rate is extremely favorable... just exchange at the Ninoy Aquino BPI branch as soon as you get in country and you'll never have to worry.
quote:
3. Get a good guide/driver. A lot of locals make their living from ripping off foreigners and travelers.
This is sort of true... There is a good chance Filipinos in any capacity will try to rip you off in one way or another... but they are also, as a general rule, extremely nice and treat Americans, in particular, like royalty. As far as transportation goes, public transport is ubiquitous throughout all parts of the Philippines, and you can get literally anywhere via public transportation. Wife and I traveled for three weeks riding only buses and jeepneys and taking the occasional taxi (which are dirt cheap by the way).
quote:
4. Try to learn a little tagalog to avoid getting ripped off.
If you're going to stick to heavily touristed areas, I wouldn't bother... however, Filipinos do really enjoy Americans trying to speak Tagalog... pretty much always puts a smile on their face, particularly when your pronunciation is terrible. If you already know some Spanish, about half of Tagalog words are stolen directly from the Spanish language, albeit with different wording. For example, "How are you?" is kumusta ka (or po for formal), pronounced almost the same as "Como esta?"
quote:
5. Avoid rural forested areas in the southern island. ISIS hides out in these areas and they target travelers to kidnap and ransom. It’s apparently really bad. I have spoken to immigrants from the Philippines to the U.S. and many report still being scared of traveling through heavily forested areas in the U.S. because they still fear the bandits and terrorists.
The Southern half of Mindanao (the 2nd largest island in the Philippines) is a mess, and there are 4 provinces (states) that make up the AMMR (autonomous Muslim Mindanao Region), which is semi-self governing and where there is significant terrorist activity. If you are not going to Mindanao, which I wouldn't advise if it's your first time in country and you're alone, you dont need to worry. There is also a Communist guerilla group that has operated in Pi since the 70s called the NPA (New People's Army I believe)... but they've died down in recent years... every few months they'll assassinate a local mayor or something like that, but you dont have to worry too much about them. My wife has a few relatives who ran off to join them and live in the mountains with them, and they're pretty active in her hometown but it really isnt a big deal. Worry first about the bus you're in driving off a cliffside... that's much more likely.
quote:
6. Manilla is a cosmopolitan entertainment city that never sleeps. It’s like an asian Vegas/New York.
Manila is a great city that will also open your eyes to what TRUE poverty looks like... there are massive malls, skyscrapers being built EVERYWHERE, and people living in cardboard boxes and begging all over. The city during the day and the city after 10pm are two completely different animals... good or bad, depending on what you like and want to see.
quote:
8. Do not do drugs or spend time with people who do. The President has essentially called for vigilante lynch mobs to kill all drug users and dealers.
Additionally, there are MASSIVE criminal penalties for drug possession/use/distribution... like, decades in prison... and being a US citizen won't help very much, if at all.
quote:
9. The country is infamous for sex tourism, so don’t be surprised if people crack wise about that being the reason you’re going or if locals try to convince you to go to a brothel.
Lots of prostitutes, to be sure, particularly in high traffic tourist areas... it's not technically legal, but as stated, it is a big driver of tourists, so the government at all levels more or less looks the other way... be aware that many prostitutes in the Philippines are sex trafficked, more or less sold by their families, and/or are underage as well, so like the drugs, I would stay away from anything having to do with the red light scene.
I'll address your original post and add some more info later when it isn't 3am.
Posted on 12/27/19 at 5:50 am to GeauxCroTigers
quote:
What can you tell me about Philippians?
Domestic part of the airport fricking sucks.... domestic and international is on the same tract of land, but completely different buildings.
In Manila, traffic is horrendous
Dealing with the above is worth it if you go to one of the remote beaches like Palawan or Boracay.
Posted on 12/27/19 at 6:53 am to GeauxCroTigers
Check out Cebu. Awesome food scene and they have a prison where the inmates put on a massive dance show.
Posted on 12/27/19 at 7:24 am to BayBengal9
Thanks for the advice everyone! Looking forward to hearing more BayBengal9!
Posted on 12/27/19 at 8:11 am to GeauxCroTigers
Ok, so getting to your original post, I need a little more info to give you advice, bit I'll address a few things:
1. Summer may or may not be a good time to go, depending on what your purpose is. Keep in mind summer is their hottest and wettest time of year. The monsoon season is basically the exact same time as our hurricane season. Pi gets AT LEAST ONE Katrina-strength hurricane every year, often two or three... and every five to ten years they get a super typhoon that rolls in and kills 5 to 10 thousand people and practically wipes out a small island/city. So just be aware that it could rain half the time you're there... to be fair, its always hot in the Philippines so I wouldn't worry too much about that. On the plane ticket side of things, it will be most expensive to go that time of the year. I've flown over on Dec. 27th, April 10th, and August 5th... Dec flight was the cheapest I had and I got a round trip from LA to Manila for under 1k.
2. Again, that depends... I cant say 8 to 9 days is long enough unless I know what you want to do and your time constraints. If you just want to go to El Nido, sure, 8 to 9 days is plenty. If you want to go to a few other places in Pi that are really amazing, then no, not even close. But I dont know if you have the time to stay a month.
3. Again, very hard to say what a budget should be... in El Nido, there are smaller resorts that you can stay at for $40 a night (maybe even less) all the way up to resorts run by international chain hotels that will run into the thousands per night. If I was going to El Nido and wanted to have a good time, but not do anything extravagant or do a lot of "side trips" and mostly just hang out on the beach and enjoy some food and drinks, $100/day, plus the price of whatever hotel/resort you decided to pick out, would be plenty.
4. I'm not sure if you mean leaving tips at restaurants and such? Or you meant trip recommendations... tipping is not generally done in Pi... in fact, even for a single person eating at a restaurant, there is a 90+% chance a tip of 15% or so will be added to your bill already, regardless of how good or shitty the service was.
I have not been everywhere in the Philippines by any means, but I have done extensive research and talked to the wife about going to a lot more places over the years as we travel back (particularly now with bringing the little one over to see her family there), so I can give decent advice on most anywhere worth going. If you'd like to talk in private about a detailed itinerary or helping you setup the trip, just let me know. Also, there are travel agencies in Manila that I know about where you can book all-inclusive trips to various areas, like El Nido, that include airfare from Manila to Palawan, lodging, food, etc. for a flat price and you dont have to worry about a thing.
Finally, I would recommend flying Philippine airlines (PAL) direct from LA to Manila. No stops, no changing planes... just a straight 14 hours in the air and you're done. You can fly out of LA at 10pm one night and you arrive in Manila at 5am two days later and you're ready to start your trip.
1. Summer may or may not be a good time to go, depending on what your purpose is. Keep in mind summer is their hottest and wettest time of year. The monsoon season is basically the exact same time as our hurricane season. Pi gets AT LEAST ONE Katrina-strength hurricane every year, often two or three... and every five to ten years they get a super typhoon that rolls in and kills 5 to 10 thousand people and practically wipes out a small island/city. So just be aware that it could rain half the time you're there... to be fair, its always hot in the Philippines so I wouldn't worry too much about that. On the plane ticket side of things, it will be most expensive to go that time of the year. I've flown over on Dec. 27th, April 10th, and August 5th... Dec flight was the cheapest I had and I got a round trip from LA to Manila for under 1k.
2. Again, that depends... I cant say 8 to 9 days is long enough unless I know what you want to do and your time constraints. If you just want to go to El Nido, sure, 8 to 9 days is plenty. If you want to go to a few other places in Pi that are really amazing, then no, not even close. But I dont know if you have the time to stay a month.
3. Again, very hard to say what a budget should be... in El Nido, there are smaller resorts that you can stay at for $40 a night (maybe even less) all the way up to resorts run by international chain hotels that will run into the thousands per night. If I was going to El Nido and wanted to have a good time, but not do anything extravagant or do a lot of "side trips" and mostly just hang out on the beach and enjoy some food and drinks, $100/day, plus the price of whatever hotel/resort you decided to pick out, would be plenty.
4. I'm not sure if you mean leaving tips at restaurants and such? Or you meant trip recommendations... tipping is not generally done in Pi... in fact, even for a single person eating at a restaurant, there is a 90+% chance a tip of 15% or so will be added to your bill already, regardless of how good or shitty the service was.
I have not been everywhere in the Philippines by any means, but I have done extensive research and talked to the wife about going to a lot more places over the years as we travel back (particularly now with bringing the little one over to see her family there), so I can give decent advice on most anywhere worth going. If you'd like to talk in private about a detailed itinerary or helping you setup the trip, just let me know. Also, there are travel agencies in Manila that I know about where you can book all-inclusive trips to various areas, like El Nido, that include airfare from Manila to Palawan, lodging, food, etc. for a flat price and you dont have to worry about a thing.
Finally, I would recommend flying Philippine airlines (PAL) direct from LA to Manila. No stops, no changing planes... just a straight 14 hours in the air and you're done. You can fly out of LA at 10pm one night and you arrive in Manila at 5am two days later and you're ready to start your trip.
Posted on 12/27/19 at 2:21 pm to BayBengal9
My buddy got a pretty cheap business class fare on PAL. His flight wasn't the best business class (not lie flat) but he only paid about a grand anyways so might as well book it if you see it.
That goes for just about everyone. Always check because sometimes those cabins aren't that much marked up or are within what you were willing to pay for economy.
That goes for just about everyone. Always check because sometimes those cabins aren't that much marked up or are within what you were willing to pay for economy.
Posted on 12/27/19 at 5:45 pm to GeauxCroTigers
you might need to get a visas to enter the country
Posted on 12/27/19 at 6:32 pm to HoustonGumbeauxGuy
quote:
Check out Cebu
I spent a couple weeks there and on Bantayan Island...it's incredible.
Posted on 12/27/19 at 7:41 pm to TigerintheNO
quote:
you might need to get a visas to enter the country
Timely thread... Just read that.
Will be interesting to see if Duerte attempts to flex his muscle against the US, especially with how much the US supports the Philippines and how many Fillipinos live here.
Posted on 12/27/19 at 8:12 pm to TigerintheNO
quote:
you might need to get a visas to enter the countr
There is literally ZERO chance the Philippines enacts pre-visit visa requirements/applications for American citizens.
Technically speaking, you receive an automatic 21 day "visa" when you enter the country... on my first visit, I stayed 27 days, so I had to go to a Philippine immigration office in Manila, sit in a bullshite waiting room for an hour, and pay $30 to get a "visa extension"... basically, think of a visit to the DMV and that's about how it was.
Posted on 12/28/19 at 4:17 am to GeauxCroTigers
8-9 days is good. I also have family there too.
Palawan is beautiful. Go in spring as it's humid but not unbearable like summer time.
Palawan is beautiful. Go in spring as it's humid but not unbearable like summer time.
Posted on 12/28/19 at 8:20 pm to Golfer
quote:I lolled.
More a fan of Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians...
“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."
Beautiful stuff.
Posted on 1/2/20 at 3:18 pm to GeauxCroTigers
Do not give handouts to beggers. It’s against the law. Almost gave 100 pesos ($2) to one at an entrance to a mall. Security standing close by took his baton and pushed me away. It ticked me off at first but then someone told me what was up. Later I was at an ATM and a woman with a baby walked up and just stood there with her hands out and I was scared half to death the police were going to come get me.
Posted on 1/3/20 at 5:57 am to GeauxCroTigers
quote:
Semi thinking about going to Philippines end of June beginning of July. I have been pricing flights and it looks like 1200-1400 out of MSY into Manila. But would ultimately like to spend a large chunk of time in El Nido, Palawan.
A. Is this a good time of year to go?
B. Is 8–9 days long enough?
C. How much should I budget for a trip like this?
D. Any tips recommendations?
Only been once but I have a half dozen Filipinos on board right now, any specific questions for them? I know two are from Palawan and 3 from Sebu, the other I cant understand a damn thing he says, likely Mindanao if past history serves correct and you do not want to go there.
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