Summary: Philippines

 

Itinerary

  • Day 0. Nov 16. Thursday. United Airlines flight to Manila departing SFO at 11:35pm.
  • Day 1. Nov 18. Saturday. Arrive at Manila, fly to El Nido. Checked in at the Sea Cocoon Hotel (4 nights)
  • Day 2. Nov 19. Sunday. Island Hopping Tour A
  • Day 3. Nov 20. Monday. Island Hopping Tour C
  • Day 4. Nov 21. Tuesday. Island Hopping Tour B 
  • Day 5. Nov 22. Wednesday. Fly to Bohol. Visited tarsiers, Chocolate Hills ATV tour, Loay fireflies. Checked in at the Alona Austria Resort (2 nights)
  • Day 6. Nov 23. Thursday. Island Hopping Tour to Balicasag.
  • Day 7. Nov 24. Friday. Ferry to Cebu. Private transfer to Moalboal. Checked in at the Sambag Hide-away Hotel (3 nights).
  • Day 8. Nov 25. Saturday. Oslob for whale shark watching. Moalboal snorkeling to see sardines.
  • Day 9. Nov 26. Sunday. Snorkel and relax at hotel beach.
  • Day 10. Nov 27. Monday. Visited Simala, Cebu city sites, Sirao garden. Checked in at the Maayo Hotel (1 night)
  • Day 11. Nov 28. Flew home with one stop in Taipei via Eva Airlines. Arrive SFO at 3pm.

What could be changed in the itinerary

In hindsight, I would skip Moalboal and Oslob, and just stay in Bohol to see the whale sharks and sardines there. Bohol has nicer hotels and restaurants, and shorter driving distance to these attractions. Further, corral reefs in Moalboal were killed by super typhoon Odette two years ago, so underwater sceneries were not as pretty.

I would change Day 7, 8 to do whale shark watching and sardines in Bohol. Day 9 would be ferry to Cebu and visit Sirao gardens. Day 10 would be to fly back.

Restaurants

El Nido

  • DRYFT Fish. I recommend tuna steak tacos, sweet & spicy squid bowl.
  • Angel's Wish. I recommend squid adobo.

Bohol

  • Buzz Cafe. I recommend ice cream and salad. However, stick to the menu items marked as popular, do not order fish and chips.

Lodging

Among the four hotels we stayed, I highly recommend the Alona Austria Resort in Bohol, and the Maayo Hotel in Cebu.

I do not recommend the Sea Cocoon Hotel at El Nido because of loud street noise at night. I do not recommend the Sambag Hide-away Hotel because of mosquitos and minimal amenities.

Transportation and Tours

  • In El Nido, I recommend using KKday.com to book tours. Tours A, B, C are all great. Airport transfer can be arranged by hotels. Our driver was arranged by the hotel, his WhatsApp contact is +63 963 334 2477
  • In Bohol, I recommend hiring the driver Arniel and he can arrange tours. His WhatsApp contact is +63 929 584 0536
  • In Cebu, I recommend hiring the driver Danny. His WhatsApp contact is +63 926 347 8121

Money exchange

  • I exchanged all my cash (US dollar to Philippine pesos) at the international terminal T3 in the Manila airport. The rate was good.

Things to pack

  • Snorkel, Mask, Fins. 
  • Swimsuits, long-sleeve rash guards, swimming tights, water shoes. The long pants and long sleeves are important to protect from sun burns. The reefs are rough, so it is important to wear shoes.
  • Dry bag. To keep cell phones and towels while on a boat trip. Does not need to be a big one.
  • Mosquito repellent wipes. Spray is flammable and cannot be taken to an airplane. I brought OFF Deep Woods wipes to fend off mosquitos. Even with that, both Claire and I got a couple of mosquito bites. 
  • Sunblock.
  • Water bottles. We carried drinking water with us for convenience.
  • Ear plugs. Some hotels are noisy at night (either AC or street noise).
  • Loperamide. Claire got traveler's diarrhea in Moalboal, and this really helped.  
  • Walking sandals. We used these as walking shoes while our water shoes were wet.
  • Beach towels. Some hotels did not offer beach towels.
  • GoPro. For underwater photos and videos. 

Expenses

Claire and I spent about $5200 total. Including

  • Flights: about $3500
    • ~$3000, flights between US and the Philippines for two people. SFO to Manila, then Cebu to SFO.
    • ~$500, flights within the Philippines for two people. Manila to El Nido, El Nido to Bohol.
  • Hotels: about $700
    • ~$400, 4 nights at the Sea Cocoon Hotel, El Nido. Booked at the hotel website. Breakfast included.
    • ~$70, 2 nights at the Alona Austria Resort, Bohol. Booked at Agoda.
    • ~$150, 3 nights at the Samnag Hide-away Hotel, Moalboal. Booked at the hotel website. Breakfast included.
    • ~$50, 1 night at the Maayo Hotel, Cebu. Booked at Agoda.
  • Tours and transportations: about $600 (33,500PHP).
    • El Nido:
      • 7000PHP for two people on Tours A, B, and C
      • 600PHP environmental fee for two people
      • 600PHP kayak rental fee for Tours A and C
      • 400PHP Big Lagoon access fee for two people on Tour A
      • 1000PHP private transfer between airport and hotel
    • Bohol:
      • 3500PHP private country-side tour and fireflies
      • 2200PHP ATV 1-hr tour for two people + 300PHP tarsier entrance fee
      • 3000PHP private island hopping tour + 300PHP fins rental at Balicasag + 200PHP environmental fee at the Virgin island for two people 
      • 1800PHP ferry to Cebu for two people + 300PHP ferry check in and entrance
      • 500PHP hotel to ferry car transfer
    • Cebu:
      • 9500PHP private car with driver for three days
      • 1000PHP whale shark entrance fee for two people
      • 800PHP private guided tour for sardines for two people
      • 280PHP + 140PHP Sirao gardens entrance fees for two people
  • SIM card: $30 (1600PHP)
  • Food and drinks: $400

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