Philippines [email protected] www.packyabags.com Thanks and acknowledgements: Babuyan Is Front Cover Photo: PHOTO COURTESY OF EL NIDO RESORTS. TEN KNOTS DEVELOPMENT CORP/EL NIDO RESORTS. Calayan Is Philippines Department of Tourism. Camiguin Is We would like to thank and acknowledge all the products, services, hotels, resorts and tour companies for photographic use and the contributers to articles within Laoag this publication. Our Note: We have tried to be a little different with this brochure, as not only have we included many facts about the Philippines, but also included a number of articles and Banaue opinions by people who know the Philippines or have Luzon enjoyed being there. Baguio Prices are all up to date at time of printing and can be viewed on a separate booklet by print and is downloadable. This brochure is also downloadable from Pack Ya Bags site. Mt Pinatubo Subic Manila Tagaytay Batangas Puerto Galera Catanduanes Mayon Volcano what’s inside Legazpi Pandan Is Donsol Mindoro 2 Map Ticao Is 4 Need to know Busuanga Is Romblon Coron Sibuyan Is 5 Useful information Tablas Is Masbate 6 Metro Manila El Nido Boracay Kalibo 8 Makati Roxas Leyte Tacloban Taytay 10 Tropical North Malapascua 12 Boracay Iloilo 14 Batangas Guimaras Is Bacolod Siargao Palawan Dumaran Is 16 Mindoro (Puerto Galera) Subterranean River Sabang Cebu 18 Mindoro (Coron) Cabilao Is Moalboal 20 Palawan Puerto Princesa Bohol OslobPanglao Camiguin Is 22 Palawan Dumaguete Siquijor Apo 24 Cebu Cagayan de Oro 26 Bohol (Pangalao) Tubbutaha Reef 28 Dumaguete (Apo) 30 Siquijor Mindanao 32 Davao 34 Bicol 36 Pure Indulgence Davao Samal 38 Diving 41 Liveaboards 42 Dive Package Suggestions 44 Adventure 46 Festivals and Fiestas 47 Holiday Suggestions 48 Taste of the Philippines Not to Scale 2 3 What you need to know This is worth a read Getting Around Travel throughout the Philippines is easy. Flights are regular, and usually inexpensive and service all points in the Philippines. However, sometimes flights are not available between islands. Cebu and Bohol are an example. Fast ferries are often used with frequent services to and between the popular destinations. Long distance bus services are very good with both air and non air conditioned buses. This is a cheap mode of transport. Check with Pack Ya Bags. On Arrival Languages Ninoy Aquino Airport (Manila) has 4 There are two official languages, Filipino and terminals. Check which terminal you English. Filipino which is based on Tagalog, is A bit about the Philippines arrive and depart from. An airport the national language. The Philippines is an archipelago that consists of 7,641 islands, and is the third shuttle between terminals departs English is widely used throughout hotels and largest English speaking country in the world. With Asian, European, and every 15 minutes. Other international resorts. Be aware when travelling through American influences, the culture is diverse, as is the wonderful variety of food. airports are in Cebu and Clark. lesser known areas that English is less spoken. The Filipinos had a rich culture and were trading with the Chinese and the When leaving your hotel or resort make sure Japanese prior to the Spanish colonization in 1521. In 1898, after 350 years, the Take only official, metered or you have a written description of where you Filipinos, with leaders like Jose Rizal and Emilio Aguinaldo, succeeded in winning pre-booked taxis. Do not accept rides are staying to give to the taxi or bus driver. their independence. How to say it from people that approach you in the Try using these very simple phrases: terminal. A Meet and Greet and transfer service Currency Hello = Mabuhay. is recommended on arrival. Currency is the Peso. Most large stores, Thank you = Salamat. restaurants , hotels and resorts accept major Please = Paki credit cards. Yes = Oo. No = Hindi. Philippines Airlines How are you? = Kamusta Useful Airport PAL’s vision to re-establish itself as one of Asia’s premier car- I. Me = Ako. Codes riers, is still the matter of greatest importance and by having You = Ikaw. full confidence in the New Zealand and Australian markets Angeles City, Clark (CRK) Delicious. = Sarap Bacolod (BCD) has created a superb hub to not only the Philippines but to Sorry, excuse me. = Paumanhin. Baguio (BAG) many destinations around the world. With the renowned Farewell. = Paalam. Busuanga (USU) friendliness of the staff to look after you the airline looks Cagayan De Oro (CGY) forward to being part of your dreams. Here are three phrases you may Camiguin (CGM) Caticlan, Boracay (MPH) want to try. Actually translates to Cebu (CEB) Beautiful Morning and so on. Coron (XCN) Davao (DVO) Good Morning = Dumaguete (DGT) Magandang umaga. El Nido (ENI) Other ways of getting around Good Afternoon = Iloilo (ILO) There are lots of fun ways to get around in the Philippines, such as with the Kalibo (KLO) Magandang hapon. Legaspi (LGP) famous Jeepneys and the tricycles. Good Evening = Manila (MNL) A very cheap public transport system throughout the Philippines, the Jeepneys Magandang gabi Puerto Princesa (PPS) were originally made from left over jeeps at the end of WWll and are decorated The Filipino language is phonetic so Tablas (TBH) in the most fantastic colours and designs. don’t be shy and give it a go. Tagbilaran, Bohol (TAG) The Tricycle can carry around 4 persons but you will sometimes see them with Taytay (RZP) many more passengers. They are great fun and cheap. 4 5 Metro Manila Metro Manila: Things to do: Getting there: Manila is the main entry point to the Besides the shopping, eating and nightlife, Ninoy Aquino Airport (Manila) has 4 Philippines. Manila is just one of 16 cities that Manila has some excellent day and overnight terminals. Check the arrival and departure make up Metro Manila and the city is busy, touring to be enjoyed. The former US Naval terminals as, when transferring between hectic, bustling and frenetic. The secret to facility at Subic Bay, trekking the Taal Volcano, airlines, a different terminal may be required. staying in Manila is to decide what you want 4x4 adventure on Mt Pinatubo, There are no cross airport shuttles if travelling to do and determine your budget. If it is with an airline other than Philippine Airlines merely a stopover before flying on to another Hidden Valley with it’s warm volcanic pools, or Emirates, so you are required to take a taxi destination, opt for something close to the Pagsanjan Falls in a dugout canoe, coconut to the other terminal. This may take airport in Makati or Pasay city. If it is nightlife plantation visit, historical architecture and considerable time. Queues for domestic or shopping, then Manila, Makati and Pasay sites from the Spanish, Asian and ancient flights can be long and slow during holiday are fabulous. Filipino, dinner cruising on Manila Bay, season. All styles and levels of accommodation is exploring Ocean Park, Manila Museum and available. From cheap and cheerful budget the old Manila centre called Intramuros and and backpacker hostels, through apartments lots, lots more. has hotels throughout Manila and boutique hotels, to ritzy and luxurious Pack Ya Bags and the Philippines. Many are handpicked by internationally branded hotels. Manila is an And then there is the shopping. Mall of Asia, us so as to give you the most international city and has the range of Glorietta, Aura Premier, Robinsons, Megamall, comfortable stay. Prices vary from the accommodation to suit. Greenhills, etc, etc, etc. This really is a city budget to the luxury. where you can shop ‘til you drop. 6 7 Makati Wow. We are staying in a lovely 4*, boutique A couple of San Miguel light beers followed Some of them are longer versions and I am hotel in Makati. The rooms are large with old by ice cream and a banoffe pie and we treated to the sight of a whole heap of them, polished floors, a HUGE bed, large shower are ready for a wee lie down. Its been a parked up with one getting an extra coat and l’Occitane bathroom products. (my hectic day and we have an 8.30 start in the of colour via a paint roller.... Only in Manila! favourites) We are a 2 minute walk from morning. I am looking forward to my stay in Makati has surpassed all my expectations. Greenbelt where the shopping, dining and Manila. entertainment options are full on. Already I Getting There: have wandered into the shopping complexes My credit card may not feel so enthusiastic, Yellow taxis are available at Manila Airport and been wowed by the sheer variety, but there are so many options it is just going and the price agreed prior to leaving. Cost volume and quality of what is available. to have to toughen up. should be around 500 pesos to get to We spent our last day shopping for gifts and Greenbelt. Meet and Greet services are more Its Xmas time and only in Manila can you manage to make a couple of great buys as expensive but good value as they wait for find a Father Christmas lip synching and well as having another fantastic meal. We are you to arrive, take you where you need to be doing a public karaoke. Its a Tuesday night picked up with plenty of time to get to the and will help with check in requirements. and the place is packed. I am just starting to airport. Again, while the skyway is quick and realise what a huge, world class complex the relatively empty, getting off to make the final Greenbelt area is. You name the international distance to the airport is slow and crowded.