Philippines forum

Thanks -- unfortunately, Sagada looks like it's very touch to get to from Baguio...which may make it tough with a kid in tow. I'll look into it and thanks again for your help.

Baguio, while it has deteriorated, has some good things going for it. November to January is probably the best time to stay there for the climate. It starts getting a bit warmer (though still pleasant enough) in February. It is also less crowded at this time since this is not the peak tourist season.

The wet market is also nice and clean. It has one of the nicest public markets I've ever seen in the Philippines. So shopping for your food is easy.

Baguio is also more cosmopolitan than Vigan. Between the two, I'd prefer to stay in Baguio from December to February, just for the mountain weather.

I guess it really depends on whether you prefer to be near the beach or to be in the mountains.

I spent the night in Baguio on the way to Sagada. It just seemed like a busy, dusty city to me. Sagada, however, was wonderful: a lovely atmosphere and very pretty. Great if you like hiking. Not so great seeing the same other tourists in the same places to eat. As far as I remember, there was only one resturant that opened after 8pm. I was totally disappointed with Vigan, the "historical" section is basically just one street that is full of souvenir shops. So wasn't remotely worth the 12 hour bus ride from Manila!

Hi, I jus joined this today.

53, single from San Fransico, Bay Area. usa. I just got back march 10,2011 from living in the Philippines for 6 months. I also hav been all over south east asia last few years. I love philippines due to friendly warm people all over and 90% +? speak English, low cost to travel in country by air, boat, taxi Jeepney etc. Unlimited nice beaches warm water jungles, country and many places to see.

To live for a few months anywhere in Asia i like Philippines. So much to see and do and so easy and cheap to travel all over. I stayed last trip 6months in panglao,Bohol and cebu but have been Palawan, Manila, Bagio, Genral Santos city, Dipolog, Siqujour, Camotes, Camaguin, Batayan, Naga city, boracay.. I love the phils and will return soon for another 6 months.

I wish I knew why previous reply said about Bohol jus dont go panglao because i was just there and loved my stay, rented a nice big 3 bedroom new house all furniture kitchen wares sheets towels ref. free good wifi ..house near the beach (12000-22000 peso per month) and stayed there went all over the island of panglao, Bohol lots easy trips by boat to cebu many flights direct to manila from bohol airport. lots clean nice beaches, many snorkel,scuba dive sites,Island hopping (from alona beach rental of your own small boat with driver for all day island hopping about 1200-1500 peso can fit i think 6 or more of you all included its your boat for the day) safe friendly clean place.

For me it was a great home base to explore more of the phils from because very easy 30 minute ride tricycle 250 peso from alona beach area of panglao to tagbilran airport (about 900-2000peso philair or cebupacific) to manila 1hr 15 minutes. Or tagbiliran boat terminal about 500peso one way or 600-800peso promo fair on nice big aircon boat to cebu 1hr 45min. I feel very safe when i drove my rented motor bike (2010 model Honda Xrm 4000peso month) all over the island Chocolate Hills east west north all over very nice.

nicest Mall ICM (Island City Mall) lots stores includeing big food store and across street is big local market for freash fish (Blue marlin steaks only 2 or 250 peso per kilo great on the grill ). I hav lots info on phils, cell phones, taxi, boats travel etc feel free to ask.

I also love my travels all over vietnam, up the makong from vn to Cambodia see angkor wat etc and Thailand Phiphi island, changmai. All over China, Bali was nice but just love phils so many islands and best is the friendly warm hardworking good filipino's. If you want unlimted warm water white sand beaches and easy travel English speaking i would say Philippines just my opinion.

Sori for long reply i am new here hope it helps someone.

Take care/ Ingat

@krokonoster

What are you looking for in a place? Is it just you or are you bring along family? Mountains or seaside?

What time of the year are you planning to go? Because the monsoon season is beginning and typhoon season is coming (approx July to October). So it would be better to stay out of the typhoon belt.

So you are looking at the islands of the central Visayas like Panay, Siquijor, Cebu, Negros, Bohol and Camiguin. Though given the proximity of these islands and the short ferry trips between them, you can travel around without a problem. If you want to go somewhere that is not as touristed as Cebu and Bohol, I'd say Siquijor is a good bet.

Northern Mindanao is also an option.

You were in Palawan which is way out of the typhoon belt. It is Luzon that gets hammered by typhoons. In Feb, you can pretty much go anywhere you like.

Been in the Philippines and I know you will love your stay there. Unlimited things to do and places to choose from.

migsaquino
What is the stability of the available internet in El Nido?
Could be a concern to the OP who states that he makes his living online

For a real getaway I'd suggest Romblon Town (very atmospheric place, very few tourists, friendly locals, close to Manila by ferryboat).
Baguio should be OK if you find some house in the suburbs - town center is a bit too much traffic right now, pollution - city market is great though, some nice restaurants also.
Bohol - OK but avoid Panglao Island. Tagbilaran has some nice commodities like a mall.

I have lived in Baguio in the 80s and it was great back then, but pollution from the traffic and hustle bustle of the city would put me off now. Vigan is fine, lots of architecture from the world heritage site. LP in Laos is great too, but consider Baler, Aurora province, 6/7 hrs from Manila. The helicopter scene in Apocolypse now was filmed there, and even today it's a 20 minute walk along the beach and all you can see is one lonely hut. Aurora is the most forested province in the Philippines with lots of waterfalls. Baler itself has a quaint museum and the beach is very safe for children. Cheap for rental houses.You will find no fast food restaurants here such as Macdonalds, Wendys, Jollibee but some wonderful local restaurants. Surfers come here from dec-feb. Look into this idyllic spot. I have lived in Palawan for 18 years , so obviously i enjoy it. Consider Port Barton as opposed to the disorganised and over priced El Nido. Forget Bohol and Panglao Island too, many old foreign men with young locals.

Hi, if you are travelling to the Philippines, a fun city to visit would be Angeles City. Go Hiking on nearby Mt. Pinatubo Volcano, rent and ride a motorcycle through picturesque rural towns and countryside, or go ultra light flying over Mt. Pinatubo's spectacularly eroded volcanic lahar fields!

Here's a good site for booking Hotels in Angeles City:

http://www.angelescityhotelsphilippines.com