Should I take a holiday in the Philippines?

Question

I am thinking of spending 2 weeks there over Chinese New Year (February) any recommendations of places to go?

P.s. I am a single girl, traveling alone.

Wow! You guys are all great. Especially all the Filippinos that answered the question, you are already showing me that your country is beautiful and full of friendly people.
I can't wait to go!

Answer 1

The Philippines is one of the best places you can visit in Asia. It's people are friendly, and best of all, they speak very good English. You're not likely to find a Filipino on the street who can't speak English. It's a very safe place for tourists--don't believe all everything you read or hear; more often than not they're blown out of proportion.

If you feel like kickin' back, go to its beautiful beaches in Palawan, Boracay, Cebu, Bohol, Davao. The local tourist offices will be more than happy to help you. (Some int'l. airlines fly directly to Cebu and Davao.)

If you feel like communing with nature, make the trip to the Mountain Provinces & Sagada, where you will find centuries-old rice terraces. This is also a great escape for city-dwelling Filipinos coz of the cool, clean air. There's also the old Spanish churches (the Philippines was a Spanish colony for 300 yrs so you're likely to find centuries-old churches in any province you visit).

If you want to go bargan-shopping, the Philippine capital is
the place for you. I travel a lot and people I meet who've been to the Philippines always say they loved shopping in Greenhills (very cheap freshwater pearls). This country has so many malls--so modern and huge you'll not have a shortage of place to burn cash.

The cities of Makati and the Malate district in Manila are the most happening places if you wanna experience Manila night life.

Enjoy your visit!

Answer 2

I wouldn't advise travelling alone in the Philippines if you're "a single girl." I'm not saying you'll be in any real danger....but Filipinos are extremely friendly and I've seen some westerners get offended by relatively harmless comments from the guys around here. But as long as you can take the odd inappropriate compliment, you'll be fine.

Places to go: You look like a beach girl...Head straight for Boracay or any of the beach resorts and islands surrounding Cebu. There's a fairly large expat community there, btw.

Since you'll be here for the Chinese New Year, you may want to be in Manila near Binondo (China Town) to join the celebration. There should be a lot of parties thrown by the Chinese community around that time so Manila and Makati would be the best place to experience that in the Philippines.

Enjoy the islands.

Answer 3

Go ahead girl!
For the 1st stop you might want to experience the Chinese New Year celebration at Mandarin Oriental Hotel although you should start booking a room as early as now coz they are fully booked for this event. They have all the usual Chinese celebration including their very own dragon dance inside the hotel. Then head off to Boracay to party and have fun in the sun. Great even if you're travelling alone. My favorite beaches are in Palawan whether it's El Nido or Club Noah Isabelle it's simply breath-taking and a perfect place to drown all your worries but since it doesn't have all the happenings there is in Bora it could help that you have a companion here. It depends on what you're after. Another fun activity we never fail to do each time we travel is the food trip. Just ask us again when you've chosen the cities you will visit so we can recommend the food and the restaurants you must not miss. As for the security as long as you stay away from the dark side streets in Manila then you have nothing to worry about. You have to be as keen as when you travel other countries...we were conned by our travel agent in Thailand and after that I learned from experience to be extra cautious when travelling. Yea! moost Filipinos speak good English so it won't be difficult to find your way around.

You could PM me if you need more help.

Answer 4

Dear friend… first of all read what I could advise you for:

Going to the Philippines is a great idea, personal I went there 4 times for business, see some of my old friends and of course for tourism.

There are a lot of things you can see there and a lot more things you can do, it all depends on you and how much you are welling to spend, yes money is very big factor there. Food is great and very affordable, you could try going to a lot of shopping malls spread all over the country, don’t forget to lovely mountains and green forest they have there, I enjoyed going to the volcano places and scuba diving a lot, you could also try some of the night clubs and casinos if you are a party person.

Please visit the following based on my personal experience:
Manila the capital, Makati city and they call it little New York, green hills very good place, the chocolate mountains, las penias laguna, Rizal city and few more good places you might encounter your self.

Please…please do not go a lone, go with a dear friend or a family member for your own safety.

Wish you all the best and have a nice trip

Answer 5

I think people make WAY too much out of the security thing.

Philippines or China? As an American who has lived in Asia for the past decade, I can say Philippines is a much "nicer" place to vacation.

I would concur on the beach recommendations here, and only add that my favorite is Palawan, especially El Nido area. Spend as little time as possible in Manila. Not very interesting.

Philippines is inexpensive, and the people are wonderful!

Enjoy.

Answer 6

Good day to you, am stewart from manila-just for you to know manila is the capital of Philippines. A lot of tourist visit the Philippines every year most of them on summer season cuz knowing that were all sorrounded by seas so as expected to have a lot of beaches. Filipinos are heart warming and hospitable by nature, trendy at the same time when it comes to gizmos thats why Filipinos were ranked as number one in the world as Text Republic. A lot of best places here in Philippines I tell you, if you have time you can browse www.wowphilippines.com.ph for you to have a better idea of scenic Phiippines. If you'll be nedding any help kindly email me at [e-mail] or via mobile [phone], hope to hear from you soon. Salamat.

Answer 7

YES! When destiny calls, take a leap of faith, GO FOR IT, GAL! Aside from the Chinese New Year & lots of SALE bargains (cheaper than HK bec rent is more expensive there, VALENTINE's DAY is mushy & WONDERfully celebrated here with family & friends, fiesta concerts, cosmopolitan bars, chi-chi beaches, etc.. More value, food, people & culture in an eclectic mix for your hard-earned money. Travel light bec you'll end up shopping lots. You'll go home richer & wiser in experience & faith, more in love with life, and NOT taking things for granted, realizing the things that you HAVE & DON'T HAVE. Spiritually rejuvenated,too, just up on the clouds on the plane to the Phils., the CLOUDSCAPE is stupendous given our geo plot, the SUNSET is our crowning glory, then the peoples' SMILES are our precious PEARLS! Start saving & dreaming-- who knows you'll go home not alone, but crowded with BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES of the Philippines! Vaya con Dios!

Answer 8

Single girl, travelling alone. The Philippines is fantastic place

Answer 9

If you love beaches go to :
Boracay-great party scene, everyone goes there esp. on April-May
Palawan-absolutely beautiful beach and sealife

If you want to stay in the city, stay at a hotel in Makati city.

Going to flea markets and bazaars should be on your to-do list. Greenhills, Metrowalk, and of course Divisoria are some places you can go and shop for cheap clothes!

Have fun!

Answer 10

well, a huge percentage of the filipino population is chinese..so, i guess that umm..spending chinese new year in the phils. is OK.
well, umm. lemme see. yeah, honestly, u shouldn't be traveling alone. safety securities. but, don't worry about the language or anything. filipinos speak good english. anyway, i think u should go;

boracay
tagaytay
manila
makati
davao(yeah, baby!lingaw dito noh. hanep. 2nd largest city?! tsaka , mas malinis pa sya sa manila or whatsoever dyan)
palawan

and...... etc