Where should I go? Must do's? Must don'ts? What are the people like - do they enjoy meeting travellers? The food - I'll be buying as the locals buy, what does it compare too?
2006-12-17 21:43:31 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Philippines
Wow, this will be a long message.... It really depends on your preference. Do you like the beach? parties? some peace and quiet? culture? historic sites? eco-tourism? Check Philippines tourism website at http://www.tourism.gov.ph
Though places mentioned in the tourism website might be a bit expensive.
I highly recommend you purchase the Lonely Planet Philippines 9th edition travel guide book. Their website is at http://www.lonelyplanet.com
You can also join their travel forum at http://www.thorntree.lonelyplanet.com
Their guidebook is quite useful and gives you straight forward information from foreigners who have traveled the Philippines including the Mindanao region in southern Philippines. Most Filipinos from the Luzon and even the Visayas region are skeptical about Mindanao due to their total lack of understanding of the region. Should you ask about a certain place, make sure to get it from someone who has been there and not just SECOND HAND information.
For more information about Mindanao region visit a website created by an American who has been in the island since 1990. Currently he is married to a Filipina and lives in Mindanao.
http://www.mindanao.com
You can also check my personal travel website for some travel tips and info http://www.freewebs.com/cdoguide
People are generally friendly and hospitable especially in the provinces or rural areas. Do not expect much in highly urbanized cities as most people there have a more western attitude. The Philippines was under the Spaniards for 300 years and Americans for 50 years, so Filipinos in general are a bit used to foreigners. In fact English is widely used in the country. The Philippines is the third largest country in the world that uses English, next to England and the US.
Do not expect too much exotic food like in Thailand, China or in Japan. Philippine food is highly influenced by western style cooking with a Filipino Asian twist. A good example is the sweet Filipino style spagetti and burger. In local restaurants (carenderia) you might spend around 50 to 80 Pesos or around 1 to 2 US Dollar per meal. For mid range restaurants, you might spend around 150 to 300 Pesos or around 3 to 6 US Dollars. In the provinces it could go cheaper.
For mid range travelers, one can spend around 50 US Dollars a day which already includes 3 meals, accommodation (for 800 Pesos a night), local transportation and other personal expenses (toiletries, bottled water, etc...) However this does not include travel guides, air, sea and bus fares.
2006-12-18 14:54:52 · answer #1 · answered by CDOguide 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I usually stay in Angeles City when I'm there. Its about 2 hours from Manila. I would recommend about $1500 for about 2 weeks. This should include your lodging. People are friendly, and most speak English. Stay away from the bar girls they are nothing, but trouble. If you want a ladies company then take out a regular working class Pinay. Use the jeepney for transportation rather then the trikes. There have been cases of tourists getting into trikes then being taking someplace, and robbed. As far as food goes. There are plenty of chain restaurants, and eating at the hotel is always recommended. Avoid eating at the barbecue stands. It may smell and look good, but it'll make you sick. The fruits are a great, very fresh, and delicious.
2006-12-17 23:35:39 · answer #2 · answered by Brian F 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have traveled there 5 times and stayed 4 of those times for a month. I did it for about 3000 bucks, not counting airfare.
I went to sorsogon which is in the south half of the main island.
if you are going to meet soemone there you are much better off.
if ya want you can email me. just look at profile
2006-12-18 00:29:32 · answer #3 · answered by singing_wolf13 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
life in manila is not really expensive. one could thrive with $100 or more for 3 weeks. that doesn't include hotel stay just for food,fare shopping and other expenses. staying in a hotel is not really expensive.the food and things to be bought are at a low price as well..
we have many breath taking scenic spots from north to south- so better check on the many websites that we have for tourists destinations.
in manila, we have huge malls that are a one-stop-shop so you don't have to travel anywhere else for other stuff.
people are friendly and very accomodating..
have fun.enjoy your stay.
2006-12-18 02:59:51 · answer #4 · answered by warrior is a child 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a general rule for travel, USD$100 / day is the average for all your travel needs.
2006-12-18 03:04:15 · answer #5 · answered by Dave Star 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If in Manila and stays in a budgeted hotel, you need around $80 per day including accommodation & meals. If in a beach resort, you need at least $1,000- $1,500 for 1 week stay including meals, roundtrip airfare, roundtrip airport transfer. if province within luzon is around $1,000 also for budgeted hotels.
2006-12-18 00:28:29 · answer #6 · answered by Linda 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should have at least $1,000 buck for two weeks, but it depends. Get a local lady guide maybe then you won't get robbed in broad daylight. The McCarthy area is great for pretty girl but so is all of the Philippines. The people speak English and are happy fun loving people, they love rich Americans and the food is great. You gotta go you will love it.
2006-12-17 21:52:28 · answer #7 · answered by lonetraveler 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
you don't need much to lodge but lots to raunch.
2006-12-18 12:11:19 · answer #8 · answered by SHIH TZU SAYS 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
come to philippines, i'll help you. contact me for more details
2006-12-19 07:03:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
100usd per day would be enough
2006-12-17 21:51:27 · answer #10 · answered by james j 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋