Places To See, Things To Do For The Budget Conscious

[Candyman]

I am not sure if this is the right forum to post these questions, but if not, the Mods can move it to the appropriate one.I am shocked, at some of the prices charged, particularly around Boracay, etc. You would have to be an oil rich shiek, or a multimillionaire to stay at places like that ! Maybe that is why I like to go to places off the beaten track, and seek out the more traditional places, and cheaper pension houses. I am sure there are a lot more people like me, who work hard and save every penny they can just so as they can visit the place they love, but some of these places that charge upwards of 10K a night an in some cases way over, just for a room, is quite clearly out of my league, and out of the league of probably 90% of those that visit the Philippines. My query is for anyone who can recommend, reasonably cheap places to visit and stay at, in all areas of the Philippines. We don't mind paying a fair price for services, and rent etc, received, but both of us hate to be blatently ripped off, which seems to be a common occurence around the more tourist orientated places. On our upcoming trip to the Philippines, we intend staying in Cebu City at my in law's place as a base, then making several side trips. One of these trips, very loosely planned at the moment, is from Cebu to Bogo, then across to Bantayan island for a day or two, then off to Negros, both Orriental, and Occidental, more or less making our way around the perimeter of the island, then catching a boat from somewhere in Negros, back to the southern tip of Cebu, then back to Cebu City via the eastern road. The Eastern road, because we have never been that way, but have travelled the western coast road several times. Another side trip includes, going from Cebu City to Tagbilaren city, in Bohol, staying a couple of days there, taking in Loboc River and Panglao Island, then heading north via the eastern coastal roads to Ubay, and catching a boat to Maasin in Leyte, again heading north and into Samar for a few days, then back around the other side of Leyte, and back to Cebu. We are NOT rich by any stretch of the imagination, but we aren't kuripot either, we just have a healthy respect for what little money we have managed to save, and want it to go as far as possible. We use buses mostly or jeepneys for transportation, and Pension houses or cheap hotels, fit the bill admirably for us, for places to stay. The last week of our trip will be trying to see as much as possible to the North of Manila, and hopefully up to Vegan and beyond, in Luzon. The same criteria apply here, as in the Visayas, If any members have any suggestions, on any parts of these trips, or any tips for good cheap accomodation, or places to see, bus routes, or anything that may help, then please, ... we would like to hear from you. Thankyou in anticipation. Candyman.

Edited February 20, 2009 by Candyman

[Old55]

Bohol and Southern Leyte around Sogod Bay are very nice with inexpensive lodging. If you SCUBA or like the beach those are the place to go IMO.

[Gerald]

I am not sure if this is the right forum to post these questions, but if not, the Mods can move it to the appropriate one.I am shocked, at some of the prices charged, particularly around Boracay, etc. You would have to be an oil rich shiek, or a multimillionaire to stay at places like that ! Maybe that is why I like to go to places off the beaten track, and seek out the more traditional places, and cheaper pension houses. I am sure there are a lot more people like me, who work hard and save every penny they can just so as they can visit the place they love, but some of these places that charge upwards of 10K a night an in some cases way over, just for a room, is quite clearly out of my league, and out of the league of probably 90% of those that visit the Philippines. My query is for anyone who can recommend, reasonably cheap places to visit and stay at, in all areas of the Philippines. We don't mind paying a fair price for services, and rent etc, received, but both of us hate to be blatently ripped off, which seems to be a common occurence around the more tourist orientated places. On our upcoming trip to the Philippines, we intend staying in Cebu City at my in law's place as a base, then making several side trips. One of these trips, very loosely planned at the moment, is from Cebu to Bogo, then across to Bantayan island for a day or two, then off to Negros, both Orriental, and Occidental, more or less making our way around the perimeter of the island, then catching a boat from somewhere in Negros, back to the southern tip of Cebu, then back to Cebu City via the eastern road. The Eastern road, because we have never been that way, but have travelled the western coast road several times. Another side trip includes, going from Cebu City to Tagbilaren city, in Bohol, staying a couple of days there, taking in Loboc River and Panglao Island, then heading north via the eastern coastal roads to Ubay, and catching a boat to Maasin in Leyte, again heading north and into Samar for a few days, then back around the other side of Leyte, and back to Cebu. We are NOT rich by any stretch of the imagination, but we aren't kuripot either, we just have a healthy respect for what little money we have managed to save, and want it to go as far as possible. We use buses mostly or jeepneys for transportation, and Pension houses or cheap hotels, fit the bill admirably for us, for places to stay. The last week of our trip will be trying to see as much as possible to the North of Manila, and hopefully up to Vegan and beyond, in Luzon. The same criteria apply here, as in the Visayas, If any members have any suggestions, on any parts of these trips, or any tips for good cheap accomodation, or places to see, bus routes, or anything that may help, then please, ... we would like to hear from you. Thankyou in anticipation. Candyman.

Hi CandymanWhen you come to Tagbilaran City it would be my pleasure to assist in finding you a nice room at reasonable cost. If you wish i will give you my cell number so we can be in touch before you arrive. Same goes for anyone coming to Bohol for a visit

[Candyman]

Hi CandymanWhen you come to Tagbilaran City it would be my pleasure to assist in finding you a nice room at reasonable cost. If you wish i will give you my cell number so we can be in touch before you arrive. Same goes for anyone coming to Bohol for a visitThankyou very much for the offer Gerald. I will certainly keep it in mind. Thankyou also to Old55, for your suggestions too, they sound great.

[tom_shor]

I am not sure if this is the right forum to post these questions, but if not, the Mods can move it to the appropriate one.I am shocked, at some of the prices charged, particularly around Boracay, etc. You would have to be an oil rich shiek, or a multimillionaire to stay at places like that ! Maybe that is why I like to go to places off the beaten track, and seek out the more traditional places, and cheaper pension houses. I am sure there are a lot more people like me, who work hard and save every penny they can just so as they can visit the place they love, but some of these places that charge upwards of 10K a night an in some cases way over, just for a room, is quite clearly out of my league, and out of the league of probably 90% of those that visit the Philippines. My query is for anyone who can recommend, reasonably cheap places to visit and stay at, in all areas of the Philippines. We don't mind paying a fair price for services, and rent etc, received, but both of us hate to be blatently ripped off, which seems to be a common occurence around the more tourist orientated places. On our upcoming trip to the Philippines, we intend staying in Cebu City at my in law's place as a base, then making several side trips. One of these trips, very loosely planned at the moment, is from Cebu to Bogo, then across to Bantayan island for a day or two, then off to Negros, both Orriental, and Occidental, more or less making our way around the perimeter of the island, then catching a boat from somewhere in Negros, back to the southern tip of Cebu, then back to Cebu City via the eastern road. The Eastern road, because we have never been that way, but have travelled the western coast road several times. Another side trip includes, going from Cebu City to Tagbilaren city, in Bohol, staying a couple of days there, taking in Loboc River and Panglao Island, then heading north via the eastern coastal roads to Ubay, and catching a boat to Maasin in Leyte, again heading north and into Samar for a few days, then back around the other side of Leyte, and back to Cebu. We are NOT rich by any stretch of the imagination, but we aren't kuripot either, we just have a healthy respect for what little money we have managed to save, and want it to go as far as possible. We use buses mostly or jeepneys for transportation, and Pension houses or cheap hotels, fit the bill admirably for us, for places to stay. The last week of our trip will be trying to see as much as possible to the North of Manila, and hopefully up to Vegan and beyond, in Luzon. The same criteria apply here, as in the Visayas, If any members have any suggestions, on any parts of these trips, or any tips for good cheap accomodation, or places to see, bus routes, or anything that may help, then please, ... we would like to hear from you. Thankyou in anticipation. Candyman.

Hi CandymanWhen you come to Tagbilaran City it would be my pleasure to assist in finding you a nice room at reasonable cost. If you wish i will give you my cell number so we can be in touch before you arrive. Same goes for anyone coming to Bohol for a visit

We might be going there in September. I'll PM you before then.

[johnrxx99]

Whilst you didn't give details of your budget there are value for money places everywhere you go in the RP. Sure, if you stay in the resorts with the holiday makers from Korea, Japan and the rest of the world you pay resort prices - about the same in every country.The itineraries you mention are easy to do by bus. Bus go from Cebu to Negros via a ferry and are very reasonable. From Cebu South bus station to Dumagette is 200p for the aircon buses and the ferry an additional 70p. You can travel around Negros by bus and leave Bacolod, again on a bus, to Cebu City.Bohol, Leyte and a few other islands is by ferry from Cebu. Palawan and places further a field by plane - reasonable prices. Check out Cebu Pacific who have a special offer for journies between 1 May and 30 November but ends soon.Good luck.

[mike]

I am not sure if this is the right forum to post these questions, but if not, the Mods can move it to the appropriate one.I am shocked, at some of the prices charged, particularly around Boracay, etc. You would have to be an oil rich shiek, or a multimillionaire to stay at places like that ! Maybe that is why I like to go to places off the beaten track, and seek out the more traditional places, and cheaper pension houses. I am sure there are a lot more people like me, who work hard and save every penny they can just so as they can visit the place they love, but some of these places that charge upwards of 10K a night an in some cases way over, just for a room, is quite clearly out of my league, and out of the league of probably 90% of those that visit the Philippines. My query is for anyone who can recommend, reasonably cheap places to visit and stay at, in all areas of the Philippines. We don't mind paying a fair price for services, and rent etc, received, but both of us hate to be blatently ripped off, which seems to be a common occurence around the more tourist orientated places. On our upcoming trip to the Philippines, we intend staying in Cebu City at my in law's place as a base, then making several side trips. One of these trips, very loosely planned at the moment, is from Cebu to Bogo, then across to Bantayan island for a day or two, then off to Negros, both Orriental, and Occidental, more or less making our way around the perimeter of the island, then catching a boat from somewhere in Negros, back to the southern tip of Cebu, then back to Cebu City via the eastern road. The Eastern road, because we have never been that way, but have travelled the western coast road several times. Another side trip includes, going from Cebu City to Tagbilaren city, in Bohol, staying a couple of days there, taking in Loboc River and Panglao Island, then heading north via the eastern coastal roads to Ubay, and catching a boat to Maasin in Leyte, again heading north and into Samar for a few days, then back around the other side of Leyte, and back to Cebu. We are NOT rich by any stretch of the imagination, but we aren't kuripot either, we just have a healthy respect for what little money we have managed to save, and want it to go as far as possible. We use buses mostly or jeepneys for transportation, and Pension houses or cheap hotels, fit the bill admirably for us, for places to stay. The last week of our trip will be trying to see as much as possible to the North of Manila, and hopefully up to Vegan and beyond, in Luzon. The same criteria apply here, as in the Visayas, If any members have any suggestions, on any parts of these trips, or any tips for good cheap accomodation, or places to see, bus routes, or anything that may help, then please, ... we would like to hear from you. Thankyou in anticipation. Candyman.

Hi CandymanWhen you come to Tagbilaran City it would be my pleasure to assist in finding you a nice room at reasonable cost. If you wish i will give you my cell number so we can be in touch before you arrive. Same goes for anyone coming to Bohol for a visit

We might be going there in September. I'll PM you before then.

TomAs you are the local over there are there any decent bars, in that I mean clean, tidy and no rip offs that are good places for both native and foreigner to mix in.Mike

[tom_shor]

I think you have me mixed up with Candyman. The only place I'm local right now is Phoenix. Wanna see some Casinos. :rolleyes: Or maybe some giant cactus with arms.