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Tourism Philippines thrives on the knowledge of the community. Got a tip, photo or even a guide on a place you been to in Philippines? We will love to hear from you!
I’m going to the Philippines for 2 weeks holiday with my friend in March.
We will be travelling by Cebu Pacific to Clark Airport.
Can you recommend some nice, safe and affordable hotels in Clark?
Also are there any transports from Clark Airport to Baguio City?
We like to visit Baguio City.
Hope to get some useful advice from you soon.
Thanks and Best Regards,
Steven
Hi Steven,
You may check out my Pampanga travel guide for Clark Hotels. The better (and less sleazy ones are usually more expensive). I dont think there are direct transfers from Clark to Baguio (the only ones that I know of are from Vlark and Manila). There are vans for hire but they may be very expensive. I believe you may have to head out to the Dau Bus Terminal for that.
Regards!
Ryan
Hi Ryan,
Thanks for your advice.
We will be staying in Baguio City. Is it possible to travel to Banaue Rice Terraces and back for day tour?
What’s the travelling time from Baguio City to Banaue Rice Terraces?
Or is it better to stay nearby around Banaue area?
Regards,
Steven
Hi Steven,
On a good day, travel time from Baguio to Banaue is approximately 6 hours, so I guess that answers your question regarding day tours to Banaue. However, I am not privy to the info whether the roads from Baguio to Banaue are still doing great after the last typhoon so it may take longer. Usually if you intend to go to Banaue from Manila, we bypass Baguio altogether because it would take us longer to get there. If you are planning to go to Ifugao, you might as well head out to Batad where the rice terraces looks more graceful and less commercialised than in Banaue,
Cheers!
Ryan
Hi Ryan,
Thanks for the suggestion to Batad rice terraces!
We will stay few days in Bambang in Nueva Vizcaya.
How long is the travelling time from Bambang to Batad rice terraces?
If i’m not wrong from Bambang to Batad rice terraces is nearer than to Banaue, correct me if i’m wrong.
Thanks and have a good day.
Steven
Hi there Steven,
I dont have the exact travel time from Bambang to Batad, BUT as far as I know, Bambang is one of the towns that you will pass by going to Banaue from Manila. Also if I am not mistaken in order to get to Batad, you have got to get off Banaue first and ride the jeepney to Batad wherein you will have to trek through the rice terraces to get to the village. I will have to double check on that.
Cheers and Happy Thursday!
Ryan
Ryan,
Do you have any idea about the price for a taxi for the day in the Dipolog region?
I know it al depends on the distances travelled, but I’m happy with a rough idea!
Thanks,
Yvekes
Hang in there mate, I will check for you. :)
Hi Yvekes,
I am hearing from a friend that for a day around that area, it should be around 3,000Pesos. I’ll try to go ask people again..
Hello Ryan,
I will be spending a month in Baguio in February/March and, road conditions aside, I was curious what the best bet for visiting some of the rice terraces were. Reading some of your other replies, Batad sounds more enjoyable, would it be closer or further than Banaue? Are there scenic terraces closer to Baguio? Also, I noticed you mentioned about a minimum 6hrs travel time(pending conditions), do you have recommendations on a place to stay there, as I think if we do go I’d like to spend at least the better part of a day there and would either drive up the night before and drive back after checking it out, or drive up early in the morning to spend the day and sleep there before heading back in the morning.
Thank you!
Derek
Hi Derek,
There are different planting seasons for the different terraces.
Banaue – cleaning and planting season – March; best viewing is June/July
Batad – planting seasons – August and February; best viewing is April/May and October/November
Barlig, Kadaclan, Natonin, Hapao, Hungduan – planting season – February; best viewing is April/May
Kalinga – (same as Batad)
Kiangan- (same as Batad)
Mayoyao – (same as Batad)
Maligcong, Bontoc – (same as Banaue)
All rice terraces are further away than Baguio unfortunately and you wont be able to see any rice terraces along the way. We actually thought of going to Batad this January 22 but we postponed it to April/May so that terraces looks better than mud paddies. We haven’t tried the places there yet, but we heard that according to reviews, Batad Kadangyan Lodges (they use traditional Igorot huts and they are situated on the terraces itself) and Hillside Pension seems to be good places to stay. Other tip: get your guide in Batad if you are heading to Batad as guides in Banaue charges more. I reckon if you are not familiar with the roads around that area, I would say to pass the opportunity driving at night- just to be safe. :)
Lemme know if you pushes through. Hope this info helps!
Cheers and Happy New Year!!
Ryan
Sir,
I am a US soldier going on leave from Iraq to visit the Philippines and would like any and help you could give me regarding what would be the most enjoyable way to spend my two weeks with the least amount of cost. I am looked up so much information that I am beginning to go into information overload. Any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated.
Justin
Hi Sir, I am sorry, I haven’t seen your reply until today…
Let’s see two weeks? Hmm.. what months are you coming? And how much exactly are you planning to stay and what stuff would you like to check out? Beaches? Mountains? Diving? Culture? Lemme know so I can suggest places that you can visit. :)
Cheers!
Hi Ryan,
I will be in clark next month. I plan to take bus in Dau bus terminal to Baguio city.
I understand that there is a new highway called SCTEX. I like to know if the bus in Clark Dau bus terminal go by this SCTEX or McArthur Highway?
Which route is faster to Baguio City and both routes take how many hours?
Also what is the price each trip per person in Clark Dau bus terminal to Baguio city?
Thanks for your time and have a nice day.
Steven
Hi Steven,
I wanna jump in since Baguio is my second home. :) Attended 4 university years there.
If you are in Dau, wait for Victory Liner Baguio route at Dau terminal. I believe most of the buses headed north of Luzon are taking SCTEX now. That is the faster way to get to Baguio. Honestly, I don’t see a lot of difference in taking SCTEX or Mc Arthur highway. Just the same to me becasue you are still going to pass the long road of Tarlac province. :)
Daytime travel time to Baguio from dau is 4-6 hours. Night time, ir depends.. you can get there in three hours.. really depends..
Bus fare from Dau to Baguio? One way- 25o Php max.
Hope that helps.
Mhay
Hi Steven,
Sorry for the delayed reply, I was away a lot these past month. AFAIK, all buses now traverse the SCTEX and it does cut the travel time significantly. Whether the bus go through the MacArthur Hway or SCTEX, you may have to check that out at the bus terminal itself. The prices vary for fares as well depending on which bus company you are going to take.
I apologize again for the delayed reply, been traveling heaps lately, dint have time to look up the page.
Cheers!
Ryan
Hi there,
Need you help. Planning to have a vacay in Davao. Any idea on Pearl Farm day tour rate? We are planning to just stay in the city and just go to the wharf at 8am going to Pearl Farm then just go back to the city late in the afternoon. Any thoughts and suggestions. Any other itineraries fro Davao except for Mount Apo.
Thanking you in advance.
Mhay
Hi Mhay,
You may try to check on their website- pearlfarmresort.com/home.shtml
You can do the ziplines, visit the crocodile farm, the Philippine Eagle Center as well as if you got time, you may do a side trip to South Cotabato (Lake Sebu) or check out the beaches of Sarangani. More info on our Davao City article.
Cheers!
hi,
i’m very interested in visiting bantayan island with my partner.
any feature coming up on the place?
can we go with you if and when you’re going? :p
i look forward to your reply.
thanks!
Hi Tanya,
Sorry for the late reply, I dint see your reply come up. We have a planned trip to Cebu and other Visayan islands but no exact dates or info yet. I usually post updates of our trips on our Facebook website/Twitter site. You can find us there. :)
Cheers!
Ryan
Hi! I have seen in, I think, in Jessica Soho, Carabao Island and I was trying to see some literature about it. Care to help me how to get there? I saw in one of your articles that to be able to go to Romblon, it’s possible to go thru Lucena or Batangas port? How come no Carabao Island or is it really a different place?
Much thanks!
Hi Dustin,
The easiest route that I can find is to fly or do the Roro all the way to Caticlan and then hire a boat from either Caticlan or Boracay. It’d be really close. Currently, I do not have the data whether the routes from the main Romblon island to Batangas or Lucena still exists and which skeds. But I do know that you can get to Carabao Island faster through Caticlan/Boracay.
Hope that helps!
Ryan
Hi Ryan
Comments are v. helpful. Looking to travel with my husband to Manila on 26 Apr – 6 May. Is it safe to travel to Manila and then Cebu before the election?
Help on itinerary please. Be in Manila for 3 days – any recommendations on sight seeing and some golf?
Looking at going to Taal for sight seeing and and love to play golf there but not sure if tourists can.
Also looking to Cebu (and perhaps Bohol) for a few days for sight seeing and Cebu for golf. If you have recommendations please.
Thanks again
Hi maree,
Travel is safe even during this elections season. Manila and Cebu are beaten paths so you wont have problems at all during this time.
As for your Manila Itinerary:
Here are some of my recommendations for you to see and do:
Go on a Walking Tour of the Intramuros (Manila’s Old Walled City) with Carlos Celdran (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)
Visit the Ayala Museum (Greenbelt) in Makati for their Gold of Ancestors exhibition (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)
Binondo Food Wok – A Culinary Walking tour of the Oldest Chinatown in the World
Manila sunset dinner by the bay (Sofitel got great views, or you can go to the Mall of Asia for a dinner by the bay)
Manila Ocean Park
Side trips- Tagaytay, Taal or Corregidor (Check the articles on these places in this website)
Check out my 24 Hours in Manila article for more information.
As for Golf in the Philippines please check this site – golfph.com/
As for Cebu:
Must go to:
Sto. Nino Basilica
Mactan Shrine
Don’t miss – ngohiong (Cebu -style spring rolls) and the Lechon Cebu (dubbed by Celebrity Chef Anthony Bourdain as the world’s best).
For Bohol, check out my destination guide on this island on this website. ;)
Hope that helps!
Hi all having a good read here, I had a nice trip there for my 21 days last year my first ever trip anywhere hehe, well just wondered as I want to come back and do some proper backpacking and wondering about wild camping in my tent on the beachs out on hills ect, only reference I can find to a camp site!! in on Taal where I will head for a few nights for sure. anyone know of anyone else been there camping.
many thanks.
Hi. Looking to visit the rice paddies in Banuae in june/july. Can you recommend a tour company that visits the area for approximately 3-4 days, leaving from manila, or is it best just to catch a bus and work to our own schedule?
Hi Justan,
I just went up there and did it by myself. You can catch either Florida or Autobus (Florida buses are nicer and have a toilet), but you’ll have to go out to Sampaloc, Manila and pay for your ticket in advance. The Banaue terraces are quite extensive and beautiful, but they’re also the more touristy. I totally recommend going out to Batad. It’s a 1.5 hour jeep ride from Banaue to Batad saddle, then a two hour hike down to where most people stay in Batad. If you’re after a great experience then I suggest staying at Raymond’s Homestay (Ifugao huts down on the terraces http://batadkadangyanlodges.multiply.com/). However, be aware that the Banaue terraces should be green in June, but in Batad, June is around harvest time. If you want to find out about tours I suggest looking up Violeta Imperial http://philecotourism.wordpress.com/
Hope that helps
Just do it your self when you get there!!! get the promo cebu air ticket
Wayne. There are no airports in Ifugao. :) The nearest airport is in Tuguegarao which is about 6-8 hours away by land depending on the route you take. :)
Hi Ryan just thought i would let you know that i found a great little place to stay and not too expensive ,, when i enquired about hotels in Imus Cavite you could not really tell me much as you did not know the area too well, at first we stayed in Manila but the traffic was bad having to making the trip to Imus every day so i will just pass on the info,,, kartina hotel, centennial road,kawit,cavite
it is a new hotel and well fitted out and the price starts a around 1474.00php for the standard room to 2875.00php for a suite, the staff are very helpful LOL this sounds like a hotel review ,
ps ryan how do i follow you on twitter,
Hi Stuart!
Great share! Do you have their contact details too? Would be great to post it here- This website’s Twitter Page is @TourismPinas; my personal Twitter Page is @xxxriainxxx
Cheers man and thanks for that piece of info!
Ryan
It’s normal or legal or common for airport security personnel’s on duty to ask tourists upon leaving Philippine for money or souvenir or even to spend them foods or drinks???
It’s not my first trip but third and yet they still do that every time!
Confuse and frustrated,
Michelle
Michelle,
ONE BIG FAT NO. They are NOT allowed to ask you for anything except proper papers and documentation. If this happens again, take down their name, time this happened and write/call the proper agency. Or you can post the name of the people here on this site as well. This happened to my Aunt last January as well. Let us not tolerate this kind of behavior and report them immediately to their superiors. If that would be too much of a hassle, just ignore them and pretend not to understand what they are saying. If they are being too persistent, remind them that that is against the law and they will be reported if they wont stop harassing you or other passengers.
Ryan
really they never asked me for anything, but i was told by my friend to be ready to be asked for anything off them and if asked to demand to take to there supervisors and say no!!! so Michelle did you give them anything? but when I was about to fly back to the UK from Manila I didnt like the guys in the loo they were well cheeky I thought there I was thinking got a day on the plane best go to the loo and these guys hassled me from the hall way into the loo even opened the door and broke me off some bog roll hehe I was like go away leave me alone!! just wanted a private minute and ended up having a guy stood outside the loo door to demand money for invading my private poop hehe think that was one of the moments I hated most about my trip, wouldnt have been so bad a pretty lady but was kinda gay hehe well thats how my airport exit went. oh and as i left they wanted money so i gave them p5 and walked out.
others seem to be saying about hotels here now so will say the manila hotels i stayed were either mega dear or the worst you can think of will think about what there called for next reply dont want to say there names if i get them wrong, but in Cebu the cebu tourist inn in cebu city was great clean room staff mostly nice, and rooms were P650 a day or P580 a day if you stayed a week, its in the old part of the city near the oldest road in the Philippines so i was told, also was strange seeing filipino police handing out fines to people who walked across this road got to use the crossing when the lights change lucky me i was with a local usa guy who pointed this out to me and showed me the bus full of people who couldnt afford there fine so were off to do sweeping the streets which is nice for them, love to go back to there next year think my second trip be so much better than the first.
Hi, do you know a hidden and pristine beach, river, falls or lake ideal for camping out? The type that’s not commercialized or at least not over-commercialized and is near Manila? Thanks!
Near Manila? Hmmm… it depends how near you’d like it to be. There are heaps in Camarines Norte, Quezon and some hidden pockets in Zambales. Check out the guides on Cam Norte and Zambales…
Hi, how do can I read your older posts? seems that if I google the word like Pampanga, a million sites come up and can’t find your site at all, what I am after in particular is Panay island, and not only Boracay but the other cities like Iloilo, etc.
thanks heaps,
cheers!
is cebu still the no. 1 destination here in the Philippines? if not, will you please give me the latest ranking of the top 10 destinations here in the Philippines.
How do you say the greetings in Camarines Norte when u see someone?