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palawan

Palawan

Whilte Sand BeachPalawan is the most well preserved major island group in the Philippines. It is also the largest province in the Philippines in terms of land area. The rain forest, caves, coral reefs, mangroves, beaches and clear blue waters are its best assets. One has to go around the islands of Palawan to see how its people and the local government’s conservation efforts have born fruit.


With almost 2,000 kilometers of coastline, Palawan is known as having one of the most beautiful seascapes in the world. Sprawled beneath the seas are nearly 11,000 square kilometers of coral reefs. Palawan was proclaimed as a fish and wildlife sanctuary in 1967 and to this day, this group of islands is probably the most protected province in the whole Philippines.


Underwater 
corals of PalawanThe Calauit Wildlife Sanctuary in the northern Calamianes islands is home to exotic and endemic species of animals that roam freely in its verdant hills and plains. Palawan is the home of Palawan Monkeys, Palawan Parrots, Palawan Bear cats, Palawan Peacock, Mongoose, Scaly Ant Eater, Porcupine, and mouse deer.

A must see is the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (also known as Sabang’s St. Paul Subterranean National Park). It is a wonder to behold; carved by nature for millions of years; the length of cave and river network is unknown up to this day. The cavern stretches away in an almost perfect rectangle with walls and ceiling decorated with natural carvings in many colors. Stalactite and stalagmites seem like they have been intentionally crafted to awe the visitors. Further inside, one reaches a grand chamber, decorated with multi faceted colored stones. One has to be there to see its grandeur.

Beautiful rock
 formations in PalawanEl Nido – the place with crystal clear waters and many wonderful dive spots with first class resorts. El Nido Marine Reserve is noted for its very expensive and edible birds’ nests that is harvested on majestic limestone cliffs that end up on our dinner table as Bird's Nest Soup.

Honda Bay - Just 30 minutes form Puerto Pincesa is Honda Bay. One can take a boat and beach hop the dozens of beaches on the islets that dot the bay. One can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, diving or just relaxing on the beach amidst the clear waters and fine sand. The panoramic view would surely leave a lingering impression on the visitor.

Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park - a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its beauty and richness of marine  life. Tubbataha Reef is made of of 2 atolls (North & South reefs) located 92 nautical miles southeast of Puerto Princesa City covering 33,200 hectares. The North Islet serves as a sanctuary for birds and marine turtles. Tubbataha Reef has pristine waters, lagoons, a line of extinct underwater volcanoes, two corral islands with a magnificent 100-meter perpendicular wall.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National ParkTubbataha Reef and Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park are nominated as one of the "New 7 Wonders of Nature". Vote for Tubataha & the Subterranean River here.

Palawan has been called the "island of the gods" and it is not without reason, the spectacular sea and landscapes of Palawan; especially at El Nido, gives the impression of seeing heaven's beauty on earth. Acknowledged as the Philippines' last frontier, Palawan is a must see for the traveler who appreciates the majesty and splendor of nature.

Popular Resorts in Palawan:
Marina de Bay, Central Palawan
Dos Palmas Arreceffi Hotel, Central Palawan
Princessa Holiday Resort, Central Palawan
Crystal Paradise Resort, Central Palawan
Dolarog Beach Resort, El Nido
Lagen & Maniloc, El Nido
Bambua National Park, Sabang
Green View Resort, Port Barton
Club Noah, Tatay
Club Paradaise, Busanga
Coral Bay, Northern Palawan
Discovery Dive, Northern Palawan
Lamud Island Resort, Northern Palawan
El Rio Y Mar, Northern Palawan
Rio Playa Beach, Northern Palawan
Amanpulo, the most expensive Island resort in the Philippines
Coco Loco Island Resort, Roxas

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boracay

Boracay Island

 
Tourist 
playing beach volleyball at Boracay beach.The beaches of the Boracay Island is located off the north-western tip of Panay Island, Philippines. Boracay is world famous and is almost always the first beach mentioned when tourist, foreign & locals alike talk about vacation places in the Philippines.

The island of Boracay is 7.5 kilometers long and 2 kilometers wide. The popular powdery White Sand Beach (which take up most of the western side of the island) is where most of tourist go to see and be seen. Boracay Island has electricity and piped water and has grown into an international tourist hub with 20 dive sites, scores of bars and restaurants, native tattoo parlours, banks, a fire department, and a police station. There is also a Tourist Center that also serves as a souvenir shop and an airline reservation center.

white beach 
with coconut palmsAside from scuba diving, snorkeling & sunbathing, a common sight round Boracay Island is sailing on slender hulled boats called Paraw. Passengers occasionally seat on a webbing area between the outrigger supports. The Paraw is exceptionally fast off the wind, but difficult to maneuver, requiring the foresail to be backed. They can be hired for trips round the island, a wonderful experience if you don't mind getting wet. There are three classes of Paraw with size limits on each. Races are regularly staged each year with the winning boat getting a considerable prize.

Night life 
at BoracayThe nightlife of Boracay is very lively with the numerous clubs and bars spanning the whole stretch of the beach. From Friday's at the northern part of the beach to Lorenzo South at the southern end. It is specially so during Lent & Christmas season when Boracay Island is transformed into a big fiesta. It is the time when local & foreign tourist come in droves. But whatever season, If partying is your cup of tea, then the nightlife of Boracay is for you.

Popular hang outs at the central portion of Boracay strip are: Friday's, Cocomangas, Pier 1 and Hay Jude -just to name a few. To the golf enthusiast, there is the 18 hole, par 72 golf course at Filinvest's Fairways & Blue Waters. It is a first class club and hotel located a short distance from the beach. A nice place to picnic during the day and do some diving or snorkelling is Crocodile Island. There are also Bat Caves to explore on the northeast coast of Yapak and at the southern end of Bulabug Beach, there is Sunken Forest to discover.

Hotels, restaurants and bars at Boracay

You can reach Boracay Island by air via South East Asian Airlines (Seair). It has regular daily flights to Caticlan (it is nearest airstrip to Boracay). From Caticlan is a short boat ride to Boracay. You can also catch the daily flights of PAL, Cebu Pacific or Zest Airways (formerly Asian Spirit) to Kalibo, Aklan, from the airport, take a 2-hour bus ride to Caticlan, then the short boat ride to Boracay. And if you are not in a hurry, you can take the ferry boat trip from Manila to Caticlan (twice a week - Mondays & Saturdays) of WGA's Supper Ferry. The ferry boat ride takes approximately 15 hours.

Another alternative if you are not in a hurry, is to take the Philtranco Bus (tel # 852-2523, 853-3218) from Manila (EDSA, Pasay) to Caticlan then take the short boat ride to Boracay Island.

Resorts & Hotels in Boracay Island
Para-sailing
 at BoracayAlice in Wonderland Resort Hotel
Regency Beach Resort
Club Panoly
Club Ten Beach Resort
Cocomangas Beach Resort
Crystal Sand Resort
Friday's Resort
Fairways and Blue Waters Hotel
Gold Crowne Club Resort
Le Soleil de Boracay
Pink Patio Resort
Pearl of the Pacific
Jony's Resort
Lorenzo Hotels (Grand Villa, Main Beach & South Beach)
Nigi Nigi Hotel
Nami Private Villas Resort
Paradise Garden Resort
Tourist on a
 banana boat at Boracay beachPearl of the Pacific Resort
Pink Patio Resort
Red Coconut Resort
Seawind Resort
Sandcastles Beach Resort
Seraph Resort
Terraces Hotel
True Home Hotel Resort
Willy's Beach Resort
Waling Waling Beach Resort
357 Boracay Resort

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Davao

Davao

Picture of the 
Davao CityDavao is a region in south eastern Mindanao, Philippines that boast of its natural beauty and resources. Davao is composed of four provinces namely: Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley and the City of Davao. Collectively, they are designated as Region XI of the Philippines. Davao is a major producer of gold, and its mining resources include silica, silver, copper and elemental sulfur. It is where the highest peak (10,311 feet) in the Philippines is located – Mt. Apo, where only the brave dare climb.
 
Davao City is the most important city in Mindanao and the largest city in Asia in terms of land area - occupying more than 244,000 hectares. Its population according to the 2000 Census is 1,147,116. It's international airport and seaport is one of the busiest cargo hubs in the southern Philippines. Davao City is also one of several cities in the Philippines that are independent of any province. The city is also the regional center for the Davao Region.

Island Picture
There are many places to go and things to do in Davao. Just 5 kilometers north of the city is Lanang Golf & Country Club with an 18 hole course. To the south of the city are Apo Golf & Country Club and New Davao City Golf Club. The region has many hotels and resorts to relax and unwind. For the gourmet, Davao offers a wide variety of local and international cuisines at very reasonable prices. Davao is known for its fresh seafood, notably the grilled yellow fin tuna, tiger prawns, barbeques and other delightful specialties. Not to be missed when in Davao is the Durian, the fruit that smells like hell but taste like heaven!

Some of the more popular places of interest in Davao:

Samal Island – unspoiled and pristine, the island prides itself for its white sand beaches with vacation facilities for different kinds of water sports.

Tourist 
attraction of DavaoPearl Farm Beach Resort, is the most famous tourist destination in Davao. The Pearl Farm is located on Samal Island just a short boat ride from Davao City. The 11-hectare resort was once a real pearl farm that cultivated oysters imported from the Sulu Sea, and produces some of the best pearls in the country. Now the white sand beach resort is a top tourist attraction in Davao with cottages inspired by the Isamal native design.

Picture of 
Eagle in DavaoPhilippine Eagle National Center, where the endangered Philippine eagle is bread in captivity. The Center provides shelter to some 19 Philippine eagles as well as other birds, animals.

Tourist interested in local handicrafts will find artwork and various handmade products made by indigenous ethnic tribes of Davao namely the Bagobos, the Atas, the Mansakas, the Mandayas, the the Kalagans, the Mangguangans and the Tagakaolos. Their crafts can be found in local stores and museums in the city.

One can get to Davao City from Manila by land (by bus via the Pan-Philippine highway), by sea (daily ferry boats) or Air.

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Philippine Travel Tips

Planning your trip to the Philippines:

  • Travel light - limit the things you carry with you when you travel. If at all possible, carry just one 9" x 22" x 14" bag with a maximum weight of 20 pounds. If you can manage to limit your bag to this size, you don't have to check-in your luggage at the airport. Upon arrival to your destination, you can go directly to customs while everybody is waiting for their luggage at the carousel. Pack light and pack smart. When choosing what to bring, think in terms of what you can do without rather than what might be handy for the trip.
  • When you travel to the Philippines, bring light clothing specially if you're visiting in summer. Cotton Tees, shirts, pants and walking shorts are your best bet. For ladies, a hat with brim will help protect against the heat of the sun. A pair of sunglasses with UV protection is recommended. And if you plan to travel to the countryside or walk a lot, don't forget to bring your comfy sneakers or sandals.
  • Note that the Philippines uses 220V of electricity. Most 5-star hotels provide 100V outlets but generally, they are not available, specially in the rural areas. So if you're planning to bring some electronic gadgets, make sure you bring a converter with you.
  • Travel tip for smokers: long haul flights can be difficult for smokers. Bring with you a couple of nicotine patches and put one on about an hour before your flight. It is amazing how this small patch can make your craving for a smoke disappear.

Travel Tip on Valuables:

  • Avoid bringing valuables. A decent watch and faux accessories (optional) are all you need. But in case you did bring some expensive jewellery, deposit them and your other valuables in the hotel safe (most major hotels provide them for free).
  • Also, a phone is all that is needed to make international calls to your family or perhaps to hear from friends around the world.
  • Make sure you make a photocopies of your passport and tickets just in case you loose them. Keep the copies in a separate locations - place them in the deep pockets of your luggage.
  • It is a good idea to use a belt bag to put your money, passport and other valuables when on the road rather than a bag. And position it in front of your body and under your shirt if possible. Better yet, use a money belt and hide it under your clothing.
  • Never leave your bag and other valuables on the beach or at the poolside when swimming. It is a lot safer to leave them in your hotel room.
 
Tipping:
  • It is customary to leave a tip when rendered a service. On restaurants, a 10% tip based on the total bill is recommended. However, if there is already a service charge on the bill, a tip then becomes optional.
  • Taxis drivers, bellboys, chambermaids, all expect to be tipped. For a short taxi ride, a P20 tip will suffice. But for hotel bellboys and chambermaids, a P100 tip is more appropriate. Adjust the tip according to your length of stay and service rendered.

Shopping Tips:

  • If you are about to do some shopping and are scheduled to visit the Philippines, don't. Do your shopping in the Philippines. Even designer clothes are sold cheaper in the Philippines than the countries they are made in. Many Filipinos living overseas come home to see their families and shop at the same time. The savings oftentimes pays for their vacation.
  • Aside from the goods, you can save substantially by having your medical, dental and cosmetic needs done in the Philippines. Ask for referrals from friends (or the hotel concierge for minor services) and choose the best ones.

Philippine Travel Seasons:

  • June to August is the typhoon season. Although the temperature is moderate and hotel rates are lower, it is not the best time to travel specially if you intend to see the countryside or cross the islands by sea.
  • From March to May is summer time and is a good time to see the islands with clear skies and calm waters. You are also assured that no flights or ferry boat trips will be cancelled due to typhoons. Although expect the temperatures to occasionally reach 38 degrees centigrade.
  • The best time to see the country is from November to February when the weather is cooler. It is also a good time to see the longest Christmas season in the world. Were Filipinos start to decorate for Christmas as early as October.
Accommodation Tips:
  • It's a good to have an idea of the type of activities you would like to do and the attractions that you would like to see. This will help with your accommodation selection in that you will try to find a hotel that is close to everything that you want to do.
  • Do your research on the Internet and look around for accommodation packages that will suit your needs. There are many hotel reservation sites online that offer very competitive deals and so it makes it hard to make a decision on which one to choose.
  • Once you have found a few hotels you like, don't forget to look through the amenities and facilities. Make sure your room is air conditioned because it can get really hot especially in summer.

General Philippine Travel Tips:

  • Filipinos (as with most Asians) are mostly conservative. Act, speak and dress modestly, more so  when going to the countryside. In most places, wearing shorts, tees, sleeveless shirts, sandals or sneakers are fine - specially in summer.
  • Avoid talking about religion and politics specially to people you have just met. Especially when drinking (alcoholic beverages) this sometimes lead to heated arguments or worse.
  • If you are going to Mindanao (southern Philippines) where some areas are predominantly Muslims, dress conservatively - specially the women. And don't call Muslims Moros. It's considered rude.
  • When travelling overseas, its always a good practice to get a travel health insurance. Travel health insurance offers peace of mind when abroad. Also, check with local health authorities for any concerns when going to remote villages. And drink only bottled water or canned beverages when unsure of the local water supply.
  • Filipinos are a very friendly and welcoming people. The Philippines has a lot to offer its visitors. Discover the country, get to know the people and their culture. Enjoy your visit to the Philippines and Mabuhay!

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ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES

The Philippine islands are divided into three groups: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The Luzon islands include Luzon itself, Mindoro, Palawan, Masbate, and other smaller islands. The Visayas is a group of several small islands, the largest of which are: Panay, Bohol, Negros, Cebu, Leyte, and Samar. Mindanao island includes Mindanao island itself and the Sulu Archipelago, composed of Tawi-Tawi, Basilan and Sulu. Each island group has a Philippine destination worth visiting.
Philippine Map
 
Climate in the Philippines is hot, humid, and tropical. The average yearly temperature is around 26.5° Celsius. Filipinos generally recognize three seasons:

Summer: March to May
Rainy Season: June to November
Cold Season: December to February (moderate to folks from temperate countries)
Philippine Population: 86,000,000 / Per Capita Income: $4,700
Literacy: 93%
HIV-AIDS Prevalence: less than 0.1%
Electricity: 220V (110V is available, mostly in major hotels)

The islands of the Philippine archipelago are volcanic in origin and are mountainous. The islands are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Mt. Apo (2,954 meters above sea level) in Mindanao is the highest peak, while the second highest peak is Mt. Pulog in Luzon. It rises 2,842 meters above sea level. The Philippines have numerous rivers, volcanoes, streams, narrow coastal plains and beautiful sandy beaches which foreign and local tourist enjoy. The country has a total of 36,289 kilometers of coastline.
Philippine Jeepney

Travel within the Philippines not difficult, if you don't mind riding the sometimes rickety public transportation. There are all kinds of transportation available to tourist and locals: Airplanes and ferries for inter-island transfers, buses & taxis ply in major cities all over the Philippines and the ubiquitous jeepney can be found everywhere. In Metro Manila, modern light rail transit is available on main roads. In tertiary roads & small rural towns the tricycle is the transport of choice.

The official languages in the Philippines are Filipino and English. Filipino which is based on the Tagalog dialect (the dialect of national capital region), is the national language. English is also widely used and is the medium of instruction in higher education in the Philippines. There are also 76 major local languages and more than 500 different minor dialects throughout the archipelago. 83% of Filipinos are Roman Catholic. The rest are made up of smaller Christian denominations, Moslems and Buddhist.
 
This guide previews the more popular tourist spots in the Philippines beginning with the City of Manila, then Baguio City, Banaue Rice Terraces, Batanes Group of Islands, Batangas, Boracay Island, Cebu City, Corregidor, Davao City, Iloilo, Palawan Island, Pangasinan's Hundred Islands, Puerto Galera Beach, Bohol Islands and the World Heritage City of Vigan in Ilocos Sur. Mabuhay!

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PHILIPPINES TRAVEL GUIDE

Philippine travel destinations guide gives you an overview of popular tourist spots in the Philippines. On each of the featured tourist destination on this travel guide, you will find places of interest on each destination, things to do and how to get there. We have included a page of travel tips, a list of fascinating Philippine festivals that runs year round, a collection of underwater scuba diving pictures, and a map of the Philippines for your reference.

Communications and getting around the country is easy as most Filipinos understand and speak English. Mobile phones are used throughout the archipelago. Foreigners can buy "pre-paid" SIM cards for their cell phones for temporary use in the country to avoid costly roaming charges. Also, foreign currency can easily be converted into Philippine Peso and all major credit cards are accepted at big department stores, restaurants, bars and major establishments.

Filipinos are a fun-loving and friendly people. Throughout the islands, there are festivals celebrated everyday and foreign guests are always welcome in their homes. Every travel destination on this guide is worth a visit. We have featured the most frequently visited tourist spots in the Philippines: the capital city of Manila; Boracay Beach (see Boracay hotels); Baguio - the summer capital of the Philippines; Bohol Island; Corregidor Island; Cebu City; Davao City; the Islands of Palawan; the Hundred Islands of Pangasinan; Puerto Galera Beach; the old Spanish colonial city and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vigan in Ilocos Sur; and the breathtaking Banaue Rice Terraces.

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Best Summer Vacation Spots

Looking for some of the best summer vacation spots to visit this year? Well, this article will tell you just that. From some fun spots to some exotic destinations, we have this perfect list of the best summer vacation spots, ready for you.
Best Summer Vacation Spots
 
t's summer time and the beaches await us. With so many options to travel to, this summer, choosing can get a little bit difficult, yes. But it's just going to get a little easier with these best summer vacation spots in the US and abroad, we have listed out for you. These are a combination of the best beaches and the best sites one can see. So if you think sand is not what you want this summer vacation, there are other options too. With summer vacations so diverse, where do you think you're going to go this year?

List of Best Summer Vacation Spots

South Beach, Miami
This is the perfect destination to have some fun in the summers. Located in South Miami, this is a place most youngsters head to during summertime. This is also one of the best summer vacation spots for families, as there are a number of restaurants and boutiques one can visit. Apart from these, there are also some museums like the Jewish Museum of Florida. There are some historic sites such as the Miami Holocaust Memorial, which is visited by a number of people every year. For some more entertainment, there are also some great theaters you can check out.

Egypt
Egypt is one of the best places to visit during the summers, and one of the most exotic too. There is a lot of you can see here apart from the world famous pyramids. Though the Pyramid of Giza remains the top one, locations such as the White Desert, the coastline of Alexandria (which happens to be the second largest city of Egypt), and also the Suez Canal Bridge, are really nice. There are also a lot of mosques and churches built in this country, that are known for their architectural designs. Those looking for a long summer vacation, this is the place to be.

Goa, India
Goa, the smallest state of India, is another great option if you want to spend your summer relaxing on the beaches. One of the best summer vacation spots in India, this is a place you will fall in love with once you are here. There are an astonishing 12 and 10 beaches in the north and south Goa respectively. A lot of options, isn't it? The most famous beaches here are Baga and Anjuna. The entire coastline is more than 75 miles. A few more tourist attractions are the Goan festivals, the Basilica of Bom Jesus and Fort Aguada.

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
This park is located in Montezuma County, Colorado, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are approximately more than 4500 archaeological sites in this park, out of which most are cliff dwellings. At one point, this park was considered to hold the largest cliff dwelling in North America. House of many windows and the Cliff Palace are two sites that are a must see. This is one of the best summer vacation spots in Colorado, and the information above must have justified why, isn't it?

The Caribbean
The Caribbean Islands will always be the best summer vacation spot, for two main reasons - The Beaches and The Variety. There are so many islands you can visit in the Caribbean that if you don't plan your trip well in advance, you might just find yourself tempted to visit all the islands and never go home. Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba and Jamaica are perhaps the most famous islands in the Caribbean. Activities such as submarine rides and watching underwater volcanoes are the true attractions of these islands.

Now that you know these great summer vacation destinations, you can travel to one soon. Plan your trip in advance so that you are able plan it well, and you will see it turning out to be a great yet cheap summer vacation. These best summer vacation spots are sure to give you a treat this summer, and help you relax like never before. Cruises are available at some of the destinations, giving you another great option of travel

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