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5 BEST VACATION SPOTS IN THE PHILIPPINES FOR EXPATS AND BALIKBAYAN

October 15, 2017 by Little Miss Honey 3 Comments

Bohol

If you’re in the Philippines as an expat, or you’re a Filipino expat on vacation back home, this post is for you. Well, unlike the more conventional tourists, we want a vacation that is usually short (because we have to go back to work, or we have other obligations on our “vacation”), and that also means a short travel time or commute. We also want to enjoy nice amenities and good resorts, and sometimes we need it to be suitable for children and elderly if our families are involved.

Most of the times, as part of being “locals”, we can take care of the booking and transportation ourselves. However, because we want our high standards met, especially if the family is joining, it’s important for us to be on the safe side. Therefore we like to rely on the advice of friends on where to go, and booking through a local travel agency like Philippines Travel Package, just to be on the safe side. So in this post I will give you my pick of the best places for expats to enjoy such a vacation.

Boracay

Boracay, the queen of the Philippines’ beaches. Would I be wrong to argue that it is perhaps the most convenient destination in the Philippines? Why is that so? First of all, getting there is easy, there are many flights from both Manila and Cebu every day, and from other chosen destinations. After the flight to Caticlan, a 15 minute ferry ride and you’re there!

Boracay

The wide selection of resorts makes it accessible for every budget, there are so many bars and restaurants, and beach activities too. And it’s also the best island if you want to go out and party. So who is it for? Young couples, young families, expats living in the Philippines, and actually everyone. The atmosphere of the island is very lively and young. If you are not much of a party person, and like to avoid the crowds, try somewhere else.

Because mostly visit, or can take some time off (if we live in the Philippines) in odd times, we can actually enjoy Boracay on the low-season. That’s a huge plus, because many people are compelled to go on the high season. Not only that they suffer from very high rates, it’s just that Boracay gets really crowded. It’s much better to have this paradise relatively to yourself.

Bohol

Bohol

Another very popular spot, and very good for expatriates on their short vacation. There are several flights a day from Manila both by Cebu Pacific and Air Asia, and Air Asia tends to give better deals, so try them first. A ferry from Cebu is also a valid option, as it take around 1.5 hours. That’s really not bad, even on a tight schedule.

Bohol is kind of a full package. Unlike Boracay which is a party package, it’s somewhat of an adventure package. It is one of the best places for scuba diving in the Philippines, and even if you don’t learn how to dive. It makes no sense to be from one of the best countries in the world to dive in, and not even trying once.

But other than diving, the white beaches of Panglao, and especially Alona, are something to remember. Than you can travel the land itself for the famous chocolate hills. There are quick tours that leave from most of the hotels that take only half a day and maybe less. So who is it for: beach lovers who want somewhere more quiet than Boracay, very suitable for families, it’s also a foodie’s destination

Mactan

It can’t get any better than that, if you want the easiest and most convenient vacation of all, Mactan is waiting for you. Mactan airport is accessible from virtually everywhere in the Philippines, and you land straight into action. Or leisure so to speak. You don’t waste any time and you’ll have a blast even if you’re staying for 1 or two nights only.

The resorts are of the highest quality you can find in the Philippines. The beach in Mactan is also perfect, and it offers great diving and snorkeling. But mainly, this is the best place to just relax and drink a cocktail or two. When you get too hot, just have a quick wash in the ocean or hotel pool, and when you’re hungry, dine in the great restaurants of the resorts around.

Cebu

Batanes

We can enjoy places much less visited. Whether you visit the Philippines, or working in Manila, you can find some time to visit this amazing province. Flights from Manila are quite expensive, but recently PAL started a line from Clark to Basco, that cuts the price by 60%. Book enough in advance, and you can get a ticket for 2914P for each direction.

In a way, traveling to Batanes is like traveling abroad, so keep that in mind if you live in the Philippines and want to experience something different. But who am I kidding, it’s a place that every Pinoy wants to visit in his life time. Batanes is often compared to New Zealand for its scenic rolling hills and mountains, covered by green grass fields. It also have a unique indigenous culture too, and touring the island is also an interesting feat.

But don’t take this windy province as a trekking place only, you can also hit its beautiful beaches. Morong Beach and Chavayang Beach are two very beautiful white beaches in Sabtang, and the most popular bathing beaches in Batanes. Valugan Beach may not be so good for swimming, but a sight to behold, one of the few boulder beaches in the country. Other than that, there are many beaches waiting for you to explore. Batanes is ideal for people who love nature and want to see new things, and wouldn’t mind an active vacation which involve trekking.

Siquijor

The Island of mysticism, witchcraft and dark magic. This is what many Filipinos think when they hear the name if this province. And they are somewhat right, because it is an island of magic. But not any kind of dark magic, the island will put a simple spell on you that will make you fall in love with it.

If I’ll compare it to another destination on this list it must be Bohol. But as much as Bohol is easygoing, Siquijor is 10 folds as much. All you can do there is spend time at the quiet beaches, like Salagdoong, Paliton, and Bacong Beaches. Oh, and explore the wonderful nature of the island. Like the ancient Balete tree which is believed to be both enhanced and more than 400 years old.

Explore the Cambugahay Falls near the town of Lazi, and the spectacular Cantabon Cave that takes 1.5 hours to walk through. There is a butterfly sanctuary near Lazi too, that is a great spot for you to visit, as well as many old churches scattered around the island. Who is it for? People who’d like to have a quick beach getaway, which is off the beaten track, and involves other beautiful sites. It’s good for couples and families with big enough children

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Bohol, Boracay, cebu, collaboration, link placement, philippines, sponsored, text linkage, vacation

BOHOL, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE BEAUTIFUL TO ME

October 22, 2013 by Little Miss Honey 252 Comments

Last Tuesday, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the Visayan region and destroyed some of the cherished tourism spots in Cebu & Bohol. I am an Ilongga myself and news like this made me worry & anxious for my loved-ones back in Iloilo.

It was a sad news to hear of the lovely Baclayon Church in Bohol ruined. I was privileged to have visited Bohol twice. I still have wonderful memories of my visits. I know we had seen a lot of pictures of destroyed churches & roads of Bohol circulating on social media but I rather remember Bohol’s beauty untarnished. I know we, Filipinos, can get through this sad natural calamity that struck us unexpectedly.

Baclayon Church is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. It hold a lot of old holy relics inside. I remember that I was wearing shorts during my visit there and I have to put on a cloth that was provided by the custodians of the church to respect the holiness of the place of worship. It was beautiful church. You feel the solemnity and peace inside.

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One of the highlight of my visit in Bohol is having lunch at their floating restaurant at the Loboc River. How nice it is to eat and listen to beautiful music amidst a lovely calming surrounding nature.

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What a fun interlude when we would stop to watch the people of Bohol dance and sing with their cute ukeleles. The smiles of these people reflects a silent resiliency that will surely  overcome any test or challenges they will face.

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To visit Bohol, you have visit the Chocolate Hills. It was previously among the list of the Seven Wonders of the World. There are pretty brown hills that looks like Hershey’s Kisses from a far. It is called Chocolate Hills because during the dry season, the grass on the hills turned into chocolate brown resembling chocolates.

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My friends and family had a great time taking touristy pictures here and we didn’t a thousand jump shots to get that perfect shot. Hahaha! And yes, climbing the steep high stairs to overlook the hills was a struggling exercise for a weakling like me.

If Australia have koalas, Bohol has tarsiers. These cute big-eyed cuddlies are adorable. But don’t flash a camera on them because they will go blind. It so happens that their big eyes are too sensitive to light. I hope they are alright during the earthquake too.

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                          this little guy ogling me

I think  Bohol and the rest of the affected Visayas region can pick up the pieces and  stand  stronger than ever. And who knows it may even soar high like an eagle just like the time when we rode the zipline there in Bohol.

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You are still beautiful to me, Bohol! I will visit you again soon. I told my husband I will take him there someday. Thank you for the lovely memories and many more to come.

Filed Under: Inspirations, Travel Tagged With: Bohol, philippines


Hi I'm Honey! I am a Filipina who has studied & lived in Saudi Arabia for a few years, worked in Singapore and is currently based in Oman with my husband & our three little boys. I am a medical doctor, a lifestyle blogger, travel junkie, a foodie and a bookworm. I hope I can drizzle a bit of sunshine and inspirations whenever you drop by my blog. Thanks for dropping by! See ya soon.. :)
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