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Alternative beach getaways (apart from Boracay)


guydesavoy

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Hi Guys,

 

I will be in PI for 3 weeks (unless I bail and hop over to BKK). I'm looking to take my LB friend to a nice island/beach escape for a week or 5 days to get out of Manila. Trying to keep the budget from blowing out while I'm at it :biggrin:

 

Having looked at most of the accommodations for Boracay and having found them either too high priced for an extended trip, or just sub par with a 50/50 good to dodgy review ratio, I'm seeking alternatives.

 

What I require:

 

Close to a nice beach or even fronting it, decent room with wifi and room safe to fit the laptop, enough to do in the evenings (i.e nice bars/restaurants etc). A place to unwind.

Basically what one would expect of a beach getaway you see in all those nice brochures B)

In reading some of these reviews it can look a bit hit and miss :shok:

 

Is Cebu a viable choice? I've heard of a few others an hour or so from Manila. All comments and suggestions most welcome :hi:

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Would also advise not Cebu, it's Mactan really, since Cebu is a city with no beaches. Bohol is nearby & has some beaches & sights including  Panglao. A couple hours north of the city is Malapascua Island though.

 

El Nido in Palawan is close to several stunning beaches, like Thailand's "Before the hordes" pictures. 

 

White Beach, Puerto Galera is a tolerant gay friendly beach with bars & nightlife, more developed than the others mention here & easier to get to.

 

 Copy of a visitor's report:

 

Just come back from a weeks holiday in a place called Saud beach in Pagudpud, on the north western tip of Luzon in the Philippines. I've been to the beaches in Europe, Thailand, Malysia etc., but I have never seen such a beautiful, natural beach like Saud Beach. The hotels, only a few, are hidden amongst the dense palm trees, the beach itself has powdery, clean sand; the water is turquoise-blue; the beach is unspoilt and uncrowded, always breezy and much cooler than the lowlands or Manila. Fly Manila to Laoag ,bus from Laoag to Pagudpud

 

Also check out: Camguin, Siargao, Samal/Pearl Farm, .... really with 7,000 islands it all depends on want kind of beach experience you want.

 

Good luck

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it all depends on want kind of beach experience you want.

 

Good luck

Thanks Hefe.

 

I guess I'm looking for a decent beach (ie not dirty) with things to do (restaurants bars etc for dinner) with a decent hotel/bungalow that's not astronomically priced.

 

I'll check out the places you mentioned. I'm likely to make any bookings whilst I'm over there, might see a good package.

 

Cheers for all the suggestions :party0005:

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The Philippines is strange - there are over 7000 islands but not that many have the picture postcard soft white sands, blue seas etc you might expect. Those that do are either very developed (Boracay), small (Malapascua) or very difficult to get to / ridiculously expensive (Amanpulo).

 

On the other hand if you don't mind some grey sand, pebbles and not hugely busy islands then there are quite a few choices.

 

If you do want some great beaches, loads of restaurants and bars and a lively break then take a gulp on the cost and definitely head over to Boracay.

 

As Hefe, Azza and Co say White Beach at Purto Galera is pretty easy to reach, not too expensive and is a fair place to spend time. Your LB friend is not going to look out of place there either...

 

Agree on Mactan Island (Cebu) - lots of fairly expensive Resorts set in their own grounds where you are going to be a bit trapped.  Cebu City is a good place to hang out but strictly speaking its not even close to a decent beach.

 

North of Cebu (about 3 and a bit hours) Malapascua island is a nice place to hang out for a few days.  Easy to walk round, sandy beach and very relaxing.  Not lots to do (aside from diving and watching the world go by) but a few restaurants and bars are dotted around. Check out Ocean Vida Resort – right on the beach.

 

Alona Beach on Panglao Island (adjoining Bohol) is another nice place to head to.

 

I really like the area around Dumaguete on Negros Island.  But there aren’t white sandy beaches there.  Check out Pura Vida and Mikes Beach resort – both on the beach.

 

Agree, Camiguin is very cool as is Siargao (good surfing if you catch it right) but they are pretty QUIET.

 

Coron in Busuanga Island and El Nido north of Palawan have some of the most beautiful island scenery in the country, simply stunning, but you shouldn’t head there if you don’t appreciate a bit of peace and downtime.

 

Some folks quite like the action around Subic but I'm never really convinced by the place.  Think that's just me though...

 

Hefe; Saud Beach is great but Man it’s a long long trip to get there!  Its rightly popular with kiteboarders and windsurfers and there are 3 or 4 places to stay there

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Thanks for the suggestions D&C. I've checked out most of the tips on agoda etc. It's a real headache. There always seems to be a deal breaker. No TV, or no smoking or average looking rooms or...

 

I saw a great place with a deck directly onto the beach; That would have been ideal... alas a no smoking room and no TV which could be a trial as I'm sure my friend is not into reading a good book :sad0143:

 

I don't mind if the sand is dark. I think my best bet will be to check it out from Manila via a travel agent. (Also don't want to plan every day before I see how the trip will pan out..). Although I am coming around to your point that I should just hang the expense and do Boracay :biggrin:

 

I have made a list of all the places mentioned here so will leave it to fate :party0005:

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@Guydesavoy

 

If your looking for more options then klick on the following links......

 

Badian Island Resort & Spa

http://www.asiahotelandtravel.com/index.php?/topic/37-other-locations/?p=181
Sumilon Island

 

Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort
    

El Nido Minilioc and Lagen Resorts
http://www.asiahotelandtravel.com/index.php?/topic/37-other-locations/?p=184

Club Paradise, Dimakya Island, Palawan
http://www.asiahotelandtravel.com/index.php?/topic/37-other-locations/?p=185

Club Noah Isabelle, Apulit Island, Palawan
http://www.asiahotelandtravel.com/index.php?/topic/37-other-locations/?p=186

El Rio Y Mar Resort, San Jose, Palawan
http://www.asiahotelandtravel.com/index.php?/topic/37-other-locations/?p=187

Dos Palmas Araceffi Resort
http://www.asiahotelandtravel.com/index.php?/topic/37-other-locations/?p=188

Balesin Island Resort, Quezon
http://www.balesin.com/

Sangat Island Reserve, Palawan
http://www.asiahotelandtravel.com/index.php?/topic/37-other-locations/?p=189

Amanpulo, Cuyo, Palawan
http://www.asiahotelandtravel.com/index.php?/topic/37-other-locations/?p=190
 

Puertogalera Villas , Dalaruan Bay
http://www.puertogal...ertovillas.html
http://www.puertogal.../Boathouse.html
http://www.puertogal...side Villa.html
http://www.puertogal....com/pgmap.html

 

 

Make sure you keep the weather forcast at close range at all time during the planning of your Island vacation , when your on the Island and when your going back to the Mainland.

 

Believe me , you dont want to be on any of those Island when it`s typhoon season !!!!

 

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  • 3 months later...

@Guydesavoy

 

If your looking for more options then klick on the following links......

 

 

Make sure you keep the weather forcast at close range at all time during the planning of your Island vacation , when your on the Island and when your going back to the Mainland.

 

Believe me , you dont want to be on any of those Island when it`s typhoon season !!!!

 

 

Here's some links to the hotels Stealth recommends on Asia Hotel and Travel, our sister site.  When you get there click again for some good prices.  

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Any updates on Puerto Galera ?, how is the local talent ?

 

Thinking about checking it out next year, looks like the best mix of LB and Scuba diving.

 

Hi Snick, its been about 18 months since I was last there so maybe someone else has more up to date info but here is what I know:

 

PG is the main town in that part of Mindoro and is one of the main access points from Manila.  In reality when people say they are going to Puerto Galera what they really mean is heading to one of a string of beaches along the coast from PG.

 

Sabang Village (about 15 mins in a trike from PG proper) has the largest amount of bars, restaurants, accommodation etc.  It also has the most professional Dive Centers in the area so it's a good place to stay for the diving.  IMHO the two best operations - and they are excellent - are Atlantis in Sabang Village itself and Asia Divers / El Galleon Beach Resort which is a few mins walk around the headland on to another beach.  If pushed I would say Asia Divers just take it in terms of nice resort, with lower rates and a friendly team.  Diving in the area is very good with some great drift dives.  Sabang is not a place of great beauty and it's mostly all about GG's but there are usually a few LB's hanging around at night. More popular with international tourists.

 

White Beach which is further along the coast (about 20 mins on a trike) has a much nicer beach and is more popular with local tourists.  There are a few Dive Centers there (a bit average compared to those in Sabang) but the overall emphasis is more on beach life rather than in-water stuff.  This is where the LB's all hang out - quite a lot of them in fact - they work in the bars and restaurants, do fire-shows, run a few informal cabarets and  generally cruise at night.

 

I would say 5 - 7 nights in the area works best and maybe split your time between the two centers.

 

DO NOT GO AT EASTER TIME, it's hell on earth.  Everyone is travelling, half of Manila pitches up and you can't move for folks!

 

To get there take a ferry from Batangas Pier - nearly all of them drop off at Sabang Village and some make drops at White Beach as well.

 

Hope this helps.

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This is sounding better and better, as Snick and I will be meeting for diving!

 

I might join you!

 

White Beach and Sabang are about 35 mins apart (Puerto Galera town lies between them) and although its easy enough to travel between them in the day it's likely to be a hassle at night-time - especially late in the evening.  I am sure that there are absolutely no taxis there so transport is likely to be on the back of a motorbike or on a trike on small badly lit roads.

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Any updates on Puerto Galera ?, how is the local talent ?

 

Thinking about checking it out next year, looks like the best mix of LB and Scuba diving.

 

I spent 8 weeks in Sabang a few years back.

 

The diving is maybe not world class, but not far off. Much better than Phuket for sure. The best part is that there are 30 dive sites within a 10-15 minute boat ride, so you actually return to your resort in between each dive.....none of this leaving your hotel at 7am and take a 2 hour boat ride and have 2 dives max.

 

You can do 4 dives plus night dives, with a coffee in between each of them, each day if you want to.

 

I stayed at 2 different places:

 

Atlantis Hotel/Resort (as mentioned by someone else)

...website is not working as I type this

Very classy place. They also used to have a second resort in Dumaguette, and they can arrange to split your holiday between the 2

I think they also now have 2 live aboard dive boats as well

 

 

Steps Garden Resort

http://www.stepsgarden.com/index.html

2 mins walk from Atlantis

Half the price of Atlantis, little bungalows built into the hillside overlooking the bay....I had a coffee on my balcony a couple times, and just stayed there all day admiring the view and missed diving!

 

 

Sabang itself is not that big, very easy to walk around. Whitebeach is quite a distance, and I have no idea about public transport to get there......but the beach is superb. Sabang is really gravel, not a white sandy beach

 

Highly recommended if you are divers, but a pain in the ass to get to. Don't try and do it yourself, get the minibus organised by the resort.

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  • 2 years later...
On 7/16/2013 at 2:22 AM, dazedandconfused said:

 

Puerto Galera 

There is a mostly ladyboy 50 person bus trip leaving Angeles City today for Puerta Galera. If you were ever thinking of checking this place out, I reckon now is the time. 

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