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AsiaBill Philippines
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BEACHES
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BEST BEACH DESTINATIONS My
first tip for looking for a "virgin" white sand beach without hundreds of others requires distance enough requiring
4 hours of travel time from the nearest airport. This fact will reduce the number of tourists by 90%. Next expect to get potable
water from local deep wells which the locals depend on and limited electricity, maybe 6 to 8 hours by village generator and
expect internet and cell phone access to be slow, limited or not available. So with these facts in mind ask yourself if you
can enjoy such conditions. The ranking included in each beach area has been made with Boracay Island's White Beach as reference point,
ranking 10. Since most visitors arrive in Manila or Cebu City we have started with the beach areas nearest in travel time
to Metro-Manila and Cebu City. If you disagree with our ranking please feel free to email us and given enough feedback we
will adjust it. Life's a Beach in the Philippines.
PAGASA- Philippines' Daily Weather Report
From Manila: Nasugbu and Matabungkay both in Batangas
Province can be reached by bus from BLTB Bus Station on EDSA in Pasau City leaving every 30 minutes for Lian then go
by jeepney to either Nasugbu or Matabungkay. Matabungkay's 5km (3mi) brown sand beach cannot be compared with beaches such
as those on Boracay however its convenient location near Manila provides a great escape from the city. Nearby Ligtasin is
where longer term residents live but the Coral Beach Club offer inexpensive cottages for tourists. To
get there by private vehicle, take south superhighway and exit at Santa Rosa or Silang. Turn right and follow the sign to
Tagaytay. From Tagaytay, head to the direction of Nasugbu. After km 92, turn right to Nasugbu and Lian. At the shell station
turn left to Lian and Calatagan. Follow the road to Calatagan until you see a big signboard at the right side that indicates
Matabungkay beach resorts. Turn right and drive up to the end of the cement road pointing the beach. BY BUS from Manila Several Choices: Pasay (south-bound) Most buses out of Pasay head
south, with some connecting by ferry to other islands. Destinations include Batangas, Lucena, Nasugbu and Santa Cruz, Laguna
ProvinceNo 18 BLTB (833 5501; EDSA) BLTB has buses every 15 minutes to Batangas City, Nasugbu
and Lucena. No 12 JAC Liner (928 6140, 929 6943; cnr EDSA & East Ave) JAC has buses to
Bantagas City and Lucena every 20 to 30 minutes from 2am to 9pm daily. No 13 JAM Transit (924
7712; cnr EDSA & New York St) JAM has buses every 30 minutes to Batangas City, Lucena and Santa Cruz (Laguna). Best beach Ranking 3
| Nasugbu Beach, Batangas Province |

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| nearest beach south of Manila |
| Nasugbu Beach, Batangas Province |

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| nearest beach south of Manila |
Puerto Galera, on the north
central coast of Mindoro Island has the BEST BEACHES closest to Manila being less than 3 hours by bus to the Batangas Pier
with a 90 minute ferry. Take the BLTB bus on EDSA in Pasay City leaving every half hour at 9AM or before and you can be settled
and in the water before 3PM. Besides the variety of beach scenes, Mindoro offers virgin jungle for the more adventurous traveler
where you can visit the primitive Mangayad tribal villages inland.
Want to party the night away? Single? Then
Sabang Beach, the only beach with "dancing girls" and nightlife is for you. Couples may want to stay elsewhere like
nearby Small or Big La Laguna, very quiet beaches situated next to Sabang Beach but an easy walk to Sabang where the most
dive shops and restaurants are located.. These beaches offer good snorkling and diving, or just a place to "chill"
after a hangover from partying in Sabang. RANKING from 5 to 8 depending on travelers' main interest.
White Beach
located west of San Isidro is the best white sand beach with the lowest priced cottage rentals . Most younger, world travelers
stay at White Beach. RANKING 7
Aniuan Beach and Talipanan Beach located in the next two bays are rather quiet
with limited accommodation but becoming more popular with travelers who want to "get away from it all". RANKING
7North Pandan Island, off the west central coast near Sablayan located in the middle between San Jose in the south
and Mamburao in the north of Mindoro Island's wet coast. RANKING 9
Boracay Island's famous White Sand Beach is
on the western, sunset side of this tiny island off the northwest tip of Panay Island and will rate all of the other beaches
in the Philippines comparing them to one of the BEST BEACHES in the S.E. Asia and the world. So Boracay is rated a TEN.
Guimaras Island between Iloilo and Bacolod, Negros offers several beach destinations; Raymen Beach at Alubihod, Nueva
Valencia with a white sand beach, Baras Beach Resort in Bgy. Lawi, Jordan in a hidden lagoon good fro swimming and windsurfing,
Free Land Beach Cottages and Shann Beach Huts both in Poblacion, Nueva Valencia good for a day trip for picnics, Enrico Beach
in Zaldivar, Buenavista, and Sunrise Beach in San Enrique, Buenavista. RANKING 3 to 5.
Bantayan Island is off the northwest coastal tip of Cebu Island. You can either ride the air-con bus (CBL)
from North Bus terminal to Hagnaya (2 - 3 hours) and from there take the ferryboat to Santa Fe (1 hour) or take the 9PM ferryboat
(Don Martin) from pier 1 in Cebu City directly to Santa Fe, arriving about 5 AM. Either way it's inexpensive only about P150
( U$3 ). RANKING 9
Malapascua Island covers less than 4 sq Km located 8Km off the northeastern coastal tip of Cebu. You can easiy
explore the island in just a few hours. Remote enough to avoid tour groups means travlers must endure a dusty, bumpy three-hour
bus ride from Cebu City to Maya, followed by a 45-minute banca trip. RANKING 9
Panglau Island's Alona Beach is
near enough to Bohol's capital city, Tagbiliran and the famous "Chocolate Hills". RANKING 5
Dakak's
White Sand Beach was more developed then natural but we have heard mixed reports about it from our guests. It's located near
Dapitan, a city on the northwestern coast of Zamboanga del Norte in Mindanao. the main complaint was about the overpriced
luxury resort there not really providing good value for money so if you could find a budget rental of some sort from the local
Filipinos you'd enjoy its beauty. RANKING 6
Palawan's 1000 Island includes many great beaches, many without names.
I always remember this long white sand beach walking distance to San Vicente, a small coastal town north of Port Barton on
the west coast of Palawan, south of El Nido. In the Calamian Group, Palawan's northern islands few if any of the best white
sand beaches have fresh water enough to sustain life but organized day trips from Coron where most people stay are possible.
White Beach San Vicente geographical RANKING 10 Tourists Pleasure RANKING 3 Port Barton RANKING 6
EL NIDO,
located in the northernmost tip of mainland Palawan, about 240 Km from Puerto Princesa, with the Linapacan Strait to the north,
TayTay to the south, facing the South China Sea to the west. El Nido traces its roots to the Tagbanua tribe as "Talindak",
renamed "Bacuit" when the Spanish arrived in 1890 and finally, in 1954, Bacuit became EI Nido, named after the edible
bird nests in the area, the main ingredient in the delicacy, "Nido" soup. El Nido's scenic, off shore rock formations
and cliffs, lush tropical jungle and crystal clear waters with multi-coloured fishes and corals have made it one of the most
popular tourist destinations in Palawan. RANKING 8
San Fernando, La Union's San Juan Beach, 8 kilometers to the north stretches from Urbiztondo to Ili Norte
offers good conditions for amateur surfing during the months of November to February. This is the nearest good beach to both
Baguio and Angeles City. A few of the hotel and bar owners in Angeles own beach resorts here that offer a getaway from the
nightlife on Field's Ave. with lush tropical gardens overlooking the South China Sea. The beach is located in the Bauang -
San Fernando area about an hour and a half from Baguio, 3 hours from Angeles and 5 hours from Manila. RANKING 4 NEW Accomodation; Berschen-Residence is located 3 Kilometers
North of San Fernando City, opposite of Lingsat Cemetery. Take tricycle to Berschen-Residence or jeepney that routes to Lingsat.
Rooms with Kitchen, fan, and refrigerator are P500 / night with weekly and monthly discounts. jacinta_kupsch@yahoo.com Tel+639159800871 Address:
#24 Sto. Nino Road Lingsat San Fernando City, La Union 2500 Philippines
BORACAY'S WHITE SAND BEACH
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Picture a tropical beach fantasy and you have arrived on Boracay
Island. Boracay's fine white sand beach and warm, starry nights leave all who visits mesmerized with longlasting sensual,
dreamlike memories. It may sound weird but we know more than a few couples who, after being together for years, conceived
a child only after spending a few weeks on Boracay Island. Sound tempting? Take a break when you get the chance and don't
forget to send us the baby pictures.
Boracay Island has experienced from worldwide fame and being declared "the
best beach destination in the world" by the British Tourist authority in 1994. Many backpacker travelers are heading
for Palawan these days seeking less developed islands but no matter which island group in the world that you explore it will
be tough to match Boracay. It has found that happy balance between comforts and conveniences which development brings and
natural,beauty with local smiling faces without highrises of any kind. The availablity of low budget rentals will not limit
those who'd like to visit like many "resort islands".
Everyone wants to find the "New" Boracay
with an island with an undeveloped, virgin white sand beach, lined with coconut palms and an easy to swim, colorful shoreline.
GOOD LUCK.
Boracay's white sand, coconut palm lined beach stretches for 4 kms (2 1/2 miles), making dreams of
paradise and romance a reality. Offshore, the beautiful, gleaming, tourquoise sea with its warm tropical water is more inviting
than any swimming pool on a steaming hot day. What a place meet friends and lovers for long sunny days and memorable moonlit
nights.
There's an incredible choice of restaurants, things to do, water sports and the most international group
of travelers, tourists and "expats" in the Philippines. There are many exotic places around the world but the people
you meet who prove interesting conversationists leave you with longest lasting memories. The locals are still mellow
(don't hassle you like the Javanese in BALI) and friendly without the "Hi Joe, where you come from? where you going?"
that you will find in most other areas of the provinces. And PRICES - they can range from $5 for a basic Nipa Hut to over
a $150 for a five star resort!! Where else does such a wide range of choices exist?
Some people have built
beautiful private houses which are for rent when they're away from Boracay. The many available cottages allow you to shop
around for a great discount, often cheaper than other beaches where there's only a few choices. The "regulars" who
come every winter have arranged their lives and budgets so they live several months a year on the island for as little
as $300/ month!!
GETTING THERE
You can fly from Manila or Cebu to Kalibo daily on Philippine Airlines
or from Manila with several other new airlines like Air Philippines, Cebu Pacific,Grand Air, and Asian Spirit. Then take an
airconditioned bus ride for 1 1/2 hours, crossing some of the most lush tropical scenery in the Philippines from the
airport to Caticlan. From Caticlan's small ferry terminal you can board a large bangka to the island. Pacific Air and Asian
Spirit fly daily directly to Caticlan where a few-minute ride on a local "tricycle" takes you to the bangka
station. Flight fares are nearly the same from $40 to $60 one-way to either Kalibo or Caticlan. Iloilo is on the south end
of Panay, and Boracay is opposite aticlan, off the northwest corner. The minivan ride from Iloilo to Caticlan would
be about four hours long. MBRS lines operates a ferry between Manila's Pier 8 and Caticlan twice a week. The name of the ship
is Mary the Queen. It leaves Manila for Boracay at 5PM on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of each week. An ordinary ticket is
about $10, Deluxe (a reserved bunk in an aircon dorm) is $15, and a bunk in a four-bunk cabin is $20. From Iloilo, take a
aircon minivan to Caticlan for about 300 Pesos. From Catciclan, you take a 10-20 minute boat ride to the Island for less than
50 cents (U$). Or pay less than $5 for your own bangka that will take you directly to where you want to go on the island instead
of the 3 boat stations. This is the cheapest, most comfortable way.
FUN IN THE SUN
Over the years
we have noticed that many visitors come to Boracay and get bored after a day or two, unable to "do nothing." Call
us lazy but we love doing nothing, falling asleep, reading novels while gently swinging in a hammock. All beaches and islands
change once they become well known worldwide but somehow Boracay has not lost its wonderful barefoot culture and will
never have vehicles on the beach path. I never forget my first impressions of California after getting back from Boracay and
other Asian beaches. I wondered "where will the cement end?" from San Diego to Santa Barbara. (And the curfew
of 10PM in most places in California!)
Life on the beach in Boracay seems so free and easy going and the rents
will never require a major corporate paycheck to survive (and thrive) there with a quality lifestyle.
Boracays'
fishing families have more presence and are laid back. I hope you can make up your mind; living and working in Japan, Korea,
Taiwan or Hong Kong - YOU DESERVE a Holiday.
WELCOME! Experience a DREAM TRIP? Have a MISADVENTURE
and feel like venting? We'll highlight traveler's own experiences here so PLEASE send us your comments about the beaches you
visited in the Philippines and we'll publish them here.
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Since our purpose is to provide FREE budget travel information we do not advertise package tours here but can recommend you
to others who can arrange such trips. We're more than happy to answer your questions about the costs involved to travel independently.
Included below are websites about some of the beach destinations above.





PALAWAN- 1000 ISLANDS Palawan has over a thousand islands of the Philippines'7107 islands.It's the least populated
group of islands in the Philippines if not all of Southeast Asia. There's countless islands there which haven't even been
named yet. One such island of the west central coast not far from Port Barton was called "Bruno Island" after a
French backpacker who decided to build a native house and live there. I'm sure that he leased it for some low amount from
some local fishing family so don't let me give the wrong impression that islands are free. Another island, slightly to the
north, a Japanese guy built a "bahai kubo" a small native house not much larger than a king sized bed to stay a
few months each winter. There's also a popular song that most Filipinos know named "Bahai Kubo". The original
inhabinants of Palawan numbered only 30,000 various tribal aboriginies, referred to as "Atis". Today, the population
has grown to about a half million Filipinos of 81 different cultural groups from all over the Philippines, especially the
Visayas and Mindanao. Homesteading is still available to Filipinos there; property rights can be granted on a five hectare
12+ acres lot after five years of making the land produce some agricultural product. Palawan is almost like a territory in
the "old west" in that aspect. GETTING THERE You can fly $120 RT either to Puerto Princesadaily
on PAL or Air Philippines, to El Nido daily with Soriano Air and to Coron,Busuanga in the Calamian Group the northern
Palawan Island group 3 or 4 times a week with Pacific Air. It's also possible to take a ship once a week slow-2 nights
for $25 one way from North Harbor in Manila to Puerto Princesa. Also a small shipping line from Batangas Pier on the the south
coast of Luzon Island (less than a 3 hour bus ride from Manila's BLTB bus station on EDSA in Pasay City)departs once a week
to Coron. One good point about traveling by ship once or twice is you really experience local life complete with roosters,
sacks of produce, dried fish and the incredibly cramped conditions that Filipios live with and feel comfortable in. Also for
the budget conscious traveling on overnight buses and ships is almost like free travel because otherwise you'd be paying
for the night's accomodation. I have traveled this way a bit more than I'd like to remember transporting tons of building
supplies from Manila to Boracay Island when we built our first resort, Villa Camilla. PORT BARTON & The Underground
River After landing in Puerto Princesa you can get a 5 hour jeepney ride to Port Barton northwest of Puerto Princesa
or take a break half way on a beach near San Rafael great snorkeling. Because it's often crowded inside you're free to ride
on top.Be careful and ready to jump just in case but "WOW WHAT A WAY TO TRAVEL". It was beautiful; Elsa's
resort,in Port Barton is sort of like a resort but nothing grand like you would see in Boracay or El Nido. It was actually
very charming like Gilligan's Island. The electricity was provided by generators. They had an outdoor restaurant amidst tropical
plants that overlooked the beach. Cute little huts that accommodated three persons in each. It wasn't very crowded even though
it was the week before New Year's Eve.<B>CAN'T SAY THAT ABOUT ANYWHERE IN THAILAND,CAN YOU? You can then hire a
bangka outrigger canoe for less than $50 to see the Underground River which was down the coast a bit. Usually you can join
a group of 6 people with plenty of room to go see theUnderground river since it's the most common destination.The River
started from a little bay that connected to the sea. There are picinic tables and an outhouse at the entrance of the river
along with monkeys and big lizards that I think they are sort of brought there for part of the attraction. But don't me wrong
,the jungle wildlife is still abundant in Palawan just not in places inhabited by people. On the way there, alot of flying
fish followed us while we were riding the outrigger in the ocean. The bangkas that toured the Underground River were
equipped with a kerosene lamp placed in front of the boat to light the way while the guide sat at the back to steer and paddle.
The maximum capacity of the boat was six. The length of the river was one to 1-1/2 miles long and the tour lasted for about
an hour. As we moved slowly through rocky tunnel like steep gorges it feel like you're the first explorers there. The end
of the river was the coolest. The cavern ceilings were really high 2-3 stories high like being in a church but without the
customary doves flying around just a huge population of bats "hanging out". The eerie chills scary movies give
you is how the scene effects most visitors. Luckily, none of the bats swooped close to us. On the way home we felt the ocean
waters'spray in our faces and the motion of the wind. I think all of our minds wandered dreaming of a simpler life enjoying
this getaway from the busy life in Manila. El Nido is on the northwest coast and in the last few years seems
to be the most popular destination among the travelers passing through our place in Manila. Originally it catered to only
Japanese group tourists since the Japanese were the one who built the 5 Star resort and small airport. Then the Hong
Kong tourists began booking trips there until there was a 6 month waiting list. Eventually about 10 years ago the locals nearby
on the outskirts of the expensive resort built small native huts and cottages meant for the lower budget traveler. It's
off shore rocky cliffed islands help create the scenic beauty that attracts so many people. If you have ever been to Krabi's
Reilay Beach in southern Thailand then you can picture El Nido in your mind's eye. There are several dive shops which offer
scuba divers excellent diving spots in the Bacuit Arhipelago. CORON, BUSUANGA The best wreck diving in the
Philippines is just off the coast of Coron, Busuanga. Philippe and Joel of Lapu Lapu Divers are old friends from Boracay with
15 years of experience and fun to be with. A recent email I received as follows; "I really can recommend Coron for
diving, is a world-class-divespot. The special thing is not a very good visibility or lots of fish, it´s the wrecks
and the Barracuda Lake. We visited Coron for the third time already and it's getting better and better. When we visited the
wrecks for the first time, we didn't dare to swim inside. It´s dark, narrow and can be very dangerous without a local guide.
We felt very comfortable with Yoshi,a Japanesegirl, who is working for Discovery Divers (www.vasia.com/ddivers) Gunter Bernert,
the owner of Discovery Divers, is a very nice guy, reliable and very experienced in tech-diving. This year we have been diving
in Alona Beach, Apo Island Dumaguete, Moalboal and Coron and I can say: Coron was No. 1 in the Philippines for us. This year
the temperature of the water was two degrees Celcius less that it was two years ago, I could see on my dive-computer when
I downloaded the datas at home." Coron itself is nothing to look at with mangrove areas and not much of a beach. But
most of the accomodation is there and many of the most beautiful beaches and small islands do not have sufficient fresh water
to support a community. So you can stay there and will no doubt meet someone from the Lim clan since they run many of
the small businesses there. You can join a group of other travelers on day trips to visit the scenic spots such as "Treasure
Island", Calumbuyan Island, several islands in Gutob Bay, and Dimakya Island by jeepney or bangka. Calauit Island
is a "must see' place; in 1976, the Ferdinand Marcos Family resettled the local inhabinants of the island and introduced
African animals to create a "natural zoo". Eight species such as giraffes, zebras, and gazelles, have thrived and
reproduced until now about 500 such animals are alive. Other rare indigineous animals also live in the wildlife sanctuary.
There's a small resort island called Club Paradise off the north coast on the way to Calauit Island where those of you who
might feel like splurging for a couple of days ($150/day). An old friend of ours, Raymond, a French speaking Belgium
Canadian, has secured a huge coastal property on the nearby coastline. He has a few horses and slowly is cutting a few primitive
pathways through the jungle and has six cottages available. ($50/day with everthing included, the last I heard.)For many
years he operated a large bangka service once a week from Coron to El Nido. On the way from Port Barton north to
San Vicente we passed several "virgin" white sand beaches which can't be reached by road and remain untouched. Talk
about stimulating one's imagination, take some time out of your life and you'll understand how I feel about Palawan. The dozens
of beaches and shoreline waters in Palawan are incredible! They're various shades of turquoise because of the white sand beaches
providing an inspiring view for everyone. No matter where you travel afterwards this soothing, colorful view will remain
one of the most beautiful sights in your memory. After living in overcrowded Asian cities the lack of population in Palawan
really impressed me. I guess alot of Americans are fond of wide open spaces away from society. I remember repeating over
and over again to my wife how much I wanted to move to Palawan after our visit. After you return to organized, scheduled lifestyles
and whenever your career becomes a bit too stressful all you have to do is close your eyes allowing your Palawan experience
to rescue you from your daily duties.
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