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BEACHES

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 Province

No 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 7
North 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

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BORACAY'S WHITE SAND BEACH

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.

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.

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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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