Philippine Dust Travel - 5-day detailed schedule

The Philippines is a country with many islands, with the advantage of island tourism, beautiful sunshine all year around, the cost of tourism is low, so the Philippines is quite attractive to Vietnamese tourists. The cost of the Cebu Pacific air ticket is almost always cheap, and the price is less than 3 million you can buy a return ticket to the island country. The article below will suggest the Philippine Dock Travel itinerary with six days of savings and basic with Manila, Boracay and the Taal Vocalno volcano visit.

Day 1: Hanoi - Manila

Day 2: Manila

Day 3: Manila - Taal Vocalno - Manila

Day 4-5: Boracay Island

Day 6: Boracay - Manila - Hanoi

Introduction to the Philippines

The Philippines is an island country in Southeast Asia, with typical tropical weather. The entire country is more than 7,000 islands, divided into three areas: the northern islands of Luzon, the Central Visayas and the south of Mindanao.

Based on this map you can arrange your travel plans accordingly. For example, some tourist destinations in the area may use motor vehicles, but some other tourist destinations are required to travel by air. From Manila (Luzon) to Boracay, Cebu, El Nido ... have to fly.

Weather in the Philippines is like Saigon weather, only rainy season and dry season, beautiful weather from November to March, April to June, the weather is rainy, slightly erratic, July to the end of the month. 10 is a typhoon season, there are many big storms, which can cause frequent traffic jams, flooding roads, delayed aircraft ... But before this article I booked tickets to Phil in September and even only A very small afternoon rain on the fourth day of the journey. The weather is beautiful again.

Most people in the Philippines can speak English, especially the tourist areas are good, the less touristy areas can use English in the simplest way. But English is a little difficult to understand compared to other countries in the region. For example, I was greeted Hello Mum, ha ha, I thought, "Oh, they love you traveling like mother ???" but actually it is Hello Madam but their pronunciation it .

Currency in Phil is Peso (abbreviated as PHP), converted into 1k of Vietnamese currency is more than 2PHP per month. Travel Phil, you buy the US carries, to the airport to change the peso, go around the counter to see if any bargain than change. The experience of the association is that the exchange at the airport is more expensive than in the city. The tourist market is worth more than the market. Last September, the average exchange rate was $ 1 = 46.5 PHP.

Traffic in the Philippines

In the Philippines there are many types of public transport than Vietnam: taxi, bus, jeepney, tricycle, UV Express ... and the traffic is chaotic, there are some times when we see Vietnam is happy.

I have tried all these except Jeepney is not because my group to go east, private car is better.

Taxi in the Philippines

Take a taxi in Manila you need to be very alert and personal feeling is very intense. First to stand in the right place, in the CBD area, there is a queuing area to call taxi, these points are divided into north or south, ... wrong place, the wrong place. Tens of minutes. If you are not in the center of the street, but also be aware of the one-way street, there is no stopping there ... Next is waving the taxi then have to say "I want to go to another place There ... okie driver to go to the new or not ... I was rejected many times too. Reading in the travel manual Phil, you are advised to "meter, pls" but actually during the day, during the low hours, the driver they agree, but at peak hours or to the amusement park, Shopping, tourist spots, they also do not agree. Do not go then invite you down, waving another taxi. Should experience is that, pay the package also, preview the map, approximate distance of the way you need to go, referring to the Vietnamese currency is better than you agree to go. But some cases are several times more expensive than Vietnam. Ah, but also agree meter but when going to the deserted road, the driver turns to say "this place is far away, I do not go to the meter, the price is ..., agree to go forward, Invite you to get off ". Taxi also has 7 seats but is rare, most of the 4 seats. In addition, go to the taxi to catch the price several times a day, day out to the Mall of Asia play only 150peso from Makati, but at the club had to pay up to 500peso. Or at the airport in the evening, I catch a taxi that has a car to 1000peso and asked the driver "how much money?"

Jeepney

In Manila this car is very nice, it looks like a bus, there are people standing in the street, seemingly waiting for the car to stop asking, the price is 8peso for every first 4km, 50cent for every km. follow. This car is like a blue car or a buggy, but longer and more colorful, looking happy. This is also easy, just look at the car with the name of the road or area you need to climb, shout and pay only. If you look hard to understand, you can ask the driver or the driver (the type of car).

Tricycle

This is the same as the cyclos of our house, a bucket, attached to a motorcycle or a bike. Guests will sit in that bin, with a good roof but it is still wet. Because sitting in the barrel is quite low, close to the road so feeling a bit too horrible if driving fast and cross the road. This car in Manila is only a short drive, around the neighborhood, a few dozen pesos only.

Bus

Manila's inner-city bus service is available only through one of the shopping centers, from Greenbelt to MegaMall, Trinoma, SM North, and around 12-16peso.

UV Express is also a bus but smaller, more linear.

Getting bus in Manila, there are bus stations in the house, divided into several floors, peak hours are lined solid dragon whole building always. I looked at the panic because I do not know when it is my turn to get in the car.

MRT / LRT

There are two MRT / LRT lines, MRT along the mall and LRT to schools, Intramuros, ChinaTown, Rizal Park ...

Ticket prices from 13peso or more, are quite expensive but freeze, peak hours lined up than the bus so I have not actually this vehicle. Many tourists also complain about the loss of wallet, phone, money ... so you should not try.

Philippine Dust Travel

DAY 1: HA NOI - MANILA

All of Cebu Pacific's flights are at 1:00 AM and the Philippines is at GMT + 8 so when you arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3, it's around 5am. So you will have a day to play in Manila.

When you board the plane you will be on the first floor (arrival hall), if you take a taxi to the hotel you have book should go to the second floor (lobby) to catch a taxi. Because the first floor has taxi service but very high prices, from the airport to the Makati area is about 800peso while catching a taxi on the 2nd floor with no meter is only about 200peso. This is where I got into the car, the driver agreed to take the meter but came out to say 300peso, told me to pay the price of 200.

Hotels in Manila

The hotel check-in time is approximately 2 pm while the flight arrives very early so if you are available you can email the hotel for half more sessions. Or as a member of the hotel to send goods, wash your teeth and go to play. But because the group rented 3 rooms, the hotel was very flexible, arranging for a room in advance for the group to rest.

The capital of Manila is vast and divided into several areas, each known as "city", such as Makati City, Malate City, Quezon City, Pasay City.

According to many sources, the Makati area is safe and clean. So we rented a room at Block Boutique and Residences, near Makati City Hall. The rooms are very nice, clean, simple style but convenient, the price is not 1500peso / double room and 2000peso / room 3. This price compared to the general hotel in Manila is very good price.

If you like Manila Bay, then choose Malate. The area of ​​the ParagonTower Hotel, Riviera Mansion Hotel, Red Planet Ermita is well known and priced under 1 million / night for double occupancy.

The Quezon area, you should not stay because there are many opinions that the area is very poor security.

Browse hotels in Manila

The Paragon Tower Hotel (Ermita), rates for 3 people, are Pound 2,750 / person / night. Staff enthusiastic, around the hotel there are many eateries, convenience stores. See details and room rates details here.

Air Asia Hotel Tune system. Including the Tune Hotel Ermita, a newly built hotel, many of you also commend this hotel. Because new build should have promotion (price about 800k / room night / 2 people). Note that the Tune Ermita is newer than Tune Makati, but closer to the old citadel, but you should be careful when you go out in the area, because security is not so good, call it guard. If you have more conditions then you are in Tune Makati, see more Tune Makati room here.

Malate Pensionne Hotel. This hotel in Malate should travel well. Fan room, two people are quite comfortable. Toilet shared but nothing to complain about. But no free wifi. Each time to network 1 hour to buy the card with 90 Php. Check your room rates here.

For your time in Manila, you can book SOGO Hotel, they have hourly rates, so convenient for those who only save the bath while waiting for the train, plane. See the status and price of Sogo here.

CSB hotel a good hotel for $ 55 / night excluding breakfast. This hotel is well-furnished, large rooms, interiors of old, quiet, enthusiastic staff. Information about the hotel you see here

See more hotels in Manila

DAY 2: MANILA DISCOVERY

Intramuros citadel

On the first day you should spend all day to visit the capital Manila. And the first destination is the ancient city of Intramuros.

Intramuros is an old town with a walled wall and a deep lagoon outside, which features typical Spanish architecture. This was the political center of the Spanish and American governments during the colonial years of the Philippines.

From Makati you take a taxi to Intramuros takes about 150peso, you should go in the morning to take better pictures and not too sunny at noon.

The neighborhood with outstanding architecture such as Manila Cathedral, Saint Augustin Church, fort Fort Santiago ... very grandiose.

There are also European-inspired buildings such as Casa Manilla, which are now divided into smaller sections and offer services such as hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, souvenir shops or car rentals. bicycle…

One of the highlights in this ancient quarter is the paved road, walking or horse-drawn carriageway, which makes you feel like you are in another dimension, another time.

The tricycle or horse-drawn carriage service is crowded on the side of Saint Augustin Church. Service people will give you a quote for 200peso / around the citadel by tricycle and 400peso / around the citadel by horse carriage within 30 minutes. But most services in the Philippines can pay. In addition, after paying for the service, they also paid tips, what do, where they also ask for tips, a few cases do nothing for themselves also tips tips.

In addition, along the road you can visit Rizal Park, next to Intramuros - a park with squares, trees, monuments ... very green in the heart of the city. In the evening, you can walk to ChinaTown (Binondo) - Chinatown's oldest Chinatown nearby and have dinner in this area. Of course, this area you can enjoy Chinese food, some suggested restaurants such as:

- Umbrella Alley: The restaurant has a lot of street food.

- Dong Bei Dumplings: delicious dumplings.

- Mezzamme: The cafe is very well known.

Otherwise you can also take a taxi to the coast to enjoy the sunset on Manila Bay - among the top 5 most beautiful bays in the world. Sunset on the bay down very fast, around 4 pm you should be on the coast to not miss the moment the sun disappears off the sea. If this is in the plan you need to schedule your time.

Eat in Manila

One of my concerns when traveling is to enjoy the food there, I believe you too. So during a day of strolling around Manila, you can also pocket some small suggestions for lunch or dinner.

- Breakfast:

In Manila I see people eat breakfast in the markets. In these areas you can find fruit, traditional cakes, street food. But it seems to work for ordinary people and people.

Many pastry shops at the top of the neighborhood, looking pretty good and cheap, cost about 10pes / unit. People often go to bakery shops to buy or bring them home. But the taste seems too sweet compared to the Vietnamese.

Most of the people in Manila have seen themselves eating in fast food brands. Fast food outlets are available everywhere, from shopping centers, large facades, intersections to fast lane. The people of Manila eat breakfast, lunch, dinner ... in these stores is like a traditional meal. My association is looking for a Phil restaurant that is also quite hard. The most famous in the Philippines is the Chowking brand, which is found throughout the neighborhood. In the first morning in Manila I ate fried noodles here, 45peso / bowl, inexpensive price, the taste is also look at the bowl of noodles with a few slices of noodles with 3 pieces reminded me of the bowl of noodles in Hang Chieu terrorstricken.

In Manila, like in Guangzhou, there are many Seven / Eleven mini supermarkets, you can choose to have breakfast there. There are many items such as hotdog, hambuger, dumplings, pastries, cereal ... even more points include rice mixed, fried noodles ... drink water too. On the second day before boarding the volcano Taal Assembly I also eat breakfast at a supermarket near the house to save time.

- Lunch:

According to plans to visit Intramuros in the morning, we will have lunch in this area. In this area of ​​eating, you do not have to worry. There are so many restaurants from the budget to the luxury.

If you want to try your Philippine sidewalks, go to Postigo St. (right side of Manila Cathedral).

Chowking, Jollibee, KFC, Max's, Greenwich fast food restaurants ... are also near the cathedral area.

You can choose from a variety of restaurants on the premises of ancient buildings, bold European architecture such as Casa Manila Patio, Barbara's (near Saint Augustin Church) or Ilustrado on General Luna St. These are restaurants that are highly recommended by international guests for the quality of the food and the setting.

- Dinner:

At the top of the article you have suggested that you can have dinner in ChinaTown.

If you go for a walk on the shores of Manila Bay, you can go to the Mall of Asia and dine there. Near the Mall of Asia is Baclaran night market, this area has a lot of seafood shops, you can buy seafood in the market thanks to their processing, they will count processing in kg, usually 150-200peso / Kg or you can order in these restaurants.

In the Mall of Asia, there is a whole dining area on the first floor, where the Manila people come to spend the weekend shopping, shopping and eating in the terrible evening. To have tables in restaurants you even have to wait outside. But service is good, when you wait outside you can order immediately and when the table is all the dishes are already ready. My family has dined pure Filipino dishes at Mangan restaurant, small but fast service restaurant, delicious food, delicious appetizer, especially the traditional desserts are delicious, priced about 250- 300peso / person.

Also, if you are in the Makati area, you can dine in the Ayala Triangle Park. The restaurant area in the park has a very romantic space. There are two good reviews: Kanin Club and Simple Lang. We have dinner at Kanin Club, delicious food, fullness, beautiful presentation, cost about 400peso / person. There are also a few restaurants in this area, if you have the time, please take a look.

DAY 2: MANILA - TAAL VOLCANO

Taal Volcano Lake is a very interesting terrain, about 65km south of Manila, in the province of Batangas. But from Tagajtay, it was the Tagaytay area. Taal is the most volatile volcanic activity among the 22 volcanoes of the Luzon area, the last eruption in 1977, so when you go sightseeing, ask for information at the hotel.

Taal is the world's smallest and lowest volcano in terms of popularity, only after Pinatubo in the Philippines, but because of its association in September, it was raining in the rainy season so it was unlikely to risk taking Pinatubo but decided to go to Taal.

The distinctive feature of Taal is that it was a large lake, in the 1911 eruption that resulted in a small, conical, sharp-pointed island called Taal Volcano, on the top of Taal Volcano. There are some small mouths and one of those mouths that has accumulated rainwater over many years has formed a small lake. So this population is the lake in the mountains, in the lake there is a volcano and on the volcano there is another lake. It sounds confusing, but the scenery has to say it's beautiful.

First of all, I want to buy tour tour for all girls, hard to support, tour price is 4500peso / person reference. It was too expensive to work out.

On the morning of Monday morning, after breakfast at 7/11 supermarket near the hotel, the group took a taxi to DLTB bus terminal on the corner of Taft Ave with Gil Puyat Ave and catch a car to Tagaytay. When you go to the car you keep saying Taal Volcano side car will pay you down right at the beginning of the road to the boat landing. The bus ticket is 83peso / person.

Bus in Manila is a memorable experience for myself. The road from Manila to Tagaytay is about 65km, but the roads are crowded, the car runs 3 steps, brakes one step, constantly stops to pick up and drop off. Families with children want to visit this point or you are congregation over 10 people, I thought renting private car from the hotel than.