Comments on: Wanted: Your very own beach paradise island – Bohol or Bantayan?

By: Philippines and Bali soon directly connected » nomad4ever

Philippines and Bali soon directly connected » nomad4ever — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 05:23:43 +0000

[...] Boracay, El Nido and Bohol would be just one plane change away from Bali! Something really unheard of since the discovery of [...]

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 03:39:20 +0000

Kathleen, currently there is no Visa office on Bantayan. You might be able to find someone who do the run for you or you might simply ‘negotiate’ with the Immigration Officers to simply stamp your passport for 1 whole year for the right amount, but maybe you also want to do the trip to Cebu from time to time. Bantayan is really small and when I stayed there for 3 months last year, I was quite happy to do the trip down to Cebu once a month, if only for shopping, partying or seeing something else of the countryside.

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 03:55:31 +0000

Hi Chris,

This is by far the most helpful site I have read so far about travel in the PI. Thank you for writing so much detailed content! I am planning to go to Bantayan with my husband and daughter next month. I was wondering if you know anything about applying for visa extensions while in Bantayan. We plan to stay there for a year or so (depending on how many times we can apply for an extension), and I know that we have to go to immigration to extend the tourist visa. Do you know if you could pay someone in Bantayan to go to immigration for you? It seems like a huge hassle to go all the way to Cebu just to apply for the extension. Thanks so much!!!!

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 04:14:28 +0000

The Philippines is as safe as any other destination in Asia. In fact, here less tourists get into troubles, than on any given day on the streets of Phuket/Thailand alone or elsewhere in a ‘tourist haven’. It’s strange, that there is a general bad misperception about the Philippines. But it has its good points also, as you can get the country unfiltered and unspoiled, if you come and visit. Just use your common knowledge to avoid shady areas. There is no real ‘heavily tourist filled area’ here, maybe with the exception of Boracay, but then, it’s also a veryyy safe destination. Go and enjoy, you won’t regret it!

By: d

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:48:01 +0000

Just have to ask, how safe is the country for single travellers? Places like Bali and resort areas of Thailand are paraded about as safe(r) for young tourists, while most you hear of in the news of the Philippines here is of violence or disasters, even more so than any other country in SE Asia.

All the travel agents I have been to will offer extensive lists of places to stay in traditionally poorer places such as Cambodia and Laos, not to mention most of Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, but not the Philippines. Is it wisest to avoid Manila, most of Luzon and Mindanao as I have been advised, and stick to Visayas flying in via Cebu city?

Personally I enjoy avoiding the most heavily tourist filled areas because much of the crime winds up there, and there are some genuinely beautiful areas I would like to visit there but I just wonder how safe I would be as compared to elsewhere (and don’t use the “bad things can happen anywhere” side-step, I want to know if it is *more* likely in the Philippines.)

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:19:14 +0000

Definitely Teresa! They are nice islands with still affordable Costs of Living, just not for sale. Oh well!

By: Teresa Orlando

Teresa Orlando — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 01:53:24 +0000

Hey Chris,
I thought from the title that these islands were up for sale. :P
I am sure we can share them, they look amazing. And from your response to Sergey it seems like they have very reasonable living costs. Not to mention great deals on chicken. Nice. ;)

By: Pen

Pen — Mon, 17 May 2010 13:35:28 +0000

Thank you very much for your kind advice!

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 17 May 2010 07:21:27 +0000

Pen, the cheapest deals you would obviously get in Tagbilaran, with Aircon rooms with TV and hot water for as low as 650 Pesos (i.e. Meridian Hotel), in famous Alona Beach on Panglao prices are quite inflated and usually well above 1.200 Pesos per night. For cheaper stays around the 1.000 Pesos mark, check the 2nd row of hotels, like ChArts Cafe and Hotel, Cherrys Home Two or Citadel (lthis one with outside CR only). Enjoy your trip!

By: Pen

Pen — Sun, 16 May 2010 15:07:00 +0000

I’ve been to Bantayan, and it’s a really nice and relaxing place. I’ll be going to Bohol next month. Do you know any good yet affordable places to stay there? Thanks.