Guest Post by Boom Rizal

Many western tourists can attest that (almost) everything is affordable in Southeast Asia. The primary reason is the exchange rate. As of press time, your US$ 1 can buy goods and services worth Php50 in the Philippines. That is enough to buy you a decent snack, a cup of brewed coffee in a bistro and two bottles of beer. You can get a room in a three-star hotel for US$ 50, a two-way plane ticket to the southern islands for US$ 100, and a dinner buffet for US $10. If it’s an off-peak season, you can get huge discounts from 20% to 50% on plane tickets, accommodation and even refreshments. Amazing, right?

If you want to maximize your travel budget, the Philippines is the place to be. The country is made up of 7,100+ islands. You can’t visit all of them because many are no bigger than your village, but you have more than enough destinations. Here’s a quick list of budget-friendly destinations for your Philippine vacation.

Luzon’s Beaches, Mountains and Homegrown Coffee

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Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is home to the capital region, Metro Manila. If you’re arriving from abroad, you’re likely to land on the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City. The poshest hotels, casinos and restaurants are in Metro Manila. This is also the main transport hub to reach the rest of the archipelago. You can take a bus going to the northern provinces where you can find surfing spots, trekking sites and gastronomic destinations. The white sand beaches of San Juan in La Union is a popular surfing haven. Travel farther up north and you’ll reach the majestic Cordilleras where the temperature is about 8 degrees lower than any part of the Philippines. Discover the rich indigenous cultures of the Cordillerans and their homegrown produce. A kilo of organic coffee beans is only US$ 5.

Surfing Spots in Baler

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Your next stop from Baguio City, the capital of Benguet Province in the Cordillera, is Baler in Aurora Province. Baler is in Central Luzon, which is a 5-hour drive from Benguet. It is a coastal municipality with some of the top surf spots in the archipelago. Surf at Sabang Beach, swim at Ditumabo Falls and take as many selfies as you want at Dicasalarin Cove and Diguisit Rock Formations. You can camp out with your friends for a truly unforgettable adventure.

The Ccuba Diving Spots of Puerto Galera

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From Metro Manila, travel to Southern Luzon to reach the scuba diving spots of Puerto Galera. This coastal destination is at the tip of Isla Verde Passage in the province of Oriental Mindoro. Puerto Galera (Spanish for “Port of Galleons”) has an incredibly diverse coral reef that was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1970s. The shores may be a bit too rocky for beach volleyball, but its scuba diving spots are definitely topnotch. Coco Beach Island Resort offers affordable diving rates from US$ 29 to US$ 75.

Boracay, A World-Renowned Beach Destination

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No travel guide to the Philippines is complete without tips for a Boracay vacation. Boracay in Aklan Province, in the Visayas group of islands, has been named one of the most beautiful islands in the world. If that isn’t enough to entice you, nothing probably can. Boracay is known for its white powdery sands, clear waters and vibrant night life. There’s a wide selection of accommodation in the island from transient home to five-star hotels. An overnight stay in a premier hotel with infinity pool and function rooms starts at US$ 70. A seafood dinner in a resto will cost you less than US$ 5.

The Secret Wonders of Siquijor

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Another Visayas destination for the frugal traveler is Siquijor. The island is a cheaper alternative to Boracay. A tricycle tour to major landmarks, including the 150-year-old Lazi Church and Salagdoong Beach, is US$ 20 for three persons. The multi-cab for a larger group can be rented for US$ 60 for a day tour. What can you do in Siquijor? You can visit the fish spa, the centuries-old churches of San Isidro and St. Francis of Assisi, and the Butterfly Garden. And of course, have a relaxing swim in Siquijor’s majestic beaches.

A Paradise Called Palawan

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If you’ve been researching about island destinations in Asia, you must have chanced upon Palawan. This long narrow island has been named the best island in the world by Travel + Leisure for the third time in a row. It’s a paradise in every sense of the word: rich flora and fauna, the world’s longest navigable underground river, white sand beaches, hidden pockets of pristine waters, and breathtaking landscapes. For US$ 300, you can enjoy a three-day luxurious escape on this island.

A Coastal Escape in Dipolog City

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A plane ride will take you to Dipolog City from Palawan. Dipolog is in Zamboanga del Norte, in the Muslim region of Mindanao. It features eco-parks, cultural sites and sleepy coastal communities. Dipolog City is regarded as the Bottled Sardines Capital of the Philippines. You can expect the freshest and the widest array of seafood at very affordable rates. When night falls, this humble destination becomes a cozy tourist spot where you can listen to live bands and have Php5 (US$ 0.99) tequila shots. Yes, you read that right! Get the best view of the oriental sunset at Dipolog Sunset Boulevard where you can also take a gastronomic tour of favorite local street foods.

The Historic Intramuros

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Before you fly back home, have a historical tour in Intramuros, Manila. The Walled City was the seat of power during the 300-year Spanish regime. It was witness to foreign colonizations, wars and the fight for independence. What to see in Intramuros? Check out the old dungeons of Fort Santiago, Chinese artifacts at Bahay Tsinoy, and religious relics at San Agustin Museum. You may spend US$ 50 for a day tour, including transportation and snacks in this tourist destination.

You think you can’t travel without a fat wallet? Visit the Philippines and you’ll understand how far you can go with your budget.

About Boom Rizal

Who better to highlight the beauty of the Philippines as well as its budget friendly destinations than a Filipina investor and property consultant. Boom spent a number of years working overseas as a consultant to overseas Filipino workers, advising them on making smart investing decisions. She has since returned home and appreciates the beauty of the Philippines now more than ever. When not writing, Boom enjoys spending time with  family and  visiting her favorite Philippine destinations, which include Boracay and Palawan.

The post Best Islands To Visit In The Philippines That Won’t Break The Bank appeared first on Maya the Explorer - Expat Blog | Travel & Lifestyle.

A friend of mine introduced me to Brad Travels, a company that offers canyoneering trips to Kawasan Falls. They picked us up from our hotel and we journeyed southwest to the city of Moalboal, home to the falls. One of the coolest things we did actually wasn’t even on the itinerary. Karsten, our guide, asked if we’d like to stop at Carcar Market to check out the lechon, or suckling pig. I’ve been to many markets in the Philippines and had seen a lot of lechon being cooked over the years, but this had to be the lechon capital of the Philippines. It was everywhere! Ladies chopped and bagged pieces of pork while customers walked leisurely from stall to stall with such a variety to choose from. This was not for the faint of heart. Clearly if you’re Muslim or an animal activist this is not the place for you, but if you’re even slightly curious about seeing the culture and preparation of the lechon, it’s definitely worth a visit.

We journeyed on to Moalboal, arriving just in time to gear up and hit the falls. Even from the sidewalk we could tell we were in for a breathtaking adventure. The falls ended in a river that ran through the town. It was shaded by tall palm trees and thick green foliage, making for a beautiful preview of what was to come. But to get there we had to take a 15-minute motorcycle ride up a mountain and through a couple of villages. The ride itself could have been a tour, with ocean and jungle views that went on for days. Once we arrived at the end of the road, we had to hike a bit to get down to the river.

The falls were one plunge into the frigid water after another, with each jump getting higher and higher. On the very first jump there were a couple of girls who couldn’t make the plunge. It must have been a long day for them. From the first baby fall we eventually graduated to a 30 then 40ft drop. It was fantastic. In between the jumps we had the most amazing views of the river and the cave-like structures. There were times when we just floated along, letting the current guide us and letting our heads fall back to enjoy the glimpse of blue sky peaking through the canopy. There were also some natural slides along the way and rope swings, making the maybe 4-hour trip adventure filled from start to finish.

At the very end was the actual namesake, Kawasan Falls. And while people are no longer allowed to jump from there, we had a thrilling stop directly underneath the falls, which had to be the strongest massage I’ve ever experienced. Once you arrive at Kawasan Falls the adventure is over, but the party has only just begun. The area is jam packed with picnic tables, food vendors, music and locals thoroughly enjoying themselves. This trip was quite different from anything I’ve experienced and I highly recommend it.

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Boracay

With over 7,000 islands in the Philippines, there is something for everyone. In my time living there I saw quite a few of the islands, but three really stood out and left me with fond memories.

Boracay; it’s flashy, and crowded and perhaps cliché, but it’s also a good time. By day you have clear blue water and baby powder soft sand. And by night you have wild partying on the beach. The main beach, or white beach as it’s called, is 4km of some of the most breathtaking ocean views. It’s divided into 3 stations, but you can easily walk from one end to the other, taking in all of the hustle and bustle this island has to offer. With most islands in the Philippines, the choices of cuisine are limited; but not Boracay. Here you can get everything from local fresh seafood dishes to Greek, Italian or Indian. There is no shortage of places to eat, drink and be merry or sunbathe and people watch in Boracay.

Siquijor

Siquijor is not as well known but quite unique. It’s got all of the beauty of some of the more traveled islands in the Philippines, with less of a crowd. The island is known for witchcraft, so many people don’t go. But if that doesn’t bother you, you can have complete peace and solitude on the beach or while traveling around the island. You can even see the witch doctor if you like. I did and she, a woman of close to 100, gave me a cleansing by blowing into a glass of water (with rocks at the bottom of the glass) with a bamboo straw. She circled my body with the glass, blowing into the reed.  She did this a few times until the water stopped becoming cloudy. Unfortunately I didn’t get much of an explanation as to what she was doing, or why, but it was a memorable experience. There is a lot to be explored in Siquijor. There are old churches, hiking trails and waterfalls on the island, where you can swim or cannon ball from the top.  And if you’d like to just do nothing there, is that option too, with a range of accommodations to be found. For divers, Apo Island is just a boat trip away and is known for some of the best scuba diving in the area.

Batanes is the road less traveled. It’s known as the Scotland of the Philippines with rolling hills and roaming cows everywhere. It’s very peaceful and one of the few places I’ve gone to that’s untouched by tourism really. In fact at the time there were only two hotel choices, one dated and expensive by American standards and one less expensive, but not very nice. The whole trip is one of the most expensive you can take in this country because the island is so remote. For most of the year it’s battered by typhoons, with just a small window of time to enjoy the spectacular views and unique culture.  And it is actually geographically closer to Taiwan than it is to Manila. Take a day trip over to Basco to experience the truly untouched Ivatan culture and get even more views of the mountains and coastline. While on the main island a bike tour is a must. Make no mistake, it’s not an easy ride, but you can go around the entire island in a few hours and see both daily village life and nature as intended.

Again, with this many islands there’s lots to see. So the most important thing to have when traveling the Philippines is time. I encourage everyone to go and find out why it’s more fun in the Philippines.

Main island of Batanes

Traditional houses in Basco

Village life, Basco (Batanes)

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