Annesherrod:
Read my trip reports on our trips to Manila and surroundings. Most of the regulars on this board avoid the PI but they are missing out- there is plenty to see and do and the US dollar goes a long way. Also I can answer some questions as well.
Note that Manila has the very best price on south sea baby pearls (yes Mango the very best price).

Thanks for the great info Doug. I am making my first trip to the Philippines in 2 weeks. I will be there for nearly a month. Going to visit Manila, Tacloban city, Davao city and Cebu.
Would you recommend flying between each of the islands instead to the ferry boats?
Also I want to avoid outrageous cell phone costs to call back to USA. Would you recommend buying a phone card here or over there or buying a sim card in the philippines for my cell.
Thanks again for the great information.
bill from usa

Between these cities, I'd probably fly. The ferries will take a very long time, and airfares on airlines like Cebu Pacific are pretty reasonable (if you don't have a lot of luggage).

The cheapest way to call back to the U.S. is with a phone card. There's just no way to make cell calls reasonably priced if you plan on making a lot of calls more than a couple of minutes. I'd rely instead on the Internet. Get used to sending emails and texts. That's how you keep your cell costs down.

Yes, certainly buy a local SIM to use on your trip so long as you have access to an unlocked phone (or just buy a phone in the Philippines, where they are cheap ... they can also unlock most U.S. phones there if you can't get your own company to do it).

Thanks so much Doug. You are a wealth of knowledge. I am traveling by myself which is crazy. Do you have any tips on what I should beware of. I know there are kidnappings but I think in the far southern areas of the philippines.

Can I call you on the phone to talk more about the philippines or email you privately? Any advice you can give me will be helpful. Thanks again!

doubleB:
Where in Manila do you plan to stay? In my opinion having been to both Manila and Bangkok several times- Manila is NOT that easy to navigate on your own. Bangkok has many transportation options- skytrain,. river taxis, subway, taxis etc. Manila is much older and does not have these systems that tourists can easily avail themselves. You are pretty much relagated to taxis. I would not advise taking the jeepnees there- very hot and crowded and while cheap its not something the typical tourist takes- more for the locals.
We stay in Makati- which is the business district and has many fine hotels and lots of shopping options and restaurants many within walking distance.
If you are a history buff then I suggest you take the Corregidor Tour.

I think BillT knows much more about the Philippines than I do. He's been lots of times.

There are certainly kidnappings in the Philippines but outside of some very isolated examples, I can't think of any that involve tourists (except for a few incidents in the far south, where the militant guerillas operate). Having said that, definitely keep safety in mind. Manila is a big busy city with crime just like anywhere else. But if you stay in Makati, as BillT suggests (and which I also suggest), then you should have no problems. The big Philippine Plaza hotel is elsewhere on Manila Bay, and it's isolated but also a good hotel (a bit closer to the airport I think).

What else do you want to know? I haven't been to most of the places you plan to travel to, so I think I'll be of only limited help. You might get a wider range of answers if you post your questions here.

Thanks again Doug. Last year was my first trip overseas and I went to Europe. I took some cash but mostly used my credit cards. I did contact the credit card companies in advance.
For the PHilippines I read some places don't accept credit cards. I hate to carry a lot of cash.
Would you recommend I take travelers checks, or my atm debit and credit card? Thanks again.

bill

Take both cards - but when I'm in Asia I take cash- local currency but I keep it in a security wallet under my shirt.
Travelers checks don't work very well in a lot of places.

To Bill T,

I will be staying at the BEST WESTERN HOTEL LA CORONA at 1166 M.H. del Pilar cor. Arquiza Sts. Thanks so much for the tips on the taxis.
Have you ever been to Tacloban or Davao?
Bill

Thanks BillT.

doubleB:
No I have not been to those places so can't help you there.

Glad you had a fine time in our country. It really is a safe and wonderful place - a gem. ;)

Thanks for all the nice inputs Doug_Stallings :)

Thanks all for nice report and gigantic info

Mr. Stallings:

I left the Philippines in 1962 when I was two years old and have never returned. My mother is 84 years old and has Alzheimer's. I would like to accompany her to the country this Spring or Summer to explore leaving her with relatives to care for her. Since she is now a U.S. citizen, will she be allowed to live there?

Lisa, yours is an immigration question. Your mother wold not be allowed to travel as a tourist into the Philippines and simply stay there. She would need a special visa. You will need to contact the Philippine Embassy to ask your question.

Thank you, Kathie.

Lisa, I know of Filipinos who immigrated to the US, became US citizens, lived in the US for many years, and are now back living in the Philippines - both old and young alike. No visa is required. The Philippines recognizes dual citizenship. You and your mother can come and go as you like, can stay as long as you like. Both of you can own properties. Once a Filipino, forever a Filipino, no matter what citizenship you have.

I almost did not see your post because the original is 2 yrs old. It would have been better if you created a new topic. I just happened to read this post in preparation for my trip.

Don't miss out on Palawan on your trip to Philippines. For me its much better than Boracay as you can do many things aside from strolling at the beach,

Do you know that Cebu is the most marketed city in the Philippines? Most Asians go to Cebu more than Manila. Whenever I visit family and friends in the Philippines, I always fly Cathay Pacific to Cebu, avoiding Manila at all cost. Sure, there's a lot of places to go to in Luzon-still, I can't stand Manila anymore-it's too polluted for one thing and chaotic (as far as traffic is concerned). Besides, Cebu, Bohol and Davao have all the nice beaches. I would stay longer in Bohol than in Cebu though-the food is great, the beaches pristine (planning to go to Balicasag Island), the tarsiers so cute and adorable (they need to be protected to prevent extinction), and the people friendly. to go to Balicasag, it's good to stay at Panglao for a night. Indeed, a lot of Americans are missing out by bypassing the Philippines which was once an American colony (after winning it from Spain). It's just sad that corruption which is prevalent in the government is tainting the reputation of a beautiful country and its beautiful people.

chynk, sounds like you're talking about hawaii, lol: " It's just sad that corruption which is prevalent in the government is tainting the reputation of a beautiful country and its beautiful people."