Journey through the Philippine Islands

The Philippine public transport or as their own drive. Bohol. Boracay

In the Philippines we were 2 weeks and when we planned our trip, I wanted to include more seats as possible and see as much as possible. So we decided to fly to an airport on the island. Cebu City, and fly away from another-Kalibo International Airport (Terminal this airport feels more like a small-town bus station) to until it can be reached in a few hours. Boracay (our last distance). We flew from Malaysia, g. Kuala Lumpur and returned there. AirAsia tickets cost us at 7500 rubles per person round-trip.

AirAsia in the cabin
AirAsia in the cabin
view of the Philippine Islands
view of the Philippine Islands

Cebu Island-the island of Bohol Boracay island

We had planned to visit and visited the following Islands, here's how to look our route within the country on land and on water: o. Cebu, g. Cebu City (there we flew) about. Bohol and Panglao island and on to the middle. Balikasag (Turtle Island) is about. Cebu, g. Oslob (where we swam with whale sharks-about. Negros Oriental (it crossed by bus), ILO-ILO Island-g. Caticlan airport is about. Boracay (we spent most of the time), Kalibo (hence we had a return flight). This was our first trip to the Philippines and, so it was unclear how much in this poor country developed public ground and water transport (and wanted to use them to find to see) and I couldn't dig up the Internet nothing except one article in which the girl describes briefly how they travelled with. Bohol (Bohol) up to about. Boracay (Boracay). Description rather undetailed, without price or schedule, but the main thing I needed to know that this is possible. Therefore, in this article, I will detail our route, in case someone wants to redo it. So, we landed in the airport. Cebu City. Coming from the airport, we drove a taxi and not on the go local-mul′tikabe (outdoor mini bus).

public transportation in the Philippines/mul′tikab
public transportation in the Philippines/mul′tikab

The island of Bohol in the Philippines

The ride to the pier is worth 15 pesos. On with the pier we needed to get to the other side, from which ferries already on Bohol. Crossing to the other shore cost 30 pesos and took about 15 minutes. On the other side are several piers from which boats of different companies in different directions. We got to walk to the Pier 3 room and asked is there a boat to the city. Tagbilaran (about. Bohol). We sent the cashier where we sold tickets for the boat company OceanJet. Tickets cost 500 pesos for each time-2:00. In Tagbilaran city we arrived already late in the evening, about 9-10 hours and we had to find a budget place to sleep. One of the drivers trajsiklov (this is a local motorcycle with sidecar for passengers), drove us over 10 pesos per person to one very budget-House on the street Mendoza street. In this House the owner rents out rooms to tourists. We rented a room there for 175 pesos per person per night. Course room so-so, it reminded us of an old house in the village. In the morning we were woken up cocks. But most importantly, everything was clean and tidy.

accommodation in Philippines
accommodation in Philippines

With the same driver trajsikla we agreed the next day that he will take the two of us at the chocolate hills and small glazastym dolgopâtam small animals (its called tarsier), and brings back. We managed to storgovat′sâ at 800 pesos for the both of us. You can get there by bus, but you can find to rent a moped and drive themselves.

taxi in the Philippines/'s tricycle
taxi in the Philippines/'s tricycle

Log on to review pad chocolate hills worth 50 pesos to dolgopâtam-60 pesos. Here's what we saw on that day.

tarsier/tarsier
tarsier/tarsier
the chocolate hills on Bohol island
the chocolate hills on Bohol island
tarsier
tarsier

Boat trip to the island of turtles (about. Balikasag)

The next morning we decided to go for one of the dominating beach destinations of the Philippines-Alona beach, or rather not linger there and rent a boat to the island of Balikasag, where you can see these sea turtles and swim with them in their natural habitat Wednesday. So, until we arrived in the beach, Alona a little from our hotel, the mul′tikabe for 25 pesos. Here on the beach already was such a beauty that looks like and go nowhere … but no, we have to.

Alona beach in Panglao island
Alona beach in Panglao island
Alona beach in Panglao island
Alona beach in Panglao island

Boat rentals on the beach with no problems, the owners of boats you won't miss. Remains the question of price. We have long haggled and agreed on 700 pesos for two, including masks for snorkeling. Together with us in the boat were 5 people, not including the captain, his wife and daughter.  The journey took all day and left a lot of positive impressions and memories of turtles and about the island in General. We really saw no less than 15 pieces. On the way back we did a small stop on another small island.

Balikasag Island/Island turtles
Balikasag Island/Island turtles
Balikasag Island/Island turtles
Balikasag Island/Island turtles

An evening with Alona beach we returned back to our hotel in Tagbilaran on trajsikle, because mul′tikaby so late already, don't drive. For two people we paid 120 pesos. The next morning we met to go to the island of Cebu, in the town of Oslob to swim with whale sharks there. Tagbilaran pier before we began to search for the most convenient, fast and cheap way. This turned out to be a ferry to g. Argao. This town is situated between the cities of Cebu and Cebu Oslob, therefore closer. Cost 200 pesos per person ferry, travel time 3:00.

ferry ticket office at Pier in Tagbilarane
ferry ticket office at Pier in Tagbilarane
Ferry Schedule Bohol-Cebu
Ferry Schedule Bohol-Cebu

The Island Of Cebu. Swimming with whale sharks

When you sail, you need a little walk to the main road, and if you stand with your back to the sea, you need a bus that goes to the left side. Catch any yellow bus and say come to whale sharks Oslob (whale sharks). Directions worth 81 pesos per person. Go 1.5 hours. We left near the dive center.

Diving Center in the city of Oslob
Diving Center in the city of Oslob
public transportation to Cebu
public transportation to Cebu

Booking hotels on the island of Cebu

We arrived at 12.30 and no longer have time to swim with sharks in the day since swim is allowed only before noon. The question about where to spend the night. When this dive center is a good hotel, but the prices it start from 1500 per night. We wanted to find the option pobûdžetnee and the staff invited us to go 150 meters left on the road and find the House Satu (Satu House). Satu have great 2-storey house with a living room overlooking the sea. She rents out rooms to tourists on the 2 floor for 350 pesos per person. We really liked the House and the price is also arranged so that we would be happy to have stopped there.

accommodation in Oslob
accommodation in Oslob
accommodation in Oslob
accommodation in Oslob

Whale sharks in Oslobe

The next day morning we reached the Breathing Center (the only place where not taken additional contributions) and there snorklili with whale sharks. This turned out to be the best impression that we took away with them from the Philippines.

whale sharks in Oslob
whale sharks in Oslob
whale sharks in Oslob
whale sharks in Oslob
whale sharks in Oslob
whale sharks in Oslob

Don't miss the opportunity to visit a very beautiful waterfall Tumalog (eng. Tumalog), which is just a 10-minute drive from the Breathing Center. Motorcycle taxi driver agreed to take us two round trip for 60 pesos per person and wait for us there 1.5 hours.

Tumalog waterfall
Tumalog waterfall

From Cebu to Boracay

Full of impressions, we took away from home our stuff and Satu began its long journey to the Paradise Island of Boracay. Plan to leave not later than two o'clock in the afternoon. First you need to catch the same yellow bus in the same direction and reach Liloan. The passage is worth 30 pesos. Continue from there by ferry to reach the Sibulan. Negros Oriental. Ticket 60 pesos. From the bus terminal in Sibulan Dumaguete is reachable by jeepney for 15 pesos.

Jeepney
Jeepney

All these were short journeys. Ahead of the first of two long crossings by bus. At the station to find the same yellow bus that travels to the city. Bacolod (Bacolod). Try to buy water and food in advance (I advise to try the local delicacy-biscuits-piâjâ, which is particularly popular in Bakolode). Filipinos don't really let when it comes to places on the bus, so if you do not want to stand in the coming 7-8 hours (so much time takes the road to Bacolod), I advise you to rush to take their seats. Yes, Yes, no matter how strange it didn't seem, but in the Philippines, coaches allowed to take passengers when seats are filled. All the same, it is unsafe. Bacolod is a terminal station, tickets cost 268 pesos. Along the way, the bus will make a short stop and local will offer food, but what kind of food is a big issue for us.

local food traders
local food traders

Most of the route passes through the mountains and ride on a crowded bus really was terrible. But from the window opened beautiful mountainous landscape. And yet, traveling in this manner, you can well see how poorly still live many Filipinos and understand that our flat seem palaces amidst their shacks.

Negros Island
Negros Island
Negros Island
Negros Island

At the bus station we came too late in the evening, so we had to find a hotel. We asked the driver to take us to the trajsikla cheap hotel near the port in the morning it was closer. For 20 pesos per person he brought us in quite small and slow Internet, night hotel which cost 450 pesos. I don't remember his name, and would not recommend it, but were so tired that agreed on the first thing suggested. We didn't linger in Bakolode, although surely there also have that view. The next day, we woke up early and immediately went to the pier, look for the ferry to the city. Ilo-Ilo (Ilo Ilo). Every day at 7.50 company ferry Weesam Express. The ticket costs 260 pesos. Sail 1.5 hours. As soon as we sailed right on the pier in ILO-ILO island we have been offered a place in the car to. Caticlan (eng. Caticlan, from there will last a short ferry on Boracay) for 400 pesos per person. We decided not to accept and investigate until the end of the road on public transport, in fact remains very slightly. So, to get to the Pier from the bus terminal, it is necessary to take to the road and take the jeepney that goes to Haru Plaza (cost 7 pesos), then there's exit and take the jeepney to the Tagbac terminal (also 7 pesos).  Here, it only remains to find a yellow bus that travels to Caticlan and have time to take place, as go to be around 5:00.

bus to Caticlan
bus to Caticlan

Directions worth 281 pesos. This same bus rides through the town of Kalibo, so if your return flight from Kalibo airport, you can reach it by bus that travels along the route of ILO-ILO Island-Caticlan airport or Caticlan-ILO-ILO island. From caticlan also ride buses directly to the airport. Once you got to Caticlan, you last, the shortest ferry on the way to Boracay island. Here it is already difficult to get lost here, full of tourists and Ferries depart every 15 minutes. Good luck and welcome to Boracay!

Book your hotel in Boracay priced from 800 rubles per night at this link.

Boracay Island, Philippines
Boracay Island, Philippines