Some questions about the Philippines

hostmon · #1 (**permalink**) 1. June 2008, 04:07

Hello out there,

being a bit scared of the news in "my" world about the Philippines some questions coming up in my mind as I consider a holiday there.

Is it that dangerous (according to different embassy warnings)
when is the best time to visit the Philippines (weather, temperature)
I know this is a diving site, but are there things to do beyond diving?
What are costs for food and drinks (example bottled water in supermarket/restaurant)
Is it easy and safe to travel from A to B?
What Island to go or start with ?

just a few questions to begin with, I hope it fits here, even not diving related...
Thank you in advanced

HM

#2 (**permalink**) 3. June 2008, 12:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by hostmon

Hello out there,

being a bit scared of the news in "my" world about the Philippines some questions coming up in my mind as I consider a holiday there.

Is it that dangerous (according to different embassy warnings) when is the best time to visit the Philippines (weather, temperature)
I know this is a diving site, but are there things to do beyond diving?
What are costs for food and drinks (example bottled water in supermarket/restaurant)
Is it easy and safe to travel from A to B?
What Island to go or start with ?

just a few questions to begin with, I hope it fits here, even not diving related...
Thank you in advanced

HM

1. not more than in other places in the world
2. rainy season starts now but most regions have no typical rainyseason, temperature is subtropical warm
3. it is a beautiful country and many things to explore next to diving
4. most prices are a fraction of those you may be used to. beer in a restaurant 1 $, good meal 2-5 dollar, street-kitchen cheaper, drinking-water available in small and 1.5 liter bottles a few peso
5. traveling in the PI is easy, but it needs time
6. depending what you want to do, more nightlife in Luzon, more countryside and nature in the Visayas

hope it helped a bit so far

PI-Lover

maldita · #3 (**permalink**) 5. June 2008, 05:05

hi Hostmon!!!
i agree with PI-lover all that info he/she gives is true.. and its take time to decide where in the Philippines you realy want to..... i think its help's you to have a look to some province area in the Philippines in Visayas regon.. its more in nature view in the beach, fulls, mauntains, where not so traffec he!!!he!!!he!!!and over crawded, its will be nice vacation if you realy enjoy your time and experince things you can't have from where ever you from... just feel the freedom and peaceful surounding next to you.

i wish its helps that idea... and wish you realy enjoy your vacation here in my country.

hostmon · #4 (**permalink**) 8. June 2008, 05:05

Hello PI-lover and Maldita,

thank you for the information so far. I need to do a deeper research of the Philippines as I get more and more interested in it. None of my friends has been there before, they all go to Thailand or Indonesia. This countries are also on my "to-do'list".
How much does a diving certification cost? Not that I really have the high intension to do one, just for a general information. And how long does it take?
What is the Visa-situation in the Philippines. Do I need a special visa to visit the Philippines?

maldita · #5 (**permalink**) 8. June 2008, 06:12

hi Hostmon.
about diving certification cost i recomend Rhoody for you to ask, you can send him pravate message or just ask him thougth this forum or in dumagueteinfo.
mike feeny my also can help you to know how much its cost for open water.. you can find more info about his shop in dumagueteinfo. and about how long its take to earn that diving certification is up to you.if for you is easy and you understand all roles about diving and you know what to do then is fast and very soon you can be certified scuba diver too. I think, there is no other special visa to visit my country is just depend how long is your plan to stay for vacation. you my ask also some travel guide links in dumagueteinfo.. if you visit that site. i wish it will help you hostmon.

#6 (**permalink**) 5. July 2008, 11:14

I think you pay for a dive-course in the philippines 400 to 500 US$ and this should include everything

#7 (**permalink**) 28. July 2008, 11:20

depending on the country you come from.
For most countrys you get a 21 day visa upon entry. this can be extendes to 59 days and the next extensions can be always 2 month up to 2 years.

Jack

hostmon · #8 (**permalink**) 30. July 2008, 09:56

Thanks again, I think I decided where to go and what to do on my next vacation. I was visiting your recommended site. It is a lot information there almost way to much to read

kind regards

HM

Rhoody · #9 (**permalink**) 1. August 2008, 08:21

The visa extension is more expensive this year as they "created" another periodical clearance what will cost another 500 Peso evry other month.

Rhoody

kenny · #10 (**permalink**) 8. August 2008, 01:19

Hi Rhoody,
I just surfed over here from the Dumaguete Forum. This is the start of a great resourse for both local and foreign divers. I hope it is as successful as Dumaguete Forum.
I was privleged to dive some of the best sights in PI before they were discovered by tourists. Palawan in 1979, Moalboal before the typhoon destroyed the huge gorgonians and washed all the sand away. There are still many spots I haven't dived yet and somday I'd like to revisit the Reed Bank in the disputed area between Palawan and Viet Nam. Pinacles rising from 300 ft. to within a couple feet of the surface teeming with large and small marine life. I'll be back in September; can't wait.
Kenny