Showing posts with label Travel Cost and Expenses. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel Cost and Expenses. Show all posts

How to go to Batanes on a Budget

February 22, 2011


How to go to Batanes on a Budget

TRANSPORTATION
The single biggest travel expense for this destination is the transportation cost. In other destinations around the Philippines, there are other transportation options to choose from, like the ferry or a long road trip. The cheaper form of transportations is usually the more inconvenient. For Batanes, this is not the case. Even the more inconvenient means of transportation to Batanes may end up more expensive than simply riding the plane. The best way to go to Batanes is still by airplane from Manila. 

The option of riding the ferry from Cagayan or Ilocos is not very reliable. Also, the ride takes almost the whole day. So if your time to visit Batanes is limited, this is not an option for you. 

Taking a 12-hour road trip from Ilocos or a province near Batanes then taking a plane ride to Batanes is almost as expensive as taking the Southeast Asian Airlines flight from Manila. See my article on Batanes Airlines to compare the cost of taking SEAIR from Manila instead.

ACCOMMODATIONS
Book at Batanes Resort. Batanes resort remains is an inexpensive resort with all the basic amenities you need for your stay. See my article on Batanes resort.

SIGHTSEEING TOUR
If you're part of a big group, hire a van and a guide for your tour. The cost of the van and guide can be divided among the members of your group. The more members that you have in your group, the less cost per head. 

If you're a single traveler or a couple, and you know how to ride a motorcyle, you can do a motorcycle tour. If not, you can hire a tricyle for the day to help you explore the island. You can opt to hire a guide to explain things to you. But the cost of the guide is in addition to the cost of renting a motorcycle or hiring a tricycle for the day. 

You can negotiate and customize your tour to suit your budget. The tour guides are very accomodating. 

See the rates given by our tour guide to give you an idea where you can negotiate.


MEALS
If you stay at Batanes resort, the meals served there are inexpensive so you do not have to look far for meals. But for a taste of Ivatan cusine, be sure to try Pension Ivatan. See my article on Pension Ivatan.

My tips:
If you want to cut cost on your Batanes trip, focus on saving on airline cost by means of: 

1. Traveling during off-season in the Philippines.
Off-season travel in the Philippines is generally from June-December 15, January 3 -March 15, except during:
a. non-working holidays that fall on a Friday or Monday.
b. the Christmas season in the Philippiens that last from December 16-January 1.
c. The Holy Week from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.
d. The week and weekend of the Chinese New Year
e.  The weekend nearest Valentine's Day
2. Watch out for regular fare sales during the airlines' anniversary, the annual Philippine Travel Tour Expo in February and the Philippine Travel Mart in September.

The greatest discount I have seen so far during these sales is 50% off the regular fare. So it's really worth watching out for these sales. In our case, since I travel with kids who go to school, we usually have no choice but to travel during peak season.

Check out my article on when to catch SEAIR promo flights to Batanes.

Batanes: Travel Budget & Summary of Cost

September 21, 2010


Batanes: Travel Budget & Summary of Cost

Airfare
  • Roundtrip fares Manila-Basco-Manila via SEAIR: approximately P14,000.
Fees
  • Manila Domestic airport fee: 200 pesos per person
  • Basco Airport Fee: 20 pesos per person
Accommodation

Airport Transfers
  • Tricycle from airport to Basco town accommodation: P50 per way
  • Usually included in hotel/resort accommodations.
Sightseeing
  • Batan Island tour: 1500 for 8 hour van rental (with maximum capacity of 11 persons) + 1600 tour guide fee
  • Sabtang Island tour: 1500 per person for groups of 5 persons or more, inclusive of guide, boat and van transfers, jeepney at Sabtan, lunch 
  • Motorcycle rental: P150 per hour (inclusive of gasoline)+ guide fees (if you're using a guide)
  • Tricycle day tour rental : P500
  • Bicycle rental: P200 per day or P25 per hour
 Meals

Puerto Princesa: Travel Budget & Summary of Cost

September 5, 2010

Puerto Princesa: Travel Budget  & Summary of Cost

Airfare
P1500 and above depending on season and when you book. I normally book 3 months before the trip because it turns out to be less expensive to book early. Since kids are at school, we're only able to travel during peak season. I was able to get this rate online during the Travel Tour Expo in February.


Fees
  • Manila Domestic airport fee: 200 pesos per person
  • Puerto Princesa airport Fee: 40 pesos per person
Accommodation

  • P1500 per room per night for 6 persons at Casa Linda Inn. Total of P4500 persos for 3 nights stay
Transportation
  • Roundtrip Puerto Princesa airport- hotel airport transfers: FREE in some resorts, FREE at wildrock tours if you get tours from them 
  • Tricycle ride from airport to city center: P50.
  • Tricycle ride from point to point within the city: P7
Sightseeing
  • city tour: P600 per person
  • underground river tour: P1500 per person
  • honda bay island hopping: P1100 per person
  • tips for guide and driver
 Meals
  • meals: around 150-200 pesos per person, depending on where you eat. When we ate at Kalui restaurant, our bill for 6 people is P1400. When ate at Chowking, our bill for 6 people is P1000.
For an interactive excel file, see puerto princesa tour cost

Bohol: Summary of Cost and Travel Budget

August 6, 2010

Bohol: Travel Budget  & Summary of Cost

Airfare

Fees
  • Manila Domestic airport fee: 200 pesos per person
  • Tagbilaran Airport Fee: 20 pesos per person
Accommodation


Transportation
  • Roundtrip Tagbilaran airport-Alona Beach resort airport transfers: 1000 pesos per van
Sightseeing
  • countryside tour: 2500 pesos per van good for 6-12 persons (cheaper rate for small groups in a car)
  • loboc river cruise lunch:  400 pesos per person
  • entrance fees at tour sites: 120 pesos per person
  • sea tour of balicasag island (without dolphin watching) and virgin island: 1300 pesos per boat
  • sea tour of balicasag island (with dolphin watching) and virgin island: 1500 pesos per boat
  • balicasag island snorkeling guide: 150 pesos per person
  • aqua shoes rental: 600 pesos per person
  • snorkel and mask rental: 75 pesos 
 Meals
  • meals along Alona Beach: around 150-200 pesos per person
  • meals at Amorita Resort: around 400 pesos per person
For an interactive excel file, see bohol tour cost