A Shorter Bohol Itinerary with Kids (3 days and 2 days)

A Shorter Bohol Itinerary with Kids 
(3 days and 2 nights)
(2 days and 1 night)

As I have discussed in my previous post, I recommend that 5 days be given when visiting a major destination (see my 5-day itinerary). But if if it is not possible to spend 5 days in Bohol, here is my suggested itinerary for a 3-day and 2-day Bohol trip:

My Tip:

1. Don't get very early flights. The kids accompanying you will find it so tiring to wake up very early to go to the airport. It will defeat the purpose of having a vacation if the kids end up tired and grumpy. They will not be able to cope with the hectic itinerary of a 3-day or 2-day trips.
2. The typical countryside tour of our tour guide Tatsky Cubero  is composed of twelve (12) sights and normally lasts 10 hours. If you have little time to stay in Bohol, I recommend that you take the tour on the day of your departure, before going to the airport. This means that you will not able to take the full 10 hours and will be forced to miss some sights. Below is a list of sights you shouldn't miss when you go to Bohol.

• Chocolate Hills: to see the magnificent formation unique to Bohol; this is what Bohol is known for.

• Tarsier Sanctuary: this mammal can only be seen in the Philippines and Indonesia; no one has ever successfully transported the Tarsier in other countries. The tarsier die during transport.

• Lunch while taking the Loboc River Cruise

• Baclayon Church: you see the importance of Bohol to the Spaniards during the Spanish period when you see the magnificence of this Church

• Actual Blood Compact Site: new evidence shows the true location where the Blood Compact was held

• Blood Compact Shrine: traditionally believed to be the location where the Blood Compact was held. The annual celebration of the province is held at this site.
  

• Balicasag Island and Virgin Island: a separate tour from the countryside tour but should be on the must-see list. Balicasag Island is one of the best snorkeling sites in the Philippines and Virgin Island is made of fine and virgin white sand and is uninhabited.

3. By taking the countryside tour on the day of your departure  from Bohol, you save on airport transfers. The countryside tour  rate includes pick-up from the resort and drop off at the airport after the tour.

Suggested Itinerary for Three (3) Days

Day 1
Departure from Manila, Arrival at Panglao Island

     530am: wakeup

     6am: departure from the house

        -- see how to go to the Manila Domestic Airport

    8am: arrival at the Manila Domestic Airport

        -- see Facilities of the Domestic Terminal of the Manila International Airport

     9am: departure from manila

     1020am: arrival in Tagbilaran Airport

     12nn: lunch at Isis Thai Restaurant

     2pm: check-in at Isis Bungalows

     2pm onwards: bum around the beach

     7pm: dinner at Pyramid Resort

Day 2
Snorkeling at Balicasag Island, Visit Virgin Island

     7am: wakeup

     9am: pickup of boat to go to Balicasag Island
     --- tour guide contact numbers and rates

     10am: arrival at Balicasag island

     10am-12nn: snorkeling at Balicasag Island

     12nn-1pm: lunch at Balicasag Island

     1pm-2pm: Virgin Island

     3pm: back to resort; henna tattoo

• see my article "Henna Tatoo at Alona Beach"

     5pm: If this day falls on a Sunday, Mass at Panglao Church

• See Our day with the kids snorkeling at Balicasag Island and walking the sandbar of Virgin Island
  

Day 3
Departure from Tagbilaran, Countryside Tour, Arrival in Manila

     8am: pick up by tour guide, check-out of hotel

     8am-3pm: Countryside tour  

• Chocolate Hills 
• Lunch at Loboc River 
• Tarsier Sanctuary 
• Actual Blood Compact Site 
• Baclayon Church 
• Blood Compact Shrine 

     330pm: arrival at Tagbilaran airport

     455pm: departure from Tagbilaran

     615pm: arrival in Manila

Suggested Itinerary for Two (2) Days  

Day 1
Departure from Manila, Arrival at Panglao Island

     530am: wakeup

     6am: departure from the house

        -- see how to go to the Manila Domestic Airport

     8am: arrival at the Manila Domestic Airport

        -- see Facilities of the Domestic Terminal of the Manila International Airport

     9am: departure from manila

     1020am: arrival in Tagbilaran Airport

     12nn: lunch at Isis Thai Restaurant

     2pm: pickup of boat to go to Balicasag Island

• See Our day with the kids snorkeling at Balicasag Island and walking the sandbar of Virgin Island

     3pm: arrival at Balicasag island

     3pm-4pm: snorkeling at Balicasag Island    

     4pm-5pm: Virgin Island

     6pm: back to resort; 
     7pm: dinner at Pyramid Resort; get henna tattoo

• See my article "Henna Tatoo at Alona Beach"

Day 2
Departure from Tagbilaran, Countryside Tour, Arrival in Manila

     8am: pick up by tour guide, check-out of hotel

     8am-3pm: Countryside tour  

• Chocolate Hills 
• Lunch at Loboc River 
• Tarsier Sanctuary 
• Actual Blood Compact Site 
• Baclayon Church 
• Blood Compact Shrine 

     330pm: arrival at Tagbilaran airport

     455pm: departure from Tagbilaran

     615pm: arrival in Manila

 

  

Bohol Packing List

Bohol Packing List

Adult Handcarry

wallet

• money
• credit card used to purchase airline tickets
• ATM cards 
•  IDs: driver's license, school ID
• plane tickets/email of ticket purchase: to be able to enter the airport

emergency medicines

• for travel sickness: bonamine
• for fever and headache: paracetamol, ibuprofen
• for stomach problems: kremil-s, imodium, buscopan
• for allergy: claritin, virlix solution

ballpen and notebook/paper
itinerary
digicam, handycam, battery, memory card, charger
laptop, charger, internet plug it
ipod, charger
toilet paper
hand sanitizer
food: sandwich or cookies
water
jacket

Kids' Handcarry

• jacket for plane ride 
• toy, book
• cellphone, cellphone charger
• ipod, ipod charger
• glasses, extra glasses (in case your child wears glasses)
• cap
• travel journal/ small notebook with friends' address
• ballpen
• emergency money 
• name tag/kid's ID tag 
• tissue/wetones

Check-in Luggage

toilettries:

• shampoo
• soap
• toothbrush
• toothpaste
• perfume, 
• deodorant, cologne
• gel, hairspray
• hairbrush or comb

clothes

• underwear
• shirt, blouse
• shorts
• pants
• nightclothes
• socks
• hanky
• swimsuit, sarong

first aid and medicine kit

• vitamins
• or travel sickness: bonamine
• for fever and headache: paracetamol, ibuprofen
  
• for stomach problems: kremil-s, imodium, buscopan, hydrite
  
• for allergy: claritin, virlix solution 
• for colds: strepsils, cough and cold medicines
•  bandaid, iodine, buds, thermometer 

for swimming:

•  sunblock
•  goggles, floaters, beach toy
• snorkel n mask
• aqua shoes
• underwater camera case
• underwater plastic case for gadgets, cellphones, wallet
   

off lotion
powder detergent
sponge
collapsible cooler: in case you don't have a refrigerator in your room
airbed and airpump
plastic for wet clothes
belt bag
laundry bag
shoes
slippers

St. Augustine Parish, Panglao, Bohol (known among the locals as Panglao Church)

St. Augustine Parish, Panglao, Bohol 
(known among the locals as Panglao Church)

The Facade of Panglao Church

Mass Schedule:

Sunday: 5pm

No Saturday anticipated Mass

 

Contact Number:

038-5029193

How to get there:

1. From Alona beach, walk to the Main Road going to Rona's grocery. The tricycle terminal is just outside Rona's grocery. 

You walk along Alona Beach until your reach this corner. This corner leads to the main road. Your landmark is the Tourist center at the corner of the main road

This is the main road that leads to Rona's grocery where the tricycle terminal is located. The main road has many restaurants along the way. The Bank of the Philippine Islands is also found on this road.

2. Ride the tricycle going to Panglao Church which takes around 10-15min. The tricycle charges P100 per way, good for 2 adults or 1 adult and 2 kids. It's expensive because only tourists ride the tricycle. The locals usually have their own motorcycles to transport themselves from one place to another

My Tip: Arrange your return trip with the tricycle who brought you to Panglao Church. They are willing to wait for you till the Mass ends. 

The tricycle

 Other photos inside the Church:

Location Map:

  No. 42 is the Tourist Center and No. 28 is Rona's grocery. The provincial road going to the right is the road that leads to Panglao Church. Thanks a lot to jimspears.net for the very informative map. If you wish to download a printeable version, go to http://jimspears.net/alona/map.htm

Isis Bungalows: Budget-friendly Bohol Accomodations for a Family of Six

Isis Bungalows: Budget-friendly Bohol Accommodations for a Family of Six

What kids will like about this place

• It has free strong wifi 24 hours a day. 
• It has cable tv in the rooms
• The beach is a few steps from the room.
• Although the beachfront is small, the shallow waters stretches around 50 meters from the beachfront.
• You can snorkel on the beach in front and see small fish and different shapes of starfish.

What I like about this place

The Room:

•  They have rooms that can accomodate big groups. In our case, I prefer to have a room that can accomodate both my husband and I, and all our four kids so we don't have to worry about them staying in the other room. It's often hard to find rooms that can accomodate us because often, family rooms are only good for 4 people, the couple and their 2 kids. It's more expensive for a family of six to book 3 standard rooms good for 2 people. That's why I prefer to book a family suite, or any room that will allow 6 people to stay in one room.
• The Isis Bungalow deluxe bungalow can accommodate all six of us. We stayed at deluxe bungalow 4, near the reception. But next time we're going to stay at the family bungalow 8. It's the most spacious, has a very large bathroom, has a terrace and a nice view of the sea. It's on the second floor and on top of Isis Thai Restaurant
• The size of the room is 30 sq. meters and the deluxe bungalow is shaped like a pentagon. It has enough space to accommodate  1 queen-sized foam bed, a single foam bed, a double sized airbed, and a single airbed. We brought with us the airbeds to save on mattress fee.
• They have a cabinet with lots of shelves and hangers.

The Bathroom:

•  Bathroom is large, clean and designed for the comfort and convenience of the guest because of additional shelves.
• Water in the bathroom is relatively strong, considering that Panglao Island has a water problem.
• They have hot and cold water.

Other Amenities:

• Even if you do not rent the mattress, they give free pillows, blankets and towels to the additional persons.
• They give free toiletries like shampoo in sachet and soap and free instant coffee, sugar and creamer in sachet. They replenish it when you consume it.
• They have laundry service but we didn't use it so I cannot rate it.

The Service:

• The staff is very efficient and fast in giving service. Every time I ask for extra towels, pillows or blankets, they were able to immediately give them to me.
• They clean the room and toilet every day.

Rates:

The rate of one deluxe bungalow is P4,000 per bungalow per night. The rate is for 3 persons per deluxe bungalow. There is a charge of P350 per night for additional persons in the room in excess of 3 persons. There is a charge of P350 per night for each additional mattress requested.

Amenities included in the rate of a deluxe bungalow:

• 1 queen-sized bed and 1 single bed 
  
• with air-con
• with cable TV
• with mini refrigerator
• private toilet and shower, with hot and cold water 
• electric hot water thermos with free coffee, sugar and creamer
• free toiletries: shampoo in sachet and soap

Terms and Conditions:
Deposit:
We are required to make 50% deposit to confirm our reservation. The 50% deposit is to be deposited to their Bank of the Philippine Islands bank account

Cancellation:
In case of cancellation of booking, you will forfeit the 50% deposit you made.

Rebooking Policy:
If you rebook your reservation 2 weeks before arrival, you will not forfeit your deposit.

Check-in time: 2pm
-- we arrived around 12 nn and was allowed to check-in immediately since the room assigned to us was already free.

Check-out time: 12nn
-- since our pick-up time from the resort is at 230 pm, we checked out at 12 nn and our luggage was stored at reception.

Contact Information:
Isis Bungalows website 
Isis Bungalows email address 
Others: 
Isis Bungalows Resort: Traveler's Photos

When to catch SEAIR promo flights to Batanes

When to catch SEAIR promo flights to Batanes

 

What's New!!! 2010 SEAIR promo fares at the 21st Philippine Travel Mart on Sept 3-5, 2010

For the past few years, I noticed that the best time to watch out for SEAIR promo flights is during January, February and September.

SEAIR anniversary sale (released January)

Last January 2010, to commemorate their anniversary on March 25, they offered a Php1,400 peso discount for roundtrip airfare to Batanes for March to May peak season travel.
Date of travel: March to May 

SEAIR Travel Tour Expo Sale (held every 3rd weekend of February)
This is the biggest sale they offer for peak season travel. They offer buy-one-take one flights to Batanes. The fare is Php 14,344, inclusive of taxes, good for two people.
Date of travel: March 15 to June 15
When to purchase: only during the Travel Tour Expo 

It's cheapest to travel to Batanes from June 15-October 15. Fare is around Php 7,647 roundtrip per person, inclusive of taxes. 
Date of Travel: June 15-October 15 
When to purchase: at the Travel Tour Expo weekend in February till May 

SEAIR Philippine Travel Mart Sale (held every 3rd weekend of September): 

They usually offer buy-one-take one flights for September to October 15 travel. The fare is Php 14,344, inclusive of taxes, good for two people.

Date of Travel: September-October 15 

How to go to Batanes

How to go to Batanes

New!! Updated as of Feburary 9, 2013: Manila to Batanes flights (Airlines, Schedules, Fares)

Updated as of April 6, 2012: Skyjet flies from Manila to Batanes starting March 27, 2012
Updated as of August 10, 2012: There are currently no SEAIR flights to Batanes because they stop flights during low season. Read more at Seasonal flights of SEAIR

At present, the only way to reach Batanes from Manila is to fly via Southeast Asian Airlines (SEAIR). There are no other commercial passenger planes that flies direct from Manila to Basco, Batanes except SEAIR. Batanes airlines and SkyPasada flies from Laoag or Tuguegarao. (see other ways to go to Batanes)

Updated as of August 16, 2012:

There are three (3) airlines flying Manila to Batanes. The current status of these airlines are as follows:

Southeast Asian Airlines: has seasonal flights to Batanes, which means it has flights only during peak season travel, and suspends its flights during low  season travel. As of this writing, it has no flights to Batanes. The reservation officer said it may begin flights in October 2012. 

Skypasada Airlines: they have early morning flights twice a week from Manila to Batanes (Wednesday and Fridays), and afternoon flights twice a week from Batanes to Manila (Thursdays and Sundays). You can book flights online here.

Skyjet Airlines: they have weekly early morning Saturday flights from Manila to Batanes. It  currently cannot be booked online. See my post How to book Skyjet Airlines to Batanes

There are no RORO routes so it cannot even be accessed by motorbikes or other means of transportation. You can motorbike to Laoag or Tuguegarao but you still have to ride a plane from there to go to Batanes. You have to leave your motorbike in Laoag or Tuguegarao because the small planes landing at Basco airport cannot carry it. Even if the planes are willing to carry it, you will be charged at least 2 passengers worth of airfare. And that will be too expensive for the privilege of riding your motorbike around Batanes. Overall, it's cheaper to fly then to rent a motorcycle from the locals.

Another airline that may fly to Batanes soon is Air Philippines. According to their Chief Executive Adviser, Brian Hogan, "the company intends to open more “missionary routes” such as El Nido in Palawan, Tawi-Tawi, Jolo, Basco in Batanes and many more local destinations now served by roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) vessels." (see full article)

I will update you when this happens. For now, SEAIR is the only airlines flying direct from Manila-Batanes.

How to book SEAIR Flights

Regular flights of SEAIR from Manila to Batanes and vice versa is once a day. So it's best to book early. Seair uses the Dornier 328 planes, which only has 32 passengers per flight. This means only 32 passengers arrive in Batanes per day.  

During Spring (which is March to April), they have two flights per day. The second flight they open, which is the 5am flight, is usually delayed by an hour or two. So it's better to book the 8am flight rather than the 5am flight. You don't have to wake up too early only to end up leaving almost the same time as the 8am flight. Then in May, they increased flights again to three times a day. The rest of the year, they have only one flight per day. 

Read more on The Experience of Flying Seair

Cost and booking policy of SEAIR

You can book Seair online at www.flyseair.com. Total cost per person for roundtrip Manila-Batanes-Manila is :  

Php 13,647.20 per person

Fare : Php 11,670.00

Taxes and fees: 1,977.20

•  there are no child fare discounts.
• the online payment can be made using Visa or Mastercard.
• the online buyer is required to present the card that was used to purchase the ticket. Therefore, they require that at least one person in the group is the online buyer.  

More information on WHEN to catch SEAIR promo flights 


Airport Terminal Used by SEAIR
SEAIR currently flies from the Manila Domestic Airport. There are only two airlines flying from the Domestic Terminal. So, even during peak season, this terminal will not be crowded.

 

  

Will Kids Enjoy Batanes?

Will Kids Enjoy Batanes?

My husband and I went to Batanes March 2010, right after school. The kids were not with us. I didn't think they will enjoy the isolation and the nature tripping in Batanes. There's no TV at Fundacion Pacita, where we stayed. Internet connection is intermittent, meaning it comes and goes with the wind. We had a Smart Bro plug it but the connection is also difficult once the wind starts to blow. Smart has a good signal all throughout the island, but the Globe signal disappears occasionally. For kids who want to stay connected with their friends during out-of-town trips, this is not a situation they will like. Batanes is all about nature tripping and peace and quiet. There's nothing to do in the evenings after dinner.

So we decided not to bring them. We took our vacation, rested and enjoyed our time alone with each other. What is great about staying at Fundacion Pacita is it's fantastic view of the Pacific ocean and the hills. You don't have to go out of your room to enjoy what Batanes has to offer.

What Couples Will Enjoy

• isolation
• peace and quiet
• great views at your private view deck (if you're staying at Fundacion Pacita)
• proximity to Manila: only 1 1/2 hours away by plane
• totally different climate and weather from Manila (Batanes is nearer Taiwan than Manila)

What Kids Will Enjoy

If you have no choice but to bring your kids with you, there are things they will also enjoy, like:

• walking on top of Naidi Hills or Marlborough Hills while wrestling the strong winds (not your ordinary wind but signal no. 3 winds)
• riding the fallowa to Sabtang. It is known to be a rough ride and will beat your ordinary amusement park ride. Just make sure they drink Bonamine the night before. The fallowa is designed to cut through the waves. So it doesn't look like your ordinary banca or outrigger. The route to Sabtang is the point where the Pacific Ocean meets the South China Sea so the waves will be rough.
• swimming at the beach in Nakabuang beach in Sabtang during summer, but it's too cold to swim during the spring
• picnic under the Nakabuang Arch at Nakabuang beach
• fishing
• building stone blocks at Valugan Bay
• sitting on the boulders at Valugan bay near the waves
• running down the hills of Marlborough hills

What Kids Will Not Like

Here are the things your kids may not like about the place. This is to prepare you so you can provide alternative activities for them.

• no internet: just bring your own laptop and a Smart bro plug it for those times when you are lucky enough to catch the signal
• no TV: bring an MP3 player or a laptop loaded with videos
• no fast food meals: call and order in advance at Pension Ivatan. They need at least 1 1/2 hours to cook what you order. There are no pre-cooked meals in Batanes. So the kids will find it  unusual not to be able to have cooked food the moment they feel hungry. Another option is to call and have pizza delivered by Casa Napoli.