| I'm an American living in the Philippines and when I | | | | ranged in price from $45.00 to $68.00 per night. |
| was asked to write an article on Vacation Rentals, | | | | The $45.00 rental sleeps three and the remaining |
| I thought I might be able to lend a different | | | | rentals sleep four. At current exchange rates, that |
| perspective on the subject. I've lived here just | | | | is from 2,040 pesos to 3,080 pesos per night. |
| over 9 months now (in Mindanao) and I've | | | | Sounds cheap, but when you consider that the |
| traveled around some as well. | | | | average Filipino earns around 250 pesos per day, |
| There is no doubt that the Philippines is an | | | | its only a bargain from an outsider's paradigm. |
| excellent choice for a vacation. These are some | | | | When I travel here, I can find a decent room for |
| of the most beautiful islands in the world. I would | | | | 1200 to 1500 pesos per night. If I don't need a lot |
| compare the Philippines favorably with Hawaii in | | | | of space, I can get clean, comfortable lodgings |
| terms of climate and geography. The Hawaiian | | | | with air-conditioning and cable TV for 500 pesos a |
| Islands and the islands, which form the Philippine | | | | night. You can't bring your family to a room like |
| Archipelago, both arose from volcanic activity. As | | | | that; it's the size of a jail cell. |
| a result, they share most of the geographical | | | | Manila is a fascinating, sprawling, historic and fun |
| features one associates with volcanic activity. | | | | city, but it isn't my "cup of tea". I would |
| They also share similar climates, similar flora and a | | | | encourage you to spend at least half your stay |
| marvelous, friendly native population. The | | | | visiting elsewhere in the Islands. |
| similarities largely end there. The Philippines is part | | | | I would highly recommend Bohol and Panglao, in |
| of the developing world. We formerly called | | | | particular. Panglao Island has the most gorgeous |
| nations like this, third world countries, but I think | | | | white sand beaches and tons of touristy things to |
| that has become politically incorrect. I certainly | | | | do. Bohol is the home of the world famous |
| mean nothing disrespectful by using the term. I | | | | chocolate hills and the trip is worth it just to see |
| just want to make it clear the Philippines is a poor | | | | these amazing geological formations. Bohol also |
| country. It is not similar to Hawaii, in economic | | | | has some of the oldest Spanish churches |
| terms. | | | | anywhere in the Philippines and they are |
| Getting here from the USA is not prohibitively | | | | magnificent examples of 16th and 17th century |
| expensive. A good travel agent can get you a | | | | Spanish architecture. Enjoy a riverboat cruise, |
| round-trip ticket for between $1200 and $1500 | | | | which includes lunch and a display of local folk |
| depending on when you travel. Don't try to come | | | | dances and music. Visit the tarsier refuge and hold |
| here around Christmas! The flights are booked up | | | | the tiniest monkey in the world in the palm of |
| with Filipino OFW's (Overseas Foreign Workers) | | | | your hand! Stop by the Blood Compact |
| returning for their most important holiday! January | | | | monument commemorating the peace treaty |
| through May or September through November, | | | | between the Spaniard Legazpi and the Bohol |
| are good and defined as the 'dry' season. The | | | | Chieftain Sikatuna in 1565. |
| balance of the year is the 'wet or rainy' season. | | | | Now remember, Panglao is a resort, so cheap is |
| Be prepared for a long flight. It's never direct. | | | | not on the radar. I located a vacation rental for |
| You're going to Japan or Korea (13 Hours) then | | | | 2800 pesos per night for four persons. The same |
| onward to Manila (4 Hours) more or less. You will | | | | property is 2000 pesos per night for two persons |
| also have time to kill in Korea or Japan waiting for | | | | on Panglao Island. That's $44.00 (USD) and $61.00 |
| your connecting flight. | | | | (USD). That's comparable to what you might pay |
| Well, to get back on point, I checked a few sites | | | | in Manila and it is a very nice property. |
| on vacation rentals here in the Islands and there | | | | Do visit the Philippines! It is a fantastic vacation |
| are several in Metro Manila. I zeroed in on four in | | | | spot and English speakers are everywhere. |
| Makati, Manila, all of which looked great and they | | | | |