This is the best Philippines travel video I’ve seen. It’s full of great info and tips. I’ve already planned my trip there but I’m seriously considering changing my entire itinerary to visit some places you mentioned.
And thank you, I’m no longer spending 5 days of my 2 weeks in Cebu, gonna shoot over to Boracuy for 3-4 nights and I’ll stop by BGC if only for a night. Thanks again 😃
You brought up things I had never before thought of. Your experience in travel, and in life, is so valuable. I especially like the idea of holding over one night to recover before continuing on a long flight, and even financing it by flying one class down. The other money saving tips are gold for inexperienced travelers.
Great travel advice. Wow, so many cities on your itinerary to the Philippines. If someone is just testing the waters, maybe only two or three at most for a two-week trip and maybe three or four for three weeks to a month. Then if you are serious about making the move visit the rest. More important imho is to fit into the place a bit more and that takes time. The Philippines is a wonderful country and the people are its greatest treasure. Fewer sights to see than say Bali, Thailand, or Japan, but it has a strong culture and exceptionally warm people. With a much higher percentage speaking at least some English it is easier to get around and interact with folks. While many of us are older guys looking for love, having met many Filipino men during my trips with my wife, I would think it is also a good place for a Western woman to find a life companion. The men are also very sweet and family-oriented.
I used to travel a lot and have done all the spreadsheeting you can think of to track every component of a trip. This video, if there were a 5 star rating on overall travel hacks and hints would get 7 or 8 of 5 possible. Outstanding info clearly gained over a lifetime of first hand knowledge. Bookmarked this to watch a dozen more times until I can recite it. Brilliant work Rob. Thanks.
I have heard High prices all the way to $3500 down to $2000.What would be the total Estimate to get to CDO or Dipolog from L.A? @@FlyMeToThePhilippines
Valuable information! Manila to Dipolog is a worry for me. But looking into it the way you talk. It seems to be very cheap actually. Booking in advance and also on weekdays!@@FlyMeToThePhilippines
My SIGNs story is when in Mexico touring the Mayan ruins in a town with dirt roads and boardwalk sidewalks the police patrol went by at 11pm in a Toyota pickup with two in the cab and four in the pickup bed with M-16's this was the message from God it's time to go back to the Motel!
Really like you and Chrissy's channel. Getting prepared to go there in or about May. This vlog really gives me some good structure for creating my prep time-line. Thank you.
Been there done that on DFW 4pm arrival. My LIT flight from DFW was two hours late and I eventually landed at DFW, but only after my DFW-MAD flight had taken off without me. Being a weather related delay, American didn't want to book me another flight. They kept saying call tomorrow. I wandered the airport till I found an AA desk that was having to rebook customers due to an AA problem. I got in line and was the last person in the airport to get a flight. Good thing I booked the replacement flight because they tried to buy me out of that replacement ticket the next morning. So I spent the night at DFW, then was flown to Charlotte for more waiting. If I had tried to book a flight the next morning, I have no idea when I would have arrived in Spain. I started my trip with a 24 hour travel cushion and arrived in Zaragoza Spain 2 hours before my pick up time.
Love your video's I am up to 65 countries now, I find once out of the USA flights are so cheap, Like Taiwan to HK, to Da nang, to Korea, so cheap, I rented a scooter in Da Nang, and $23 luxury Hotel, went to Saigon and the motel I stayed at 40 years ago to the day! room 421, Grab is so cheap Huh! I do exactly what you do in your flights, so cheap to fly around once out of the USA as I said and after years of traveling, I surprised my friend in the Philippines after 3 years and she couldn't believe I came to see her! well she is not my friend any more, (Asawa) now LOL. What I like doing is, buy a one way ticket to my destination, then when I am ready I check out where the next cheap flights goes and book that, so on and so on. Everything you talked about on this video is excellent and like you read my mind. Be Safe Brother.
I was planning to visit Cebu from Thailand as a visa border extension by airplane, but the fares to Clark are less so I'm headed to Angeles Dec. 30-Jan. 4
Very good information. The airport in Bangkok connects to the light rail and you can take that to Sukhumvit area. It does close at midnight to 6am though.
Hi Rob. This was a good, quick overview. Could you do an A to Z, step by step outline of going to the Phils for the first time for a 30-day stay? Maybe cover less ground and just pick a good destination, maybe the alternative one you mentioned in Cebu that's not Cebu City? Then give us a step by step, what to pack (e.g. do we need voltage converters? Laptop? TP? Rain-resistant jacket? What kind of shoes? Thanks! Chrissie makes such a great model, especially dancing on a 777's wing!
Very informative and detailed tips video, thank you! If you could please make a monthly tour guide with all these suggested places in PH along with total cost for tickets, accomodation and daily food! I plan to visit PH next year in April or September, depends of my work i do... not only to visit as many sightseeings of the country, but also to date Filipinas for potentially marriage! God bless you and keep you safe!
I like to stop off in another country before flying on to the Philippines and have so far done HCMC and Seoul. Flying on to Cagayan De Oro, I found it easy and best to go via Cebu and I just stayed in the Waterfront Airport Hotel Mactan which is just opposite the airport.
Singapore is down further (Heck of a long flight) but adds a really interesting place to see. Taipei is also good and even Tokyo and Hong Kong. The last two also offer amazing sights.
Hi Rob, Chrissy. Great video and great points. Im planning my 1st trip to the Phils in April, 2024 for approximately 3 weeks. Im a Canadian but currently working in Qatar. There is a direct flight (Qatar Airways, 9.5 hrs) to Cebu so that works well for me. Im using this trip as a exploratory/vacation trip of the Philippines as a potential retirement destination in 5-7 years. I was looking on hitting up Cebu, Moalboal, Duma Area, Siquijor, Panglao/Bohol and return and fly back out of Cebu. I was looking spending +/- 3-4 days at each location. Wondering if Im trying to fit to much into that time frame. I would book accommodation in Cebu for when I arrive but I was wondering if I should be looking to book accommodation at other locations ahead of time or just do it when I’m there and have more flexibility. Interested in your thoughts based on your experience. Thanks and all the best to you both.
Wow, you're not leaving me muc room for excuses if I screw up :) One Thing: I've heard Manila airport is Crazy busy and has a problem with theft from internal agents etc. There was even a report in the paper that week of 2 different security agents getting busted. So I flew into Cebu and that airport is small and great immigration, super easy AND Cebu airport ALSO has an Airport Hotel right next to the International Flights area.... Checkout time is Noon and depending on the day there's a Ferry to Dumaguete/Tagbilaran that departs at 1pm, so just saying.
You made a comment about locking up your passport and extra credit cards and debit card. I have rented an apartment in Iloilo and there is no safe there. Where is a good place to safely store these things?
As a former criminal investigator I can tell you that the refrigerator is the first place thieves will look. A money belt is perhaps a thought. I always keep a “throw wallet” with some cash & old expired credit cards etc. when traveling.
I am planning a five weeks trip to the Philippines next month. I want to have a feel about the country to see if I wish to move there soon. My main reason to want to move to the Philippines is to have a long term relationship with a younger Filipina. I am 64 years old (looking for a woman in her thirties) and in good shape but I am tired of being single and I don't want to die alone. I am planning on visiting Dumaguete and Valencia. Do you have other cities to suggest? I wonder about Mindanao Island. There seems to be a lot of beautiful Filipina living there but I am concern about safety. Do you have some nice and safe cities in Mindanao to suggest? I don't want to waste a lot of time online dating, so I will start checking online dating only two weeks prior to my trip.
Airport exchange kiosk are the absolutely worse place to trade money if you’re leaving the country and you never plan to come back it’s a good place to get rid of your cash as a last resort
Speaking of not being a cheap Charlie it is better to fly business or first class for your meals are nicer, the beds are comfortable, you can expedite through immigration, you have vip lounges from beginning to end, you avoid people hitting your seat and rarely do children ride in first or business class. If you fly Emirates airways on the A-380 they also schedule shower times in their teak wood showers and have a horseshoe bar once at cruising altitude. Most of all I am quite tall and do not fit in coach seats and hate being squeezed in between two rotund individuals. Don’t be a cheap Charlie. Good luck with your decisions and live with your choices.
It's economics in my view. On our last trip to PH my wife and I flew Business class on Singapore Airlines with her using Kris miles and my ticket was $4,300 (Quite cheap for Singapore.) The lay-flat seats are awesome as is the food and service (Love the champagne and the garlic bread). You can do a book-the-cook option and choose a fabulous meal. For me, I still didn't get much sleep, but I did land well-rested and happy. With an economy ticket at that time at $900 that's quite the premium though. If you want to make it a special treat, or are well off, it's a great option. Mot of airlines now also have premium economy that gives you more space, better recline, and usually better food. Read up on each airline though because there is huge variability in what each airline offers. Expect to pay at least double the cost of economy, but still half that of Business class. If time isn't an issue just adding a day to chill and relax upon arrival makes it all good. I love the Fairmont, Makati for that.
Are you kidding me ? This was the most Confusing video I’ve ever seen!!?? So much fast talking information about places I don’t even know, I’ve never left the USA , I was just left with my head swimming like what the heck is he jamming into this video, I don’t want to fly all over the place, taking ferries & on & on ?? Can you talk slower, explain better about how and what all these things are?? Just get me from New York to Cebu and simply tell me the closest decent hotel for a 72 year old man gezzz ????
Boy did I screw up, I booked a flight to Cebo from New York with one 4hour stop it leaves New York at 12:55 pm ??? 🫤😱. I can’t get a refund as far as I know, I booked this with Priceline , one way, couldn’t initially afford the round trip ticket, I wrote a comment explaining this in here above 15 minutes ago, and continued to watch this video about where to fly into and about the timing with weather, Ohh brother, this old retired man is now thinking of scraping the whole thing!!??🤯😱🤷🏻♂️. I’m supposed to fly into Cebu leaving New York at 12:55 pm. I’m blank on thinking about this anymore, I could suck it up and go But I’ll have to book an exit ticket that Priceline wants 196 dollars for to Hong Kong??? 🧐 waste of money. And I didn’t book a hotel in Cebu I don’t know which to book??? I want something decent, Ohhh brother I think I just screwed this whole thing up and paid for a one way ticket that is non- refundable!!!! Go ahead just say it !! “ You icehole “.
This is the best Philippines travel video I’ve seen. It’s full of great info and tips. I’ve already planned my trip there but I’m seriously considering changing my entire itinerary to visit some places you mentioned.
Thanks Yardie appreciate the feedback
And thank you, I’m no longer spending 5 days of my 2 weeks in Cebu, gonna shoot over to Boracuy for 3-4 nights and I’ll stop by BGC if only for a night. Thanks again 😃
I LOVE your content, your special effects, and your personalities, thank you so much for creating this!
Glad you like them! We appreciate your support and taking the time to write a comment with feedback
Outstanding, professional video where insights are so generously shared - thanks Rob
Thanks for the positive feedback, David
You brought up things I had never before thought of. Your experience in travel, and in life, is so valuable. I especially like the idea of holding over one night to recover before continuing on a long flight, and even financing it by flying one class down. The other money saving tips are gold for inexperienced travelers.
🙏 as usual, we are honored to have you as a viewer and appreciate it another well written comment. Good to hear from you again today.
Wow !So much information in this one. It's going to take a few viewings to take it all in. Thank you for all your hard work. 🙏
You are so welcome Stephen
Great travel advice. Wow, so many cities on your itinerary to the Philippines. If someone is just testing the waters, maybe only two or three at most for a two-week trip and maybe three or four for three weeks to a month. Then if you are serious about making the move visit the rest. More important imho is to fit into the place a bit more and that takes time. The Philippines is a wonderful country and the people are its greatest treasure. Fewer sights to see than say Bali, Thailand, or Japan, but it has a strong culture and exceptionally warm people. With a much higher percentage speaking at least some English it is easier to get around and interact with folks.
While many of us are older guys looking for love, having met many Filipino men during my trips with my wife, I would think it is also a good place for a Western woman to find a life companion. The men are also very sweet and family-oriented.
Thanks for sharing Paul
I used to travel a lot and have done all the spreadsheeting you can think of to track every component of a trip. This video, if there were a 5 star rating on overall travel hacks and hints would get 7 or 8 of 5 possible. Outstanding info clearly gained over a lifetime of first hand knowledge. Bookmarked this to watch a dozen more times until I can recite it. Brilliant work Rob. Thanks.
Thanks for the kind words! I'm glad you found it helpful.
Tripit just installed...
👍
Good stuff as usual 👊
Good to hear from you again, thank you again for your support and your comment
This video is just in time! Have not even watched it yet!😮
I hope you enjoy drop us another comment to tell us what you think
I have heard High prices all the way to $3500 down to $2000.What would be the total Estimate to get to CDO or Dipolog from L.A? @@FlyMeToThePhilippines
1000 manila round trip 50 to Dipolog if booked separately
Valuable information! Manila to Dipolog is a worry for me. But looking into it the way you talk. It seems to be very cheap actually. Booking in advance and also on weekdays!@@FlyMeToThePhilippines
Thanks Rob! I always forget your name but remember Krissy. Boy I wonder why that is! :)
I really enjoyed my trip to Hilyean Park in Bukidnon and yes it is cooler.
Thanks for sharing
Your best video yet!
Thanks Gym.
You guys make really high-quality videos!
Thank you we love to hear it. I really appreciate the comment. It helps the channel so much.
You are a saint!
Thank you, my friend
You're welcome!
Thanks alot , great content.
Glad you liked it! thanks Kevin glad to see you here enjoying the channel and thanks so much for the comment
Thanks I needed this..
I will be heading that way in June for the 1st time..👍🏾🇺🇲 🇵🇭
Thanks for writing and viewing our video. Ronald look forward to seeing you in June.
Never ever except the conversation at the atm, never!
Conversion ✅
Wow, thank you so much for this wonderful information!!!
www.blog.book2wheel.com/2022/11/29/motorcycle-driving-license-rules-in-the-philippines-for-foreign-tourists-2023/
very pro travel! 😍
Thanks! 😃
My SIGNs story is when in Mexico touring the Mayan ruins in a town with dirt roads and boardwalk sidewalks the police patrol went by at 11pm in a Toyota pickup with two in the cab and four in the pickup bed with M-16's this was the message from God it's time to go back to the Motel!
😮
I fly out next month, thanks for the tips
Enjoy your trip!
Really like you and Chrissy's channel. Getting prepared to go there in or about May. This vlog really gives me some good structure for creating my prep time-line. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. It really helps the channel.
Thank you for the information!
Thanks for watching
Been there done that on DFW 4pm arrival. My LIT flight from DFW was two hours late and I eventually landed at DFW, but only after my DFW-MAD flight had taken off without me. Being a weather related delay, American didn't want to book me another flight. They kept saying call tomorrow. I wandered the airport till I found an AA desk that was having to rebook customers due to an AA problem. I got in line and was the last person in the airport to get a flight. Good thing I booked the replacement flight because they tried to buy me out of that replacement ticket the next morning. So I spent the night at DFW, then was flown to Charlotte for more waiting. If I had tried to book a flight the next morning, I have no idea when I would have arrived in Spain. I started my trip with a 24 hour travel cushion and arrived in Zaragoza Spain 2 hours before my pick up time.
Smart to build in that cushion upfront
Chose the layover option for long haul flights. I did a 17 hour direct flight and I would not wish it on my worst enemy.
I agree ☝️. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. It really helps our channel.
Love your video's I am up to 65 countries now, I find once out of the USA flights are so cheap, Like Taiwan to HK, to Da nang, to Korea, so cheap, I rented a scooter in Da Nang, and $23 luxury Hotel, went to Saigon and the motel I stayed at 40 years ago to the day! room 421,
Grab is so cheap Huh! I do exactly what you do in your flights, so cheap to fly around once out of the USA as I said and after years of traveling, I surprised my friend in the Philippines after 3 years and she couldn't believe I came to see her! well she is not my friend any more, (Asawa) now LOL. What I like doing is, buy a one way ticket to my destination, then when I am ready I check out where the next cheap flights goes and book that, so on and so on. Everything you talked about on this video is excellent and like you read my mind. Be Safe Brother.
Love reading this comment. Thanks Shado
I was planning to visit Cebu from Thailand as a visa border extension by airplane, but the fares to Clark are less so I'm headed to Angeles Dec. 30-Jan. 4
Have fun safe travels
Very good information. The airport in Bangkok connects to the light rail and you can take that to Sukhumvit area. It does close at midnight to 6am though.
Thanks for sharing
Hi Rob. This was a good, quick overview. Could you do an A to Z, step by step outline of going to the Phils for the first time for a 30-day stay? Maybe cover less ground and just pick a good destination, maybe the alternative one you mentioned in Cebu that's not Cebu City? Then give us a step by step, what to pack (e.g. do we need voltage converters? Laptop? TP? Rain-resistant jacket? What kind of shoes? Thanks!
Chrissie makes such a great model, especially dancing on a 777's wing!
Thanks. I like the idea 💡
Very informative and detailed tips video, thank you! If you could please make a monthly tour guide with all these suggested places in PH along with total cost for tickets, accomodation and daily food! I plan to visit PH next year in April or September, depends of my work i do... not only to visit as many sightseeings of the country, but also to date Filipinas for potentially marriage! God bless you and keep you safe!
Noted! Thanks for the suggestion, and taking the time to comment it really helps our channel
I like to stop off in another country before flying on to the Philippines and have so far done HCMC and Seoul. Flying on to Cagayan De Oro, I found it easy and best to go via Cebu and I just stayed in the Waterfront Airport Hotel Mactan which is just opposite the airport.
Good to know
Singapore is down further (Heck of a long flight) but adds a really interesting place to see. Taipei is also good and even Tokyo and Hong Kong. The last two also offer amazing sights.
Hi Rob, Chrissy. Great video and great points. Im planning my 1st trip to the Phils in April, 2024 for approximately 3 weeks. Im a Canadian but currently working in Qatar. There is a direct flight (Qatar Airways, 9.5 hrs) to Cebu so that works well for me. Im using this trip as a exploratory/vacation trip of the Philippines as a potential retirement destination in 5-7 years. I was looking on hitting up Cebu, Moalboal, Duma Area, Siquijor, Panglao/Bohol and return and fly back out of Cebu. I was looking spending +/- 3-4 days at each location. Wondering if Im trying to fit to much into that time frame. I would book accommodation in Cebu for when I arrive but I was wondering if I should be looking to book accommodation at other locations ahead of time or just do it when I’m there and have more flexibility. Interested in your thoughts based on your experience. Thanks and all the best to you both.
It’s a good itinerary I would spend less time in Mobile, Dumi and Pang and try and squeeze in two nights minimum in El Nido
talking only about Cebu City not Cebu province where most tourist go ex. Oslob, Moalboal, Bantayan isl, camotes isl. Badian.
Yes of course
been a long haul trucker my entire life minus a brief stent as a medic. my biggest fear is I have no idea how to use the airport or swap planes
Let me know if I can help
Rob, what is the cheapest site to buy one way tickets to the Philippines?
I use Google flights
Wow, you're not leaving me muc room for excuses if I screw up :) One Thing: I've heard Manila airport is Crazy busy and has a problem with theft from internal agents etc. There was even a report in the paper that week of 2 different security agents getting busted. So I flew into Cebu and that airport is small and great immigration, super easy AND Cebu airport ALSO has an Airport Hotel right next to the International Flights area.... Checkout time is Noon and depending on the day there's a Ferry to Dumaguete/Tagbilaran that departs at 1pm, so just saying.
Good to know
You made a comment about locking up your passport and extra credit cards and debit card. I have rented an apartment in Iloilo and there is no safe there. Where is a good place to safely store these things?
John some people use the frig, others shoes, under furniture, possibly google other suggestions for hotel rooms. Always carry front pocket
Thanks for the information.😊
As a former criminal investigator I can tell you that the refrigerator is the first place thieves will look.
A money belt is perhaps a thought. I always keep a “throw wallet” with some cash & old expired credit cards etc. when traveling.
I am planning a five weeks trip to the Philippines next month. I want to have a feel about the country to see if I wish to move there soon. My main reason to want to move to the Philippines is to have a long term relationship with a younger Filipina. I am 64 years old (looking for a woman in her thirties) and in good shape but I am tired of being single and I don't want to die alone. I am planning on visiting Dumaguete and Valencia. Do you have other cities to suggest? I wonder about Mindanao Island. There seems to be a lot of beautiful Filipina living there but I am concern about safety. Do you have some nice and safe cities in Mindanao to suggest? I don't want to waste a lot of time online dating, so I will start checking online dating only two weeks prior to my trip.
Davao is often referred as safest city in Ph, I find CDO very safe and comfortable
Thanks. I prefer smaller, less polluted city. I may visit CDO@@FlyMeToThePhilippines
Rather trade in cash at airport before flying out.
Watch markets. Foreigners generally will be charged more.
Airport exchange kiosk are the absolutely worse place to trade money if you’re leaving the country and you never plan to come back it’s a good place to get rid of your cash as a last resort
Speaking of not being a cheap Charlie it is better to fly business or first class for your meals are nicer, the beds are comfortable, you can expedite through immigration, you have vip lounges from beginning to end, you avoid people hitting your seat and rarely do children ride in first or business class. If you fly Emirates airways on the A-380 they also schedule shower times in their teak wood showers and have a horseshoe bar once at cruising altitude. Most of all I am quite tall and do not fit in coach seats and hate being squeezed in between two rotund individuals. Don’t be a cheap Charlie. Good luck with your decisions and live with your choices.
Great point of view. Thanks for sharing
It's economics in my view. On our last trip to PH my wife and I flew Business class on Singapore Airlines with her using Kris miles and my ticket was $4,300 (Quite cheap for Singapore.) The lay-flat seats are awesome as is the food and service (Love the champagne and the garlic bread). You can do a book-the-cook option and choose a fabulous meal. For me, I still didn't get much sleep, but I did land well-rested and happy. With an economy ticket at that time at $900 that's quite the premium though. If you want to make it a special treat, or are well off, it's a great option. Mot of airlines now also have premium economy that gives you more space, better recline, and usually better food. Read up on each airline though because there is huge variability in what each airline offers. Expect to pay at least double the cost of economy, but still half that of Business class. If time isn't an issue just adding a day to chill and relax upon arrival makes it all good. I love the Fairmont, Makati for that.
Avoid Ryanair. Trust me
Not much legroom
@@FlyMeToThePhilippines even less fuel hahaha
They only carry enough to reach the destination.
They have had a few close calls already
This all sounds so confusing, you’re naming All this places to go and stay !!! Jesus!! Who can remember all this??
Email me if you’re interested I can consult for 90 minutes for 50 USD and help with your travel plans. Flymetothephilippines@gmail.com
Are you kidding me ? This was the most Confusing video I’ve ever seen!!?? So much fast talking information about places I don’t even know, I’ve never left the USA , I was just left with my head swimming like what the heck is he jamming into this video, I don’t want to fly all over the place, taking ferries & on & on ?? Can you talk slower, explain better about how and what all these things are?? Just get me from New York to Cebu and simply tell me the closest decent hotel for a 72 year old man gezzz ????
Well I appreciate the feedback. You can email me at fly me to the philippines@gmail.com and I can create a custom travel itinerary for you.
Boy did I screw up, I booked a flight to Cebo from New York with one 4hour stop it leaves New York at 12:55 pm ??? 🫤😱. I can’t get a refund as far as I know, I booked this with Priceline , one way, couldn’t initially afford the round trip ticket, I wrote a comment explaining this in here above 15 minutes ago, and continued to watch this video about where to fly into and about the timing with weather, Ohh brother, this old retired man is now thinking of scraping the whole thing!!??🤯😱🤷🏻♂️. I’m supposed to fly into Cebu leaving New York at 12:55 pm. I’m blank on thinking about this anymore, I could suck it up and go But I’ll have to book an exit ticket that Priceline wants 196 dollars for to Hong Kong??? 🧐 waste of money. And I didn’t book a hotel in Cebu I don’t know which to book??? I want something decent, Ohhh brother I think I just screwed this whole thing up and paid for a one way ticket that is non- refundable!!!! Go ahead just say it !! “ You icehole “.
Go to onwardticket.com. Buy it night before your departure