General Info

[MrHappyKat]

With much help gleaned from posts here and from insightful replies to my questions, my originally planned trip last June never happened. A rather ill-timed health issue forced me to cancel. Fortunately, my total cash losses were limited to about $350 from airfare cancelation fees.

Now I'm back on track and have booked 16 days, split between Manila and Angeles, in mid-March. It's been interesting to see (from ongoing posts here) how things have changed over the last 6-8 months:

The Good:

1. COVID bureaucracy (tests, forms, etc.) have faded away. And wearing masks seems to me a remaining "requirement" that is easily ignored with little consequence.

2. More hotels are open for leisure booking (no longer exclusively quarantine) and guest polices are generally favorable.

3. More bars are open, or reopened, or newly opened. So if you believe that ample supply drives a wider number of choices, it's a good time to go shopping for whatever niche tickles your fancy.

4. FX rates are more favorable right now. Around PHP55 to $1 USD. Hoping they will stay at or over 55 until I arrive in March.

The not as Good:

1. None of the hotels I booked last time required a deposit or payment in full at time of booking. No so today. Both hotels in Manila (Manila Lotus Hotel, Makati Palace) required full payment, non-refundable, at booking. Fortunately, the ABC Hotel in Angeles did not require payment in advance. This is one of the most expensive (for a reason!) hotels to book, so being able to keep my cash for now, and possibly getting a cash discount when I arrive make the pre-pay mode in Manila more bearable.

2. More clubs open. But. Less top-shelf talent available in any given location. Lots of speculation here about causes: Korean buyer dominance, girls learning how to hustle online cash, or fewer new / fresh arrivals from other regions. Who knows? Again, from reports here it seems that even with diminished supply and / or quality, there are still gems to be found. Or maybe it's easy to rationalize that the best pussy available is still better than no pussy at all.

3. On top of supply issues, prices are up. Way up. ST and LT Bar fines climbing. ST rates are sometimes over PHP5,000 (plus mandatory tips up to PHP5,000 in Manila). FL rates also up past the PHP3,000-5,000 level or more. And escort services like Smooci up to PHP6,000-12,000 for 2 hours. These are still considerably lower than typical P-4-P rates in the US (including pros, sugar babies, and take-home strippers), so I can still anticipate getting what I want for what I can easily afford. But when you add in airfare costs, you get a lot closer to a break-even point in local costs for P-4-P vs. Philippines costs for P-4-P.

What is about the same:

1. Dealing with SIM cards / local phone service.

2. Local and inter-city transportation (trikes, Grab. Taxis, busses, private car).

3. Food / restaurant scene.

4. Weather. Mother Nature does not give one fuck if you like heat or cold, or rain or shine. You get what you get: Hot and humid.

5. Non-COVID travel stuff: Visa's, immigration, etc.

So there it is. I'm still interested in getting accurate and comprehensive intel on bar fines, girl tips, and FL rates for ST and LT. Sadly, many FR's do not specify if a rate is ST or LT, if they include any amounts at all.

Thanks again for all the assists and advice. I plan on submitting detailed FR's along the way.

[AsianPursuits]

I've paid plenty of Domestic airport charges over the years. Never more than a coupe of hundred pesos.

Yes, I was referring to the Domestic departure charges that had previously been getting charged. The in person collection method has disappeared at some point.

For once, it is a positive change as it always caught me out not having the right money.

[WestCoast1]

Are we talking International or Domestic Departures?

I've paid plenty of Domestic airport charges over the years. Never more than a coupe of hundred pesos.

My only International charge for the last decade was to the Benevolent Customs Officers' Christmas Fund when I overstayed by two days.

I think the OP was referring to Domestic. I flew from the province to NAIA last year and paid no local charge. The airport in that province is newer, from just a few years prior to Covid. I only paid the local departure tax once (p200) when the airport first opened. Have not paid it since.

[Goferring]

I'm confused. Don't think that I've paid a departure tax anywhere in Phils since about 2015-2016? Others?

Are we talking International or Domestic Departures?

I've paid plenty of Domestic airport charges over the years. Never more than a coupe of hundred pesos.

My only International charge for the last decade was to the Benevolent Customs Officers' Christmas Fund when I overstayed by two days.

[WestCoast1]

Well its Noche Buena in panty-drop land. From my ranch to yours: Merry Christmas, gents. Remember to hold on to something you believe in. Seize the day and make the most of the ride. Don't let go until you've given it your all.

Enjoy the pics.

[AsianPursuits]

I'm confused. Don't think that I've paid a departure tax anywhere in Phils since about 2015-2016? Others?

I was definitely getting slugged in Surigao in 2017, Siargao 2018. Local airport boards benefited by being laggards.

Bali did the same after the Arrival tax was removed by the national government they continued to collect it on arrival in DPS as it was 'too hard' to stop. It did stop in 2019 but now it's also back there.

[Pute Nut]

Maybe someone could check to see it's actually not included in the ticket prices which makes sense.

Clark collected terminal fee cash on outbound international until recently. Now it's included. MIA included this in ticket price long before CRK.

https://clarkinternationalairport.co...e-integration/

[WestCoast1]

During my travels this month and last I can report that Philippine airports have not been collecting any 'departure' in-person passenger charge.

I know pre-Covid Manila was the only airport where it was included in the ticket. Now I am just realizing that I did not get asked at any of the airports including Cebu and three other smaller regional airports.

Maybe someone could check to see it's actually not included in the ticket prices which makes sense.

I'm confused. Don't think that I've paid a departure tax anywhere in Phils since about 2015-2016? Others?

[GDreams]

What is the best beach or island in the Philippines to boogie board. I would like it to have some whoring on the island for night time but I want to boogie board a couple hours every morning. I don't want to just stay in the concrete jungle and go to go go bars every day and night. Thanks.

I believe different beaches have different seasons for surf. Siargo Island is famous. Around Carmines I have heard but not been.

[Golfinho]

What is the best beach or island in the Philippines to boogie board. I would like it to have some whoring on the island for night time but I want to boogie board a couple hours every morning. I don't want to just stay in the concrete jungle and go to go go bars every day and night. Thanks.

Siargao Island.

[AsianPursuits]

During my travels this month and last I can report that Philippine airports have not been collecting any 'departure' in-person passenger charge.

I know pre-Covid Manila was the only airport where it was included in the ticket. Now I am just realizing that I did not get asked at any of the airports including Cebu and three other smaller regional airports.

Maybe someone could check to see it's actually not included in the ticket prices which makes sense.

[TjBrazil]

What is the best beach or island in the Philippines to boogie board. I would like it to have some whoring on the island for night time but I want to boogie board a couple hours every morning. I don't want to just stay in the concrete jungle and go to go go bars every day and night. Thanks.

[WestCoast1]

I know this question has probably been asked before but let's ask again to my tastes. Okay, ready to finally visit Philippines or Thailand. Where should I go. Looking for quality not quantity now. I'm 50 now. Which country has the hottest 18 to 23.

Go to both places, spend 6 months, have a look-see. There's no way for us to guess what your opinion of 'hottest' is.

Are the less touristy cities in Philippines or Thailand the better play. I'm really looking for something different this go around. I want be with a non hooker for most of the time there and sneak away to the working girl houses on the side.

I'm with ED, that's a bad idea. Join the long list of fellas who want that. The better play with a GF in the province is for you to slip out of town to see other ladies. A jaunt each 6 weeks or so to AC is not a bad idea.

The alternative in the province is to use cheap pensione houses or ST hotels in your town. But the chismosa will eventually get back to your girl, or worse, to her family. Hell hath no fury like a pinay's family scorned.

Hua Hin looks amazing. Does DIA have enough selection to find one or two girls to date in Hua Hin for that week. Are there side hookers places or all regular chicks.

Mixing up geographic locations in the incorrect thread. Please move this discussion to the Thailand forums.

[Engine Driver]

Should I book my whole vacation in Hua Hin. Can I boogie board there everyday. .Smooci looks like a great site. Very affordable too. Is Thai friendly mostly hookers like Colombian dating sites.

So many questions. Just RTFF. It's all in the Thailand section. You seem to like flying manager class.

[Chocha Monger]

Your proposal to have a girlfriend with full emotional attachment, then sneaking off to fuck hookers on the side is not a good idea. It will not end well. Don't lead girls on into thinking you're going to marry them. It's cruel. Just fuck hookers, or have a temporary girlfriend telling her upfront it just a business arrangement. Plenty will take your offer as it's better than sitting in a dorm room with no money.

Your recommendation makes sense for the monger who flies under the radar. However, some mongers need drama and danger to get it up. Promising normal girls eternal love and fidelity in order to use them for girlfriend sex while betraying them to have nasty sex with hookers is the ultimate sex tourist fantasy. If her daddy or uncle is a vengeful policeman or local politician, it just makes things more saucy and dangerous. It is just what the average middle-aged monger needs to feel alive again.