General Info

[Old And Ugly]

On the theme of night markets, I'll throw in my 2 cents and say that the ones in Davao are also great. About 250 per meal for BBQ anything.

Cheers. G.

Can't wait to get there next month. I rented an apt in Matina Aplaya, do you know the place? I don't know if was a good choice, but I paid the for first month already.

[Goferring]

Actually I enjoyed the food on Malapasqua, the night market full of seafood dishes is a rare thing in the PH.

On the theme of night markets, I'll throw in my 2 cents and say that the ones in Davao are also great. About 250 per meal for BBQ anything.

Cheers. G.

[Old And Ugly]

Well you could enjoy the terrible Italian food that seems to all come from the same kitchen no matter the name on the door! Or at least that was the only options when I went there in 2017. Thresher Sharks were cool though.

And the boat isn't the worst part. The drive back to the airport from the ferry port was no joy either.

Actually I enjoyed the food on Malapasqua, the night market full of seafood dishes is a rare thing in the PH. For lunch time I had the guy with the only "restaurant" on the north beach grill a huge fresh caught baby tuna for 600 p, me and my GF were eating, also we fed everyday 2 cute girls that were selling trinkets allover the island, and they figured out after few days that if they are around there at lunch, they will get fed (too young to be mongering candidates) and we had leftovers for a few dogs. Next door there was a fancy resort with people sipping bright colored chemicals from tall glasses, and eating fries, and burgers, looking down on us.

[Expat American]

I think that applies to most of the islands to the north of Cebu. I've been trapped on Malapascua for days for the reason you mention. Trust me, when the dive boats are stopped, there is NOTHING to do until leaving the island is an option.

Well you could enjoy the terrible Italian food that seems to all come from the same kitchen no matter the name on the door! Or at least that was the only options when I went there in 2017. Thresher Sharks were cool though.

And the boat isn't the worst part. The drive back to the airport from the ferry port was no joy either.

[WestCoast1]

Speaking of airports. See pics. From PAL, the winter seat sale. While the pic boasts a price as low as p209 (first pic), I found all domestic fares in the p1100-1200 range (second pic). Look for yourself. These are 1-way fares. Add in the additional taxes and fees (typically p2 k+), and you are at p3-4 k per 1-way ticket, or p6-8 k round-trip. The sale is ongoing.

[Old And Ugly]

I stand corrected!

There was a big news story back in late 2020 announcing that the airport had re-opened;.

https://sugbo.ph/2020/bantayan-island-airport

"Good news for Bantayan Island and the travelers! The Cebu Provincial Government, spearheaded by Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, and Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) have formally re-opened the newly-renovated Bantayan Island Airport.

As of December 2020, commercial flights to the public and local tourists have yet to be announced. AirJuan is expected to resume Mactan Bantayan flights by 1st Quarter of 2021."

But it looks like they never did! I just had a quick look online and I can't find any flight schedules from AirJuan (I think that their website is dead) or from other other airlines.

I asure you 1000% that's not true, I would have been the first to fly, regardless of the price, the minimum 5 hours trip to reach civilization is a horror. The occasional flights in and out are only in small airplanes for skydiving. While I was living there few expats, tried to organize something with our own money to contract a plane or a chopper not locally, but maybe from a bigger place like Cebu, Iloilo, or Bacolod, that will come in case of an emergency, to take you to a hospital, so that you don't die waiting for the boat, but it didn't worked out, mostly because of the bureaucracy.

[Mdemde]

I lived there for a long time, and I still in touch with some locals, but I'm 99% sure there are no flights, unless it happened to change overnight.

I stand corrected!

There was a big news story back in late 2020 announcing that the airport had re-opened;.

https://sugbo.ph/2020/bantayan-island-airport

"Good news for Bantayan Island and the travelers! The Cebu Provincial Government, spearheaded by Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, and Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) have formally re-opened the newly-renovated Bantayan Island Airport.

As of December 2020, commercial flights to the public and local tourists have yet to be announced. AirJuan is expected to resume Mactan Bantayan flights by 1st Quarter of 2021."

But it looks like they never did! I just had a quick look online and I can't find any flight schedules from AirJuan (I think that their website is dead) or from other other airlines.

[Goferring]

Anyway, if you go there, BYO, and build in lots of flexibility into your travel plans, you may be stuck on the island for days in the row, the orders to cancel all water traffic comes from Cebu even if the local weather is fine, and it's enforced by the Coast Guard.

I think that applies to most of the islands to the north of Cebu. I've been trapped on Malapascua for days for the reason you mention. Trust me, when the dive boats are stopped, there is NOTHING to do until leaving the island is an option.

[Old And Ugly]

I've also been to Bantayan Island, and thought it was definitely worth the visit. I got a bus up from Cebu City, it was about a 3 hour ride and I don't think the driver went more than about 35 mph though the average speed was a lot lower! It's not a very good road, and when we arrived at the ferry terminal at Hagnaya Port we found out that all ferries that day had been cancelled because of the weather. It wasn't that bad, but the forecast was for it to get worse so for safety reasons all ferry services were cancelled. They couldn't tell us when the ferry service would resume, and some bus passengers took the next bus back to Cebu City. I found a hotel near to the port and stayed the night, not knowing if the ferry service to Bantayan Island would resume the next day, but thankfully it did.

In 2020 they re-opened the airport on Bantayan Island which had fallen into disrepair and was closed for a number of years, and direct flights are now available from Mactan airport.

I lived there for a long time, and I still in touch with some locals, but I'm 99% sure there are no flights, unless it happened to change overnight.

Anyway, if you go there, BYO, and build in lots of flexibility into your travel plans, you may be stuck on the island for days in the row, the orders to cancel all water traffic comes from Cebu even if the local weather is fine, and it's enforced by the Coast Guard. Also if you're prone to health issues emergencies, just plan for the funeral arrangements, because it will take 5 hours under the best circumstances to reach the closest ER.

[Mdemde]

Probably the nicest place I've visited is Bantayan Island off the north coast of Cebu.

I've also been to Bantayan Island, and thought it was definitely worth the visit. I got a bus up from Cebu City, it was about a 3 hour ride and I don't think the driver went more than about 35 mph though the average speed was a lot lower! It's not a very good road, and when we arrived at the ferry terminal at Hagnaya Port we found out that all ferries that day had been cancelled because of the weather. It wasn't that bad, but the forecast was for it to get worse so for safety reasons all ferry services were cancelled. They couldn't tell us when the ferry service would resume, and some bus passengers took the next bus back to Cebu City. I found a hotel near to the port and stayed the night, not knowing if the ferry service to Bantayan Island would resume the next day, but thankfully it did.

In 2020 they re-opened the airport on Bantayan Island which had fallen into disrepair and was closed for a number of years, and direct flights are now available from Mactan airport.

[Transporter]

I have 2 options landing at MNL. One is around 10 am and the other around midnight. Which is the less crazy time to get my bags and go through Immigration?

Kind of depends on where you heading to after arriving.

[PhilJoy]

I have 2 options landing at MNL. One is around 10 am and the other around midnight. Which is the less crazy time to get my bags and go through Immigration?

Hi Banana,

My flights always arrive around 5 pm so not in your time frame, but I've never had a problem with customs delays. Always straight through and never a bag checked.

For me the issue is where the plane is always parked. At the arse / ass-end of the airport with a short bus trip to the terminal and then a lengthy walk to the baggage belt.

My flights back home are always around midnight, so I get the full day of action before I depart.

As G mentioned, factor in the traffic once you arrive. A swift process through the airport can all turn to shit any time of the day or night with Manila's hectic traffic.

Just my experience _ Phil.

[Goferring]

I have 2 options landing at MNL. One is around 10 am and the other around midnight. Which is the less crazy time to get my bags and go through Immigration?

That all depends on how many and what sized planes are also landing at the same time. I've seen Arrivals empty and packed at all times of the day and night.

10 am will have more traffic on the road to the hotel but by the time you do your clearance, get bags, taxis etc you will line up with the normal 2 pm check in time, get some rest and be able to head out for the night. A midnight arrival would see me basically loose the next day to sleep, jetlag etc and cost me another day's hotel stay for little benefit.

If it were my choice, I'd arrive at 10 am.

I don't know if it applies to you, but remember that you can now do the 29 day extension at the airport on the day of arrival. It's 3050 peso and about 10 minutes. That's much easier than processing it later.

Enjoy. G.

[Banana Boi]

I have 2 options landing at MNL. One is around 10 am and the other around midnight. Which is the less crazy time to get my bags and go through Immigration?

[PhilJoy]

Personally, I think Cebu City is a much better place to live on a long-term basis in the Philippines than Manila, and if I do go back to live there I would definitely choose Cebu City over Manila which is choking itself to death with the numbers of cars on the roads and the numbers of people living there.

Hi Md,

I'd agree that Manila would be too hectic for me to base myself permanently.

Whilst I still have to reside at home for business reasons and an elderly father who requires care, there might be a very good chance in the future of me settling in The Phils.

I'm just not sure if Cebu City would do it for me either.

But that's the beauty of taking your time and visiting various places to see what might work long term.

Probably the nicest place I've visited is Bantayan Island off the north coast of Cebu.

But logistically at the moment it would be a real hassle if I suddenly had to fly back home if things turned to shit.

From there, it's a long haul just to get to the closest major airport.

Then again, I have a very close friend in Sabang who is amazing but all her family is there.

Time will tell and thanks so much for your observations.

_Phil.