Recommendations for Manila and Boracay Island during the first 3 weeks of November

Ramthonio on 11/10/2013 - 02:21
Last edited 13/10/2013 - 15:58

Hi.

I'm looking for a good prepaid mobile deal similar to Optus $2/day unlimited national calls, and use my iPhone for laptop tethering which gives me fast unlimited Internet connection (I think).
I booked a hostel room for nearly 3 weeks in Boracay Island, hoping the weather will be fine, and indulge myself with delicious meals and tropical fruits and vegetables, nightclubs, karaoke, maybe tennis (if any), shows/concerts, any good safe entertainment?
I will then travel back to Manila to fly back to Darwin, then quick stop in Cairns, then Airlie Beach.
Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Travel

Comments

  • jimbobaus on 11/10/2013 - 02:31

    Most of the Prepaid cards in PH wont let u tether.
    u will need to get a data only card or buy a dongle… iphones sold in PH don't even have the tether function enabled for this reason.
    (well the network provided ones anyways)

    • Ramthonio on 11/10/2013 - 02:41

      Thanks. I'll have to research which ones may possibly let me tether. My prepaid iPhone 4 here (bought in Sydney) didn't let me tether (says the Optus lady unless it's on a plan) so I rooted/jailbroke my phone and voila, it's been working fast and unlimited data (I think), with unlimited national calls on Optus $2/day.

  • imolared on 11/10/2013 - 07:46

    When we went to Manila/Makati last year I bought a prepaid SMART nano sim that I used with my iPhone 5 and it worked great, I had 2GB of data for use within 30 days. We had 5 iPad and a couple of Macbook Pro's tethered.

    Check this out, unlimited 3G/LTE for 30 days for ~A$35
    http://www1.smart.com.ph/prepaid/offers/data/2013/09/24/lte-…

    Only thing I'm not sure is the coverage in Boracay… brings back bad memories cause our 4 day trip was cancelled before we even left Manila last year cause of typhoon.

    • Ramthonio on 11/10/2013 - 08:42

      Thanks. I might also take a look at bargains for a digital camera, webcam, and clothes in Divisoria in Manila and SM Mall Of Asia. I'm guess I'd need to be early to avoid the crowd and not exactly used to jeepneys, pollution, and pickpockets. Boracay sounds a lot more relaxing.

      • vonjl2002 on 11/10/2013 - 13:08

        If in Manila, I would recommend staying at SM Sea residences-visit tripadvisor for more details, if you are after a hotel environment then I would recommend Microtel hotel, both walking distance to SM Mall of Asia.

        Pricing for clothes at SM MOA is nearly the same as buying them from Divisoria and definitely much safer. There are shops at the SM MOA where you can satisfy your electronic cravings but I find them a bit behind for my taste.

        I'd rather spend my $300 for a camera and webcam here in Australia and get my GST back at the airport through the Tourist Refund Scheme.

        Coming from someone who was born and bred in Manila.

        • Ramthonio on 11/10/2013 - 19:22

          Thank you muchly - that's great info.
          I'm thinking maybe just a good enough cheap HD webcam for my laptop.
          I also hope to meet authentic spiritual/psychic people or visit a spiritual church or gathering to see what it's like in Manila and Boracay.
          What do you think of the Australian atmosphere and lifestyle? Sydney is quite good and diverse, but also looking to see more of the relaxing beaches and small towns.
          Does anyone know the best way to safely keep cash in Manila? I'm thinking of getting one of those travel cash papers I can exchange for Pesos in the mall.

    • donga100 on 11/10/2013 - 22:55

      I used Globe with an unlimited data sim card and it worked well in Manila (including tethering) but you can forget about it in Boracay. Better to use free wifi from hotels/restaurants.

      • Ramthonio on 12/10/2013 - 19:59

        Thanks. I'll be in Manila for a few days, then a few weeks in Boracay. I'm looking for a daily prepaid deal for my iPhone 4 in Manila, and hoping to find a good enough prepaid deal in Boracay, if any.

        • donga100 on 13/10/2013 - 09:46

          I think Globe was around $5 for 5 days unlimited data use on prepaid. You need to buy from a Globe store though, not just a convenience store. Pretty sure they have one at the airport or every SM Mall.

        • Ramthonio on 13/10/2013 - 15:56

          Excellent, thank you.
          One thing I still haven't found is a good, secure locker I can use for a few days for my laptop, near SM Mall Of Asia in Manila as well as in Boracay. It seems rare to find one online.

  • Baghern on 19/10/2013 - 23:22

    I thought I saw globe at boracay.

    You can get a sim there - if it wasn't Globe its at least something

    Boracay is a beautiful beach.

    Unfortunately I found the food very sub par it looks like they import everything to the island so freshness isn't that great.

    They provide a nice atmosphere though.

    I hope you put a big gap between your connecting flight from Boracay to Manilla, ours flight was cancelled and we missed out flight out of Manilla.

    After getting back, I read Manilla was the worse Airport in the world and that domestic flights like Boracay are often cancel if they don't get the numbers.

    • Ramthonio on 19/10/2013 - 23:36

      Thanks for the info.

      I must then be leaving Boracay to Manila by boat/bus a day or 2 at least in case there's a sudden storm or something. The recent earthquake devastation in Cebu/Bohol for example.

      I'm yet to educate myself with natural disasters and procedures.

      Considering I've been a 2012 Mayan prophecy enthusiast, I'll be doing quite a bit of research O:-)

    • donga100 on 20/10/2013 - 14:12

      You will be able to buy Globe sims in Boracay but the 3g coverage is almost non-existant for using internet.

      • Ramthonio on 20/10/2013 - 19:53

        Thanks.
        Globe sounds good so far for mobile calls. Is Globe SIM card good enough in Boracay for mobile calls for 3 weeks?

        • donga100 on 20/10/2013 - 19:59

          Yeah, fine for calls/text on 2g.

        • Ramthonio on 21/10/2013 - 19:38

          Thanks.
          I shall get a Globe Sim Card when I arrive in Manila, probably the $5 for 5 days, hopefully it's unlimited calls and unlimited data tethering 3G in Manila for 5 days then keep using this Sim Card for 3 weeks in Boracay, though the Internet tethering in Boracay probably won't work.
          I'm yet to find a secure locker for my laptop and suitcase/backpack in Manila near SM Mall of Asia and Boracay.

        • Ramthonio on 23/10/2013 - 06:46

          Can anyone recommend a good, decent karaoke bar in Boracay?
          Also, a good local website for bargains?

  • Baghern on 23/10/2013 - 08:51

    There we go

    http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-news/dilapidated-dishone…

    World's worse airport again, it says 2nd time in a row, it was also worse in 2010, must of skipped a beat in 2011…

    They claim capacity is an issue, the airport is gigantic, when they talk about capacity, they're really talking about a giant inefficient model

    They need to consolidate their terminals upgrade technology, of course management, and increase ticket prices for the locals, locals pay really low prices to fly.

  • Ramthonio on 23/10/2013 - 12:52

    Once I get dual citizenship, I can get really low prices then. That's a good thing. Hmm, multiple citizenship comes to mind.

  • Ramthonio on 23/10/2013 - 22:07

    It's sad there's so much corruption in their system over there. Good I'll be staying mainly in Boracay where I hope to be relaxing, and enjoy the nice white beach island.

  • Baghern on 24/10/2013 - 11:19

    They're stuck in the 80s… American 80s… no real direction

    That's what happened to all the American puppet Government nations

  • Ramthonio on 24/10/2013 - 18:32

    Maybe the country has become somewhat too Westernised culturally and philosophically, that the people have adopted such attitude and practices. But then Hong Kong and Singapore airports are among the top rated ones. Hmm.

    • Baghern on 24/10/2013 - 19:07

      The US government has only ever cared about Government influence not real change.

      Hong Kong and Singapore had British influences.

  • Ramthonio on 24/10/2013 - 19:26

    The American Government shutdown is incredible. It seems there's some kind of tyrannical leadership and conspiracies happening over there.

  • quaddie on 25/10/2013 - 12:20
    -1

    Good luck finding delicious meals, Filipino food is terrible. On Boracay the best meal I had was at a Moroccan restaurant on station 1, it would have been pretty exxy but I was shouted, the second best meal was maccas!

  • Ramthonio on 25/10/2013 - 18:11

    I like some of their healthy vege dishes, soups, curries and sweets. I hope to find some fresh tropical fruits and desserts in Boracay.

    • donga100 on 25/10/2013 - 18:58

      Try Lemon Cafe for desserts.

      • Ramthonio on 25/10/2013 - 20:51

        Thanks for that. Will do. I'm looking for a fruit and vege market in Boracay as well, and maybe a few cheap summer clothes.

  • Ramthonio on 27/10/2013 - 07:37

    Would anyone recommend the use of traveller cheques in Manila/Boracay for safety and price?

  • Ramthonio on 29/10/2013 - 04:09

    I think I'm getting cash instead. Does anyone know if it's wise to get Philippine Pesos cash in Manila airport - where I can get around 39 Pesos for every AU$?

    • Baghern on 29/10/2013 - 10:58

      swap at Manilla airport or boracay they give extremely good rates.

      I was very surprised by Manilla's airport rate, barely any diff from boracay. I would of expected them to be both rorts.

      • Ramthonio on 29/10/2013 - 11:14

        Cool, thank you muchly. Will do.

    • donga100 on 29/10/2013 - 20:16
      -1

      Yes, make sure you don't swap it in Australia. Philippines only allow you to bring around $250 AUD equivalent in to the country. I took around $500 equivalent on my first trip and was shocked when I was filling in the customs declaration on board the flight.

      • Baghern on 29/10/2013 - 21:07

        Check on the website, I'm pretty sure the amount is much more than that.

        I think I took $1,000AUD and when filling out the declaration it was much higher

        http://www.philippineconsulate.com.au/bringing-currency-into…

        $10,000USD for foreign currency in or out

        and $10,000 peso in or out

        • donga100 on 29/10/2013 - 23:14
          -1

          "The taking in and bringing out of Philippines of Philippine currency in excess of PhP10,000 is strictly prohibited, and any need carry any currency in excess of the said amount must be given authorization by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Cash Division."

          PhP10,000 = 244AUD on xe.com

          What I was getting at is that you shouldn't change your money before you arrive as you can only bring a small amount of pesos in to the country. Hence why you should take AUD and change it after you arrive.

        • Ramthonio on 30/10/2013 - 08:00

          Thanks very much guys.
          If I take with me AU$500 cash to Manila airport, is this okay?
          I heard it's better exchange AU$ cash to Pesos cash somewhere in Ermita (I'm yet to find out where exactly).
          When I arrive in Manila airport, I think I'll get AU$50 cash to Pesos cash for the day, then the following day I'll get AU$450 cash to Pesos cash in Ermita.
          And use the ATM machine to get 10,000 Pesos in Boracay.
          I hope this makes sense. I'm confusing myself a little bit lol.

        • Baghern on 30/10/2013 - 09:28
          -1

          Try reading the site I linked, its

          10,000PHP currency

          $10,000USD for foreign currency in or out, I'd assume it would also be $10,000 AUD

          I'm pretty sure the Philippines consulate is quite accurate.

        • donga100 on 30/10/2013 - 09:41

          That sounds fine Ramthonio. My point is you can't take more than $244 worth of Pesos in to the country but there is no problem taking in $500AUD and changing it once you arrive.

  • Ramthonio on 30/10/2013 - 19:17
    +1

    Thanks heaps guys. I think I'm fine :-)

  • Ramthonio on 01/11/2013 - 18:11

    I'm finally here in Manila, but surprised I have to unlock my iPhone 4 according to the lady selling Globe SIM card even though my iPhone is unlocked in Australia, it's locked here in The Philippines and it would cost me 8,500 Pesos. Hmm, I unlocked/jailbroke my iPhone by myself for free in Sydney by downloading/installing a software, so I'm trying to do the same here in Manila. Can anyone make any suggestions? Thanks.

    • FernandoWho on 02/11/2013 - 19:28

      Globe and Smart SIM cards both worked on my unlocked iPhone 5. Would recommend Smart as I found they had better reception however you should try another Globe store. Most shopping centres would have one.

  • Baghern on 01/11/2013 - 21:30

    That's sussed have you gone to another retailer?

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