Travel - Philippines

Welcome to the Philippines! This blog will be split into THREE parts: Manila, El Nido, and Coron. Lets get to it!

General info:

Cash is KING. Come prepared. At the time of this blog post, 1USD = 60 pesos

Getting around is pretty easy (outside of Manila) via tuktuk

Learn a few words:

thank you = salamat po

^goes a long way!

MANILA:

Where to stay: my recommendation comes from choosing the wrong location. I stayed at a Airbnb in Ermita, no shade on Ermita. But we did a lot of Grab rides getting around. Instead, I'd recommend staying in Makati, loads of coffee/food spots that will draw you in regardless of where you stay.

How to get around: Grab! Download the app on your phone, easiest and cheapest way to get around. When you arrive at the airport, don't try to use any other transportation and arrive with cash for the ride- while Grab is a online booking, it is not a payment app (at least here)!!

I am a big public transport fan, but in Manila..it is not for you lol it is for locals so dont even try (plus Grab is so cheap, just connect to wifi and use that!)

Best Bites:

• The Black Bean - Legazpi Village: its a vibe! Great coffee and food - truly everyone will be happy with this one! Highly recommend the Hey Love ++

• Hikiniku To Come Uptown Mall - this viral Japanese spot made it's way to Maila without the long cues! You get 3 wagu patties, unlimited rice, and a dining experience as uniue as it is delicious!

• Manam - A chain restaurant serving up incredible filipino food! The sisig and crispy palabok (a tower of deep-fried, crunchy vermicelli noodles smothered in a rich, savory shrimp and annatto sauce) were stand outs!

• A trip to Manila demands a visit to the oldest China Town (outside of China) - two of my favorite bites: Dong Bei Dumplings (for dumplings, duh - pork and chive) and Wan Kee Bakery Incorporated (big ass steamed buns!)

• Lonely Owl·Hongkong Exquisite Dessert - I WILL DREAM about the mango cloud crepe for the rest of my life

• Jollibe - I HAD TO! If you've never heard of this place, it's the Mcdonalds of the Philippines. Must try: Jolly spaghetti, fried chicken, and peach mango pie!

Best Coffee:

• Submerged Coffee - if you're in the area, grab a coconut water with espresso foam (not sure of the name of the drink) but I still think about it weeks later.

• Papa Kape: this will forever be the "cafe that got away" because it was so hard to find we gave up lol but it is located in the best park, loved the park and that is worth the trip alone!

Must do:

• NailDreams Beauty Lounge - Never thought I would have a favorite nail salon but INSTANT GOOD VIBES on top of immaculate nail services. I got a manicure and pedicure - the attention to detail was outstanding and everyone in there just seemed to be having a good day. There was singing, there were jokes, there was care. And it was so affordable compared to anywhere I've ever been!

• Massages! I went to Payapa Wellness & Spa (3 locations) - and paid 35USD for a 120 minute massage.

  
  

EL NIDO, PALAWAN:

Where to stay:

we split our time between El Nido Town (2 nights) and Vanilla Beach (Orange Pearl - 2 nights) and I couldn't recommend it enough. You will get a taste of the busy town and get to expeirence the more laid back, resort life that El Nido offers.

• I will not recommend where we stayed in El Nido, we went cheap cheap and it was not worth it...so pay a mid price for the area and learn from our mistake! And when I say it wasn't worth it.. our room carried a frightening smell and the wifi did not work.

• Shoutout to the Orange Pearl! It was a "splurge" but not as much as it's well known and glamourous neighbor Meremegmeg - which we utilized for breakfast, beach hanging, and purchasing fresh coconuts. Travel hack: stay next to the nicest hotel and use their amenities!

  • Other benefits of staying on Vanilla Beach: right on a beautiful, swimable beach, next to the spot for sunset (Las Cabañas Beach), the famous zipline is right behind the hotels, there is a town with food, coffee, massages within a short walk.

Best Bites:

• Breakfast:

  • Blackbird Coffee: great coffee and loved the french toast and amerian breakfast

  • Hama Coffee El Nido: another great coffee spot (with a view!!!) in town, loved the eggs on toast

  • Meremegmeg Beach Bar: gotttta go for a traditional filipino breakfast in the beach! Make sure you order it with Tocino (sweet marinated pork)

  • Hayahay Cafe: acai bowls were beautiful!

  • Blend & Grind: eggs, pancakes, acai bowls, chia pudding, and great coffee. can't go wrong!

• Coffee:

  • Grounded 100% Arabica Coffee: great coffee! A little over priced but I loved the vibe

  • Nikibaker: great coffee and the cinnamon roll is a must

    
    

• Dinner:

  • Ugat: 10/10 MUST for experiencing filipino food at its finest. beward, it will considerably increase your standards for filipino food

  • Big Bad Thai: you really cant mess up thai food - and you certainly can't beat the view!

    
    

• Treats:

  • TropicalTreats: mango chia pudding was a top bite of the trip!

  • Gusto Gelato + Bistro: cute little coffee place, but you better try the Halo Halo (a filipino treat) while you're here!

Must do:

• Tour A/C combined! Tour A is the most popular - so I highly recommend splurging on a private tour (make the most of it by combining with another tour option) to avoid crowds that make the experience less than magical

• If you're looking for a gym, couldn't recommend Hieroglyph Fitness more - its a vibe!

• Massages, literally anywhere will do!

• Sunset at Las Cabañas Beach

CORON, PALAWAN:

Where to stay: Coron town is probably my favorite between Manila and El Nido. It's touristy, sure, but not on the scale of El Nido - it maintains a lot of it's trditional charm. We stayed 2 nights at a cheaper accomodation that we really liked (simple rooms, but great service and AC) and 1 night on a houseboat!

• Paolyn Houseboats Coron Island: A MUST!!! Yes yes yes I know it is pricy..but I have never had a more memorable experience. We stayed just one night, were able to do an early check in, late checkout. More time would have been great, but I'm grateful for any time at all!

• Oceana Bay Coron: Cheap, clean, simple. Great for sleeping and getting out on a boat and exploring town for the rest of the day!

Best Bites:

• Breakfast:

  • Leticia Cafe: I actually can't say enough good things about this place, the food was amazing...but skip the coffee and go to my other recs instead!

    
    

• Coffee:

  • Ca Phe Da- Vietnamese Iced Coffee: BEST COFFEE IN THE PHILIPPINES! the salted foam coffee? immaculate.

    
    

• Dinner:

  • AlFresco: Great if you're looking for a chill place to grab a bite, but not anything remarkable

  • El Kuvo: After Ugat in El Nido, it was not the most impressive. Definitely a tourist spot, but a cool vibe

    
    

• Treats:

  • Kierstine Bakeshop: This place was a morning staple! Open 24hrs so no excuses. Each pastry was 5-10 pesos (~10 cents USD) and definitely serves up the best (most flavorful fillings) of any bakeshop I tried while in the Philippines

Must do:

• Lou Spa Massage: best massage of my life!

• houseboat, houseboat, houseboat!!! *linked at the top of the Coron section. We took the kayak out in the morning to explore (amazing) and took advantage of the room service (they give you an iphone to message and order) brough over on a small boat!

• Coastal Cliffs, Beach & Malcapuya Island Hopping Tour - I loved this tour! It was a trek to get to the destinations (which i think made my sister not a huge fan) but i have never ever seen more clear and blue water.