-- The Only Filipina Dating Site I recommend.. bit.ly/christian-filipina-dating -- For Expat Health Insurance in the Philippines, please contact Michael Onstad at; facebook.com/monstad1 or email at; michael.onstad@loc-consultants.com Mactan Airport.. maps.app.goo.gl/icbFDMvPAxudZ5tGA Ayala Mall Cebu.. maps.app.goo.gl/H1t7FTrUaaziuASC6 IT Park, Cebu.. maps.app.goo.gl/mstgePaLiYgAZonB6 Tagbilaran, Bohol.. maps.app.goo.gl/dKE6UEnjguHNyjEQA Alona Beach.. maps.app.goo.gl/bMs8vHgiM9uuuAU1A Dumaguete.. maps.app.goo.gl/ELZgLMFjHFotZQSv7 Valencia.. maps.app.goo.gl/ZT6LHoRpaRWZnSwe6 Dauin.. maps.app.goo.gl/QNc9NPpTYg5PUHjp7 Boracay.. maps.app.goo.gl/Ri7Lbm9j4oQNXa2M9 Palawan.. maps.app.goo.gl/Ri7Lbm9j4oQNXa2M9 Moalboal.. maps.app.goo.gl/XofVU5ZgSMqbnnF7A -- How I send Money to the Philippines.. remit.ly/1amhoix -- Loctote Flak Sack Ⅱ - Anti Theft Backpack.. amzn.to/3tXuBDk -- Get a Quote on Expat Health Insurance.. bit.ly/expat-insurance-LBTSea -- Want a private online consultation? Contact me at; facebook.com/reekay.new -- See this week's most interesting comments/questions here.. www.youtube.com/@Lifebeyondthesea/community -- "5-Minutes With Reekay" channel.. www.youtube.com/@5minuteswithreekay/videos -- My official FB Page.. facebook.com/reekay.new -- View My Videos by Category here.. bit.ly/reekays-video-playlists -- My "Heaven & Earth" Podcast Channel (theology).. www.youtube.com/@heavenandearth-reekay/videos -- My Red-Pill Channel.. www.youtube.com/@mgtat.redpill -- My Book Summary Channel.. www.youtube.com/@ricksbooknotes/videos If you find my content helpful, I appreciate the support. bit.ly/thanks-reekay-lifebeyondthesea JOIN as a Member to show your support for the channel! bit.ly/JOIN-Reekays-LifeBeyondTheSea _____________________________________________________________________ This channel contains affiliate links that support the channel at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!
I did just that in '17. Came into Cebu through the backdoor via Hong Kong. After 1 month flew to Iloilo & been on Panay Island ever since. Never set foot in Manila till last year & now been there twice for asawa work training. But personally Manila not as dreadful as I feared, get familiar using Grab though to avoid taxis if possible. Helpful vid!
Landed in Manila. Going to Palawan. Didn't realize that I needed to get to another airport for the connection. Grabbed a cab and got there 15 min before flight left. When I go back Cebu is definitely the arrival place.
Great vlog! My first trip was to Cebu. I only stopped off at Manila for the connecting flight so know little about Manila. My geography of the country suddenly improved after watching your vlog.
I agree Cebu is a great jump off point for tropical adventures. Even Mactan beach is a 30 minute drive from IT park. Manila is very chaotic but the exception is the BGC area is very modern, pleasant, walkable and full of amenities and dating opportunities. Still worth a brief visit. I did both areas and enjoyed both for different reasons.
Can't comment to Cebu airport, but I flew my first time to PH to Manila, caught a connection to Tacloban. Had no issues at all. Caught a shuttle to the other terminal in Manila, had to wait a bit, but wasn't a problem. I think the upgrades they've made there have made it easier.
Well I was booked to arrive at Mactan hotel across the road but arrived at 10:50 PM no direct from US. and I like to go immigration so its midnight before I see my room and leaving here was worst so I checked and change to land in Manila at 8:50 am direct leave here in the afternoon instead of 7:00am(4:00)be there and immigration right there to extend, 4 floor food court and sky bridge with people movers step out and your hotel right there and Cebu Pacific flies out of terminal 3, Too! But I do like Mactan to as far as being in the Vasyias!:) Thank you!😊
I landed at the old airport terminal in 2018 before the new terminal was finished. It was a good experience. Have wanted to go back and see the new airport terminal. I spent a bit of time in Cebu and then flew to Dumaguette spent a few days there. I wanted to stay longer but my right knee had other Ideas and ended up flying home via Manila. I can attest you don't want to fly into or out of Manila if you can avoid it.
Another pinpoint video Reekay. I hope to visit the Philippines regularly in the coming years but this November will be my first time. I decided to squeeze 4 days in before going to Thailand. I thought I'm only in the country for 4 days and it's my first time so it makes sense to visit the capital. I'm now reconsidering that choice. And this after "you spoke to me directly " with your recent video on the statistical probability of being one of the people who actually visits the Philippines rather than just thinks about it. Many thanks and good health to you sir.
A few things from my experience, One, if you type in Cebu in a flight search engine, be careful that it doesn't transit through Manila. That's where all the trouble of far away terminals start. At that point, you're better off staying a few days in Manila. Two, terminal 1 and terminal 3 have international flights. Terminal 1 is huge and crowded, terminal 3 is smaller and generally quick in and out. It also has domestic flights, mostly Cebu Pacific, so you don't have to change terminals if planned correctly. I had my best Philippines airport experience in Manila terminal 3, like absolutely no line at immigration. Three, Grab is mostly the same wait, price, and ease at Cebu Mactan as Manila terminal 2 and 3. Terminal 1 is of course still a nightmare.
Reekay I need your opinion. I had planned on a Resident visa in the Philippines. Working through Christian Filipina they have sent me documents for that process. I must stop for 2 days in Manila and also deposit $10,000 to get that Resident visa. Trouble is I'm running out of money due to a medical situation I'm recovering from now. Now I think I should enter on a tourist visa and renew that as needed. The reason I was considering the Resident visa was to start a business and generate additional income from that. But realistically I've never started a business before. I have no experience with that at all. I think I need to call Christian Filipina and cancel my visa plans .
In all actuality you have the most options with flights to Manila. Unfortunately direct flights from USA are usually 300.00 more than if you have a connection. Either way it is a long day of travel so you can get a room for a day or two and then fly onto your next destination.
I visit 🇵🇭 a couple times a year and I agree with you 💯. I usually fly to Cebu if I can. I only fly to Manila if it's significantly cheaper or because there's a nonstop from the US. If I go through Manila I'll just get a hotel room by the airport and crash out for a day to recover from the jetlag, exchange money, get a sim card, etc. Then fly to Cebu or wherever I need to go the next day.
Thanks so much for this video, that’s my plan , I want to move to Cebu and rent a condo at IT park and from there travel just like you are saying, because once l start living in Cebu, I’ll be able to afford to travel around the Philippines so easy it will be a great experience , to make a reservation at a resort and stay for several days, go back to my condo in Cebu and then plan to go somewhere else soon for the next adventure, I will archive this video, so once l implement my exodus from the US this will be what I truly want to experience once I get there, women are second in my plans , first is to have fun and get some dental work done . 😊
Can't wait until Eva or other Taipei based airlines start having Panglao routes. BTW, you should give some of these other vloggers lessons on how to pronounce Cebu.
I flew into cebu and headed south to moalboal, dumagette way, was a great first trip. 2nd one into manilla for bagiou. I'll be going back to cebu for the third
I am so sorry to see the bloggers beat you up. I have been going to the Philippines since 1983 and have been back many times. I think your advice is pretty much okay. Back then, I was introduced to a young 15-year-old girl for marriage. It was shocking for Westerners, but normal for them. I was 26 at the time.
Metro manilla yes us very congested but Manila is huge n I’ve been to many nice places in north Manila but you can fly anywhere any day most places for 100 usd give or take I’ve done this when things went wrong in my plans. I love Cebu there is many beautiful places there for sure.Palawan is a must see I went to Dos Palmos is a small island resort an hour off Palawan there is so many beautiful places in Philippines I love going there
We're moving to Sablan, Benguet which is about 25 minutes west of Baguio. We fly into Clark airport. Pretty new facilities and a breeze through immigration. Only downside is your luggage takes a while to get there. Hopefully, they will have that problem solved by the time we fly in January
Yup I flew in into Manila six years ago and I went back to the Philippines beginning of September and flew into Cebu. What a big difference. I plan on retiring in February and permanently will move to the Philippines and I will once again use the Cebu airport.. and yes, I’m gonna be in the Dumaguete area to live . At least at first, and then we will check out other areas when I say we me and my fiancée . Thanks Reekay I’ve been listening to you for about seven years now. Hope to get a coffee with you someday.
Manila is the place to go, if u like nightlife and ktv night clubs, and big shopping malls with pretty shopping mall sales girls , and a place with high concentration of prettier women, from all over Philippines, all concentrated in one place.
hahaha i can relate, first time visiting the philippines, i landed in Manila stayed for 5 days and couldn’t wait to get out, luckily i went to Cebu, went to oslob and swam with the whale sharks. Definitely will be going back to explore what you have just described. 👍
If you need a taxi in Manila use Grab, the Uber of the Philippines, you don't have to negotiate price and I've never had a Grab driver try to overcharge me. Never trust a cab driver trying to offer you a ride, no matter how friendly they seem.
No way cebu has same malls and restaurants as Manila. Manila has lots of tours to beaches, mountains, etc plus a ton of restaurants- only thing about cebu is the airport - it’s nice. Btw I’ve been here 10 years
Thanks Henry, I am looking at cebu for my short birthday vacation. You have shown me some places to visit that might be worthwhile. Now I need to figure out if there are any grocery stores worth visiing, that I night find some american style canned and dry good to bring back to Butuan city.
Cebu is a busy place with lots of tourists, so there are tons of grocery stores there. You should find plenty of options for your American-style goods.
What? And miss out on what Muhammad Ali called the Thrilla in Manila?😅 All joking aside, the flight experiences you describe remind me of the ones for LAX/O’Hare and San Diego. Not is getting to domestic flights a hassle at LAX, getting out if you decide to drive is a hassle. With San Diego, you are already on the ocean and greeted by yachts and still close to downtown! As you had described, it is cheaper to fly into Manila if we are just taking flight costs. However, if you factor in everything as you had described, it could end up costing us more and turn us off. And I don’t want to fly all the way from Michigan to be disappointed. My main reason for flying into and focusing on Manila at first was to make sure I can access a hospital because I have a bleeding disorder. Since then, I have found a hospital in Cebu City that can treat me in case of an emergency. And the hemophilia foundation in Manila has also been advising me to bring my own medical supplies in case of an emergency. So it won’t matter if I am Manila or Cebu. Now the choice will be to fly from Detroit where I live and add extra time and money to my flight to Cebu or drive 5 hours to Chicago and get bettef luck with O’Hare. Ree-Kay has sold me on Cebu!
Spent 2 nights in Manila at Sheraton and very nice hotel and very nice breakfast buffet, but I wanted to see little shops and stuff and all they had was more than a 100 high cost retail outlets for junk I do not want to buy.
everything you say about Cebu city is true .. the one BIG drawback that i greatly dislike is the utter unwalkability of the place .. Makati and BGC win in that department .. Cebu City for proximity to excellent beach/nature spots is certainly the winner there
@Lifebeyondthesea yes true but there are jeepneys in IT Park .. it'd be so much nicer without them in there like BGC is ..granted Makati has jeepneys as well but also has some really nice parks without jeepneys in the vicinity .. yes Ayala Business Park is walkable .. for me anyway Manila has more expansive walkable areas .. MOA/Manila Bay area .. Eastwood City .. Rizal Park .. Greenbelt Mall/Legpazi Park area .. Salcedo etc etc .. personal preferences.. im a big city boy all of my life .. that's not to say Manila doesn't have its drawbacks .. yup it does 😆
@Lifebeyondthesea wow i was not aware of that .. i haven't been to Cebu city in 5 years but that makes it much more appealing for me to visit again .. that is great to know and one can only hope Manila will start doing that
Reekay, had a look at your travel insurance link but it cuts off at 69 years old. Any recommendations for 74 with no health issues? - bare bones cover is fine. Thanks for the helpful video.
check into Philhealth. www.philhealth.gov.ph/ "PhilHealth premiums for foreign nationals are higher than those for Filipino citizens: Annual Contribution: As of 2024, foreign nationals are required to pay ₱15,000 annually (approximately USD 265). Mode of Payment: Contributions can be paid annually or semi-annually at any PhilHealth office or accredited payment centers. How to Enroll Visit a PhilHealth Office: Bring your Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) card or SRRV, valid passport, and other supporting documents (e.g., proof of residency). Fill Out the PMRF: Submit a properly filled-out PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF). Pay the Premium: Make your initial premium payment to activate your membership. Important Notes PhilHealth is not comprehensive health insurance and typically covers only a portion of medical expenses. Foreign nationals often use PhilHealth as supplemental coverage alongside private health insurance. Coverage does not extend to medical services abroad."
Manila offers lowest fares and most connections. Still dealing with immigration delays, take carry on and buy clothes there. Shenzhen Airlines has lowest deals (over 200 aircraft, 5th Chinese airline, Star Alliance) even with domestic transfer.
i always fly into manila and go to Angeles ,my hotel picks me up at.Airport. from where I'm at in Texas I'd like to fly into Clark but it takes to many hours to get there.
I agree. Just to make a comment. Remember years ago what a terrible airport Manilla was? No aircon. Horrible infrastructure. It was OK in a weird way because it added to the feeling of "what the hell have I got myself into". I ended up having a great time anyway. That being said I totally agree with ya. Even so far as to say, pay the extra money for a first class seat, and shortest flight if ya got the bucks. Thanks Reekay.
i've always avoided PH-Airlines. they have a reputation for late/delayed flights. i've used Qatar, EVA, Korean Air and Cathay.. been very happy with the service and on-time flights.
no. you will pass immigration when you enter Manila. after that, all your flights within the PH are 'domestic' so, no immigration involved. just have your passport or ID to show the airport to board your flight.
But if you plan on going to Manila anyway you'll still have to interact with the airport flying from Cebu if that's where you are initially what am I missing
cebu has few beaches, no waves that i ever saw. bohol has quite a few beaches, especially panglao.. but no waves to speak of. Bayawan, south end of cebu there is a surf shop so i'm guessing they get waves.
Problem is that if Manila is your destination then you have no choice but NAIA. Or if you are flying on a western airline most of them only go to NAIA.
I want to visit a couple friends who live 4 hrs south of manila. Lucena city. But I am terrified of the flight. Can you give me anything that would help me ease my mind with that. I have been thinking about this trip for 2 yrs now..I love your videos..
@Lifebeyondthesea thank u so much. Will look for the info. Do I need to book in advance while I'm in US before flight at least a month in advance or i can get a room when i get there?
I would like to be able to fly into Davao from Brisbane Australia six hours but have to go to Manila then back to Davao flying time turns into ten hours so in total takes fourteen hours.🤷
some of the routes are ridiculous. like flights that go from cebu to manila (north) and then back to CDO (south). costs more and takes longer flying in the wrong direction. ha!!
@@AndrewOakland QANTAS code share - it is not their own plane. Philippine Airlines, China Airlines, Qantas Operated by Philippines Airlines 28 hr 20 min DVO-BNE 3 stops CEB, TPE, MEL
yes. Cebgo and PH Airlines each have flights from cebu to bacolod for about $25usd, 1-way. www.google.com/travel/flights?tcfs=ChYKCS9tLzAxcF9seRoJQ2VidSBDaXR5EhQKCS9tLzAxcm13cxIHQmFjb2xvZFIEYAJ4AQ&ved=2ahUKEwjA7vvs8IiJAxX_L_kAHewONgoQyJABegQIABAG&ictx=2
cebu no heavy traffic? i found cebu worse than manila .. it's more humid and hotter with barely any wind. and traffic is a small catastrophe there too only at tops of cebu it was nice temperatured, nice wind and the view is amazing, but it's a40? min bus ride each way, costing 200pesos
BGC itself is very nice. expect to pay more of course for rent, food, etc. it is definitely 'city-life', so forget about sandy beaches. the real turnoff for me is the urban blight you have to go through just outside of the area.
What no one ever warns you about Cebu City is that it's the worst of both worlds. Big enough to be badly polluted and have bumper to bumper traffic all day long, but when it comes to food and entertainment, it can't even begin to hold a candle to the options you get in Manila.
Cebu City is much, much nicer than Manila. Less traffic, less pollution, fewer typhoons and less flooding than Manila. I lived in Cebu city for 3 years. Mactan island with all its resorts is right next door.
When I book a Grab from Mactan to IT Park, every single time it’s bumper to bumper traffic belching thick smoke literally the entire way there. Cebu City might have been nicer than Manila once upon a time, not in 2024 in my experience. But each to their own.
myself, i do not like (long) direct flights. even though i fly out of LAX/Calif.. i always do a layover so i can shower, eat, stretch my legs. then i arrive at Cebu refreshed, ready to rock 'n roll.
it depends on the carrier. EVA does layovers at Taipei. Korean Air, at Incheon. Qatar, at Doha (a bit out of the way). Cathay, at HKong. incheon and taipei are my favorite.
taipei airport is very easy to navigate. and plenty of places to relax, recharge your phone, get a bite to eat. very creative terminal, each rest area has a theme. (forest, cinema, hello kitty, etc.)
Manila airport is an absolute dump. We had a long layover in the international terminal and the air stunk on mold/mildew from the aircon. Both me and my wife were sick shortly after.
Though you can get to Baguio by flying from Cebu from my understanding, it's also the only place for flights. How much cooler is the weather in the mts above Dummegeti ?
the short, approximate answer is; about 8*F cooler than Cebu, on average over the year in Valencia. "Cebu is a coastal and highly urbanized area, with average temperatures typically ranging between 25°C to 32°C (77°F to 90°F) year-round. Humidity is generally high, contributing to warmer "feels like" temperatures. "Valencia, Negros Oriental, is located in the mountains at a higher elevation. This cooler, more elevated region tends to have average temperatures ranging from 20°C to 28°C (68°F to 82°F). Its elevation provides cooler air, especially in the evenings and early mornings."
Sssssht. Don't tell the world our little secret. All kidding aside, I have been visiting the Philippines for 14 years,and I only flew into Manilla once. I will never do it again.
i did manila (once) to do a quick flight to vietnam, that totally sucked. after 11pm, the only food available at the airport were instant noodles and burgers under a heat-lamp that had been sitting there a while.
Manila airport sucks. I'm landing at Mactan airport then taking a ferry to Dumaguete. I'll spend maybe one day in Cebu meeting up with some familiar faces.
Sometimes on an International flight it is worth checking for a final destination transfer, it may only be $50. Getting oriented on a surface journey is all interesting but a full day after a long trip.
![TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS TO PHILIPPINES ] 2025](/img/n.gif)
-- The Only Filipina Dating Site I recommend.. bit.ly/christian-filipina-dating
-- For Expat Health Insurance in the Philippines, please contact Michael Onstad at;
facebook.com/monstad1 or email at; michael.onstad@loc-consultants.com
Mactan Airport.. maps.app.goo.gl/icbFDMvPAxudZ5tGA
Ayala Mall Cebu.. maps.app.goo.gl/H1t7FTrUaaziuASC6
IT Park, Cebu.. maps.app.goo.gl/mstgePaLiYgAZonB6
Tagbilaran, Bohol.. maps.app.goo.gl/dKE6UEnjguHNyjEQA
Alona Beach.. maps.app.goo.gl/bMs8vHgiM9uuuAU1A
Dumaguete.. maps.app.goo.gl/ELZgLMFjHFotZQSv7
Valencia.. maps.app.goo.gl/ZT6LHoRpaRWZnSwe6
Dauin.. maps.app.goo.gl/QNc9NPpTYg5PUHjp7
Boracay.. maps.app.goo.gl/Ri7Lbm9j4oQNXa2M9
Palawan.. maps.app.goo.gl/Ri7Lbm9j4oQNXa2M9
Moalboal.. maps.app.goo.gl/XofVU5ZgSMqbnnF7A
-- How I send Money to the Philippines.. remit.ly/1amhoix
-- Loctote Flak Sack Ⅱ - Anti Theft Backpack.. amzn.to/3tXuBDk
-- Get a Quote on Expat Health Insurance.. bit.ly/expat-insurance-LBTSea
-- Want a private online consultation? Contact me at; facebook.com/reekay.new
-- See this week's most interesting comments/questions here..
www.youtube.com/@Lifebeyondthesea/community
-- "5-Minutes With Reekay" channel.. www.youtube.com/@5minuteswithreekay/videos
-- My official FB Page.. facebook.com/reekay.new
-- View My Videos by Category here.. bit.ly/reekays-video-playlists
-- My "Heaven & Earth" Podcast Channel (theology)..
www.youtube.com/@heavenandearth-reekay/videos
-- My Red-Pill Channel..
www.youtube.com/@mgtat.redpill
-- My Book Summary Channel..
www.youtube.com/@ricksbooknotes/videos
If you find my content helpful, I appreciate the support.
bit.ly/thanks-reekay-lifebeyondthesea
JOIN as a Member to show your support for the channel!
bit.ly/JOIN-Reekays-LifeBeyondTheSea
_____________________________________________________________________
This channel contains affiliate links that support the channel at no
extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!
I did just that in '17. Came into Cebu through the backdoor via Hong Kong. After 1 month flew to Iloilo & been on Panay Island ever since. Never set foot in Manila till last year & now been there twice for asawa work training. But personally Manila not as dreadful as I feared, get familiar using Grab though to avoid taxis if possible. Helpful vid!
Appreciate you, hit like starting the vid cuz you always provide great details
Landed in Manila. Going to Palawan. Didn't realize that I needed to get to another airport for the connection. Grabbed a cab and got there 15 min before flight left.
When I go back Cebu is definitely the arrival place.
Great vlog! My first trip was to Cebu. I only stopped off at Manila for the connecting flight so know little about Manila. My geography of the country suddenly improved after watching your vlog.
I agree Cebu is a great jump off point for tropical adventures. Even Mactan beach is a 30 minute drive from IT park. Manila is very chaotic but the exception is the BGC area is very modern, pleasant, walkable and full of amenities and dating opportunities. Still worth a brief visit. I did both areas and enjoyed both for different reasons.
Can't comment to Cebu airport, but I flew my first time to PH to Manila, caught a connection to Tacloban. Had no issues at all. Caught a shuttle to the other terminal in Manila, had to wait a bit, but wasn't a problem. I think the upgrades they've made there have made it easier.
That information was very helpful to someone like me, who flew into Manila, and found out beach was not here.
Excellent information. Very often overlooked! 😊👍🏻
Glad it was helpful!
Well I was booked to arrive at Mactan hotel across the road but arrived at 10:50 PM no direct from US. and I like to go immigration so its midnight before I see my room and leaving here was worst so I checked and change to land in Manila at 8:50 am direct leave here in the afternoon instead of 7:00am(4:00)be there and immigration right there to extend, 4 floor food court and sky bridge with people movers step out and your hotel right there and Cebu Pacific flies out of terminal 3, Too! But I do like Mactan to as far as being in the Vasyias!:) Thank you!😊
I have experience both locations
I landed at the old airport terminal in 2018 before the new terminal was finished. It was a good experience. Have wanted to go back and see the new airport terminal. I spent a bit of time in Cebu and then flew to Dumaguette spent a few days there. I wanted to stay longer but my right knee had other Ideas and ended up flying home via Manila. I can attest you don't want to fly into or out of Manila if you can avoid it.
Another pinpoint video Reekay. I hope to visit the Philippines regularly in the coming years but this November will be my first time. I decided to squeeze 4 days in before going to Thailand. I thought I'm only in the country for 4 days and it's my first time so it makes sense to visit the capital. I'm now reconsidering that choice. And this after "you spoke to me directly " with your recent video on the statistical probability of being one of the people who actually visits the Philippines rather than just thinks about it. Many thanks and good health to you sir.
Agree with you: I feel as if Ree-Kay lit a fire under my you-know-what to get me from the daydreaming stage to actually planning in out.
A few things from my experience,
One, if you type in Cebu in a flight search engine, be careful that it doesn't transit through Manila. That's where all the trouble of far away terminals start. At that point, you're better off staying a few days in Manila.
Two, terminal 1 and terminal 3 have international flights. Terminal 1 is huge and crowded, terminal 3 is smaller and generally quick in and out. It also has domestic flights, mostly Cebu Pacific, so you don't have to change terminals if planned correctly. I had my best Philippines airport experience in Manila terminal 3, like absolutely no line at immigration.
Three, Grab is mostly the same wait, price, and ease at Cebu Mactan as Manila terminal 2 and 3. Terminal 1 is of course still a nightmare.
Four, many flights from Cebu will still transit through Manila. If that happens on an international flight, I'll stay in Manila overnight.
Reekay I need your opinion. I had planned on a Resident visa in the Philippines. Working through Christian Filipina they have sent me documents for that process. I must stop for 2 days in Manila and also deposit $10,000 to get that Resident visa. Trouble is I'm running out of money due to a medical situation I'm recovering from now. Now I think I should enter on a tourist visa and renew that as needed. The reason I was considering the Resident visa was to start a business and generate additional income from that. But realistically I've never started a business before. I have no experience with that at all. I think I need to call Christian Filipina and cancel my visa plans .
In all actuality you have the most options with flights to Manila. Unfortunately direct flights from USA are usually 300.00 more than if you have a connection. Either way it is a long day of travel so you can get a room for a day or two and then fly onto your next destination.
I was planning on flying to Cebu even before watching this. Thanks for the confirmation of my great choice
I visit 🇵🇭 a couple times a year and I agree with you 💯. I usually fly to Cebu if I can. I only fly to Manila if it's significantly cheaper or because there's a nonstop from the US. If I go through Manila I'll just get a hotel room by the airport and crash out for a day to recover from the jetlag, exchange money, get a sim card, etc. Then fly to Cebu or wherever I need to go the next day.
Thanks so much for this video, that’s my plan , I want to move to Cebu and rent a condo at IT park and from there travel just like you are saying, because once l start living in Cebu, I’ll be able to afford to travel around the Philippines so easy it will be a great experience , to make a reservation at a resort and stay for several days, go back to my condo in Cebu and then plan to go somewhere else soon for the next adventure, I will archive this video, so once l implement my exodus from the US this will be what I truly want to experience once I get there, women are second in my plans , first is to have fun and get some dental work done . 😊
Can't wait until Eva or other Taipei based airlines start having Panglao routes. BTW, you should give some of these other vloggers lessons on how to pronounce Cebu.
I flew into cebu and headed south to moalboal, dumagette way, was a great first trip.
2nd one into manilla for bagiou.
I'll be going back to cebu for the third
Good info. I will definitely visit Cebu next time i visit PH.
I had zero problems with Manila.
Great advice Reekay, first time Manila, second time Cebu, a completely different experience
I am so sorry to see the bloggers beat you up. I have been going to the Philippines since 1983 and have been back many times. I think your advice is pretty much okay. Back then, I was introduced to a young 15-year-old girl for marriage. It was shocking for Westerners, but normal for them. I was 26 at the time.
Number 1 blogger on Philippines travel no nonsense . Great info Reekay . Much better than Manila, my first time visiting the Philippines .
I have been watching you for a few years,,i will be in philippines in 29 days,,hope to see you there,
Very good insightful 🇵🇭 travel information thank you for sharing 👍🏾👌🏾✌🏾!
Glad it was helpful!
I will fly to cebu Everytime and go anywhere from there...
Most all time's take bus south then ferry across to Dumaguete
Metro manilla yes us very congested but Manila is huge n I’ve been to many nice places in north Manila but you can fly anywhere any day most places for 100 usd give or take I’ve done this when things went wrong in my plans. I love Cebu there is many beautiful places there for sure.Palawan is a must see I went to Dos Palmos is a small island resort an hour off Palawan there is so many beautiful places in Philippines I love going there
We're moving to Sablan, Benguet which is about 25 minutes west of Baguio. We fly into Clark airport. Pretty new facilities and a breeze through immigration. Only downside is your luggage takes a while to get there. Hopefully, they will have that problem solved by the time we fly in January
Brilliant information, what a great video, many thanks
Three big malls in Cebu that I know of:
•SM Cebu Mall
•Ayala Mall
•Seaside Mall
Since I hear about it so often, I feel as if I must visit Ayala Mall.
Very good, thanks
ANOTHER GOOD VLOG
use Grab in Mainla .. never ever use the taxis
Yup I flew in into Manila six years ago and I went back to the Philippines beginning of September and flew into Cebu. What a big difference. I plan on retiring in February and permanently will move to the Philippines and I will once again use the Cebu airport.. and yes, I’m gonna be in the Dumaguete area to live . At least at first, and then we will check out other areas when I say we me and my fiancée . Thanks Reekay I’ve been listening to you for about seven years now. Hope to get a coffee with you someday.
Manila is the place to go,
if u like nightlife and ktv night clubs,
and big shopping malls with pretty shopping mall sales girls ,
and a place with high concentration of prettier women,
from all over Philippines,
all concentrated in one place.
Looking forward to going setting up notes
doing your research always pays off for a smoother transition.
I plan on heading to Angeles city after landing in Manila. I was in Cebu city this past Dec. This year I will be heading to Angeles city from Manila.
What are you going to do there?
Clark is much better for Angeles.
To be honest I kind of like Manila. If you can survive in Manila, you can survive anywhere in Philippines
Manila is very different to the rest of Phils. If looking for big city life there are better cities to opt for.
hahaha i can relate, first time visiting the philippines, i landed in Manila stayed for 5 days and couldn’t wait to get out, luckily i went to Cebu, went to oslob and swam with the whale sharks. Definitely will be going back to explore what you have just described. 👍
Exactly!!
I agree %100. Been here in mindanao for 8 years. Flew in to Manila once. That was enough. Cebu is much more easier,,, and the people are great!! 😁
Totally agree!
If you need a taxi in Manila use Grab, the Uber of the Philippines, you don't have to negotiate price and I've never had a Grab driver try to overcharge me. Never trust a cab driver trying to offer you a ride, no matter how friendly they seem.
Good advice. Grab is the way to go.
True, now here
LAX to MNL straight flight business class rest for 2 nights and fly to other islands. Panglao is my favorite
I keep my expectations low anywhere i go
No way cebu has same malls and restaurants as Manila. Manila has lots of tours to beaches, mountains, etc plus a ton of restaurants- only thing about cebu is the airport - it’s nice. Btw I’ve been here 10 years
Thanks Henry, I am looking at cebu for my short birthday vacation. You have shown me some places to visit that might be worthwhile. Now I need to figure out if there are any grocery stores worth visiing, that I night find some american style canned and dry good to bring back to Butuan city.
Cebu is a busy place with lots of tourists, so there are tons of grocery stores there. You should find plenty of options for your American-style goods.
What? And miss out on what Muhammad Ali called the Thrilla in Manila?😅
All joking aside, the flight experiences you describe remind me of the ones for LAX/O’Hare and San Diego. Not is getting to domestic flights a hassle at LAX, getting out if you decide to drive is a hassle. With San Diego, you are already on the ocean and greeted by yachts and still close to downtown!
As you had described, it is cheaper to fly into Manila if we are just taking flight costs. However, if you factor in everything as you had described, it could end up costing us more and turn us off. And I don’t want to fly all the way from Michigan to be disappointed.
My main reason for flying into and focusing on Manila at first was to make sure I can access a hospital because I have a bleeding disorder. Since then, I have found a hospital in Cebu City that can treat me in case of an emergency. And the hemophilia foundation in Manila has also been advising me to bring my own medical supplies in case of an emergency. So it won’t matter if I am Manila or Cebu.
Now the choice will be to fly from Detroit where I live and add extra time and money to my flight to Cebu or drive 5 hours to Chicago and get bettef luck with O’Hare.
Ree-Kay has sold me on Cebu!
10% higher cost, i would double check that. from where i fly it's 40% difference and then it's a lot cheaper to make a 1-x days stop in manila
you cannot fly from Manila to Baguio. However, you can fly from Cebu to Baguio and skip the carsickness from the winding bus ride.
Good Day !
Thx Reekay! I was wanting to avoid Manila if at all possible.
Spent 2 nights in Manila at Sheraton and very nice hotel and very nice breakfast buffet, but I wanted to see little shops and stuff and all they had was more than a 100 high cost retail outlets for junk I do not want to buy.
Thanks for the tips!
Problem is here in Canada only offers one way to Manila not cebu
everything you say about Cebu city is true .. the one BIG drawback that i greatly dislike is the utter unwalkability of the place .. Makati and BGC win in that department .. Cebu City for proximity to excellent beach/nature spots is certainly the winner there
walking around IT Park and Ayala Business center is fine, not an issue.
@Lifebeyondthesea
yes true but there are jeepneys in IT Park .. it'd be so much nicer without them in there like BGC is ..granted Makati has jeepneys as well but also has some really nice parks without jeepneys in the vicinity .. yes Ayala Business Park is walkable .. for me anyway Manila has more expansive walkable areas .. MOA/Manila Bay area .. Eastwood City .. Rizal Park .. Greenbelt Mall/Legpazi Park area .. Salcedo etc etc .. personal preferences.. im a big city boy all of my life .. that's not to say Manila doesn't have its drawbacks .. yup it does 😆
cebu city has been phasing-out jeepneys for the last 3-years. many have been replaced with clean, natural-gas, shuttle buses.
@Lifebeyondthesea
wow i was not aware of that .. i haven't been to Cebu city in 5 years but that makes it much more appealing for me to visit again .. that is great to know and one can only hope Manila will start doing that
Never had any issues with Manila airport except the traffic outside,
Now I’m second guessing wanting to go to Baguio and the surrounding mountains 😂
@Lifebeyondthesea My GF is from Luguna, so Manila is where I have to go. We plan for me to see more of PH.
Reekay, had a look at your travel insurance link but it cuts off at 69 years old. Any recommendations for 74 with no health issues? - bare bones cover is fine. Thanks for the helpful video.
check into Philhealth.
www.philhealth.gov.ph/
"PhilHealth premiums for foreign nationals are higher than those for Filipino citizens:
Annual Contribution: As of 2024, foreign nationals are required to pay ₱15,000 annually (approximately USD 265).
Mode of Payment: Contributions can be paid annually or semi-annually at any PhilHealth office or accredited payment centers.
How to Enroll
Visit a PhilHealth Office: Bring your Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) card or SRRV, valid passport, and other supporting documents (e.g., proof of residency).
Fill Out the PMRF: Submit a properly filled-out PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF).
Pay the Premium: Make your initial premium payment to activate your membership.
Important Notes
PhilHealth is not comprehensive health insurance and typically covers only a portion of medical expenses.
Foreign nationals often use PhilHealth as supplemental coverage alongside private health insurance.
Coverage does not extend to medical services abroad."
Thank you so much for your help👍
Manila offers lowest fares and most connections. Still dealing with immigration delays, take carry on and buy clothes there. Shenzhen Airlines has lowest deals (over 200 aircraft, 5th Chinese airline, Star Alliance) even with domestic transfer.
Davao and bohol are international.good for soft landing
yes. many of the Panglao/Bohol airport routes come in from south korea.
@Lifebeyondthesea Yes very good option to have Panglao island is relaxing
@@Lifebeyondthesea Hope a Taipei route to Panglao gets established. Then can skip Cebu altogether. LA-Taipei-Panglao!
@@LifebeyondtheseaGood to know if I have a sudden desire to visit the land of Kpop when in the Philippines.
PAL used to fly directly to Cebu from LAX but not sure if they picked it back up yet
google maps drives me crazy, they haven't updated the philippines in 10 years! Mactan Newton is barely under construction on the map.
i always fly into manila and go to Angeles ,my hotel picks me up at.Airport. from where I'm at in Texas I'd like to fly into Clark but it takes to many hours to get there.
Watch out for pick pockets in manila and becareful at night if your alone . safer if your with someone.
I agree. Just to make a comment. Remember years ago what a terrible airport Manilla was? No aircon. Horrible infrastructure. It was OK in a weird way because it added to the feeling of "what the hell have I got myself into". I ended up having a great time anyway. That being said I totally agree with ya. Even so far as to say, pay the extra money for a first class seat, and shortest flight if ya got the bucks. Thanks Reekay.
Oh, I booked with United but you might find better options with Phillipine Airlines!:)
i've always avoided PH-Airlines. they have a reputation for late/delayed flights.
i've used Qatar, EVA, Korean Air and Cathay.. been very happy with the service and on-time flights.
@@Lifebeyondtheseaph airlines was ontime and great flight for me
Question
I’m going to CDO , am I going have go through immigration in Manila before continuing onward to CDO …. Or do go through immigration in CDO .
no. you will pass immigration when you enter Manila. after that, all your flights within the PH are 'domestic' so, no immigration involved. just have your passport or ID to show the airport to board your flight.
But if you plan on going to Manila anyway you'll still have to interact with the airport flying from Cebu if that's where you are initially what am I missing
great info as always thanks! random question, is there any notable surfing or waves by Cebu or Bohol? or do you have to get over to Samar?
cebu has few beaches, no waves that i ever saw. bohol has quite a few beaches, especially panglao.. but no waves to speak of. Bayawan, south end of cebu there is a surf shop so i'm guessing they get waves.
@Lifebeyondthesea thanks for info! I'm guessing like you explained in your video that a flight or access to Samar is also easier from Cebu :)
Problem is that if Manila is your destination then you have no choice but NAIA.
Or if you are flying on a western airline most of them only go to NAIA.
I want to visit a couple friends who live 4 hrs south of manila. Lucena city. But I am terrified of the flight. Can you give me anything that would help me ease my mind with that. I have been thinking about this trip for 2 yrs now..I love your videos..
✅✅🎈
What's the name of the hotel at the airport? Thank you
it is the Mactan Airport Waterfront Hotel (not the Waterfront at IT park). here is the maplink;
maps.app.goo.gl/oTt4YiUNccDUWw8RA
@Lifebeyondthesea thank u so much. Will look for the info. Do I need to book in advance while I'm in US before flight at least a month in advance or i can get a room when i get there?
I would like to be able to fly into Davao from Brisbane Australia six hours but have to go to Manila then back to Davao flying time turns into ten hours so in total takes fourteen hours.🤷
some of the routes are ridiculous. like flights that go from cebu to manila (north) and then back to CDO (south). costs more and takes longer flying in the wrong direction. ha!!
So crazy 😂and I only fly Philippine airlines if I fly Qantas a Australian airline it will take 31 hours just to Manila go figure 😂
@@AndrewOakland QANTAS code share - it is not their own plane.
Philippine Airlines, China Airlines, Qantas Operated by Philippines Airlines
28 hr 20 min DVO-BNE 3 stops CEB, TPE, MEL
I’m want to go to Bacolod city is it easy to get there from Cebu
yes. Cebgo and PH Airlines each have flights from cebu to bacolod for about $25usd, 1-way.
www.google.com/travel/flights?tcfs=ChYKCS9tLzAxcF9seRoJQ2VidSBDaXR5EhQKCS9tLzAxcm13cxIHQmFjb2xvZFIEYAJ4AQ&ved=2ahUKEwjA7vvs8IiJAxX_L_kAHewONgoQyJABegQIABAG&ictx=2
In cebu
cebu no heavy traffic? i found cebu worse than manila .. it's more humid and hotter with barely any wind.
and traffic is a small catastrophe there too
only at tops of cebu it was nice temperatured, nice wind and the view is amazing, but it's a40? min bus ride each way, costing 200pesos
Reekay how do i get to Manilla to Vanilla? 😮😂
on the double-dutch bus. :)
I have no choice my second flight is only from Manila.
What do you think about BGC?
BGC itself is very nice. expect to pay more of course for rent, food, etc. it is definitely 'city-life', so forget about sandy beaches. the real turnoff for me is the urban blight you have to go through just outside of the area.
I just spent 27days in Davao city. Palawan was beautiful but Manila airport sucked.
What no one ever warns you about Cebu City is that it's the worst of both worlds. Big enough to be badly polluted and have bumper to bumper traffic all day long, but when it comes to food and entertainment, it can't even begin to hold a candle to the options you get in Manila.
Cebu City is much, much nicer than Manila. Less traffic, less pollution, fewer typhoons and less flooding than Manila. I lived in Cebu city for 3 years. Mactan island with all its resorts is right next door.
When I book a Grab from Mactan to IT Park, every single time it’s bumper to bumper traffic belching thick smoke literally the entire way there. Cebu City might have been nicer than Manila once upon a time, not in 2024 in my experience. But each to their own.
If your into traffic Manila is the spot lol
I’d rather fly into Clark than Manila
I get direct from newyork to manila
myself, i do not like (long) direct flights. even though i fly out of LAX/Calif.. i always do a layover so i can shower, eat, stretch my legs.
then i arrive at Cebu refreshed, ready to rock 'n roll.
@@Lifebeyondtheseawhere do you do your layover?
it depends on the carrier. EVA does layovers at Taipei. Korean Air, at Incheon. Qatar, at Doha (a bit out of the way). Cathay, at HKong.
incheon and taipei are my favorite.
@@Lifebeyondthesea is tapei foreigner friendly? Is it hard to navigate their airport? Any English?
taipei airport is very easy to navigate. and plenty of places to relax, recharge your phone, get a bite to eat. very creative terminal, each rest area has a theme. (forest, cinema, hello kitty, etc.)
Manila airport is an absolute dump. We had a long layover in the international terminal and the air stunk on mold/mildew from the aircon. Both me and my wife were sick shortly after.
this year (2024) they had issues with bedbugs on the steel waiting chairs. they finally eradicated that.
Though you can get to Baguio by flying from Cebu from my understanding, it's also the only place for flights.
How much cooler is the weather in the mts above Dummegeti ?
the short, approximate answer is; about 8*F cooler than Cebu, on average over the year in Valencia.
"Cebu is a coastal and highly urbanized area, with average temperatures typically ranging between 25°C to 32°C (77°F to 90°F) year-round. Humidity is generally high, contributing to warmer "feels like" temperatures.
"Valencia, Negros Oriental, is located in the mountains at a higher elevation. This cooler, more elevated region tends to have average temperatures ranging from 20°C to 28°C (68°F to 82°F). Its elevation provides cooler air, especially in the evenings and early mornings."
DO KOT FLY PAL!!! Use United
Stay away from Manila. I'm going to Cebu or Clark. Manila is a zoo 🤨
The philippines have limited international airports that can be accessed from most foreign airports..
Not direct but through hubs. Cebu Pacific is a major airline.
Is it true that Manilla airport always looses everyone's check baggage?
'always'... no. but they did have issues years ago with the "bullet scam". that seems to have been eradicated, or at least not in the news anymore.
Sssssht. Don't tell the world our little secret. All kidding aside, I have been visiting the Philippines for 14 years,and I only flew into Manilla once. I will never do it again.
i did manila (once) to do a quick flight to vietnam, that totally sucked. after 11pm, the only food available at the airport were instant noodles and burgers under a heat-lamp that had been sitting there a while.
Isn't that entirely dependent on your final destination?
Manila airport sucks. I'm landing at Mactan airport then taking a ferry to Dumaguete. I'll spend maybe one day in Cebu meeting up with some familiar faces.
that's the way to do it.
Sometimes on an International flight it is worth checking for a final destination transfer, it may only be $50. Getting oriented on a surface journey is all interesting but a full day after a long trip.
NAIA is an embarrassment. I've been in more poorly developed nations with a better main gateway airport.
Do Not! Go to Thailand instead!😊
Ĺots. Of. Girls. To. Play. With. In. Ermita. Manila