Boracay or Cebu/Mactan?

[dleodleo]

Hi,

I have never been to Philippines.

I am thinking of bringing my family with 2 young children (6 & 11 yrs old) there.

For those who have been, can you let me know Boracay or Cebu/Mactan is more suitable for us? Which one is safer?

Our intention is to laze around and do some sightseeing. We don't go to pubs.

I read that there's direct flights to Cebu but Boracay have to change plane or take ferry right?

Our main concern is safety.

 

[sinugba]

Hi,

I have never been to Philippines.

I am thinking of bringing my family with 2 young children (6 & 11 yrs old) there.

For those who have been, can you let me know Boracay or Cebu/Mactan is more suitable for us? Which one is safer?

Our intention is to laze around and do some sightseeing. We don't go to pubs.

I read that there's direct flights to Cebu but Boracay have to change plane or take ferry right?

Our main concern is safety.

They are safe. If you dont want to go out from hotel much safer. I dont know how we quantify safety, I thought mt everest is the safest place but then many people died there.

Cebu/Mactan -- beach, beach, beach and watersports. If you are going to stay in Mactan, most places are 15-30 min away from airport. Note that beach in mactan is good but not as good compare to other islands but if you like to stay hotel like Shangrila, Plantation Bay, Crimson Hotel, Abaca Resort then it should be nice for the family. You can also do island hopping. Can see and makan in the city as well. Eat the best pork (lechon) in the world.

Boracay -- beach, beach, beach and watersport. Kinda challenging to go because it's another plane from international airport. I heard that there is direct to kalibo international aiport, then another 1 hour land transpo to caticlan, then another 15 minutes by boat to Paradise. It should be no problem for most of us but then you go with your kids.

Alternatives:
Bohol/Panglao -- nice beaches, island hopping, and sceneries. Go to cebu ferry terminal and take a boat to tagbilran city. Go around bohol by minivan for a day then spend your most of the time in Panglao Island.
Cebu/Malapascua - another island from Cebu. Very quiet.
Cebu/Bantayan Island - cebu's version of boracay. google image it.

and some of these islands:

 

[JDelphiNet]

I think a good alternative for you would be:

Singapore -> Cebu. Spend a minimum of 2 days then head over to nearby Bohol. It's only +- 2 hours by fast craft / ferry from Cebu.

There are lots of things to do in bohol. You can opt to just laze around the beach (we stayed for a day in Bohol Beach Club in panglao.. very nice beach -- i actually like it better than boracay.. though the sand in the latter is finer), you can do dolphin watching (must wake up early), snorkeling in balicasag island, sightseeing (chocolate hills, some really old churches, interact with tarsiers etc) among other things.

Safety wise, we never felt unsafe during our visits. Just be cautious with what you're wearing (nothing fancy) and be mindful of your belongings.

 

[BernardATK]

Mactan nothing much to sightseeing. Only the Lapu Lapu Shrine can go. Beach wise, book those expensive ones to enjoy 'man-make beach'. Otherwise, no public beach, all dirty.

For Cebu city, shopping mall like SM, Ayala and Parkmall can go. The famous old church and Taoism temple. Don't wonder to the 'old old famous street' after dark. Even police don't bother to patrol there at night.

To visit Bohol, take ferry from Cebu Pier 4. Book those safe ones like 2Go ( just to mention, the latest ferry sinking is from 2Go company ) and the fast craft.

 

[dleodleo]

Mactan nothing much to sightseeing. Only the Lapu Lapu Shrine can go. Beach wise, book those expensive ones to enjoy 'man-make beach'. Otherwise, no public beach, all dirty.

For Cebu city, shopping mall like SM, Ayala and Parkmall can go. The famous old church and Taoism temple. Don't wonder to the 'old old famous street' after dark. Even police don't bother to patrol there at night.

To visit Bohol, take ferry from Cebu Pier 4. Book those safe ones like 2Go ( just to mention, the latest ferry sinking is from 2Go company ) and the fast craft.

Oh, sorry I think I wrote wrongly. Should be Cebu/Bohol not Cebu/Mactan.

So going to Cebu/Bohol is better than Boracay is it?

Oh, the ferry accident is from Cebu to Bohol...... if go, i better ask my kids to wear life jackets wahhahahaha.

You been to Cebu and Bohol? Can share your trip experience?

 

[sinugba]

Oh, sorry I think I wrote wrongly. Should be Cebu/Bohol not Cebu/Mactan.

So going to Cebu/Bohol is better than Boracay is it?

Oh, the ferry accident is from Cebu to Bohol...... if go, i better ask my kids to wear life jackets wahhahahaha.

You been to Cebu and Bohol? Can share your trip experience?

Ferry are those big and slower ships.

Get those hitech catamaran fast craft. Bigger and better than those fastcrafts going to Batam. So you should do fine.

There's no better than the other. I like Boracay because of the party/girls.

I think in your case you like easier access, Bohol is better. You go chocolate hills, see Tarsier, river cruise, visit old churches for the whole day and beach for the rest for your vacation .

Public beach is Alona in Panglao quiet nice. If you like private you can go to Bohol Beach Club.

 

[vogriphach]

Would second that about Cebu which you can combine with Bohol. More to see that way.

Went to Bohol during CNY. Had written about the trip here. And yes, it's still worth it to go after the earthquake.

Things to Do in Bohol