About
The Philippines is a revelation! An ideal cycling country, good roads, nice and quiet, hospitable, incredibly nice people, safe, cheap, beautiful beaches, good food, etc.
Last updated 6 Jun 2021 by Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.beEdit
People
The people are nice, candid and hospitable. You will also meet many Filipinos in touristic places who are on holiday themselves.
Everyone who went to school speaks English because that is what is taught. English is an important trade language. As a first language people sometimes speak local languages with, for example, a beautiful name like Tagalog!
Last updated 6 Jun 2021 by Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.beEdit
Visa
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Sleeping
Ho(s)tels
count
You can always find a hotel in the larger cities. In some hotels the price is not stated per night but per hour (short stay), it is better not to take that. Distances between hotels are usually easy to cycle in a day. Price per room varies between €6 and €15.
Accommodation is easy to find in the cities (hostels and cheap hotels). Outside there is adequate accommodation but only basic and often spartan. For those who want a little more luxury, there are often pleasant resorts in places with a beautiful beach.
Wild camping
Free camping is not recommended. Too many people and a lot of buildings or agriculture along the roads.
Last updated 6 Jun 2021 by Cycle PlanetEdit
Safety
Peter: "I have had no unpleasant experiences or heard this from other travellers."
Criminality
Watch out for pickpockets in Manila (Malate), otherwise it feels safe everywhere.
Nature and animals
There are many dogs, but they do not cause much trouble.
Last updated 6 Jun 2021 by Cycle PlanetEdit
Food and drink
Filipinos love fast food, all possible variants are available. In local restaurants there are a row of pans that you can choose from. For simple meals you will not spend more than €3.
There are many fish dishes available. Also with raw fish, but that is probably not very wise to eat. Vegetarians have a little less choice, but there is plenty. Lots of fruits too. Or buy yourself a fish at the market and someone will put it on the BBQ for you, they smoke everywhere.
Drinkable water
Drinking tap water is not recommended. Good enough to brush your teeth. Mineral water is for sale everywhere. Water costs €0.50 to €1 per litre. Filtering is of course also an option. Along the way you can regularly buy cooled soft drinks in shops, restaurants and gas stations. This costs about €0.30 for a bottle, cans cost double.
Last updated 6 Jun 2021 by Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.beEdit
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Best time to cycle
In winter it is dry here and there is little natural violence. April: Fairly warm, 35-40 degrees but almost no rain. The rainy season starts in mid-May. December, January and February for the northern islands, December is still rainy season in the south. The country has a tropical climate with a dry and rainy season. On Samar , Leyte and Mindanao there can always be a shower.
Spare parts
Peter (2006): "In the bigger cities there are good bike shops with all modern parts such as Shimano, the most common tire size is 26 inches." Peter has also seen many small workshops with welding equipment along the way.
**
Nice routes**
Peter cycled the following route in 2006: Angeles, Manila, Lucena, Naga, Legazpi on Luzon, Samar the west coast, the west coast from Leyte to Maasin, from there a ferry to Mindanao, Bohol, Cebu, Negros, Panay and back to Mindoro via Mindoro. Manila. He found this as a whole interesting and much more adventurous for the cyclist than, for example, Thailand.
Last updated 6 Jun 2021 by Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.beEdit