Press Releases
Apr
Palaui Island, Cagayan Valley, Philippines – A Backpacker's Guide
Palaui Island: The 10th spot of CNN’s World’s 100 Best Beaches – A backpackers guide. Palaui Island got the attention of the world when it was used as the filming location for “Survivor: Cagayan and Survivor: Blood vs. Water.” It also boasts of being in the 10th spot of CNN’s World’s 100 Best Beaches. Located off the northeastern extremity of Luzon Island part of the municipality of Santa Ana, Cagayan province, Palaui Island, which is only about 2,439 hectares, offers a verdant landscape of meadows and farmlands, lush forests and stretches of white, coralline beaches, mangroves and volcanic rockscapes. In 1994, the island was declared a National Marine Reserve. Surrounded by 50 hectares of coral reefs, the island is 70% covered with forest which provides a refuge for a variety of animals and 90 species of migratory birds. And on the forest floor there are land crabs, a crustacean species that thrives away from the sea. There are several small islets that surround Palaui which includes Escucha, Dos Hermanos, Gran Laja Island, and Crocodile Island. People of Palaui Island Image courtesy of YouTube The local residents who live in the island’s only village called Punta Verde, is made up of only a little more than 200 families, 30 of those are of the Aeta or Agta tribe, who make their living through farming and fishing. The Agtas belong to the Negrito ethnolinguistic group who are characteristically short, dark-skinned, kinky-haired, thick-lipped, and small-nosed. This group worship the spirits of their ancestors called Anitos and conduct rituals that include dancing. Places to visit in Palaui Island Image courtesy of insights.looloo.com Cape Engaño Lighthouse Palaui Island’s main tourist attraction and the most visited spot is found in its northern point called Cape Engaño. At the highest point of its hill is the ruins of the Cape Engaño Lighthouse where one can get to see a 360-degree view Palaui, Dos Hermanas, and Babuyan islands. To get to the lighthouse, there is a trail and a 229-step staircase from the Engaño Cove. Also known as Faro de Cabo Engaño, Cape Engaño Lighthouse which was built in 1892, is one of the four lighthouses constructed during the Spanish Colonial period that had served as a guide for incoming vessels from the Pacific Ocean. Siwangag Cove Image courtesy of YouTube Siwangag Cove was used as the home of the Galang tribe in the television show,”Survivor: Blood vs. Water” and later was also used by the Aparri and Solarrion tribe camps in another episode called, “Survivor: Cagayan.Siwangag Cove.” The cove is a sheltered anchorage covered with mixed pebbles, broken corallines, downy sands, and flings of shells. During the Spanish era, it was used to bring provisions to the lighthouse. One can still see the ruins of a Spanish port and the towering pillars by the shore. This is is also where the 229 steps to the Engano Lighthouse begins.Today the cove is used as shelter for small boats against the strong northwest and west winds. Siwangag Cove may be accessed on a boat from the Port of San Vicente either on the following routes: direct to Siwangag Cove or via Punta Verde, about 15 minutes boat ride plus a three to four hours trek. Punta Verde Nature Village Home to a small fishing village, Punta Verde serves is the main entry point of Palaui Island’s hiking and camping visitors. Here, travelers are required to register on a naval detachment unit stationed within the island. Punta Verde is the only village in Palaui Island where tourists are allowed to camp. This is a rule…
Jan
Things to do in Boracay: 35 Activities for Backpackers
The famous beaches of Boracay Island in the Philippines attract thousands of tourists every year. Most are drawn here by visions of relaxation and sunbathing. This island paradise, however, caters to active visitors, as well. Many hotels and guesthouses have partnerships with tour companies. Before venturing out onto the island, be sure to ask your accommodation option about booking options. You might even score a good deal by doing so. If you happen to be staying at Mad Monkey Boracay, we can definitely hook you up with an amazing tour deal! With that being said, here are 35 things to do in Boracay.
Mar
The Babuyan Islands of The Philippines – A Backpackers Guide
Introduction to the Babuyan Islands, just one of the island groups in The Philippine archipelago which is made up of about 7,500 islands, clustered into the three major island groups of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. From the number of islands, only about 2,000 are inhabited and more than 5,000 islands are yet to be named. The following series breaks the islands down by region and smaller island groups for easier reference for backpackers visiting the Philippines. Where are the Babuyan Group of Islands? Image courtesy of Wikicommons Located in the Luzon Strait above the main island of Luzon, this archipelago consists of five major islands and surrounding smaller islands. These main islands are: Babuyan, Calayan, Dalupiri, Fuga, and Camiguin. The whole archipelago is under the administration of the province of Cagayan with Babuyan, Calayan, Camiguin, and Dalupiri under the municipality of Calayan, while Fuga is under the municipality of Aparri. The Babuyan Islands are 24 volcanic creations, some of which made up of rugged cliffs and caves, while others are lined with white-sand beaches surrounded by blue, crystal-clear waters. Babuyan Islands Weather & Climate The Babuyan Islands is known as a typhoon-battered zone. So unless you’re into extreme adventures, you have to plan your trip carefully and be informed about the months that come under the typhoon season. The Babuyan Channel is generally too rough for crossings from December to March and during peak typhoon season from August to October. The best time to visit is from April to June, with April being traditionally the calmest month. When traveling to the Babuyan Islands, prepare for exposure to the elements and a potentially rough crossing. Sometimes the weather is unpredictable which may catch you stranded in one of the islands. A seven-day tour around Babuyan Islands can cost more than $900 or P40,000 per person, which includes all types of transportation, meals for seven days, fees, camping gear and a professional guide – as a backpacker you can do it on around $500 if you bring your own tent with you, its the transport and boat fees that will blow your budget. 1. Babuyan Island or Babuyan Claro Backpackers Guide One of the islands of Babuyan group of islands is Babuyan Island or sometimes called Babuyan Claro with a population of 1,423 as of the 2010 Census. Located at the highest and northernmost island in the Babuyan Islands is a volcanic island with a symmetrically-coned shaped volcano known as Mount Babuyan or Smith Volcano which towers at 2,257 feet above and Mount Pangasun or Babuyan Claro Volcano at 3,543 feet. Both volcanoes have been active in historical time. Since 1652, Smith Volcano erupted six times, the most recent was in 1924. While the rest of Babuyan Islands have stunning white sand beaches, the beaches of Babuyan Claro have grey to black sand, its terrain heavily forested. It is possible to visit Babuyan Island without the aid of a travel agency, but it’s better if there was someone who knows the area to guide you where to stay and eat, as well as how to hop from one island to another. 2. Calayan Island – Backpackers Guide Image courtesy of Youtube Calayan Island is famous for its white sand beaches, scenic coves, sea caves, and laid back environment. It is the largest of the Babuyan Islands located in the middle of Aparri and the Batanes group of islands — one of the islands closer to the China Sea on the northern coast of Luzon. Better known as the Babuyanes, the Calayan Islands is comprised by the major islands of Calayan (the municipality…
Mar
Philippines Beaches – Ultimate Backpackers Guide
Life is a beach or so the saying goes, but a happy life is a life on the Philippines beaches. There can be no doubt that the Philippines trumps any ideas you may have previously held about what makes a perfect beach, with the best beaches, private bays, secluded sand bars and tropical beaches available in the World, there is no beach more tranquil or more perfect than the beaches to be found in the Philippines. Finding The Best Beaches in the Philippines – The backpackers guide to Philippines beaches Home to more than seven thousand islands, The Philippines is blessed with an abundance of tropical, picture perfect islands and of course its perfect Philippines beaches. This has propelled the country to one of the hottest beach vacation destinations in the world, and as more backpackers are finding their way to the Philippines, more amazing beaches are being discovered and highlighted on the international stage. If you are backpacking the Philippines and you are a certified beach lover, then there is no doubt that you will find our guide to the Philippines top 20 most awesome beaches in Philippines useful for planning your trip. These Philippines beaches are not arranged in any order of merit, they are all stunners and worth a visit when you are backpacking the Philippines. The listing ranges from popular often-crowded Philippines beaches to hidden gems that only a few tourists and backpackers know about, but of course the best part of backpacking in the Philippines is discovering your own beaches that are as yet undiscovered. White Beach Boracay Island – Backpacker central This is an obvious first pick for our list. Located on Boracay Island, White Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Philippines. The beach is famously known for its gleaming powdery white sand that stretches for about 5 kilometers. It is divided into three locations; Station 1, Station 2 (main tourist area) and Station 3. White Beach is perfect for sunbathing or simply relaxing on the sand. There are numerous bars and restaurants on the beach to ensure that you never have to step off the sand. The turquoise waters are popular for water activities such as diving and snorkelling. Read our backpackers guide to Boracay Island Getting to White Beach : The easiest way to get to White Beach is take a plane from Manila to Caticlan. A boat will then take you to Cagban Port on Boracay Island. From there, you can take a tricycle to any location on White Beach – Read more about flying into Boracay airport. Bugsuk Island – one of the top beaches in the Philippines Photo courtesy of akrosdayunibers.com Bugsuk Island takes its spot on the southern end of Palawan Province. The island is home to the longest stretch of fine white sand in the country (longer and finer than White Beach, Boracay). This beach is located on the southern edge of the island, referred to as Barangay Sibaring. The beach is so remote that there are no hotels, resorts, restaurants or even electricity close by, so to enjoy this lesser known perfect Philippines beach you will be coming for a camping trip. Visitors have to bring everything they need for camping including food. But the rewards are plenty; an experience that leaves you wanting to stay forever, a sunrise/sunset that is indescribable and a relaxing detachment from the chaos of the world. Please remember to be responsible when you camp here, always clear up after yourself, the only thing you should leave on the beach is your footprints. Getting There: Take a bus…
Feb
Boracay Nightlife, Bars and Clubs – Backpackers Guide
Boracay nightlife is pumping. The Boracay bars and clubs are non stop. If you are a backpacker about to arrive on the island’s shores, our guide to Boracay’s nightlife should help you find your way around the best bars, clubs and nightlife on the island. Next stop, euphoria… Boracay Nightlife: The Best Bars and Clubs on the Island This island is not just sun, sand, and beaches; Boracay nightlife has also seen a major boom as more tourists have rolled up their dancing socks and flocked to the small island. Whether you are looking for a bar to hang out with friends for some sun-downer cocktails, or a nightclub to party till morning, this Boracay nightlife guide has got you covered. Of course, the problem with writing guides like this is that they are often out-of date a few weeks after publishing. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but if you are a backpacker and ready to party then the following drinking and partying guide should provide you with a great starting point to get the most out of your trip to the Boracay nightlife. Boracay Nightlife: Best Day Drinking Bars So you just finished on the beach, it’s before dark, and you want to head out for some early drinks and potentially some food. “Where are the best places to get the day drinks?” is the question on everyone’s thirsty lips. Say no more, here are our suggestions for the best afternoon bars to head out to… Mad Monkey Hostel Pool Bar – Boracay First and foremost, we want you to know our doors are always open and the red carpet is constantly rolled out for any travelers that are wanting to come and kick back by the pool for a few cold ones. The bar is usually buzzing with other travelers that are preparing themselves for another epic evening amongst the Boracay nightlife opportunities. If you’re in town on a Sunday or a Thursday, we’ve got a fiesta treat especially for you… Our All-Day Pool Party Sessions are going down in Boracay nightlife history. Happy Hour is in full flow all the way from 8am through till 6pm. The DJ will be spinning some sensual beats and there’s no shortage of cheeky games and contests for you to join in with. Don’t miss out on these famous festivities! Sandbar Beach Club – Boracay (Station 1) image courtesy of mountainsnbeyond.com Sandbar Beach Club is the perfect place to relax after spending hours in the water or on the beach. Lay back on a beach bed as the afternoon sun slowly turns into a mesmerizing sunset. This is where guys and ladies who swear by their fancy bikinis & budgie smugglers come to hang out, making it a great place to meet people and make new friends to head off into the Boracay nightlife scene with. Drinks start at 100 pesos ($2). The party not to miss out on… On Saturdays, make sure you swing by for Sandbar Beach Club’s famous day party; Saturday Shindig. On Sundays, the club becomes more a family shindig with a children’s beach party from 11am. White House Boracay Beach Lounge & Wetland Bar (Station 1) image courtesy of whitehouseboracay.com Donald Trump doesn’t know what he’s missing out on… This White House puts its architectural cousin in Washington DC to shame. The outdoor beach-side lounge is a prime spot to burn the daylight away. You can also relax beside the pool while sipping on your favorite drink. Drink prices start at 80 Pesos ($1.60) and happy hour runs the whole day long from…