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Tag: Philippines

  • Outpost Hostel Review: Beachfront Accommodation in El Nido

    Outpost Hostel Review: Beachfront Accommodation in El Nido

    Outpost Hostel, El Nido

    El Nido is a beautiful coastal location in Palawan which is surrounded by tranquil blue waters and paradisal islands. When researching the town there is so much to do, and therefore we decided to stay for 5 nights and searched for a busy Hostel that provided lovely views, and had good access to beach tours… that lead us to booking Outpost Hostel. You can see just how exciting Palawan is to travel in our guide here.

    We used HostelWorld and came across 2 main Hostels to choose from. The hostel we ended up choosing was Outpost Hostel, as it was directly on the beach and was known for good socialising to meet people. You can find a link to the hostel here.

    *There are affiliate links in this post – they do not come at any extra cost to you, but just means we can earn commission to help us pursue this further 🙂

    1. Outpost Hostel, El Nido
    2. Our review of Outpost Hostel in El Nido
    3. Overall – 9.5/10
      1. Arrival – 7/10
      2. Rooms – 8/10
      3. Toilet & Showers – 9/10
      4. Communal/social Area – 9.5/10
      5. Trips – 10/10
      6. Location – 8/10
      7. Food (Taste) – 8.5/10, (Price) – 5/10
      8. Facilities
    4. Our experience at Outpost Hostel
      1. Would we recommend Outpost Hostel?
    5. Outpost, El Nido!
    6. Our favourite must-needed travel resources
      1. Where to Fly
      2. Where to Stay
      3. Where to Explore
      4. Where to get Connected
      5. Where to be Protected
    7. Our Top Traveller’s Essentials

    Our review of Outpost Hostel in El Nido

    Overall – 9.5/10

    Arrival – 7/10

    When arriving in El Nido, we were dropped off in a peculiar location on the side of a bend of a main road. From here we were directed from our driver to head down some side steps. This was reaffirmed as we saw overhead signs directing us onto the beach for the Outpost Hostel. Take a left across the beach for 2 minutes and you will end up at the steps of the Hostel.

    It’s a simple Hostel to find as you just have to follow the beach until you find the entrance. If you are arriving in the morning you may find an issue of the tide coming in and having to walk through the sea (maybe up to your knees), to get to the entrance so wear appropriate clothing.

    When you arrive you head past the bar to the desk which you are welcomed with happy staff who will help you with your bags and direct you to your room.

    Outpost Poster in the Hostel in El Nido, Philippines
    Philippines map in the accommodation.

    Rooms – 8/10

    There are many rooms to choose from including dorms ranging from 4 – 12 people, and the option for a private room. The dorms are very spacious and offer ample space for you to keep your belongings at the bottom of each bed. It’s important to note that the dorms are bunk beds, so you may require to stay at the top bunk which many people try to avoid. If it isn’t completely full at the hostel you are able to ask and they will put you in a bottom bunk if there are bottom bunks available.

    The bedding is clean and the rooms are well kept. Very simple but it’s all you can ask for from a hostel, and the beds are comfy. Unfortunately they don’t have any privacy in the rooms. Curtains are not provided to give privacy which some may prefer, however the beds do still feel isolated and hidden which is nice.

    Toilet & Showers – 9/10

    The toilets are very professional and communal to all the rooms in the Hostel. It’s one large area which has many cubicles that are checked regularly and kept to a really good standard. The decor is very modern, and all the surfaces are kept clean. The showers are located in the same area as the toilets and are within cubicles just like the toilets. The showers are powerful and warm which is a nice, and includes hooks for your towel and any clothes you look to change into.

    Communal/social Area – 9.5/10

    The communal area is the whole of the downstairs which consists of a reception, bar for drinks, and tables and chairs for food and general socialising. It’s a large space which can hold up to 50-75 people; perfect for social nights at the Hostel. In the day a lot of people spend their time at the tables eating breakfast/lunch and admiring the views, before heading out on their daily adventures. There are even sun loungers and deck chairs provided for anyone that wants to spend time soaking up the sun and relaxing with on the beautiful beach.

    Upstairs there is a quieter communal area which overlooks the beach and ocean which was a favourite space to eat breakfast and soak up the morning views. There’s an open space that has sofas for comfort, a space for books and music which is perfect to relax. It’s a less sociable area than downstairs and is often a space used to individual time.

    The Hostel offers an environment for both a quiet evening or a sociable one making it a great hostel no matter your situation.

    Sunset Views on the beach in El Nido, Philippines
    Morning breakfast view in El Nido, Philippines
    Photo of one of the communal areas at Outpost Hostel in El Nido, Philippines
    Breakfast with beach view in El Nido

    Trips – 10/10

    The trips are the true selling point for the hostel! They do trips everyday as they have 2 main island hopping tours. The locations are split into tours A,B,C & D. One Tour is A & C and the other is B & D. These tours are very similar, but also different at the same time. They consist of visiting different islands that is close to the town of El Nido, with different activities throughout the day.

    A stop off close to an island that is so tiny that you have to swim to… it has no beach and there is a viewpoint at the top. The island was no more than 20 metres by 20 metres but the island had enough height above sea level to provide a beautiful view overlooking the waters to admire the picturesque islands in the back.

    There were a few islands that were perfect for scuba diving, and offered the opportunity to find turtles. Although we didn’t manage to see any, there are popular locations that see many turtles in the wild. We were just unlucky. Some of these islands will offer drinks and snacks on the beach, and you are free to explore as you wish. If you don’t want to snorkel, you can explore down the coast or venture into the island further. Maybe plays some games with locals or other boat trip goers. Or just enjoy the view, sit back and relax on the beaches!

    One of the islands is remembered very fondly as we played a game of volleyball with some locals on a random island. They didn’t speak any English and there was no way to communicate, but all was needed was a volleyball. We split the teams up so we had some locals to make it fair and we played a game. It was one of the best experiences we have ever had! The best part of it was we played volleyball as the sun started to set! It was magical!

    Also on the tour there is lunch provided which consists of a large fresh fish that is cooked whole and so soft! The fish was beautiful, and there was also pork and chicken provided with rice and a handful of other options. There was also fruit provided which was super fresh! Watermelon and Pineapple is given and you can eat as much as you want. We enjoyed this on one of the many beaches on the beach. They brought a table to set up to plate all the food on! The other trip had a stop which had a beach hut built on the side with benches and a table so food was served here!

    Towards the end of each trip simple games were played with the whole boat, and losers would be served a shot of the rum provided by the hostel. Everyone was given a shot as mandatory to get people in the mood and was a great way to kill time between islands.

    When heading back and arriving back at the hostel, you were welcomed with an alcoholic beverage which was a lovely touch.

    One of the days we wanted to go to a beach roughly an hour away and one of the workers were happy to take us there in a minibus and charging us a small fee each to do so! We ended up getting 8 or so people to come with and made a full day of it with the staff enjoying the trip also! We visited a few beaches, played volleyball and ate local cuisines. The staff are very flexible and are happy to help with any bookings or plans you have when in El Nido so if you do have a question be sure to ask!

    Island Views on Palawan Tour from Outpost Hostel
    Island Views on Palawan Tour
    Island Views on Palawan Tour
    Island Views on Palawan Tour from Outpost Hostel
    Island Views on Boat Trip booked through Outpost hostel

    Location – 8/10

    The town of El Nido is only a 5 minute TukTuk away, and once you get back onto the main road there will be TukTuks waiting or they will stop to ask if you need taking somewhere. You could walk the distance as it isn’t far, but a TukTuk makes it easier! You should be able to get a TukTuk for 100/150 Filipino Peso (£1.50-£2.00). Make sure to barter and do not overpay! There isn’t much to do in the town but there are food spots, and is generally a nice town.

    Food (Taste) – 8.5/10, (Price) – 5/10

    The food at the hostel is super nice! They serve up local foods like Pork Sisig (our favourite) and Chicken Adobo- and it’s all freshly made and so flavourful. In the day they offer sandwiches and other snacks, which is a great bite to eat while chilling! There is a lot of variety with vegetarian options available also! When you order just let them know you where you are sitting and they will bring the food up to you!

    However, the price of the food is premium; and you can find local restaurants that offer their food at a much cheaper rate. In September 2022, the food in El Nido cost roughly 300 peso for dinner with the lunch being slightly cheaper. However, there is a local restaurant round the corner which offers some beautiful homemade dishes for roughly 100/150 Filipino Peso which is a lot more affordable and is only a 5 minute walk away.

    We would recommend looking for local restaurants to eating to keep spending down for your trip.

    Breakfast is included when booking a room and is one of the best meals for the day. They provide fresh fruit and beautiful options which will leave you very satisfied for your busy day ahead!

    Pork Sisig meal at Outpost Hostel
    Pork Sisig at Outpost Hostel

    Facilities

    The Hostel had an ATM on the top floor which was really convenient so you didn’t have to search for one and head into town.

    Our experience at Outpost Hostel

    Would we recommend Outpost Hostel?

    The Hostel was an amazing stay and one we would totally recommend when you are heading to El Nido! The customer service really is amazing, and they really do improve your experience. The food is lovely and the boat trips really help you to see the surrounding areas which you cannot afford to miss! The rooms are standard, but have the necessities needed– plus some well kept and modern showers and bathrooms! The evening is organised well to keep travellers busy with games, social activities and more! The hostel is one of the better ones we stayed in during our time in South East Asia, so don’t miss out! There’s no better view from a hostel balcony than a morning at Outpost, El Nido!

    Outpost, El Nido!

    Thank you for reading our review of the wonderful Outpost Hostel in El Nido, Philippines! If you are debating whether to book here we would totally recommend it and know you will not be missing out! Are you travelling Southeast Asia? Read our top 7 places to visit in Vietnam, an ultimate 2 week itinerary for North Thailand, and our top places to eat in Bali.

    Make sure to like the Blog post and let us know your views on staying at this amazing hostel!

    Our favourite must-needed travel resources

    Where to Fly

    Trip.com – Find amazing flight deals, with over 2 million flight routes, and being one of the world’s leading online travel agencies.

    Kiwi – Use Kiwi’s amazing service that is pioneering in the flight space! They use virtual interlining, which means they can provide seamless connecting flights into one single itinerary!

    CheapOair – Being one of the fastest growing online travel companies in the US, CheapOair offers great flight deals, hotel rooms, rental cars and more!

    Where to Stay

    Booking.com – Offering over 28 million accommodations to book, we will always use booking.com! Having a rewards system built in, the more you book, the more perks you get!

    HostelWorld – You cannot budget travel without hostel world! Having over 17,000 hostels, boasting over 13 million reviews, hostel world is one our of top websites for budget travel! They are now offering more ways to meet people abroad, with meet ups, group chats and more available!

    Vrbo – Find stunning vacation rentals with Vrbo! Offering over 2 million paid listings in 190 countries, find memorable experiences with this accommodation service!

    Where to Explore

    Viator – A trip advisor company, viator offers over 300,000 experiences over 200 countries, including water sports, walking tours, boat trips, food tastes tours and more! Including activities for many budgets, check out Viator!

    Eat With – Experience authentic travel experiences with locals worldwide! Use eat with to book unique and intimate dining experiences, such as dinner parties in big restaurants, big feasts with a local family, cooking classes with a local and more!

    Get Your Guide – Book unique (and common too!) experiences and activities worldwide, including skip the line tickets to big attractions worldwide!

    Where to get Connected

    Airalo – With over one million people using Airalo, it is our go to eSIM provider for our worldwide trips! Having data packs from over 200 countries, find combined area packages and deals to suit your travel style and data needs!

    Where to be Protected

    ETKA – Every age from 3 to 85 can buy ETKA’s travel insurance, offering multilingual 24/7 chat support, and your insurance policy within 2-3 minutes!

    Our Top Traveller’s Essentials

    Backpack – Osprey Farpoint 40 – This backpack is a staple amongst many travellers! Being a lot cheaper than the luxury brands, this is a quality backpack from a well known brand. It boasts quality durability, is lightweight with a great framework and is a great option for most people! This backpack has a hip strap to help carry the bag, a breathable harness strap, and comes in multiple colours!

    Compression Packing Cubes – Compression cubes are our favourite packing accessory! These cubes are similar to the normal packing cubes, but feature a compression zip, meaning you can compress your clothes down… this makes packing easier, limits the space you are using, and means more room for souvenirs etc!

    Powerbank – Don’t lose power when travelling! It isn’t always guaranteed to find charging ports, so we would always suggest carrying a spare power bank, just incase you do run low on power when you need it!

    Universal Travel Plug Adapter – Most backpackers/travellers visit multiple countries during one trip. And that means it isn’t guaranteed you will be using the same plug head during each place. A universal plug is great as it lets you switch between each plug head style all in one item! We love ours, it has USB slots meaning multiple items can be charged at once.

    Find our full packing list guide here.

    If you would like to support our own travel Journey, please check out all our other blogs, and subscribe to the newsletter where we are currently uploading daily blogs!

    Check out our Social Media’s below! We share our daily activities, all of our budget friendly travel tips, travel inspiration and more!

    Finally, share this post with your friends! Let’s build those travel plans and make memories!

    Leave a comment

  • Ultimate Palawan Travel Guide 2024: Top Attractions, Hidden Gems, and Travel Tips

    Ultimate Palawan Travel Guide 2024: Top Attractions, Hidden Gems, and Travel Tips

    Palawan Island is located in the Philippines, and is a thin strip of land furthest west. It’s a popular place for travellers as there are many stops across the large island, with beautiful beaches, once in a lifetime activities and amazing food!

    The Island is one of 7,641 Islands that make up the country of Philippines; with many dotted just off the shores. It’s a convenient location for travellers as you are only a 1/2 hour flight away when arriving in the capital of Manila, making it easily accessible! Also, if you have travelled other parts of the Philippines you can get a ferry from Cebu to Coron, but this will take a long time to travel – roughly 35 hours which will stop at other locations including the capital Manila, before heading to Coron (north Palawan). You can also fly from Cebu to Palawan which is roughly 2,000 Philippine Peso which is a lot quicker and not much more expensive!!

    The island is definitely worth the travel and wait time as we have not seen such paradisal beaches and islands anywhere else in the world!! The options are to fly to Puerto Princesa which is in the central part of the Island, or to the north Island of Coron which is the Busuanga Airport.

    *There are affiliate links in this post – they do not come at any extra cost to you, but just means we can earn commission to help us pursue this further 🙂

    Coron, Philippines

    Puerto Princesa

    The popular flight (and easiest) is to Puerto Princesa, as it is the larger airport and has more flights. However, Coron is a popular spot and one you don’t want to miss out on. We would recommend to head to Puerto Princesa and get local transport (likely a TukTuk) into the city of Puerto Princesa, which is roughly a 30 minute ride. There isn’t much to do here but is a lovely quiet place perfect to get over any jet lag from your travels! 12Go offer a bus and ferry option to transfer from Coron port to Puerto Princesa Airport here.

    We would recommend 1 nights in Puerto Princesa if you are fast travelling and 2 nights if you are slow travelling. As mentioned above, there isn’t much to do in the area but there is 2 activities we would recommend to do that you shouldn’t miss!

    The first of these are the underground river! The underground river is a natural UNESCO heritage site which a great way to learn more about the rich history of the Philippines and it’s beauty. This experience is a short walk into the Philippines forest where you come up to large rock formations and stunning blue water which leads into the mouth of a dark cave. You are given a guide who will paddle you through the caves and point out any interesting parts of the cave with his flashlight. Before entering the cave you are provided with a headset which has an automatic recording which will talk to you and inform you on the history of the cave and how it became so popular. Find guided tour tickets here.

    In the cave you will learn about Stalagmites and Stalactites, and be notified of the amount of bats in the cave. This will be pointed out by the guide through shining the torch for visibility. All round, the experience is calming, and is a lovely way to learn about the local caves with the potential to see wild monkeys on the way into and out of the caves! Be sure to avoid contact with them as they are wild monkeys, and are not pets!

    This is a great way to spend half a day in Puerto Princesa and is one of the most popular spots in the area!

    Also close to Puerto Princesa is Port Barton.

    Port Barton

    This is another popular spot just north of Puerto Princesa which is a literal paradise! The area of Port Barton has a large Horseshoe beach with many islands just off the coast.. perfect for a boat trip! The town has become more popular of recent years as more travellers are becoming aware of it’s natural beauty!

    It would be recommended to stay here for 2/3 nights and from here head further north. However, this is a great location to kick back, relax on the stunning beaches and spend time going for swims, snorkelling to look for marine animals, and exploring the area.

    It’s located near a mangrove and has some amazing walks to beaches which are so quiet that it seems private! The area is so stunning and always recommended by travellers who have been there. Also here is local waterfalls which you can venture to and spend some time taking in the natural beauty!

    There’s even an island called Paradise Island!!! You can book an island hopping tour that visits this island here.

    After enjoying Port Barton in all it’s beauty, you can then head up north towards El Nido by taking the most popular transport of a taxi/shuttle dependant on preference. The shuttle would be cheaper as it is taking multiple groups of people but will be slower and will usually take 4 or so hours. You can find a shuttle bus transport from 12Go for only £9 here. When we made the journey up to the north of Palawan to El Nido our shuttle blew a tyre and we were stuck on the side of a road for 1 hour with only a few local huts housing families and stray dogs. It was a welcoming experience as these people lived such a simple life and was so amazing to see it! Hopefully this doesn’t happen to you haha!

    El Nido

    When looking to visit El Nido there are 2 main hostels that travellers book! One is Frendz Hostel and another is Outpost Hostel. We opted for the latter which turned out to be one of the best hostels we stayed in across the whole 3 months in Asia! The hostel has everything you can ask for! Lovely staff, amazing facilities, good price, boat trips, the beach on the doorstep and more!

    When we say the beach on the doorstep, we mean that once we were dropped off near the hostel on the side of the road, we had to wander down steps onto the beach as pointed out by a sign. We wandered the beach for 2 minutes and boom there’s the hostel. Literally 3 steps up from the beach. It is so close that when you wake up in the morning and head down for breakfast, you will notice the tide has come in and if you are to go on the beach you will have to walk through the sea!

    You have the choice from a shared dorm of 12/8/4 or a private room. It is known to be a lively hostel, a place for people to meet fellow travellers and enjoy the evenings! Each day the hostel have boat tours running (there are 2 to do which are alternated), which we would recommend 100%. It’s an island hopping tour that really stood out and you will see places that literally look out of this world. The tours (as of September 2022) cost around £15 per person and would be from 9am till 5/6pm, which is inclusive of lunch (fresh fish and fruits like pineapple and watermelon), party games between islands (including alcohol), and snorkel gear and recommendations on where to find marine animals. It’s so worth the money and you get to know all the fellow travellers on the trip as well which is amazing!

    On the tour we met up with some local islanders that lived on one of the many islands dotted around the Philippines. Even though they didn’t speak English or we didn’t speak their language, we decided to play a game of Volleyball with the locals with mixed teams. We got to understand the simplicity of their life and how grateful they were for what little they had. It was such a surreal experience and on the island we were able to enjoy the sunset before heading back to the hostel for the end of the trip.

    As expected, we did both the boat tours which take separate routes around the islands visiting different areas! Once you get back you are welcomed at the bar with a free drink and the socialising has begun!

    The hostel offers great food, but it is a lot more expensive to eat at the hostel compared to local places just a 5/10 minute away. We are taking sometimes 3 times more expensive!

    If you do enjoy the party scene, you can venture into El Nido later in the evening and find a popular club called Amigos which has an amazing view once you walk through it! At the back you fall straight on the beach only 10/20 feet away from the sea and we can’t lie we had a few dips in there because why not! Many would take off their clothes and go in the sea in their underwear to then come out the sea, dry off and put their clothes back on to head back into the club! The vibes are electric and the people are super friendly! Even next door to the club there is an amazing burger spot which is a great place to stumble in once you have completed the night and looking for a late snack!

    From Outpost Hostel to the centre of town should only cost 100 Pesos (£1.50) each way and you can ride multiple people in one TukTuk!

    In the day there is still loads more to do! We ended up renting a driver and a group of us headed to some famous beaches (Nacpan & Duli Beach). These are roughly 45 – 60 minutes north of El Nido but well worth the journey! The beaches were empty, we were the only ones there! We stopped and had lunch on the beach before going into the sea and enjoying the beautiful weather! After a while, and moving between beaches, we came across loads of local Philippines kids running and playing on the sand which was awesome to see! As a group we played some volleyball and tired ourselves out to collapse on the sun loungers and enjoy the sunset. There’s no better way to enjoy this than ordering a local dessert of Halo Halo, which was so refreshing and beautiful! Definitely worth a try!!

    Also in El Nido there is a local waterfall called Nagkalit-Kalit ,which is a beautiful activity to experience, take photos, see the nature and swim under! El Nido is a place full of nature and one that should be on everyone’s bucket list!

    Moving on from El Nido would be to take a Ferry from the mainland of Palawan to the island of Busuanga which is the next location of Coron! The Ferry is pretty expensive at £40-£50+ and takes roughly 5 hours dependant on the weather and the choppy waters. Please note that the Ferry only runs 2 times a week (was Tuesday and Thursday we believe in 2022) so be sure to check this before looking to book as you might be stranded in El Nido for a few extra days if you don’t plan ahead. It’s not really the worst place to be left stranded though really!! You can book the ferry here.

    Coron

    From here you can head up north to the Island of Coron which is part of Palawan. Coron is a small seaside town that has some great activities that you definitely don’t want to miss out on.

    Here we would recommend to stay at Outpost Hostel located in Coron. This is the same company as the one in El Nido, but is less party and more chilled out. It is located through the town, and up a steep street that overlooks much of the town- and provide great views of the sea and sunrise/sunset. The Hostel also has a small pool you can use and offers daily entertainment each evening which normally consists of drinking games and fun! The hostel is super friendly and is only a 15 minute walk from the main town, which has some good entertainment like a place to play pool and some great local food spots. In Coron, we would recommend going on boat tours as there are so many pretty islands close to the island. However, be aware that it is slightly more expensive than the tours in El Nido, and doesn’t offer the same entertaining perks as well. You will also be required to provide your own snorkel equipment or purchase/rent the equipment for the tour.

    The tour will include going to some beautiful islands and swimming in some amazing turquoise blue lakes which are breath taking. You seriously cannot get bored of the tours and the beauty of the country Philippines. One of these being Barracuda lake which houses actual Barracuda’s that live deep in the lake and are seldom seen. Unfortunately we didn’t see one but one of our friends did and if you are lucky you may see them too!

    In the town of Coron you can take a walk up into the hills and find a spot where you can look over the whole town and the waters afar! Mount Tapyas is a popular hike and one that will take you up hundreds of steps and roughly takes 60 – 90 minutes if you take your time. Up here you will see a large sign like the one in Hollywood and be able to witness a beautiful view with picturesque islands in the back. This would be a great place to venture up before sunrise or at sunset to see some beautiful views!

    Coron is a hotspot for many aspiring divers to get their PADI diving certificate or learn how to free dive. It has some cool locations including reefs, turtle spots and shipwrecks where you are able to do this and learn how to scuba dive and earn your PADI certificate!

    Also in Coron, there’s a natural hot spring called Maquinit which allows you to bathe in naturally heated pools of water to relax and sooth your soul. Coron is such a beautiful seaside town full of character and beauty. It’s certainly a place you can’t miss out on!

    Palawan

    The best time to visit Palawan would ideally be between November to May as this is technically their summer time. This means there is less risk of bad weather and encountering typhoons or cyclones which are more apparent between June and October. However, when we visited it was the start/middle of September and the weather was beautiful. Full of sun with a few cloudy days! There were a few days (mostly in Coron) where we were hit with heavy rain or wet weather but it adds to the experience and really didn’t dampen our spirits while there!

    Leaving the island would generally consist of grabbing a plane to either the capital Manila or onto the rest of the Philippines like Cebu from Francisco B. Reyes Airport. It’s located close to Coron would only be a short TukTuk ride to here!

    Visiting Palawan is such a beautiful journey

    If you would like to support our own travel Journey, please check out all our other blogs, and subscribe to the newsletter where we are currently uploading daily blogs!

    Check out our Social Media’s below! We share our daily activities, all of our budget friendly travel tips, travel inspiration and more!

    Finally, share this post with your friends! Let’s build those travel plans and make memories!

    Leave a comment

  • Palawan Travel Guide for 2024

    Palawan Travel Guide for 2024

    Palawan Island is located in the Philippines, and is a thin strip of land furthest west. It’s a popular place for travellers as there are many stops across the large island. There are beautiful beaches, once in a lifetime activities and amazing food!

    The Island is one of 7,641 Islands that make up the country of Philippines; with many dotted just off the shores. It’s a convenient location for travellers as you are only a 1/2 hour flight away when arriving in the capital of Manila, making it easily accessible! Also, if you have travelled other parts of the Philippines you can get a ferry from Cebu to Coron, but this will take a long time to travel – roughly 35 hours which will stop at other locations including the capital Manila, before heading to Coron (north Palawan). You can also fly from Cebu to Palawan which is roughly 2,000 Philippine Peso which is a lot quicker and not much more expensive!!

    The island is definitely worth the travel and wait time as we have not seen such paradisal beaches and islands anywhere else in the world!! The options are to fly to Puerto Princesa which is in the central part of the Island, or to the north Island of Coron which is the Busuanga Airport.

    *There are affiliate links in this post – they do not come at any extra cost to you, but just means we can earn commission to help us pursue this further 🙂

    Beautiful blue waters and beach hut in Coron, Palawan, in the Philippines
    Coron, Philippines

    Puerto Princesa

    The first location in our Palawan guide is Puerto Princess! The popular flight (and easiest) is to Puerto Princesa, as it is the larger airport and has more flights. However, Coron is a popular spot and one you don’t want to miss out on. We would recommend to head to Puerto Princesa and get local transport (likely a TukTuk) into the city of Puerto Princesa, which is roughly a 30 minute ride. There isn’t much to do here but is a lovely quiet place perfect to get over any jet lag from your travels! 12Go offer a bus and ferry option to transfer from Coron port to Puerto Princesa Airport here.

    We would recommend 1 nights in Puerto Princesa if you are fast travelling and 2 nights if you are slow travelling. As mentioned above, there isn’t much to do in the area but there is 2 activities we would recommend to do that you shouldn’t miss!

    The first of these are the underground river! The underground river is a natural UNESCO heritage site which a great way to learn more about the rich history of the Philippines and it’s beauty. This experience is a short walk into the Philippines forest where you come up to large rock formations and stunning blue water which leads into the mouth of a dark cave.

    You are given a guide who will paddle you through the caves and point out any interesting parts of the cave with his flashlight. Before entering the cave you are provided with a headset which has an automatic recording which will talk to you and inform you on the history of the cave and how it became so popular. Find guided tour tickets here.

    In the cave you will learn about Stalagmites and Stalactites, and be notified of the amount of bats in the cave. This will be pointed out by the guide through shining the torch for visibility. All round, the experience is calming, and is a lovely way to learn about the local caves. There is even potential to see wild monkeys on the way into and out of the caves! Be sure to avoid contact with them as they are wild monkeys, and are not pets!

    This is a great way to spend half a day in Puerto Princesa, and is one of the most popular spots in the area!

    Also close to Puerto Princesa is Port Barton.

    Port Barton

    This is another popular spot in Palawan, just north of Puerto Princesa, which is a literal paradise! The area of Port Barton has a large Horseshoe beach with many islands just off the coast.. perfect for a boat trip! The town has become more popular of recent years as more travellers are becoming aware of it’s natural beauty!

    It would be recommended to stay here for 2/3 nights and from here head further north. However, this is a great location to kick back, relax on the stunning beaches and spend time going for swims, snorkelling to look for marine animals, and exploring the area.

    It’s located near a mangrove and has some amazing walks to beaches which are so quiet that it seems private! The area is so stunning and always recommended by travellers who have been there. Also here is local waterfalls which you can venture to and spend some time taking in the natural beauty!

    There’s even an island called Paradise Island!!! You can book an island hopping tour that visits this island here.

    After enjoying Port Barton in all it’s beauty, you can then head up north towards El Nido by taking the most popular transport of a taxi/shuttle dependant on preference. The shuttle would be cheaper as it is taking multiple groups of people but will be slower and will usually take 4 or so hours. You can find a shuttle bus transport from 12Go for only £9 here. When we made the journey up to the north of Palawan to El Nido our shuttle blew a tyre and we were stuck on the side of a road for 1 hour with only a few local huts housing families and stray dogs. It was a welcoming experience as these people lived such a simple life and was so amazing to see it! Hopefully this doesn’t happen to you haha!

    El Nido

    When looking to visit El Nido there are 2 main hostels that travellers book! One is Frendz Hostel and another is Outpost Hostel. We opted for the latter which turned out to be one of the best hostels we stayed in across the whole 3 months in Asia! The hostel has everything you can ask for! Lovely staff, amazing facilities, good price, boat trips, the beach on the doorstep and more!

    When we say the beach on the doorstep, we mean that once we were dropped off near the hostel on the side of the road, we had to wander down steps onto the beach as pointed out by a sign. We wandered the beach for 2 minutes and boom there’s the hostel. Literally 3 steps up from the beach. It is so close that when you wake up in the morning and head down for breakfast, you will notice the tide has come in and if you are to go on the beach you will have to walk through the sea!

    You have the choice from a shared dorm of 12/8/4 or a private room. It is known to be a lively hostel, a place for people to meet fellow travellers and enjoy the evenings! Each day the hostel have boat tours running (there are 2 to do which are alternated), which we would recommend 100%. It’s an island hopping tour that really stood out and you will see places that literally look out of this world. The tours (as of September 2022) cost around £15 per person and would be from 9am till 5/6pm, which is inclusive of lunch (fresh fish and fruits like pineapple and watermelon), party games between islands (including alcohol), and snorkel gear and recommendations on where to find marine animals. It’s so worth the money and you get to know all the fellow travellers on the trip as well which is amazing!

    On the tour we met up with some local islanders that lived on one of the many islands dotted around the Philippines. Even though they didn’t speak English or we didn’t speak their language, we decided to play a game of Volleyball with the locals with mixed teams. We got to understand the simplicity of their life and how grateful they were for what little they had. It was such a surreal experience and on the island we were able to enjoy the sunset before heading back to the hostel for the end of the trip.

    As expected, we did both the boat tours which take separate routes around the islands visiting different areas! Once you get back you are welcomed at the bar with a free drink and the socialising has begun!

    The hostel offers great food, but it is a lot more expensive to eat at the hostel compared to local places just a 5/10 minute away. We are taking sometimes 3 times more expensive!

    If you do enjoy the party scene, you can venture into El Nido later in the evening and find a popular club called Amigos which has an amazing view once you walk through it! At the back you fall straight on the beach only 10/20 feet away from the sea and we can’t lie we had a few dips in there because why not! Many would take off their clothes and go in the sea in their underwear to then come out the sea, dry off and put their clothes back on to head back into the club! The vibes are electric and the people are super friendly! Even next door to the club there is an amazing burger spot which is a great place to stumble in once you have completed the night and looking for a late snack!

    From Outpost Hostel to the centre of town should only cost 100 Pesos (£1.50) each way and you can ride multiple people in one TukTuk!

    In the day there is still loads more to do! We ended up renting a driver and a group of us headed to some famous beaches (Nacpan & Duli Beach). These are roughly 45 – 60 minutes north of El Nido but well worth the journey! The beaches were empty, we were the only ones there! We stopped and had lunch on the beach before going into the sea and enjoying the beautiful weather! After a while, and moving between beaches, we came across loads of local Philippines kids running and playing on the sand which was awesome to see! As a group we played some volleyball and tired ourselves out to collapse on the sun loungers and enjoy the sunset. There’s no better way to enjoy this than ordering a local dessert of Halo Halo, which was so refreshing and beautiful! Definitely worth a try!!

    Also in El Nido there is a local waterfall called Nagkalit-Kalit ,which is a beautiful activity to experience, take photos, see the nature and swim under! El Nido is a place full of nature and one that should be on everyone’s bucket list!

    Moving on from El Nido would be to take a Ferry from the mainland of Palawan to the island of Busuanga which is the next location of Coron! The Ferry is pretty expensive at £40-£50+ and takes roughly 5 hours dependant on the weather and the choppy waters. Please note that the Ferry only runs 2 times a week (was Tuesday and Thursday we believe in 2022) so be sure to check this before looking to book as you might be stranded in El Nido for a few extra days if you don’t plan ahead. It’s not really the worst place to be left stranded!! You can book the ferry here.

    Coron

    From here you can head up north to the Island of Coron which is part of Palawan. Coron is a small seaside town that has some great activities that you definitely don’t want to miss out on.

    Here we would recommend to stay at Outpost Hostel located in Coron. This is the same company as the one in El Nido, but is less party and more chilled out. It is located through the town, and up a steep street that overlooks much of the town- and provide great views of the sea and sunrise/sunset. The Hostel also has a small pool you can use and offers daily entertainment each evening which normally consists of drinking games and fun!

    The hostel is super friendly and is only a 15 minute walk from the main town, which has some good entertainment like a place to play pool and some great local food spots. In Coron, we would recommend going on boat tours as there are so many pretty islands close to the island. However, be aware that it is slightly more expensive than the tours in El Nido, and doesn’t offer the same entertaining perks as well. You will also be required to provide your own snorkel equipment or purchase/rent the equipment for the tour.

    The tour will include going to some beautiful islands and swimming in some amazing turquoise blue lakes which are breath taking. You seriously cannot get bored of the tours and the beauty of the country Philippines. One of these being Barracuda lake which houses actual Barracuda’s that live deep in the lake and are seldom seen. Unfortunately we didn’t see one but one of our friends did and if you are lucky you may see them too!

    In the town of Coron you can take a walk up into the hills and find a spot where you can look over the whole town and the waters afar! Mount Tapyas is a popular hike and one that will take you up hundreds of steps and roughly takes 60 – 90 minutes if you take your time. Up here you will see a large sign like the one in Hollywood and be able to witness a beautiful view with picturesque islands in the back. This would be a great place to venture up before sunrise or at sunset to see some beautiful views!

    Coron is a hotspot for many aspiring divers to get their PADI diving certificate or learn how to free dive. It has some cool locations including reefs, turtle spots and shipwrecks where you are able to do this and learn how to scuba dive and earn your PADI certificate!

    Also in Coron, there’s a natural hot spring called Maquinit which allows you to bathe in naturally heated pools of water to relax and sooth your soul. Coron is such a beautiful seaside town full of character and beauty. It’s certainly a place you can’t miss out on!

    Palawan

    The best time to visit Palawan would ideally be between November to May as this is technically their summer time. This means there is less risk of bad weather and encountering typhoons or cyclones which are more apparent between June and October. However, when we visited Palawan it was the start/middle of September and the weather was beautiful. Full of sun with a few cloudy days! There were a few days (mostly in Coron) where we were hit with heavy rain or wet weather but it adds to the experience and really didn’t dampen our spirits while there!

    Leaving the islands of Palawan would generally consist of grabbing a plane to either the capital Manila or onto the rest of the Philippines like Cebu from Francisco B. Reyes Airport. It’s located close to Coron would only be a short TukTuk ride to here!

    Are you visiting Southeast Asia anytime soon? Check out the most useful apps for Southeast Asia travel, alongside our other Southeast Asia blogs here.

    Visiting Palawan is such a beautiful journey

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  • 7 Must-Try Foods in Southeast Asia: A Culinary Adventure for Every Foodie!

    7 Must-Try Foods in Southeast Asia: A Culinary Adventure for Every Foodie!

    South East Asia is a remarkable place that is at the top of most people’s bucket list! It’s known for its beaches, people, culture, activities and the topic today… food!

    There’s so much to do here and you can never run out of things to see! But for a lot of people, food is so important. Having good meals can really change your experience and view about a country.

    If you have ever been Italy for the pasta, Japan for the sushi, or Mexico for it’s tacos, then you will understand how important food is when visiting a country! Food from these places really improves your view on the country, but can also leave a sour taste in your mouth if you don’t enjoy it!

    We would always recommend trying the local cuisine wherever you go. It’s the best way to meet locals, learn new cultures and really understand the country more. Even if the food isn’t necessarily one you would normally eat, it’s always worth a try as trying new things is the best way to grow and learn new things about yourself.

    Trying a new food could lead to it being your favourite dish you have EVER tried! So what’s the harm?

    You need to make sure you are eating at the right spots and also the local foods to get the best experience.

    Turning up to a country and flicking through the menu is one way of trying new foods but sometimes its good to do your research and see what’s recommended so you can make the most out of your trip abroad!

    So South East Asia… What are the best foods to try? Is it spicy? Where do I eat?

    There’s a lot of questions people ask and it’s pretty difficult to figure this out when you have never been before.

    As you may already guess, each country would provide different dishes, tastes and ingredients so knowing the most recommended dishes and what ingredients they are typically cooked with will give you a good indication whether you are likely to order them when out there!

    Below, we have compiled the BEST FOODS we tried when visiting South East Asia! It is important to note that we we only travelled to 5 countries (Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam & Singapore) so any country we didn’t visit may not be included due to us not trying the food.

    The first dish is one of Jack’s FAVOURITE dish and should be first as it’s the perfect way to start your day!

    Top foods to try in Southeast Asia

    Thai Omelette!

      The Thai omelette can be eaten throughout the day but is usually consumed as a breakfast meal and the omelette typically consists of vegetables, chicken or pork. Jack’s choice would mostly be a vegetable Thai Omelette which comes standard with sticky rice and a side salad.

      A Thai Omelette is totally different to what a usual omelette is in Europe. It is fried in oil and includes ingredients such as fish sauce and spring onions.

      It’s served with crispy edges and a soft centre which goes perfectly with the rice and is filling so you won’t be left hungry.

      This meal was my choice of breakfast throughout our 3 weeks in Thailand with some days it being ordered for lunch also. It’s quite a safe order as people are used to ordering Omelette’s at home but has a lovely twist which really enhances flavour for you!

      It is also one of the cheapest dishes on any menu as it’s simple. This makes it a great budget option if you are looking to lower your costs but you can still get some amazing flavour! The lowest cost we say a Thai Omelette for was 50 Baht (roughly £1.40) and we know it’s cheaper at markets!!

      We would rate this dish a 10/10 and one we cannot wait to try when going back to Thailand!

      It would only cost around £1 ($1.25) which is a total bargain!

      Halo Halo

        This is a dish that we hadn’t heard of when visiting the Philippines, but after speaking with some locals, found it to be a traditional dessert that we had to try!

        Even after eating it, it’s still hard to understand all the flavours or ingredients as it is full of colour and different foods!

        A traditional Halo Halo is shaved ice with condensed and coconut milk with an ice-cream array of toppings. These usually include fruits (like jackfruit, banana and maybe mango!), beans, jelly and even sometimes crushed rice.

        There is so much going on with this dish that it’s hard to know what it’s going to taste like… You just have to try it! Be mindful that with so many ingredients, the dessert will be full of different textures, both crunchy and soft, but also chewy. It’s such a weird mixture of textures and flavours, but is beautifully rich and refreshing with a lovely scoop of ice-cream on top!

        When we enjoyed our first Halo Halo, it was after a long day at the beach and we were looking for something sweet to enjoy while relaxing and watching the waves.

        It’s a very traditional dish, and one that we would recommend trying; but if we were to have it again, we would likely share this as it’s very filling and probably is best split between 2 people. If you have a major sweet tooth and still feeling hungry then you can definitely have one to yourself!

        The Halo Halo is a decently priced dessert around £1 – £2 ($1.25 – $2.50)

        Vietnamese Vegetable Spring Rolls

          Now these were our absolute FAVOURITE! Again, this is not a dish I thought was overly popular in Vietnam nor is a must try for travellers. It’s funny as we stumbled upon the food when embarking on the Ha Giang loop.

          Upon starting the Ha Giang loop we set off into the mountains and had our days planned by our guides. After a long and tiring day of riding on the back of a motorbike we came to our place of stay for the night and were welcomed with a buffet for all. This buffet was extraordinary as there was unlimited food! Here, deep in the mountains of Ha Giang, in some small town we tasted the immense vegetable spring rolls!

          They were super crispy and full of soft veggie’s when you crunched into them! But the flavour was something else. I spend most of my time posting these veggie spring rolls down one by one until I was completely full. We had to get extra plates as they were being finished so frequently.

          That was the only time we had vegetable spring rolls but it’s the one thing I am most looking forward to when visiting back to Vietnam!!

          We liked it so much that we have attempted (a few times) to recreate the spring rolls at home but it’s never reached the level of the one’s in Vietnam. This is the one thing we would recommend to try above all in Vietnam!

          These were enjoyed as part of a buffet but would be a side costing between £1 – £3 ($1.50 – $4).

          Pork Sisig

            Pork Sisig was our favourite dish in the Philippines! It’s basically a pork belly dish served with vegetables on a hot plate with a side of rice. It’s served most places and each serving it a little different. Usually, the dish is served with a raw (yes a raw) egg on top which you will mix into the pork and it will sizzle on the hot plate.

            The egg is somewhat a strange addition, especially being raw but it really does go with the rest of the dish.

            It’s a dish packed with flavour and perfect for either lunch or dinner to fill you up. It’s got a salty taste from the pork with a sweetness from the vegetables and is a dish you will certainly look to order again!

            This meal would cost anywhere between £2-£5 dependant on if you are eating at a local/traditional restaurant or not.

            Panang Curry

              The Panang Curry is a rich, coconutty curry usually served with a with a choice of meat or fish and rice. Although it is a coconut based curry, it is not heavily coconutty as we both don’t like coconut but do love this curry!

              It does also usually includes peanut so anyone who is allergic, be sure to double check the ingredients before eating! The curry is usually rich in flavour and spices with a sweet taste.

              We usually eat this with chicken as it soaks up the flavour of the sauce and goes really well with the spices.

              As you may already know, there are a lot of different curries available in South East Asia that is worth trying.. most notably the Massaman Curry, Thai Red Curry and the Thai Green Curry. These all have a burst of flavour and well worth trying as people will have their preferences.

              For us, this was the better of the curries but would definitely change between them depending on our preferences each night!

              The Panang Curry is also known for working well with shrimp! The spices match perfectly with fresh shrimp leaving a beautiful taste.

              As it’s eaten as a dinner it is more expensive than the other dishes on this list but still would only cost between £2-£4 ($3-$5).

              Pad Thai

              Pad Thai is a MUST TRY in Thailand! It’s such a staple in Thailand and something you can’t miss when visiting the country. The dish is so simple in making but surprisingly so flavourful and rich in spices. It’s so cleverly cooked and presented as usually you are provided with a small mountain of peanuts and a separate mountain of chilli on the side of your plate which you can choose to add if you wish with a squeeze of lemon when served.

                The spices give good kick of heat and the peanuts help enhance the overall flavours of the dish and provide a slight nutty flavour which is very much welcomed. This is a dish that was ordered on many occasions due to the flavours and moreish nature of the dish.

                It is definitely one of the cheaper items on the menu but definitely don’t look over it if you think it won’t come with good flavour! You can find local restaurants selling Pad Thai for as cheap as £1 ($1.25) and it’s always served with a generous portion.

                Bahn Mi

                  This is quite popular dish and very different to the rest on this list. It’s pretty much a simple sandwich on first glance but Vietnam have added their own flavours and spices to enhance and change the flavours! Usually, it is served with thinly sliced pork or chicken as the main meat with a host of veggies and unusual ingredients.

                  The Bahn Mi includes a generous spread of Pate and includes coriander, green onion, chilli, carrot, cucumber, sometimes pickles and a strong drizzle of mayonnaise and Maggi sauce to finish.

                  A perfect lunchtime meal that you can grab on the go! In Thailand, you are able to get Bahn Mi for as cheap as £0.80 ($1) which is super cheap and affordable!

                  What are your thoughts?

                  There are many other dishes that we missed off this list which we wish we could include but these would be the main ones we would want to go back and try and could never get bored of! We would like to give a special mention to Pho as that is a beautiful dish that is versatile with flavours, meats and more!

                  When visiting South East Asia we would recommend you trying all these and would love to know your thoughts on our list of best foods to try in South East Asia!

                  If you have any further meals we missed do let us know and if you enjoyed this blog post, please consider liking and subscribing for further South East Asia content and world travel content. We have South East Asia top tips, best ways to travel, itineraries and more on our blog so be sure to check them out!!

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                1. The best ways to TRAVEL across South East Asia

                  The best ways to TRAVEL across South East Asia

                  It’s so exciting knowing you are going to South East Asia! Having the locations and itineraries all organised is the tough part of planning and can be really stressful, but once this is done it really does dawn on you what you are doing. Even if you are only travelling one country, you still need to take into consideration where you are going, and how long you have there.

                  Within the planning, you need to have a rough idea of how you are moving from place to place, and need to set time aside so you can minimise the time in transit. As it is so different to the rest of the world, it can be difficult to plan ahead with this. We are so used to using the underground in major cities, maybe have public bikes to rent or even taxis that are waiting to be waved down. As most may already know, Asia isn’t like this.

                  It’s really difficult to plan ahead on how to travel between places without visiting the countries before. So how can we plan for South East Asia without knowing how to move from place to place?

                  There are many websites that provide different transportation recommendations depending on the location you are in. So it’s easy to get caught up and overwhelmed with the different options available. We feel that it’s important to have a good understanding of the options you have in each area for transport so you can many decisive decisions once you arrive. Let’s be honest, no one wants the stress of having to last minute plan or book their transport as it may be more expensive and will certainly slow you down!

                  We have detailed the best ways to travel around a lot of popular places in South East Asia which is provided through our experience and what we found easiest and the most affordable!

                  Philippines

                  The Philippines is not like any country…not because of their natural beauty, paradisal islands or picturesque beaches.. I mean this is all true! But also with the layout of the country, it is made up of thousands, and I mean thousands of islands – 7,641 to be exact! So how do you get about?

                  The most convenient and obvious transport would be to fly from island to island. This is definitely many options, especially for the larger islands like Palawan, Cebu, and to places like Manila (the capital)! But what happens when you are looking to move within islands or you aren’t looking to spend £100s on a few flights across the country?

                  I mean there are quite a few options, you just have to do your research. Flying from island to island will rack up high expenses for your transportation and as a budget travel couple, this isn’t a luxury we or many people have! The usual transport within the country is a flight, as you are normally flying from another country which is the normal route. However, when you are in the country, you need to find better alternatives.

                  From our experience, the best way to move from island to island (providing you are not moving from west Philippines to East Philippines) is by ferry! For example, when we were in El Nido and moving to our next location Coron – which is the east side of Busuanga Island – we had to get a ferry! The cost is rather pricey, roughly being £35 (2,500 Phillipine Peso) per person, but is one of the only ways of getting to the island.

                  It roughly would take 4/5 hours to make this trip and you are required to get to the ferry roughly 30 minutes before so there are no delays. This mode of transport isn’t the most glamorous as it consists of a plane like seating without seatbelts on a more than likely choppy sea for what seems like an eternity. The ferry also only departs on certain days in the week so it’s important to take note of this before making your itinerary plans otherwise you may be stuck waiting for the ferry a few days and fall behind!

                  It is important to do your research as you can easily get flights into Coron from major cities in the area, but if you are looking to move from Coron to the rest of Palawan, there are no direct flights. So if you make the mistake of visiting Coron before moving onto the rest of Palawan, you might find a shock of no flights available!

                  The ferry may not be the fastest way or sometimes not even the most convenient, but is a popular transport in the country and may be available when other options aren’t!

                  When you are moving within an island, especially when it’s a smaller island, you have the great convenience of Tuk-tuks! These are motorbikes that have an car-like attachment on the side which allows for passengers to enjoy the ride. These are normally much cheaper than normal transport but they are limited to speeds of only 20/30 mph. This makes it perfect for short trips probably no more than 20-30 minutes but over long distances, might not be the best option.

                  The best way to envisage a Tuk-tuk is that a private mode of transport that you are able to bartar the price of the ride with the driver. This is a great way to get a good price and also see the natural beauty of the country as there are no windows like other modes of transport!

                  If you are looking to do longer trips, moreso a 3/4 hour trip across an island, it probably would be best to opt for a private minibus to take you. This is a great way to move larger distances and minimise the amount of time travelling. It is best to either do this with fellow travellers to keep the price down as doing this as an individual or in small number can make it pricey! If you are staying at hostels or just arriving off an airport, this is a great way to get to your next location and meet fellow travellers along the way!

                  Thailand

                  Thailand is such a diverse country, the north and south are so different and have opposing activities and sights. They are almost like different countries!

                  The south is filled with perfect beaches, tranquil waters and beautiful islands, really is paradise! However, it usually attracts travellers who are drinkers and party-goers. Therefore, the south is more tailored towards these people with the locals making the most of the tourists interests!

                  There are a few places in the south that is different, like Khao Sok National Park. Which is a totally remote location that looks straight out of Avatar.

                  The north is completely different though.

                  The north is busier. There’s a lot more going on and doing have the islands that the south has. To pair with this, Thailand is a vast country which is very spread out. So moving for location to location isn’t as easy as it can be in other countries.

                  You really forget how large it really is! It’s crazy as one of the best ways to travel in the North of Thailand (and sometimes even the south) is through a sleeper train. It does exactly what it says on the tin.. it’s a train that is normal until in the night where the seats and tables fold out into bunk beds. Perfect for the passengers who have sore backs and are ready to get some much need rest. These trains – dependant on where you are getting off – can span over 12 hours, some of them almost a day!

                  So make sure to get comfortable and ready for the long journey ahead!

                  An example of this would be if you are looking to go from Bangkok to Chang Mai. On the map it seems a long journey.. but not 10 hours! With the longest journey potentially being 13 and a half hours depending where you board in Bangkok!

                  The cost?

                  It’s more than reasonable! For a ticket it can be as low as £6!! How crazy!?

                  However, we would recommend spending and getting the more expensive tickets. It can get very warm on the journey and the £6 tickets are seat only with no AC. It’s best to have some comfort and secure the bed on the train (especially if its an overnight trip!) and the AC. The price for this upgrade is only £18 which is still a reasonable price for what you get!

                  Alternatively, you are able to get a sleeper bus but even if you can secure 1st class tickets, it’s very much like trying to sleep/rest on the plane. Yeah you might have a charging port, but you can’t even toss or turn to find a comfortable position.

                  The sleeper bus is likely to stop often to stretch legs if it’s a long trip and bathroom breaks with be wherever you stop.

                  Also, you may not see the same type of views that you see if you ride the train, as the train will be going through the Thai countryside whereas the bus is stuck to mostly main roads.

                  As we have tried both, it’s quite clear which we would always choose if we had the option.

                  Vietnam is not one we would touch upon a lot in this blog but is similar to Thailand with both the option for a sleeper bus and train. We opted for the sleeper bus which is cheaper than the alternative but had some disturbing stories. The sleeper bus was pleasantly surprising but can be scarring if you have never taken one before. The MAIN recommendation is to take the top bunk wherever you can.

                  Trust us… Jack managed to grab the top bunk and watched as the bus overfilled with passengers laying across the floors making them tuck up like sardines for 8/10 hours. Other than this, it was no different than sleeping in a slightly smaller single bed at home on a top bunk. But yeah, you must secure a top bunk! Also, the back seats is one huge bed so if you have a group of friends and don’t mind to share this is also a great option!

                  Bali

                  We can’t talk for the whole of Indonesia, but as Bali is a popular spot, it’s important to know how to get around. There is so much to do across Bali and it’s islands that you need to be efficient if you don’t have a long time there. We went from Canggu/Ubud (Central) to Lovina (North) to Uluwatu (South) and then the islands in the east (Gili Islands). So how did we travel around the area?

                  I mean there are a few options really, all similar priced. We opted to go for getting grabs (like Uber) or private taxi-like transport as there were 4 of us and it made the most sense to all travel together to keep the cost down.

                  The Uber trips are pretty reasonable but if you are looking to move about alot, you will start to spend a large amount of your budget on transport. I would recommend sticking to shorter trips using grab – whether it’s visiting a temple or a 15 minute grab to the beach (if you don’t want to make the long walk).

                  Getting private transport can be very tricky. You need to know the going rates in the location as a lot of the drivers will offer ridiculous prices to try and get the most out of this. An example would be on Nusa Penida when you arrive off the boat. You will be bombarded by drivers offering a taxi which we had only a 5/10 minute drive up the road. They were offering roughly 500,000/600,000 Indonesian Rupiah for this which is £30/£36. For a short drive??

                  If you walk down the road for a few minutes you will pass the expensive offers and come across some more friendly drivers with reasonable prices. The main technique is to pressure you into saying yes and intimidating you so make sure to stand your ground!

                  For comparison, we met a driver who offered to be our driver for the WHOLE day, taking us to the east of the island (45 minute drive) as well as a trip to the west side of the island (1 hour 30 minute drive) and then back to our hotel in the centre for roughly 1,000,000 Indonesian Rupiah (£60). As there was 4 of us it made it dirt cheap and the driver would wait in each location until we were happy to move onto the next.

                  Another example would be a trip from the south east side of Bali to Lovina (the northern tip). We managed to find someone who was willing to take us there AND back the next day, and also included us all to swim/watch wild dolphins. This only cost us roughly 650,000 Indonesian Rupiah (£39) across 3 of us so SUPER cheap!

                  If you are more independent or are travelling on your own, the best option would be to hire a motorbike (if you are confident in riding). Now, we’ve never ridden a motorbike so we wasn’t confident enough to do this but it is a great option as renting them is super cheap, fuel is cheap and you have the freedom to go wherever you want across the island!

                  A lot of places are aware of motorbikes being a popular transport and they have places where you can park your bike when visiting places or staying at your accommodation. When we travel back, we plan on using a motorbike to move about when were are in towns or cities as any easy mode of transport.. Just need to learn how to drive one first!!

                  There’s many options when it comes to travelling around South East Asia. It seems a lot of the countries have their own niche way of travelling, with a lot of options at a travellers disposal. But it is integral to be smart when choosing your transport as it can really make things a whole lot more expensive if you don’t do your research.

                  You almost need a combination of prior research and on the go research to learn what transport is best in each situation. Some of the transport is part of the experience of being a travelling. So sometimes it’s worth going for the 12 hour sleeper train with friends you know and make those memories. These are memories you will remember forever unlike if you were to grab a cosy flight to your chosen location.

                  We would always recommend that if you are going to a popular destination and travelling alone or in a small party, you should speak to fellow travellers and share the journey to keep costs down and get to know more people.

                  We can’t wait to go back to South East Asia and experience the infamous 12 hour trains again! If you would like to follow our journey, please like and subscribe to our blog for some cool upcoming blogs!

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