Tipid Tips - How to maximize your budget

By Miko Yacaba

If you are planning to go on a vacation in Bohol and you are confining yourself on a strict budget, here are some tips which you can follow so that you can experience and enjoy Bohol at its fullest.

1. How to go to Bohol?

Airplane is the fastest way to Bohol via Tagbilaran. Cebu Pacific Air has this promo which cuts the air fare in half. This promo is really hard to catch. Usually it lasts only for a week while the travel period for this is only within a 2-month period. The regular one-way air fare of Cebu Pacific ranges from P1,500-P2,000(prices vary depending on time). If you are lucky to catch the promo, you will enjoy a half-the-price air fare! So better wait for that promo to make TIPID. Always book your flights ahead of time. The earlier, the better!

Other airlines you can choose from:

Zest Air

Philippine Airlines

2. Always travel in groups so that your expenses will be divided. Go with your family or barkada. The more, the lesser will be your expenses. When getting a room accommodation, renting a van(for day tour) or boat(for Dolphin Watching), you can divide amongst yourselves the cost of each.

There are a lot of white beach resorts in Panglao Island, Bohol. But the cheapest white beach resort in that island is Dumaluan Beach Resort. It’s just right next to Bohol Beach Club. Its beach is just as white as Bohol Beach Club. But the resort and its facilities is not as beautiful and inviting as Bohol Beach Club. Their room rates start from P1,300 per night(depending on the season).

3. When planning a day tour, it’s not advisable to get tours that are offered by the resorts. Why? First, because it is expensive since those kinds of tours are accredited by the Department of Tourism. Also, the trend there is that the tour has its own itinerary. Instead, as soon as you arrived at the Tagbilaran Airport, you will see drivers waiting outside. Ask for van rental prices. The highest cost only should be P3000.00. If it is more than that, don’t get it. MAKE TAWAD! Also, make your own itinerary so that you can maximize the van.

4. If you are planning to go Dolphin Watching and snorkeling in Balicasag Island, you need to rent a boat. The average price of the boat rental is P2,500. I think this is the cheapest that you can get when planning to go to Balicasag Island and Dolphin Watching. Boat rental generally differs not in the price but in the offers they would give you. Some have their boats rented only for Dolphin Watching and Balicasag Island. And sometimes, it’s only for 6-9am. Others would offer 3 islands plus Dolphin Watching for the whole morning. It’s just a matter of getting the right boat provider. The normal rate for snorkeling (snorkel, goggles) rentals is P150 per person. Just make tawad. You can get it for P50 per person.

5. Don’t buy in commercialized souvenir shopping areas such as Island Souvenirs and the like. Though their merchandise are really of good quality. But you can find other areas wherein it is cheaper especially t-shirts and tarsier key chains. The more you buy the more discounts you get. Always ask for discounts – TAWAD!

Keep in mind:

Always ask for details.

Always ask for tawad.