The Amorita Resort in Panglao Island, Bohol is one of the newest resorts in the island that caters to the high-end tourists. Amorita combines the comforts and service of a 5-star hotel and the beautiful scenery of a beach-front vacation spot. Just be prepared to fork out Php8,500 per night on one of their queen-sized bedrooms.

From Manila: Domestic carriers such as Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have direct flights to Tagbilaran City Daily.

From Cebu: Fast craft sea vessels such as Ocean Jet, SuperCat and Weesam have daily trips to Tagbilaran City with approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes travel time.

Amorita offers escorted transfers (30-45 minutes) from the airport or the pier in Tagbilaran (Capital of Bohol)
to the resort.

Manila Sales & Reservations Office:
Unit 1632 City and Land Mega Plaza,
ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Tel Nos: +63 2 687-3641/914-0585/+63 2 914-1728/914-1527
Fax No: +63 2 914-0584
Mobile: +63 917 8619441/922 8593403
Email: inquiries @ amoritaresort.com
URL: www.amoritaresort.com

In Bohol:
Easter A. Lim Drive, Brgy. Tawala,
Panglao, Bohol, Philippines 6340
Tel Nos. +63 38 502-9001 to 03
Fax No. +63 38 502-9002

With the summer break coming up, I surmise it wouldn’t hurt to start planning for the summer break. How do you usually begin planning for a trip? I usually begin mine with my budget. If I have more money to spend, then I begin my search for trips possibly to prestigious resorts in the country (read: Panglao Island Nature Resort, Balesin) or somewhere off the beaten track (read: Bolinao, Rizal Beach: Gubat, Sorsogon, or Pagudpod)

Here are Ways to Save on Travel

Tweak your itinerary and save. Departing very early or very late in the day can mean a much lower airfare, as can flying on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Sundays are the costliest for domestic flights; Saturdays for international travel. Using the nearest airport can also save you a lot. Being flexible applies to hotels as well, particularly at those that host business travelers during the week.

Check airlines’ websites. Have you tried booking yourself using the online facilities of Cebu Pacific or even Philippine Airlines? Even the biggest shipping companies in the country have their online facilities now. Using these facilities will help you determine the cost of your air or ship fare right away. Not only that, for example at Aboitiz’s Super Ferry, travel goers using the online facilities shall get the lowest available fare. Not only that, you can also check the airlines and shipping companies most recent promos and partnerships with hotels and resorts. For example, sailing with Super Ferry on your birthday will get you discounts equal to your age!

Fly early to arrive on time. Just as I mentioned above, leaving earlier will save you money, but also time. Not only that, you will beat the heat at the check in counters in the airport.

Don’t overpack. For example in Cebu Pacific, you actually get a discount of P200 if you are traveling without any luggage. Ofcourse, going on a holiday would mean lagging a bag along your necessaries, but be careful not to exceed the airlines’ baggage limit especially if you are traveling internationally. We do not want you throwing away some stuff at the airport like our friend Yuga in order to go within the luggage weight limit! Or like me who ended up paying up to 21,000 baht or U$700 for excess baggage in Survarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. So heed my advice, if your hotel room has a weighing scale, use it to weigh your baggages prior to leaving for the airport. Or you can check with your hotel concierge services and ask if they have a scale somewhere. Its better to be prepared than sorry.

Negotiate with hotels. Sometimes when the hotel is not too full, the front desk can actually give free upgrade. Not only that, you can also ask for more discounts and even additional perks through the front desk. Just don’t be afraid to ask and inquire while checking in.

Use a travel agent for your cruise. Some travel agents especially those accredited by your cruise line can offer you discounts. This is why is pays to research first or even ask those who has traveled or use those agencies before making your booking. Sometimes, it pays to know your travel agent.

Skip the ship to shore call. This is for those who travel by sea. It would definitely save you some if you skip going to shore. Souvenir shops near the ports or even in airports can be expensive. You will definitely get cheaper souvenirs if you buy them in your destination’s local market.

Pay by credit card. Paying with a credit card will earn you extra miles or even cash back if you use the right cards. Not only that, some hotels and resorts give discounts to certain credit cards they have tie up with.

For more Ways to Save on Travel, visit the Consumer Report Website.

When I went there, it was not the perfect season for vacation people but there are a lot of people that went to the 10th largest island in this side of the planet: Bohol.

It was Day 2 of our Bohol vacation and my team mates are preparing for the day with the sea.

Dol-FIN watching

So early in the morning, as our team departed to the sea from the powdery white sand beach of Alona in Isla Panglao, after packing up something to munch of and taking pictures. And the motor banca stopped and there was silence.

Bohol Sea is part of the whale’s and dolphin’s migratory route and habitat and so therefore there are many passers-by here. Between the island of Panglao, Balicasag in the west and Pamilacan in the east, the dolphin watching was a thing to get entertained, but to our dismay, the only thing that we saw are few dolphins with their fins the most visible.

Native fishermen once hunted these marvel of the sea for their meat. Yet ever since the media in Manila opened up this issue, the fishermen stopped slaying these gentle creatures and turned into subsistence fishing and now Bohol’s top industry, eco-tourism.

Paradiso Mar: Balicasag

After that dolphin watching and rocking with the waves and the deep blue sea, we head on to the island with a parola on his head. Named perhaps form a specific type of crab that was abundant back then: Balicasag. One of the country’s declared marine sanctuary, the main scene that made Balicasag famous is not on its shores but below the water.

Balicasag is a city of marine proportions. Fish and sea creatures here there and everywhere. The color was azure and the water is clear. It was a sight to behold.

We went their unprepared and no reservations with the PTA-owned resort but with the help of the local residents who are hospitable enough to accept these estranged visitors from the city, we had a sumptuous meal of fish and kilawin. Yum yum! Fresh catch from the sea.

The sun is blazing on a windy habagat breeze, the sky was clear, and we had satisfaction on our faces. Manong Bangkero (boatman) asked us if we wanted to go to a certain place named “Virgin Island” which is near mainland Panglao but for an additional fee. We agreed, it was early to go back to the resort and paid an additional P500.

As we left Balicasag Island, people who are into snorkeling and diving multiplied off-coast of the island. It was one in the afternoon. And we were off to this certain island that is isolated and uninhabited.

Isla Virgen (“Virgin Island”)

It was a choppy 45 minute ride with our banca as we braved the already rough waters of the monsoon wind. It was a thrill of a ride when suddenly the waters were calm. We were approaching Panglao Bay, a very shallow body of water made from several shoals, coral reefs and magnificent and a very virginal island known as, Virgin Island.

It was low tide and we can see the stretch of white sand beach stretching from the island, all the way to the sea, and we were just in time for it disappears during high tide. Silent and no people around. We disembarked and spent an hour in the said island. It was hot yet we relaxed in the shallow clear waters of Panglao.

Habagat sets in

The weather seemed to be very cooperative as we had our morning dolphin watching, an outdoor lunch and going to a different world known as a sea. But it was turning late in the afternoon when dark clouds are already appearing in the sea. As we went back to our resort, we went back again for half an hour snorkeling. And as the rain approaches, we decided to call it a day.

We weren’t tired. It was satisfying. Bohol by the sea has something truly amazing to offer. Azure, verdant and fish. That was one September day that we would never forget and oftentimes still convinces me to go back there again.

Panglao Island’s Marine Sanctuary is certainly a paradise for those who enjoy snorkeling. The coral reefs around the area are being preserved and being taken care of DENR. In addition, fishing has been prohibited in this area.

Before you could enjoy snorkeling there, one would take a boat ride going to the Marine Sanctuary’s floating life guard station. From there, you’ll enjoy feeding a school of fish with bread while viewing the magnificent underwater world. Just be careful for you might be able to drink sea water. It’s really salty I tell you. You will surely float even without a lifevest.

Panglao Island Nature Resort in Bohol is a perfect getaway place to escape the hustle and bustle of the urban jungle. It is located in Dauis, one of the two municipalities that politically divides the island of Bohol.

There are two things that make this resort special among the many resorts located in the island of Bohol. First is the green ladscape composed of various species of trees and plants and second is the open swimming pool with a magnificent view of the resort’s white sand beach. This made skinny dipping into the warm water of the pool during night time romantic and peaceful. Perfect for honeymooners and couples who are out to relax and enjoy each other’s company.

Another attraction of the resort is a man-made islet located just a few meters away from the beach. This man made islet serves as a diving and snorkeling spot during high tide.

The accomodations at the Panglao Island Nature Resort is not to be missed out. The resort has various villas and cottages, each with its own lanai area fronting the beach or the garden. Some of these cottages even have its own jacuzzi for an added amenity.

And did I say that food and beverages at the Panglao Island Nature Resort is also superb? The resorts restaurant serves various local delicacies prepared the Boholano way. You can enjoy this food at the resorts gazeebo-type restaurant.

So, if you are planning a Bohol vacation, you might want to check out Panglao Island Nature Resort, it is definitely one of Bohol’s finest resort.

Relax, unwind and commune with nature at the Panglao Island Nature Resort.

Visit the Loboc church which was constructed during the Spanish era.

Have lunch at the floating resturant traversing the magnificent Loboc River.

Meet the famous Tarsiers.

And of course, one should not leave Bohol without seeing the Chocolate Hills.

I won’t write much about my recent trip and will just let the pictures speak for themselves. Take a look at the other pictures I took during my trip last weekend.

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