Subic Bay free port, the former American naval base in the Philippines that has been transformed into a bustling free trade zone and industrial complex, offers not only employment for thousands of Filipinos, but leisure and recreation to tourists as well.
There is Ocean Adventure that offers whale and dolphin shows on weekends and Zoobic, a close encounter zoo where you can go near the animals and learn more about them.
Near the Ocean Adventure parking area, for instance, sits a restaurant / resort that offers fresh sea foods and white beach for swimming. Entrance fee is about $4. There's also a horse-back riding range where you will learn how to ride on mares and ponies.
For the nature seekers in Subic Bay, there are creeks, mountain trails, Mangyan villages, forests and even a bat sanctuary. For a few dollars as fee, you will learn survival techniques from Mangyans. They were from the groups of jungle survival trainers that trained the famed Green Berets at the height of the Vietnam War.
For the sportsmen in Subic Bay, there's a golf link and a winding road for bikers on weekends. The complex also hosts softball and baseball diamonds and modern tennis courts. There is also an arcade for kids and students.
The complex also hosts international schools, Korean and Chinese restaurants and a race track for weekend road warriors.
For the high rollers and gamblers, there's a casino in one of the hotels near the beach front. Other facilities include villas, cottages and hotels. There are also duty free shops for your daily needs. On weekends, especially during holidays, like Christmas and New Year's Day, the administrators host live-band concerts and other shows for the vacationers and Sunday promenaders.
Just recently the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority hosted an international triathlon participated in both by foreigners and local tri-athletes.
You can go fishing in one of the piers inside the complex that also hosts one of the world's deep harbors and an international airport that can accommodate even B747s.
Outside the complex, predominantly in Subic town, you can enjoy nightlife with the presence of night clubs, resorts, music lounges and videoke bars particularly at the Barretto district.
Clubs, especially on weekends, remain open until 4 a.m. or until there are no patrons.
For accommodation there's White Rock Beach Resort and Hotel. You have the choice to use the beaches or a big swimming pool where a big white boulder is in the pool's middle portion, thus the name White Rock. Adjacent to White Rock is Paradise Resort, which is operated by a Japanese group.
Nearer the former base, is Olongapo City where Ocean View resort offers boat rides, or even aqua cycles. Entrance for day swimmers is $1 and less on weekdays.
There is nothing as fun and romantic as a getaway vacation on this beautiful island located in the Philippines. Previously hidden away amidst the thousands of islands of the Philippines, Boracay is now considered one of the predominant travel destinations, both for lovers wishing to take a private vacation for a few
weeks, or for couples wishing to rekindle their relationship. From lounging about along the white sands and frolicking in the waters, to taking a part in the thriving and energetic nightlife,
Most people choose to go to Boracay for its attractive beaches, and White Beach is easily the most popular. As its name implies, this beach is renowned for its white sandy beaches and beautiful coastlines, and most people often choose to spend their time relaxing under one of the many palm trees in the area, with a chain of restaurants, refreshment bars, shops, and even internet cafes not too faraway for accessibility. White Beach also sports several stalls along the area, where vendors can sell you anything from shirts to handmade jewelry made of shells, or even scuba equipment.
Another popular tourist destination is the Puka Beach, named so for the puka shells that are found along this area, and is used to fashion jewelry and other trinkets to sell to visitors. Puka beach is generally considered to be quieter than White Beach, with lesser people. Another beach is the Baling Hai Beach, which boasts of a restaurant atop a cliff that overlooks the whole area, and is perfect for romantic dinners and rendezvous.
Perhaps one of the more unique tourist attractions that Boracay offers is what natives call the Bat Cave. Far from being any mysterious superhero’s lair, the cave actually houses the next best thing: giant fruit bats that often roam the area at around sunset. Visitors are given the chance to enter the cave with tourist guides for a minimal fee, where they can be treated to a view of majestic stalactites several feet long. This area has no handrails and can be slippery at times, so before hiking into the cave, it is always best to bring a flashlight at the least- making this one of the more exhilarating and exciting adventures for the outgoing couple to enjoy together.
Spas are also a notable part of Boracay. The Mandala Spa and Villas is one of the renowned spa resorts found in the island, having been awarded as the most outstanding honeymoon destination, and the best spa destination in the region. For a standard three days and two nights, luxurious facilities and amenities are available for couples to enjoy time together, and the expert massage treatments by the professional masseuse only enhances the romantic
atmosphere. Enjoy a dinner for two at the Mandala’s Prana restaurant with its luscious vegetarian meals, delicious desserts, and high quality wine. Daily yoga classes and Zen massages are even readily available.
For visitors who are also interested in environment, the Boracay Butterfly Gardens on Bulabog Beach is also a must-see. Visitors are treated to a tour of the large tropical garden, populated by rare butterflies of almost every shape and color, along with fascinating information and details regarding their life cycles. This is a perfect spot for most couples to get in touch with nature and to spend time with one another.
Now easily ranked as one of the best beaches in the world, Boracay is now an international tourist destination where people all over the world flock to when vacation season hits. With good quality beaches, the beautiful scenery and a thriving nightlife for those seeking it, Boracay is slowly becoming the place to be during the summer months.
Boracay is the home to one of the whitest and finest sand beaches in the Philippines. A number of tourists, both local and foreign, visit the beach every year and this boosts the tourism of the place. There are different modes of transportation that are present in Boracay and can be availed of by the tourists.
First, there are the tricycles which abound the streets of Boracay. One can easily observe that they outnumber the other forms of Boracay transportation because of the convenience and affordability found in riding these tricycles. Unlike the common tricycles found in the Metro Manila area, the tricycles here can carry a maximum of 7 people with 6 persons inside the side car and 1 at the back of the driver. It may be a little bit uncomfortable but it is definitely fun as this form of Boracay transportation breezes through the crowded streets and onto the other areas of the beach. The fact that it is small makes it easy to go through the alleys and small streets.
Second, another type that makes up the family of Boracay transportation is the Multicab. These multicabs are among the first ones to welcome tourists. They are found in the port that would bring tourists from the nearby airports to the heart of Boracay. It can carry more people and more luggage but would cost more than the tricycles. With more space, it is definitely a more comfortable ride and provides a better view if one wish to sightsee before arriving at the destination.
Third, there are also the bancas or boats which is available for travel between the airport and Boracay itself. The boats are shared if an individual is to go from the airport to Boracay as the boats used are far larger than the ones used within Boracay. It is not only the tourists who usually ride the boat from the airport area but also the locals who went to Caticlan. Another popular purpose of this Boracay transportation is for island hopping and snorkeling. There are boat owners who offer their boats at a certain price in exchange for a tour of the island, which is not possible for other modes of Boracay transportation. They could also stop in a certain spot a few meters from the shore and allow tourists to dive into the cool waters and swim with the fishes.
With the boom in the tourist industry of Boracay, the government has really ensured that there is sufficient and enough transportation for the people. These are not only accessible but forms a great part of the tourists’ experience and memories of the island.