Anyone toured on two wheels in the Philippines?

DevonAl · Dec 4, 2024

Looking for somewhere new(to us) to rent a bike and explore a bit, had 4 trips to Thailand, a couple to Sri Lanka and a short blast for 4/5 days in Vietnam on a 150 scooter, bike hire is around $40 a day which is similar to Thailand & Sri Lanka but I’m hoping there won’t be so many Russians in The Philippines. Had a look at some of the organised road based tour routes and it looks very nice.
Any advice or top tips would be most welcome.

Al.

geotim · Dec 16, 2024

DevonAl said:
Looking for somewhere new(to us) to rent a bike and explore a bit, had 4 trips to Thailand, a couple to Sri Lanka and a short blast for 4/5 days in Vietnam on a 150 scooter, bike hire is around $40 a day which is similar to Thailand & Sri Lanka but I’m hoping there won’t be so many Russians in The Philippines. Had a look at some of the organised road based tour routes and it looks very nice.
Any advice or top tips would be most welcome.

Al.

The roads are ok, the traffic is slow, slow, and very slow. Trucks. Buses.

These are everywhere and very slow/start/stop all the time:

Don’t be surprised to find one entire lane of the ‘highways’ in rural areas dedicated to drying rice (don’t drive on it!).

People are friendly.

“Biker” groups exist, very civilised. Nice bar in Manila which is a usual haunt for bikers:

Handlebar Bar & Grill
31 Polaris, Makati, 1209 Metro Manila, Philippines

DevonAl · Dec 16, 2024

I expect the trucks & buses to a certain extent, plenty in Thailand and in Sri Lanka where they take no prisoners and Sri Lanka also has grain & rice drying on the roads and cattle on the verges as well! Is it any worse than other SE Asian countries?
A friend visits his brother who runs a dive school in the Philippines and echoes your view that the people are friendly but he doesn’t reckon much to Manilla, was also considering west coast of Malaysia as well on the recommendation of an ex RAF colleague who lives in Myanmar.

Al.

geotim · Dec 17, 2024

DevonAl said:
I expect the trucks & buses to a certain extent, plenty in Thailand and in Sri Lanka where they take no prisoners and Sri Lanka also has grain & rice drying on the roads and cattle on the verges as well! Is it any worse than other SE Asian countries?
A friend visits his brother who runs a dive school in the Philippines and echoes your view that the people are friendly but he doesn’t reckon much to Manilla, was also considering west coast of Malaysia as well on the recommendation of an ex RAF colleague who lives in Myanmar.

Al.

Manila is a very large city, the “downtown” is a bit bling. But areas like Makarti are still a bit authentic.

Once you’re out of town there are some great places.

I have a couple of friends with beach resorts, one on the main island north of Manila, and one on Siquijor. Shout if you want any introductions or recommendations.

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Republika Beach Bar The Republika Beach Bar is a laid back, mellow, native style cocktail bar nestled among mature trees and next to the beach close to San Juan town. It is an oasis of tranquility and includes cool accommodation (new) and a well-equipped dive centre (Siquijor Divers...

republika-siquijor.com

And Mope Beach Resort here;