• As soon as you land in Manila at NAIA - Terminal 1, do note that it may take up to an hour to get your luggage. Many filipinos traveling back home check-in a huge amount of packages.
• As you exit the arrival section, head out to your right (avoid the expensive airport taxis) and head to the booth of ​GrabCar (unless you already use their app) and they will assist you with getting you a ride to wherever you may be heading.

Although you can be dropped off at the airport by Uber, at times they are screened and not allowed to enter the premises whenever they come to pick up passengers. Not a problem when they are dropping off passengers.
With Grab: From NAIA -T1 to Metro Manila (Ermita area/Roxas Blvd.), I paid 276 PHP = approx. USD 6.
With Uber: From Metro Manila (Ermita area/Roxas Blvd.) to NAIA -T3, I paid 178 PHP = approx. USD 4.

If transferring within Terminals:

• T1, T2, T3 and T4 are completely separated so you will need to budget extra time as the free shuttle transfer between terminals departs every 30 minutes. Beware: You can only use this transfer if you have a connecting flight at another terminal and may be subject to present your boarding pass or e-ticket.

When departing from T1:

• Check-in online: As counters open at least 3 hours before your flight, you have no idea how many people are within the crowded check-in section awaiting for their airline counter to open; and when it does, the lines are endless! So spare yourself of such agony and do check in online as many airlines offer a special Web Check-in counter for luggage drop-off. You'll be very glad you did so ... and as the signs around T1 read: Check-in online and don't fall in line!

• ​Visit Intramuros: From the Spanish: Within the walls

​Its the former Spanish walled city within Metro Manila. Stroll down the streets and get transported back to that colonial Spanish era as you visit various museums, galleries, churches (including the Manila Cathedral) and of course, Fort Santiago and the Rizal shrine.
For sunset views of Manila, head out to Sky Deck at the Bayleaf Intramuros Hotel which offers a good selection of Filipino food as well as a 360 degree view of the cityscape.

• Eating out:

​Here you have many choices as you may know that Filipino food is within the top 10 upcoming delicacies in the world. Nonetheless, to avoid being stuck in traffic, just head out to these two malls: SM Mall of Asia (closer to NAIA) or if you are within Metro Manila, head to Robinsons Place. 
Once there, head out to their food courts and try out Gerry's Grill and The Aristocrat Restaurant.

• Accommodation:

​​I stayed at the Bayview Park Hotel Manila mainly because I could earn miles when booking through Rocketmiles. So far I have earned 21,500 miles already posted on AA! So make sure you get some miles while staying at hotels! Access my referral link here.

• The quickest way to get to Palawan is via Manila. I flew PAL (Philippines Airlines) from Manila to Puerto Princesa (PPS); it's a 1 hour 15 minutes flight.
• As always, while in The Philippines, make sure you book a hotel that has a generator (especially during the summer months of December to April) as there are constantly power outages and trust me, you don't want to be in such conditions!

Once again, I used Rocketmiles to book my stay at the Sheridan Beach Resort & Spa and earned 9,000 AA miles.  The other reason for booking here was that it's very close to the Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world's new 7 wonders of Nature.

• Should you need to travel throughout Palawan, you can use the services of Lexus van transfer for El Nido. It's only 800 PHP for an almost 6 hr drive to El Nido but you can also hire a private van for 4,000 PHP one way; it may drop to 3,000 PHP if you allow the driver to pick-up passengers throughout the route.

On departure:​
There is not any signal of how to navigate the small airport of Puerto Princesa. So ... once you arrive do as follows:

1. First, check-in and drop off your luggage so you can obtain a printed boarding pass.
2. Then head to the long line (to the left and before you enter security) to pay your Terminal fee of 200 PHP. They will ask to see your "printed" boarding pass!
3. Once you enter and clear security, you'll come to the crowded waiting lounge. There are only two gates, one for PAL and one for Cebu Airlines, but I'm sure they change as to accommodate flights for AirAsia.

You could also head to the second floor where they have room for more seats but do bear in mind that the only two gates are on the ground floor as you need to walk out to board the plane.

Also known as the "Underground River" it is one of the new 7 wonders of nature. I booked my tour from the Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa. 
We met at reception at 7:30 a.m. and we were given a short intro of what to do and not to while on the tour. It all sums up to keeping your hands to yourself and not to open your mouth under any circumstances while looking up.

We then walked 5 minutes off the resort and reached the port where you will take a boat to the entrance to the park. I can say that we were one of the first to board and enter the Underground River. Way to go Sheridan's tour group!

The same life vest you are given when boarding the boat is the same one you will keep throughout the tour of the underground river. 
Once at the park, you'll be given a hard hat and an audio guide that will narrate to you the history, facts and information about this UNESCO site. Then you're off (on groups of 10) to board a different boat that will take you through the 1.4 km (in 45 min) out of the 8.2 km long stretch of the underground river. 

As per our paddle boat guide which I do have to acknowledge that he was the funniest guide ever. He kept us well entertained while also reminding us not to open our mouths as we looked up to the ceiling.

​The guide said: You will feel droplets of two kinds, cold and warm droplets. Those cold droplets are known to Filipinos as blessed water within the cave while the warm ones are those of the urine coming from the bats taking their siesta up above!

This Underground River is the Philippines greatest pride and is well taken care of; however, new guidelines have been set to only allow 600 visitors to this site per day, instead of there regular 900 - 1500 visitors per day.

The rock formations here are stunning. Just imagine that this limestone scenery grows just a few inches every 10 years.
You also get to see stalactites and stalagmites as well as mineral formations and even a few snakes. Moreover, there is a mountain to sea biosphere which hosts a huge range of wildlife watching, mangrove forest tours, adventure caving for adrenaline-seekers as well as spending some time on the pristine beaches that offer cool and crystal waters to enjoy sunbathing and snorkeling.

That's Spanish for "the Nest".
​ ... and other than the island hopping experience that leaves at 7:30 am for 4 hours, you can also try:
​

• Zip lining at Las Cabañas beach:

You get to experience a great view from above at this 750 m long zip line over Las Cabañas beach. They offer the sitting (500 PHP) or the superman (700 PHP) one-way of zip lining to a nearby island; should you decide to do it both-ways (which brings you back to the main island) you can pay 1000 PHP for trying both the sitting and superman experience.
I do have to say that it's not so well organized as to how to pay, sign off your life and then embark on your zipline  journey; but if you do go through it, it's an amazing experience, especially if you go during the sunset.

To reach this point from the El Nido town, it could cost you 150 PHP on a tricycle who will leave you at mid-range of the hill and then you need to walk a few stairs (as warm-up) up to the top of the hill. It's a breath-taking (literally) 10 min hike. 

This beach is located almost 45 min (on a tricycle) from El Nido town and offers more of a relaxed, laid back and not so touristy atmosphere. The tricycle driver that I chose - Rosto - charged me 1000 PHP to get here and back. He said that he normally charges 1,500 PHP but he was giving me this offer. You may contact him at 09079820654.

If you do choose an AirCon van, you will get here quicker but I'm not so sure about the cost of it. 

• I do admit that almost every domestic flight during my stay was 1+ hour delayed with the exception of my 7:20 a.m. PAL flight from Puerto Princesa to Manila.
• When arriving from Manila to Caticlan (MPH) - which was delayed 2 hr and 35 min - you will need to exit right from the arrival sections and go straight (avoid ALL transport offerings*) to the ​tricycle stand just a 3 min. walk from the airport. Ask to be taken to the Caticlan's Jetty Port for 100PHP or you could walk there in 10 min.

* Some of the offerings are of 600 PHP which is more of what you would actually pay if you do it yourself.

 Once at the Jetty Port:

• Please note that before entering the port premises; to your left, you'll find three counters where you will pay a total of 200 PHP for your transportation + fees to be transported from Caticlan to the island of Boracay. The fees are broken down like this:

At the first window, you'll pay 25 PHP for your boat ride; at the next window, you'll pay 75 PHP for your Environmental & Admission fee; and finally, at the third and last window, 100 PHP for your Terminal fee.
You'll end up having around 8 receipts/tickets which you will surrender throughout the different check points within the port; the last two being given to the boat captain before boarding. At the end you'll keep only half of two receipts, the Terminal & the Environmental/Admission ticket.
For statistic purposes, you may be asked to fill out a Registration form.

After the boat ride to Boracay:
Once you disembark at the port in Boracay (hopefully you won't experience rough waters in your transit as you may get somewhat wet), head straight to the tricycle stand and pick one to take you to your accommodation. You should not pay any more than 125 PHP. Later on you'll find out that it really costs 10 PHP to go anywhere on the island but tourists get charged always 100 PHP.

When you depart Boracay:
Remember that you will need to pay a 200 PHP Terminal exit fee after you check-in and before you go through security.

Here you will find some of the top and best accommodations possible with relative peacefulness and with the widest beachfront part of White Beach.
I ended up staying at One Crescent Place hotel and booked through Rocketmiles earning 2,000 miles posted to my account on AA.com. You may find my TripAdvisor review here.

• Willy's Rock:

​The most recognizable site in all of Boracay ... and the most photographed. This tidal island (as it becomes a reachable islet during high tide) is a volcanic rock formation with a man-made set of stairs that bring you closer to an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the top of rock.

Once you are done here, head to ​Jonah's Fruitshake and Snackbar which is less than a minute away from this location and treat yourself to a refreshing shake of melon and mango or any other of your choice. My TripAdvisor review is here.

• Sandcastles on the beach:
  

​Kids and adults work on these elaborate creations every day throughout the day and night. All its creators ask for is a few pesos if you wish to take a photo of their creations. You can also ask them to make one for you by special request for only 400 PHP. That's how I got my personalized birthday sandcastle-ish.

• Watch the sunset:

​Boracay is known for sharing its most glorious sunsets with different hues of splendor; so make sure you are there as the sun goes down.
... and as Kenney Chesney sings:
"Cuz when the sun goes down, we'll be groovin'
When the sun goes down, be feelin' alright
When the sun sinks down ... over the water
Everything gets hotter when the sun goes down, yeah!"

• Watch a movie on the beach:

​On the northern part of Station 1 near the hotel Sur Boracay, you will find a giant screen where every night Cinema1 (CinemaOne) offers free screening of movies.

​If you arrive early, say a bit after sunset (5:30ish pm) you may catch a free concert or any other type of entertainment as prequel to the movie showing.

• Watch the fire dancers in action:
  

​From 8:30 to 9:30, many local restaurants offer this show; some are private while others are open to the general public although some of the performers may ask you for a donation.

• End ... I mean, Start your evening w/ Boracay's PubCrawl

​Make your way to Station 2 before 8pm to meet strangers who will become your new friends on the island of Boracay ... and perhaps, beyond!
Boracay's PubCrawl "turns strangers into friends" leaves at 8:45pm every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from Station 4 Beach Bar.
Cost: 990 PHP, early bookers get a 200 PHP discount.
Goodies you receive: A shot glass (for 10 shots throughout the night out), a t-shirt, a wristband ... and the opportunity to meet people from different countries while bar-hopping and playing silly games on the beach.