Budget for Moalboal

[Malene]

Hello,
I'll be in Moalboal next week for 10 days
I'll be diving and staying at Savedra Dive Center / Beach Resort after hearing of good feedback (some of them on this forum...).
I know there is no ATM in Moalboal but people at Savedra told me I could pay for the dives and accommodation with my Visa card. What I find hard to estimate is how many Pesos I need to take for food, drinks, buying a couple of t-shirts, getting a couple of massages, etc...
I also heard it is sometimes OK to pay with US Dollars, like for taxis? Is it true? Is it also OK to give the tip to the DM in Dollars?
Thanks to all the specialists and locals!

Malene

 

[joebubbles]

I dove with Savedra Dive Center and stayed at the Savedra Beach Resort last April. Good choice! Note that the dive center and beach resort are unaffiliated. Both take credit card. Another reason for cash is frequent blackouts. When I was there, Panagsama was scheduled for a blackout on my departure day, so I paid a day in advance. Right beside the beach resort is Sunset Restaurant which comes recommended. They make a great mango shake. They will be happy to bring your food to your room and you can enjoy it on your veranda with the fantastic sunset view. You are correct in that there is no ATM. Yes, you can expect everyplace to take US dollars, but I think it is best to budget and exchange into pesos at the airport. Keep in mind that restaurants may not have change for large US bills.
budget--$40 per night at the resort, 1,500 pesos per dive (including rental) at the dive shop, 400 pesos per meal (including drinks), 300 pesos for breakfast (including mango shake), 1,500 pesos for taxi cebu-panagsama each way (only if you negotiate, and 2,000 pesos if you don't), 200 pesos for a T-shirt. A nice non dive day can be spent with Planet Action Adventure. check their website Action Adventure Tours / Holidays / Packages / Information - Moalboal Cebu Philippines It is a must to go to Kawasan Falls for a picnic and swim. Hop in a trike you should be able to negotiate 500 pesos round trip.

Joe

 

[Centrals]

I wonder if Savedra charges extra for credit card?
The money changer at the airport give the most rotten rate but what choice do you have? But if you are using private transfer then perhaps the driver will know a place or two.

 

[joebubbles]

I wonder if Savedra charges extra for credit card?
The money changer at the airport give the most rotten rate but what choice do you have? But if you are using private transfer then perhaps the driver will know a place or two.

Neither the dive shop, nor the beach resort charged me extra for using a credit card. As noted in a prior thread, it's illegal to do so. But, it is common practice.

 

[Rogersea]

Hello,
I'll be in Moalboal next week for 10 days

Welcome to Moalboal

I'll be diving and staying at Savedra Dive Center / Beach Resort after hearing of good feedback (some of them on this forum...).
They are a good outfit

I know there is no ATM in Moalboal but people at Savedra told me I could pay for the dives and accommodation with my Visa card. What I find hard to estimate is how many Pesos I need to take for food, drinks, buying a couple of t-shirts, getting a couple of massages, etc...Joebubbles gives you some good advice for budgeting of course it is possible to do it for more or less depending on your tastes
Recommend you hit an ATM on your way to Moalboal, depending on what time your plane lands in Cebu will dictate which ATM's are available, I have mentioned there is an ATM in the GAISANO complex in CARCAR but if you are hireing a private car or using Savedras service you would be wise to get them to stop by Ayala and use the BPI/CITI or HSBC atms around the mall (if you get in late) this will add 20 minutes to your travel time

I also heard it is sometimes OK to pay with US Dollars, like for taxis? Is it true? not recommendedIs it also OK to give the tip to the DM in Dollars?I think pesos are preferred
Thanks to all the specialists and locals!

Malene

Please find my answers

Cheers,
Roger

 

[Malene]

Thanks a lot to Joebubbles and Rogersea for their very useful replies. It gives me a good idea of how much I might need. So I will take as much Pesos as I can in preference to Dollars...
I have my transfer organized by Savedra, so it should not be a problem to ask the driver to stop at an ATM.

Thanks again and I'll let you know how it went in two weeks?

Malene

 

[Evie G]

Just got back fr MoalBoal. Stayed at Savedra Beach Resort & dive w/ Savedra Dive center.
They accept credit cards, no surcharge. Rooms very clean w/ own balcony.
Danced w/ d sardines & saw whaleshark.
SilverRay Restaurant at the back of Savedra Diveshop serves good food & mango shake.
Order their curry dishes, fried rice & grilled seafoods.
Try Pizzeria Marina. Serves real good Italian dishes & strong coffee.

 

[Malene]

Just got back fr MoalBoal. Stayed at Savedra Beach Resort & dive w/ Savedra Dive center.
They accept credit cards, no surcharge. Rooms very clean w/ own balcony.
Danced w/ d sardines & saw whaleshark.
SilverRay Restaurant at the back of Savedra Diveshop serves good food & mango shake.
Order their curry dishes, fried rice & grilled seafoods.
Try Pizzeria Marina. Serves real good Italian dishes & strong coffee.

Thanks a lot! I'll be there on Thursday. When I'll have my first mango shake, I'll have a thought for you and I hope to waltz with the sardines as well...

 

[joebubbles]

Just got back fr MoalBoal. Stayed at Savedra Beach Resort & dive w/ Savedra Dive center.
They accept credit cards, no surcharge. Rooms very clean w/ own balcony.
Danced w/ d sardines & saw whaleshark.
SilverRay Restaurant at the back of Savedra Diveshop serves good food & mango shake.
Order their curry dishes, fried rice & grilled seafoods.
Try Pizzeria Marina. Serves real good Italian dishes & strong coffee.

Evie, Will a video from your ZS3 be forthcoming?
Here is my version of dancing sardines and whale shark.
Majestic Whale Sharks & Sardine Run 2010 HD on Vimeo

Just found the video by Jun. Wow, you had great viz! Congrats.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlbr4nP90bA

 

[Evie G]

Evie, Will a video from your ZS3 be forthcoming?
Here is my version of dancing sardines and whale shark.
Majestic Whale Sharks & Sardine Run 2010 HD on Vimeo

Just found the video by Jun. Wow, you had great viz! Congrats.
YouTube - The Sardine Dance- Dive Pescador Moalboal HD

Joe, I have 3 vids & lotsa pics!!! Just started uploading in my Facebook acc.
How do i post the vids & pics here? I've posted some pics before, but it all comes in a small box form, not nice...