Aurélie Hazak
guide to
Donsol

12/26/2011

01/25/2012

Website

8.5

Cover Page
Biography
Japan
- Tokyo
- Kyoto
- Nagano-shi
- Kyoto
- Nara-shi
Philippines
- Manila
- Banaue
- Cambuio
- Batad
- Banaue
- Bontoc
- Sagada
- Baguio
- San Fernando
- Manila
- Legaspi
- Donsol
- Manila

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Step 17/18: Philippines - Donsol

About Donsol

Donsol is a very peaceful city where you wont meet too many tourists. The main attraction there is the whale sharks, which are coming around every year from the end of January until mid September. In order to protect this animal locals have been given education about them, and they are now receiving help from the state in order to maintain the sustainable tourism : swim with the whale sharks but respect it. Locals there are really friendly, always ready to help. Most of the kids will probably wave at you and say "Hello!" when you're walking around.

How I got here ?

Price: 1 €

Traveling time: 2 hours

We took a van at the Central Bus Terminal

Tips & Tricks

Take a waterproof camera with you !
Street food, once again. Don't miss the chicken legs or the pigs' ears!

Things to see

Swim with the whale sharks 10 /10

10 €

Swim with the whale sharks photo by Aurélie Hazak

User's opinion
At the Visitors' Centre you can book a boat to swim with the whale sharks. Each boat is 3500PHP (60€) and for maximum 6 people. The earlier you are there, the more chances you have to meet people there to share the boat with. Rent your snorkelling there as well (300 PHP, 5€). Once you're with the whale shark, it is just impressive to see how relax it seems to be. And it is much quicker than what it seem

Sunset on the beach 10 /10

0 €

Sunset on the beach photo by Aurélie Hazak

User's opinion
Always the same cliché, but still beautiful !

El Grotto 4 /10

0 €

User's opinion
We followed a local there but were kind of disappointed. What is called El Grotto is a path, retracing Jesus life, and ending on a sort of open air place of prayer, with a statue of Marie. Not really what we expected when he told us that El Grotto was a cave. The path is in the middle of the jungle though, which makes it much more interesting !

Street Food ! 8 /10

- €

User's opinion
Pig's ears, chicken legs or heads... You will find a lot to satisfy your curiosity ^^

Practical

Santiago guesthouse

10/10

Price 10 €

Address

User's opinion:

500 PHP for a double room with fan. The staff is almost invisible and pretty nice. They only have 4 rooms so you can be sure that you will have a good spot on the terrace !