Where Would You Travel Given a P 1,000 Budget?

Before reading this post, may I request a moment of prayer for the safety of everyone in the Philippines, and for the protection of our dear country and fellowmen from whatever disasters may come our way.

The topic for this month's Pinoy Travel Bloggers' blog carnival is quite timely with the disaster brought by Habagat that the Philippines has experienced just two weeks ago. In times of trouble, we would surely be more appreciative on how far our mere P 1,000 could go.

*Note for foreign friends: 1,000 pesos is worth around US$24.

As travelers, we had unfortunately been notoriously stereotyped as opulent people who do not have anything better to do with money. Anyone who was not bitten by the travel bug couldn't understand that travel is a part of life we simply can't let go. We must travel, and we will do it with whatever means and resources we have. For resourceful travelers, a mere 1,000 peso budget could mean paradise.

Are you still skeptic of the thought that you could do so much with a 1,000 peso budget?

Are you an apprentice in the process of learning how to be a great budget traveler?

Or are you simply someone who currently has the time to travel but is constrained financially and on your attempt to look for budget travel ideas, search engines brought you here?

If so, bookmark this post, as the Pinoy Travel Bloggers are now sharing various ways on where you could travel given a 1,000 peso budget.

From North to South, choose your adventure:

A. Create your own adventure until you reach your 1,000 peso limit

A.1 Destination: Subic Bay, Olongapo City, Zambales

Budget: self-imposed (choose the activities until you reach your P 1,000 limit)

Suggested Things To Do/Places to Visit:

Jungle Environmental Survival Training (JEST) Camp
Mini-zoo
Insectariums
Butterfly Garden
Spider World
Aviary
Canopy Slide
Wall Climbing
Airsoft Gun
Zoobic Safari
Sky Safari Zipline
Girafz Ride Segway
Ocean Adventure Park
Baton Falls
Hidden Falls
El Kabayo Falls
Pamulaklakin Forest Trails
Pamulaklakin River
Hill 394
Ilanin Forest Park

A.2 Destination: Clark Field, Pampanga
Budget: self-imposed (choose the activities until you reach your P 1,000 limit)
Suggested Things To Do/Places to Visit:

Paradise Ranch Nature and Conservation Park
Vista Montana Pool
Zoocobia Fun Zoo
Butterfly Kingdom
Animal Sanctuary
Lake
Fort Stotsenberg Parade Grounds
Bicentennial Park
Duty-free stores
Clark Museum
Nayong Pilipino-Clark
Fontana Water Park
Swiss Go-Kart
El Kabayo Riding Stables

Whew. That's a long list of suggested activities that you could do within a 1,000 peso budget from Mhe-anne Ojeda of My Comings and Goings. Her suggested things-to-do in Clark and Subic are ideal for residents of Metro Manila in need of a quick fix of adventure within a limited budget. Doing all of the listed activities would cost more than a thousand pesos but wisely choosing your combination of activities could very well do the trick. Hint: A chunk of the suggested activities is for free, and don't fret, because Atty. Mhe-anne has listed the complete costs and descriptions of each activity to guide you in maximizing your mixing and matching. Interested? Read here: Subic and Clark Freeport Zones for Adventures on a Cheap

B. An overnight trip consisting of a historical tour, delectable food, and beach camping

Destination: Bataan
Budget: P 820.00/person
Inclusive of the following sites/activities:

transportation to and from Manila
Balanga Church
Mt. Samat
Dambana ng Kagitingan
Deathmarch Kilometer 0 Marker
Japan-Philippine Friendship Tower
Bataan Nuclear Power Plant
Stella Mariz Beach Resort
Pawikan Conservation Area

Yes, an overnight trip for less than 1,000 pesos is possible! Josiah Sicad of Lakas ng Trip shares tips and complete details on how he and Maui was able to live up to the challenge last June 2012 in Bataan. Take note that they were able to cover eight destinations in that trip given that limited budget. Do you want to pull it off the way they did? Thankfully, Josiah shares the complete details. Read here: How much did I spend on our overnight trip to Bataan

C. A fun-filled day for the whole family

Destination: SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City, Metro Manila
Budget: P 994.00 for 3 persons
Inclusive of the following:

unlimited ice skating for 1 person
lunch at Joey Pepperoni
Chewy Junior's mini puffs for dessert
Jamaican Patties and soda for merienda
transportation
fireworks display

If you're a family man, definitely you'll have a different perception of enjoyment as you would not only think about yourself but also would consider the happiness of your wife and kid(s). As the previous entries are 1,000 peso budget for a single person, in his set of tips, Noel Amo of Mga Batangala deviates and gives an insightful post on how three people could enjoy a day at the mall for P 1,000. As he says, "Travel doesn't mean you have to go far from where you live. It's the company you keep that makes traveling, whether near or far, more fun." Wanna know his deepest secrets? Read here: How a Family of Three Spends Less Than P 1,000 for a Day at the Mall

D. Two "suitable for all ages" unique experiences in a day

Destination: Montalban, Rizal
Budget: less than P 1,000.00/person
Inclusive of the following:

transportation to and from Cubao
day tour at Avilon Zoo
adventures at Wawa Dam

Aleah Taboclaon of Solitary Wanderer promotes her hometown as a tourist destination for those who are currently constrained by financial factors, yet have the luxury of time to travel. Montalban, Rizal's proximity to Metro Manila makes it a very accessible travel destination. Aleah lets you in on the various activities that you could do within a 1,000 peso budget within Montalban. Do check out her tips for extreme adventures in Wawa Dam, and her enticing description of Avilon Zoo. The way she described it, Avilon Zoo becomes a must-see destination, as it was able to make even someone (read: her) who is not a zoo fan appreciate its existence. Are you ready to be enticed as well? Read here: Budget Trip Ideas - Wawa Dam and Avilon Zoo in Montalban, Rizal

E. A jam-packed yet relaxing get-away to a rustic location

Destination: San Pablo City, Laguna
Budget: P 694.00/person
Inclusive of the following sites/activities:

transportation
Sampaloc Lake
food trip
San Pablo Cathedral
Ukay-Ukay
day tour at Sanctuario de San Pablo Resort and Spa

Paula Anntoneth O of Pondering Paodaolei shares details of her less-than-1,000 pesos habit. As Paula is a true-blue fan of all things rustic and authentic nature trips, this day tour is something she "couldn't turn her back from". Do you share the same fascination for old structures and nature? Visit her blog and prepare to be enthralled by the rustic San Pablo City and the surprisingly cheap cost it entails. Read here: Where Will I Go Given a 1,000 Peso Budget

F. Enjoying nature and raw adventure at the same time

F.1 Destination: Pagsanjan Falls, Laguna
Budget: P 733.00/person
Inclusive of the following:

transportation
Pagsanjan Adventure
shooting the rapids

F.2 Destination: Mt. Gulugod Baboy, Batangas

Budget: P 933.00/person
Days required: 2 days
Inclusive of the following:

transportation
registration fee
halo-halo
entrance fee at Sampaguita Beach
accommodation

F.3 Destination: Cagbalete Island, Mauban, Quezon

Budget: P 860.00/person

Days required: 2 days

Inclusive of the following:

transportation
accommodation

Our dear Mich Borlagdan of Chasing Philippines has been very generous to share not one, not two, but three travel options within the P 1,000 budget. During the onslaught of Habagat, she caught herself staring at a P 1,800 receipt from an overnight stay at a hotel which she had no choice but to avail because she got stranded, and thoughts of how she could have spent less than this on her suggested locations dawned upon her. Interested in her suggestions? Read here: Where to Go in the Philippines for 1000 Pesos

G. A relaxed trip - exploring a place at your own pace and to your heart's content

G.1 Destination: Tagaytay, Cavite
Budget: less than P 1,000/person
Inclusive of the following:

convent and church hopping
People's Park
explore the hidden parts of Tagaytay
great view of Taal
pasalubong

G.2 Destination: Bohol

Budget: less than P 1,000/person

Inclusive of the following:

beach camping at Alona Beach
bike or motorbike rental
meals

Grasya Bangoy of This Grasya on the Road Less Traveled is blessed to have a large family clan scattered from Zamboanga to Baguio that somehow helps her accomplish a budget travel. Don't have a large family clan? Don't fret - her P 1,000 budget trip suggestions to Tagaytay and Bohol wouldn't really require that. As Grasya is currently based in Bohol, her second suggestion lets us in on some insider tips that defy the notion that Bohol is an expensive vacation spot. You should never miss her budget-saving recommendations! Wanna know the complete details of these two budget trips? Read here: Where Can You Go in the Philippines for P1000 Pesos?

H. Rewarding yourself with delectable food and scenery after conquering a mountain

Destination: Mt. Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas and Josephine Restaurant, Tagaytay
Budget: P 989.00/person
Inclusive of the following:

transportation to and from Manila
Mt. Batulao hike expense
lunch at Josephine Restaurant with bulalo as the highlight

A P 1,000 budget is enough for an extreme combination of raw adventure and a (close to) fine dining experience overlooking the very scenic Taal. If you want to scrap the dining part, congratulations because you could pursue the dayhike for just P 400! Craving for Batulao and bulalo and wanna know the details? Read my tips here: A Day of Adventure and Leisure for P 1,000

I. Defying the myths about a certain place and being able to have fun in a cheaper way

Destination: Burot Beach, Calatagan, Batangas
Budget: P 800.00/person
Days required: 2 Days
Inclusive of the following:

transportation to and from Manila
meals
beach camping at Burot Beach

Calatagan, Batangas is a popular destination for beach bummers due to its accessibility to Metro Manila. However, the popular and highly-commercialized beaches of Calatagan, Batangas are unfortunately not budget-friendly. Do you wish to spend two days in Calatagan but you only have a thousand pesos to spend? Joanna Jane Liwag of The Backpack Chronicles gives us a sneak peek and the lurid details on how you could do it. The name to remember: Burot Beach. Hurry though, as she gives us an insider tip that it's to be commercialized soon. Read here: Batangas|Overnight Budget Get-away at Burot Beach

J. A solemn, spiritual, simple, and quiet out-of-town trip

Destination: Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church, Lucban, Quezon

Budget: P 650.00/person
Inclusive of the following:

transportation to and from Manila
meals
Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church for as long as you want

Gladys Serafines of Untied Escape chooses to enlighten you with the details on how you could pursue a quick fix of an out-of-town trip for P 1,000. She admits that she has yet to actively join pilgrimages, but regardless, a trip to Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church is pleasing to the soul, to the eyes, and also, to your pockets. Is Kamay ni Hesus one of the nearby locations which you have already seen on TV but has yet to visit? If so, check out Gladys' guides on how to get here and the expenses you need to prepare for. Read here: Our Journey to Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church

K. Enjoy a laid-back lifestyle at its finest

Destination: Siquijor

Budget: P 940.00/person

Inclusive of the following:

transportation to and from Cebu
accommodation
meals
motorcycle rent for 24 hours

Are you based in Cebu? Well Reiza Dejito of Wander If You Must's P 1,000 thrift-trip suggestion to Siquijor might just be your piece of paradise. For P 1,000, you could already visit Siquijor's mysterious old churches and convents, take a dip at San Juan's freshwater pool, bask in the white sand beaches, dive off the cliff to the turquoise waters below at Salagduong, and watch the magnificent sunset. Wanna know the execution plan? Read here: A Thousand-Peso Thrift Trip

L. Experience the relaxation of the rich and famous for a day

Destination: Dakak Beach and Resort, Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte
Budget: P 800.00/person
Inclusive of the following:

day tour
transportation
meals

Fans of cheap travel could get easily discouraged upon hearing the word "Dakak" as it has always been popularly known as a destination only for the rich and famous. Dennis Dolojan of The Chronicles of Love Mindanao shares tips on how you could have a taste of Dakak without surpassing the 1,000 peso budget. Interested? I bet you are! Read here: Dapitan's Dakak Beach and Resort

M. An adventure trail beyond the ordinary

Destination: Bukidnon
Budget: P950.00 for 2 persons
Inclusive of the following:

registration fee for 2 persons
outdoor shorts
race shirt, race bib, discount stub and raffle entry
breakfast

Upon knowing the topic for this month's blog carnival, Earl E. Bolivar of Suroy Pilipinas challenged himself by actually testing how far his P 1,000 could take him before sharing his suggestion. His 1,000 pesos took him and his wife to an extraordinary adventure trail in his location, Bukidnon. Because he had lots of money left, he was also able to buy an outdoor shorts and still did not surpass the P 1,000 limit. See how he was able to do it, and be amazed with the awesome trail that they had. Read here: Awesome Adventure Trail in Bukidnon for Less Than 1,000 Pesos
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These are just some of the thrift tips from your dear Pinoy Travel Bloggers. Should you explore each blog further, you'd surely be awakened into a huge repository of budget travels which you may follow on your next weekend or holiday get-away. Now, with 1,000 pesos in your hands, have you already decided where to go?
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This is the 22nd Edition of the Pinoy Travel Bloggers' (PTB) Blog Carnival with the topic "Where Would You Travel Given a P 1,000 Budget?". It is my third month of being a member in the group, and my third consecutive blog carnival participation. It is a great honor and pleasure to be the host for this August 2012's blog carnival as it was one of the things I looked forward to even before being a part of PTB (spell fan-girling). One of my bucket list items has just been crossed, but more than that, I hope this compilation would be able to fulfill its ultimate goal to help fellow travelers. :)

Feel free to check out the other editions of Pinoy Travel Bloggers' Blog Carnival as these all contain very helpful information from PTB members - whatever your travel concerns might be.