Lady Enjoying Cocktail in Beach Shoreline

4 Summer Activities Worth Spending On

Summer is the best excuse to be out and about and living it up. And the Philippines offers a treasure trove of fun activities that will help you put your holiday to good use and make hay while the sun shines! More than seven thousand islands await…

But going on vacation, even within the Philippines, can put a dent in your wallet. That #islandlife ain’t cheap! Instead of going into debts just to fund your getaway, there are other ways for you to enjoy summer while keeping your expenses low and manageable.

Here are some summer activities that sound like paradise, and how you can get on board with up to 50% discount!

Swimming

No one deserves to stay indoors when it’s more than 32 degrees. And there is a cool world of adventure waiting for you out there. Dive into a fun time and hit your favorite beach in the country with your favorite people!

Fly to everybody’s favorite summer destination, Boracay, and see why it’s still a go-to spot that you shouldn’t miss out on! Boracay’s special mix of white sand beaches, premier and budget-friendly accommodations, celebrity sightings, and parties is the best setting to the perfect summer.

If you choose to laze on the pearly white sands of Boracay, you can book your stay at Astoria Current Boracay. The BDO Book Now Pay Later promo for BDO Mastercard, Visa, JCB, UnionPay and Diners Club Credit Cards, American Express Cards issued by BDO and BDO Debit Cards.

The promo offers the flexibility of paying for your hotel stay in a single payment at a discounted rate, or you can choose to split the payments into three or six months, making it lighter on the pocket.

Standard Room at Astoria Current
Discounted rate per night
Monthly payment for 3 months
0% installment
Monthly payment for 6 months
0% installment
₱4,000
₱1,333.33
₱666.67
Pro tip
Planning and booking your trip ahead of time will help you save big on your airfare. Airline companies usually hold promo fare for flights during summer, a few months before the season.

Spelunking

spelunking in the Philippines

Image from outdoorholiday.com

Would you rather go underground? Have at it and explore some of the best caves for spelunking if that is your kind of chill this summer.

You can take the experience up a notch and relish in the beauty of one of the new seven wonders of the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage site: The Underground River in Puerto Princesa. As the longest navigable attraction of its kind in the world, it’s an experience any thrill-seeker should not pass up on!

Travel Now, Pay Later with your BDO or American Express Credit Card and enjoy this experience without going broke.

Pro tip
Spelunking is not for the faint of heart, so stock up on the right essentials such as elbow and knee pads, portable lights, batteries, and a first-aid kit. Also, get the assistance of an experienced local tour guide. Lastly, for your peace of mind, take advantage of BDO’s travel insurance*, which offers medical aid as a part of insurance coverage with its credit cards, making sure you are well taken care of should any untoward incidents happen!
*dependent on your credit card type

All-in-Package which includes a two-night stay at Aziza Paradise Hotel, roundtrip airfare and land arrangement, breakfast, and underground river tour.
Rate for package
Monthly payment for 3 months
0% installment
Monthly payment for 6 months
0% installment
₱10,688.00
₱3,462.67
₱1,731.33

Diving

How about underwater? Channel your inner Ariel and go where it’s better, down where it’s wetter, under the sea…

Dive at beautiful Sumilon Island in Cebu and bask in the island vibes. Explore Apo Island and meet some turtles (cute!) or whale sharks (exciting!), and enjoy the coral formations with perfect visibility! You can also pay the oldest marine sanctuary a visit, which is ideal for macro photography!

One night at the Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort costs about ₱17,000.00 to ₱13,934.43, depending on the dates and season.

So, here’s how you can manage your vacation expenses- choose to pay a discounted rate using your BDO or American Express Credit Card Card, or split your payments into Absolutely 0% interest on installment.

Deluxe Room at Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort
Includes private veranda with lounge chair, breakfast, and 15% off F&B
Discounted rate for package
Monthly payment for 3 months
0% installment
₱13,600
₱4,500
Pro tip
To most of our cohabitants under the sea, human divers look like scary blobs of balls that make huge ripples. Relax and go slow underwater to attract and not disturb the natural marine life.

Surfing

If being underwater is not your thing, spend your summer above the waves then! The country offers a wide plethora of surfing destinations that is perfect for everyone – from beginners to bronzed gods and goddesses who look like they were raised on a surfboard.

You can dip down to Ilocos Sur. Kido’s Point in Illocos Sur has been a popular site for surfing competitions, and it was named after Cabugao’s local surfing hero, Kido Cabasug.

If you are in that area, one of the best places to stay is the Vitalis Villas. You will feel like you’ve been transported to Santorini, Greece for the summer!

Superior Room at Vitalis Villas, Ilocos Sur
Rate for package
Monthly payment for 3 months
0% installment
₱7,310.00
₱2,436.67
Pro tip
You can fly to Ilocos Sur from Manila, which is only a 37-minute flight. Alternatively, you can also drive to Ilocos Sur and take the scenic route, which will take 6 hours and 38 minutes.

Spend less for more

We’ve always advocated prudent credit card spending, and though spending on vacation should never incur debts for you, having the flexibility the split your bills do help you manage your cash flow better.

Even if you don’t go for the 0% installment option you will still get to enjoy discounted rates at BDO partner hotels and resorts. For example, the published rate for a night at the two-bedroom villa at Vitalis Villas would set you back a hefty P19,000, but by simply using your BDO American Express Credit Card you get a 15% discount, and pay just P16,150.

Now, take note that paying on installment is great for your cash flow. However, it can still cause you greater pain if you don’t manage it right. So, when paying installments always make sure that you can afford the payments each month without needing to sacrifice too much.

A missed installment payment will make all those savings worthless! If you’re disciplined, a credit card can open up a lot of advantages for you. These advantages which you can easily leverage with credit can pave the way for the #islandlife that you so rightfully deserve!

The BDO Book Now, Pay Later promo runs until May 31, 2017. For more details and to see the complete list of participating hotels and resorts, visit BDO site.
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