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Borneo, Philippines or Guatemala

Posted by on

Hi everyone,

I'm looking at small group tours for mid-February or the end of March. I've narrowed it down to Borneo, Philippines, or Guatemala. Sadly, I don't have time to do Borneo and the Philippines together.

I know they are all very different and have their plus points. One thing that puts me off Guatemala is the crime statistics. I'm interested in nature, wildlife, culture, food, hiking, and swimming. I often prefer less touristy crowded places. In these continents/areas I've been to Mexico, Vietnam and Cambodia.

The group tour places visit:

Guatemala = Antigua, Acatenango Volcano, Lake Atitlan, Tikal, Lanquín and Guatemala City (1 day) to get a flight.
Borneo = Kota Kinabalu, Gunung Mulu National Park, Kinabatangan, Gaya Island, Sepilok, Kuching
Philippines = Manila, Port Barton, Pamuayan, El Nido, Ginto Island, Coron

Has anyone visited or lived in these places?

Posted by
8718 posts

I have visited the Philippines. I love travel, but have no interest in visiting Borneo.
Guatemala does have some great Mayan sites, but also too many drug cartel thugs. If you go to Guatemala, make sure it is a group tour with good security.

I have been the Panama and Costa Rica and that was good.
The Philippines was a great place to visit.

Posted by
715 posts

Given your interests, I would recommend Borneo. Just to be clear (given you're using country names elsewhere) the Borneo you're referring to is the Malaysian state of Sabah (the other bits being Sarawak, also Malaysia, and the Indonesian province of Kalimantan).

I have been to Manila many times to see friends, and I love it (awesome food and friendly people) but wouldn't recommend it for a tourist visit - it's a huge, incredibly congested city. Although the rest of the Philippines is stunning. Guatemala I don't know at all.

Posted by
10 posts

Thanks for your replies!

@geovagriffith out of interest why do not want to visit Borneo?

@simon yes it would be the Sabah region :) Also it would be 2 nights in Manila

Just looking at the itinerary between Borneo and the Philippines these are some of the activities:

Philippines:
– Guided bike ride in the old city of Intramuros, Manila
– Guided kayaking session around the idyllic islands of Port Barton
– Guided hike to Pamuayan Falls and NaoNao Beach
– Banca boat rides between islands and kayaking spots
– Guided kayaking session in El Nido
– Visit to the Maquinit Hot Springs

Borneo:
– Stay in Negmah Ulu Longhouse
– Explore Deer Cave
– Clearwater Cave hike
– Cycle through the Kiulu Valley
– Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
– Sepilok Orangutan Reserve
– Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre

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