Kuya Dodong Bohol Tour Service - Our Experience/Review

I heard about Kuya Dodong's tour package from a friend. They availed their service last 2011 and they only have positive words to describe their experience. It got me curious 'cause, first, who would name their tour company "Kuya Dodong"?

I availed sale tickets from ZestAir and searched for Bohol tour packages. Since "Kuya Dodong" is a peculiar name for a tour service, he's the first one I remembered to ask for a quote. I asked how much is his package for THREE PEOPLE (me, mama and papa). After two days, they replied. This is his email to us and how he quoted us for the tour:

**********

 Herewith tour rate with accommodation for your group tour on June 8-10,2013. It is 3d/2n. Please refer below your " FULL PACKED " itinerary. I require a deposit of P1,500.00 only. This is for reservation of your room accommodation.. 

    Hope to hear from you very soon,thanks.     

                           TO GOD BE THE GLORY.....

with regards,
kuya dodong

09166396347

                               **********************************************
              Villa Almedilla Hotel,Alona,Panglao - 50 mtrs to beach front

                     Vacation Tour Pkg for 3 pax  @ P13,980.00 only

                                          ( at discounted rate)

ITINERARY:

DAY 01 = BOHOL COUNTRYSIDE TOUR-.start upon arrival
              > Blood Compact Site
              > Baclayon   Church
              > Python Snake
              > Loboc River Cruise and Luncheon
              > Tarsier Watch (smallest primate)
              > Man-made Forest
              > Butterfly Sanctuary
              > Chocolate Hills
              > Hanging Bridge
              > Souvenir shopping

                                                                                           

DAY 02 = DOLPHIN WATCHING, ISLAND HOPPING,SNORKELING & SWIMMING -6-8hrs,time flexible
              > On-board Motorized Banca with life saving gadgets,boat operator /crew.
              > Jump-Off time 6:00 AM
              > Guests will be the one to pay for:
                     # p100/set of snorkel & face mask.
                     # p150 per pax payment for swimming guide

                 # p 150 per pax swimming shoes

                 # p   50 per pax - Island User's fee - LGU Ordinance                                                                         

                 # Payment food in the island -lunch

 DAY 03  = PANGLAO/DAUIS TOUR - 4 HOURS  Start 8am  

                   > bohol bee farm = Guest may have their lunch in the farm-guest expense
                   > Panglao shell museum
                   > Hinagdanan cave
                   > dauis church 
              > Bayoyoy d' dwarfman

to air/ seaport after tourINCLUSIONS:

       > 1 standrd air-con room,h/c shower,ctv,wi-fi - twin share,w/ 1 extra mattress
       > Free daily breakfast for 3 pax

       > transfers IN/OUT
       > Air con transport for Day Tours
       > Motorized banca for sea tour
       > Entrance Fees
       > Buffet Lunch at Loboc River on board floating resto 
         > Tour Driver-Guide
         > Fuel 

Note:> Please email scanned deposit slip thru jpg to confirm your reservation.Uunahan lang po kasi meron kayo kasabay nag pareserved. The same room and date sa inyo.
> May I know your contact number?

                                              " NO HIDDEN COST "

****************

note: Kuya Dodong's number and tour quote above may be outdated. Please visit their official website for inquiries.

http://www.cheapboholtour.com/

After days of researching the internet about "Kuya Dodong", I was convinced he wasn't a fraud. They even had a feature on Korina Sanchez's show, Rated K.

So as the e-mail stated, I should deposit an initial payment of 1.5k to his BPI account which I did. Since we don't have a scanner, I just took a picture of the deposit slip and sent it through email. Kuya Dodong was okay with it. Haha. Through a series of texts and emails, he confirmed our payment and reservation. The tour was set and good to go. Smooth and easy transaction.

FAST FORWARD>>

Our tour date came and we were excited. I followed up a text with Kuya Dodong and he said it was all set. He said a man will be waiting for us at the airport who will be holding a banner with my name on it. These are the first things I noticed about their service:

• Your driver is also your tour guide. This is okay for us since we won't be tipping two people for the tour and driving service. They can also take some photos so no one on your group will be left behind the camera. It's just unfortunate that Kuya Dodong is not always available to personally tour you. Or is it? :)

• Their service vehicle is very comfortable and clean! I was actually surprised by this. I was expecting they would use a sedan since there were only 3 of us. But they used a nice Isuzu Crosswind. No funky odors like car deodorants or whatsoever. Everything in the vehicle is functional. We really had a comfortable ride. Driver is also fast but not "kaskasero". Its just that he knows the road very well.

 

Our driver/tour guide Kuya Lloyd and Papa.

• Flexible. My mama and papa are a little hesitant to give the full payment to our driver as requested by Kuya Dodong. They said we should only pay half of it and pay the other half at the end of the tour. I explained to my parents that they would need it for our accommodation and entrance fees for the tour (obviously, I'm on the driver's side but I'm also hesitant to pay full :P). They agreed to at least give 8k and give the rest of the payment on our last day.
• Hospitality is excellent. They have umbrellas in their service car in case of rain. They also have hand sanitizer in case you want some quick cleaning. They'll hold the door for you. They can also take simple favors like if you need to buy something; they'll do it for you! If you ask them something, they'll answer. They'll give you options if you wonder about doing something. Really patient to ignorant and overly excited tourists like us. Haha. Just excellent.

Overall, Kuya Dodong's Bohol Tour service is a double thumbs up. My mama really enjoyed the tour they gave us that she swore we will come back together with the whole family. Kuya Dodong heard this and he gave us his word that he will give us discount if we avail their service again. Ah, yes. Did I mention that we personally met Kuya Dodong on the 3rd day of our tour? Haha. More on that later on my next blog entries.

If you're taking Kuya Dodong's service, the only thing I would ask you is TIP THEM WELL. They didn't ask me to write this. Heck, I'm not a good tipper myself. I just feel that they truly deserve it. They will never hold back in terms of service but they are humble enough not to ask you for anything. Not only to Kuya Dodong's crew but to the people who genuinely serve you along the whole tour.

If you're still not convinced about Kuya Dodong's Bohol Tour service, here's a blog that might help you:

http://www.markmaranga.com/cheap-bohol-tour-package/


Next blog: First Day Bohol tour, what to expect? tips and some pictures :)