What Is a Land Arrangement Package? (And When You Need One)

A land arrangement package covers everything you do on the ground at your destination, such as your hotel, transfers and tours, but not your flights. It is one of the most common ways to book a trip in the Philippines, and it is often the best value if you can find your own flights. Here is what it includes, who it suits and how to compare offers.

What Is a Land Arrangement Package?

"Land arrangement" means the services you use after you land. Think of it as a trip with the flights taken out. A typical land arrangement package covers:

• Accommodation. Hotel or resort nights, usually with breakfast.
• Transfers. Airport-to-hotel pick-up and drop-off, and transport to activities.
• Tours and activities. Island hopping, city tours, snorkeling or day trips.
• Entrance fees. Fees for parks, islands and attractions.

Our own packages are a good example. A typical land package on our site lists the hotel nights, daily breakfast, a roundtrip airport-hotel transfer, island hopping with a DOT-accredited boat, safety gear and the applicable entrance fees. It also lists what is not included, such as personal expenses and tips, and says that flights are quoted separately.

Land Arrangement vs. an All-In Package

• Land arrangement (land only). Hotel, transfers and tours, with flights booked separately. You choose your own flights and dates, and you can often get better fares or use airline promos.
• All-in package. Flights, hotel, transfers and tours at one price. It is simpler, with one booking and one total.

Neither is better for everyone. If you already have cheap flights, or you travel from a city other than Manila, a land arrangement fits. If you want one price and one booking, choose an all-in package.

Who Needs a Land Arrangement Package?

A land arrangement works well when:

• You already have flights, such as promo fares or tickets bought with miles.
• You are traveling from another city than the package's usual departure point.
• You are a group with different arrival times, or members flying from different places.
• You want local help with boats, vans and guides, which are hard to arrange yourself.
• You are visiting islands such as Bohol, Palawan or Siargao, where tours and boats are booked locally.

How to Compare Land Arrangement Packages

Prices look similar until you compare the details. Check:

1. Nights and room type. How many nights, and what kind of room.
2. Meals. Is breakfast included? Any other meals?
3. Transfers. Is it a private or shared transfer? Roundtrip or one way?
4. Tours. Are they joiner tours or private? Are entrance fees included?
5. Exclusions. Tips, fuel surcharges, travel insurance and hotel deposits are often not included.
6. Validity. Many packages have a "book by" date and set travel windows.

Ask for the full list in writing, and add up anything that is not included.

Questions to Ask Before You Book

• Which dates are available, and are there blackout dates?
• What happens if my flight is delayed and I miss the pick-up?
• Can I add nights, change the hotel or add a tour?
• What are the payment and cancellation terms?

Where Land Arrangements Are Most Useful

Island destinations are where land arrangements shine, because transfers, boats and guides come together. See our Palawan, Bohol, Cebu, Siargao and Boracay packages for ready-priced examples. For an idea of how tours differ, read our guide to private van tours versus joiner tours.

Book a Land Arrangement with CieloAmor

We offer land packages and can also quote flights separately, so you can choose the best combination. You get affordable rates and VIP-level service from a DOT-accredited agency in Teresa, Rizal. See our packages and travel services, or message us your destination, dates and number of travelers.