Imagine remote islands with palm trees leaning over pristine white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. The Philippines is a country consisting of 7641 islands that not only offer tropical beaches but also rice terraces, hiking, surfing, and great diving. An interesting mix of Spanish, American, and Chinese cultures formed Filipinos into the extremely welcoming people they are today. Discover the best of the country in this Philippines Travel Guide.
Philippines Travel Itinerary
Traveling in the Philippines takes time because all islands are divided by the ocean. Experiencing the entire country in 3 weeks is impossible. However, this 3-week route takes you along some of the country’s highlights. This Philippines Travel Guide includes extra time meant as travel time.
Day 1: Manila
Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is where your incredible journey starts. Most people have a love-hate relationship with this city and spend one or two nights here. If you want to explore the city, book a tour visiting the city’s highlights and tasting local food.
Tip: Grab Taxi is a great way to get reliable transportation around the city.
Where to Stay in Manila
Makati is the area where you need to spend the night and find all the trendy restaurants and bars.
Day 2 – 3: Coron
The small fishing village Coron is all about hopping from one stunning island to the other. On the morning of day 2, fly from Manila to Busuanga island, followed by a 30-minute drive to Coron town.
Once you arrive, relax, hike up Mt. Tapyas before sunset, and go island hopping by boat (book online) on day 3. You can arrange this in advance or at the harbor.
Must-Try! The Philippines has the most delicious mangos. Don’t miss these!
Where to Stay in Coron
Hotels in Coron are available for every kind of budget, whether you want something more luxurious or something that’s more budget-friendly.
Tip: The best place to stay is in the center of town; this has the most options, with the only downside that you won’t have any beach near your hotel.
Day 4 – 6: El Nido
A 4-hour ferry from Coron (find tickets) takes you to one of the most stunning locations in your Philippines Travel Guide. El Nido is located on the northern tip of Palawan Island, offering pristine white beaches and paradise islands. You can visit these places by joining an El Nido Island Hopping Tour.
Where to Stay in El Nido
Choose a hostel or hotel on one of the beautiful beaches in El Nido, with incredible views over the turquoise waters.
Tip: You could also choose to stay in El Nido town. Although the town itself used to be a little underwhelming, it has been developing fast and now has some great hotels and restaurants.
Boat from Coron to El Nido
Another popular way to get from Coron to El Nido is to embark on a 4-day expedition with Big Dream Boatman to explore crystal-clear waters, hidden lagoons, and abundant marine life. As you traverse the archipelago, you’ll find opportunities for adventure, moments of quiet reflection, and glimpses into the vibrant local culture.
With Big Dream Boatman, you’re not just a tourist but a curious explorer. Be sure to book this journey in advance, as it’s a popular way to travel to El Nido.
Day 7: Puerto Princesa
From El Nido, drive down to Puerto Princesa to spend the night before catching your flight to Cebu.
Getting to El Nido is possible by van or public transport. In Puerto Princesa, we highly recommend visiting the Iwahig Open Prison and having dinner at Kalui.
Good to know: Unfortunately, the standard Filipino kitchen isn’t that great. Rice and pork or BBQ chicken are the typical dishes. However, at popular restaurants, it is an entirely different world.
Where to Stay in Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa has plenty of hotels to choose from that are perfect for spending the night before your journey to Cebu.
Did you know? Puerto Princesa is known as ‘the city in the forest’ because of its luscious greenery and tropical atmosphere.
Day 8 – 9: Cebu
Cebu is one of the main islands and transport hubs of the Philippines. Arrive in Cebu by airplane from Puerto Princesa in the morning of day 8. Directly hop into the bus or car and make your way down to Moalboal. The following day, go Canyoneering in Badian and jump off the Kawasan Falls!
Where to Stay in Cebu
You can stay in Moalboal or Cebu City for your canyoning trip. Moalboal is the most convenient as it is very close to Badian, but keep in mind that this cheaper option can be fully booked due to the lack of accommodations.
Alternatively, stay in Cebu City, which, although quite far away from Badian (around a 3-hour drive), has the option of free pick-up and drop-off (with Island Trek Tours).
Day 10 – 12: Bohol
Discover the unique landscapes of Bohol with rice terraces, chocolate hills, and white sand beaches. But what makes Bohol unique is the Philippine Tarsier. Tiny, monkey-like animals that move during the night. Book a day tour to explore all the highlights of Bohol. It is a short 2-hour ferry ride from Cebu to Bohol.
The endangered Tarsiers are extremely sensitive to light and sound. Only visit the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary, where you’re not allowed to touch, talk to, or photograph them with flash. If you see tarsiers in cages, that’s not OK! Learn more about responsible wildlife tourism.
Are you interested in visiting churches? Bohol has plenty! Did you know? The Philippines is the only Christian nation in Asia.
Where to Stay in Bohol
Bohol’s beauty makes it a hotel paradise! From luxury spas to cute guesthouses, there’s something for everyone on the island.
Day 13 – 15: Siquijor
Majestic waterfalls, the friendliest Filipinos, and beautiful local life. The island of Siquijor is stunning to explore by motorbike in a 2-hour drive. Read about all the things to do in Siquijor.
From Bohol, take the 1.5-hour ferry to Siquijor.
Where to Stay in Siquijor
Most hotels are located on the western coastline of Siquijor or in the town of San Juan (which has the yummiest restaurants!).
Day 16: Travel day
While you’re still buzzing from the incredible last 15 days, it’s time to head back to Cebu to catch a flight to Siargao. Getting back to Cebu is a long trip, but it’s worth it for the next part of your itinerary.
- Catch the boat from Siquijor to Dumaguete (30 min; book your tickets here).
- At Dumaguete, take the boat to Liloan Port, Cebu (20 min).
- From Liloan Port, catch the public bus to Cebu City (4 hours).
Spend the night in Cebu City and fly out to Siargao the next morning. Please note: If you’re planning to fly to Siargao, keep in mind that evening flights are often canceled. The Siargao runway does not have lights yet (April 2019).
Day 17 – 20: Siargao
Welcome to the ‘Most Beautiful Island in Asia’. Siargao has the perfect island vibe with great beaches, surfing, scenic drives, island hopping, incredible food, and a chilled vibe. You could easily spend a week in Siargao.
Read more: best things to do in Siargao
Where to Stay in Siargao
There are three main tourist towns: General Luna, Dapa, and Pacifico. Dapa and Pacifico are quieter, and General Luna offers the best restaurants.
Day 21: Manila
Spend your last day in Manila. We recommend you be back in Manila at least 10 hours before your international flight back home leaves. Why? Most flights in the afternoon are delayed. We have been to The Philippines twice and had just two flights leaving on time or too early, haha.
Food rec: On your last day, visit Hummus Elijah in Makati!
Additional Philippines Travel Itinerary Options
If you have more or less time available, use one of the following options in your Philippines Travel itinerary.
- Visit the rice fields in the north of the Philippines (4-week route)
- Skip Puerto Princesa and fly directly from El Nido to Cebu (more relaxed)
- Skip Siquijor and spend your time in Cebu and Bohol (more relaxed)
Your Budget for the Philippines
The Philippines is a budget travel country. It is affordable to get around, and there is accommodation for every kind of budget. However, the prices for accommodation are a little higher compared to Indonesia or Thailand. If you’re on a tight budget, take the overnight ferry instead of an airplane and travel by bus. The currency in the country is the Philippine Peso (PHP, ₱).
Wifi and SIM Cards in the Philippines
Wifi is something you cannot relate to in the Philippines. It is unstable, and if they offer it, it’s usually not fast. We always recommend getting a SIM card to use Google Maps or make phone calls in emergencies. It is best to get a GLOBE or SMART SIM card (9GB for 1000 PHP) and top it up once you’re out of data.
Flights
Flights go as often as buses in the Philippines to cross to another island. Flight delays are common, so it is recommended never to book too tight with connecting flights or activities.
Boats and buses
Ferries to cross to a different island are very common. Taking an overnight ferry can reduce costs on your travel budget. Booking boats and long bus rides in advance is common.
Tricycle
To cover short distances, a tricycle is very convenient. The vehicle is kind of a 3-wheeled tuk-tuk. You have to bargain with this kind of transport. Our rule of thumb was 100 PHP for 2 persons, including luggage for a 10-minute drive.
Motorbike
In the main tourist areas (not cities), we recommend renting a motorbike and driving around by yourself. The price for tourists is about 400 – 600 PHP (±9 USD) per day, depending on the season.
Best Time to Visit the Philippines
From December to April, during the dry season, is the best time to visit the Philippines. Where March to May are the busiest and most expensive months. It is best to avoid traveling there from July to October when the typhoon season is active.
Always do your research per location. For example, El Nido and Siargao have two completely different seasons at the same time of the year.
It breaks our hearts to hear that people don’t visit the Philippines because of these stories. Why? The Filipino people are some of the friendliest in Southeast Asia. Although Tagalog is their first language, everyone understands and speaks English, which makes it even easier.
Visa for the Philippines
Most nationalities will receive a 30-day Visa on Arrival when flying to the Philippines. The only requirements are that your passport is valid for at least 6 months and that you must have an outbound ticket that will show you’re leaving the country within those 30 days. A standard visa is extendable up to 60 days.
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- Find Hotels via Booking.com
- Find a Rental Car via Sunny Cars
- Find Flights to The Philippines via Skyscanner
- Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
- Book Tours & Attractions via GetYourGuide
- Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go
Looking for more travel information? Plan a chat with us for personalised travel advice or get an answer from the Salt in our Hair Travel Community on Facebook.
Hi,
Hebben jullie ook gevlogen met China Southern Airlines (Amsterdam-Manilla). Indien jullie dit zouden kennen, is dit een aan te raden vlucht maatschappij?
Hey Alysha, we hebben die exacte route niet met deze maatschappij gevlogen. Maar wel een andere route en deze ervaring was goed genoeg voor de prijs destijds. Hopelijk helpt dit je!
Hi, bedankt, dit helpt ons!