Philippines · Travel guide
How the archipelago divides, how to choose between the ten destinations, how to plan flights and ferries around the weather, and what two weeks can realistically hold.
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0
The Philippines offers limestone lagoons, reefs, rice terraces and heritage towns across thousands of islands. This guide covers how the regions divide, how to choose between the ten destinations, how to travel between islands, when to go, what it costs and three routes that work.
The Philippines has three main island groups, Luzon in the north, the Visayas in the centre and Mindanao in the south, and for a visitor it falls into five zones.
Luzon. Manila is the gateway. North of it, Banaue and Batad have rice terraces and Vigan has Spanish streets.
Palawan. El Nido, Coron and Puerto Princesa hold limestone lagoons and the Underground River.
The Visayas. Cebu, Bohol and Boracay are the beach, diving and hills heartland.
Mindanao's north-east. Siargao is the surf island.
Worth knowing: The practical unit is two or three of these, linked by flights from Manila or Cebu. Palawan and the Visayas together make a classic two-week trip.
Siargao is the place, especially from August to November.
The Underground River, the Chocolate Hills and tarsiers and Batad.
Inter-island travel is the main challenge of the Philippines, and requires flexibility.
Flights. Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and AirAsia link Manila with most destinations. Book early, and keep a buffer day before an international flight.
Ferries. Fast ferries link Cebu and Bohol, and El Nido and Coron. Book with reputable operators.
Local transport. Jeepneys, tricycles, vans and Grab in cities.
Vans. The road from Puerto Princesa to El Nido takes about 5 to 6 hours in a shared van.
Worth knowing: Cancellations happen. Build slack into your schedule.
The Philippines has a dry season and a wet season, and typhoons matter.
December to February is cool and dry, the most popular window.
March to May is hot and dry, ideal for beaches, diving and island hopping.
June to August is the start of the rains, cheaper and quieter, and the surf season starts at Siargao.
September to November is peak typhoon season, with cancelled flights and ferries, particularly in the north.
Worth knowing: The southern islands are less affected by typhoons than Luzon and the Visayas.
The Philippines is good value. A meal costs US$3–10, a mid-range hotel US$40–90, and an island-hopping tour US$15–30. Diving and domestic flights are the main costs.
Carry cash on islands, since ATMs can be scarce or empty.
Petty crime and scams occur in Manila. Government advisories apply to parts of Mindanao.
Always wear a life jacket on boats, and avoid overloaded vessels in bad weather.
Fly to Puerto Princesa, van to El Nido for four nights, then ferry to Coron.
Tip Book the El Nido ferry ahead.
The itinerary on the country page: Manila, Palawan, Cebu and Bohol.
Tip Swap Coron for Banaue if you love hiking.
Reference
Every place named above has its own detailed guide — attractions, food, where to stay, how to get around and a suggested day-by-day plan.
Palawan, western Philippines
A small Palawan town at the edge of Bacuit Bay, the base for island-hopping tours to the Big and Small Lagoons, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island and Nacpan Beach.
Don't miss Paddling a kayak through the narrow entrance of the Secret Lagoon into a hidden pool ringed by cliffs.
Explore Destination — El NidoPalawan, Calamian Islands
A base for the Calamian Islands, with world-class wreck diving, Kayangan and Barracuda Lakes, Twin Lagoon, Siete Pecados reef snorkelling and Maquinit hot springs.
Don't miss Swimming in the warm, glass-clear waters of Kayangan Lake, ringed by steep limestone cliffs.
Explore Destination — CoronCentral Visayas
A central Philippine island with the Chocolate Hills, Philippine tarsiers, Loboc River cruises, Baclayon church and the beaches and reefs of Panglao Island.
Don't miss The Chocolate Hills stretching to the horizon in the dry season, when the grass turns brown.
Explore Destination — BoholCentral Visayas
A long island and a city with Magellan's Cross and the Basilica del Santo Niño, plus Moalboal's sardine run, Kawasan Falls canyoneering, Oslob and Malapascua.
Don't miss Snorkelling in the middle of a swirling ball of millions of sardines at Moalboal.
Explore Destination — CebuAklan, Western Visayas
A 7-km island with White Beach, Puka Shell Beach, sunset paraw sailing, kitesurfing, and restaurants and nightlife, after a 2018 environmental clean-up.
Don't miss Watching the sails of the paraw boats glide across the water at sunset off White Beach.
Explore Destination — BoracayIfugao, northern Luzon
The Ifugao rice terraces, a UNESCO cultural landscape, with the Banaue viewpoint, the amphitheatre of Batad, Tappiya Falls, village trekking and Ifugao culture.
Don't miss The amphitheatre of Batad's terraces, seen from the viewpoint after a walk through the mountain.
Explore Destination — Banaue and BatadIlocos Sur, northern Luzon
A UNESCO-listed Spanish colonial town with Calle Crisologo, ancestral houses, calesa rides, the cathedral, pottery, and Ilocano food including empanada and longganisa.
Don't miss Riding a calesa along the cobbled Calle Crisologo lit by old-fashioned lamps at dusk.
Explore Destination — ViganMetro Manila, Luzon
The Philippine capital, with the walled city of Intramuros, San Agustin Church, Binondo Chinatown, Rizal Park, museums, malls and nightlife, and the gateway to the country.
Don't miss Walking the ramparts of Fort Santiago in Intramuros as the light softens over the old walled city.
Explore Destination — ManilaSurigao del Norte, north-eastern Mindanao
A laid-back island with the Cloud 9 surf break, the Sugba and Magpupungko lagoons and rock pools, Naked Island, Sohoton Cove and a growing café and yoga scene.
Don't miss Watching surfers ride the tubing waves of Cloud 9 from the boardwalk at sunrise.
Explore Destination — SiargaoPalawan, western Philippines
Palawan's gateway city, and the base for the UNESCO-listed Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, plus Honda Bay island hopping, firefly watching and city tours.
Don't miss Paddling in near darkness through the vast chambers of the Puerto Princesa Underground River, lit only by your guide's lamp.
Explore Destination — Puerto Princesa and the Underground RiverFAQ
In two weeks, two or three island groups. Inter-island travel takes time, and it is better to see fewer places well.
Book flights early for good prices. Ferries can usually be booked a day or two ahead, but leave buffer days for weather.
Yes. Small-group boat tours are the way to see lagoons and beaches in El Nido and Coron. Compare operators and read recent reviews.
It is risky and disruptive. September to November is peak season for storms. If you go, buy flexible tickets and travel insurance.
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