Philippines Travel Blog

The Philippines is a beautiful country located in Southeast Asia. In fact, the Philippines is one of the most popular destinations in Asia. It has something for everyone – backpackers, couples, solo travelers, luxury travelers, etc. It’s my favorite country in Southeast Asia for multiple reasons. Filipinos are super nice, the turquoise waters are breathtaking and I love the island life.

The Philippines offers several experiences – from swimming in the waterfalls to jungle trekking, from island hopping to scuba diving, from the epic waves and surfing to the peace and quiet found around the rice terraces – you should find something that suits your needs and interests.

If you’re planning your first trip to the Philippines, this guide should answer any questions you may have. We’ll talk about travel facts, the best time to visit the Philippines, the best destinations, recommended itineraries, travel costs, travel essentials and how to prepare for your trip.

Information Philippines
Language Filipino, English
English-friendly Yes
Currency PHP (Philippine peso)
Internet reliability Okay (it depends on location)

 

Best Time to Visit the Philippines

The Philippines is a big country with thousands of islands. Depending on your destination, you may be facing different types of seasons. We decided to split this section into three sections to help you understand the seasons – note that we picked the most popular destinations for travelers:

  • Luzon (mainland)
  • Palawan
  • Cebu

 

Areas Season Months
Luzon (mainland)

Dry season

Wet season

January to April

June to October

Palawan

Dry season

Wet season

November to May

June to October

Cebu

Dry season

Wet season

January to April

June to December

Top Destinations in the Philippines

Manila

Cebu

El Nido

Coron

Bohol

Siargao

Philippines Itineraries

 

Planning your trip to the Philippines? We created Philippines itineraries to help you. You can pick the length of your stay and follow our recommended itineraries. We created itineraries for up to one month including our favorite Philippines islands.

Philippines

  • Manila (1 day)
  • Coron (2 days)
  • El Nido (2 days)
  • Puerto Princesa (1 day)
  • Back to Manila (1 day)

 

Philippines

  • Manila (1 day)
  • Coron (3 days)
  • El Nido (3 days)
  • Puerto Princesa (1 day)
  • Cebu (3 days)
  • Bohol (2 days)
  • Back to Manila (1 day)

Philippines

  • Manila (1 day)
  • Coron (3 days)
  • El Nido (3 days)
  • Port Barton (2 days)
  • Puerto Princesa (2 day)
  • Cebu (4 days)
  • Bohol (2 days)
  • Siquijor (3 days)
  • Back to Manila (1 day)

Philippines

  • Manila (1 day)
  • Coron (3 days)
  • El Nido (4 days)
  • Port Barton (2 days)
  • Puerto Princesa (2 day)
  • Boracay (3 days)
  • Cebu (4 days)
  • Bohol (2 days)
  • Siquijor (3 days)
  • Siargao (3 days)
  • Back to Manila (1 day)

Philippines Travel Tips & Costs

 

In this section, you’ll find general information on costs and how to prepare for your trip. Finally, you will find a table that will provide an overview of cost and options depending on your travel budget.

 

Accommodation

 

In the Philippines, you’ll find several options when it comes to accommodation. Whether you’re a budget traveler or not, you won’t have difficulty to find options. You can find dorms starting at $7 per night. Note that the accommodation situation changes a lot from an island to the other.

 

Food

 

When it comes to food, you can find different types of restaurants. If you eat local food, you can eat for less than PHP 200. Obviously, you may find elegant restaurants around the country and you can pay more if you wish. The cheapest options are usually in small local restaurants and markets.

 

Activities

 

Some activities such as hiking or beach bumming are free. Although, if you’re planning on getting surfing lessons, seeing the whale sharks, going on a snorkeling or a diving trip, you will have to pay for it. You can browse activities in the Philippines here to have an idea of the costs involved.

 

Transportation

In general, traveling around the Philippines can be a bit complicated. Since we are talking about different islands, some of them are only accessible by boat, or small planes. That said, it can take a while to reach your destinations. You can either fly, take a bus or a van or travel by ferry/boat to reach your destinations.

To book your transport between destinations, you can book via 12GO or via a travel agency. Most of the time, your hotel and hostel may be able to arrange it for you.

 

 

Travel Cost Budget travel Mid-range Luxury
Accommodation $7-10 per night $25-70 per night $70+
Meal $3-5 per meal $5-15 per meal $15+
Activities Focus on free activities Mixing free activities & mid-range $30+ per day
Transport By bus/train By bus, train, flight, driver Private driver

Safety in The Philippines

 

Overall, traveling around the Philippines is pretty safe. Of course, you should always lock your valuables especially if you’re staying in a hostel.

There are some places in the Philippines that aren’t recommended for travelers. You can check the travel warnings submitted by your country. Violence and even kidnapping have occurred in these places. The southern part of the Philippines; the Mindanao area, the Sulu archipelago, and the Zamboanga Peninsula are considered to be areas to not travel to.

Apart from these places, use your common sense to ensure your safety.

 

What to Pack for the Philippines

 

Apart from the travel essentials, here are the things you should absolutely bring along with you in the Philippines. Click on the images to shop on Amazon. You can also check out this list of travel essentials in Asia.

Visa for the Philippines

 

Most nationalities get up to 30 days for free.  Usually, you may be able to extend for an extra 30 days by visiting the immigration office.

You can verify your visa requirements here.

 

Preparing Your Trip to the Philippines

Skyscanner

Browse flights on Skyscanner to find deals.

Go To Skyscanner

SafetyWing

Book your travel insurance for as little as $42/month.

Go To SafetyWing

Booking.com

Find accommodation anywhere in the world.

Go To Booking.com

iVisa

Check the visa requirements and apply for a visa if needed.

Go To iVisa

Worldpackers

Volunteer abroad in exchange for free accommodation.

Go To Worldpackers

Viator

Book transfers, tours, and activities in advance.

Go To Viator

Philippines eSIM Plans

It’s hard to find a good data plan when you’re traveling. You have to research the best deals, go to a store, and hope they have a prepaid SIM card for travelers and tourists.

And if they don’t? You could be without service for the rest of your trip. Not only is that frustrating, but it can also be time-consuming.

eSIMs are the solution to your travel woes. With an eSIM plan, you can stay connected no matter where you go. Plus, there are no contracts or cancellation fees, so you can change your plan whenever you want.

If you’re looking for an eSIM plan while in the Philippines, then be sure to check out the providers below. They all offer great plans that will keep you connected while you’re there.

 

Airalo

$3 OFF with promo code: MELISS2943

190+ countries and regions

Go To Site

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Holafly

5% OFF with promo code: ABROKENBACKPACK

130+ countries and regions

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Nomad

No offer

100+ countries and regions

Go To Site

Read Review

Philippines Blog Posts

The 5 Best Places To Live In The Philippines 

The 5 Best Places To Live In The Philippines 

Curious as to where the best places to live in the Philippines are?  For many, the Philippines are what you would call paradise and a dream vacation destination. However, as this archipelagic country has one of the best economies in the East Asia Pacific region,...

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The Best Things To Do In (And Around) Cebu 

The Best Things To Do In (And Around) Cebu 

Cebu is a beautiful island located in the Philippines. It is known for its white sand beaches, clear blue waters, and friendly people. Cebu is a popular tourist destination, and there are many things to do on the island. Here are some of the best things to do in Cebu...

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How To Get To Coron, Palawan

How To Get To Coron, Palawan

Coron, the beautiful island is located in Palawan in the Philippines and boasts of excellent beaches and picturesque scenery. It is, in fact, one of the best places for those seeking a wreck diving and snorkeling experience. There are plenty of other touristic things...

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Backpacking Cebu On A Budget

Backpacking Cebu On A Budget

Backpacking Cebu on a budget is possible! Let's talk about itinerary ideas, how to get there, how to get around and where to stay. Right in the middle of the second-largest archipelago in the world, the Philippines lies the city of Cebu. This city is the capital of...

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Tips For Backpacking The Philippines

Tips For Backpacking The Philippines

I truly believe the Philippines is the kind of place you can visit – and re-visit and re-re-visit without getting sick of it. I mentioned many times that I can’t wait to go back there. A lot of people are asking me where’s my favorite place in South-East Asia and my...

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Perfect Albay Itinerary, Philippines

Perfect Albay Itinerary, Philippines

Planning on visiting Albay while in the Philippines? Here are our favorite destinations in Albay so you can make the most of your trip. Note that these places are ideal if you're into adventures! Sumlang Lake Picture a lake with an amazing background; and yes, Mister...

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Trekking In Banaue-Batad Rice Terraces, Philippines

Trekking In Banaue-Batad Rice Terraces, Philippines

Planning on trekking in Banaue-Batad Rice Terraces while you're in the Philippines? In this post, I'm sharing my experience on a 3-day trek. While in Manila, I met a local blogger who recommended that I take a tour guide as it can be dangerous and tricky to do it by...

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