Travellers Guide to the Philippines 2019

With over 7,107 islands to choose from, the Philippines has a little bit of something for everyone. It is home to many stunning white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and world-class surfing and diving spot.  Addition to that a lot of beautiful sceneries that tells deep history one of the many is the rice terraces. With these Philippines is totally a must visit destination in the world.

Unlike other Asian countries who have land travel access to the neighboring country, Philippines is totally different. The only way to cross other Asian country is by plane because of this it may look unideal for backpackers. Despite this, a lot of travelers are falling in love with its stunning view and warm people.

This complete Philippines travel guide covers everything you need to know when traveling this beautiful country.

Philippines General Information

Philippines Basics

Language

Tagalog and English.

(The Philippines has many different dialects which vary according to the region. However, English has widely spoken which make traveling around easier). Tourist no need to worry about local interaction as many understand the English language well.

Currency

Philippine Peso (PHP)

Normally rate is $1 = Php54.00 (subject to change it is advisable to check the online conversion site)

Weather

Although the Philippines can experience warm tropical weather all year round, we do have two seasons. The summer and rainy season.

Mostly tourist prefers to visit during the summer to enjoy the island beach hopping activity (March-May). During this month expect that resorts, domestic flight ticket is increasing a lot.

Visa Information

Nationals from 151 countries may enter the Philippines without a visa with a maximum of thirty (30) days to stay. Visitors should be holding a valid six (6) months passport beyond the period of stay in the country. On top of that, they should present a return or outbound ticket to their origin country or to next destination. (They are quite strict with showing an outbound ticket so plan your travel accordingly).

Visa rules keep on changing so it is advisable to always do a prior research on visa guidelines.

Travel Insurance

It is not mandatory but we highly recommend it. The activity that you would probably interest with includes of island hopping, scuba diving, and surfing.  Doing this active stuff having a travel insurance seems a must.

There is a lot of different travel insurance with a good amount available online that even covers adventure activities.

Filipino People

Those who had the pleasure of traveling around the Philippines can attest how welcoming the people are. Exploring the place will give you a positive feeling they are hospitable, friendly and bubbly. Despite any hardship in life, you will see them that they can always offer their best smiles.

Best way to enjoy the simple but fun life of Filipinos is by attending their simple gatherings. You will notice that video karaoke seems always part of their happenings. Filipinos really love to sing no wonder there are lots of talented artists based in this country. My friendly tip to never ever sing the My Wang song of Frank Sinatra if they request you to sing.

Another inspiring attitude of Filipinos is they are always willing to give and share. No matter how simple our meal is we will never ever forget to say the word Tara Kain Tayo.
This means of inviting someone to join our meal. We are happier sharing our foods than enjoying alone.

The disparity between the rich and poor is so widespread that while you visiting the country, you can find yourself in modern and trendy places in Manila while the provinces are still full of local fishermen and farmers working hard trying to make a living. Another characteristic that Filipinos are known for is their admirable trait of resiliency. Often caught in the most horrific of natural disasters, the Filipino spirit is waterproof and is able to bounce back with smiles on their faces despite the challenging times.

Where to Go When Traveling Around the Philippines

Now, the fact that you have started to entertain the thought of going to the Philippines means you’re on the right path! With over 7000 islands to choose from, naturally, one can wonder. Listed below are a few of the most popular tourist spots – they are all relatively easy to reach, offer countless accommodation options and many things to do.

Some of these places, such as Cebu for example, are also a gateway to more remote islands where you can enjoy beautiful beaches and exciting attractions all to yourself. That said, there are many islands which are completely off the beaten path, containing some of the most beautiful hidden gems of the Philippines such as Camiguin, Dinagat, Caramoan, Vigan and Batanes to name a few. Reaching these places can be challenging which is why you could also consider availing of Philippines Travel Packages or checking out Philippines Liveaboards!

As the Philippines is made up of multiple islands, the hardest part is getting around. If you have time, you can take your time and take buses and ferries from island to island. However, if you’re only there for a month or less, your best bet would be to fly. If you book early enough, you can find Philippine airline tickets through Tajawal or compare via Skyscanner, to take you to the main island hotspots.

Palawan Island

Palawan for me is the epitome of paradise on earth. Dotted with many idyllic islands with tropical palm trees and crystal clear waters, every photo that you take in this beautiful spot comes out postcard-worthy. Imagine yourself sailing through their many turquoise colored lagoons as limestone karst mountains surround you. Sounds too good to be true? I promise a visit to Palawan is a must for anyone planning to go here.

Places to visit: Although Palawan is comprised of many islands and lagoons, the three main places to visit are Puerto Princesa, Coron, and El Nido. There are also many notable places like Port Barton and San Vicente which travelers opt for instead of going to Puerto Princesa. Short on time? Stick to traveling around Coron and El Nido.

Puerto Princesa

Known as the official city of Palawan, Puerto Princesa is often visited due to its highly popular Underground River. The Underground River was recently declared to be part of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. In our opinion, Puerto Princessa is very touristy (so is the underground river)

Coron

The small sleepy town of Coron is an underwater haven for dive enthusiasts and those keen to explore the marine life. World War II shipwrecks dot the shores of nearby islands, making them ideal dive spots to explore. If diving isn’t your thing, island hopping around the many beautiful islands and lakes is a good way to spend your time. You can also rent a motorbike and drive up the coast, or even pay a visit to a local safari in the Northern most part which is home to many zebras and giraffes.

Don’t miss: Siete Pecados Marine Park (it’s like snorkeling in an aquarium!) and a visit to Cayangan Lake for to take the iconic Coron shot.

El Nido

Declared to be part of “World’s Best Beaches” by CNN, El Nido is home to many uninhabited islands where relaxing Robinson’s Crusoe style is possible. Situated in the Bacuit Bay, spend your days exploring hidden islands, sailing through lagoons, and enjoying the stillness of island life.

Don’t miss: Enjoy the many Island Hopping tours, Go overnight camping on a deserted island (can be arranged through a tour operator), and take a drive to Nacpan Beach. A visit to stunning Black Island is also a must do while here

Insider Tip: Rather than joining the boat tours, try to gather a group together and charter a boat yourselves. The tour groups take you from one place to the next, without giving you ample time to laze around and enjoy. Trust me, this is the way to truly enjoy the beauty of the islands. Approach a local boatman or arrange it with local tour agencies.

How to get there: There are many different ways to get to Palawan. The easiest way is to fly to Puerto Princesa and take a 5/6 hour shuttle van to El Nido. From there, you can take a boat to Coron. Another alternative but is usually a lot more expensive is flying to Coron (Busuanga airport) and traveling from Coron to Puerto Princesa. 2GO Travel Ferry offers an overnight boat to Busuanga but only runs once a week. Best to check their schedule ahead of time if flying is out of your budget.

Where to Stay in Palawan

Given the wide variety of accommodations in Palawan, we decided to do all the work for you by compiling our recommendations and top picks on the best places to stay in Palawan that would suit every type of travel budget.

Boracay Island  

(Is currently close for tourism –  6 months. Opening before christmas 2018)

Although known to be very touristy, Boracay for me still has magic and charm. Popularly known for its vibrant nightlife and powder white sand beaches, Boracay Island is still paradise for many. Some of you might know, this place was my home for three and a half odd years back when I was a professional sun tanner. Ha! Spend your days sipping $2 rum cokes and $1 beers in the palm-fringed coast while laying in the softest whitest sand you’ve ever seen. If lying on the beach is not your thing (is that even possible??) get your adrenaline pumping by taking part of the many water sports available on the island. From Kiteboarding to windsurfing in Bulabog Beach to scuba diving, the possibilities are endless.

The nightlife here in Boracay is not to be missed as beach parties can often be found everywhere. Pay a visit to Bom Bom Bar for some live reggae music, Exit Bar (our local watering hole), and keep your eyes peeled out for some of the full moon parties at Area 51 in Bulabog Beach.

Don’t Miss: Ride a Paraw (sailboat) and head to Puka Beach for a picnic, pay a visit to Spider House in Diniwid Beach, and feast on local seafood in the Talipapa Seafood Market.

Insider Tip: Station 1 is dotted with high-end luxury resorts while station 2 can get very busy. Head on over to Angol Beach in station 3 and catch a glimpse of the old Boracay vibe. If you have loads of time on your hands, get away from the tourists and consider making the trek to Gigantes Island in Iloilo (a long bus and boat ride away but very worth it!) A trip to mainland Antique is also a great side trip as you enjoy whitewater kayaking and soaking yourself in giant cauldrons.

How to get there: From Manila, you can find relatively cheap flights to Kalibo. From Kalibo, you can take a shuttle bus (2 hours) and a boat crossing to the island. Alternatively, you can book a flight directly to Caticlan and just cross over to Boracay on a boat.

*Please take note that because the airport in Caticlan is smaller, only small planes can land here. Flights are often rerouted to Kalibo due to weather disturbances.

Where to Stay in Boracay Island 

(* will update this soon. recommendation is welcome)

Boracay’s White Beach can be split into 4 different parts. From Station 3 all the way to Diniwid Beach. There are also accommodations and places to stay in Bulabog Beach. To help you decide on accommodations, we created a full guide which would suit any type of budget in order to help you find the best place to stay in Boracay.

Cebu

Being that these provinces are so large and there are so many things to do, I will only be highlighting the best of the best as there is literally so many things to see. Cebu is a busy metropolitan (they also have an International Airport) that has many beaches and mountains close by.

If you’re a diving enthusiast, pack your bags and head towards Malapascua to get a chance to see the magical thresher sharks. Scuba diving in Moal Boal and Pescador Island are also noteworthy experiences! You can also head on over to Oslob to swim with whale sharks although there is much controversy to this as many oppose their “domestication” and disruption of their migratory routines.

Don’t Miss: A visit to Tumalog Waterfalls in Oslob, Canyoning in Mt. Matutinao, Boating to the South or North Sandbar in Mactan while indulging in Cebu Lechon (roasted pig) and some sinugba and puso (grilled meat/seafood with rice)

Insider Tip: Islands like Bohol, Dumaguete, and Siquijor are all close by. Check boat schedules and make your way around these islands to laze around sandbars, go dolphin watching, and see the Philippine Tarsiers and the Chocolate Hills.

If you’re looking for a unique way to explore Bohol, check out SUP Tours Philippines as it believes that the Philippines is one of the best countries in the world to explore with a Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP.) Let them take you for an experience you will never forget and see the real Philippines at its heart, through its islands and waterways.

How to get there: Cebu is a central hub which has an International Airport to fly to directly (Mactan International Airport). From there, traveling between the neighboring islands is relatively easy as there are regular ferry schedules to help you go from one place to the other.

Where to Stay in Cebu

To help you plan on where to stay in Cebu, here are our top picks for each area! See our picks for Cebu City, Mactan Island, MoalBoal, Oslob, and Malapascua.

Banaue Rice Terraces

This 2000-year-old terraces carved into the mountains by the indigenous people of the region is truly a sight to see. Marvel at the lush greenery and the cool climate which is a great break from the rather intense heat that the rest of the Philippines tend to have. The crops are watered by an ancient irrigation system from the rainforests above the terraces. Going further than the Banaue rice terraces is Batad. A tiny remote village that is only accessible by foot. The rice terraces by Batad are stunning and lush but is physically demanding to reach.

Don’t Miss: Pay a visit to the nearby town of Sagada to enjoy a couple of days caving, spelunking, and hiking. You can also visit a place where you can see hanging coffins which are based on ancient burying rituals. Also, for those looking for a significant memorabilia, you may consider paying a visit to legendary Whang- Od, a 95-year-old tribal tattoo artist, who is the last of her tribe to tattoo using traditional Filipino methods (bamboo stick and thorns).

Insider Tip: Depending on what you want to see, plan your trip to the terraces accordingly. If you want to see them at their greenest, then April-May or October-November would be the best time to go. June and December is harvest time in Batad so the terraces will be a nice golden color during those months.

How to get there:  Buses are the most common means of transport to the North. You can even take overnight buses as the trip lasts 8-10 hours. Take note that the buses heading up North are COLD. Pack a hoodie and a scarf as they crank up the air conditioner really high.

Where to Stay in Banaue

In Banaue, especially the further north you go, most of the accommodation choices are small mom and pop run places. Very basic but would have everything that you need. The choices online are quite limited but are still worth checking out if you’re looking for something more comfortable than your basic room. We use either Hotels Combined, Booking.com or a traveler’s favorite Hostel World, to find suitable places to stay in the area.

Bicol Region

Either a flight or a (really long) bus ride away from Manila, Bicol is home to the world’s perfectly shaped volcano. Catch the stunning views as you watch the sunrise set the perfect scene to this sight to see. Please take note that the Mayon Volcano is an active volcano so take head when planning to hike it. The 2,460m volcano last erupted in May 2013 and has erupted more than 40 times since records began. After you’ve seen the volcano, islands like Calaguas and the Caramoan Islands (where the survivor series was shot) are relatively nearby. Uninhabited islands for you to relax on? Who can say no to that?

Don’t Miss: Watch the sunrise Mayon Volcano, Go camping in Calaguas Island, Pay a visit to Tayak Lagoon, Swim with whale sharks in Sorsogon, and go island hopping around Caramoan Group of islands.

Insider Tip: If you’re tired of relaxing in pristine beaches, you can head on over to Camsur Watersports Complex. A popular place to enjoy wakeboarding and other extreme sports. If you’re heading to Bicol to catch the whale sharks, make sure that you are looking at the right season as they are not there all year round.

How to get there: If you are heading to see the Mayon volcano, you can either fly from Manila to Legazpi City or take a bus from the Pasay, Cubao, or Ermita bus station. Alternatively, if you are going to the wakeboard park (CWC) or Caramoan islands, you can fly or take a bus directly to Naga City.

Where to Stay in Bicol

In Naga city and Legazpi City Hotels are everywhere so don’t have to worry. For Caramoan, we found some contacts for you that you may like to stay…

The tourism industry in Bicol is booming. Along with that is the rise of many beautiful yet still affordable places to stay. However, there are still loads of small places to stay that don’t have a large online presence. Hotels Combined and Booking have a few options to choose from.

Getting Around the Philippines

I could literally go on and on about the many places around the Philippines, but the places listed above is a good start. When planning your trip, just take into consideration that the Philippines is not built up for tourists. It’s not like Thailand or Vietnam where you can hop on buses and ferries with ease but sites like 12Go make this a lot easier! Because the Philippines is spread out among so many islands, it is best to check boat schedules and flights ahead of time. Transportation can be difficult…flights, buses, and even boats are often delayed. But hey, that is all part of the adventure!

Lastly, when traveling around the Philippines, it would be useful to know some Tagalog phrases. Even if everybody speaks English, they would love it if you bust out a few words or two!

Accommodation in the Philippines

The prices of accommodation vary depending on where you are and how touristy or built up the place is. There are loads of hip hostels that have opened in Manila that are good bases for when you first get there. When you do go to the other places though, hostels are not very common (although nowadays, there are a couple in both Boracay and Palawan) For budget travelers, you can get a basic bungalow by the beach for around $10 for a fan room and a clean air-conditioned room for $17-20.

Popular Day Trips from Manila

If you feel like hanging around in the city before heading out, you can check out this 48 hour Manila itinerary. Alternatively, there are also a couple of popular day trips which you can do. You can head on over to Mt. Pinatubo to trek up the volcano, do one of the many day hikes in Batangas like Mt. Batulao and Pico de Loro for the more avid climbers.

A visit to Tagaytay to see the Taal Lake and Volcano is also a good alternative. All of these places are accessible by local buses. For those interested in history, a day trip to Intramuros and Corregidor is a must!

For Surf Enthusiasts

The Philippines is a great hub for surfing as we have both beginner and intermediate waves spread out across the country. For the water babies and surf enthusiasts there, you can head on over to well-established surf sports like La Union, Baler, Pagudpud and the legendary Siargao for all year round barreling waves.

Best Filipino Food: Knowing What to Eat

In the travel world, Filipino food isn’t as popular as it is hard to find relatively healthy and affordable meals on a limited budget. There are a lot of good Filipino food-but most of it will be found in someone’s home as home-cooked meals are our forte!

In a nutshell, the Philippines is a great country to travel too. Don’t spend too long in Manila and head out to the islands as soon as you can. Although there still are a few fun things to do there if you are a city person. When traveling around the Philippines, don’t forget to interact with the locals, be willing to step out of your comfort zone, enjoy the many magical sunsets, and most of all, relish in every experience that comes your way!

Lastly, I really hope this Philippines travel guide helps you have you have a great time in my home country. Safe travels, see on the road!

 

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