The Philippines
107 island guides, in one place
Written guides to the islands I travel: how to get there, what a trip costs, and what to do when you arrive.
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Luzon
Manila
6 guides
Luzon
Manila
6 guides
NAIA airport to Manila: taxi, Grab and shuttle costs
Grab, the official yellow airport taxi or a hotel shuttle from NAIA to Makati, BGC or Intramuros: what each costs.
Manila in 2 days: a realistic itinerary
Day 1 inside the walls of Intramuros, day 2 across Makati and BGC for the modern city and a night out.
Intramuros Manila: entrance fees, kalesa, tours
Walking in is free.
Things to Do in Manila Beyond Intramuros
Rizal Park and the National Museum are free, Binondo's food tours cost more but add context to the world's oldest Chinatown.
Where to stay in Manila: which area fits you
Manila: a string of cities with slow traffic.
Manila: Best Time to Visit and What a Stopover Costs
Dry season runs December to April, June to November carries typhoon risk.
Luzon
Baguio
5 guides
Luzon
Baguio
5 guides
How to get to Baguio from Manila: bus fares and travel time
Victory Liner's buses from Cubao, Pasay, Sampaloc and Caloocan cover the route in about 5-7 hours.
Baguio in 3 days: a realistic itinerary
Day 1 to settle in downtown, day 2 for Burnham Park, Wright Park and Mines View, day 3 for Camp John Hay.
Burnham Park Baguio: Things to Do, Boat Fee and Hours (2026)
Burnham Park in Baguio is free to enter and open 24 hours.
Wright Park horseback riding price and Burnham Lake boat fee
Wright Park horseback riding price in Baguio, ₱200 for 30 minutes, and the Burnham Lake boat price, ₱250 per boat.
Where to stay in Baguio: Session Road or Camp John Hay
Baguio is compact, traffic is not: Session Road for walking, Camp John Hay for pine forest, Mines View, La Trinidad by car.
Luzon
Sagada
4 guides
Luzon
Sagada
4 guides
How to get to Sagada from Manila: direct bus fares and time
Coda Lines and GL Trans run direct overnight buses from Cubao, 9-12 hours.
Sagada in 3 days: a realistic itinerary
Day 1 to rest after the overnight bus, day 2 for the Cave Connection, day 3 for the hanging coffins and sunrise.
Sagada Cave Connection: guide fees, costs
3 to 4 hours of crawling, climbing and wading from Lumiang to Sumaguing, rated around 8/10.
Where to stay in Sagada: town centre, Demang, Ambasing, Suyo
The town centre puts cafes, guides and most walks within minutes.
Luzon
Tagaytay
4 guides
Luzon
Tagaytay
4 guides
How to get to Tagaytay from Manila: bus, van and fares
DLTB buses from PITX and Buendia, or UV Express vans from the same terminals, cover the route in about 1.5-3 hours.
Tagaytay day trip: a realistic itinerary from Manila
A doable day from Manila: morning ridge views, a midday Taal Lake boat circuit, and ridge-road dining before heading back.
Taal Volcano tour from Tagaytay: boat tour vs package cost
A Talisay lake-circuit boat tour that skips the island costs less than an all-in package.
Where to stay in Tagaytay: Rotunda, the ridge or Alfonso
Tagaytay is a ridge: Rotunda for restaurants and the Taal view, further along for less traffic, Alfonso for space.
Luzon
La Union
4 guides
Luzon
La Union
4 guides
How to get to La Union from Manila: Partas bus fares
Partas runs direct overnight and day buses from Pasay and Cubao to San Juan, La Union, in about 6-7 hours.
La Union in 3 days: a realistic itinerary
Day 1 to settle into San Juan, then two days for surf lessons and the beach, with room for the town's cafes.
Surf lessons in La Union: school rates
San Juan surf school rates compared: instructor lessons, board rental and other water gear by the hour, half-day and full day.
Where to stay in La Union: San Juan, Bauang, San Fernando
San Juan's Urbiztondo Beach has the surf schools and cafes, Bauang is quieter and south of it, San Fernando is for errands.
Palawan
Puerto Princesa
6 guides
Palawan
Puerto Princesa
6 guides
How to get to Puerto Princesa from Manila
A direct flight takes about 1 hour 20 minutes and runs several times a day, with no practical ferry alternative.
Puerto Princesa in 3 days: a realistic itinerary
Arrive and settle in, one full day for the Underground River at Sabang, one day for Honda Bay island hopping.
Puerto Princesa: Underground River, Honda Bay
The two day trips most people do from Puerto Princesa: the Underground River at Sabang, and island hopping in Honda Bay.
Things to Do in Puerto Princesa Beyond the Underground River
Plaza Cuartel and Baywalk Park are free, the Crocodile Farm is 40 pesos, and an Iwahig firefly tour rounds out a day.
Where to stay in Puerto Princesa (2026): the city or Sabang
Puerto Princesa city for the airport and Honda Bay, or Sabang if the Underground River is your main reason to come.
Puerto Princesa: Best Time to Visit and What a Trip Costs
Dry season runs December to May, and heavy rain can close the Underground River.
Palawan
El Nido
7 guides
Palawan
El Nido
7 guides
How to Get to El Nido from Manila
El Nido flights now leave from Clark, not Manila: about 1 hour 35 minutes.
El Nido in 3 days: a realistic itinerary
Settle in, then a day on Tour A for the Big and Small Lagoons, a day on Tour C for Secret Beach and Matinloc Shrine.
El Nido Island Hopping: Tour A, B, C and D Compared
Four standard boat routes cover most of the Bacuit archipelago.
Palawan Island Guide: El Nido, Coron or Puerto Princesa
El Nido, Coron or Puerto Princesa: where to base a Palawan trip, how to get there, the ferry between them and a 7-10 day route.
Things to Do in El Nido Beyond the Boat Tours
Island hopping covers most of El Nido, but Nacpan Beach, the Taraw Cliff climb and Las Cabanas Beach skip the boat.
Where to stay in El Nido: compare the best areas
El Nido town, Corong-Corong, Lio or the beaches further out: four areas compared, plus the best hostel to stay in El Nido for solo travellers.
El Nido: Best Time to Visit and What a Trip Costs
Dry season runs December to May, wet season June to November.
Palawan
Coron
6 guides
Palawan
Coron
6 guides
How to get to Coron from Manila: via Clark, and the slow boat
Coron flights now leave from Clark, not Manila, so add a 2.5-3 hour bus.
Coron in 3 days: a realistic itinerary
How long to stay in Coron?
Coron: Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, shipwrecks
Tour A covers Kayangan Lake and Twin Lagoon in a day, the WWII shipwrecks need a separate dive trip.
Things to Do in Coron Beyond the Boat Tours
Mount Tapyas for a free sunset climb, Maquinit Hot Springs for a saltwater soak after diving.
Where to stay in Coron (2026): town or an island resort
Coron town for the pier, dive shops and tours, an offshore resort for quiet, or near the airport if flight times force it.
Coron: Best Time to Visit and What a Trip Costs
Amihan (Nov-Mar) brings calm seas and 15-25m visibility, Habagat (Jun-Oct) rough water.
The Visayas
Boracay
7 guides
The Visayas
Boracay
7 guides
How to Get to Boracay from Manila
Fly into Caticlan for the short hop to the jetty, or Kalibo for cheaper fares and a longer transfer, plus boat fees.
Boracay in 3 Days: A Realistic Itinerary
Settle into a station, then a day for island hopping and Puka Beach, a day for Ariel's Point and a sunset paraw sail.
Boracay paraw sunset sailing: what it costs and how it works
A traditional paraw sail off Boracay, priced by group: a 30-minute sunset ride or 1-hour daytime sail, hotel pickup included.
Boracay: island hopping, Puka Beach, Ariel's Point
An island hopping tour, Puka Beach and cliff diving at Ariel's Point: what most Boracay visitors add, and what each costs.
Things to Do in Boracay Beyond the Boat Tours
Mount Luho for the best viewpoint, Bulabog Beach for kiteboarding, and D'Mall for the evening walk everyone does anyway.
Where to stay in Boracay (2026): Station 1, 2 or 3
Boracay's White Beach splits into three stations: Station 1 calm, Station 2 nightlife, Station 3 quieter and cheaper.
Boracay: Best Time to Visit and What a Trip Costs
Amihan (Oct-Mar) is calmer and busier, Habagat (Apr-Sep) windier and quieter.
The Visayas
Cebu
5 guides
The Visayas
Cebu
5 guides
How to Get to Cebu from Manila
A roughly 1 hour 20 minute flight runs several times daily, or take a 22-23 hour overnight ferry.
Cebu and Moalboal in 3 Days: A Realistic Itinerary
City, then sea: one day in Cebu City, two in Moalboal for the sardine run and Kawasan Falls.
Things to Do in Cebu City: Heritage, Busay
Cebu City in a day or two: the free heritage triangle downtown, then the paid hilltop stops in Busay.
Where to stay in Cebu: Lahug, Mactan, downtown
Lahug and IT Park for restaurants and nightlife, Mactan for the airport and resorts, downtown for budget rooms and history.
Cebu City: Best Time to Visit and What a Trip Costs
Dry months bring Sinulog crowds.
The Visayas
Moalboal
5 guides
The Visayas
Moalboal
5 guides
How to Get to Moalboal from Cebu
No ferry or flight, Moalboal is a road trip from Cebu City or the airport: bus, shared van or private transfer.
Moalboal: Sardine Run and Kawasan Canyoneering
The two things almost everyone does from Moalboal: snorkelling the sardine run and a day trip canyoneering at Kawasan Falls.
Things to Do in Moalboal Beyond the Sardine Run
A freediving course and Lambug Beach's sand are added once the sardine run and Kawasan canyoneering are done.
Where to stay in Moalboal: Panagsama or White Beach
Panagsama Beach for the sardine run, dive shops and food, or Basdaku/White Beach for an actual sandy beach and quiet.
Moalboal: Best Time to Visit and What a Trip Costs
When the sea is calmest and busiest, and what the sardine run, canyoneering, a bed and food cost in a daily budget.
The Visayas
Bohol
7 guides
The Visayas
Bohol
7 guides
How to Get to Bohol from Cebu: Ferry Schedule and Fares
No flight covers this crossing, only a ferry: the OceanJet fastcraft or the slower Lite Ferries RORO boat.
Bohol in 3 Days: A Realistic Itinerary
Ferry in, one day inland for the Chocolate Hills and tarsiers, one day of island hopping off Panglao.
Bohol countryside: Chocolate Hills, Tarsiers, Loboc
The three inland stops most people pair in a day: Chocolate Hills deck, Tarsier Sanctuary and a Loboc River buffet cruise.
Panglao Island Hopping: Balicasag and Virgin Island
An early boat for dolphins, snorkelling at Balicasag Island, and a sandbar stop at Virgin Island.
Things to Do in Bohol: Cave, Church, Zipline
Hinagdanan Cave, Danao Adventure Park's zipline, Baclayon Church and Bohol Bee Farm.
Where to stay in Bohol (2026): Alona, Panglao or Tagbilaran
Alona for restaurants and dive shops, Dumaluan/Bolod for quiet Panglao, Tagbilaran for the ferry, Loboc for Chocolate Hills.
Bohol: Best Time to Visit and What a Trip Costs
When the seas are calmest for island hopping and when Panglao gets busiest, plus what a bed, food, the loop and hopping cost.
The Visayas
Siquijor
6 guides
The Visayas
Siquijor
6 guides
How to get to Siquijor: ferry from Dumaguete
No airport on Siquijor, everyone arrives by ferry from Dumaguete.
Siquijor in 3 Days: A Realistic Itinerary
3 days in Siquijor, day by day: Cambugahay Falls, the Balete tree, Lazi Convent, Salagdoong, Lugnason Falls, Cantabon Cave and a Paliton sunset.
Siquijor Diving: Tulapos, fun dives, courses
What diving costs on Siquijor: Tulapos Marine Sanctuary snorkelling, a fun dive, and PADI courses at two dive shops.
Things to do in Siquijor: waterfalls, beaches
A small island you circle by scooter: Cambugahay Falls, Paliton and Salagdoong beaches, and a traditional healer visit.
Where to stay in Siquijor: San Juan, Siquijor town or Lazi
San Juan for restaurants and the busiest beach, Siquijor town for the port, and Lazi for waterfalls and a quieter stay.
Siquijor: Best Time to Visit and What a Trip Costs
When the roads and seas are driest for a scooter loop, and what a bed, food, scooter rental and entrance fees cost.
The Visayas
Southern Leyte
2 guides
The Visayas
Southern Leyte
2 guides
Limasawa Island: boats, sights, history and where to stay
Limasawa Island, Southern Leyte: where the first mass in the Philippines was held, the boats from Padre Burgos and Maasin, what to see, costs and Dakdak.
Whale sharks in Southern Leyte: Pintuyan and Sogod Bay
Wild whale sharks in Southern Leyte: Pintuyan, trips from Padre Burgos, the cost, the season, the rules, and how to get there from Cebu, Bohol or Tacloban.
The Visayas
Samar
2 guides
The Visayas
Samar
2 guides
Is Samar dangerous? What I actually found
Is Samar safe for tourists?
Langun-Gobingob Samar: night in the cave
A two-day guided trip into one of the largest cave systems in the Philippines: the rope descent, the mud, a night in the cave mouth, the season and the price.
Mindanao and the islands off it
Siargao
8 guides
Mindanao and the islands off it
Siargao
8 guides
How to Get to Siargao: Flights and Ferries
No direct flight from Manila anymore: fly in via Cebu, Clark or Davao, or take the Surigao ferry, which runs several times a day.
Siargao in 5 days: a realistic itinerary
Settle into General Luna, a day for Cloud 9 and surfing, the three-island hop, Sugba Lagoon, and Magpupungko on its own day.
Liloy, Little Siargao: the coast I found in Zamboanga del Norte
Coconut trees, skateboarding, resorts and coffee shops, 2.5 to 3.5 hours from Dipolog, and far fewer foreigners than Siargao.
Siargao Island Hopping: Sugba, Naked, Magpupungko
The three-island hop, Sugba Lagoon and the Magpupungko rock pools fill the days around surfing.
Siargao nightlife: where to go each night of the week
Which party is on which night in General Luna: Mama Coco, Harana Sabado Nights, Siargao Beach Club and more in one weekly schedule, plus where I stayed.
Things to Do in Siargao Beyond the Boat Tours
Cloud 9 Boardwalk for sunrise, Tayangban Cave Pool and the Del Carmen Mangrove Boardwalk skip the boat entirely.
Where to stay in Siargao: General Luna, Cloud 9 or Pacifico
General Luna for restaurants and surf schools, Cloud 9 for the break, Pacifico for a quieter stay.
Siargao trip costs: bed, food, surf lessons and boats
A hostel bed, local food, a surf lesson and a day of island hopping: here's what they cost right now.
Mindanao and the islands off it
Camiguin
8 guides
Mindanao and the islands off it
Camiguin
8 guides
How to Get to Camiguin: Flights, the CDO Route and the Ferry
Usually Manila to Cagayan de Oro, a 2-3 hour van to Balingoan, then the Benoni ferry.
Camiguin in 3 Days: A Realistic Itinerary
3 days in Camiguin: White Island, Katibawasan Falls and Ardent Hot Spring, then the Sunken Cemetery and the Catarman loop.
Camiguin diving: House Reef, Mantigue, courses
What diving costs on Camiguin: House Reef, the Mantigue Island 2-dive package, Discover Scuba and Open Water.
Camiguin travel guide: White Island, springs and the sandbar
Camiguin through Robert's own clips: the white sandbar he calls 'real life Moana', a jungle swim, and links to routes, costs and places to stay.
Camiguin: White Island, hot springs, cold springs
What Camiguin's day trips cost: White Island sandbar boat, Sto.
Things to Do in Camiguin Beyond White Island and the Springs
The Sunken Cemetery, the Walkway to the Old Volcano, Tuasan Falls, a soda-water pool and Mount Hibok-Hibok, with what each costs.
Where to stay in Camiguin: Mambajao, Mahinog or Catarman
Mambajao is the easiest base, Mahinog is at the ferry port near White Island, Catarman is quieter, near the springs.
Camiguin: best time to go and what a trip costs
The drier months, the Lanzones Festival week, and what the ferry, a scooter, meals and the main sights cost on Camiguin.
Mindanao and the islands off it
Dinagat Islands
4 guides
Mindanao and the islands off it
Dinagat Islands
4 guides
How to get to Dinagat Islands: from Surigao and from Siargao
The ferry routes from Surigao City to San Jose, Magsaysay and Cagdianao, and the direct boat from Siargao.
Dinagat Islands itinerary: 5 days, from the order I did it in
A 5-day Dinagat Islands itinerary from my own two weeks there: rock formations, white-sand coves, Lake Bababu, the bonsai forest, and the trip I would skip.
Camping on a remote beach in Dinagat: my night with no signal
How I camped on a remote beach in Dinagat Islands: getting there by boat with a local, what we brought, what you catch and cook, and what to watch out for.
Dinagat Islands travel guide: the tourist spots I filmed
Dinagat Islands from two weeks on the island: the 8 tourist spots I filmed, from Lake Bababu to the bonsai forest, what things cost, and the one I would skip.
Mindanao and the islands off it
Mindanao
9 guides
Mindanao and the islands off it
Mindanao
9 guides
Bukidnon: mountains, hikes and what to check first
Bukidnon in northern Mindanao: getting to Malaybalay from Cagayan de Oro or Davao, the main hikes (Kitanglad and Kalatungan need permits) and the season.
Enchanted River, Hinatuan: how to visit and what to check
The Enchanted River, a blue spring-fed river in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur: getting there from Surigao, Butuan or Davao, fees and hours, swimming rules.
Is Zamboanga del Norte safe to visit? My route, by Robert
My route through Zamboanga del Norte in September and October 2026: Linabo Peak, Dapitan's snow park, Liloy and Situbo Falls, with the advice first.
Lake Holon, South Cotabato
How to get to Lake Holon in T'boli, South Cotabato: the two trails, fees with their sources and dates, and the June 2026 closure to check first.
Linabo Peak: the 3,003 steps above Dipolog
I climbed the 3,003 steps to Linabo Peak above Dipolog in September 2026.
Mindanao: guides to the places I have filmed
Mindanao places I have filmed, each with its own guide: Lake Holon, Samal Island, the Enchanted River in Hinatuan, Bukidnon, plus Camiguin, Siargao and Dinagat.
Samal Island travel guide: ferry, tourist spots and cliff jumping
About 2 km from Davao City: a 10 to 15 minute ferry from 20 pesos, day and night.
Situbo Falls in Tampilisan: two layers of water
Situbo Falls in Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte: two layers of waterfall, found after local people recommended it.
Snowworld in Dapitan: the snow park I did not expect
Snowworld in Dapitan: an indoor snow park at Fantasyland that I visited in October 2026.
More guides
2 guides
How to get to Balabac: the van south and the one boat a day
How to get to Balabac from Puerto Princesa: the van to Rio Tuba or Buliluyan, the one public boat a day, fares, tours, fees and why to arrive a day early.
eTravel Philippines: how to register and get your QR code
eTravel Philippines is free at etravel.gov.ph: who must register, the 72-hour window, every form step and the QR code you show.
Island photos from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY / CC BY-SA: photographer and licence per photo.
One email when there is a new guide
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