The Philippines has always been on my bucket list, so when my friends and I decided to go there together, I couldn’t have been more excited. We ended up with a group of five girls, and I swear, I had the time of my life. I feel like the Philippines is great for solo travel, but it’s amazing for a girls’ trip (or boys’ trip I guess).
For traveling around the Philippines, it’s better to plan ahead since you’ll need to take a few flights or ferries to travel between the islands. Booking flights last minute can cost you a lot of money. Normally, I’m someone who prefers to go with the flow and not plan too much, but this time, having everything planned out felt nice. We spent around three weeks in this paradise, and here’s what we did:
Manila: 1 night
Since we weren’t really interested in visiting a big city and flew in quite late, we decided to stay here for only one night. I’m glad we did because the impression I got from this city wasn’t very positive. We stayed in Makati, the best area to stay in, but there was still a lot of traffic and it didn’t feel super safe. So, I can’t really give you good recommendations on what to do here, since all we did was spend time in a coffee bar, Good Sh*t Coffee, while waiting for our flight to Palawan. However, the rooftop view from our hostel over the city was very nice.
Hostel: Lub d Makati
Price:
€11-19 for a dorm
€30-70 for a private room
Port Barton, Palawan: 3 nights
After our flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa, we went straight to Port Barton. We took a taxi from the airport since it was late, which cost us around 4,700 PHP (around €74).
Port Barton is a laid-back, charming fishing village. It’s the ideal place to unwind after long travel days. I enjoyed the tropical beach days, the laid-back vibes in town, and a little escape into nature.
What to do:
Karaoke
You will quickly notice that Filipinos have a big passion for singing karaoke, and I love it! Head over to Itaytay Beach and just follow the very loud music to find a great spot to join in.
Piggies at Coconut Beach
We took a tricycle to coconut beach, not just to chill, but to hang out with some cute piggies. If you walk a bit further, you'll arrive at White Beach.
Pamuayan falls
We were up for some exercise and decided to walk to Pamuayan Falls, which took us about an hour. Alternatively, you can take a tricycle or rent a scooter. A donation is required at the entry. The waterfall is nestled in the heart of the jungle and feels like a genuine oasis. After your little hike, you can swim in its pool. Aren’t waterfalls always a good idea?
Accommodation: Tribal Xperience
Price:
€20-30 for a private room
€50 for a bungalow
Foodie finds: House of Thai, Milano café, Happy Bar
El Nido: 1 night
We booked a small shared bus from Port Barton to El Nido. You can easily book your ticket at the bus station in the village. The drive took us about 4 to 5 hours. We only stayed one night in El Nido because we had booked a night on a deserted island. We'll be back later!
Darocotan island: 1 night
From El Nido, it’s a one-hour drive to the port of Teneguiban, where a free shuttle boat awaited us to take us to Darocoton Island. The boat ride took just 15 minutes. I had imagined a deserted island without people or signal, but I guess there’s no escaping 2023. There was a good internet connection, and there were actually a few families living there. However, I chose to disconnect completely to fully experience the island life. Would definitely recommend it!
The location was simply breathtaking. The white beaches, blue ocean, palm trees, and even some piggies wandering around. Just a short swim from the shore, there’s a small shipwreck where you can explore coral reefs and say hello to some clownfish and sea stars. You can join a yoga class, enjoy karaoke nights, sit around beach bonfires, or pick up some garbage on the beach. They’ll reward you with some shots! But the highlight for me was simply my little hut overlooking the ocean.
My small elevated bamboo hut, was priced at 4,000 PHP, which is around €66. They offer a buffet-style dinner included in the price, but you have to add lunch, breakfast, and any drinks or snacks to your bill. Just a tip: remember to bring cash, as it’s the only accepted payment method. It wasn’t quite our usual cheap backpacker style, but it was worth it to treat ourselves for one night on this escape to paradise.
El Nido: 2 nights
What to do:
Island Hopping
A must-do in El Nido is an island-hopping tour. You can choose between Tours A, B, or C, each offering different stops. We opted for Tour A, which includes stops at the Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commando Beach. You have the option of booking a private or public boat. Since we were a group of five, we decided to take a private boat, and it was simply amazing. A perfect mix of relaxation, snorkeling, vibing on the boat, and kayaking through breathtaking scenery. The price varies depending on the company you choose. We booked through Frendz Hostel, but there are plenty of companies in town to choose from.
Sunset at Las Cabanas Beach
We took a tricycle from El Nido town, which took around 15 minutes. The view is breathtaking, with the sun setting beside the limestone rocks. We enjoyed the sunset from La Plage Restaurant & Beach Bar, a spot I highly recommend. Their Aperol Spritz, however, not so much. Be careful of the many jellyfish!
Hostel: Frendz hostel
Rooftop pool
€16-22 for a dorm
Foodie finds: Biryani kitchen, Shaka
Party: The Pangolin Cocktail Bar
Coron: 3 nights
We took a ferry from El Nido to Coron, which cost us around €40 per person. Depending on the ferry you choose, the journey can take between 3.5 to 5 hours.
Side note: You also have the option to join the 3D2N or the 5D4N boat expedition. According to many travelers, these expeditions are an amazing experience!
What to do:
Scuba diving
Coron is known for its excellent shipwreck dive sites. We were advised to be cautious and do our research when choosing a dive center, as there are quite a few poor-quality options around. We had Reggae Dive Center recommended to us. Unfortunately, we decided to book the day before, which turned out to be too late. So, be sure to book a little further in advance!
Island Hopping
We were tired of searching for the best ABC tour in town, so we decided to create our own island-hopping adventure, arranged by our hostel. Our customized tour included stops at Siete Pecados (for snorkeling), Barracuda Lake (for freediving), Twin Lagoon, and other stunning spots.
In the morning, we visited the central market with our guide to choose our ingredients, which were then prepared for lunch. We opted for a delicious pumpkin curry. The tour was just for the five of us and the guides, and it was an amazing experience. Life is always better on a boat, especially in a dream destination like the Philippines.
Rent a scooter
One of my favorite days in the Philippines was the day we drove around Coron with a scooter. Our first stop was Concepcion Falls, where we enjoyed a refreshing swim among many locals. Then, we visited the Sanctuaria Treehouses, a unique spot to have a drink in the pool. It must be nice to spend a night there. Next, we headed to Rio Playa Beach, but we couldn't swim beause of the many jellyfish. We also planned to visit Ocam Ocam Beach, but decided to head back early to avoid driving in the dark.
Cabo Beach
We took a tricycle from town to Cabo Beach. According to Google Maps, this is the place to be if you want to snorkel at Siete Pecados. However, it turned out that it's still quite far from this beach, and you definitely need a boat to get there. So, we decided it was time to relax, read our books, and work on our tans instead.
Sunset at Mount Tapyas
Climbing the 700 steps to the iconic hill with the C-O-R-O-N letters is definitely worth it. The heat is intense, but you'll be rewarded with a stunning 360° view and, if you’re lucky, a breathtaking sunset.
Hostel: Dayon Hostel
Budget-friendly with a lovely rooftop bar, but the dorm can get hot in the morning if your bed is against the window.
€8 for a dorm
Foodie finds
Levine’s (dinner), Coffee Kong (breakfast), Kutidas (reggae bar)
Moalboal: 3 nights
We flew from Coron to Cebu and then took a taxi to Moalboal, which is about a 3-4 hour drive.
What to do:
Rent a scooter
We were a bit unlucky with the weather and had to turn back from our scooter ride due to heavy rain. It was getting dangerous. If the weather is better, definitely rent a scooter and explore. There are many beautiful waterfalls. Let me know how it goes!
(Free)dive with sardines
We went scuba diving with 'Amigos Dive Center' (highly recommend!). It was amazing to see millions of sardines all together, an experience like no other. We also spotted several large turtles and even a sea snake. If scuba diving isn’t your thing, snorkeling is a great option as the sardines are very close to the shore. Freediving through them could be an incredible experience, while scuba diving takes you beneath them.
Canyoneering
We arranged everything through our hostel, so unfortunately, I don’t remember the name of the company we used. However, the prices are around €30-35 per person, which typically includes lunch, transfer, entrance fees, guides, and gear. I recommend bringing your own water shoes, as I found the ones they provide a bit gross. But that might just be me.
Canyoneering itself was so much fun. It turned out to be the perfect way to spend a rainy day . Just be prepared for lots of tourists, but don’t let that take away the fun!
Massage
If it wasn't obvious, we weren't so lucky with the weather in Moalboal. So, if you have a rainy day like we did (read: typhoon alert), treat yourself to a massage. We went to 'Moalboal Spa and Massage' , and it was amazing.
Food
Shaka (smoothie bowls), Hungry Monkeys
Hostel: Ohlala Hostel
A basic hostel with a great location and very friendly, helpful staff.
€7,90 for a dorm
Siargao: 3 nights
We took a flight from Cebu to Siargao.
What to do:
Rent a scooter AGAIN
I know I say this a lot, but I promise, scooter days are the best days! Especially in Siargao, where you're constantly surrounded by palm trees. Be sure to visit
Coconut Trees View Deck
Maasin river:
Beautiful scenery, definitely take a jump into the river!
Price: PHP 20-50 per person
Tayangban Cave
Magpupungko Pool
We visited at the wrong time, so it was too dangerous to swim, but the beach is lovely too.
Surf
Cloud 9
Take a surfing class, rent a board, or simply watch the pros. This famous spot is known for its impressive waves and good vibes.
A cozy, secluded beach with fewer people. It’s a great place for a more relaxed surf experience.
Hostel: Kawili Hostel
Foodie finds
Shaka, White Beard Coffee Siargao, Noods, Kurvada (buffet style), Happiness beach bar/hostel
Party party
In Siargao, there's a party every day. Ask your hostel for the schedule.
Manila: 1 night
We spent our day waiting for our flights in the Ayala Malls in Manila Bay and ended our trip with a cozy hot pot meal. We paid PHP 3,292 for the four of us, which is around €50.
Hostel: NomadsMNL Hostel
Close to the airport
€11 for a dorm
I hope this itinerary helps you to plan an unforgettable trip to the Philippines. With its stunning islands, blue waters, diverse landscapes, and incredibly welcoming locals, you truly can't go wrong in this beautiful country. Enjoy the Philippines!
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