Which islands to visit in the Philippines?

The rice terraces of Banaue on the island of Luzon. I loved Siargao Island

Hi there, it really depends on your interests and how much time you have. You can choose to arrive in Cebu or Manila. From there, you can explore in any direction. Just so you know, Manila’s airport is probably the worst in the world. Dive into the guidebooks, pick the islands you want to visit, and come back to the forum for more tips!

Hi there, Thanks for your feedback. Actually, I got a quote from a travel agency—they’re suggesting we visit three islands: Bohol, Siquijor, and Palawan, plus one day in Manila, all over 15 days. It includes all transportation (flights, ferries, transfers) and hotels with breakfast, and it comes to 7000 €. I think it’s a bit pricey, especially since we’d still need to cover meals and excursions.

As for the flight from Paris or another city to Manila, I think I can figure that out, but handling all the domestic flights and hotels on our own afterward is totally new to me. I have no idea if it’s easy or not.

Hello, it’s an extremely easy country if you speak English, or even just a little, because—unlike other Asian countries—almost everyone speaks it, and everything is labeled or indicated in English.

Bohol and Siquijor are great; getting around by ferry or plane is simple and stress-free.

Buy a one-way ticket and off you go—a country where everything is smooth and affordable!

Thanks Dennis

Forget the agencies... 7 000 € is way too expensive. Organize your trip yourself.

I confirm, at 7000 € it’s best to forget the agency. A reasonable-duration one-way flight will cost around 800 to 1000 € per person. Personally, I’d choose a flight from France to Cebu. Spend 1 or 2 days in Cebu, then head to Bohol for a little week—stay on Panglao for 2 or 3 days to explore by scooter, visit Chocolate Hills, see the tarsiers, snorkel in Panglao, go to Anda (a gorgeous beach), spend 2 or 3 days there, take a ferry from Jagna to Camiguin, fly back to Cebu, and relax the remaining time in Bantayan.

Alternatively, from Bohol, go to Siquijor and head back up to Cebu by bus from Dumaguete, with a stop either in Oslob for the whale sharks or in Moalboal for the sardine run and some turtles.

Right now, it’s better to avoid Manila airport, and from Cebu, you can go everywhere with Cebu Pacific Air.

Have a great trip!

Thanks a lot

Yes, yes, Bantayan...[;)]

Visiting Siargao in January might not be the best idea!

Hi there. I’m heading out for three weeks, and my budget won’t go over 2500 €, so 7000 € for 15 days is clearly way overpriced. Here’s my itinerary for the three weeks—feel free to shorten some stops if needed.

Day 1: Arrival in Manila, then a flight to Puerto Princesa (58 €), van to Port Barton (4 €), 2 nights (45 €). Day 3: Van to El Nido (6 €), 4 nights (100 €). Two boat tours (A and C) (92 €), scooter rental for 5 days. Day 6: Coron for 3 nights (45 €), two boat tours (85 €). Day 9: Flight to Cebu (60 €), ferry to Bohol (16 €). Scooter rental to explore, boat tour for snorkeling (54 €), 3 nights (55 €). Day 12: Ferry to Siquijor (13 €) and 3 nights on the island (50 €), scooter rental. Day 15: Ferry back to Cebu (33 €). Scooter rental in Cebu City, then head to Moalboal for 3 days—accommodation (70 €), canyoning and snorkeling activities (120 €). Day 18: Return to Cebu City, drop off the scooter, and fly to Boracay (60 €). Day 18: 4 days in Boracay, accommodation (140 €).

Budget about 20 € per day per person for food—440 € in my case. 300 € for extras and scooter rentals. 600–900 € for the next flight, depending on where you’re flying from in France.

In short, 2500 € is doable if you’re traveling solo. If you’re two, you can splurge a bit on accommodation while staying within the same budget—and since you’d only be going for 15 days, you could easily keep it under 2000 € per person.

Hi there, Thanks for sharing your really nice itinerary! By "van," you meant a shared taxi, right? What kind of accommodation did you book? After the flight, where do you leave from? I’m not finding your price very expensive either—it’s a great deal! Congrats on your awesome itinerary!

Hi there I landed in Manila without any issues. I think you can stay there for 2 nights to explore it. I stayed in a skyscraper on the 54th floor with a breathtaking view of Manila Bay. Manila isn’t just poverty—there’s an old center with lots of charm. However, I wouldn’t recommend the Luzon rice terraces—it can rain, get cold, and the terraces are muddy, not lush green. Head south instead, as some folks mentioned: Bohol, Cebu, etc. Happy planning!

Manila Airport has changed management. There have been changes to the terminals, and especially a breakdown of the baggage conveyor belt in Terminal 3. The wait to collect your luggage can be long

I loved Camiguin.

Hi there, Are you planning to visit Coron? It’s much cheaper than El Nido, and the landscapes/cliffs are just as stunning (lakes and lagoons that will take your breath away). If you’re heading there, here are my tips: Stay at least 2 nights. But the best is to stay 4 nights or more, which gives you enough time to do almost everything. If you only have one full day, do an ‘ultimate’ island-hopping tour—it’s almost the same price, and you won’t miss these three must-see spots: Cagayan Lake, Barracuda Lake, and Twin Lagoon. No need to book too far in advance—you can reserve just a day before since there are plenty of providers and *banka* (bamboo boats). I recommend staying with locals, like in a bamboo chalet with a balcony and a view. They’ll prepare a delicious traditional dinner based on fresh fish. Just search on Booking or another platform. If you have time (at least a morning), visit Capayas Creek Kingfisher Preserve to see over a dozen rare and colorful Palawan birds in their natural habitat—all the birds are wild (you’ll need to book a day in advance since it’s private property). Scooters are cheap to rent for the day—super practical!

Thanks so much for the info