Which islands should we prioritize in the Philippines? (page 2 of 2)

Hi Philippe, Are you going to 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 do go, here are my tips: If you only have one full day, do the ‘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 way 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 terrace. They’ll prepare an amazing traditional dinner with fish. Check Airbnb or other platforms for options. 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 wild (book a day ahead since it’s private property). Scooters are cheap to rent by the day and super practical.

Hi there,

Ha Long Bay remains legendary for many, and it's true that the place has become dirty, very polluted, and especially very crowded, with lots of boats and large vessels. Bacuit Bay is really pretty, but I prefer Lan Ha Bay, just below Ha Long, which is also starting to get quite busy. Fortunately, its shallow depth limits the number of boats. North of Ha Long, there’s also Tu Long Bay, which is even less visited—the rock formations are more spaced out. This is just my opinion, everyone has their own tastes! Have a great evening!

Hello, That’s definitely a risk, but not enjoying the Banaue rice terraces must be rare—they’re supposedly older but very unique. Still, I have a soft spot for those in northern Vietnam, and I was impressed by the ones in Yunnan, China. Bali’s aren’t unforgettable, in my opinion, of course. Thanks for bringing them back to the forefront. Eric

Hi David, Thanks for the info—Coron might be a no-go because of the weather. A lot of boats have been canceled. So we’ll see, otherwise we’ll spend more time in Port Barton.

The weather in the Philippines isn’t great right now

It's peak season with usually lots of sunshine...

In most regions, sunny weather is a no-go. Instead, expect lots of clouds and quite a bit of rain. This is the first time in 13 years I’ve seen a February like this. We’ll see how the rest goes 🤷‍♂️

Today was the first day of perfect blue skies in Bantayan

It's peak season with usually lots of sunshine...

I had big clouds for a month in the Visayas. And it was awful in Coron / Palawan at the start of the month, with flooding in Palawan...

Hi Mélodie, Thanks for your message about the cruise departing from El Nido. A few questions: Is 3 days and 2 nights enough? Is the food not too spicy? Can we fully trust the company? And for someone who doesn’t snorkel, is it too boring? Also, is the sleeping arrangement in tents or cabins?

Good evening, sorry for the late reply—I didn’t see your message. 3 days and 2 nights is enough, though we would’ve loved to extend this little escape. One of our friends isn’t very comfortable in the water, but she didn’t get bored at all and loved the experience. The food was just amazing—lots of fruit, veggies, and fish. A real treat! For sleeping, we were in cabins, practically on the beach. I found the company reliable and professional, with a really friendly team. Wishing you a great trip to the Philippines!