Which islands should we prioritize in the Philippines? (page 1 of 2)

We’re planning a month there, and there are definitely some beautiful—*very* beautiful—islands, but which ones to choose? Can you point me to the must-sees, the ones that are easiest to reach by boat, bus, or flight if it saves a ton of time and isn’t too expensive? Also, which island should we start our loop on, given we’re coming from Vietnam and our return flight to Paris is already booked out of Manila? Thanks in advance for all your tips. Philippe

Hi Phil, It’ll all depend on when you’re traveling. During the rainy season, it’s best to stick to the central islands, but outside of that, you can venture into the rice terraces. Just a heads-up—whenever you move to a new spot, plan for a full day because whether you’re flying, taking a bus, or a boat, delays are pretty much guaranteed. So, that’s a lost day. In the central region, you’ve got Negros, Bohol, Siquijor, and Cebu. You can easily combine all of them. One last tip: arrive in Manila the day before your flight home so you can explore the city a bit.

Hi Seb, We’ll be there in mid-February. Thanks for your tips—I think we’ll need to take the time to get around. Some islands are more touristy than others. Should we book accommodations in advance, or is a few days before enough?

Palawan first, with El Nido and Bacuit Bay, but especially Port Barton for a few days. Fly to Cebu from Puerto Princesa, and from there you’ve got plenty of options: Bohol but not just Panglao, Camiguin with a ferry from Jagna, fly to Cebu and then Moalboal, Oslob, the Camotes Islands, and of course Bantayan for some relaxation before heading back to Manila. The day before, as advised.

I’d say that, as always, if it’s busy, the best hotels fill up fast, but in that case, it’s clear you’ll have less freedom. That said, once flights are involved, freedom takes a bit of a hit too, since it’s always better to book airfare as early as possible—prices go up as the date gets closer, even if it’ll still be cheaper than in Europe.

Thanks Sébastien, we’ll look into all of this.

Hi there,

Must-sees for me are the Batad rice terraces in northern Luzon—best visited at the start or end of your trip—and of course El Nido in the Palawan archipelago. Coron is also stunning. ...

Hi there! We’re also fans of no pre-booking, but for the Philippines, the easiest way to travel is by inter-island flights, so you don’t really have much choice but to book in advance—especially in February, which is a pretty busy tourist season.

We went in March and had already booked our flights back in November, partly for availability and partly for the prices. Once we were there, we met tourists who booked just a few days before and paid four times more than we did.

Once you’re on an island, it’s easy to get around by public transport.

As for choosing islands, it really depends on what you’re looking for. We really enjoyed Bohol, but we stayed in the north, in Anda, to explore the island’s terrestrial spots before heading to other islands for their aquatic attractions.

One of our favorite trips was the 4-day, 3-night "cruise" between El Nido and Coron—absolute bliss! But again, you’ll need to book well in advance because they’re super popular.

Happy planning, and have an amazing trip!

Melodie

Photo of Bohol and from our "cruise" boat

I think you should distinguish between Bacuit Bay and the town of El Nido, which has become a touristy and commercial nightmare over the years. On the other hand, the bay itself is a must-see, and according to friends who’ve just visited both, it’s much better than Ha Long Bay.

Thanks Bruno! All your info is noted. The choice of islands and the itinerary are starting to take shape

For domestic flights, it's best to book ahead and avoid AirAsia. For hotels, you’ll often find good prices by booking the day before or even the same day. The Agoda platform usually has the best deals for the Philippines. There’s plenty of availability, so you won’t have any trouble finding accommodation. TripAdvisor gives you a good price comparison. Have a great trip!

Thanks François! Why avoid AirAsia? And which site should I use instead? Flight comparison sites like Skyscanner, for example?

Reliability of AirAsia schedules. For the past 8 years, I’ve only used Cebu Pacific. Good prices if you plan a bit ahead, lots of flights. Big improvement in schedule adherence. And a modern fleet.

Someone who's hiked Acatenango should enjoy the Banaue rice terraces, but maybe you’ve already had your fill in Vietnam. One important thing you didn’t mention: are you into diving or doing a lot of snorkeling? How long are you staying in the Philippines?

Hi Pascal, Act I: Cambodia, then Vietnam. After Siem Reap (of course), we're heading to Battambang for 2 days. After that, we're not sure what to do—go straight to Phnom Penh by train or stop at Kampong Thom and then Kampong Cham? Maybe take a bus to Phnom Penh... Then it's off to the south and the islands. For the Philippines, we’ll be there for a month with friends. Yes, I’m a diver, but my partner isn’t.

Hi Mélodie, Thanks for your message about the cruise leaving 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?

For flights, I book directly on the airline's website cebupacificair.com

Hi everyone, Thanks for the info!

Kampong Thom is only worth it if you plan to visit the Sambor Prei Kuk site

Ok, thanks Bruno