Accommodation in the Philippines

Hi there,

While our next trip is still just an idea, I wanted to check out what accommodations are available in the Philippines. I’m a bit put off by what I found—I think it’s really expensive and it’s not exactly dreamy! We’re not into staying in dorms with shared bathrooms anymore, but in Asia and South America, we’ve always found charming little places for around 30 € a night. Is that impossible in the Philippines? Are there other sites besides Booking to look at? Thanks for your tips!

Hey there,

In an archipelago where challenges are everywhere, don’t expect mind-blowing value for money when it comes to hotels, especially in Palawan.

To avoid drowning in a sea of scattered info in a part of the world that’s not so easy to figure out, I set my sights on the site OuiPhilippines, a real gem. That said, it’s not an accommodation site—it’s more of a boost for off-the-beaten-path adventures.

Go for Agoda instead of Booking. It’s better for the Philippines. You can still find decent accommodations for 30 €, like in Bantayan, for example.

Thanks, I’ll check it out. I’d hate to change my plans for this, but for us, a nice place to stay is part of a successful trip....

What’s your planned itinerary? Also keep an eye on the peso’s exchange rate—it’s getting more and more favorable for the euro with the dollar dropping! 😊

Just a rough draft for now... maybe arriving in Cebu and a few nearby islands. Then a flight north to explore 2 or 3 spots on Luzon. After that, Palawan and return via Manila...

Hi. Do you know if there’s an airport near Baguio? ... to avoid an overnight bus ride... Thanks

I just got back from a trip to the Philippines. Yes, you can find reasonable hotels at that price, a bit pricier in Manila. Do your search with AI (I use GPT)—I opted for comfortable hotels near local communities rather than touristy spots, and I’m happy with my choices. Don’t expect miracles from AI for real-time info since it’s not up to date, but it’s a useful tool if you use it smartly.

This was my second stay in the Philippines. I spent 3 days in Cebu, 5 days in Tagbilaran (Bohol), 5 days in Dumaguete, and 4 days in Manila. Unlike Palawan, almost all excursions are private—I was on my own and could organize tours without a guide by renting tuk-tuks. Generally, Agoda and Trip offer the best prices in Asia (until early 2026)—Google often shows options with prices from different sites.

DM me if you’d like more specific details—to avoid turning this into an ad.