Travel Tips In Philippines – Spending a month in the Philippines was simply one of the wisest decisions I’ve made during my travels in Southeast Asia. And honestly, it’s also one of the best decisions you can make! After the trip, I almost booked a round trip ticket because if you have to ask me, a 30 day journey in the Philippines is not enough!
With 7,640 islands to explore, you can see why I say one month is enough, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. With beautiful beaches, world-class diving, stunning scenery, vibrant music and cultural festivals, and friendly people – a trip to the Philippines will be something you won’t find. never forget.
Travel Tips In Philippines
Let’s just say there’s a lot to see and do in the Philippines, so it can be a bit intimidating. But never fear, for I am here. I will cover everything in my one month Philippines itinerary, from where to stay and what to see. I hope you find it useful and if you have any questions feel free to email me; I am happy to help!
Philippines Travel Tips & Things To Know Before You Go • Owl Over The World
Before going to the Philippines, I recommend you pick up a book The Lonely Planet of the Philippines! It is extremely useful when you are on the road.
Are you ready to dive into this intensive 1-month itinerary in the Philippines itinerary? I know me!
Before we dive into the exact travel itinerary, here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect in this article. I truly believe it is the best way to spend a month in the Philippines, as it covers most of the highlights and attractions!
Now the dates can change depending on travel time/flight price and it just depends on your travel style. But this is a great itinerary for a 4 week trip in the Philippines, and it will be an experience you will never forget!
Helpful Philippines Travel Tips
Southeast Asia may seem very safe to travel, but you’ll soon hear some horror stories from other travelers you meet. Anything can happen, from scooter accidents to water damage and misplaced belongings. So make sure you’re covered before going to the Philippines by purchasing travel insurance.
Getting sick or having things stolen while traveling is a rare occurrence, but when it does, it can be an absolute nightmare. Buying travel insurance (essential for visas in some countries) will give you peace of mind that if anything happens, you’ll be covered.
I highly recommend HeyMondo due to their extensive coverage for all situations and trip lengths, handy app, and reasonable pricing. This app allows you to manage any claims and access free online support. So you don’t need to pay expensive phone bills while abroad!
Still planning your trip? You can always get a no-commitment travel insurance quote with HeyMondo, so you know what your additional holiday budget is!
Philippines Travel Tips That Will Make Your Trip Memorable
Okay, now let’s dive into my full Philippines travel guide! It is very detailed and goes over everything you need for a top notch experience! I hope you are ready for an adventure.
It’s busy, overcrowded and dirty, and there’s not much to see. Obviously, there’s some decent nightlife, but I’ve never experienced it myself.
Now I’ve met people who really love Manila, but I don’t find it very appealing. However, who knows, maybe you’ll have a different experience and really enjoy your time there!
Despite its flaws, Manila is the best place to fly to the Philippines with cheap international flights. Here are the best airlines worth considering for your flight:
Philippines: Trip Preparation & Destination Information
While Manila is great to fly to, I will try to spend as little time as possible in the capital. This 4-week Philippines itinerary is crowded and you’ll want to spend more time on other destinations around the county!
But if you want some inspiration for your time in the capital, read my three-day Manila itinerary. It will give you loads of ideas on things to do, from exploring Intramuros to wandering Rizal Park.
Whether you’re looking to save a few bucks or splurge on your stay in Manila, here are some great options worth checking out:
Alternatively, you can read all the best Airbnbs in Manila for more personalized information for your stay.
Philippines Travel Tips: Everything You Need To Know
If there’s one must-do activity in Manila – you have to go to the Intramuros neighborhood. It’s the beautiful old Spanish part of the city and really fun to explore on foot!
You’ll see some stunning sights in this majestic part of town, from the Manila Cathedral to the historically significant Fort Santiago. While those are the top attractions in the area, you can’t miss the infamous fortress, the Baluarte de San Diego, and the UNESCO-listed Church of San Agustin.
Other iconic destinations in Intramuros include colonial masterpiece Casa Manila, while history abounds on the menu at Central Silahis. Speaking of the menu, I highly recommend visiting Barbara’s Heritage Restaurant for a unique fusion of Filipino and Spanish cuisine.
If this sounds a bit overwhelming to cram into one day, then you should take this Manila tour. You’ll see everything this magical city has to offer on a 4-hour tour by a professional guide.
What Not To Do: Travel Tips For First Time Visitors To The Philippines
Of course, you’ll pass through Intramuros, but other top attractions include Old Manila and Makati City. It was a fun-filled day in the city that you’ll never forget.
Overnight ferries are always the cheapest option to get to Coron. For some reason, all the flights to this island tend to be quite expensive. If you can find a cheap one, book in advance (but if you’re a budget traveler – the overnight ferry option is an affordable option).
There is one main ferry company in the Philippines – 2Go Travel. I only used them for this route, but they also offer a lot of different routes around the country!
When you’re looking for flights to Manila, try to book one that arrives on Wednesday or Thursday. That way, you can explore in one day, then board the overnight ferry on a Friday night.
Philippines Travel Tips
However, be sure to check out flights from Manila to Coron, as it would be great to save an overnight cruise!
Welcome to Coron, Palawan! This is truly one of the most beautiful places in the world, and I have absolutely fallen in love with Coron!
As a solo traveler, I was lucky enough to meet some amazing people on my first night watching the sunset over Mt. Tapyas. We actually hung out together the whole time I was there.
There are so many fun things to do in Coron. The island tours are incredible, the sunsets will leave you speechless and it’s simply a relaxing area to spend a few days!
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Adventure travel tip: If you want to get really adventurous, you can hire a boatman to drop you off on one of the remote islands and camp there for 2-3 nights. Schedule a pick up time and you’ll live the true Robinson Crusoe experience with its pristine beaches and vast spaces. Make sure you bring enough food, water, and a good book or two!
From luxury private island resorts to budget backpackers inns, there’s a comfortable stay for people of all budgets! I actually wrote a separate article for people to find the best place, so read about where to stay in Coron for more details.
While in Coron, you will see countless different signs about transportation to El Nido. Try to bargain for cheaper as all signs are much more expensive.
If you get to where the boat leaves in the morning, you can actually snag a better bargain (but it can also sell out depending on the season). You can also look for flights from Coron to El Nido, but those also tend to be expensive (so it just depends on your travel budget).
Things To Know Before Visiting The Philippines.
El Nido is the crown jewel of Palawan and a must-see during your visit to the Philippines.
It’s a livelier area than Coron, with some great restaurants and fun bars to explore at night. You can do several day trips to the nearby islands, go hiking, or relax on the beach.
But as you probably know by now, the most important thing you do while in El Nido is book an island tour or two.
Now I highly recommend seeing both A&C tours. While all tours are great, these two tours in particular are worth every penny. I had a great time with both, and I can’t wait to go back to El Nido to do them again!
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Like all other destinations on this 1-month itinerary in the Philippines, you can expect a range of affordable and ultra-luxury stays:
After El Nido, you can hop off at Port Barton for a night or two. I don’t do this, but I heard it’s a really cool place with a relaxed atmosphere. There’s also some great diving here.
Puerto Princesa is the main city in Palawan and also where you will fly to as your member.
