Where to Stay:

Most tourists don’t stay long in the Philippine capital of Manila, even though it is the primary international arrival and departure point.  The majority of tourists visiting the Philippines immediately board a second flight and head to the island of their choice.  That’s not to say I endorse skipping Manila, just noting that Manila is not what most tourists come to the Philippines to see.

Here are a couple of recommendations for two of the more popular island destinations.

Coron

My overall recommendation is to stay near the town center.  Coron town has many small local hotels, most of them are not only nice but very affordable.  Transport from the airport is mostly done by shared vans.  These vans wait outside the airport whenever a plane lands and once they fill up they leave, dropping passengers off in the center of Coron town or at their hotels if the hotels are considered in the vicinity.  If staying at a resort on the outskirts of Coron you may need to book private transportation or ask them if they provide a free shuttle.  The same goes for the boat tours leaving Coron every morning.  Most of the island hopping and snorkeling tours have vans that pick you up at your hotel, or you can walk down to the piers.  It doesn’t take long because it’s a small town, but depending on the outfitter running the boat tour they may not pick up from hotels outside of town.  

Cebu

My overall recommendation for those who plan to spend more than two days on Cebu is to get out of the city.  Many try to stay in the city and do day trips out, but I really don’t recommend this.  The amount of driving time required to get from the city to most of the scenic sights is way too long to be compatible with a day trip.

I only recommend the city if 1.) you’re staying on Cebu for two days or less or 2.) stay there for the last night of your trip, especially if you have an early flight the next day, because it will be a long drive back to the city.  In the second case I would actually recommend staying on Mactan Island, which technically isn’t in the city but it is near the airport  You won’t have to worry about traffic on the bridge and it’s really the only area of the city with nice beaches.

View My Post: Considerations to Keep in Mind When Choosing Where to Stay

When to Go: 

In the Philippines the dry season usually runs from December to May and the rainy season runs from June to November, with “typhoon season” lasting from July to October.  The dry season, December to February offers cooler temperatures and is generally peak tourist season.

View my post: Country Essentials – Philippines, for month by month weather averages.

What to take: 

Outside of the large cities supplies of any kind can be difficult to come by on the islands.  The smaller, less visited the island the fewer provisions will be available.  Bring what you need or pick it up before leaving the main city (if there is one).  You may also want to bring a mini dry bag if you plan to bring anything not waterproof with you on the boat tours.

View my post:  Packing Checklist.

Sightseeing:

The following are just a few of the Philippine’s most famous sights. A good deal of the popular sights and experiences in the Philippines don’t require pre-booking.  In a lot of ways the Philippines is still a place where you can just show up and take it from there.

Intramuros and Fort Santiago, Manila

Intramuros, meaning inside the walls, is a Spanish-era historic quarter within the city of Manila.  Some of the places and sights within the quarter’s old stone walls have token entrance fees payable on arrival.

Boracay

Boracay is a small island, popular for its crystal clear waters, its white sand beaches and its nightlife.   Just beyond the palm-tree lined beaches are an array of resorts and restaurants encircling the island.  Travel to Boracay requires an entry fee (technically you’ll need to pay three fees, an environmental fee, a terminal fee and also the boat fare.). These fees may be paid on-line or on arrival.  

Coron 

Coron has some of the best reefs for snorkeling I’ve ever seen.  Boat tours depart daily.  You can sign up a day or two before or show up early the morning of.  If you book ahead and your accommodations are in Coron Town they usually send a van to pick you up.  Different boat operators have different tour options to choose from.  Most take you not just snorkeling at reefs, but to a selection of incredible sites, including beaches, lagoons, even lakes. 

Cebu

Cebu is a good sized island with a lot to see and do, but its crown jewels are the waterfalls.  Lots and lots of incredible waterfalls.  I did a whole post on Cebu, you can check it out here:   Cebu Island of Waterfalls.

Some of the waterfalls are very popular with lots of tourists, while others you may have all to yourself.  Some of the falls have admission fees that are paid on arrival.  The only thing you may need to book in advance is your transportation.

Bohol

Best known for its unique geological formations nicknamed chocolate hills (because they turn light brown during the dry season) Bohol also has beaches, waterfalls and excursions down Loboc River.

El Nido to Coron Multi Day Tours:

Three to four day boat trips from El Nido to Coron stopping at small remote islands along the way.  These tours are one of the few experiences in the Philippines where pre-booking will probably be necessary.  There are a few operators to choose from, the originator of this tour is Tao Philippines.  G Adventures also runs a version of this which you can book by itself or in conjunction with a longer Philippine tour.