Philippines: Your Adventure Travel Guide
All tips and honest insights for your unforgettable journey through the island paradise.
Dreamlike Photos of the Philippines
Loading gallery...
General Info
Safety
The Philippines are considered a relatively safe travel destination for tourists, especially in popular regions like Palawan, Siargao, Bohol or Cebu. As everywhere: use common sense, don’t openly show valuables, avoid lonely paths at night – then nothing stands in the way of a relaxed trip.
Best Time to Travel
The best time to travel is basically between December and May – that is dry season. But: The Philippines consist of over 7,000 islands, and the rainy seasons vary by region. While for example Palawan often rains in July, Siargao can still be sunny. The good thing: somewhere the weather is almost always good, so you can travel nearly year-round if you are flexible.
Currency & Language
Payment is with the Philippine Peso (PHP). Card payment works in larger cities and tourist spots, but cash is king – especially on small islands.
Main languages are Filipino (Tagalog) and English – the latter is understood almost everywhere, even in government offices or in hotels.
Visa
Many nationalities (incl. EU, US) can enter visa-free for up to 30 days. If you want to stay longer you can extend the visa online – directly via the immigration e-portal: https://e-services.immigration.gov.ph/
The first extension costs about 3,000 PHP and gives you another 29 days.
SIM Cards & Internet
Mobile internet in the Philippines is inexpensive and widespread, even though it sometimes becomes weaker on remote islands. The two biggest providers are Globe and Smart. Both offer prepaid SIM cards that you can buy directly at the airport or in almost any small kiosk.
Costs:
- SIM card: approx. 40–100 PHP
- Data packages (e.g.): 10 GB / 7 days approx. 300–400 PHP or 30 GB / 30 days approx. 1000 PHP
Transport
Hand on heart: Travelling between the islands is maybe the only small drawback in paradise. How you master it depends completely on your travel style:
For planners (cheap & time-efficient):
If you are time-limited it is sensible to book the important domestic flights in advance.
For adventurers (flexible & spontaneous):
If you have more time you can let yourself drift, book flights spontaneously or take the next ferry. That way you stay flexible.
Domestic flights – the fast way
Most land in Manila (MNL) or Cebu (CEB). Low-cost airlines like Cebu Pacific or AirAsia take you for 20–50€ (booked early) to the smaller islands. Spontaneous can become expensive (around 100€).
Ferries & buses – the relaxed way
If you have more time, buses and ferries are your choice. Insider tip: Night ferries (e.g. 2GO Travel) are super cheap, safe, comfortable and save a hotel night.
On site – adventure included
- Tricycle: The most common transport for short distances. Always negotiate price first!
- Jeepney: Colourful, loud minibuses. An experience and super cheap.
- Scooter: On islands like Siargao or Bohol the best way for exploration tours.
Top Destinations
Palawan – Island Hopping El Nido & Coron
Palawan is the postcard motif of the Philippines itself. In El Nido and Coron you glide by bangka through turquoise lagoons, discover hidden beaches and snorkel in an unbelievably colourful underwater world.
Note about El Nido: The place is breathtakingly beautiful but also a real tourist hub with higher prices.
Highlight: The multi-day boat tour from El Nido to Coron (or vice versa) is worth every cent! For about 300 € you are on the way for three days, sleep in huts on lonely islands and see places day trippers never reach.
Cebu & Bohol – Falls, Beaches & Tarsiers
The perfect combo for adventurers. On Cebu you can go canyoning through the Kawasan Falls, and in Moalboal swim with huge schools of sardines. Just a short ferry ride away lies Bohol with the famous Chocolate Hills and the tiny tarsiers – the smallest primates in the world.
Siargao – Surf & Chill
The surfer mecca of the Philippines! But Siargao is more than just the famous wave "Cloud 9". The island has an incredibly relaxed vibe. Explore with the scooter the countless palm forests, swim in the Magpupungko Rock Pools or paddle through the Sugba Lagoon. And also here: Island hopping is amazing and belongs to the mandatory programme!
Luzon – Volcanoes, Rice Terraces & Big City Jungle
The main island Luzon is huge and diverse. In the south towers the Mayon volcano with the perfect cone. In the north the 2,000 year old, UNESCO protected rice terraces of Banaue and Batad await hikers. And then there is of course Manila, a chaotic but fascinating metropolis.
Boracay – White Beach & Nightlife
Boracay is famous and for good reason: The White Beach is so fine and white it almost seems unreal. After comprehensive renovation the island shines anew – perfect for everyone wanting dream beaches with good restaurants, bars and a bit of nightlife.
Beaches & Nature
The Most Beautiful Beaches & Lagoons
Honestly, in the Philippines almost every beach is a dream. But some are simply legendary:
- Nacpan Beach (El Nido): A kilometre-long golden sand beach lined with coconut palms.
- White Beach (Boracay): Powder sugar sand and crystal clear water.
- Kayangan Lake (Coron): Often called the cleanest lake in Asia, surrounded by dramatic cliffs.
Snorkelling & Diving – Another World
The underwater world is the true treasure of the Philippines.
- Tubbataha Reef: A UNESCO World Heritage site and only reachable by liveaboard. An absolute dream for experienced divers.
- Apo Island: Here the chance to swim with sea turtles is almost 100%.
- Coron: Famous for wreck diving – sunken Japanese warships from World War II lie here.
- Malapascua Island: Here you can see the rare thresher sharks – an unforgettable experience for divers.
Hiking & Volcano Climbs
Fancy action? Climb Mount Pinatubo and bathe in its turquoise crater lake or hike through the "stairways to heaven", the Batad rice terraces. A hike to the summit of the Taal volcano, which lies in a lake that again lies in a volcano, is also unforgettable.
Food & Drink
An Honest Word in Advance
To say it directly: Compared with culinary paradises like Thailand or Vietnam, the Philippines do not shine quite as brightly in terms of food. You can eat very cheaply and locally, but the often greasy and meat-heavy home cooking can sometimes upset your stomach. If you go to more touristy restaurants you quickly pay 5–7 € which can strain the travel budget.
Balut – Nothing for Weak Nerves
Balut is a local delicacy. It is an approximately 14 day old fertilised duck egg that is boiled and eaten with vinegar and salt that only the bravest dare. I tried it – it tastes like a mix of chicken and seafood.
Streetfood & BBQ – The Real Life in the Evening
What Filipinos master brilliantly is BBQ! As soon as the sun goes down, small grills are set up all over the country. Here you get super authentic dinner for little money: skewers with marinated pork or chicken, plus a portion of rice. For the adventurous there are also grilled chicken feet, heads or innards. (Click to Open/Close Images)
Restaurants, Fast Food & the National Dishes
One thing is ubiquitous: fried chicken! The by far most popular fast food chain is Jollibee – a must for the full cultural experience. Still there are some national dishes you should try:
- Adobo: The national dish. Meat (chicken/pork) braised in soy sauce, vinegar and garlic.
- Sinigang: A sour tamarind soup with meat or fish and lots of vegetables. Incredibly refreshing!
- Lechon: The famous roast pig with ultra-crispy skin. A feast!
- Halo-Halo: The craziest dessert you will ever see! A colourful mix of jelly, beans, fruit, ice and condensed milk.
What to Avoid
Tap water is taboo! Only drink water from sealed bottles or use a travel water filter bottle. Ice cubes in good restaurants and hotels are usually harmless. A fresh coconut ("Buko") is always a safe and tasty refreshment.
Tips & Safety
Prices & Budget Tips
The Philippines can be a very cheap travel country – with emphasis on can. But if you want to see many islands, book flights spontaneously, take part in guided tours and often eat in tourist restaurants you will notice that costs rise quickly.
Cheap on the Way:
- Accommodation: From simple bamboo huts for 10 € to luxury resorts everything exists.
- Food: In local eateries (Carinderias) you get full for 2–4 €.
- Transport: A tricycle ride rarely costs more than 1–2 €.
Savings tip: Eat where the locals eat, use Jeepneys and always negotiate prices friendly but firmly.
Vaccinations & Travel Pharmacy
No compulsory vaccinations are prescribed for entry from most Western countries. It is strongly recommended to check the standard vaccinations (like tetanus, diphtheria, Hepatitis A) and refresh if necessary. Best talk before the trip with your doctor or a tropical medicine specialist.
My Tip for the Travel Pharmacy: Don’t Carry Too Much!
In the Philippines there are pharmacies on every corner. For emergencies I had a small ration for 1–2 days (pain tablets, etc.). The rest, also mosquito spray, can be bought super cheaply on site. The local products are often better adapted to the conditions.
Special Experiences
Liveaboard Diving
For dive enthusiasts the non plus ultra. You live several days on a boat and go to the best, most remote dive spots like the Tubbataha Reef or the Visayas. Wake up, dive, eat, sleep and repeat.
Whale Shark Watching
Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a magical experience. In Donsol (Sorsogon) you can observe the whale sharks in their natural environment – without feeding. An ethically better alternative to the better known Oslob.
Local Festivals & Culture
Filipinos are among the friendliest, warmest and funniest people you meet when travelling. Their joy of life is infectious and shows best if you have the chance to be at a fiesta. Also: Filipinos love singing – their biggest passion is karaoke!
Island Hopping Tours & Overnight in Huts
You get the ultimate Philippines feeling on a multi-day island hopping tour, like the already mentioned one from El Nido to Coron. You go from one deserted island to the next, sleep in simple huts on the beach, eat freshly caught fish from the grill and at night look into a starry sky you will never forget.
Important Apps
A few apps on your phone can make life on site much easier. Here are my must-haves:
Agoda:
Alongside Booking.com the most important app for accommodation. In Asia often with more choice and better prices.
12Go.asia:
Your best friend for travel planning. You can find and book ferry connections, buses and flights here.
Grab:
Forget Uber! Grab is the go-to app for taxi rides in the cities. You see the price beforehand and avoid negotiations.
inDrive:
The app for motorbike taxis! If you need to get quickly from A to B in traffic, inDrive often saves the day. A real local experience!
Summary
The Philippines are the tropical beach paradise par excellence. Yet the country is so much more: It is vast, varied and has a lot to offer – from the postcard lagoons in Palawan to the relaxed surfer vibe on Siargao to the chaotic but fascinating streets of Manila.
Hand on heart: Getting around takes time and the food is not always a culinary fireworks display. But what you get in return is priceless: unbelievably beautiful nature, real adventures and above all encounters with some of the warmest and most cheerful people in the world.
Whether you travel as a planner with pre-booked flights or let yourself drift spontaneously – the Philippines will challenge you, surprise you and in the end give you memories you will never forget. It is a trip that is 100% worth it.
What are you waiting for?
Kommentare