Philippines Travel Guide

The Philippines – an archipelagic country with one of the most biologically diverse marine ecosystem on this planet comprising coral gardens, fish, starfish, giant calms and many more, is justifiably defined by dazzling beaches, turquoise waters and smiling welcoming people. Simply put, you just think of something and you will surely find it here – Ocean, lakes, mountains, adventure sports, Surfing, island-hopping, diving pristine coral reefs, tribal villages, trekking, canyoneering, swimming with whale sharks.

Our Top 5 experiences in the Philippines

We immensely enjoyed each and every moment spent in this island country. The island offers you so much to see and explore, with every experience being surprisingly different from the other – Be it trekking a mountain, snorkeling in the ocean, swimming in a lake – all in the same day!!! Here every beach offers you a unique experience. The list of experiences is endless so we are sharing with you our 5 most memorable experiences:-

1. Princesa’s Underground River – One of the 7 Wonders of Nature.

2. Canyoneering in Cebu – Highly adrenaline-pumping adventure.

3. Swimming with Whale sharks in Oslob, Cebu – Incredible experience!!!

4. Island Hopping in El Nido – Exploring 4-5 islands in a single go and trust me each island has its unexplored beauty and experience.

5. Snorkeling in Coron – Beautiful Corals, variety of fishes triggers an irresistible urge to go further into the ocean.

Reaching the Philippines

Manila Airport is well connected to most countries. We took an Air Asia Flight from Delhi to Manila with a halt at Kuala Lumpur (12 hours including 4 hours halt).

Best time to visit the Philippines

Generally, November to April is considered good time but March and April are hot and humid, the best time to visit this beautiful country is from November to February.

We visited during the pleasant weather in December. 

Our 8 Days and 7 Nights Itinerary for the Philippines

The travel route we took in Philippines is :-

Puerto Princesa (1N) -> El Nido (3N) -> Coron (1N) -> Cebu (2N)

Day 1-2 Fly to Manila and Transfer to Puerto Princesa for Underground River Tour

Immediately after landing in Manila. we took a flight to Puerto Princesa (1.20 hours).  If you plan well in advance the flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa may cost you as low as INR 2500.

We stayed in Puerto Princesa solely for Underground River Tour which is a journey on a boat cutting through limestone cliffs and chambers along the worlds longest navigable Subterranean river. Natural, unlit and massive caves on the river have interesting rock formations inside them including 62 m high “Cathedral” – a vast chamber containing stalactites resembling Mary, Jesus, and others. Though these caves are 8.2 km long, the visitors are allowed up to 1.5 km only.

—How to Book Underground River Tour—-

A permit at least a day in advance is needed, which is arranged by the booking agency. The tour can be booked online through various agencies. The agency provides pick up from hotel and lunch. We booked ours through Northern Hope Tours @ PHP 1800 per person. Drop them a mail to book for tours.

Note : Philippine Peso (PHP) is Philippines currency. PHP 1 is equal to INR 1.34.

Accommodation in Puerto Princesa

We booked Voi Vlu’s Place in Puerto Princesa through Agoda.com. This place is a contemporary version of traditional bamboo huts of Philippines. The accommodation is very comfortable, clean, well-maintained, friendly staff and most importantly excellent location being close to the Airport and other city highlights.

You can book it from here.

Day 3-4 Island Hopping and biking in El Nido

El Nido – a scenic spot and gateway to clean waters, is known for coral reefs, white sand beaches, and dramatic sunsets.

How to reach El Nido

To save time and energy, we headed directly to El Nido from Underground river tour site by a shared van from Salvacion junction, instead of going back to Puerto Princesa as Salvacion junction lies between these two.

We pre-booked ours through El Nido Paradise Tours @ PHP 600 per person. Although shared taxis are available easily from Salvacion junction, it is good to pre-book to avoid wasting time and securing your seat.

Enthralling view of seasides, hills, coconut trees on both sides of clean roads makes 5-hour journey from PP to Elnido very exciting, beautiful and relaxed.

Phillipines’ vans are a real comfort!!!

Things to do in El Nido

Island Hopping

El Nido is famous for Island Hopping tours – to explore islands surrounding Elnido. The tour takes to stunning islands which seems no less than paradise.

There are 4 such tours – Tour A, Tour B, Tour C, Tour D – Tour A and Tour C are most popular among them. We did tour C.

–Booking Island Hopping Tours–

We booked it just a night before doing it, through El Nido Paradise Tours (the same agency we booked our shared van with, from Puerto Princesa to Elnido) @ PHP 1200 per person (that includes a lunch buffet, drinking water, and snorkeling gear ).  Make sure to start by 9-10 am.

If you are vegetarian, make sure to inform the same while booking any of the tours. If lunch is included in the tour, they will provide you with vegetarian options. Vegetarian Fried Rice, potato fries cooked in olive or coconut oil, fruits, salads, sweet corn are some of the vegetarian options.

Duli Beach

This Beach, not crowded at all, is famous for surfing. From El Nido, it’s around 1.5 hours on a bike.

One of the best experiences here was relishing Buko pasta – a pasta made of green coconut.

As we are vegetarians, it was a great delight for us. What made the dish more special was the affection with which a lady (eatery owner) there cooked it for us and also shared the recipe (on our request).

After having some snacks, go into the sea (not very far) and experience the big waves.

–Renting a bike in Elnido–

Rent a bike (easily available, ask your hotel staff) in just PHP 500 (fuel cost additional) and explore the town and outskirts.  We left our place around 9:00 am and visited Duli beach followed by sunset at Nachpan beach.

Nachpan Beach

Famous for sunset, this is one of the most beautiful beaches around El Nido. While getting a relaxing massage watch the sun setting below the horizon promising to bring a new dawn.

What’s more in El Nido

The market of Elnido is a very vibrant place with lots of restaurants and discs – a place you can explore in the evening. You can also sneak to a nearby shore for those relaxed and peaceful moments. There are some restaurants that serve veg pizzas and pasta.

Accommodation in Elnido

Spin Designer Hostel is a perfect mix of hotel comforts with hostel social life – the most fun-loving, warm and friendly bunch you’ll ever meet.

The staff here is very genial who offers you drinks and also drinks with you while sharing their stories. The place is quite happening with every day some event or game organized to make people participate and provide a platform to break the ice.

For us, it was one of the best parts of our stay in El Nido. After exploring the town whole day, at night we mixed up with the fellow wanderers, travelers and people from all walks of life.

If you happen to visit El Nido, we suggest going for this place to take your experience to an altogether different level. Sharing as well as personal rooms are provided here. We booked it from booking.com.

Day 5-6 Exploring Coron

Home to some of the most photographed places in the world, Coron is majestic with its gorgeous beaches, spectacular marine life, and amazing cliffs. 

How to reach Coron

The ferry is a pretty fast way to reach Coron from El Nido. We booked it online from 12go.asia website. Start at 6:00 in the morning and the bumpy ride will take you to coron till 10:30 AM. It costs as around INR 2000 per person (Montenegro Lines company).

Things to do in Coron

Island Tours

Coron too has various island tours. Since most of them start early, we booked a private boat through our hotel at a cost of PHP 2800 per boat and that took us to Siete Pecados marine park, Kayangan Lake and Twin Lagoon.

Siete Pecados is a colorful coral garden with diverse species of fishes. It’s an underground bliss and one of the best snorkeling (practice of swimming through water using a shaped breathing tube) spots.

We did snorkeling in El Nido as well but it was mostly close to the shore, Siete Pecados is somewhere in the middle of the ocean and gives butterfly in the stomach for once you get into the waters. Moreover, the marine life here is humungous (we spotted starfish as well). It’s an altogether different experience.

Kayangan Lake is said to have the cleanest water surrounded by sharp karstic massifs. You have to walk 10 minutes through steep terrain to reach here.

Twin Lagoon is where fresh underground water merges with warm sea water.  The Twin Lagoons are hidden amongst jagged cliffs of Coron island and these limestone cliffs separate these two lagoons.

This trip takes around 4-5 hours.

Mount Tapyas in Coron

Mount Tapyas is a 723 steps trail leading you to the great view of Coron town and neighboring islands.

When we left our hotel at around 5 in the morning, it was dark outside and we thought as if we were the only ones up there but were later joined by others.

Do not forget to take water bottle along with you.

What’s more in Coron

Among other things, you can choose to do other island hopping tours in Coron. This place is considered divers paradise and can do Shipwreck Diving where you find well preserved World War II wrecks.

Accommodation in Coron

Acacia garden inn – beautiful accommodation is nearby to many city attractions and equipped with all the modern comforts and utilities. Here you can enjoy local delicacies and relax in open restaurants in garden areas. We booked it from booking.com.

The hotel provided a van to drop us at the airport (took around 45 minutes) from where we boarded the flight to our last destination in the Philippines – Cebu.

Day 7 Reaching Cebu, having Lifetime Experiences

Cebu is an urban city of Philippines with lively bars, huge malls, and fine restaurants. White sand beaches and some unheard adventurous sports are prime attractions here.

How to reach Cebu

Cebu is well connected to major cities of the Philippines via flights. We took a flight (Philippine Airline) from Coron (1:15 hours). It is also the cheapest way to reach Cebu if you book well in advance.

Things to do in Cebu

Swimming with Whale Sharks

Whale shark – A creature which a diver longs to encounter on his dives, is a filter feeding shark and can grow to an impressive length of about 40 ft and can weigh up to 13.6 tonnes. Owing to its massive stature, it is called a whale. The whale shark is actually a fish and not a mammal holding the record of being the largest living fish on the planet whose tail length is almost the size of the human body.

With white spot on the back, much like stars, this massive yet magnificent creature, the whale shark is gentle and people friendly, unlike other sharks. Diving or snorkeling with whale sharks is quite an attraction among divers in dive destinations around the world.

Swimming with whale sharks is an experience of a lifetime. Next time whenever you’re looking for an adventure holiday put diving with the largest fish on the planet on that list and make sure you go for it!          

Canyoneering

It is a popular trek involving traveling down creeks or streams within a canyon by walking, jumping, swimming, climbing, abseiling.

Canyoneering will start at Canlaob river downstream going to Kawasan falls (4-5 hours).

A must do for adrenaline junkies.

–How to book swimming with whale sharks and Canyoneering–

We booked it with highland adventures @ 4500 pesos per person.  They pick you from your hotel and arrange the tickets for swimming with whale sharks and drop you to the place of Canyoneering.

To be lucid, these are some of those unforgettable experiences which cannot be put in words as a whole. Its all about feelings!!!

If you want to book, drop them a mail and they will revert soon.

Top of Cebu

Its a place from where you will get beautiful bird’s eye view of Cebu town. There are plenty of open restaurants here.

Accommodation in Cebu

Stayed in Uncle Tom’s Cabin located in Mango square – Heart of Cebu. Rooms are super clean with fine service and its location made it one of the best hotels we stayed in the Philippines. We booked it from booking.com. Mango square is known for its nightlife. There are plenty of casinos, restaurants, Discs here.

How to get Visa for the Philippines

Indians need to apply for visa and documents required are :-

• Visa Application form.
• Passport with validity of at least 6 months.
• 1 passport photograph.
• Copy of e-ticket showing confirmed flight tickets (onward and return).
• Covering letter stating the purpose and duration of the visit.
• Proof of Hotel Reservation
• Income tax returns and salary slips
• Payment of visa fees (INR 2370)
• If employed, NoC (No Objection Certificate) from employer
• If self-employed, photocopy of latest Income Tax Return and copy of PAN Card.
• Bank Statements
• A copy of Marriage Certificate for couples.

For further details, you may check here.

Indian Nationals do not require a visa for tourism travel not exceeding fourteen (14) days provided that they hold a valid visa or a permanent residence permit issued by Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Schengen country, U.K. or U.S.A. Traveler must have a valid national passport for at least six (6) months, beyond the contemplated stay and a return or onward ticket to the next country of destination and No derogatory record with the Bureau of Immigration.

Note: As a lot of documents are required for Philippines Visa, it’s good to apply well in advance. We applied a month before our scheduled departure.

Food options in Philippines

If you are non vegetarian, there are plenty of options to relish on.

Vegetarians can enjoy these food options –

Money Saving tips

1. Look for cheap Air Asia Flights – Book well in advance. For our December trip, we booked the tickets in August and got a really good deal. To economize ticket prices further, opt for flights without check-in baggage. In such cases, a 7 kg cabin bag is allowed per person.

2. There are plenty of budget accommodations available in cities like El Nido and Coron. You can book one easily in INR 1500 – 3000. Even in amount less than this plenty of options are available.

3. Use local and shared transport – To travel to a nearby location, use tuk-tuks (3 wheelers) and for far away locations use shared vans.

4. Negotiate while booking activities and do them in a group – Book your activities like snorkeling, diving, island hopping, swimming with whale sharks, canyoneering, etc. well in advance. Prices are less when done in groups.

5. Take packaged food or have street food – Instead of eating in high-end restaurants, prefer street food that is affordable as well as tasty. If you are vegetarian, take packaged food along with you. Some vegetarian options are there but you might not like it 3 times a day. Drinks such as beer, rum are cheaper than water in Philippines. Try local brands and you will love it.

6. Cook your food – If you put up at hostels, you can definitely consider this option.

Things to keep in mind while visiting the Philippines

– Withdraw money from Airport itself as you may not find many ATMs at locations like Palawan.

– It is not mandatory to know how to swim for snorkeling or island Hopping.

– You can buy a local SIM from the airport itself. We got it from Manila Airport.

– Carry sunscreen with SPF greater than 50.

– You will be spending most of your time in the water, carry clothes that you can wear in water. We carried just one swimsuit each and ended up wearing that almost every day.

– There might be face flight delays within the Philippines.

– Stay in hostels to meet some incredible people. It saves money and is a good experience.

Other information

Language

Filipino and English are the official languages of Philippines.

Most of the people speak decent English, you won’t have issues communicating with them.

Currency

Philippine Peso (PHP) is Philippines currency

1 PHP = 1.34 Indian Rupee

1 USD ~ 52 PHP

Time Zone

Philippines Time zone is GMT + 8.

It’s 2.30 hours ahead of India.

Philippine is a location you can easily explore in the budget. It cost INR 1.30 lacs for 2 of us even after doing so many adventures because we booked our tickets, accommodations, and activities well in advance.

Go explore this beautiful country and share your experience with us!!!