1. November 2023
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Are you dreaming of a tropical paradise with white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and stunning untouched nature? Then El Nido is the perfect destination for you.
The Perfect 3-Week Philippines Itinerary
Looking for a perfect itinerary to explore the Philippines? This island paradise offers an endless array of destinations for travelers to discover but planning a trip can be overwhelming with the countless choices. If you have limited time and don’t want to miss the must-visit islands, our 3-week itinerary will help you plan your perfect Philippines trip. We will take you to the most beautiful and unique destinations in the Philippines, so let’s dive in!
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1. Basic Info about the Philippines
The Philippines, with its 7,641 islands, offers an endless array of destinations for travelers to discover. They offer warm temperatures all over the year, but the best time to visit the Philippines is from November to April when the weather is dry and pleasant. Nevertheless, we noticed that around South East Asia you can not rely on the estimated rainy and dry seasons anymore. Especially in the Philippines, the weather can be unpredictable. We’ve been there from the end of March until the end of April and had a lot of rain.
The Philippines is generally a safe country to travel to. The people are happy and welcoming like all over South East Asia. However, like any other country, taking necessary precautions and being aware of your surroundings is essential. English is widely spoken in the Philippines and is one of the country’s official languages.
It’s possible to travel on a budget but it’s more expensive than other Southeast Asian countries like Thailand or Indonesia. To have a nice travel experience without thinking about money too much, we suggest calculating around 40-60$ per person and day (without flights).
We packed more basic information on the Philippines landing page, so check that out as well.
2. How to get to the Philippines
There are several international airports in the Philippines. The main ones for tourists are Manila, the capital city and Cebu City. We recommend flying directly into Cebu City as Manila isn’t really worth visiting for tourists in our opinion. For example, we flew directly from Singapore to Cebu City with Scoot. But it’s also possible to fly directly to Cebu City from many other destinations in Southeast Asia or even Germany.
3. Moalboal (Day 1-4)
Moalboal is a small town located in the southwestern part of Cebu Island. It is famous for its coral reefs, clear waters, and marine life. The small town is a popular destination for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts, and it is also a great place to relax and enjoy the beach. It can be reached by public bus from Cebu City in about 3 hours. Check the schedule here.
Check out our Moalboal article for all the highlights of this stunning destination!
4. Siquijor (Day 5-8)
Siquijor is a small island province located in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines. The island is known for its natural beauty, pristine beaches, and mystical charm. It is a great destination for those who want to experience laid-back island life and explore the island’s natural wonders. Our highlight definitely was the Cambugahay Falls but check out our detailed blog post about Siquijor!
5. Bohol (Day 9-12)
Bohol is an island province located in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines. It is known for its Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, and pristine beaches. Bohol is a popular destination for tourists who want to explore the natural wonders of the Philippines. It’s possible to take a direct ferry from Cebu City or from Siquijor to Bohol.
We stayed at the Red Picnic Hostel and can recommend it. It is located on Panglao Island where most of the hotels and restaurants are. Nevertheless, you have to drive a while to get to the main attractions of Bohol. When it comes to restaurants, we can recommend Wonderland for Thai food, MIST for international cuisine, and Shaka for breakfast.
The main sights are:
- Chocolate Hills: A unique geological formation of more than 1,000 cone-shaped hills that turn brown during the dry season, resembling chocolate mounds.
- Tarsier Sanctuary: A sanctuary that protects the world’s smallest primates, the tarsiers. Visit them and see if you can find them in the trees without the rangers helping you spot them.
- Loboc River Cruise: A scenic cruise along the Loboc River, where you can enjoy a delicious buffet lunch while enjoying the scenery. You can also try standup paddling.
- Alona Beach: A beautiful beach with crystal clear waters and white sand.
6. El Nido (Day 13-17)
El Nido is a municipality located in the northernmost part of Palawan Island. It is known for its limestone cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and beautiful postcard-worthy scenery. It is possible to fly directly from Cebu City to El Nido. Flights are more expensive than flying into Puerto Princesa, the other airport in Palawan. But it’s definitely worth it if you ask us: after arriving in Puerto Princesa, you have to take a minibus to El Nido for 5-6 hours on a curvy road otherwise.
El Nido is a must-visit destination for those who love island hopping and exploring hidden lagoons and beaches. These tours take you to hidden beaches, lagoons, and caves. But there are also many other things you can do in El Nido. So be sure to check out our blog post about El Nido!
7. Coron (Day 18-21)
Coron is a municipality located in the northern part of Palawan Island on a separate island. It is known for its stunning dive sites, World War II shipwrecks, and pristine beaches. Coron is perfect for those who love diving and snorkeling and want to explore the underwater world of the Philippines. You can jump on a public ferry from El Nido to get to Coron or fly there from Manila.
We stayed at AJ Coffee and Bed and it’s a good value option. The staff is lovely and the location is perfect. Other good options are The Ridge Coron the Harbour Bliss Hotel, or Venus Royale Hotel. When it comes to food, we can recommend Pacifico fur burgers and Western food, Om’s Thai for Thai food, and the Brewhouse for local craft beer.
You can see many of the sights in a 1-day-tour. We can’t recommend our provider as the boat was very small and we were the last ones to depart from the harbor. Also, we were unlucky and had bad weather the whole day. So check the weather forecast in advance!
- Kayangan Lake: A stunning lake with crystal-clear waters and a panoramic view of the surrounding limestone cliffs.
- Twin Lagoon: A unique spot where two lagoons meet, offering a stunning view of the surrounding cliffs and crystal clear waters.
- Barracuda Lake: A lake where the water is so clear, you can see the stunning rocks underwater.
- Malcapuya Island: A beautiful island with crystal clear waters and a white sand beach.
- Mount Tanyas: 720 sweaty steps from Coron Town to this beautiful viewpoint. Perfect for sunset!
- WWII Shipwrecks: Coron is home to some of the best WWII shipwreck diving sites in the world, offering a glimpse into the country’s history.
8. What we missed but you shouldn't
Siargao was just hit by a massive typhoon, that destroyed big parts, so we had to skip it on our trip in 2022. But this palm-fringed island is a surfer’s paradise, with some of the best waves in the world. The island is known for its „Cloud 9“ surf break, which has become a household name among the global surfing community. But there’s more to Siargao than just surfing. The island is also home to breathtaking natural wonders, such as the Magpupungko rock pools and the Sugba Lagoon. With its laid-back island vibe, friendly locals, and delicious local cuisine, Siargao is a destination that has something for everyone.
9. Conclusion
A 3-week itinerary covering Moalboal, Siquijor, Bohol, El Nido, and Coron is a great way to explore the natural beauty and unique destinations of the Philippines. From diving and snorkeling to relaxing on pristine beaches, this itinerary offers a diverse range of activities and experiences that will leave you with unforgettable memories. We covered a lot of must dos in our trip and can totally recommend to travel in this order. So, pack your bags and get ready to explore the beauty of the Philippines!
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4. Februar 2023
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Let’s go to Moalboal on Cebu Island! Because of its location, Cebu is also called the heart of the Philippines, and therefore it is a
30. Januar 2023
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Siquijor is easily in the top three of our favorite islands in the Philippines. Honestly, we would go so far as to say it was