El Nido is a paradise in Palawan Island, in the Philippines. It’s known for its white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, steep cliffs, jungle-like vegetation, and as the entrance to the Bacuit archipelago. It’s so beautiful that it even features in some of the best travel movies. So if you’re looking for one of …
Philippines Travel Guides
The Philippines is one of those places that I kept seeing epic photos and videos of on social media, which made me desperately want to go there for myself. Spending three weeks in the Philippines was a travel dream come true.
I absolutely loved the Philippines and am hoping to go back soon. I loved the chill island vibes that we found everywhere, the friendly locals and stunning natural scenery.
Compared to other popular backpacking destinations in South East Asia it felt still relatively untouched. It’s the perfect place if you want to go on island adventures, meet cool people and disconnect from reality for a bit.
I also loved that it wasn’t just about beaches. While we undoubtedly went on awesome island hopping tours, we also had lots of fun canyoneering in waterfalls and hiking to beautiful viewpoints.
Here you will find all my top Philippines travel tips!
Quick travel facts about the Philippines
Where are the Philippines? The Philippines is an archipelagic country in South East Asia, composed of over 7,600 islands.
How to get there: You can find the cheapest flights to the Philippines via SkyScanner.
Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP) – see the latest exchange rate here.
Electrical plugs in the Philippines: Types A, B & C – I recommend an international adapter so you can use it on multiple trips.
Capital city: Manila
Best time to visit: The Philippines is a tropical country and is affected by monsoons. The best time to visit the Philippines is from November to April during the dry season, when there is less chance of rainfall.
October and May are considered “shoulder months”, when the weather starts getting worst but isn’t as bad as the wet season, from June to September. You will also find less crowds during the shoulder months.
You can see some weather averages for every month in the Philippines here.
How to travel around the Philippines: Travelling around the Philippines can be a bit of a pain. Transfers always end up taking forever so take that into account when you plan your itinerary.
To travel between islands you can usually get a ferry, or even get cheap flights on SkyScanner for the longer distances. Within islands you can easily arrange minivan or taxi transfers for long journeys.
For short land journeys most people either rent scooters or use tuk-tuks.
Visa requirements: Most passport holders don’t need to apply for a visa to travel to the Philippines for stays up to 59 days. Click here to see all the visa requirements.
My Philippines travel guides
If you love snorkelling and exploring marine flora and fauna, you will love Moalboal in the Philippines. This small town is home to the famous sardine run, where you can swim with millions of sardines year round! It’s also home to many sea turtles, which calmly swim along its shores, in close proximity to the …
The Philippines is one of those destinations that had been on my travel bucket list for forever. Every time I opened social media there would be stunning pictures of someone I knew who was having the trip of a lifetime, exploring the beautiful natural landscapes of the Philippines. When I finally travelled there last year, …
Are you looking for the best island hopping tours in Coron? You’ve come to the right place! Found in the lush province of Palawan, Coron welcomes travellers into a tropical heaven. It’s one of the profoundly beautiful clusters of islands that contribute to the world-renowned reputation of the Philippines. Coron is surrounded by turquoise waters, …
El Nido is a small, beachside town on the northern tip of Palawan island, which has become increasingly popular over the last few years. It’s mostly used as a base for exploring the incredible natural splendour of the surrounding archipelago. Known as the Bacuit Archipelago, the area is home to some of the most beautiful …
Visiting the Philippines means island hopping and enjoying its many incredible tropical destinations. Deciding on which islands to visit can be difficult, as there are so many great options out there. If you are looking for a completely remote and undeveloped island escape, you have to visit Malcapuya Island. Malcapuya Island is one of the …
Looking for the ultimate Philippines 3-week itinerary? You just found it! The Philippines is an archipelago country in Southeast Asia, with about 7641 islands. It’s home to some of the worlds greatest biodiversity and most beautiful beaches, making it an incredible destination to explore! There is a myriad of different cultures and ethnicities found throughout …
Cebu is a stunning island province in the Philippines, with idyllic white-sand beaches, gorgeous natural scenery and incredible diving. The island has a booming tourism industry, thanks to its natural charm, yet it remains a paradise for relaxation and adventure. I spent five days in Cebu and absolutely loved it, and I just knew that …
The Philippines is a truly gorgeous holiday destination, made up of over 7640 islands of all different shapes and sizes. They’re all a little different, providing something for everyone, with beautiful white beaches, stunning viewpoints, epic waterfalls, and home to a whole host of activities like surfing, diving, hiking and many more. Thankfully, it’s a less …
Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls was one of my favorite things to do in the Philippines. Kawasan Falls is a beautiful spot on Cebu Island, where you can swim in clear turquoise water surrounded by lush green forests with the noise of powerful waterfalls rushing in the background. For the more adventurous travellers out there, canyoneering …