The Philippines has seven thousand islands and a huge number of interesting and unusual places that are definitely worth visiting. In order not to get lost in this diversity, read the detailed route around the country from our travel guide and get ready for a very eventful trip.
Route:
Manila → Batad → Legazpi → Boracay → Bohol → Palawan
Days 1–4. Manila
Manila is the largest city and capital of the Philippines. It is considered the most populous city in the world. Developed business districts with skyscrapers, noisy and chaotic Asian streets and colonial architecture coexist here.
In Manila, we suggest you stay in the Intramuros area. Here are some hotel options there:
- Red Planet Manila Binondo
- The Bayleaf Intramuros
- The Manila Hotel
Intramuros region
Photo : Tappasan Phurisamrit/Shutterstock.com
Intramuros is a picturesque area on the banks of the Pasig River, where you will find ancient architecture from the Spanish era along with historical sites.
It’s worth strolling the streets here to see the variety of buildings, find interesting shops and look at the city life of the Filipinos.
Be sure to visit the main basilica and walk around the perimeter of Intramuros – it is surrounded by stone walls, and from the neighboring areas you can get here through numerous gates.
Fort Santiago
After exploring Intramuros, head to Fort Santiago, an ancient fortress that once served as a defensive structure.
Here you can stroll through the courtyards, enter the museum and walk along the outer walls and embankment. The northeast wall offers excellent views of the river and Manila.
Ticket price: 75 PHP
How to get there: to get to the Fort, cross the canal near Plaza Morions Park.
Jose Rizal Park
Photo: PixHound/Shutterstock.com
For a break from the busy streets, head to Jose Rizal Park. It is located just outside the boundaries of the Intramuros district on its southern side.
The park has many paths, alleys and several ponds. See Japanese and Chinese gardens, monuments honoring prominent people, and fountains surrounded by shrubs. In the evening, the fountain lights turn on and you can watch the light show.
Manila Bay Embankment
If you go from Jose Rizal Park along Roxas Boulevard, you will reach the Manila Bay boardwalk. On one side of you will be the city bay, and on the other – its high-rise buildings. It’s nice to walk here both during the day and in the evening, when the skyscrapers are illuminated. At sunset the embankment looks especially picturesque.
Binondo and Basilica of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz
For a more Asian Manila, head to Binondo. To do this, you need to cross the William A. Jones Memorial Bridge.
Continuing straight along Quintin Paredes Road, you will see the remarkable Basilica of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, made of gray and pinkish stone.
On the streets in the area you can find numerous markets, restaurants and cafes with local cuisine and shops. Nearby is Chinatown, where Chinese goods are sold and Chinese restaurants are open.
Days 4–5. Batad, rice terraces
To get to the Batad Rice Terraces, you need to board a plane in Manila and fly to the town of Cauayan. You can find a convenient flight on OneTwoTrip.
In Cauayan, take a taxi directly to the terraces. The duration of the trip will be about 2 hours, the cost will be from 35 to 45 US $.
Please note that a taxi cannot take you to the accommodation on the terraces as there are no roads there. Ask the driver to take you as close to Batad village as possible. Next you will need to cover about 1.5 km (about 30 minutes of travel) on foot.
We invite you to stay at the Batad Transient House guest house. Its territory offers fantastic views of the terraces, mountains and surrounding area.
Rice terraces
To explore the rice terraces, go for a walk along their narrow paths. The higher you climb, the more breathtaking panoramic views you will discover.
Tapia Falls
Be sure to take time to see the incredibly beautiful Tapia Falls. The path to it starts immediately from your guest house. The walk is 1 km, so you will get there in about 15 minutes.
The waterfall is located in a gorge, and a narrow river originates from it. You can swim in the waterfall pool.
Days 5–6. Legaspi
On the morning of the fifth day of your trip, you will take a flight to Legazpi from the airport in the town of Cauayan. We advise you to arrange a transfer or taxi from Batad to the airport in advance to avoid missing your flight. You can find a suitable ticket on OneTwoTrip.
We have selected the following accommodation options for you in Legazpi.
- Emerald Boutique Hotel
- The Oriental Hotel Legazpi
Mayon Volcano Nature Reserve
Mayon is an active volcano that can be seen from anywhere in Legazpi city.
We suggest going to the top of the volcano on an ATV. To do this, you need to book a tour with Mayon ATV Tour. The cost of the tour will be from 8500 PHP for two. If you want to rent an ATV for each person, the cost per person will be 6500 PHP.
The tour lasts from 3 to 4 hours. During this time you will cross streams, lava rapids and the slopes of a volcano.
Daraga Church
Be sure to visit the Daraga Church. This is an ancient building with an original facade, colorful decoration and unusual sculptures.
Walk around the church to look at its architectural elements.
Cagsawa Ruins
If you have time, visit the Cagsawa Ruins, the remains of a 16th-century Franciscan church that was destroyed by pirates. It was subsequently restored, but after the eruption of the Mayon volcano in the 19th century, only ruins remained of the church. As a bonus, the park offers excellent views of the volcano.
How to get there: local jeepney buses run from the Legazpi bus station to the park.
Days 6–9. Boracay
On the sixth day of your trip, head to Legazpi Airport. A flight to Boracay Island awaits you. Eligible tickets can be found on OneTwoTrip.
Since the closest airport to Boracay is located on the neighboring island of Panay, you need to take a ferry, which takes about 15 minutes to the port in Boracay.
The Caticlan Jetty Port ferry pier is located right next to the airport, and the ticket price will be about 270 PHP.
We invite you to spend 3 days and 3 nights on Boracay Island to enjoy its heavenly beaches and take a break from travel.
Stay in one of the following accommodation options:
- Henann Prime Beach Resort
- Coast Boracay
- The Lind Boracay
- Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort and Spa
Island attractions
In Boracay, be sure to spend time at White Beach, Punta Bunga Beach and Puka Shell Beach. The first of them is the most famous and longest beach of the island, along which there are numerous bars, restaurants and shops.
To buy something to remember the island, visit D’mall in the area of the second station of White Beach. Here you can find everything: clothes, souvenirs, jewelry and beach accessories.
Days 9–11. Bohol
On the ninth day you will have a flight to the island of Bohol. Convenient tickets can be found on OneTwoTrip.
We suggest renting a car on the island in order to see all the sights with maximum efficiency.
We have selected 2 excellent accommodation options for you:
- Henann Resort Alona Beach
- Bohol Beach Club
Chocolate Hills
The Chocolate Hills are 50 square kilometers of unusually shaped hills, so called because of the color of the vegetation, which fades and turns brown during the summer.
The hills are located in the center of the island, and you can look at them from the observation deck. To get there, take the Balilihan-Hanopol-Batuan Road by car. Travel time will take about 1.5 hours. The entrance fee is 50 PHP.
Philippine Tarsier Nature Reserve
In the reserve you can see local tarsiers with small legs and big eyes. This animal species is on the verge of extinction, so you should definitely see them with your own eyes.
You can visit Philippines Tarsier as part of a short excursion lasting from 15 to 20 minutes. Park opening hours are from 8:30 to 16:00 daily.
Ticket price: 60 PHP
How to get there: about 50 minutes via Dauis — Panglao Road.
Official website: Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary
Pahangog Falls
To enjoy pristine nature, go to Pahangog Falls. Two waterfalls form a natural pool of emerald water.
To reach them, take Bohol Circumferential Road. You need to get to the Santa Cruz Chapel in the village of Dimiao (Guingoyuran Santa Cruz Chapel). Here you can leave your car.
Next, a road through the forest awaits you. The walking distance to the waterfalls will be about 1 km. Please note that after rain the road may be washed out and difficult to pass.
Days 11–13. Palawan
On the eleventh day of your trip, head to Palawan Island. Find flight tickets on OneTwoTrip.
Stay 2 nights on Palawan Island. You will have an evening and two full days to spend time here. We suggest you visit Puerto Princesa National Park one day, and the town of El Nido and paradise tropical bays and beaches on another. Here we also recommend renting a car so as not to waste time on long trips on local public transport.
Stay in Puerto Princesa City at Hue Hotels and Resorts.
Puerto Princesa National Park
The main attraction of the National Park is the famous underground river. To get here you need to get to the coastal town of Sabang. Take Puerto Princesa North Road. The journey will take 1.5 hours. Head out early in the morning as the park is open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
You can take a ferry from Sabang Boat Terminal to get to the entrance to the caves where the underground river boat rides begin. The journey will take about 20 minutes. Another way to get to the river is to follow the Jungle Trail. It stretches for 5 kilometers. You can also use it on the way back.
Ticket price: 250 PHP (includes boat and life jacket).
For more information and reservations, you can visit the Underground River Booking Office in Puerto Princesa City. Address: National Highway, bgy. San Pedro, Puerto Princesa City.
El Nido and the islands of Bakut Bay
To see the extraordinary beauty of the islands of Bakut Bay, you will have to leave Puerto Princesa at night, since the road to the starting point – the town of El Nido – takes about 4.5 hours. Take Puerto Princesa North Road.
Once you arrive, head to the El Nido Beach pier. We invite you to choose from four boat tours from El Nido Paradise. During the 7-hour tour you will see small islands, hidden beaches and coves with crystal clear waters. Each tour (A, B, C or D) has a different program and prices start at PHP 1,200. Advance reservation required.
Each boat tour also includes snorkel masks, drinking water and lunch.
Days 13–14. Flight to Manila. Overnight. Homecoming
On the evening of the thirteenth day of your trip, head to Puerto Princesa Airport. A flight to Manila awaits you.
To rest from the road, before flying to Moscow we suggest spending the night in one of the following hotels near the airport:
- Savoy Hotel Manila
- Manila Marriott Hotel
Expert advice
- When traveling, we recommend taking a large, roomy backpack instead of a suitcase. This will make it easier for you to navigate the route. For example, the path to the Batad Rice Terraces is narrow and unpaved.
- Use offline maps Citywalks.me and Maps.me.
- To plan your travel within and between cities, use the Rome2Rio service.
You can book a car during your trip. View rental information here.
