Philippines · Southeast Asia
The Philippines is 7,000 islands of turquoise water, and most of them are empty
Because of crime, terrorism, unrest and kidnapping, do not travel to the Sulu Archipelago (including the southern Sulu Sea) or Marawi City, and reconsider travel to most of the rest of Mindanao, where Siargao, Samal Island and Davao City's business district are among the exceptions.
Checked September 29, 2026. Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov (opens in a new tab)
No dates set. Best months: March, April, May or November. Add your dates in the Google search. Compare on Skyscanner (opens in a new tab)
The Philippines is 7,000 islands of turquoise water, and most of them are empty. Palawan's hidden lagoons, 2,000-year-old rice terraces in the Cordilleras, and Siargao's surf culture make this the most underrated country in Southeast Asia.
7,000+ islands of turquoise water, white sand beaches, and world-class island hopping. Palawan is consistently ranked among the world's best islands. Siargao is an emerging surf and free-spirit destination. The Philippines delivers tropical paradise without the crowds of Thailand.
Go in March, April, May or November. January, February and December are great but busy.
Out of 10. The place scores are the same for everyone, and your fit score weighs them by what you care about. Value is yours: experience for the money, next to your other options.
Big days outside
8.3 out of 10
How real it still feels
8.1 out of 10
Views and photos
9.6 out of 10
Beds and the people in them
8.4 out of 10
Getting around on your own
7.5 out of 10
Experience per dollar, for you
Researched picks, sorted by wow factor, best first.
⛵ Scenic Ferry
The Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon at El Nido are accessible only by kayaking through a narrow rock passage into a hidden bay. The water inside is dead calm and framed entirely by limestone cliffs. The Philippines' water is genuinely world-class.
Best time: Dry season (November–May)
👁 Hidden Viewpoint
Batad is less visited than Banaue (the famous postcard terraces) and far more dramatic. You're IN the bowl, not looking from a highway viewpoint. The surrounding Ifugao villages are still farming the same terraces their ancestors built.
Best time: Planting (June) or harvest (October-November) seasons
👁 Hidden Viewpoint
The hills are genuinely inexplicable at scale: hundreds of identical mounds in every direction as far as you can see. Bohol also has tarsiers (among the world's smallest primates, with enormous eyes), Loboc River cruises, and some of the Philippines' best beaches at Alona Beach.
Best time: Dry season (February–May) for 'chocolate' coloring
Only ride if you're licensed for motorbikes and the local rules accept your license (many places don't accept a US license on its own), wear a helmet, and know that many travel insurance plans won't pay for a crash if you weren't licensed. Before you go, check your insurance.
Sorted for a solo backpacker: social scene and solo-friendliness count for more than star ratings.
Typical nightly prices from our research, checked September 2026. Hostelworld shows the current price and the total before you pay.
22–32, adventure and photography travelers
Small beach town on Palawan's northern tip. Surrounded by some of the world's most dramatic island scenery. Walking distance to boat departure points.
A design-led hostel in El Nido town: well-designed, social, with a rooftop bar overlooking the limestone karst islands. The island-hopping social hub.
Rooftop karst island views and island tour booking
20-35, surfers and island wanderers
Meets David's standard ($20 or less, Hostelworld rating over 8, kitchen)
On the beach in General Luna town, seconds from the restaurants and bars on Tourism Road. Cloud 9 is about 3 km north.
A small beachfront hostel in General Luna, with the sand steps away, free kayaks and a terrace facing Guyam Island. The town's restaurants and nightlife are right there.
Free kayaks and a beachfront terrace looking out at Guyam Island
Fly into Manila (more flights), then use Cebu Pacific for $10–20 domestic island hops
Fares usually jump in December to February, when the crowds come. March to May and November are the sweet spot: good weather without peak prices.
Both open without dates from Atlanta, so you can compare days and months for the cheapest fares. Seasonal notes come from when crowds peak, not live fares.
Jeepneys and tricycles in cities. Ferries between islands. Habal-habal (motorcycle taxis) in rural areas.
ManilatoEl Nido (Palawan)
ManilatoBoracay
El NidotoCoron
Tip: Book El Nido flights the moment you have dates, since they fill up months ahead. AirSWIFT's flights are now run by Cebu Pacific's Cebgo. Island-hopping boats are negotiated locally.
12Go Asia
Book buses, trains, ferries & flights across Asia
(opens in a new tab)2Go Travel (Ferries)
$10–40 island to islandBook inter-island ferries across the Philippines: Manila to Cebu, Palawan routes
(opens in a new tab)Grab
$1–4 per rideRide-hailing for SE Asia, cheaper than taxis. Download before you land
(opens in a new tab)Rome2Rio
Plan any route: shows transport options with typical prices
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