Travel Guide to the Philippines 2026: Palawan, Boracay, Bohol, Siargao & Manila
Planning to visit the Philippines? This travel guide to the Philippines covers everything for a first trip: where the Philippines is, the best time to go (and typhoon season), visa-free entry and the free eTravel card, the 10 best places to visit, a 7-day island-hopping itinerary, realistic costs, safety tips and the best hotels and universities. From the lagoons of El Nido and Coron to the white sand of Boracay, the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, the surf of Siargao and the rice terraces of Banaue, the Philippines is a paradise of more than 7,600 islands.
Last updated: October 2026 · Entry rules and taxes in this travel guide to the Philippines were checked against official sources
📊 Quick Facts for Your Travel guide to the Philippines
- Capital: Manila💡 Part of Metro Manila, home to about 14 million people
- Currency: Philippine peso (PHP)💡 Carry cash on smaller islands. Check today's rate
- Languages: Filipino and English💡 English is widely spoken everywhere
- Population: About 116 million💡 2026 estimate
- Area: About 300,000 km²💡 More than 7,600 islands
- Time zone: UTC+8💡 Philippine Time, no daylight saving. Convert times
- UNESCO sites: 6💡 Including the Rice Terraces, Tubbataha Reefs and the Puerto Princesa Underground River
- Power: 220 V, plug types A, B and C💡 Flat-pin US-style plugs are most common
ℹ️ Figures in this travel guide to the Philippines are 2026 estimates from official and international sources.
📍 Where Is the Philippines?
The Philippines is an archipelago in South-East Asia, with the Pacific Ocean to the east and the South China Sea (called the West Philippine Sea locally) to the west. Taiwan lies to the north, Malaysia (Borneo) and Indonesia to the south-west and south. The islands fall into three groups: Luzon in the north (with Manila), the central Visayas (Cebu, Bohol, Boracay) and Mindanao in the south. Palawan stretches out to the west.
Manila is about 4 hours from Tokyo and 14 from London via a hub. Domestic flights and ferries link the islands. Check the distance from your city with our distance calculator.
📅 Best Time to Visit the Philippines
The best time to visit the Philippines is the dry season, December to May. December to February is cooler and breezy; March to May is hot and perfect for beaches and diving. The wet season (June to November) brings rain and the typhoon season, with the highest risk from August to October, especially in the north and east; boat trips can be cancelled. Siargao's best surf comes from August to November. Festivals such as Sinulog (Cebu) and Ati-Atihan (Aklan) fill January with colour.
Cool, dry and festive: the best all-round season.
Hot and dry; ideal for islands and diving.
Rainy and lush; typhoon risk rises.
Typhoon risk; Siargao surf season.
📅 Use the seasons in this travel guide to the Philippines to match your trip to the weather, festivals and prices you want.
🛂 Philippines Visa & Entry Requirements
Visa-free for many visitors: citizens of the USA, UK, EU countries, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and many others can visit the Philippines visa-free for up to 30 days, extendable at Bureau of Immigration offices. You need a passport valid at least 6 months beyond your stay and an onward or return ticket. All travellers must register on the free eTravel portal within 72 hours before departure. Some nationalities need an e-visa.
- PassportValid at least 6 months beyond your stay.
- eTravelFree, mandatory, within 72 hours before departure; keep the QR code.
- Onward ticketAirlines often check for a return or onward flight.
- Main airportsManila NAIA (MNL), Mactan-Cebu (CEB) and Clark (CRK); Puerto Princesa and El Nido for Palawan.
🔗 Official sources: eTravel (official) · Bureau of Immigration. Entry rules change, so always confirm before booking and avoid paid look-alike sites.
🛂 Entry rules in this travel guide to the Philippines were last checked in October 2026.
🏝️ 10 Best Places to Visit in the Philippines
These are the places we recommend most in this travel guide to the Philippines, with the best months to see each one.
Island-hopping tours A–D among lagoons and limestone cliffs.
💡 Best time: Nov–MayKayangan Lake and WWII shipwreck diving.
💡 Best time: Nov–MayThe Underground River (UNESCO) and Honda Bay.
💡 Best time: Nov–MayWhite Beach, sunset sailing and kitesurfing at Bulabog.
💡 Best time: Nov–MayThe Chocolate Hills, tarsiers and Panglao beaches.
💡 Best time: Dec–MayMoalboal's sardine run, Kawasan Falls and historic Cebu City.
💡 Best time: Dec–MayCloud 9 surf, Sugba Lagoon and palm-lined roads.
💡 Best time: Mar–May, Aug–NovThe 2,000-year-old Ifugao rice terraces (UNESCO).
💡 Best time: Mar–MayA Spanish colonial town with cobbled streets (UNESCO).
💡 Best time: Nov–AprIntramuros, Fort Santiago and San Agustin Church (UNESCO).
💡 Best time: Nov–Apr🗺️ 7-Day Philippines Itinerary: Palawan & Bohol
A classic first trip: Palawan's islands plus Bohol or Boracay. Fly between islands and allow buffer time for weather delays.
Follow this route from our travel guide to the Philippines day by day, or shorten it to fit your trip.
- Manila to El Nido: fly to El Nido or Puerto Princesa; sunset at Las Cabanas.
- El Nido: island-hopping Tour A: Big and Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon.
- El Nido: Tour C or a day at Nacpan Beach.
- Bohol: fly via Manila or Cebu; Alona Beach on Panglao.
- Bohol: the Chocolate Hills, the tarsier sanctuary and the Loboc River.
- Bohol: dolphin watching and snorkelling at Balicasag Island.
- Depart: fly home via Manila or Cebu.
➕ With more time: add Coron for shipwreck diving, Siargao for surf, Boracay for the beach life, or Banaue's rice terraces in the north.
💵 How Much Does a Trip to the Philippines Cost?
The Philippines is good value, though island resorts and domestic flights add up. These are approximate daily costs per person in 2026, excluding international flights. Use our currency converter to see them in your own currency.
| Travel style | Per day (approx.) | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₱2,000–3,500 | Hostels, local eateries (carinderias) and jeepneys |
| Mid-range | ₱5,000–9,000 | Beach resorts, island tours and domestic flights |
| Luxury | ₱20,000 + | Private-island resorts and private boat tours |
💡 All prices in this travel guide to the Philippines are per person, per day, and change with the season and exchange rates.
🎟️ Expect local environmental and terminal fees: El Nido charges an eco-tourism fee, Boracay an environmental fee, and island-hopping tours often add park fees. Carry pesos for remote islands, where ATMs can run dry.
💡 Safety & Travel Tips for Your Travel guide to the Philippines
Most tourist areas in the Philippines are safe and Filipinos are famously welcoming. In Manila, watch for pickpockets and scams and use Grab taxis. Several governments advise against travel to parts of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago; check your government's advice. Choose reputable boat operators with life jackets, follow typhoon warnings from PAGASA from June to November, and avoid feeding or riding whale sharks in places that don't follow responsible guidelines.
Free, within 72 hours before departure.
Islands often have no ATM or card machine.
Allow buffer days in typhoon season.
Protect the coral.
For taxis in Manila and Cebu.
"Salamat" (thank you) and "Mabuhay" (welcome).
🏨 Best Hotels & Resorts in the Philippines: 8 Top Picks
Stay in Makati or BGC in Manila, in town or on Nacpan in El Nido, and on Station 1 or 2 in Boracay.
Casitas on a private island in the Sulu Sea.
Check prices on Booking.com →An eco-resort in Bacuit Bay.
Check prices on Booking.com →Private coves on a 12-hectare reserve.
Check prices on Booking.com →Barefoot luxury among palm trees.
Check prices on Booking.com →Ocean views above Alona Beach.
Check prices on Booking.com →Saltwater lagoons and colonial style.
Check prices on Booking.com →A Makati classic with a grand lobby.
Check prices on Booking.com →A 1912 landmark near Intramuros.
Check prices on Booking.com →🔎 How we chose for this travel guide to the Philippines: hotels are picked for location, reputation and a spread of islands and styles. Prices and availability change daily, so the buttons open live Booking.com results for each property.
🤝 Affiliate disclosure: hotel buttons are affiliate links. If you book through them, AtlasWise may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes which hotels we list.
🎓 Top Universities in the Philippines
The Philippines is a popular English-speaking study destination in Asia, especially for medicine and nursing.
| University | City | Type |
|---|---|---|
| University of the Philippines Diliman | Quezon City | Public |
| Ateneo de Manila University | Quezon City | Private |
| De La Salle University | Manila | Private |
| University of Santo Tomas | Manila | Private |
| University of San Carlos | Cebu City | Private |
The national university, founded in 1908.
Visit website →A leading Jesuit university.
Visit website →Strong in business and engineering.
Visit website →Founded in 1611, one of Asia's oldest universities.
Visit website →The leading university in the Visayas.
Visit website →🔎 How we chose for this travel guide to the Philippines: the leading universities in the Philippines by reputation and research. Last checked: October 2026.
🎉 Filipino Culture & Food
Filipino culture blends Austronesian roots with more than 300 years of Spanish rule and American influence. Family, faith (mostly Catholic) and bayanihan, the spirit of community, are central, and the Christmas season famously starts in September. Fiestas, karaoke and basketball are national passions.
Try adobo (the unofficial national dish), lechon (roast pig, best in Cebu), sour sinigang soup, sizzling sisig, kinilaw (Filipino ceviche), and halo-halo for dessert, plus fresh mangoes from Guimaras.
❓ Travel Guide to the Philippines: FAQ
Do I need a visa for the Philippines?
US, UK, EU, Canadian, Australian and many other citizens can visit visa-free for up to 30 days, extendable locally.
What is eTravel?
A free online arrival registration, required within 72 hours before departure.
What is the best time to visit the Philippines?
December to May, the dry season.
When is typhoon season in the Philippines?
June to November, with the highest risk from August to October.
Is the Philippines safe for tourists?
Most tourist areas are safe; avoid areas of Mindanao and Sulu that governments advise against.
How many days do you need in the Philippines?
Seven days covers Palawan and one more island; two weeks lets you add more.
Which island is best for first-timers?
Palawan (El Nido and Coron) for scenery, Bohol for variety and Boracay for the beach.
What currency does the Philippines use?
The Philippine peso (PHP).
📚 Trusted Resources for Your Travel guide to the Philippines
- Love the PhilippinesOfficial tourism portal
- eTravelOfficial arrival registration
- UNESCO: PhilippinesWorld Heritage Sites in the Philippines
Finished this travel guide to the Philippines? 🌍 More South-East Asia guides: Indonesia · Malaysia · Vietnam · Thailand · Singapore
⚖️ Compare the Philippines with other countries in Compare Countries.
🏛️ Planning a bucket list? See the 20 best World Heritage Sites to visit.
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