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Last Updated 13th October 2026
British winter is coming, and you know what that means… My Google Search history is now the cheapest flights to somewhere tropical, where I can snorkel with sea turtles, live like an island gal, and where my biggest worry is what song I’m going to sing at karaoke tonight. Aka, the Philippines!
Talk to any backpacker who has been here and, well, they won’t stop talking. Stunning islands that you won’t believe are real. Insanely lush landscapes with colours so bright it could be photoshopped. The friendliest people you’ll ever meet.
Ready to experience it yourself? Yeah, me too. Here is our best Philippines 2-week itinerary to get you inspired. Spoiler: you’ll probs scroll down to our Philippines itinerary for 3 weeks. Too much to miss out on otherwise!
Key Takeaways:
As an island-nation, getting around the Philippines takes a little planning. You’ll be looking at a combination of ferries and internal flights, or if you’re on a super tight budget, bus journeys.
The good news: prices are much more affordable compared to Western standards, so even if internal flights and ferries are the higher-end option, it doesn’t cost as much as you may expect. Especially if you book in advance. English is widely spoken throughout the Philippines, and if you go in with an open mind, whilst sticking to backpacker-approved destinations, you can make it work.
Fancy switching your brain off altogether? Take a look at our Philippines tours. All your transport and accommodation come included for you, and so does a new group of future best mates.
Philippines Travel Tip: You’re on island time! Boat and bus schedules aren’t always reliable, and punctuality is pretty relaxed in the Philippines. No biggie, but just make sure you factor that in for any independent travel you plan on doing.
It’s timeee. Your 2 weeks in the Philippines are gonna look something like this. Our 10-day itinerary ticks off Port Barton, El Nido and Coron, so you can see lots whilst still keeping it annual-leave approved.
Fancy a slower pace? Just add on a few extra days wherever you fancy, or scroll to see how you could make the most out of 3 weeks in the Philippines.
Welcome to the Philippines! Island paradise is right around the corner, but you’ve just come off a long flight, so the first thing to do is get to your accommodation of choice, drop your bags, and rest up.
Manila, the capital, is where most of the locals live. Except instead of palm trees, picture café-hopping in the cobbled Old City, trending food spots, and catching the sunset at a rooftop bar.
If you’re doing a Philippines tour, your arrival day usually starts in Manila. First nights are when everyone heads out together for dinner and drinks. You’ll feel like a second family by the time you’re ordering dessert!
Philippines Travel Tip: Manila is a huge city, so knowing where to stay makes all the difference. Most travellers stay in Makati or BGC (Bonifacio Global City), both central and first-timer-friendly locations.
So, the Philippines has main islands, and outside of those islands, there are even more islands! You get the idea. Palawan is the largest cluster, where bright turquoise lagoons meet tropical, jungle-clad cliffs. That’s where to go first!
Hop on a short flight down south to Puerto Princesa, which takes around 1.5 hours. From there, it’s up to you! Some travellers prefer spending an extra day in Puerto Princesa, namely to tick off its famous Underground River, named as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
You may prefer to continue straight onto Port Barton, with driving times taking between 3 and 4 hours. Most backpackers travel in air-conditioned mini vans, as a faster option compared to public transport. You could also book a taxi or private transfer if you’re doing independent travel.
Today you either make the journey from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton, or wake up in paradise!
Port Barton has an off-the-grid island vibe that backpackers love. If you want to dive straight into snorkelling in crystal-clear waters and catch sunsets at beach bars, then well, it’s worth the longer journey on Day 2. Treat it as a good opportunity to nap off the jet lag.
From lazy beach days to chasing waterfalls on jungle hikes, you’ve got loads of activities to get up to here. You could spend all day on those white-sand beaches, enjoying them practically all to yourself. But our number one recommendation? Island-hopping!
Grab your snorkels and head out into the waters. A day tour can take you to Port Barton’s most insane spots. Swim past rainbow coral reefs and sea turtles, fully immersed in the rural island life. Be sure to try your first Filipino-style picnic, also known as a boodle fight. Think fresh seafood, skewered meats and tropical fruits, all served on banana leaves.
Want to travel at a slower pace? You may wish to add another day or two in Port Barton. It’s more of a local gem, perfect for slowing down and relaxing in between activities. Wi-Fi can be a bit spotty, so just make sure you bring a book and playing cards for your hostel!
Onto El Nido! Welcome to the Philippines’ most iconic destination. You’ll want to spend at least a few nights here, especially when you’ve got loads of activities to pick from. The nightlife here is amazing, so if you haven’t done Filipino karaoke yet, this is the place!
You can also go island-hopping, ziplining across the ocean, take pictures at viral viewpoints, or head out of town for a beach-themed day trip.
Now, how to get here? You can book a shared or private van that takes you from Port Barton to El Nido. This can usually be done online, or your hostel can usually help out. Journey times take around 3 hours.
Departure times are up to you, but honestly, the sooner you’re here, the better! Drop your bags and start exploring right away. You could spend the afternoon shopping for cute souvenirs, or café-hopping at trendy spots. The restaurants here also have you spoilt for choice, with international and traditional options.
El Nido is so famous for its island-hopping that day tours are put into four different categories: A, B, C and D!
If you only have time for one, Tour C is the way to go. You’ll get the best photos here, and tick off the bucket list sights you see online. But every traveller is different, and you may prefer experiencing a different side to the Philippines on Tour B or D.
Regardless, these are usually full-day activities that start around 9am and get you back to El Nido’s mainland before sunset. So you’ve got chill time before dinner, drinks, and a night out!
Another action-packed day ahead! There’s no better way to start your morning than ziplining from beach to island, flying over the sea like Superman. You can do a round-trip (more fun!), or you can enjoy a walk back along the sandbar, whatever floats your boat.
By now, you’re probably craving a lazy afternoon of sun, sea, and sand. Good thing that Nacpan Beach is up next! This is a 45-minute drive from El Nido’s city centre. You can book this as a shuttle van online, or through your hostel.
Trust us, this one’s fully worth the journey. Get ready for pristine stretches of pure gold that feel as if they go on forever. You have palm trees swaying to the ocean breeze on one side, bright blue waves to the other. Sure, it’s popular. But it’s also so big that you can easily find lots of space.
Philippines Travel Tip: Bring enough cash to Nacpan Beach, as this is a remote area and can be tricky to find an ATM. Somebody’s gotta shout the sunset beers, after all!
Free day, wooo! Take this as your opportunity to tick off anything else still high on your El Nido bucket list, or return to any old favourites.
If you haven’t checked out the Canopy Walk by now, you’re missing out! This is where everyone gets *the* shot of El Nido, promising 360 ocean views. Plus, the climb to get there is pretty fun.
Here are some more activity suggestions for you to do in El Nido:
Joining one of our Philippines tours? You’ll get to go beyond the bucket list sights and head to a secret island! You’ll sleep in beachside huts, play volleyball, go stargazing, and sip on coconuts. It basically feels like you’ve got a private beach party, and all your new best mates are there!
10-17 days
Live the beach life on the most beautiful islands on Earth!
Let’s switch up the scenery for one last time. Hop on a ferry just across the water to Coron, with journey times taking around 4 hours. Or if you want the fastest option, an internal flight takes around 40 minutes.
Coron has a more chilled vibe than El Nido, but don’t be fooled, guys, the nightlife here can still get pretty wild! You’re in a prime location for some of the Philippines’ finest snorkelling and shipwreck diving, not to mention other cool activities like hiking Mount Tapyas or relaxing at the Maquinit Hot Springs.
You know the drill! Another day in the Philippines = more island-hopping, because who could ever get tired of those views? I don’t know the secret to happiness, but I wouldn’t be sad here, that’s for sure.
First impressions of Coron Bay set the bar high. Dive a little deeper (literally), and that’s when you’ll find yourself lost for words. Grab your snorkels, and jump into the waters to swim past shallow shipwrecks and coral reefs.
Similar to El Nido, you also have four island-hopping day tours to pick from. Any guesses on what they’re called?
Every tour operator has their own itinerary, which may take you to slightly different locations and is subject to change. Take the above as pure inspo for which one best fits your vibe. 🤿
And just like that, your 10 days in the Philippines are up! You’ll be going back home with a fresh tan, core memories, and a count of saying “Should I move here?” 100 times.
Want to stay on for longer? Like we read your mind. You can add on extra days to the itinerary above, or find our 3-week suggestion below.
From West to East! Today you’re airbound for Cebu City, with flight times taking under 2 hours.
What time you arrive is up to you. Cebu City can be a bit of a whirlwind, but the chaos is part of the fun. You can tick off historic landmarks like Fort San Pedro, or viewpoints like TOPS Lookout, during the day. But if you ask us, it’s at nighttime that Cebu comes to life. Let’s just say you’re spoilt for choice with rooftop bars.
You can never be away from the ocean for too long. This is the Philippines, after all!
Driving times from Cebu City to Moalboal usually take around 4 hours, with a private transfer (minivan or taxi) or a public bus as your main options. Just factor in that Cebu City’s traffic can get a bit crazy, so don’t take Google Maps as gospel.
Moalboal will make you feel like a mermaid. Snorkelling here is on another level, but you’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see what we mean. 👀 Until then, enjoy a chilled day of beach, sleep, and rosy pink sunsets… That “Should I move here?” count is probably reaching 1,000 now.
Okay, I know sardines are not the tropical fish you probably think about when you picture the Philippines. But trust me on this one.
Put your head below the surface, submerged in dark blue waters and let the show begin. Millions of little fish race past you as the light goes from silver to gold. Let’s just say you’ll be glad you packed that waterproof phone case (or GoPro!).
You can experience this at most times of the day, although 9am to 3pm is most popular for photos. Or if you’re an early riser, aiming for between 6am to 9am can be great to beat the crowds.
Whilst this is the main reason behind Moalboal’s popularity, this is a destination you’ll want to slow down in. Just off the coast, you can go snorkelling with sea turtles in their natural habitat. You can also take easy day trips to nearby Pescador Island for scuba diving, or Basdaku White Beach for unreal scenery.
And yes, guys, there’s also good nightlife. If anyone knows how to party, it’s the Philippines.
Ever heard of canyoneering? It’s your new fave adventure sport. Basically, it’s climbing, swimming, and jumping all rolled into one.
It’s by far the best way to explore Kawasan Falls, famed for its Gatorade blue pools and wild jungle landscapes. But if you’d prefer something more easy-breezy, then no worries, because you can just relax in the waters or tick off all the viewpoints instead.
Journey times from Moalboal take around 30 minutes one-way, with local buses heading there fairly often.
Head on to Cebu airport anytime today for your flight to Caticlan. From there, you can catch a boat to our final destination, Boracay.
We’ve saved one of the most stunning until last. Boracay is one of the Philippines’ most recognisable islands, all thanks to its star attraction, White Beach. And in a country where dreamy ocean days are never far away, that’s saying something!
Because of its popularity, you’ve got loads of options for activities, food, and nightlife. Boracay is mostly car-free, so people get around by hiring an electric tricycle or by booking private transfers for longer journeys.
This is your time to enjoy Boracay at whatever pace you feel like. You could use the time to go shopping for souvenirs, or more cute swimwear for your next adventure. Maybe you fancy more snorkelling, with day trips to Crocodile Island calling your name. Or even a party yacht!
If there’s one activity that should be on your list, it has to be a Sunset Paraw sailing tour. This is a local experience where you get to ride a traditional boat, heading out to the most incredible spots that Boracay has to offer. But the best part is all the different colours, when golden hour fades into bursts of bright orange and magenta pink… You need to see it to believe it.
Your 3 weeks in the Philippines are officially over! Time to pack those bags and make your journey back home.
Fancy staying on for longer, and want more locations to tick off? You could fly back to Cebu and continue your journey to Bohol for the Chocolate Hills! Don’t forget about Siargao either, the Philippines’ surfing island.
I said it before, I’ll say it again. You’re on island time! Sorry to your spreadsheet with exact timings mapped out, but I’d recommend deleting a few columns.
Journey times can’t always be guaranteed, especially if you’re taking local transport. Unlike other countries in Southeast Asia, transport apps like Grab can be fairly limited. For independent travel, you may have to do your research online and book through local companies in advance. Or check with your hostel.
But a little bit of chaos is what makes the Philippines, the Philippines! So don’t stress it, just make sure you give yourself enough time to get from A to B. You can never have enough lazy beach time, after all.
Sometimes Wi-Fi can get a bit spotty, so being able to access your apps on the go is a life-saver.
You’ll find eSIMs are much easier to use compared to local SIM cards, as you can download it straight to your phone. Plus, you don’t have to stress about a new number or losing your original SIM card!
Want help knowing how to set an eSIM up? Check out our Beginner’s Guide on How eSIMs Work for Travel to get started.
Nobody’s gonna judge you for a pitchy cover here, even if you pick the hardest song imaginable. If anything, it’s part of the fun!
Other than island-hopping, karaoke is what the Philippines does best. So get your lyrics ready, get behind the mic, and give it your best shot. The only rule is cheering each other on and just having a good time. And if you’re self-conscious, hey, it’ll be a different story by the time your 2 or 3 weeks in the Philippines is up.
Yeah, you are! Our Philippines group tours are the best place to get started, or if you want more travel inspo, chat with our friendly experts today. Your dream Southeast Asia itinerary is waiting to be planned by them, free of charge.
West is generally best for your first time in the Philippines, as it ticks off the country’s most iconic destination, El Nido! You’re also closer to Manila, so it’s easier for international flights. But the East Coast is where you’ll find the best snorkelling, plus surfing islands like Siargao.
Our top destinations for a 2-week Philippines itinerary have to be Manila, Port Barton, El Nido, Coron, and optionally Puerto Princesa.
All of the above, plus Cebu, Moalboal, a Kawasan Falls day trip, and Boracay!
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