Perfect 2-Week Itinerary for The Philippines

The Philippines has long been on our travel bucket list. We couldn’t wait to see its majestic limestone cliffs, turquoise-blue lagoons, vibrant marine life, and white-sand beaches. Our two-week Philippines itinerary covers all the best places!

We will start with the world-famous Palawan and its lagoons, then visit Cebu and its waterfalls, Bohol, and finally, Siargao, known for its world-class surfing. The itinerary will take you to some of the most beautiful parts of this archipelago.

The infrastructure is generally less developed than in destinations like Thailand or Bali. Moving between different islands is slightly more complicated and often takes longer.

However, you will experience untouched nature and the wild beauty of this tropical paradise, which cannot be found elsewhere.

This doesn’t mean the most popular places are not crowded, though. Especially when talking about Palawan, don’t expect to be alone in most areas. But choose some less popular islands, like Bohol or Siargao, and you will find a little slice of heaven.

2-Week Itinerary for The Philippines – Overview

Suppose you’re wondering how much time you should spend in the Philippines. Honestly, even one month is too short to experience everything. But to see the best spots, at least 10-12 days is an absolute minimum! I would say three weeks is enough for a full experience.

If two weeks is all you have, by following this itinerary, you can make sure to get the most out of it!

Here’s a quick overview:

• Day 1-4: Palawan (Coron or El Nido)
• Day 5-8: Cebu
• Day 9-10: Bohol
• Day 11-14: Siargao

Let’s not forget that getting from one island to another often takes at least half a day, but you usually need one full day for traveling. Whether you’ll use the last day at the previous destination or the first one on your next stop is up to you.

Travel Essentials

Getting visa

The great news is that most nationalities don’t require a visa to visit the Philippines for a maximum of 30 days. Check whether this includes your nationality. If you do need visa, check out iVisa and their services.

Best time to visit The Philippines

The Philippines are split in half when it comes to the official monsoon seasons.

Firstly, there’s the Southwest Monsoon, locally known as Habagat. It lasts from May till September. Secondly, the Northeast Monsoon, known as Amihan, lasts from October till late March.

They only hit those parts of the country, as suggested by their name. This means the dry season takes place as follows:

October – April: Palawan, Boracay, Cebu, Bohol, Mindoro, Luzon

April – September: Siargao, Camiguin, Davao, Mindanao

Practical Travel Tips

Cash | While some tourist areas offer card payment, cash is the country’s primary payment method. Always have some Pesos with you. Most ATMs charge a small withdrawal fee.

Internet Connection | Unfortunately, if you need a stable internet connection, you’ll be disappointed to find out that the Philippines are not the best in this aspect. Most places we visited had extremely slow or no wifi. Mobile data sharing did not work well either.

Estimated Budget & Prices | In general, you can find hotels from as low as 15-20€ / night for two. Domestic flights usually cost between 30-50€, while ferry travel between islands is cheaper at 10-15€. Meals start at 5€ in local restaurants, while Western food prices are from 7€+.

Food | If you have strict dietary preferences, you might have difficulty in some of the more remote areas. Filipino cuisine mainly consists of meat and fried dishes, and it’s spicy.

Packing Essentials | You’ll go on many boat trips, so don’t forget a quick-drying towel and a dry bag. Let’s not forget an underwater camera, like Insta360, to capture all your snorkeling adventures.

2-Week Philippines Itinerary

Day 1-4: Palawan (El Nido or Coron)

Getting to El Nido / Coron

Both El Nido and Coron are a part of Palawan. While El Nido is an area in the north of Palawan Island, Coron is a separate island.

The best way to get to El Nido is to catch a flight to Puerto Princesa airport and take a van or a ferry.

To get to Coron, you can fly directly to Busuanga Airport. From El Nido, you can take a ferry to reach the island.

Getting around

The ferry is the best option for traveling between El Nido and Coron. It usually takes 4 to 6 hours, and tickets start at 1000 PHP. 

For short-distance trips, you can use tricycles. However, scooter rental is a better option for longer day trips, as it comes with a lot of flexibility. Rental prices start at 300 PHP.

When exploring Coron, you can arrange an island hopping tour or rent a boat with a driver.

What to do on El Nido

Join an Island Hopping Tour

An island-hopping tour is the number-one activity in El Nido. Multiple companies offer the same tours: A, B, C, or D. We recommend choosing tour A, which will take you to the most beautiful lagoons: Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, 7 Commandos Beach, and more.

Relax on Nacpan Beach

Imagine a perfect 3-kilometer stretch of sand lined with palm trees. Nacpan Beach is ideal for a day of relaxation and swimming. It is not as crowded as the main town area.

Zipline ride to Lio Beach

Las Cabas Beach is a picture-perfect golden sand beach known for its relaxed atmosphere. However, it also offers a very attractive activity: a zipline ride to Lio Beach. You can cross the sea while enjoying incredible coastline views and surrounding islands. 

What to do on Coron

Go Island Hopping

Coron Island is known for its many marvelous beaches and lagoons; there’s no better way to explore them than on a day tour. Like El Nido, there are several different tours with the same itinerary, no matter which company you choose.

The most recommended options are The Ultimate Tour and The Super Ultimate Tour. The best places include Kayagan Lake, Barracuda Lake, Twin Lagoon, and Siete Pescados.

Soak in Maquinit Hot Springs

Relax in a sea-water hot spring with sea views. Just a short ride away from Coron Town, it’s the perfect spot to wind down after a long day of exploring.

Hike Mt. Tapyas

A 15- 20-minute hike to Mt. Tapyas will reward you with views of the shoreline, port, and houses below. For the best views, hike during the sunset (or sunrise). You’ll also avoid the strongest heat.

Join Big Dream Boat Man multiday expedition

The ultimate way to see all the best locations in Coron, including those that classic day tours can’t reach. While it might be a bit more pricey, it’s an exprience worth paying for! Check out their 4D3N expeditions!

Day 5-8: Cebu

Getting to Cebu

Since Cebu Island has an international airport, you can quickly get here with international or local flights. Another alternative are ferries.

To travel to Cebu from Coron, it’s easiest to take a direct flight from Busuanga. From El Nido, take a ferry or a van to Puerto Princesa and catch a flight from there.

Getting around

Cebu is not a tiny island, and getting to all its best attractions requires some time. Most people arrive in Cebu City but stay in Moalboal. To get there, use the public bus. Read our guide on getting to Moalboal from Cebu City.

Once in Moalboal, we highly recommend renting a scooter to explore the island’s attractions freely. Rental prices start at 250 PHP per day.

What to do on Cebu

Snorkel with Moalboal Sardine Run & Turtles

Snorkeling in Moalboal was one of our favorite activities on Cebu Island. Ever swum with thousands of sardines all around you? Sounds a bit scary, doesn’t it? Sardine Run in Moalboal is just a few meters away from the shore and is easy to find!

Another bonus of snorkeling in Moalboal is the opportunity to meet the sea turtles! Since this is a popular experience, we have a few tips on avoiding the crowds and getting the most out of it in our guide!

Kawasan Canyoneering

Kawasan canyoneering is an unforgettable adventure that involves cliff jumping, natural water slides, and swimming in a canyon. It is an incredible adrenaline activity that anyone can do.

Explore the waterfalls

Cebu Island is home to countless waterfalls, each more stunning than the other! It was so hard to prioritize some of them and skip the others. After visiting the most famous ones, we recommend not skipping Inambakan Falls, Dao Falls, and Binalayan Falls.

If you’re looking for a “hidden gem,” head to Montpellier Falls. Kabutongan Falls offers easy-level canyoneering and a blue lagoon at the end.

Watch sunset from Osmeña Peak

Osmeña Peak is surrounded by unusually shaped hills. It’s the highest point on the island, but it only requires a 15-minute hike. From the top, you can enjoy incredible views of the shoreline and ocean. Plan your hike during sunrise or sunset for the best colors.

Snorkel with whale sharks in Oslob

If you value our nature and want to protect the environment, DO NOT JOIN this unethical activity! While snorkeling with whale sharks is incredible, it’s also essential to consider the circumstances.

In Oslob, whale sharks are lured to the boats using bait, altering their natural eating habits. Constant activity pollutes and disrupts the ecosystem, and the crowds are overwhelming for the whale sharks and the people.

Relax on the beaches

One of the most popular beaches among tourists and locals is Lambug Beach, known for its turquoise water and white sand. To snorkel, visit Panagsama Beach in Moalboal.

Day 9-10: Bohol

Getting to Bohol

Getting to Bohol is relatively easy, thanks to multiple daily ferry connections. The ferry ride only takes 2-2.5 hours, and tickets start at 475 PHP. Depending on where you stay in Bohol, you can choose from these ports: Tagbilaran, Tubigon, or Getafe.

Read our guide if you’d like to learn more about getting from Cebu to Bohol.

Getting around

Renting a scooter is the best way to get around Bohol if you prefer independence and flexibility. Prices start at 300 PHP per day. There are a few rentals in Tagbilaran and Panglao.

Another option is to use tricycles. For long-distance trips, expect to pay more, though. If you want to see the best of the island, joining a day trip is better.

What to do on Bohol

Explore the Panglao beaches

Panglao Island is home to some truly stunning beaches. The most popular is Alona Beach, which has bars, restaurants, and resorts. Our favorite was the untouched Dumaluan Beach. For sunset watching, head to Doljo or San Pedro Beach.

Visit Tarsier Sanctuary

Tarsiers are one of the world’s smallest primates with large eyes. In the Tarsier Sanctuary on Bohol Island, you can see the rare species in their natural habitat. It’s a quiet place perfect for nature lovers.

Snorkel with whale sharks in Lila

We believed this was a more ethical experience than Oslob, so we decided to try it. We left disappointed since it’s the very same thing with fewer crowds.

While it was interesting, we did not enjoy it as much due to ethical reasons and non-swimmers in floating vests kicking our heads all the time. Therefore, we recommend avoiding this place.

Enjoy sunset at Chocolate Hills

Chocolate Hills resemble Osmeña Peak. In a specific season, the hills turn brown, hence their name. In order to admire the views from the top, you can climb the concrete stairs to the viewing platform.

Marvel at the Bilar Man-made Forest

On the way to Chocolate Hills, you’ll pass the Bilar Man-made Forest. The picturesque road is lined with towering mahogany trees, forming a natural canopy. The atmosphere of this place is incredible—you’ll feel like you’ve been teleported to a fairy tale!

Get adventurous on Loboc river

Loboc River is the perfect spot for any nature or adventure lowers. The calm water is ideal for swimming, kayaking, or paddleboarding. One can also join a boat tour with a buffet lunch served on the boat.

Day 11-14: Siargao

Getting to Siargao

You can get to Siargao from Cebu by a direct flight to Sayak Airport. The flight tickets usually cost from 35€ with multiple connections scheduled daily. The flight time is less than 2 hours.

If you’re looking for a more adventurous way, we recommend trying the Cebu to Siargao night ferry! You’ll first travel from Cebu to Surigao by night ferry and then transfer to Dapa (Surigao) to get to General Luna (Siargao).

We describe the whole process in our Cebu to Siargao travel guide.

Getting around

Our choice was to rent a scooter for our whole stay in Siargao. Rentals start at 200 PHP, with a possible discount when staying longer. You can also ask for a surf rack if you plan to surf.

Tricycles are a relatively expensive option for exploring the island. Because of this, we recommend them only for trips near your base.

Otherwise, it’s cheaper to join a day tour to explore some more remote areas.

What to do on Siargao

Go on an island-hopping tour

Joining an island hopping tour on Siargao is one of the best activities! Most tours have the same stops – Guyam, Daku, and Naked Islands with two extra snorkeling spots. Each island is unique, and offers a different kind of experience.

Visit Sohoton Cove on a day trip

Another popular day trip is a visit to Sohoton Cove. This epic adventure involves exploring hidden lagoons by boat, visiting caves, trying rope jumping into the sea, and swimming with jellyfish!

Learn surfing

Since Siargao is known for its world-class surf, it would be a shame not to try this sport. Luckily, multiple spots suit different levels, from total beginners to pros.

Cloud 9 is the most famous surf spot but can be challenging. We loved surfing at Secret Beach, and Pacifico Beach is another excellent place.

Ride along the Coconut Road

Coconut Road is one of the most scenic places on Siargao. Lined up with coconut palm trees, it’s also an incredible photo spot! Before starting the most beautiful section, you can enjoy the views from Coconut Road Viewpoint.

Swim in Maasin River Basin

Imagine floating down a turquoise river on a kayak, exploring its hidden coves, sunbathing, and rope jumping to the water. That’s precisely what visiting the picturesque oasis surrounded by lush greenery offers.

Explore the beaches

Siargao Island is home to many beautiful beaches—some more popular and others calm and quiet. While Cloud 9 Beach is one of the most visited spots, our favorite was Alegria Beach, a white-sand beach far from the busy areas.

Visit Magpupungko Rock Pools

Magpupungko Rock Pools are tidal pools only visible during low tide. Therefore, the correct timing is essential to enjoy visiting this attraction. The pools are perfect for relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, and also cliff jumping!