Philippines
Over 7,000 islands and some of the most beautiful beaches on earth.
The Philippines is for people who want the postcard — clear water, white sand, palm trees — without the development of Bali or the prices of the Maldives. Palawan and Siargao are the headliners, but the real reward comes from going further off the obvious track. English is widely spoken, which makes everything easier.
At a glance
- Best time
- January, February, March, April…
- Climate
- Warm
- Budget
- Budget – Mid-range
- Trip length
- 2–5 weeks
- Language
- Filipino and English (English is official and widely spoken)
- Currency
- PHP (Peso)
- January: peak
- February: peak
- March: peak
- April: peak
- May: fine
- June: avoid
- July: avoid
- August: avoid
- September: avoid
- October: fine
- November: peak
- December: peak
Avoid: June, July, August, September. Shoulder: May, October.
Highlights
-
El Nido & Coron (Palawan)
Lagoons, limestone cliffs, the best island-hopping in Asia.
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Siargao
Surf town turned slow-living haven.
-
Bohol & Cebu
Whale sharks, chocolate hills, and easier logistics.
-
Banaue & Batad
Rice terraces in the mountains — utterly different from the islands.
Practical info
- Visa
- Visa-free for most Western passports (30 days). Verify before travel.
- Currency
- PHP (Peso). Roughly 56 PHP ≈ 1 USD.
- Language
- Filipino and English (English is official and widely spoken).
- Safety
- Generally safe in tourist areas. Avoid Mindanao without research.
- Getting around
- Inter-island flights and ferries. Internal travel takes time — plan for it.
- Tap water
- Tap water not safe.
- Plug type
- Type A Type B Type C 220V
- Money
- Cash dominant outside Manila and Cebu.
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Last updated 2026-05-04