Philippines · AsiaPhilippines
7,641 islands of white sand, turquoise water, and boundless warmth
from $35/day Generally safebeachisland-hopping
Quick Facts
Capital
Manila
Population
115 million
Best airports
MNL (Manila), CEB (Cebu), Puerto Princesa (PPS)
Islands
7,641 (2,000 inhabited)
Avg temp
27–32°C / 80–90°F
Safety
Generally safe
Vibes
beachisland-hoppingadventurebudgetdiving
Best Time to Visit
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best months This month
Daily Budget
Backpacker
$35
per day
Mid-range
$75
per day
Luxury
$220
per day
Top Experiences
🏝️$15–25
El Nido Island Tour
Lagoons, caves, and beaches hidden among Palawan's dramatic karst cliffs
🤿$800–1,500
Tubbataha Reef Liveaboard
UNESCO coral reef accessible only by liveaboard - one of the world's top dive sites
⛰️$2
Chocolate Hills, Bohol
1,776 perfectly cone-shaped hills that turn chocolate-brown in the dry season - otherworldly
Must-Try Food
Lechon
Whole spit-roasted pig with crispy skin - the centerpiece of every Filipino celebration
Sinigang
Sour tamarind soup with pork, shrimp, or fish - the Filipino comfort food
Adobo
Chicken or pork braised in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and bay leaves - the Philippine national dish debate
Getting Around
✈️
Inter-island flights$15–40
Cebu Pacific and AirAsia Philippines - cheap and fast between major islands
⛴️
FastCraft ferry$5–15
Air-conditioned ferries for shorter island routes (Cebu-Bohol, Manila-Batangas)
🚌
Jeepney$0.25–1
Colourful Filipino jeep buses - the icon of Philippine street culture
🛺
Tricycle (motorbike sidecar)$0.50–2
Last-mile transport on every island - negotiate before boarding
Cultural Tips
Filipinos are extraordinarily warm - 'Mano po' (taking an elder's hand to forehead) shows deep respect
Filipino time is real - social events start 1–2 hours later than stated
Bayanihan (community spirit) is deeply ingrained - helping neighbours without being asked is normal
Karaoke is not optional at Filipino gatherings - participate or be very politely excluded
Pointing with the lips is normal - don't be confused when someone points by pursing their lips
Tipping is appreciated but not expected - 10% at nice restaurants
Hidden Gems
Batanes Islands - northernmost Philippines, lush green hills and stone house villages that look more like Ireland than Asia
Camiguin Island - tiny volcanic island with seven volcanoes, hot springs, waterfalls, and the sunken cemetery
Coron, Palawan - WWII Japanese shipwreck diving with 10 wrecks accessible to recreational divers
Going beyond the trip?
Explore the Philippines country profile
Cost of living, visas, healthcare, taxes, expat life and everything you'd need to actually move and stay long-term.