Overview
Why the Philippines belongs on every Asia bucket list
The Philippines is Asia's tropical wildcard — 7,641 islands strung along the western Pacific, home to the clearest water, whitest sand and warmest welcomes on the continent. It's the country of hidden lagoons, Spanish colonial towns, wooden bangka boats and karst cliffs that rise straight out of the sea.
Two weeks is the ideal length for a first visit. It lets you combine the country's three greatest hits — Palawan's lagoons, the Visayas' beaches and reefs, and Siargao's surf coast — without racing between islands. Because the Philippines is a scattered archipelago, domestic flights are essential: a single hop that would take 24+ hours by ferry costs £30–£70 and takes an hour.
Budget anywhere from £900 for a lean backpacking trip to £3,500+ for a boutique-resort holiday. Prices are similar to Thailand for accommodation, cheaper for food and slightly more for tours.
Quick Overview
Duration
14 Days
Country
Philippines
Best For
Beach lovers, couples, divers, backpackers & island hoppers
Budget
£900 – £3,500+
Transport
Domestic flights, ferries, vans & boats
Highlights
El Nido · Coron · Bohol · Cebu · Siargao
The Route
Your 14-day Philippines route
A logical loop from Manila that combines Palawan, the Visayas and Siargao — the country's three most iconic regions in two weeks.
Manila (fly in, 1 night) → El Nido (flight + van) → Coron (fast ferry) → Cebu / Moalboal (flight) → Bohol / Panglao (fast ferry) → Siargao (flight via Cebu) → Manila (flight home).
Day 1
Manila
One night is plenty in Manila. It's a big, chaotic capital with genuinely good food and history, but the country's beauty lies beyond it. Land, sleep near the airport in Makati or BGC, and fly onwards the next morning.
How to get there
Fly into Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL). Grab or a Bluebird taxi to Makati or BGC takes 30–60 minutes depending on traffic (£8–£15). Avoid unmarked airport taxis.
Where to stay
Budget
- Lub d Philippines Makati — sociable design hostel with pool and easy airport access
Mid-Range
- City Garden GRAND Hotel — reliable Makati mid-range with rooftop pool
Luxury
- Shangri-La The Fort — Manila's best 5-star, high above BGC
Best areas to stay: Makati (nightlife, food, walkable) or BGC (newer, safer, more polished).
Things to do
- Intramuros — the walled Spanish colonial old town at sunset
- Rizal Park and the National Museum complex
- Manila Bay sunset walk along the seawall
- National Museum of Fine Arts (free entry)
- Rooftop cocktails at The Curator or A. Bar
Food recommendations
- Manam — modern Filipino comfort food, order the sisig
- Locavore — inventive Filipino small plates in BGC
- Wildflour — the country's favourite bakery-café
Day 2–5
El Nido
The heart of Palawan and the most photographed corner of the Philippines. Four days lets you do the two classic island-hopping tours (A and C), plus time on the mainland beaches of Nacpan and Las Cabañas.
How to get there
Two options. Fly Manila → El Nido (ENI) directly on AirSWIFT (1h 15m, £110–£180) — pricey but you land 15 minutes from town. Or Manila → Puerto Princesa (PPS) on Cebu Pacific/PAL (£35–£70) then a 5–6 hour shared van to El Nido (£13). Fly direct if the budget allows.
Where to stay
Budget
- Spin Designer Hostel — El Nido's best hostel, walking distance to the pier
Mid-Range
- Huni Lio — beachfront cottages on quieter Lio Beach
Luxury
- Seda Lio — sleek 5-star on Lio Beach with pool and private beachfront
Best areas to stay: El Nido Town (walkable, tours leave from here), Corong Corong (sunset side, quieter), Lio Beach (upmarket, resort feel).
Things to do
- Island Hopping Tour A — Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu, 7 Commandos
- Island Hopping Tour C — Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Helicopter Island
- Nacpan Beach — 4km of empty white sand, 45min north of town
- Las Cabañas Beach for sunset and zip-line across the bay
- Taraw Cliff hike at sunrise (guide required, physically demanding)
- Kayak into Big Lagoon at first light before the boats arrive
- Private sunset sailing trip on a paraw outrigger
Food recommendations
- Big Bad Thai — legendary Thai food, always packed
- Odessa Mama — Eastern European comfort food that shouldn't work but does
- Happiness Beach Bar — Middle Eastern mezze on the sand
- Taste El Nido — modern Filipino tasting menu, book ahead
Day 6–8
Coron
Coron is Palawan's other star — famous for the clearest inland lakes in Asia and the world's best WWII wreck diving. Three nights lets you cover the classic island tour and dive or snorkel at least two wrecks.
How to get there
Fast ferry El Nido → Coron daily at ~06:00, roughly 3.5 hours (£28–£40). Book with Montenegro Shipping or Atienza Shipping on 12Go 1–3 days ahead. Sea conditions can cancel crossings in typhoon season.
Where to stay
Mid-Range
- The Funny Lion — hillside boutique with pool and safari-lodge design
Luxury
- Two Seasons Coron Bayside Hotel — infinity pool right on Coron Bay
Best area to stay: Coron Town — all tours depart from the pier, everything is walkable.
Things to do
- Kayangan Lake — the postcard-clear lake in the classic photo
- Twin Lagoon — swim through a tunnel between two lagoons at low tide
- Barracuda Lake — surreal freshwater/saltwater dive site
- Skeleton Wreck — snorkel a Japanese WWII wreck at 5m depth
- Coron Ultimate Island Tour or Escapade Tour
- Mount Tapyas — 700-step sunset climb over Coron Town
- Maquinit Hot Springs after a long day on the boat
Food recommendations
- Santino's Grill — grilled seafood, walking distance from the pier
- Poco Deli — reliable Italian and the best coffee in town
- Levine's Eatery — proper Filipino comfort food, cheap and busy
Day 9–10
Cebu & Moalboal
Cebu itself is just a transit point — head straight to Moalboal on the west coast, home to the incredible sardine run (millions of fish swirling 15m offshore) and a base for Kawasan Falls canyoneering.
How to get there
Fly Coron → Cebu (CEB) on Cebu Pacific or PAL (1h, £40–£85). From Cebu airport, pre-book a private transfer to Moalboal (3 hours, £45–£70) or take a shared van from Cebu South Bus Terminal (£4).
Where to stay
Mid-Range
- Pescadores Suites — clean, well-run Moalboal base a short walk from Panagsama Beach
Best area to stay: Moalboal (Panagsama or White Beach) — the diving base. Skip Cebu City itself unless you have a long layover.
Things to do
- Sardine Run — snorkel straight off Panagsama Beach into a wall of fish
- Turtle snorkelling at Panagsama and Basdaku (White Beach)
- Kawasan Falls — the turquoise triple-tier waterfall
- Canyoneering from Kanlaob River to Kawasan (jumps, slides, swims)
- Sunset stand-up paddling off Panagsama Reef
Food recommendations
- Smooth Café — the go-to Moalboal breakfast spot
- Ven'z Kitchen — cheap, huge portions, always busy
- Betsy's Grill — grilled seafood on the reef edge
Day 11–12
Bohol & Panglao
Bohol pairs the strangest landscape in the Philippines (the Chocolate Hills) with the best-developed beach island in the country (Panglao). Base on Panglao and day-trip inland.
How to get there
Fast ferry Cebu → Tagbilaran (Bohol) — OceanJet or 2GO run hourly, 2 hours (£12–£18). Book on 12Go. From Tagbilaran pier take a tricycle or Grab across the bridge to Panglao (30 min, £6).
Where to stay
Mid-Range
- Bohol Beach Club — long-standing beachfront resort on quieter Bikini Beach
Luxury
- Henann Resort Alona Beach — the big 5-star resort in the heart of Alona
Best area to stay: Panglao Island (Alona Beach for buzz, Doljo or Bikini Beach for quiet).
Things to do
- Chocolate Hills viewpoint at sunrise
- Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary near Corella (ethical, not the roadside one)
- Loboc River Cruise with lunch on a floating bamboo restaurant
- Alona Beach snorkelling and Balicasag Island day trip
- Hinagdanan Cave — underground swimming pool
- Bohol countryside scooter loop past bamboo bridges and rice paddies
Food recommendations
- Bougainvillea — long-running Filipino-fusion favourite on Alona
- Garlic 'n Lemon — Middle Eastern platters and shisha
- Mist — beachfront cocktails and sunset dinners
Day 13–14
Siargao
Two nights isn't enough for Siargao — but even a short stop shows you why everyone comes back. Palm-lined roads, an easy surf town (General Luna) and rock pools straight out of a screensaver.
How to get there
Fly Cebu → Siargao (IAO) on Cebu Pacific or PAL (1h, £40–£90). Pre-book a van transfer from Sayak airport to General Luna (45min, £6–£10) — hotel usually arranges it.
Where to stay
Budget
- Happiness Hostel Siargao — the definitive backpacker meeting point
Mid-Range
- Bravo Beach Resort — chic beachfront cabanas in General Luna
Luxury
- Nay Palad Hideaway — all-inclusive 5-star boutique, one of Asia's best-rated
Best area to stay: General Luna — all bars, cafés and surf schools are here.
Things to do
- Cloud 9 — walk out on the boardwalk over the reef break
- Sugba Lagoon day trip with paddleboarding
- Magpupungko Rock Pools at low tide
- Three Island Tour — Naked, Daku and Guyam islands
- Coconut View Deck for the classic palm-forest photo
- Maasin River rope-swing into the mangroves
- Beginner surf lesson at Jacking Horse or Quiksilver break
Food recommendations
- Kermit — the island's original wood-fired pizza, always busy
- CEV — grown-up Asian small plates, book ahead
- Bravo Restaurant — beachfront Spanish-Filipino tasting menu
- Shaka Café — the smoothie bowl that started every Siargao Instagram post
Return Day
Back to Manila
Fly Siargao → Manila for your international departure. Give yourself a buffer — domestic flights in the Philippines can be delayed or shifted by weather.
Flight timings
Fly Siargao → Manila direct on Cebu Pacific or PAL (2h, £45–£100). Book a flight that lands at least 4 hours before your long-haul home in case of weather delays, or overnight in Manila for peace of mind.
Things to do
- Airport hotel: Belmont Hotel Manila (connected to Terminal 3)
- Belmont Airport Hotel or Savoy Hotel — 5-minute shuttle to NAIA T3
- Luggage storage at NAIA Terminals 1, 2 and 3 (£3–£5/day)
- Last-minute pasalubong (Filipino food gifts) at Kultura in the airport
- Allow 3 hours minimum between domestic arrival and international departure
Getting around
Philippines Transport Guide
Because the Philippines is 7,000+ islands, domestic flights do the heavy lifting on any 2-week trip.
Domestic flights
Cebu Pacific (biggest low-cost, most routes), Philippine Airlines (flag carrier, comfier, checked bag included) and AirAsia Philippines cover every hop in this itinerary. Book on Skyscanner, Trip.com or the airlines directly 4–8 weeks ahead. Flying beats 24-hour ferries every time.
Ferries
Two ferry legs are useful: El Nido → Coron (3.5h fast ferry, Montenegro or Atienza) and Cebu → Bohol (2h fast ferry, OceanJet or 2GO). Book on 12Go 1–3 days ahead. Longer overnight ferries between Cebu and Manila are cheap but slow — fly.
Local transport
Tricycles (motorbike sidecar) run every town — £0.50–£3 per trip, always agree the price first. Jeepneys are the classic public bus, dirt cheap on fixed routes. Vans (shared minibuses) link Puerto Princesa to El Nido and Cebu to Moalboal. In cities use Grab.
Grab
Grab works in Manila, Cebu City and (patchily) Bohol. No Grab in El Nido, Coron or Siargao — use hotel drivers, tricycles or hire a scooter (£8–£12/day).
Island-hopping boats
Bangka (traditional outrigger) boats run every group tour in El Nido, Coron and Siargao. Group tours £15–£30 per person, private charter £70–£120 per boat. Book the day before at any waterfront tour agent or through your hotel.
Apps to download
Grab (rides + food), Klook (island tours, canyoneering, Chocolate Hills), 12Go (flights + ferries in one search), Google Maps with offline maps saved and GCash if you're staying longer.
The Numbers
Philippines Budget Breakdown
All-in estimates per person for 14 days — accommodation, food, four internal flights, the El Nido–Coron and Cebu–Bohol ferries and daily island-hopping tours. International flights excluded.
| Budget Style | Cost For 14 Days | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | £900 – £1,300 | Hostels & guesthouses, group island tours, carinderias, budget airlines, public ferries. |
| Mid-Range | £1,600 – £2,500 | 3-star hotels and beach resorts, restaurants, all 4 domestic flights, mix of group and private tours. |
| Luxury | £3,500+ | Boutique beach resorts, private boat charters, private transfers, top-tier dining, business-class flights. |
Accommodation
- Backpacker£12–£22/night
- Mid-Range£45–£95/night
- Luxury£200+/night
Food
- Backpacker£12/day
- Mid-Range£25/day
- Luxury£55+/day
Flights & ferries
- Backpacker£220 total
- Mid-Range£340 total
- Luxury£650+ total
Activities
- Backpacker£180
- Mid-Range£380
- Luxury£900+
Add roughly £700–£1,100 for return flights from the UK depending on season.
FAQ
Common questions about 2 weeks in the Philippines
Keep planning
Related Philippines & Asia guides
Philippines destination guide
Islands, regions, costs, visas and FAQs.
Best time to visit the Philippines
Season by season, region by region.
Philippines travel costs
Per-day breakdowns for every travel style.
El Nido travel guide
Island hopping tours, lagoons and beaches.
Coron travel guide
Kayangan Lake, wreck diving and the classic tour.
Cebu travel guide
Moalboal, sardine run and Kawasan Falls.
Bohol travel guide
Chocolate Hills, Panglao and Loboc.
Siargao travel guide
Surf breaks, Sugba Lagoon and rock pools.
Southeast Asia backpacking routes
More day-by-day itineraries across the region.
Philippines travel tips
Money, visas, weather and etiquette essentials.