❓ Question: Is it possible to visit Boracay, El Nido (Palawan), and Bohol in 12 days leaving and returning to Manila — with nice accommodation & pools each stop, for two people?
Short answer:
Yes — it’s feasible, but you’ll need to plan carefully to avoid wasting time in transit. With 12 days you can hit about 3–4 major destinations comfortably (for example: Boracay, Palawan, Bohol), plus perhaps squeeze in a 4th if travel is efficient. Staying in comfortable hotels with pools will increase cost, but with good planning it can be done.
The problem though you will see from this map above that the distances traveled are rather great (note the measured 50km distance bottom right), so generally we advise to focus on individual regions during each visit instead of trying to see top spots all in the same limited time frame. After all, it is a country of more than 7,000 islands spread out over a large area and should be smartly treated as several countries.
✅ Sample 12-Day Itinerary Suggestion
Here’s a sample itinerary; you can adjust the number of nights per place depending on your priorities.
| Day | Destination | Activity Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Manila → Boracay | Fly Manila → Caticlan (or Kalibo), transfer to Boracay; relax on the beach, sunset views |
| Day 2-3 | Boracay | Island hopping, water sports, nice resort with pool (e.g. upscale resort like Mövenpick or similar) |
| Day 4 | Travel to Palawan (Puerto Princesa or El Nido) | Fly Boracay → Manila or Cebu, then Manila → Palawan; settle in El Nido or Puerto Princesa |
| Day 5-7 | Palawan (El Nido region) | Island hopping among the lagoons, beach time, snorkeling, possibly a boat cruise; stay in hotel/resort with pool |
| Day 8 | Travel to Bohol | Fly Palawan → Cebu or Manila → Tagbilaran via Cebu; settle in Bohol (Panglao or nearby) |
| Day 9-10 | Bohol | Chocolate Hills, Loboc river cruise, Panglao beaches, dive/snorkel, resort with pool |
| Day 11 | Optional extra destination or relaxation | Could insert another quick stop (e.g. Cebu / Moalboal) or more time relaxing in one of the previous islands |
| Day 12 | Return to Manila | Depart from the last island → flight returning to Manila; buffer time for flight connections |
💡 Example Hotels (“Nice Accommodation with Pool”)
Here are examples of hotels/resorts with good pools and comfort in each location:
| Destination | Example Hotel / Resort |
|---|---|
| Boracay | Mövenpick Boracay; Shangri-La Boracay; etc. |
| El Nido (Palawan) | El Nido Resorts (Lagen or Pangulasian); or upscale lodgings with dramatic island or cliff settings |
| Bohol (Panglao) | Resorts in Panglao with beach & pool; e.g. Henann Resort or similar |
💰 Rough Cost Estimate (for Two People, 12 Days)
Here’s a ballpark budget for two, staying in comfortable hotels, flying between islands, meals, tours, etc. Prices in USD / PHP (approximate as of mid-2025, may vary):
| Category | Estimated Cost (2 people) |
|---|---|
| Domestic Flights (e.g. Manila → Caticlan / Kalibo → Palawan → Bohol → Manila) | US$500–800 (~ ₱28,000-₱45,000) depending on airline and season |
| Accommodation (3-4 stars / nice resorts with pools) | US$100-200/night → ~ US$1,200-2,400 (~ ₱68,000-₱135,000) |
| Tours & Island Hopping + Transfers | ~ US$400-800 (~ ₱22,000-₱45,000) depending on number of tours, boat trips etc. |
| Meals, Local Transport, Miscellaneous | ~ US$300-500 (~ ₱17,000-₱28,000) |
| Total Estimated Budget | US$2,400-3,500 (~ ₱135,000-₱250,000) for two people for 12 days |
⚠️ Challenges & Tips
- Flight schedules: Some island destinations (like El Nido) have limited flights; booking early helps.
- Transit & travel time: Moving between islands takes time — small flights, ferries, land transfers. Factor in buffer days.
- Peak season pricing: Resorts with pools / high quality go up in price during holidays; consider off-peak or book well in advance.
- Balance sightseeing vs relaxation: Too many places means more travel fatigue; you may prefer fewer stops with deeper experiences.
✅ Possible Variations & Additions
If you have preferences, here are alternate ideas:
- Replace Boracay with Siargao if you prefer surfing or fewer tourists.
- Drop one destination (e.g. skip Bohol or reduce nights there) to allow more time in Palawan or add Moalboal or Malapascua.
- If time allows, include an extra stop like Cebu city / Moalboal for sardine run/snorkeling.
What’s feasible in 12 days?
For 2 guests · Nice accommodation with pools · Boracay, El Nido, Bohol
Yes—three destinations is the sweet spot. Flights aren’t always direct (especially to/from El Nido), so we’ll stack travel days smartly and keep nights to 3–4 per stop for a good pace.
Option A — Comfort (great value)
Route: Manila → Boracay (3N) → El Nido (4N) → Bohol/Panglao (4N) → Manila
Total sample budget (2 pax): US$2,900–$3,800 for everything below (season-dependent)
Hotels (all with pools)
- Boracay: Mövenpick Resort & Spa Boracay (private beach & pool) — movenpick.accor.com Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts+1
- El Nido: Seda Lio (beachfront, big pool; 5 minutes from ENI airport) — sedahotels.com/seda-lio Seda Hotels+1
- Bohol (Panglao): Henann Resort Alona Beach (multiple pools, beachfront) — henann.com/bohol/henannalonabeach/ Henann Resort+1
Island-hopping / tours (join-in examples)
- Boracay island hopping (5 hrs, with Crystal Cove stop): US$29–$40 pp — GetYourGuide/Viator examples.
- El Nido Tour A or C (lagoons & beaches): ~US$30–$45 pp (join-in). Or we can arrange private tours at these sites.
- Bohol Balicasag + Virgin Island (snorkeling/dolphins): US$45–$95 pp depending on operator/private vs join-in.
- Bohol Countryside (Chocolate Hills, Tarsiers, Loboc River): US$56–$79 pp (shared/private samples).
Flights & hops (typical)
- MNL → Boracay (Caticlan): daily, multiple carriers.
- Boracay → El Nido: usually via Manila or Cebu; AirSWIFT flies direct routes into ENI on select days—mix & match to save time. AirSwift+2AirSwift+2
- El Nido → Bohol: most practical is ENI → CEB (AirSWIFT) then CEB → TAG (flight) or ferry to Tagbilaran/Panglao. AirSwift
- Bohol → MNL: daily flights.
Option B — Premium (nicer rooms + 1 private boat day)
Total sample budget (2 pax): US$4,500–$6,000
Hotels upgrade ideas
- Boracay: Mövenpick (keep) or Shangri-La Boracay (ultra-quiet cove).
- El Nido: Seda Lio (Suite) or El Nido Resorts – Lagen (lagoon setting; pools).
- Bohol: Amorita Resort or Henann Premier w/ Direct Pool Access (room category). Henann Resort+1
- Tours tweak
-
1× private island-hopping day (either El Nido or Bohol) for flexibility (US$180–$350 total boat, depending on size/season).
-
Add kayaks/sup/photographer options where available.
Option C — Luxury (top rooms + private boats + concierge)
Total sample budget (2 pax): US$7,500–$10,000+
- Suites/villas at the properties above (or Pangulasian/Lagen in El Nido).
- Private boats in Boracay + El Nido + Bohol, curated lunches on sandbars, dedicated photo/video add-ons.
- Airport fast-track where available + private land transfers.
Night-by-Night (suggested)
- D1: Arrive Manila, connect to Boracay (or overnight Manila if late).
- D2–3: Boracay (island hopping, beach time).
- D4: Fly to El Nido (often via MNL/CEB).
- D5–7: El Nido (Tour A or C, plus free day).
- D8: Fly ENI→CEB → Bohol (short hop), resort check-in.
- D9–10: Bohol (Balicasag snorkel day; Chocolate Hills & Tarsiers day).
- D11: Resort day / buffer.
- D12: Bohol → Manila for international flight.
Transparent Price Building Blocks
| Item | Typical price band (for 2) | Notes/links |
|---|---|---|
| Hotels (pool resorts) | US$120–$220 per night (Comfort); $250–$500 (Premium/Lux) | Rates fluctuate by season & promos; see hotel sites above. Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts+2Seda Hotels+2 |
| Boracay island hop (join-in) | US$29–$40 pp | Crystal Cove & snorkel variants. |
| El Nido Tour A/C (join-in) | US$30–$45 pp | Lagoon fees/kayaks sometimes extra. |
| Bohol Balicasag hop | US$45–$95 pp | Join-in vs private. |
| Bohol Countryside Day | US$56–$79 pp | Private/shared samples. |
| Domestic flights total | US$500–$800 (both) | Using MNL↔MPH/CEB/ENI/TAG combos; AirSWIFT for ENI legs. AirSwift+1 |
Tip: If AirSWIFT direct timings don’t line up, route Boracay ↔ El Nido via Manila for the cleanest connections. AirSWIFT operates ENI↔MNL/CEB routes; check your target dates for frequencies. Flyteam
Why these hotels?
- Mövenpick Boracay – premium family-friendly resort with private cove & big pool; strong brand confidence. Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts
- Seda Lio (El Nido) – large pool, beach frontage, 5-min to ENI (saves transfer time). Seda Hotels
- Henann Alona (Bohol) – multiple lagoon-style pools, beachfront, many dining choices nearby. Henann Resort
Booking notes
- Lagoon fees (El Nido) and eco-fees are often collected separately or bundled—spell these out in your inclusions to avoid surprises. Many join-ins list Tour A from ~US$30–$45; private boats vary by season.
- Bohol Balicasag dolphin watch + snorkel days are extremely popular—pre-book in peak months (Dec–May).
- Flight buffers: Put an easy day before the long-haul home (D11/D12) so a weather delay won’t domino your international flight.
Hope the above information helps you in planning your trip to the Philippines, which can be made complicated if you want to see all the “top” spots in one, short go. Or you can send us a note and we’d be happy to help you organize a lovely vacation in this naturally beautiful country.
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We are a family operation managing private custom boat tours in the beautiful Palawan area, and are happy to help travelers with their plans through the country, having traveled a lot of it ourselves and planning to visit it all.