Category: tours

If this is your second time to the country and you have already seen the top sites last time, we suggest a more detailed tour of the Visayas region, as there is lots to see!

The total cost for a two week vacation along this route would be from
 1,000 – 2,000 USD   depending on how fancy you choose your accommodation. Go here for other tours   

Flight from Manila to Boracay

You can also do this entire page’s route backwards, but we chose it this way because Boracay is more of a commercial party zone for kitesurfers, while Siargao offers a departure like a chime, a note to be remembered. You’ll never want to leave but at least you’ll bring the scent of the ocean with you.

Get the heck out of Manila dude, and straight to the beach. Get your vacation right on track!

Accommodation in Boracay

If you have the time there are great islands just to the north, and instead of flying to Cebu, you can wind your way there, tons of things to see along the way.

Here are a few top options for accommodation, or click on one of the buttons to see all options (from booking.com).

If you have enough time you can check out the islands of Panay and Negros to get to Cebu by bus and ferries. Lots of jewels along the way.

Flight from Boracay to Cebu

If possible get out of metropolis Cebu asap and on your way to Bohol Island.

Accommodation on Bohol Island

Interesting scenery to explore, after which you can check out the ever elusive and magical …

Accommodation in Siqijor

We then want to get back onto Cebu island for a few more dazzling adventures.

According to Rome2Rio this route is taken care of by Ceres Liner.

Once the ferry lands on the southern tip of Cebu Island near Santander, you can take an hourly bus to Oslob to check out the whale sharks, before heading back up to MoalBoal to enjoy the waterfalls canyoneering and other fun goodies, and where you can stay the night before moving on.

In other words, if you choose to take a slower path from Boracay along land, entering central Visayas at

• Dumaguete instead of Cebu (by plane), you can go first to Oslob/Moalboal, then counter-clockwise to Cebu, or
• fly into Cebu City, then clockwise direction, eventually flying out of Dumaguete instead.

If flying in to Cebu, your overall path as explained on this page would look approximately like this (the land way to Dumaguete and fly out of Cebu route is shown on a similar map above):

Accommodation in MoalBoal

After MoalBoal you would head back south to the ferry and on to Dumaguete if flying on to Siargao or on to Siqijor if you had taken the slower land route through Panay and Negros islands.

Flight from Cebu to Siargao

Flight from Dumaguete to Siargao

Accommodation in Siargao

Now that you have had a totally awesome journey through the very heart of the country, you can start to wind down in the country’s surfer capital, hippy hang out, lots of live music, and a chill hanging joint before you re-enter the hustle and bustle of the big city. You will not want to leave!

Back to list of suggested travel routes through the Philippines

Or, for the ultimate adventure, our small family operation organizes private custom boat tours through the Palawan area, voted the best island in the world, with its 52 pristine white sand beaches and some of the clearest waters in the world.

Experience the thrill of island hopping in the Philippines!

Would suggest this if you have a short time but enough budget and determination for a lot of flying. The last two legs back to Manila are relaxing by water.

The total cost for a two week vacation along this route would be from
 1,000 – 2,000 USD   depending on how fancy you choose your accommodation. Go here for other tours   

Flight from Manila to Siargao

Get the heck out of Manila dude, and straight to the beach! A really awesome place.

Accommodation in Siargao

Surfer capital of the Philippines with a good reputation worldwide, happy hippy hangout and lots to do and see. Make sure you study it thoroughly to decide how long you want to stay at least.

Here are a few top options for accommodation, or click on one of the buttons to see all options (from booking.com).

Flight from Siargao to Boracay (requires stopover in Cebu)

Flight from Siargoa to Cebu

Flight from Cebu to Boracay

Accommodation in Boracay

Boracay is the hotspot of the country, one of its big kitesurfing capitals where many competitions are held – including international ones. But because it has become such a famous party beach, the authorities clamped down and now it is only possible to get onto the island with proof of prepaid accommodation. The authorities have really cleaned up the place and now it is more expensive, but with a slightly more laid back but still great party scene. There are also some off the beaten path islands just to the north, so lots to see in the area.

Now to continue can get a bit tricky and you’ll have to decide according to your budget and schedule. There are several options:

• A cheaper route might be Boracay down south to Puerto Princesa, where you can check out the Underground River Tour, one of the declared seven wonders of the world. But it is quite touristy, not so hot in the end, and you will lose at least one entire day. There are more things to see here, so perhaps consider saving for a Palawan tour only some other time. Below you will find flight ideas.
• If you are short on time and have the budget, you can find different ways to go directly from Boracay to El Nido, such as for around $110 by Air Swift, if you can manage a flight, or possibly by Air Asia.
• Or possibly a flight from Boracay to Coron, then boat trip down to El Nido then fly back to Manila from there (options shown below). Personally though I prefer ending the entire tour in a relaxing way by taking the overnight party ferry from Coron to Manila (link at the very bottom).

 

Flight from Boracay to Puerto Princesa

Accommodation in Puerto Princesa

Some live music but not really a town worth visiting. But up the coast towards El Nido there is the famous Underground River Tour, but also the nice little beach towns of Sabang and Port Barton. These are good to visit on a tour of Palawan only, as there are other wonders to see on the island, such as 6m long ocean alligators!

My personal accommodation choices can be found through the link above, including information on the Underground River Tour.

Accommodation in El Nido

Good party town, lots of live music, great lagoons and beaches, and a pretty funky zipline! You can find my personal experiences through the El Nido link above, including the El Nido boat tours, which we can also arrange for you.

Boat to Coron

Another party town, some live music. Good for diving, 8 shipwrecks, nice lagoons and beaches too. More locals here and more of a chill hangout than El Nido.

At this point you have a juicy decision to make. You can take one of the daily ferries, which can include the 3.5 hour fastcraft, or you can dillydally your way north on a multiple day custom private or group boat tour, since there are 82 paradise beach islands along the way and off the beaten path. This could easily or probably be the highlight of your trip to the Philippines, as per feedback from our guests. Minimum 2 days, 4 being the most popular. If you can round up enough interest to form a group, you can go for free, otherwise the boat itself costs about $1,000 total for a four day trip, not including food, accommodation and entrance fees (the site will calculate total costs based on the number of people and days).

We can also arrange tours for you around Coron only.

Flight from Boracay to Coron

Accommodation in Coron

Another party town, some live music. Good for diving, 8 shipwrecks, nice lagoons and beaches too. More locals here and more of a chill hangout than El Nido.

Boat or flight back to Manila

You can catch a flight back to Manila:

but personally I prefer taking the overnight 2Go ferry. A nice relaxing way to end your stay in this beautiful country before hitting the mega people traffic and busy life of Manila, and possibly your last chance to get some more Filipino karaoke in! (Mostly professional singers with occasional customers.)

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