Three Weeks in the Philippine Islands

Manila and Palawan

The route begins in Manila, where Intramuros, the walled Spanish colonial city, and Fort Santiago form the historical core. It then heads to Palawan. El Nido sits among the limestone islands of Bacuit Bay, and the standard island-hopping tours, labelled A to D by local operators, visit lagoons, beaches and snorkelling spots. Visitors to the protected area pay an environmental fee, and some lagoons limit daily numbers.

Coron and the Visayas

A ferry crosses north to Coron, on Busuanga Island, known for Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake and a group of Japanese supply ships sunk in 1944 that now form a well-known wreck-diving site. Flights connect Busuanga with Cebu, and the route moves on to Moalboal on Cebu's southwest coast, where a large sardine shoal stays close to shore and sea turtles are common; Kawasan Falls and canyoneering trips are nearby. A fast ferry from Cebu City then reaches Bohol, with the Chocolate Hills, the Philippine tarsier sanctuary near Corella, river trips on the Loboc and beaches and dive sites around Panglao.

Siargao

The final days wind down on Siargao, an island off northeast Mindanao known for Cloud 9, the reef break near General Luna, as well as island-hopping trips to Naked, Daku and Guyam islands, the Magpupungko rock pools at low tide and the mangrove lagoon at Sugba. Surf is generally biggest from around September to November, while the early months of the year bring smaller swells that suit learners. Siargao has a growing remote-work community, with cafes and co-working spaces around General Luna, and flights back to Manila and Cebu.

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Visas: Many nationalities can enter visa-free for a limited stay, and all arrivals complete the online eTravel registration before travel. Permitted stay lengths differ by passport, so the Philippine Bureau of Immigration is the source to check. Transport: Three domestic flights (Manila to Palawan, Busuanga to Cebu and Cebu to Siargao), the El Nido to Coron ferry, fast ferries between Cebu and Bohol, and vans and buses on land. Weather: January to May is the main dry season for most of the route; typhoons are most likely from about June to November and can cancel ferries and flights at short notice. Budget: The mid figure assumes private air-conditioned rooms, three domestic flights booked in advance, island-hopping tours in El Nido and Coron, environmental fees and ferries. Safety: Weather and boat safety are the main concerns; some governments advise against travel to parts of Mindanao, and Siargao is usually treated separately in that advice, but the current wording is worth checking before booking.