Expertly crafted trip plans for 5, 7, and 10 days covering El Nido, Coron, Boracay, Cebu, and Bohol. These itineraries maximize your island time while keeping logistics realistic and budgets flexible.
The Philippines' 7,641 islands present a wonderful problem: too many beautiful destinations, not enough vacation days. After years of crafting island hopping packages, we've refined these itineraries to balance the must-see highlights with practical travel logistics.
Each itinerary accounts for actual boat schedules, ferry connections, weather patterns, and the inevitable travel delays that happen in island paradise. We've built in buffer time because rushing between islands defeats the purpose of coming to the Philippines in the first place.
Perfect introduction to the Philippines' most stunning island
Best for First-TimersDirect flights from Manila take 1.5 hours. Alternative: Fly to Puerto Princesa, then 5-6 hour van ride to El Nido (scenic but long). Airport van transfer to town costs PHP 200 per person.
Settle into your accommodation. Most hotels cluster around El Nido town or quieter Corong-Corong Beach. Walk to Las Cabanas Beach for sunset drinks and beach lounging.
Climb to the viewpoint (free, 10-minute hike) for panoramic sunset views. Stay for beach dinner at one of the bamboo restaurants. Fresh seafood grills start around PHP 350-600.
The classic tour visiting Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and 7 Commando Beach. Book the day before through any tour operator in town. Group tour PHP 1,200-1,400 including lunch, snorkeling gear, and lagoon entrance fees.
Paddle through the massive lagoon surrounded by towering limestone cliffs. The water is unbelievably clear. Kayak rental PHP 300 if not included in tour, but most include it. Takes 45 minutes to paddle around.
Swim through a small opening in the rocks to reach the hidden lagoon. Snorkel at Shimizu Island's coral gardens. Lunch served on the boat - simple Filipino buffet but surprisingly good.
Back in town by late afternoon. Rest, shower, and prepare for dinner. Book Tour C for day 4 if you haven't already - it sells out fast during peak season.
Rent a scooter (PHP 350-500/day) and ride 45 minutes to Nacpan Twin Beach. The road is paved but has some rough patches. Tricycle alternative costs PHP 1,500 round trip (negotiable).
Four kilometers of golden sand and turquoise water with almost nobody around. Swim, read, nap in a hammock. The beachfront restaurants serve fresh fish, adobo, and cold San Miguel. Expect to pay PHP 250-400 for meals.
Connected to Nacpan by a 10-minute walk through coconut groves. Even quieter than Nacpan. Perfect for sunset. Return to El Nido before dark for safety.
Try Art Cafe for Western food (PHP 300-500), Altrove for Italian (PHP 400-700), or SquidoBar for seafood and Filipino dishes (PHP 250-450). El Nido Boutique & Art Cafe has excellent coffee and desserts.
Visiting Hidden Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach, Helicopter Island, and Talisay Beach. Tour C has the best beaches and fewer crowds than Tour A. Cost PHP 1,400-1,600 with lunch and gear.
Swim through narrow openings to reach these secluded coves. Hidden Beach has powder-soft sand and calm, clear water. Secret Beach requires squeezing through rocks but rewards with a private paradise.
Abandoned hilltop shrine with stunning 360-degree views. Climb the stairs for photographs overlooking the islands. The contrast of white chapel ruins against blue ocean is Instagram gold.
Final sunset in El Nido. Head to Rooftop Bar for elevated views with drinks (PHP 150-250 per cocktail). Alternatively, grab beer from 7-Eleven and watch from the beach for free.
Early morning walk on Corong-Corong Beach before the heat sets in. Pack, checkout, and grab breakfast. Vans to El Nido Airport leave 2 hours before flight time.
Afternoon flights work best. Alternative: If continuing Philippines travel, catch a van to Puerto Princesa for onward flights to Cebu, Bohol, or Boracay.
Perfect balance of Palawan beaches and Visayas diving
Most PopularThis itinerary combines 3 days in El Nido (Days 1-3 from above) with 4 days in Coron for world-class wreck diving and lake kayaking.
Montenegro Lines or Bunso Shipping operate daily ferries (3.5-4 hours). Departs El Nido 6:30 AM, arrives Coron 10:30 AM. Fare PHP 1,400-1,800. Seas can be rough - take motion sickness pills if prone.
Most hotels cluster near the port. Coron town is smaller and less developed than El Nido. Walk to Mt. Tapyas stairs to scout the sunset hike for later.
Climb 724 steps (20-30 minutes) to giant cross overlooking Coron Bay. The panoramic sunset view over limestone islands is spectacular. Go late afternoon - midday heat makes this brutal. Entry PHP 100.
Walk the night market on Real Street for cheap grilled seafood (PHP 100-250). Visit Brujahaha for craft cocktails or Santino's Grill for casual Filipino food. Book tomorrow's island tour before sleeping.
Standard Coron tour visits the two most famous lakes. Twin Lagoon has hot/cold water mixing - swim between them through a small opening. Kayangan Lake (the iconic Philippines postcard view) requires 150-step climb. Tour PHP 1,200-1,500.
Unique thermocline lake - water temperature changes dramatically as you dive deeper. Popular with freedivers testing depth. Snorkelers enjoy crystal-clear surface layer. Limestone cliffs frame the emerald water.
Snorkel Siete Pecados (Seven Sins) reef - colorful coral and abundant fish. Relax at CYC Beach for swimming and beach volleyball. Lunch served on boat or at beach shack.
End the day soaking in natural saltwater hot springs overlooking the bay. Open until 10 PM, less crowded after 6 PM. Entry PHP 200. Bring towel or rent for PHP 50. Temperature ranges 38-40°C.
Coron has 12+ Japanese WWII shipwrecks (20-40m depth). Popular dives: Irako (massive cargo ship), Okikawa Maru (gun turrets intact), Skeleton Wreck (coral-encrusted). Two dives PHP 3,000-3,800 including guide, tanks, weights. Book through Sea Dive Resort or Discovery Divers.
Visit pristine white-sand islands northeast of Coron. Malcapuya has powder-soft beach rivaling Boracay. Banana Island offers excellent snorkeling. Full-day tour PHP 1,800-2,200 including lunch. Less crowded than Coron Island tours.
Altrove Coron (sister to El Nido location) serves excellent Italian overlooking the bay. Expect PHP 500-800 per person. Alternative: Kawayanan Grill Station for budget Filipino barbecue (PHP 200-350).
Morning flight means early airport transfer. Afternoon flight allows time for Coron town souvenir shopping (cashew nuts, dried mango, pearl jewelry). Lualhati Park seaside walk for final ocean views.
Busuanga Airport (Coron) is 30 minutes from town (PHP 200 shuttle). Direct flights to Manila 1 hour. Some airlines stop in Cebu - check your booking.
Palawan beaches, Visayas diving, and Bohol wonders
Ultimate ExperienceThis itinerary adds Cebu/Bohol to the 7-day plan, covering Philippines' greatest hits across Palawan and Visayas regions.
Direct flights available most days (1.5 hours). Alternative routing via Manila adds 4+ hours total travel. Cebu Mactan Airport is the hub for reaching Bohol.
Ocean Jet or SuperCat fast ferries from Pier 1 (2 hours to Tagbilaran, Bohol). Fare PHP 500-800. Departures every 2 hours. Taxi Cebu Airport to Pier 1 costs PHP 200-300.
Most tourists stay on Panglao (connected by bridge to Tagbilaran). Alona Beach is the main tourist area with restaurants and dive shops. Tricycle from port to Alona PHP 300-400.
See the world's smallest primates (Philippine tarsiers) at conservation center. Early morning means tarsiers are active. Entry PHP 60. No flash photography - they're nocturnal and light-sensitive. 30-minute visit.
Bohol's iconic landscape - 1,200+ perfectly cone-shaped hills. Best viewpoint in Carmen (climb 214 steps). Hills turn brown in dry season, resembling Hershey's kisses. Entry PHP 50. ATV tours available PHP 800/hour.
Buffet lunch cruise on floating restaurant (1.5 hours). Live music, Filipino buffet, jungle scenery. Touristy but fun. PHP 450-600 per person. Alternative: Skip cruise, have lunch at local restaurant for PHP 200.
Visit 16th-century Spanish colonial church (one of Philippines' oldest). Blood Compact Shrine marks historic Filipino-Spanish treaty. Free entry. Whole countryside tour costs PHP 3,500-4,500 for private van (4-6 people).
Relax on white-sand beach after a full touring day. Beachfront restaurants serve fresh seafood. Try The Buzzz Cafe (PHP 300-500) or Hayahay Beach Resort restaurant (PHP 250-450).
Marine sanctuary with dramatic wall drop-offs, sea turtles guaranteed, vibrant coral, and massive schools of fish. Half-day tour includes Virgin Island sandbar stop. PHP 1,200-1,500. Boat ride 30 minutes from Alona Beach.
Back to hotel for final swim, checkout, and packing. If time allows before flight, visit Hinagdanan Cave (PHP 50 entry) - underground cave with natural pool for swimming.
New Bohol-Panglao International Airport (opened 2018) is 20 minutes from Alona Beach. Direct flights to Manila, Cebu. Taxi PHP 400-500. Alternative: Ferry back to Cebu for evening flights.
Maximum beach time, minimum logistics stress
Honeymoon FavoriteSkip the island hopping tours. This itinerary focuses on the Philippines' three most beautiful beach destinations with time to actually relax.
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Trip | PHP 15,000-20,000 | PHP 30,000-40,000 | PHP 70,000+ |
| 7-Day Trip | PHP 22,000-30,000 | PHP 45,000-60,000 | PHP 100,000+ |
| 10-Day Trip | PHP 32,000-42,000 | PHP 65,000-85,000 | PHP 150,000+ |
Budget includes: Domestic flights, accommodation, island tours, meals, and activities. Does not include international flights to Manila.
December to May is dry season across most islands. Palawan (El Nido/Coron) best Nov-May. Boracay reopened year-round but best Nov-May. Avoid typhoon season July-October especially in Visayas.
Domestic flights connect major islands. Ferry between Palawan islands. Tricycles for short trips (PHP 50-150). Rent scooters PHP 350-500/day with license. Grab works in Manila/Cebu only.
Bring cash - ATMs scarce outside towns. Book direct flights vs. connections. Share boat tours with other travelers. Eat at carinderias (PHP 60-120) vs. tourist restaurants (PHP 300-600). Negotiate tricycle fares.
Over-planning (weather/boats delay everything). Underestimating travel time. Not bringing enough cash. Skipping reef-safe sunscreen. Expecting strict schedules. The Philippines runs on island time.
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