Summary of Hannah’s trip
Stunning trip round lesser known places in the Philippines but island travel takes longer than it looks
Country Visited
Philippines
General Tips for Philippines
- Island travel takes longer than it looks: A short-looking journey may involve a flight, van, ferry and tricycle often taking most of a day.
- Ferries can also be suspended at short notice when weather conditions worsen.
- Our tip: Don’t book an international flight immediately after a ferry crossing.
- Cash is still essential: Cards are accepted in malls and established restaurants, but you’ll need Philippine pesos for tricycles, markets, small restaurants, boat tours, entrance fees and island environmental charge.
- Our tip: withdraw cash before leaving a major town, and carry small notes.
- Weather can change your plans: The wet season generally runs from June to October.
- Rain and storms can affect flights, ferries and island-hopping tours even when the weather at your hotel looks fine
- Our tip: Keep boat trips flexible and check marine conditions before setting off.
- Mobile data makes everything easier: Philippine SIM cards must be registered, so you may need your passport when buying a physical.
- Our tip: install an eSIM before flying if your phone supports one.
- Also save accommodation addresses and tickets offline in case signal disappears.
Destinations and Tips
El Nido
- DAY ONE: Arrive in El Nido Airport and take a 5-6 hour van from
Puerto Princesa. - Check in around El Nido town.
- Spend the afternoon at Corong Corong or Las Cabanas Beach.
- Watch the sunset from Las Cabanas then have dinner in town.
- DAY TWO: Take tour A – the classic Bacuit Bay route: Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Shimizu Island or another snorkelling stop, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commandos Beach.
- DAY THREE: Take tour C – contrasts to tour A: Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Tapiutan Island, Snorkelling and beach stops.
- DAY FOUR: Head to Napcan Beach – you can hire a tricylce, or scooter and spend most of the day on the beach.
- If the weather is good you can go to Nagkalit-kalit waterfalls.
- Keep this day flexible as you may have to swap with the other tours if the weather is bad or the seas are rough.
Coron
- DAY FIVE: Take the morning fast ferry from El Nido to Coron.
- The crossing takes roughly four hours, though schedules and sailing times can change with weather.
- Check in around Coron Town.
- Spend the afternoon exploring town, visiting Maquinit Hot Springs.
- DAY SIX: Coron Island highlights.
- Book a shared or private boat tour featuring: Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Coral Garden, Siete Pecados or another reef stop, A beach or lunch stop.
- DAY SEVEN: Choose according to your interests and flight time: Snorkelling: Visit reefs and a Japanese shipwreck suitable for snorkellers.
- Diving: Take a wreck-diving trip if you are certified and have enough time before flying.
- Relaxed option: Have breakfast in Coron, shop for souvenirs and transfer to Francisco B.
- Reyes Airport.
See my my map on Google here
Katie’s trip round Philippines