Highlights
- Learn about the Philippine capital's rich past with a heritage tour of Manila
- Take a river cruise through Bohol's lush landscapes and spot local wildlife
- Cruise around Palawans' Bacuit Bay and stop for a beach barbecue
- Explore the islands and lagoons of the Calamian archipelago by outrigger
- Discover shipwrecks and coral reefs in some of the country's best snorkeling spots
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Manila, Explore the Capital | Manila |
| Day 2 | Guided Manila Heritage Tour | Manila |
| Day 3 | Fly to Bohol Island, Transfer to Panglao | Bohol Island |
| Day 4 | Discover Bohol's Interior: Tarsiers, Chocolate Hills & River Cruise | Bohol Island |
| Day 5 | Bohol Dolphin-Watching & Island-Hopping Cruise | Bohol Island |
| Day 6 | Ferry to Cebu Island, Fly to Puerto Princesa & Palawan Island | Puerto Princesa |
| Day 7 | Transfer to El Nido via Fort Santa Isabel | El Nido |
| Day 8 | Bacuit Bay Island-Hopping Tour | El Nido |
| Day 9 | More Island Hopping, Swimming & Snorkeling in El Nido | El Nido |
| Day 10 | Ferry to Coron Island & the Calamian Archipelago | Coron Island |
| Day 11 | Coron Island-Hopping Tour | Coron Island |
| Day 12 | Free Day on Coron Island: Beaches, Shipwrecks & Hot Springs | Coron Island |
| Day 13 | Fly to Manila, Free Afternoon in the Capital | Manila |
| Day 14 | Depart Manila |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Manila, Explore the Capital
Welcome to the Philippines! Your two-week adventure kicks off with your arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, where a private driver will be waiting to take you into the city of Manila. The capital of the Philippines, Manila is situated on the island of Luzon. It's a hustling, bustling city with a great mix of towering modern skyscrapers and centuries-old colonial buildings.
It should take about half an hour to reach your hotel, where you can check in, drop off your bags, and get settled. Then, the rest of the day is yours to spend as you like. Either chill out at the hotel or set off and explore the local area. You're sure to find some fantastic eateries in the buzzing Poblacion district, and if you've got the energy for it, you could even start your historic exploration early by roaming the historic Intramuros district, with its old Spanish walls and beautiful architecture.
Day 2: Guided Manila Heritage Tour
Your expert guide will pick you up early on day two for a full-day heritage tour of Manila's Intramuros district. The adventure begins at Fort Santiago. Built way back in 1571, this old Spanish citadel was constructed to defend the city against potential invaders. Your guide will teach you all about it, as well as the strong walls and moats that surround this part of the city, as you make your way around.
Continuing on, you'll visit the Rizal Museum, learning all about the Filipino hero, Jose Rizal, who inspired the country's push for independence and paid the ultimate price for what he believed in. The tour then takes you to Casa Manila, a flawless replica of a 19th-century colonial mansion, complete with historic furnishings and period decor. San Agustin Church is the next stop, where you can learn more about the city's religious side before finishing up with a walk along the Intramuros walls themselves and into Rizal Park.
Day 3: Fly to Bohol Island, Transfer to Panglao
Leave the big city behind today as you catch a 1.5-hour flight to the island of Bohol, renowned for its unusual geological formations, coral reefs, and white-sand beaches. Upon arrival, your driver will be waiting at the port to transfer to your hotel in Panglao, a small island connected to Bohol by a bridge. After settling in, head out to explore on your own. If you're looking for some leisurely beach time, Alona Beach is the perfect local spot to sunbathe, swim, or relax on the soft, white sand.
For a more adventurous afternoon, you can rent a motorbike or hire a guide to visit local villages, hidden beaches, and scenic viewpoints around the island. In the evening, choose one of the beachfront restaurants for dinner overlooking the Bohol Sea. End the night with a drink on the beach, where you can listen to live music or watch fire-dancing performances before returning to your hotel.
Day 4: Discover Bohol's Interior: Tarsiers, Chocolate Hills & River Cruise
Today you'll venture into Bohol's incredible interior on a full-day tour. Start things off at the Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary in Corella, a small town in southwest Bohol. Renowned for their distinctive large eyes, tarsiers are small, adorable primates, and during your time at the sanctuary, you'll get the chance to spot these notoriously shy creatures in their natural habitat.
Next stop: the Chocolate Hills. So called due to their covering of grass that turns brown each year during the dry season, these hills are one of the most famous landmarks in Bohol, with their dome-like shapes almost making them look like massive mounds of cocoa powder jutting out across the landscape. The tour concludes with a Loboc River cruise. The Loboc runs across Bohol, taking you through some of the island's most scenic natural spaces, with plenty of time to admire local wildlife along the riverbank as you drift along. Then, when the ride finally comes to an end, you'll be escorted back to your hotel, ready to rest.
Day 5: Bohol Dolphin-Watching & Island-Hopping Cruise
There's more wildlife and nature on the agenda today as you rise early for a 5:30 am transfer to the port. Hop on a boat to Balicasag Island, but keep your eyes peeled for dolphins along the way, as they like playing in the waves. When you arrive at the island, jump in the crystal-clear water for a refreshing swim, then enjoy local snacks on the beach.
Climb back on board and cruise to the uninhabited Virgin Island, where you can walk along a sandbar full of vendors selling food and drinks. Lay on the powdery-white sand, swim in the warm, shallow waters, and stroll around the island before returning to Bohol in time for lunch. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon however you choose. You can head back to the hotel to relax or revisit Alona Beach if you aren't tired of the sun yet!
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 6: Ferry to Cebu Island, Fly to Puerto Princesa & Palawan Island
Swap islands today as you hop on an hourlong ferry to Cebu Island, then catch a 90-minute flight to Puerto Princesa. This coastal city is located on Palawan, a long, thin island on the archipelago's far western edge renowned for its white sands, turquoise waters, and charming fishing villages. After landing, you'll be taken to the hotel, and you'll have the rest of the day free to relax.
If you're looking to keep busy, take a cruise through the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, a UNESCO World Heritage site that snakes through miles of limestone caves before feeding into the sea. Or, you could bask on the area's pristine beaches, like Sabang or Nagtabon, a prime spot for swimming and watersports. If wilderness is more your thing, take a hiking or kayaking tour into local mangrove forests and look out for local wildlife along the way. When you start to get hungry, head to the town's Rizal Avenue, a main street lined with eateries serving Filipino and international cuisine.
Day 7: Transfer to El Nido via Fort Santa Isabel
Discover more of Palawan today as your driver takes you four hours north to the island's star attraction, El Nido. Renowned for its limestone formations, pristine beaches, and crystal-clear waters, this area is also the gateway to the spectacular Bacuit archipelago, which you'll explore more of in the coming days.
Along the drive, stop at Fort Santa Isabel, a 17th-century fortress built to defend the island against pirates and Moro raiders. Walk through the well-preserved stone walls, see the watchtower and cannons, and enjoy a panoramic view of Taytay Bay. Dine at the nearby Casa Rosa Restaurant overlooking the fort before continuing to El Nido, where you'll check into your hotel.
Day 8: Bacuit Bay Island-Hopping Tour
Discover the islands, caves, and lagoons around El Nido on a full-day boat tour around Bacuit Bay this morning. Cruise to Shimizu Island, where you can jump in the clear waters and explore the vibrant coral gardens teeming with marine life. After your underwater escapade, continue to Payong-Payong Beach, a secluded stretch of shoreline that offers the perfect environment for relaxation. Bask in the sun, stroll the sandy shores, or go for a leisurely swim before cruising to the Secret Lagoon, a hidden gem only accessible by kayak or swimming through a small opening.
When you enter, you'll be greeted by emerald waters, lush vegetation, and limestone cliffs. After swimming in this secluded paradise, head to the Big Lagoon, known for its towering rock formations that circle the lagoon. Cruise across the lagoon and marvel at its natural beauty from the boat. End your island-hopping adventure with a visit to Seven Commando Beach, named after the Japanese commandos who lived here after the war. Enjoy a barbecue lunch of fresh seafood and a final swim before returning to your hotel in El Nido.
Day 9: More Island Hopping, Swimming & Snorkeling in El Nido
On your last day in El Nido, you'll enjoy another full-day private boat tour of the islands off Palawan and the Bacuit archipelago. Your guide will be happy to take you all around to your favorite spots from yesterday, or you can chart a course to explore new areas. You'll once more get to see some of the area's spectacular scenery of dark cliffs, distinctive rock formations, and beautiful blue lagoons as you swim, sunbathe, sail, and explore, with more delicious seafood on the menu for lunch.
Day 10: Ferry to Coron Island & the Calamian Archipelago
After a final morning enjoying El Nido's beaches at your leisure, trade one tropical paradise for another as you head to the harbor to catch the 3-5-hour ferry to Coron Island. The third-largest island in the Calamian archipelago, Coron, is considered one of the Philippines' most spectacular beauty spots, with a landscape of soaring limestone peaks, dense mangrove jungles, and countless hidden lagoons. Upon arrival, a driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel, where you'll have the rest of the afternoon free.
Day 11: Coron Island-Hopping Tour
Today you'll strike out on an island-hopping tour of the cerulean inlets, bays, and lagoons found on Coron's northern shore. Jump in the bangka, also known as an outrigger boat, to reach your first stop of the day, Siete Pecados. This is one of the best snorkeling spots in all of Coron, and you'll have plenty of time to dive in and explore its underwater world at your leisure. Next, you'll make your way to both the Green Lagoon and Twin Lagoon, wreathed in jagged limestone cliffs.
You'll also seek out Kayangan Lake, touted as one of the most beautiful spots in the Philippines, and CYC Beach, known for its dense mangrove forests and shallow waters, perfect for splashing around. Skeleton Wreck, also known as the Irako Shipwreck, is on the docket although a bit farther afield than the other locations. Snorkel above these ghostly sunken ships, then break for a seafood barbecue feast, eaten with your toes in the sand on an idyllic beach. After more snorkeling, swimming, and beachcombing, you cruise back to the starting point and disembark.
Day 12: Free Day on Coron Island: Beaches, Shipwrecks & Hot Springs
Your last day in Coron is free to spend however you like. You could spend your time revisiting your favorite beaches and lagoons from yesterday or take a trip to some of the island's best snorkeling and diving spots for some underwater exploration of its many shipwrecks.
For something even more relaxing, heat to Maquinit Hot Springs. Enter the natural springs nestled amid lush vegetation and soak in the therapeutic waters. After a peaceful afternoon, head into Coron Town for dinner and a drink. There are plenty of international and Filipino restaurants, but fresh seafood shines here. Once you've had your fill, you can join a firefly-watching tour through the dark mangrove forests if the weather is right. Watch as hundreds of fireflies light up the trees with their soft, bioluminescent glow before returning to your hotel for the night.
Day 13: Fly to Manila, Free Afternoon in the Capital
Bid farewell to Coron as you fly back to Manila this morning. After the 1.5-hour flight, meet your driver outside Ninoy Aquino International Airport to transfer to your hotel. Stay in to relax or spend your penultimate day in the Philippines exploring more of Manila on your own. Visit Binondo, the oldest Chinatown in the world, to discover historic temples, stroll the colorful streets, and sample delicious Chinese cuisine.
In the afternoon, head to the National Museum to browse the collection of artifacts, artworks, and historical treasures that offer a comprehensive insight into the country's heritage. Continue your cultural tour of the city at the Cultural Center of the Philippines to enjoy a Filipino dance performance, a classical music concert, or a contemporary play. End the night with dinner in the Ermita district, known for its array of local eateries, fast-food chains, and international restaurants.
Day 14: Depart Manila
Your two-week island-hopping adventure through the Philippines comes to a close today. When the time comes, your driver will take you to the airport to catch your departing flight. Safe travels!
More Great Philippines Itineraries
Looking for more inspiration for your trip to the Philippines? Check out these other Philippines itineraries, explore different ways to spend two weeks in the Philippines, or discover the best time to visit the Philippines.
Map
