Philippines Relaxed City & Island Getaway: Manila, Boracay, Cebu & Coron - 14 Days

Day 2: Market Tour & Cooking Class, Bamboo Bike Tour of Intramuros

Skip breakfast because this morning, you'll cook up some traditional Filipino dishes with a local. Visit a market with your friendly host to pick up some ingredients, then head to their house to start cooking. Learn about some of the herbs and spices you'll use, such as lemongrass, then choose between a hands-on lesson or a cooking demonstration of Filipino recipes that have been passed down through generations. When you're done cooking, sit down to enjoy the delicious meal you helped prepare. Finish with a sweet treat of pie made with calamansi, a type of citrus grown in the Philippines. 

In the afternoon, explore Intramuros, the old walled city of Manila, on bamboo bikes handmade by the Gawad Kalinga villagers. This makes navigating the narrow streets much easier, so you can discover hidden corners that are often missed on foot or by car. As you pedal across the cobblestone streets, keep an eye out for historic churches, charming plazas, and ancient fortifications. Your guide will stop at notable sites like Fort Santiago and San Agustin Church to teach you about their rich history and give you time to explore. After the four-hour tour, rest your feet at one of the many restaurants in the area for dinner. 

Day 3: Fly to Boracay Island, Sunset Boat Cruise 

Trade the bustling capital for the tropical island of Boracay this morning as you jump on a 1.5-hour flight south toward the Sulu Sea. Meet your guide outside the airport, then hop on a boat to transfer to your hotel. Stay in to relax before tonight's sunset cruise, or venture out to explore the area on your own by bicycle. Pedal to one of the many beaches, such as Puka Beach or Bulabog Beach, for a relaxing afternoon in the sun. Lay on the white sand, swim in the turquoise waters, or participate in watersports like kayaking or paddleboarding. 

In the evening, soak up the sunset on a two-hour leisurely boat cruise along the coast. But before the sun sets, stop at the Balinghai Wall, a renowned dive site with vibrant marine life and fascinating coral formations. Put on your snorkeling gear, then dive in to discover what's below the surface. If snorkeling isn't your thing, you can just go for a refreshing swim or borrow a standup paddleboard to glide over the water. Climb back in the boat to dry off and watch the sky change from gold to pink before returning to your hotel in Boracay. 

Day 4: Boracay Island-Hopping Excursion: Islands, Beaches & Caves

Today's adventure starts when you board a bangka, a motorized wooden canoe, to explore the turquoise waters and pristine islands around Boracay. Your first stop is the Coral Garden, a marine sanctuary teeming with coral and tropical fish. Pack some bread to feed to the fish so you can see them from the boat before continuing to the nearby Crocodile Island, named for its reptile-like shape when viewed from afar. Jump in the water with your snorkel to get up close and personal with the marine life here, and keep your eyes open for exotic creatures like eels, sea slugs, and sea snakes. 

After discovering the underwater world, cruise to Crystal Cove, a private island full of impressive caves, and head underground to marvel at the shimmering crystals, limestone rock formations, and dramatic stalactites and stalagmites. Afterward, you'll cruise back to Boracay for a buffet lunch on Tambisan Beach. Enjoy barbecued meats, grilled seafood, fresh salads, tropical fruits, and rice before proceeding to Puka Beach, named after the abundance of puka shells found in its sand. Spend some time sunbathing, looking for shells, or swimming, then return to your hotel for the night. 

Day 5: Explore Boracay on Your Own, Indulge in a Spa Treatment

Enjoy a free morning on the island to spend as you wish. Revisit one of the white-sand beaches to swim, relax on the sand, or engage in some thrilling watersports. If you want a little adventure, hike to Mount Luho, the highest peak on the island at 370 feet (110 m) above sea level. Walk 15 minutes up the well-maintained trails for a panoramic view of the island and its surrounding waters before returning along the same path. In the afternoon, a driver will meet you back at the hotel to take you to a nearby spa to unwind. 

Enter the serene space and choose your spa treatments from a range of options, such as traditional Filipino hilot massages or exotic body scrubs infused with local ingredients. If you choose the hilot massage, lay down and relax while the soothing scents of traditional oils and herbs envelop you. The practitioner, called a manghihilot, will then employ a combination of intuitive touch and age-old techniques passed down through generations. This is said to help you release physical tension and harmonize your energy flow to promote balance and well-being.

Day 6: Visit Lugutan Mangrove Park, Fly to Cebu City

It's another free morning in Boracay to spend as you wish. Return to one of the white-sand beaches to spend a day relaxing in the sun, or head to Lugutan Mangrove Park if you're looking for a more adventurous activity. Follow the wooden boardwalk through the thriving mangrove ecosystem, and keep an eye on the skies for the diverse bird population that calls this sanctuary home. 

In the afternoon, meet a driver back at your hotel to transfer to the airport for your one-hour flight to Cebu City on the island of Cebu. After checking into your hotel, venture out for dinner and a drink at the Colon Night Market. Navigate through the array of stalls offering everything from street food to clothing, accessories, and trinkets. Try famous dishes like lechon, roasted pork, with puso, a rice cake made in palm leaves, then go shopping for souvenirs before returning to your hotel for the night.

Day 7: Visit Sirao Flower Farm, Temple of Leah & Magellan's Cross

Spend a day discovering Cebu's past and present, starting at Sirao Flower Farm, known as the "Little Amsterdam of Cebu." Head into the surrounding mountains to get to the farm, where you can stroll through rows of bright celosia flowers and take in panoramic views of the city below. Continue to the Temple of Leah, perched atop the hills of Busay. Admire the fusion of Roman, Greek, and Filipino architecture adorned with intricate carvings, imposing columns, and regal statues, all dedicated to the Filipino actress Leah Villa Albino-Adarna by her businessman husband, Teodorico Adarna.

Return to the city to see the controversial Magellan's Cross. Although it was planted by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, it holds a special place in many Filipinos' hearts as it also marks the arrival of Christianity, which is still the predominant religion here. End your tour at another important religious site, the neighboring Santo Niño Church, the oldest Roman-Catholic church in the country. In the evening, grab dinner and catch a sunset over the water before returning to your hotel in Cebu City.

Day 8: Full-Day Excursion to Kawasan Falls

Wake up early for a 2.5-hour drive south to Kawasan Falls, a three-tiered, turquoise waterfall in Badian. Follow a scenic road through quaint villages and rolling fields until you reach the trailhead. Follow the well-maintained, flat path for 15 to 20 minutes, then jump in the turquoise pool under the falls for a refreshing swim in the middle of the jungle. You've likely worked up an appetite by now, so enjoy a delicious picnic lunch on the waterfall's banks. Once you've refueled, trek back to the car to return to Cebu City. 

Day 9: Self-Guided Day in Cebu or Solo Tour to Bohol Island

Today, you can explore more of Cebu on your own if there's more you want to see or opt for a full-day tour to Bohol, an island only two hours from Cebu by ferry. Once you disembark, begin your self-guided tour at the iconic Chocolate Hills, where the 1,200 cone-shaped hills create a surreal landscape that turns brown during the dry season, resembling a field of giant chocolate kisses. Head up to the observation deck for panoramic views of the hills, then visit the Corella Tarsier Sanctuary to marvel at the world's smallest primates.

Observe these nocturnal creatures in their natural habitat and learn about the sanctuary's conservation efforts aimed at protecting this endangered species. If you're not tired of beaches yet, meander to Alona Beach on the southwestern coast to lounge under the palm trees or eat at one of the beachfront restaurants. Conclude your solo tour with a serene boat cruise along the Loboc River, surrounded by towering palm trees and lush greenery. Drift through the tranquil waters, absorbing the picturesque scenery and connecting with nature before getting a ferry back to your hotel in Cebu City.

Day 10: Fly to Coron Island & the Calamian Archipelago

Say your goodbyes to Cebu, as this morning, you'll catch a 1.5-hour flight to Coron, the third-largest island in the Calamian archipelago. Meet your driver outside the airport to transfer to your hotel, where you can leave your bags and set off on your own. If you want to unwind after the flight, head to Maquinit Hot Springs, nestled in a mangrove forest. The pools here are said to have healing properties and range in temperature from 98°F to 104°F (37°C to 40°C).

Lay back and take in the view of the lush greenery and nearby mountains before continuing to Lualhati Park for a leisurely stroll. Walk along the serene waterfront, admiring the unobstructed view of Coron Bay and the limestone cliffs in the distance. The park features benches and plenty of open space, so you could even pack a picnic to enjoy here in the afternoon. In the evening, pop over to Coron Town to discover streets lined with cozy cafés, local restaurants, and buzzing bars for dinner and a drink.

Day 11: Snorkel at the World War II Shipwrecks of Coron

The waters surrounding Coron are full of Japanese shipwrecks from World War II, making this a paradise for snorkelers and divers. Today, you get to discover two of these wrecks, starting at the easily accessible Lusong Gunboat, which sits only 4.9 feet (1.5 m) below the surface. Glide over the shallow wreckage, observing the well-preserved remnants and marine life that have taken over. 

After exploring the first shipwreck, set sail to Pass Island, one of the smaller Calamian islands. Walk to shore for a barbecue lunch with tropical fruits and cool drinks. Once you're refueled, wrap up the day at Sangat Island to see the Sangat Gunboat. Although it's a bit deeper at 9.8 feet (3 m) below the water's surface, this shipwreck is still easy to see from the surface before you cruise back to Coron.

Day 12: Explore Coron at Your Own Pace

Spend your last day in Coron exploring the island at your own pace. You can relax on Atwayan Beach or join a guided tour of Calahuit Safari Park and the nearby Black Island. Jump in a boat and set sail for Calahuit Island, a sanctuary for both endemic and African species. Disembark and follow your guide through the reserve, looking out for giraffes, zebras, and the Calamian deer. After observing these rescued animals, hop back in the boat and continue to Black Island, a secluded paradise full of white-sand beaches and enchanting caves. 

As you approach, you'll be greeted by lush greenery and rugged limestone cliffs. Put your snorkeling gear on and jump in the crystal-clear waters to spot diverse marine life and colorful coral—keeping an eye out for turtles, giant clams, moral eels, and seahorses. Then, take a stroll along the sand to dry off and look for any shells that have washed ashore. End your tour exploring the otherworldly atmosphere of the subterranean caverns across the island before cruising back to Coron. 

Day 13: Fly to Manila, Shopping Tour of the City's Malls & Markets

Leave the tropical islands behind as you return to Manila this morning on a 1.5-hour flight. If you feel like seeing more of the capital upon arrival, join a shopping tour to discover the city's best malls and markets. Start at Greenhills Shopping Mall, which has a combination of upscale and mass-market shops. Head to one of the largest malls in Southeast Asia next, the Mall of Asia, where you can find everything from high-end brands to local boutiques. Shopping isn't the only thing to do here, as the mall also features an amusement park, an Olympic-sized ice rink, and an IMAX theater. 

Go bargain hunting at Divisoria Market in the afternoon, where vendors sell their wares in bulk. Browse the stalls full of every item you can imagine, including home decor, clothing, and toys. End your shopping tour at 168 Mall, which is similar to Divisoria Market but is in a more organized, air-conditioned space. Once your pockets are empty and your shopping bags are full, meander to the bay for a walk along the water, then find somewhere to eat in Harbor Square, the best place to get fresh seafood. Enjoy a delicious meal overlooking the water before returning to your hotel for the night. 

Day 14: Depart Manila

Your two-week adventure across the Philippines draws to a close today. If you have time to kill before your flight, drop by Manila Ocean Park, a marine-themed park with a massive aquarium housing 14,000 marine creatures. Visit the sharks and rays, watch an animal show, and interact with the many educational exhibits. Just keep an eye on the clock as a driver will meet you back at your hotel to take you to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels! 

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