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For a first trip to the Philippines, pick one or two island groups and fly between them. With 7 days, do Cebu and Bohol (whale sharks, waterfalls, Chocolate Hills) or Palawan (El Nido lagoons). With 10 days, combine El Nido and Coron, or Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor. With 14 days, add Siargao or Boracay, or a Mindanao side trip to Camiguin and Bukidnon. Allow a full day for each flight or ferry transfer, and travel in the dry season, roughly December to May.
Plug in your flights, hotels, tours and food in our free trip budget calculator, in pesos, dollars or pounds.
Philippines itineraries at a glance
| Itinerary | Route | Best for | Pace |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 days: Cebu & Bohol | Cebu – south Cebu – Bohol | Whale sharks, waterfalls, Chocolate Hills, easy logistics | Moderate |
| 7 days: Palawan | Puerto Princesa – El Nido | Lagoons, island hopping, beaches | Relaxed |
| 10 days: Palawan | El Nido – Coron | The classic island-hopping trip | Moderate |
| 10 days: Visayas | Cebu – Bohol – Dumaguete – Siquijor | Variety, diving, culture, budget-friendly | Moderate |
| 14 days: Best of | Manila – Palawan – Cebu/Bohol – Siargao or Boracay | First-timers who want it all | Busy |
| 14 days: Off the beaten path | Cebu – Bohol – Camiguin – Bukidnon – Dapitan | Return visitors, Mindanao explorers | Moderate |
7-day Philippines itinerary
Option A: Cebu and Bohol
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Fly into Mactan-Cebu International Airport. Explore Cebu City’s heritage sites: Magellan’s Cross, the Basilica del Santo Niño and Fort San Pedro. See things to do in Cebu. |
| Day 2 | Early start south to Oslob for whale sharks, then Tumalog Falls. See our Oslob guide. |
| Day 3 | Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls and the sardine run in Moalboal. See Kawasan canyoneering. |
| Day 4 | Back to Cebu City and take the fast craft to Bohol (about 2 hours). Settle in Panglao. |
| Day 5 | Bohol countryside tour: Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, Loboc River lunch cruise and Baclayon Church. See our Bohol guide. |
| Day 6 | Island hopping and snorkeling around Balicasag and Virgin Island, or a beach day in Panglao. |
| Day 7 | Ferry back to Cebu, or fly out of Bohol-Panglao Airport. |
Option B: Palawan
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Fly to Puerto Princesa; city tour and seafood dinner. |
| Day 2 | Underground River tour (book permits ahead). See our Palawan guide. |
| Day 3 | Van to El Nido (about 5–6 hours); sunset at Las Cabañas. |
| Days 4–6 | El Nido island-hopping Tours A and C, and Nacpan Beach. |
| Day 7 | Fly out of El Nido, or van back to Puerto Princesa. |
10-day Philippines itinerary
Option A: El Nido and Coron
| Days | Plan |
|---|---|
| Days 1–2 | Puerto Princesa and the Underground River. |
| Days 3–6 | El Nido: Tours A–D, Nacpan Beach and sunsets. |
| Day 7 | Ferry or boat expedition from El Nido to Coron. See our El Nido to Coron guide. |
| Days 8–9 | Coron: Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon and shipwreck snorkeling or diving. |
| Day 10 | Fly out from Busuanga (Coron). |
Option B: Cebu, Bohol, Dumaguete and Siquijor
| Days | Plan |
|---|---|
| Days 1–2 | Cebu City, then Moalboal and Kawasan Falls. |
| Day 3 | Oslob whale sharks, then ferry from Liloan port to Dumaguete. |
| Days 4–5 | Dumaguete and an Apo Island snorkeling day trip. See our Dumaguete guide. |
| Days 6–7 | Siquijor: waterfalls, beaches and folklore. See our Siquijor itinerary. |
| Days 8–9 | Ferry to Bohol: Chocolate Hills, tarsiers and Panglao. |
| Day 10 | Fast craft to Cebu and fly out. |
14-day Philippines itinerary
Option A: The best of the Philippines
| Days | Plan |
|---|---|
| Days 1–2 | Manila: Intramuros, Rizal Park and food. See our Manila guide. |
| Days 3–6 | El Nido island hopping. |
| Days 7–8 | Coron lakes and wrecks. |
| Days 9–11 | Cebu and Bohol: whale sharks, Kawasan Falls and the Chocolate Hills. |
| Days 12–14 | Siargao for surf and lagoons, or Boracay for White Beach. See our Siargao guide and Boracay guide. |
Option B: Visayas and Mindanao, off the beaten path
| Days | Plan |
|---|---|
| Days 1–4 | Cebu and Bohol highlights. |
| Days 5–7 | Camiguin: White Island, the Sunken Cemetery and hot springs. See our Camiguin guide. |
| Days 8–9 | Cagayan de Oro white water rafting and Amaya View. See our Cagayan de Oro guide. |
| Days 10–11 | Bukidnon highlands: the Dahilayan zipline and pineapple country. See our Bukidnon guide. |
| Days 12–14 | Dapitan and Dakak, Rizal’s exile town, then ferry to Dumaguete. See our Dapitan guide. |
Add-ons and alternatives
- Northern Luzon: Vigan’s Spanish streets, Baguio’s cool air and the Ifugao rice terraces. See our Vigan, Baguio and Ifugao guides.
- Batanes: the remote north, best from March to May. See our Batanes guide.
- Iloilo and Guimaras: heritage, batchoy and mangoes. See our Iloilo guide.
- Bicol: Mayon Volcano and spicy food. See our Mayon Volcano guide.
Tips for planning your itinerary
- Don’t try to see everything. The Philippines has 7,641 islands; two or three bases make a better trip than five rushed ones.
- Allow a full day for each transfer. Flights, ferries and vans add up, and weather can cause delays. See our domestic flights guide and ferry guide.
- Fly open-jaw: arrive in one city (like Manila) and leave from another (like Cebu) to avoid backtracking.
- Travel in the dry season, roughly December to May, and leave buffer days in the typhoon season. See our best time to visit guide.
- Before you fly: register for eTravel, get travel insurance, sort out money and buy an eSIM.
Book the highlights of your itinerary
Tours at the top stops on these routes. Klook bookings often include free cancellation.
Philippines itinerary: FAQ
How many days do you need in the Philippines?
Plan at least 7 days for one region, like Cebu and Bohol or Palawan. Ten to fourteen days lets you combine two or three regions without rushing.
What is the best 7-day itinerary for the Philippines?
For a first trip, Cebu and Bohol is the easiest 7-day route, with whale sharks, Kawasan Falls, the Chocolate Hills and Panglao beaches. For pure island hopping, choose Puerto Princesa and El Nido in Palawan.
Is 10 days enough for the Philippines?
Yes. Ten days is enough for El Nido and Coron, or for a Visayas loop through Cebu, Dumaguete, Siquijor and Bohol.
Should I start in Manila or Cebu?
If your trip focuses on the Visayas, fly straight into Cebu. Start in Manila if you want to see the capital or head to Palawan or northern Luzon. Many travelers arrive in one and leave from the other.
What is the best time to visit the Philippines?
The dry season, roughly December to May, is best for beaches and island hopping. June to November brings more rain and typhoons, so leave buffer days.
How do you travel between islands in the Philippines?
Fly between major hubs like Manila, Cebu and Puerto Princesa, and use fast ferries for short hops like Cebu to Bohol or Dumaguete to Siquijor.
Can I visit Palawan and Cebu in one trip?
Yes, with at least 10 to 14 days. Fly between Puerto Princesa or El Nido and Cebu, and allow a full day for the transfer.
How much does a two-week trip to the Philippines cost?
It depends on your travel style, flights and tours. Use our free trip budget calculator to add up flights, hotels, food and activities for your exact itinerary.
Picked your route? Budget it and book the highlights early.
Cebu-born travel writer raised between Cebu and Dumaguete, now based in Zamboanga del Sur, Mindanao. Gio writes Best Philippines Travel Guide to help first-time visitors plan the perfect Philippine trip.