Philippines
Over 7,000 islands, and Palawan alone regularly tops "best island in the world" lists
The Philippines is an island-hopping country almost by definition — Palawan's limestone cliffs and lagoons, Cebu and Bohol's beaches and diving, and Manila as the usual (if not the main draw) entry point. Domestic flights do a lot of the work getting between regions, since the islands are spread across a genuinely large stretch of ocean.
Best time to visit
November–April (dry season); avoid the June–October typhoon season, especially in the north and east
Getting there
Ninoy Aquino International (MNL) in Manila or Mactan-Cebu (CEB) — both connect via direct flights from major Asian hubs; onward domestic flights typically needed for Palawan
Highlights
- —El Nido and Coron, Palawan
- —Chocolate Hills and tarsiers, Bohol
- —Whale shark snorkeling, Oslob or Donsol
- —Boracay's White Beach
- —Banaue Rice Terraces
The Philippines guide, section by section
Pick a topic below — each page covers real prices, current rules and practical logistics.
