2 Weeks In The Philippines: 3 Itineraries

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The Philippines is located in Southeast Asia and doesn’t share any land border with any other countries. It consists of 7,000+ islands and is very rich in culture and history. Many visitors to the Philippines noticed how it’s almost like a fusion between Latin America and East Asia.

The country has a lot of similarities to its neighbour in Southeast Asia, but due to the colonisation of Spain for 300+ years, the religion, language, and traditions of the Philippines have changed a lot.

Today, the Philippines is a popular destination because of its pristine beaches, great snorkelling and diving spots, hiking trails, and the fact that the Philippines is very affordable as a holiday destination. Your budget will go a long way, and you can plan a comfortable and even luxurious vacation.

In this article, I will show you three different travel itineraries if you plan to spend 2 weeks in the Philippines for a well-deserved vacation. I will also give you some tips on planning your trip here and how to ensure that you will make the most out of your holiday regardless of how little time you have.

RELATED ITINERARIES: 2 weeks in Malaysia and Singapore

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING THE PHILIPPINES

2 images - waterfalls surrounded by trees, taal volcano crater, twin lagoons with boats, chocolate hills - 2-Weeks In The Philippines

The Philippines is one of the best places to spend your 14-day holiday. It has beautiful beaches, hiking trails, interesting history and culture, to name a few.

These travel tips for the Philippines below will help you plan and write your itinerary. Although I will be giving you an itinerary sample, you don’t have to follow it religiously. It will help you make a suitable travel plan according to what you want to do and see.

When is the best time to go to The Philippines

The best time to visit the Philippines is from November to March. However, you might want to avoid December since it’s the peak season due to Christmas. Many Filipinos who work and live abroad come home to celebrate the holiday, which leads to high prices for pretty much everything. Hotels will be fully booked, and popular destinations will be very crowded.

You can still come from April to May, but these are the hottest and driest months. It can be so hot that most people don’t even want to go outside.

The rainy season in the country is from June until October, with a peak in July and August. You also want to avoid those months; typhoon seasons result in many flights being cancelled, and many water activities are pretty much not possible such as boating, diving, and even just swimming on the beach.

Getting around

Getting around the Philippines is quite challenging. While domestic flights are available both in major cities and smaller islands, most don’t have a direct connection. This means that you sometimes have to connect back to a major hub like Manila and Cebu.

On land, there are many modes of transportation, including a jeepney, tricycles, taxis, and motorbikes, and you can also use ride-hailing apps. While between islands, you can use ferries and boats with no problem.

Information for boats is often not available online, the best way to find out the schedules, costs, and routes is to simply ask the locals. For ride-hailing apps around big cities, make sure you have Grab, Angkas, and Joyride installed on your phone.

Average cost of 2 weeks in the Philippines

The Philippines is an incredible place because you can make your trip budget-friendly or enjoy a luxurious holiday. Here’s a bit of an idea on what it can cost you:

For an affordable trip, you might spend around $40-$60 a day. This includes staying in hostels, eating local food, and using public transport.

A mid-range trip could cost $80-$120 a day. This includes nicer accommodations, some meals at better restaurants, and domestic flights or private transport for longer distances.

For a luxury experience, you’re looking at $150-$500+ a day. This gets you top-notch hotels or resorts, fine dining, private tours, and maybe even some island hopping on a private boat.

Remember, these costs can vary widely depending on your choices and the places you visit. Some areas are naturally more expensive than others, and activities like diving can add to your budget.

Language and currency

The Philippines has 140+ dialects, which are honestly more like 140+ languages because they are very different from one another. However, English is one of the main languages in the Philippines, together with Tagalog or Filipino.

Many visitors to the country appreciate how easy it can be to communicate with the locals. Most road signs, restaurant menus, and over-the-speaker announcements (such as airports and terminals) are in English. Even the laws are written in English.

The Philippines uses Philippine Peso (PHP) as the main currency. Paying with cash is still the king here. However, in hotels and restaurants, you should be able to pay with your card, except in remote areas and provinces. So, remember to carry cash all the time.

Visa

Luckily for people who plan to spend 2 weeks in the Philippines, a visa for travelling is easy and free to obtain for many nationalities (between 30 days to 90 days). Tourists from South Asia, some parts of East Europe, and some parts of East Africa must apply for a visa through a consulate or embassy before arriving in the Philippines.

By paper, you must have an exit flight to show to the immigration officer when you arrive in the Philippines. But this is not always the case. Depending on the immigration agent, you might or might not be asked to show proof. Just to be safe, it’s better to have one ready.

Package tours

If I visit the Philippines again, it’s definitely one of the countries I would book a package tour. It’s one of the first countries I visited, and with very little experience, I found it very mentally exhausting to get travel information. It was a fun and interesting experience, but with just 14 days, I want this trip to be more relaxing.

Here’s a quick list of fantastic tours that you can consider. The travel company will arrange the hotels, activities, tour guide, food, and also a porter if needed.

Other travel tips

You can use the following travel sites and services when you’re ready to book your hotel and flights. But you can also go do a demo booking to see the cost or have a list of tours and hotels you want to consider in the future.

PINNED MAP OF MUST-SEE PLACES IN THE PHILIPPINES

Click the icon on the top right to enlarge the map. Credit: map data: Google

2 WEEKS IN THE PHILIPPINES ITINERARY

Now that you know what to prepare and expect when you travel to the Philippines, it’s time to show you different itineraries that you can choose from, highlighting must-see places in the country.

NOTE: You will notice that the capital city, Manila, is not highlighted in any of these itineraries. This is because the capital is very congested, with heavy traffic, and honestly, there’s not much to do there. Of course, you can spend 1-2 days if you wish, but I recommend you do this towards the end of your trip since you have to be there to catch your flight out of the country anyway.

Itinerary #1: Boracay, Cebu, Palawan (Beach Trail)

This first itinerary for 2 weeks in the Philippines features the most popular spots in the country. These are all focused on water activities such as diving, swimming, kite surfing, and boat tours. If it’s your first time here, this is an itinerary worth considering.

From Manila, you can’t fly directly to Boracay because the island doesn’t have its own airport. However, the bigger island right next to it has two: Caticlan and Kalibo. Caticlan is closer to Boracay; when you land there, you only need to take a short boat ride.

If you arrive in Kalibo, you need to travel by car or van for about 45 minutes to Caticlan and then take the boat to Boracay.

Day-to-day overview:

  • Day 1: Arrive at Manila Airport and catch your connection to Boracay. You will go through immigration here. You might have to collect your bags here and re-check them.
  • Book a transfer from Caticlan Airport to your hotel. It’s a chaotic process, much better to have someone deal with everything for you.
  • Once you arrive in Boracay, you can find a shop to get a local sim card (either Smart or Globe). Add a credit and subscribe for a data bundle.
  • Use your first day to book Boracay boat tours and activities the next day.
  • Day 2 to 3: Enjoy a boat tour with some water activities (diving or snorkelling). The next day, explore the island and visit Puka Beach, Newport Beach, go kite surfing, and party at Station 2.
  • Day 4: Travel from Boracay to Cebu by air; make sure to leave your hotel no later than 3 hours before your flight
  • Day 4 to 7: Discover Cebu, check all tours for Cebu.
  • Day 8: Get to Palawan from Cebu; either fly to Puerto Princesa or Coron
  • Day 8 to 10: Explore Coron or Puerto Princesa and book a boat tour – see all Palawan tours
  • Day 11: Travel to El Nido from Coron or Puerto Princesa, by boat or minivan
  • Day 11 to 13: Enjoy El Nido
  • Day 14: Fly from El Nido to Manila to catch the flight home

Boracay for 3 days

Boracay is undeniably one of the most popular islands and destinations in the Philippines. It is covered in fine white sand beaches, surrounded by crystal clear water, and offers the best parties. It’s also a known diving spot with plenty of boat tour choices.

Boracay also went through a massive renovation before and during the pandemic, addressing its unpaved roads, rubbish on the water, and sewage, which has been a big problem on the island for nearly a decade as more tourists come.

You can easily fly from Cebu to Boracay directly. The flight takes an hour and costs about $20-$80.

Cebu for 4 days

Cebu, on the other hand, is very rich in history. This is where Magellan, the Portuguese explorer, was commissioned by Spain to open the trade route through the East Indies. He landed in Mactan, Cebu, in 1521 and was killed by the natives who did not appreciate him and his expedition’s arrival.

Regardless, Spain managed to colonise the Philippines, where Cebu became key to this. As a result, Cebu has many significant architectures, buildings, and significant places related to this event. It’s also the city where Spain managed to convince Filipinos to be Catholics.

Apart from historical sites, Cebu is also known for its shorelines and water areas. In the south of Cebu, Oslob and Moalboal are great spots to go some snorkelling. While the island east of Cebu, Bohol is home to a very unique primate that can only be found in Southeast Asia – Tarsiers.

You can head to Panglao, where more diving, snorkelling, and encounters with turtles are possible.

3 images - chocolate hills, twin lagoon with boats scattered around, aerial view of the sand beach in boracay - 2-Weeks In The Philippines

Palawan for 7 days; Coron, El Nido, Puerto Princesa

2 weeks in the Philippines is not complete without visiting Palawan. I recommend you start in Coron, then make your way down to El Nido, then Puerto Princesa. Doing it this way, you will end up in the south, where a direct flight back to Manila is easy.

There is a flight directly from Cebu to Coron (Francisco B. Reyes Airport/USU). It’s about an hour and a half and costs $80-$100. There are only a few flights per day, so plan your trip smartly.

You can also do it the other way, from Cebu to Puerto Princesa, since there are more flights per day. Then Puerto Princesa to El Nido, and finally, El Nido to Coron. But then, Coron to Manila also has limited flight choices per day.

Palawan is one of the most diverse places in the Philippines. From marine animals, land animals, and plants – there are a lot of species and types that are native to this area and can only be found here or in a few places in Southeast Asia.

Both Coron and El Nido are known locations for diving, snorkelling, and boat tours. At the same time, Puerto Princesa has a UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Underground River. Diving at Tubbataha Reef is spectacular, but it has a 3-month window for diving and can only be reached by a liveaboard boat).

To break it down further, you can spend 2 days in Coron, 3 days in El Nido, and then 2 days in Puerto Princesa. You can take a boat between Coron and El Nido, then a bus/van between El Nido and Puerto Princesa.

Itinerary #2: Baguio, Boracay, Palawan (Nature and Islands)

For our next itinerary, we included Baguio, a highland north of Manila. It is loved by locals for its amazing climate and fresh air, while foreign travellers love it for its rice terraces.

Boracay is the place you want to go if you want to simply lie on the beach and sip a fresh and cold coconut, sign up for some exciting water activities such as island hopping, diving, and snorkelling. You can even do kite surfing here.

While Palawan is also great for diving and snorkelling, but it’s also the sport of a natural wonder – the Underground River. It is filled with various species of animals. What makes it very special is how the water is vital to the ecosystem of the cave, which is home to giant spiders, bats, swallows, and snakes.

Day-to-day overview:

  • Day 1: Arrive in Manila and get to PITX, Pasay, or Cubao bus station to catch your bus to Baguio. If you arrive during the day, get yourself a local sim card and register for a data bundle.
  • Day 2 to 3: Explore Baguio
  • Day 4: Fly to Boracay. You can travel back down to Manila to take the flight or go to Angeles City and catch a flight from Clark International Airport to Boracay. Arrange an airport transfer to your hotel for Boracay.
  • Day 5 to 7: Discover Boracay and book some tours for a hassle-free trip.
  • Day 8: Travel to Palawan from Boracay by air (decide if you’re starting in Puerto Princesa or Coron); the flight has a connection to Cebu.
  • Day 8 to 10: Enjoy Puerto Princesa or Coron – see all tours
  • Day 11: Get to El Nido from Puerto Princesa or Coron by minivan or ferry.
  • Day 11 to 13: Boat tours in El Nido
  • Day 14: Travel back to Manila from El Nido by air.

Baguio for 3 days

Baguio doesn’t have its own airport. This means that you have to fly to Manila and take a 5-hour bus to Baguio. You can also book a tour. The agency will arrange everything for you. It is also known as the “City of Pines” Baguio is one of the very few places in the country that has an abundance of pin trees.

Every February, locals and foreign visitors alike go to Baguio for its annual festival called “Panagbenga”, which is a month-long celebration of the season of blooming of various flowers. Locals are dressed in colourful and vibrant clothing; there is a big parade where there are floats designed with craft-inspired flowers.

If you want to catch this event, you have to book your flight and hotel in advance and be ready for thick crowds and big traffic. You should also arrive in the city before February 1st to settle and get your footing.

Head back to Manila to catch a flight directly to Boracay. You can fly either to Caticlan or Kalibo. Landing in Kalio, you will add an extra drive to Caticlan before you hop on a boat to Boracay.

3 images - sunset with silhouette of boats, rice terraces, underground river cave - 2-Weeks In The Philippines

Boracay for 4 days

Watersports are a big thing in Boracay. Although you can’t surf here, there are other things you can do. Kit during is popular on the other side of the island, where the wind is much better. Most of the time, on the main beach, the water is very calm, and tourists will rent standup paddle boards.

But if it’s your first time in Boracay during your 2 weeks in the Philippines, you definitely have to sign up for snorkelling or diving (if you are licensed). Boat tours are also very affordable and feature island hopping, fishing, and snorkelling.

Getting to Palawan from Boracay is a little tricky because there is no direct flight. But it doesn’t mean you should book a flight with a connection immediately. Doing it that way, you will have to connect back to Manila, and that’s not so good.

Instead, you can book a flight to Cebu, and then a flight from Cebu to Coron (USU) or Puerto Princesa (PPS). Both Coron and Puerto Princesa have a direct flight back to Manila.

Palawan for 7 days; Coron, El Nido, Puerto Princesa

Palawan is simply one of those places in the world that you have to visit at least once in your lifetime. Exploring Palawan includes climbing limestone cliffs, getting on boats to head to snorkelling spots, and diving.

Palawan has such a massive nature reserve featuring land and sea. Most sides of the islands are also covered in sandy beaches matched and shaded by tall palm trees. If the season is right, you’d even see turtle eggs nestling on the beaches, waiting to hatch and head towards the water.

Sign up for island hopping. This is the best way to explore both Coron and El Nido. Puerto Princesa is best to explore by visiting the UNESCO Site – Underground River.

Spend 3 days in Coron, 3 days in El Nido, then 2 days in Puerto Princesa Coron and El Nido are linked with a ferry ride, while El Nido and Puerto Princesa are a 5-hour drive via van or a bus.

Itinerary #3: Metro Manila, Tagaytay, Boracay, Cebu, Siargao (City and Beaches)

For our final itinerary, you get to explore a bit of the capital region and visit popular islands – Cebu and Siargao. This travel plan will take you to historical sites in the Philippines and places where you get the chance to enjoy its stunning beaches. This is a tight schedule, but it’s doable.

Day-to-day overview:

  • Day 1: Land in Manila. Get a local sim card, cash, and plan on getting to Tagaytay by bus from PITX Gate 2.
  • Day 2 to 3: Explore Manila and the day trip to Tagaytay to see Taal Volcano
  • Day 4: Fly from Manila to Boracay, and don’t forget the airport transfer to your hotel and book your Boracay activities
  • Day 5 to 6 : Discover Boracay
  • Day 7: Get to Cebu from Boracay
  • Day 7 to 10: Enjoy Cebu with these tours, or head to Panglao and Bohol
  • Day 10: Travel from Cebu to Siargao
  • Day 10 to 13: Enjoy Siargao with these activities
  • Day 14: Fly from Siargao to Manila

Metro Manila and Tagaytay for 3 days

When you land in Manila, you can kick it off by visiting a few must-see spots in the city. Intramuros is also known as the “Walled City”, while the word means “inside the wall”. It was built to house the Spanish government officials and their families. Eventually, the wealthiest and most influential people were allowed to reside here.

After that, you can go to Tagaytay, about 2 hours south of Manila. Here, you will find the beautiful Taal Volcano. The good thing about combining these two places is you can book a tour covering both places in just a day.

From Manila, you can then take a quick flight directly to Boracay. It should cost not more than $25-$50.

Boracay for 3 days

It’s pretty obvious now how beautiful Boracay is. It’s been featured on all the itineraries for a reason. Its sandy beaches are world-class and something you can’t find just anywhere. It’s also affordable; you can book and stay in a five-star resort with a private beach and still spend less than you would in Europe or North America.

You can fly directly from Boracay to Cebu; the ticket is usually about $20-$80.

3 images - crater of taal volcano, sandbar island in siargai with boats around, intramuros - 2-Weeks In The Philippines

Cebu for 4 days

Do you know that Cebu was the first capital of the Philippines after Spain colonised it? It is also the birthplace of Christianity in the region of the Far East. During your time in Cebu, since you have five days, there’s plenty to explore Cebu itself, where historical spots can be found.

You should also head south to Moalboal and Oslob for diving and snorkelling. Bohol, the island next to Cebu, is where you can hike to see the Chocolate Hills and very cute tarsiers. In the south of Bohol, you can snorkel and see turtles in Panglao.

From Cebu, you can take an hour’s flight to Siargao (IAO); airfare prices are between $35-$70 for a non-stop flight.

Siargao for 4 days

Finally, Siargao only recently found fame both among local and foreign tourists. This is mostly due to its untouched beauty. The region where Siargao is has been known for guerillas and local terrorists, which deterred many people from visiting.

But today, Siargao is a surfing haven. Most parts of it are still undeveloped, but it shouldn’t take that long before there are most luxury hotels and restaurants lining up across its popular beaches. This list of best beaches in Siargao will take you to lively and also less-busy ones.

From Siargao, you can get on a plane that flies directly to Manila for about $150-$200, a non-stop flight.

TIP: Surfing enthusiast? Do you know that Indonesia also offers fantastic waves for beginners to pro surfers?

THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN THE PHILIPPINES

You probably have an idea now which itinerary for 2 weeks in the Philippines, you prefer the best. It’s not time to show you what you can do and see in each of the cities we covered above.

Boracay

Cebu, Moalboal, Oslob, Bohol, Panglao

  • Moalboal Sardine Run
  • Pescador Island
  • Lambug Beach for starfishes
  • Moalboal House Reef
  • Sumilon Island​
  • Tumalog Falls​
  • Baluarte Ruins and Cuartel Ruins
  • Panglao Turtle Sanctuary/Balicasag Turtle Sanctuary
  • Kawasan Falls – go canyoneering, check the tour reviews and the price
  • Taoist Temple
  • Magellan’s Cross
  • Mactan Shrine and Mactan Island – sign up for an island-hopping boat trip
  • Fort San Pedro
  • Chocolate Hills
  • Tarsier Conservation Sanctuary – you can do a Bohol day trip to cover all the top attractions in just a day
  • Loboc River Cruise
  • Hinagdanan Cave
  • Panglao Island – join a tour that covers Bohol and Panglao Island
  • We do not recommend Whale Shark watching in Oslob due to ethical reasons

Metro Manila

Tagaytay

  • Horseback riding at Taal Volcano Island – you can also do a full-day trip from Manila (horseback riding not included)
  • Puzzle Mansion Museum
  • Picnic Grove
  • Skyranch
  • People’s Park
  • Fantasy World

Baguio

  • Banaue Rice Terraces
  • BenCab Museum
  • Burnham Park
  • Attending the Panagbenga – Flower Festival in February
  • Mines View Observation Deck
  • Baguio Botanical Garden
  • Baguio City Public Market
  • Strawberry Picking – seasonal
  • Mount Pulag

Coron

El Nido

  • Las Cabañas Beach
  • Tour A – Bacuit Bay, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos
  • Port Barton – located between El Nido and Puerto Princesa, a place away from big crowds
  • Tour B – Bacuit Bay, Popolkan Island, Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave, Pinagbuyutan Island
  • Nacpan Beach
  • Tour D: Hidden Beaches and Lagoons

Puerto Princesa

Siargao

MUST-TRY FILIPINO DISHES AND DESSERTS TO TRY

Filipino cuisine is not the most popular or sought-after food from Southeast Asia. But I believe that you just need to know what to look for. Here’s a quick list of yummy and must-try food during your 2 weeks in the Philippines:

  • Adobo: Chicken or pork marinated in vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic, then simmered until tender.
  • Sinigang: A sour tamarind-based soup featuring pork, shrimp, or fish and various vegetables.
  • Lechon: A whole pig spit-roasted to crispy-skinned perfection, often served at festivals and big gatherings.
  • Pancit Canton: Stir-fried noodles with vegetables and often meat or seafood, a staple at Filipino celebrations.
  • Kare-Kare: A Filipino oxtail stew made with a peanut sauce, often accompanied by banana heart and eggplant.
  • Laing: Spicy taro leaves cooked in coconut milk, often with shrimp or pork.
  • Balut: A fertilized duck egg with a partially developed embryo, considered a delicacy.
  • Inihaw na Bangus: Grilled milkfish stuffed with tomatoes and onions, a popular dish for outdoor gatherings.
  • Halo-Halo: A mixed dessert with crushed ice, evaporated milk, and various ingredients like sweetened fruits and jellies.
  • Leche Flan: A creamy caramel custard made with egg yolks and condensed milk.
  • Bibingka: A rice cake traditionally made with glutinous rice, coconut milk, and sometimes cheese or salted egg.
  • Turon: A snack made of sliced bananas and occasionally jackfruit, wrapped in a spring roll wrapper and fried.
  • Calamansi Juice: A refreshing drink made from calamansi, a small citrus fruit native to the Philippines.
  • Tuba: A traditional Filipino alcoholic beverage made from coconut sap, often freshly harvested.

ACCOMMODATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Here are some tips for accommodations around the Philippines. There are options for budget hostels, mid-range hotels, and luxurious five-star resorts.

Boracay

Cebu

Metro Manila

Tagaytay

Coron

El Nido

Puerto Princesa

Siargao

SUMMARY OF 2 WEEKS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Spending a 14-day vacation in the Philippines might sound like not much, but with enough planning, you can have the best time. You can visit important spots and also find yourself relaxing on a sandy beach drinking a cold cocktail.

You can hike a national forest reserve one morning, and then jump off a waterfall cliff in the afternoon. The Philippines has so much to offer, it’s surely worth a visit.

I hope that you found these itineraries in planning your 2 weeks in the Philippines.

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Journey through the Philippines over two weeks, from Palawan's crystal-clear lagoons to the rice terraces of Banaue. Discover vibrant Manila, swim with whale sharks in Cebu, and savor the archipelago's diverse cultures and cuisines. via @twoweektraveller