First off: Packing for a trip to The Philippines
- Bug repellent
- Snorkel (snorkels can also be rented for a fee)
- Sea shoes (sea shoes are also available in the Phillipines and are relatively inexpensive)
Note: The earlier you book a flight, the more affordable your ticket will be.
Places to visit in the Philippines
After arriving from İstanbul to Manila via a direct flight, I set off for Puerto Princesa, the capital of the island of Palawan. Here, I want to see El Nido and the Underground River National Park in Puerto Princesa.
Palawan Island (Puerto Princesa)
Hotel
The hotel arranged my tour and will provide me with transportation to El Nido.
*Must see in Puerto Princesa!
- Underground River National Park
- The Underground River National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that can be reached by boats departing from Sabang village. It is two hours from Puerto Princesa via a van or other vehicle.
- You can Zipline in Sabang. The five-hour journey to El Nido begins.
El Nido
After a long drive in the van, it was amazing to reach this Palawan landmark. El Nido was truly fascinating. Why?
Must sees in El Nido!
- There are Hop-On Hop-Off island tours, with Tour A and C being the most popular. (I chose these two and divided them into two different and smaller tours). In this tour, you visit lagoons, beaches and islands by boat. Tours usually depart early in the morning and conclude at the end of the day. My tour included a meal and snacks.
- One of the most enjoyable activities in El Nido is a motorbike trip. You can add incredible places such as Lio, Duli, Nacpan, Marimegmeg, Vanilla, La Cabanas (Marimegmeg, Vanilla, and La Cabanas are on the same beach extension, they just have different names), and Corong-Corong to your route.
- Duli Beach is great if you’re like me and enjoy surfing. Then to Maremegmeg to watch the sunset. My adventure in Palawan ended here and I flew to Cebu Island from El Nido.
Cebu Island
Hotel
- It makes the most sense to find a hotel that is near the places you want to see.
- I didn’t waste any time in Cebu City and immediately set out for Oslob, a diving destination with sharks, in the south of the island. The trip from Cebu Airport to Oslob takes around three and a half hours, via three buses; first from the North Bus Terminal, then the South Bus Terminal, and then Oslob.
*Must See in Cebu!
- Oslob Whale Shark Watching (you can dive and swim with sharks here)
- Tumalog Waterfall
After Cebu, we head to Bohol island!
Bohol Island
There’s a boat departing once per day from Oslob to Bohol Island. The trip takes around two hours.
Hotel
- I stayed on the island of Panglao, next to Alona Beach, and rented a motorbike to get around.
*Must-see places in Bohol!
- Alona Beach (a lovely beach and popular dive spot)
- Chocolate Hills (in addition to interesting geological formations, these famous hills have some incredible legends)
- Tarsier monkeys (visit these adorable tiny monkeys with enormous eyes!)
- We return to Cebu Island by boat and now head to the very popular Boracay Island.
Boracay Island
Hotel
- Surf lovers can stay along Bulabog Beach, about an eight-minute walk from the white sand beach. There are also hotels along the white sand beach.
- Rates: I paid 2,000 Turkish lira in total for my hotel on Bulabog Beach.
*Must-see places in Boracay!
- You can surf at Bulabog Beach.
- You can have a massage and relax.
- D’Mall (boutique shops and souvenir stores among the narrow streets of the island)
- Puka Beach (this is the island’s quietest and most beautiful beach)
- Fun bars include Epic and the Night Exit Bar
- White Beach (the island of Boracay has incredible sunsets; you can watch the sunset from one of the boats on the white sand beach)
Return to Istanbul
As we conclude this trip, I feel a little wistful! I’m already missing The Phillipines and I hope this article inspires you to share your own experiences in extraordinary places!
A few notes on The Philippines
Transportation in The Philippines!
- Jeepney (a minibus-like vehicle that is common in the city)
- Pedicab or tuktuk (a small, three-wheeled vehicle)
- Motorcycle
- Taxi
- (The cheapest methods of transportation in the city are jeepneys, pedicabs and tuktuks. During my time in The Philippines, I used motorcycles, and pedicabs and tuktuks in the city.)
Dining in The Philippines!
Although I love Asian cuisine, unfortunately I could not warm to The Philippines cuisine and I preferred fast food restaurants. Rice is the most consumed traditional dish, as a side dish. The national dish is Chicken Adobo (a marinated chicken dish). Coconut water is also common.
Internet in the Philippines!
- There are two operators: Globe and Smart. I used Smart.
I bought it at the airport, but you may be able to purchase access more conveniently in the city center.)
