The Philippines is a great place for island hopping and scuba diving, with over 7,000 islands full of white sand beaches, rainbow corals, and turquoise waterfalls.
One of the best known islands is Palawan, which was ranked by Travel + Leisure as the most beautiful island in the world.
Read through this complete Philippines travel guide for more info on what to expect!
Climate
The climate of the Philippines is tropical, so the weather is warm and humid all year. There’s a rainy season that runs from June to October (with the typhoon season generally being September and October), and the sunny season runs from November to May. It’s still possible to visit Philippines in the rainy season, but give yourself some extra days as a buffer in case of bad weather.
Safety
There are a few areas to steer clear of in the Philippines, and according to the UN it has a violent crime rate that is significantly higher than the global average. Some parts of Mindanao, for example, can be dangerous due to terrorism and kidnappings. With that said, I’ve traveled in many parts of the Philippines and haven’t witnessed any crime. Popular tourist areas like El Nido and Coron are safe, and attitudes toward foreigners are welcoming. It’s a good idea to wear mosquito spray in rural areas, especially during the rainy season, because some areas have a risk of dengue or malaria.
Budget
The Philippines is a very budget friendly travel destination, with hostels available from $5 and private hotels from $10. Meals are also cheap, costing about $1 to $5 depending on location. Transportation in the Philippines is generally by motorbike or car, and these can be rented, but hiring a driver is cheap and often preferable. Transportation apps like Grab are great for getting around.
Quick Tips
- Language: Filipino and English
- Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP)
- Capital: Manila
- Visa: Visa free access for most nationalities
- Climate: Tropical; hot and humid year round. Dry season is Nov – May
- Power Plugs: Type A / B / C
- Apps: Grab
Destinations
Pick a destination in the Philippines and start exploring!
Palawan By Drone
See the islands from a totally new perspective.
Posts
My latest blog posts about the Philippines
El Nido Palawan Island, Philippines: Island Hopping Tours Guide
For myself and many other travelers, El Nido Palawan island was the place that put the Philippines on the world map (and our bucket lists). El Nido’s exotic… Read More
Coron vs El Nido: Which Is Better? All Differences Explained
Palawan island has become famous for its tropical scenery and island hopping, but in a head-to-head comparison of Coron vs El Nido which is better? Both of these… Read More
El Nido To Coron Ferry: How To Use The Fast Ferry In Palawan
Coron, Palawan is a scenic island destination located just north of the more famous El Nido, and a lot of tourists nowadays like to visit both places on… Read More
Coron Palawan, Philippines: Best Things To Do In Coron Island
Coron Palawan is one of the most amazing islands in the Philippines, with huge limestone peaks, multicolored lagoons, and great snorkeling or scuba diving. Like other islands in… Read More
45 El Nido Palawan Pictures From The Beautiful Philippines
Palawan has been named the most beautiful island in the world more than once, and these El Nido Palawan pictures will show you why! This group of islands… Read More
Coron Palawan Tour: Twin Lagoon, Kayangan Lake & Skeleton Wreck
The remote Philippine island of Coron may not be as popular as its cousin El Nido, but the scenery here is just as amazing, and it’s great for… Read More
El Nido Tour D in Palawan – Cadlao Island, Small Lagoon, & More
El Nido’s famous for having some of the finest island scenery in the Philippines, and the best way to see it is on a shared boat tour. The… Read More
El Nido Tour C in Palawan – Hidden Beach, Matinloc Shrine, & More
El Nido’s famous for having some of the finest island scenery in the Philippines, and the best way to see it is on a shared boat tour. The… Read More
El Nido Tour B in Palawan – Pinagbuyutan Island & Entalula Beach
El Nido’s famous for having some of the finest island scenery in the Philippines, and the best way to see it is on a shared boat tour. The… Read More
El Nido Tour A in Palawan – El Nido Big Lagoon & Shimizu Island
El Nido’s famous for having some of the finest island scenery in the Philippines, and the best way to see it is on a shared boat tour. The… Read More
How To Get To El Nido, Palawan In The Philippines
El Nido, Palawan is a pristine, exotic island destination in the Philippines that can be reached by air, van, bus, or ferry. It’s not hard to get there,… Read More
Palawan Drone Video (4K)
Explore the Philippines in 4K! This Palawan drone video was filmed on a trip to El Nido and Coron in the Philippines in 2018. The Philippines is a… Read More