Philippines Travel Guide 2026: Palawan, Cebu, Siargao

Ask ten people what to do in the Philippines and you will hear ten different answers, all delivered with total confidence. One friend swears by Palawan and will not shut up about lagoons. Another says Cebu is the real deal because of the waterfalls. A third disappeared to Siargao for a week and came back with a surf tan and a new personality. They are all right, which is exactly the problem. The country has more than seven thousand islands, and a first trip can easily collapse into a pile of half-formed plans, four domestic flights and a lot of regret about the second week.

This guide replaces an older, thinner page on the same topic. What follows is the plan I would give a friend in Singapore who had ten to fourteen days, a reasonable budget and no wish to spend the holiday in airport queues. It covers when to go, what the three big destinations are actually like, how to string them together without losing days, what things cost, and the paperwork worth checking before you book. I have tried to be honest about the bits that disappoint as well as the bits that are glorious, because a guide that only gushes is not much use when you are deciding where to spend your leave.

A note on prices. Rough figures in this article move with the season and the exchange rate, so treat them as a planning guide. Where I quote a starting price with the S$ sign, it is the live price from our own product pages at the time of writing. Always check the page for your exact date, because rates change by day and by group size.

How to think about the Philippines before you book anything

The first thing to understand is that this is a country of water and distance. Moving between islands means a flight or a boat, and both can be delayed by weather. That is not a complaint, just a planning reality. If you try to see Palawan, Cebu, Bohol, Siargao and Boracay in one trip, you will spend a third of your time in transit and the rest in a haze of packing and unpacking. The people who have the best trips pick two bases, maybe three, and stay long enough in each to settle into the rhythm.

The second thing is that the Philippines rewards slowness. The famous experiences, the island-hopping day, the canyon jump, the surf lesson, are all enjoyable. But the memories people actually talk about afterwards are the in-between ones: a plate of grilled fish eaten on a plastic chair with the sea ten steps away, a tricycle driver who insisted on showing you his favourite viewpoint, a thunderstorm that turned the street into a river for an hour while everyone sat under an awning laughing. Leave space for those.

The third is that Singapore is unusually well placed. We are a short flight from Manila, Cebu and Puerto Princesa, and several routes run direct, which means you can often skip Manila entirely and land close to where the holiday actually begins. Schedules change every season, so check what is flying on your dates, but the general point stands: for a Singapore traveller this is one of the easier big-island countries to reach.

Entry rules, passports and the paperwork people forget

Entry rules change, so treat this section as a prompt to check rather than the final word. At the time of writing, Singapore passport holders can normally enter the Philippines for tourism without a visa for a stay of up to thirty days. Many other nationalities get a visa-free period too, and the length differs. Some travellers on certain passports can also use visa-free entry if they hold a valid visa from a short list of countries, and others need to apply for a temporary visitor visa online before they fly. The official government portals are the only sources worth trusting for the final answer, and our visa requirements checker is a good place to start if you are travelling with friends or family on different passports.

Whatever passport you carry, a few basics apply. Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the day you arrive. Airlines often ask for proof of onward or return travel when you check in, and some will refuse to board you without it. Most visitors are also asked to complete an online arrival form shortly before landing, which generates a QR code you show on arrival. Do it on your home Wi-Fi the day before, not on a patchy airport connection with a queue behind you.

One practical point trips people up more than any other. If you need a visa and the application asks for a flight itinerary, buying a fully flexible ticket just to upload a document is an expensive way to satisfy a form. Our flight reservation service is a manual reservation made for visa applications, not an issued ticket, and it is far cheaper than buying a seat you may never use. Treat it as supporting paperwork, check the embassy's own wording on what it accepts, and remember that no document guarantees approval.

When to go, and what the weather really does

The simple answer is the dry season, which runs roughly from December to May. Skies are clearer, seas are calmer, and boat tours run on schedule. The cooler stretch from December to February is the most comfortable, though it is also the most crowded and the most expensive. March to May is hotter and drier, with glassy water that suits divers and snorkellers, and it is my personal favourite for Palawan.

From about June to November the wet season arrives, and typhoons become a real consideration. That does not mean the country shuts down. Rain often comes in heavy bursts and then clears, prices drop, and the greenery is spectacular. But boat trips can be cancelled at short notice, flights get disrupted, and the central and eastern islands can see serious storms. If you travel in this window, build slack into your itinerary, keep your connecting flights flexible, and avoid a tight schedule on the last day before your flight home.

Siargao deserves a separate note. The surf season is strongest in the wetter months, roughly September to November, when swells arrive on the Pacific side. If you want to watch or ride the best waves, that is when to go, but you accept weather risk in return. If you are a beginner who simply wants warm, gentle water, the drier months suit you better.

Palawan: El Nido and Coron

Palawan is the long, thin island that makes most people's shortlist, and it earns its reputation. The scenery is almost absurd: sheer limestone cliffs rising straight out of turquoise water, hidden lagoons you reach by squeezing through a gap in the rock, beaches that look edited. The honest caveat is that the best-known spots are also the most visited, so timing matters. Go early, choose the less obvious route, and the magic holds up.

El Nido

El Nido is the base for Bacuit Bay, a scatter of islands and lagoons that you explore by boat. Tour operators sell numbered routes, usually labelled A, B, C and D, each covering a different cluster of lagoons, beaches and snorkelling stops. Route A is the classic and the busiest, taking in the Big and Small Lagoons. Route C is often called the quieter one, with hidden beaches and a good cave, while Route D leans towards the beach end of the spectrum. If you have only one day, ask your hotel which route is least crowded that morning, because it changes with weather and the day of the week.

The town itself is a compact strip of guesthouses, restaurants and dive shops along a single beach. It is lively, a little scruffy, and perfectly fine for a few nights. For quieter evenings, several nearby beaches have small resorts, though you trade convenience for calm. One thing to plan for is that power cuts and patchy Wi-Fi still happen in this part of the country. It is part of the charm until you need to upload something urgently, so download what you need beforehand.

Coron

Coron, on Busuanga island in the north of Palawan, feels more rugged than El Nido, and for many travellers it is the more memorable of the two. The headline experiences are Kayangan Lake, often described as one of the cleanest lakes in the country, Twin Lagoon, where you swim through a gap between two rock walls into water that shifts from cool to warm, and Barracuda Lake, a strange volcanic lake with distinct temperature layers. Divers come for the Japanese shipwrecks lying on the bottom of the bay, a fascinating and slightly eerie reminder of the history of the area.

For island hopping in Coron, you can choose between shared boats and private ones. A private speedboat costs more per person on paper, but gives you control over the timing, which is the single best way to dodge the midday rush. Our Coron beach escapade by private speedboat starts from S$49.71 and heads for quieter islands such as Malcapuya, while the private yacht island-hopping day starts from S$82.39 and lets a group build its own route across several spots.

If you would rather be above the water than in it, the Coron parasailing flight starts from S$57.67 and gives you about fifteen minutes of views over the coastline. It is a gentle thrill and a good fit for anyone who wants an adrenaline moment without getting properly wet.

Puerto Princesa and the Underground River

Puerto Princesa is Palawan's main city and its main airport, which makes it the usual entry or exit point. The headline sight nearby is the Underground River, a long subterranean waterway inside a national park that you tour by small paddle boat with a guide. Access is controlled through a permit system, and slots can sell out in peak months, so arrange yours as early as you can. It is a cooler, atmospheric half day, and the cave formations are impressive, though it is a quiet, slow experience rather than a thrill.

If you fly into Puerto Princesa and head north to El Nido by road, expect a long transfer of around five to six hours, and plan around it. Many travellers fly Manila to Busuanga for Coron and then take a boat or flight onward, which is easier than doubling back by road. Work out the direction of travel before you book accommodation, because the geography of Palawan is long and awkward.

Cebu: waterfalls, canyons and the south

Cebu is the practical heart of the central islands. It has a big international airport, good roads for the region, and a string of experiences within a few hours of each other. It also has a more complicated reputation, partly because a few of its famous activities sit in an ethical grey area, and I will come to that. Used well, Cebu is a lively, easy base that suits travellers who want action without too much logistical pain.

Cebu City and Mactan

Most people arrive at Mactan-Cebu airport, which sits on Mactan island across a bridge from the city proper. The island has the resort strip and the dive operators, while Cebu City has the old Spanish-era churches, the fort, the markets and the busy food scene. If you land late or leave early, a pre-arranged transfer takes the stress out of the first and last hours. The private airport transfer to Cebu downtown starts from S$43.36 and includes a meet and greet at the airport.

Do not skip the food. Cebu is famous for lechon, the whole roast pig with crackling skin that locals treat with something close to reverence. Try it with a small bowl of puso, the rice wrapped in woven coconut leaf, and a cold drink. For something sweeter, look for dried mango, which has become a national souvenir, and for the local sweet pastries sold in bakeries across the city.

For families, Anjo World Theme Park in Minglanilla is a useful rainy-day backup. It starts from S$11.10, runs a mix of rides suited to different ages, and includes an indoor snow-themed area that kids find hilarious in a tropical country. Check the opening hours before you go, because they differ by day.

Kawasan Falls and canyoneering

Kawasan Falls, in the town of Badian on the south-west coast, is the most photographed waterfall in the Visayas. The water is an unreal milky blue, and the tiered pools below the falls are good for a swim. The bigger draw for adventurous travellers is canyoneering, which means hiking, wading, sliding and jumping down a river gorge, usually with a guide, a helmet and a life jacket. It is exhilarating and a little frightening in places, and it is not a gentle activity. You will be asked to jump from rocks of varying heights, though guides will let you skip the scarier ones.

If you want a private group experience, the private Kawasan half-canyoneering trip on the new trail starts from S$168.75 for the group booking and takes you down a lesser-used route. That is a good fit for friends who want to move at their own pace. For a mix of the two big southern highlights in one day, one of our combined tours pairs the whale shark area with the falls, starting from S$116.00, though a day that long means an early start and a lot of time in a vehicle.

Oslob whale sharks: the honest version

Oslob is the place where tourists swim with whale sharks, and it is famous worldwide. It is also controversial. The sharks gather there because they are fed by local operators, and many marine biologists argue this changes their natural behaviour and migration. I am not going to tell you what to do, but I think you should know the debate before you pay. If the idea bothers you, there are alternatives that do not involve feeding wildlife, including snorkelling with turtles and sardines elsewhere in the region and dolphin watching in Bohol. Whatever you choose, follow the guidelines on distance, never touch the animals, and wear reef-safe sunscreen.

Moalboal and the sardine run

Moalboal is a small, laid-back stretch of coast with a big natural attraction just offshore: a huge, swirling ball of sardines that stays close to the reef year-round. You can swim out from the beach and be among millions of silvery fish within minutes. Sea turtles also turn up regularly. It is the best reason I know to put a mask and snorkel in your bag, and it is a gentler experience than most of the adrenaline activities nearby.

For a break from the mainland, island trips from northern Cebu are an easy day out. The private island getaway to Carnaza and Lamanok starts from S$73.53 and covers white sand, clear water and quiet snorkelling.

Bohol: a short hop with a big payoff

Bohol sits a short boat ride from Cebu and is worth adding if you have a spare two or three days. It is famous for the Chocolate Hills, a landscape of hundreds of grassy domes that turn brown in the dry season, for the tiny tarsiers in a sanctuary that keeps visitors quiet and light-free, and for a lazy lunch cruise along the Loboc River. The coast near Panglao has pleasant beaches and good snorkelling around Balicasag island.

The tour I would suggest is the island-hopping day with dolphin watching and Balicasag snorkelling, which starts from S$77.98. Dolphin sightings depend on luck and the hour, so go early. The mid-morning boats often miss the best of it.

Siargao: the slow end of the trip

Siargao is a teardrop-shaped island off the north-east of Mindanao, and its identity is built on one famous wave, Cloud 9. Surfers come from across the world to ride it, but the island's real appeal for non-surfers is the pace. Days begin early, move slowly, and end with a beer and a sunset. There are good cafes in General Luna, a scattering of boutique resorts, and long coconut-lined roads you can ride on a rented scooter.

Getting there takes a bit of effort. Most travellers fly in through Cebu or Manila and land at Sayak airport, then take a van or tricycle to the main town. Because the final leg depends on a small number of flights, it pays to book it first and build the rest of your itinerary around it. If you tie yourself to a tight connection on the day you leave, a single cancelled flight can cost you a day or more.

Learning to surf

Cloud 9 itself is a serious wave for experienced surfers. Beginners are usually pointed to gentler breaks, where a lesson of an hour or two is enough to stand up on a longboard. Expect to fall a lot, drink some seawater and grin for the rest of the day. Wear a rash vest, because the sun reflects off the water and burns you faster than you expect, and book your lessons for the morning when winds are lighter.

Island hopping and rock pools

The standard island-hopping trip from General Luna stops at Naked Island, a bare sandbar with no shade, Daku Island, which has more of a beach-day feel, and Guyam Island, a tiny palm-fringed dot that looks like a cartoon. It is an easy, pleasant day, and it is exactly the kind of outing where bringing your own water and a hat matters, because there is very little shelter.

Magpupungko Rock Pools, on the island's north-east coast, are large natural tidal pools that fill and empty with the tide. Check the tide times before you go, because at low tide the pools are open for swimming and at high tide they are covered. Sugba Lagoon is another popular day trip, a calm green lagoon where visitors can paddle, jump from platforms and swim in water that is almost impossibly still.

Sohoton Cove

If you can only add one long day trip from Siargao, Sohoton Cove in the Bucas Grande islands is the usual answer. It is a patchwork of caves, lagoons and a famous jellyfish sanctuary where the creatures have lost their sting. It involves a drive and a boat ride, so start early and expect to be out most of the day. The weather matters here more than anywhere else on the island, so keep your schedule flexible and have a spare day in case the boats cannot go.

A few more things worth knowing about Manila and Boracay

Most visitors treat Manila as a transit point, and honestly, that is fair. It is huge, congested and hot. But if you are stuck there for a long layover or an early flight, there are good ways to use the time. Airport lounges at the terminals are useful for a long wait, and we list a couple at Ninoy Aquino International. If you are staying longer, day trips to the hills outside the city let you escape the traffic, including hikes with sea-of-cloud views at sunrise, such as the Mount Kulis hiking tour from S$35.94.

Boracay, the most famous beach in the country, makes sense if you want a classic white-sand stay with plenty of dining and nightlife. Getting there usually means a flight to Caticlan or Kalibo followed by a short boat ride. It is busier and more developed than anywhere in the other regions I have described, so it suits a different kind of traveller. The Boracay sunset sailing experience starts from S$28.90 and is a pleasant, low-effort evening.

Three itineraries that actually work

Here are three ways to combine everything above without exhausting yourself. All of them assume you fly in and out of one city so you do not pay a premium for open-jaw tickets, though that is sometimes worth it.

Seven days, one region: Cebu and Bohol. Fly into Cebu, spend three nights split between the city and the south, then take a short boat to Bohol for two nights, and return to Cebu for the last night before your flight. You get food, waterfalls, snorkelling and dolphins, and there is no domestic flight at all.

Ten days, the classic: Palawan plus Cebu. Start in Coron for three nights, fly to El Nido for four, then connect through to Cebu for three nights of canyon and sardines. This is the version most first-timers ask for, and it works well if you accept two flights.

Fourteen days, the slow trip: Cebu, Siargao and a beach finish. Spend four nights in Cebu and the south, fly to Siargao for six, and finish with a few nights somewhere calm. This is the one for people who want to surf or read a book and stop counting attractions.

What it all costs

The Philippines can be done cheaply or lavishly, and the difference lies mostly in accommodation and how often you fly. The numbers below are rough per-person daily guides in Singapore dollars, excluding international flights, and they will shift with the season. Remember that private boats and canyoneering groups divide the cost across people, so a group of four pays far less per head than a couple.

Cash is still very useful, especially on smaller islands, where card machines are rare and cash machines can run empty. Carry a reasonable amount of pesos in small notes, because breaking a large bill for a tricycle fare can be awkward. Tipping is not mandatory, but a small amount for guides, boatmen and drivers is appreciated, and many restaurants add a service charge to the bill.

Getting around and staying connected

Between islands, you will mostly fly, and for shorter hops you will take boats or fast ferries. Domestic flights are cheap compared with Singapore, but baggage limits are tight and fees add up, so pack light and weigh your bag. Leave a buffer of several hours between a domestic flight and your international departure, because delays are common and a missed connection is expensive.

On the ground, the vehicles you will meet are tricycles, jeepneys, vans and, in tourist areas, scooters for rent. Tricycles are the standard short-hop transport, with fares you agree before you get in. Jeepneys are colourful, cheap and crowded, and a rite of passage. If you rent a scooter, check your travel insurance covers it, wear a helmet, and avoid riding at night on unlit roads.

Connectivity is better than people expect in towns and patchy in remote spots. An eSIM is the easiest option because you can install it before you leave and avoid queuing at an airport shop. Our eSIM listings include the daily Philippines eSIM from S$3.08 and a larger unlimited-data plan from S$29.74 for longer trips. Install the profile while you still have Wi-Fi at home, and switch it on after you land.

Health, safety and travelling responsibly

The Philippines is a warm, friendly country, and most visitors have trouble-free trips. Sensible precautions still apply. Keep your valuables in the hotel safe, carry copies of your documents, and be wary of unsolicited offers on busy streets. Check your government's travel advisories for any areas to avoid, particularly in parts of Mindanao, and follow local advice about swimming when red flags are up. Strong currents in some bays are no joke.

Sun and heat are the most common problems. Drink more water than you think you need, wear a hat, and reapply sunscreen after swimming. Choose reef-safe sunscreen where you can, because the coral that makes the diving so good is fragile. Tap water is not generally safe to drink, so stick to bottled or filtered water and avoid ice from unknown sources. Pack a basic first-aid kit, insect repellent and any prescription medicines in their original packaging.

Travel responsibly. Do not touch coral or stand on it, never feed fish or wildlife, take your litter off the beach with you, and ask before photographing people. A polite greeting goes a long way, and using "po" and "opo" when speaking to elders is a small courtesy that locals notice and appreciate. Dress modestly when visiting churches.

How to book without tripping over yourself

A few habits make a Philippines trip smoother. Lock in your flights first, especially the small domestic ones, and then build your tours around them. Book the experiences with limited capacity, like the Underground River permit and any private boat for a peak date, well ahead. Leave other days open, because the weather will decide some of them for you. And keep your last night near the airport you fly out from, so a delayed boat does not cost you your flight home.

When you book through HolidaySG, our team confirms each booking before tickets are emailed to you, so do not leave a tour for the same morning. Browse our full range of Philippines attractions, tours and tickets and check the date and group size on each page before you pay.

Frequently asked questions

How long should I spend in the Philippines?

Ten days is a comfortable minimum for two regions. A week works if you stay in one area, and two weeks lets you add a slower island like Siargao without rushing.

Do Singapore passport holders need a visa?

At the time of writing, Singapore passport holders can usually enter for tourism without a visa for up to thirty days. Rules change, so confirm on the official government portal or with our visa requirements checker before you book.

When is the best time to go?

December to May is the safest bet for dry weather and calm seas. March to May is hot but ideal for island hopping. Surfers prefer the wetter months in Siargao.

Is it safe for tourists?

Most tourist areas are welcoming and trouble-free. Use ordinary precautions, check government advisories before you fly, and follow local advice on sea conditions.

Is the Philippines family friendly?

Very. Bohol, Cebu and the calmer Palawan beaches suit children well. Theme parks and gentle boat trips are good fits, but skip canyoneering with little ones.

Can I use credit cards or should I carry cash?

Cards work in cities and larger hotels, but cash is essential on smaller islands, for tricycles and for market food. Carry small notes.

Is it easy to travel independently?

Yes, if you are comfortable with some improvisation. For island hopping and canyon trips, booking a tour with a guide is usually safer and easier than arranging boats yourself.

What is the voltage and plug type?

The Philippines uses 220 volts with type A and B sockets, so most Singapore travellers will want a plug adaptor.

Featured experiences in this guide

Coron Parasailing AdventureFrom S$57.67 Book →Lapu-Lapu City (CEB) Airport Transfer (1 Way to Cebu Downtown)From S$43.36 Book →1-day tour to Oslob whale sharks + Kawasan Falls canyoneering in Cebu,...From S$116.00 Book →Mount Kulis Hiking Tour from ManilaFrom S$35.94 Book →Boracay sunset sailing experience | shared boat/private charter | Roma...From S$28.90 Book →Commbitz Philippines e-SIM DailyFrom S$3.08 Book →Philippines - Unlimited 4G/5G Data eSIMFrom S$29.74 Book →