I visited the Philippines from half January till half February, just after the Mt Taal volcano eruption. I was lucky that my flight went on time without any delays, a week earlier that would not have been the case. My travel through the Philippines went very smooth, no delays, no cancellations, no crime, good weather, all good memories. The last day my stomach got a little bit upset but that was all, four weeks of happiness and joy here in the Philippines.
Book the plane tickets in advance and buy the flexible version. This in case unexpected weather changes your plans. If you want to compare flights and other transport options in advance, 12Go can be a useful tool too.
I always do a lot of preparations and research before I plan my itinerary to a country. Buy the Lonely Planet, visit a lot of blogs and website to get a good impression of what I want and like to see, to get a good impression of the activities and highlights in the Philippines. I love to surf and added Siargao to my travel route and stayed here a bit longer. I decided not to visit Boracay, this was not logic in my route and sounded too touristy for me. I went to the upcoming and more relaxing Siquijor instead.
If you want a quick overview before diving into the details, this was my route: Manila → Siargao → Bohol → Siquijor and Apo Island → Bohol → Port Barton → El Nido → TAO Experience → Coron → Manila.
My suggested travel itinerary through the Philippines
Almost everybody starts and ends their travel journey in Manila, most international airlines arrive and depart here, just like mine with KLM directly from Amsterdam via Taipei. You can also travel to the second biggest city Cebu from some Asian capitals, which can be a useful option depending on your route. I made a kind of U shaped itinerary around the Philippines which was efficient and saw a lot of the highlights this way. Let me inspire you with my route through the Philippines.
Arriving in Manila: 1 night
Manila was the starting point of my trip. To be honest, the city itself was not the main reason for my visit. I am more drawn to beaches, islands and nature, so I only stayed for one night in Makati, close to the airport. For most travelers, Manila is mainly a transit stop, and that worked perfectly for me too. See my full guide to Manila.
Surfing in Siargao: 5 to 6 nights
The first real island stop on this route was Siargao, and it turned out to be one of my favorite places. I stayed here the longest, which gave me time to recover from jet lag, settle into island life and, of course, surf. Siargao has an amazing vibe with beautiful palm lined roads, cool cafés and a strong surf culture. I did get quite a bit of rain during my stay, which is worth noting if you are planning a 3 week Philippines itinerary in January or February.
January and February can still bring rain in Siargao, even when other parts of the country are sunnier!
Even so, I loved my time there. If you enjoy surfing, relaxed island energy and a social atmosphere, Siargao deserves a place in your route. You can find all my tips for Siargao here.
Exploring Bohol: 4 to 5 nights
After Siargao, I flew to Cebu and continued by ferry to Bohol. This island is best known for the Chocolate Hills and the tiny Tarsiers, but there is much more to it than those famous sights. Bohol offers a great mix of inland nature, coastal scenery and easy day trips.
For me, this part of the journey was extra special because my father spends several months a year here and showed me around. That gave me a more personal and local experience of the island. You can read more about Bohol here.
Island life in Siquijor and Apo Island: 3 to 4 nights
From Bohol, we traveled by ferry to Siquijor and visited Apo Island as well. This part of the route felt peaceful, scenic and less touristy than some of the country’s more famous hotspots. Siquijor has that dreamy tropical feeling people imagine when they think of island life, but without the crowds.
Apo Island was one of the highlights of my entire trip when it came to snorkeling and marine life. If you want your Philippines island hopping itinerary to include both relaxed island charm and an amazing underwater world, this is a strong choice. For more inspiration, read my guides to Siquijor and Apo Island.
Back to Bohol: 1 night
I returned briefly to Bohol for one night before continuing to Palawan. This overnight stop was purely practical, because otherwise the route to the next destination would have been too difficult in one go.
Do not underestimate travel days in the Philippines. A route that looks simple on the map can easily take a full day once you combine ferries, flights and van transfers.
Slowing down in Port Barton: 2 to 3 nights
Reaching Port Barton was one of the longer travel days on this backpacking route through the Philippines. I took a ferry to Cebu from Bohol, then a flight to Puerto Princesa, followed by a shuttle van to Port Barton. It was a long journey, but definitely worth it. Port Barton has a beautiful laid back atmosphere where jungle and ocean meet. This was the perfect place to slow down.
Build in a few slower days on this route. The Philippines is much more enjoyable when you are not rushing from island to island.
After a long travel day, Port Barton offered exactly what I needed: calm beaches, nature, simple island life and a peaceful setting. I shared more tips in my guide to Port Barton.
Island hopping from El Nido: 3 to 4 nights
No travel route through the Philippines feels complete without El Nido. This is the base for exploring the spectacular Bacuit Archipelago, with limestone cliffs, turquoise water, hidden beaches and stunning sunsets. It is one of the most visually impressive places in the country. At the same time, it is also one of the busiest. You definitely will not have it to yourself. Still, the scenery is so extraordinary that El Nido deserves a place in almost any island hopping route. I wrote more about El Nido here.
Adventure in Coron: 2 to 3 nights
Coron was another excellent stop on this 3 weeks Philippines itinerary. Many travelers come here for island hopping, lagoons and diving. For me, Coron was also the starting point of one of the absolute highlights of my trip: the TAO sailing expedition. Coron itself feels adventurous and active, with lots of day trips and stunning landscapes nearby. I also explored part of Busuanga Island by motorbike, which made this stop even more memorable. You can read my full guide to Coron here.
Sailing with TAO: 2 to 4 nights
The best part of my entire trip was the TAO sailing experience. This multi day expedition through remote islands was unforgettable. Waking up on tiny islands, eating fresh food with fellow travelers, swimming in crystal clear water and spending days surrounded by untouched nature was simply magical. Looking back, this was the moment that captured everything I loved most about the Philippines: nature, simplicity, adventure and warm human connection. If you have the time and the budget, I would strongly recommend adding this to your itinerary.
One of my best decisions was leaving enough room in my itinerary for a special experience like the TAO expedition instead of trying to squeeze in too many islands.
I wrote a full story about the TAO sailing experience here.
Final stop in Manila: 1 day
At the end of this Philippines travel route, I flew back to Manila from El Nido and spent one final day there before my flight home. That was enough for me. After weeks of beaches, islands and ocean views, Manila was simply the practical end point of the route.
I noticed that a lot of travelers rush literally through a country. That is not my style, I prefer to see and explore and get in touch with the locals and surroundings. It is still a holiday a bit of relax time now and then is necessary; you don’t want to need a holiday after your traveling!!!
Why this route inspired me so much
What made this route work was the balance between efficiency and variety. Siargao is a hot spot for surfing and island life. Bohol added iconic sights and local life. Siquijor and Apo Island gave me tranquility and admiring the stunning marine life. Port Barton offered calm and nature. El Nido delivered iconic scenery. Coron and the TAO expedition brought adventure and unforgettable moments.
It also helped that I did not try to do too much. Too many travelers rush through the Philippines and barely get to absorb what makes each place special. I prefer a slower pace with time to breathe, discover and simply enjoy where I am. That is why I believe this is a great option for anyone looking for a 3 to 4 week route through the Philippines.
Final thoughts
If you are planning your own Philippines itinerary, I would absolutely recommend building in enough time for both adventure and rest. The country is spread out, so travel days can be long, but the reward is huge. You will find some of the most beautiful island scenery in Southeast Asia, friendly people, excellent snorkeling and diving, great surfing and a wonderful sense of freedom.
This route gave me 3,5 half weeks of happiness, sunshine, surfing, island life and memories I still look back on with a big smile. If you love tropical travel with a mix of nature, ocean, local experiences and laid back charm, the Philippines is a destination that delivers again and again.
Ready to plan your own route?
If this route feels like the right fit for your travel style, you can use the guides above to plan each stop in more detail.
For accommodation, I usually compare options on Booking.com. For ferries, vans and other transport between islands, 12Go is one of the easiest ways to check routes in advance and keep your trip running smoothly.
Find my travel guide for tips before you travel to the Philippines here.
