Philippines

Philippines: Island Hopping Paradise

More than seven thousands of tropical islands you can visit in the Philippines. I visited only a dozen of them but all very different from each other. The Philippines are a perfect beach holiday destination, from picture perfect white beaches to limestone rock formation with palm trees. The clear and stunning underwater world is an attraction for both snorkelers and divers. Next to this you can find amazing rice terraces and active volcanoes (Mt Taal was erupting just before I left).

If you have the time you can take the boats between the islands, but the planes are cheap and go frequently. The people are very friendly and helpful and you can easily speak English (American influences) with them. The history is interesting and you can even see the Spanish influences in the Philippines. The fresh food from the ocean is perfect but you can see the western influences in the malls too. I’m convinced the friendly and humble Filipinos will not disappoint you! Check below my blogs with experiences, tips and inspirations on several islands I visited in four weeks. I made a logical route too, where the main highlights are covered.

Where to go in the Philippines?

Get the real feeling of the Survivor program by sailing with the TAO Sailing Experience trough secluded islands of Palawan from El Nido to Coron or vice versa. Get the jungle feeling traveling to Port Barton. Surf, eat and chill in Siargao which is called the new Bali. Visit the chocolate hills and cute tarsier animal on Bohol. Explore the underwater world with coral reefs in the Visayan islands like Siquijor and Apo Island. Start and end your trip in the metropolis Manila. Wherever you will go in the Philippines, the local people give you a warm welcome and make you feel at home immediately. One way or another you will have a perfect time in Philippines Paradise!!

Tips before you Travel to the Philippines

Visa for the Philippines As a Dutch citizen we don’t need to request a Visa, we get one in our passport for 30 days. Travelers must hold a valid return ticket to country of origin or next country of destination and the passport must be valid for at least six months...

Travel route for 3-4 weeks Philippines

I visited the Philippines from half January till half February 2020, 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...

Tremendous TAO Sailing Experience

This was the highlight of my trip, I was looking forward for months to step on board this traditional Philippines sailing boat. I love to be in and on the water, already did similar boat trips in San Blas, Panama and Belize. I already booked and transferred 650USD...

Charismatic Coron

Coron is the basis to explore the northern part of Palawan which are called the Calamian Islands and Busuanga. Coron Town is located on the main island Busuanga and is the most developed island in the region. The area is heaven for wreck diving, kayaking, island...

Spectacular El Nido

I was going to the highlight of my Philippines holiday; exploring the Bacuit Archipelago! This is the main attraction of Palawan and the reason why I wanted to see the Philippines in the first place, besides seeing my dad of course. Both El Nido and Coron are the base...

Chilling in Port Barton

Chilling in Port Barton and that is exactly what I did; no tours, no motorbike, just hammock time and working on my tan. I needed to chill too, the day before was a long day arriving all the from Bohol. Port Barton is perfect for that, the scenery is top notch where...

Stunning Siquijor and Apo Island

I loved the vibe of this small island Siquijor south of Bohol. With the motorbike you can drive around the island in one day including activities. Siquijor is known for diving, just like the rest of the Philippines, next to the healers living on the island. I didn’t...

Beautiful Bohol

Bohol has a lot to offer; unique landscapes like the bowl shaped Chocolate Hills, emerald rice fields and the Loboc River, spot cute animals like the tarsier and turtles, western shopping in the Tagbilaran malls, enjoy the picture perfect beaches like Alona and nice...

Surfing Siargao

This in popularity increasing Philippine island Siargao (shar-gow) is most famous for the surf and palm trees. These two really appeal to me, so perfect to visit this place for six nights. I booked this lovely and hippy style island in the beginning of my trip in...

Metropolis Manila

Most traveler arrive in the Philippines via the capital city Manila. Manila is a massive city with on one side the skyscrapers, western malls and luxurious hotels and on the other hand the poor, unsafe neighborhoods, local shops and busy streets. Busy streets are...