Two weeks in the Philippines is enough to hit the highlights without rushing — if you plan your route smartly. The mistake most first-timers make is trying to cover too many islands, spending half their trip in airports and ferry terminals. After multiple trips and a lot of trial-and-error routing, I’ve put together a 14-day itinerary that balances beaches, culture, adventure, and actual relaxation, with minimal wasted transit time.
This route moves south through the Visayas and into Palawan, using domestic flights and ferries strategically. Total estimated budget: $500-700 USD for the full two weeks (excluding international flights).
Days 1-2: Manila
Day 1: Arrive in Manila. If you land in the morning, head to Intramuros for a half-day walking tour: Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, and Casa Manila. Lunch at Barbara’s or a local carinderia. Afternoon: cross to Binondo (Chinatown) for a food walk — lumpia, siopao, and hopia. Evening: walk Rizal Park and Manila Baywalk at sunset.
Day 2: Morning at the National Museum of Fine Arts (free, excellent) and the National Museum of Natural History. Afternoon: fly to Cebu (flights from 1,000-2,500 pesos if booked ahead, about 1.5 hours).
Where to stay: Budget hostel in Makati or BGC area (400-600 pesos/night). Close to restaurants and Grab-accessible.
Days 3-5: Cebu and Moalboal
Day 3: Morning in Cebu City — visit Basilica del Santo Nino and Magellan’s Cross. Lunch at Larsian sa Fuente (open-air barbecue market). Afternoon: bus to Moalboal (3-4 hours, about 150 pesos).
Day 4: Full day in Moalboal. Morning: snorkel or dive the sardine run at Panagsama Beach. The millions-strong sardine school is just off the beach — free to snorkel if you have gear (rental: 150 pesos). Afternoon: canyoneering at Kawasan Falls (guided trip, about 1,500 pesos including transport, guide, and gear) — jumping into turquoise pools and rappelling down waterfalls. Exhausting and exhilarating.
Day 5: Morning: visit Pescador Island for a dive or snorkel. Afternoon: bus back to Cebu City, then take the evening ferry to Bohol (OceanJet, 2 hours, about 800 pesos).
Where to stay: Moalboal guesthouse near Panagsama Beach (500-1,000 pesos/night).
Days 6-8: Bohol
Day 6: Full-day countryside tour: Chocolate Hills, Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary, Baclayon Church, Man-Made Forest, and Loboc River Cruise. Rent a motorbike (400 pesos) or hire a driver (2,000-2,500 pesos for the day). End the day in Panglao.
Day 7: Morning: Balicasag Island snorkeling/diving trip (boat from Alona Beach, about 800-1,000 pesos per person). The wall dive and turtle-rich reef are exceptional. Afternoon: relax at Alona Beach or explore Dumaluan Beach.
Day 8: Morning: free time on Panglao. Afternoon: fly from Bohol-Panglao Airport to Puerto Princesa, Palawan (check for direct flights, or connect through Cebu/Manila).
Where to stay: Panglao guesthouse near Alona Beach (600-1,200 pesos/night).
Days 9-11: El Nido, Palawan
Day 9: Take the morning van from Puerto Princesa to El Nido (5-6 hours, about 600 pesos). Arrive by early afternoon. Walk the beach, book your tours, and settle in.
Day 10: Island-hopping Tour A — Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island. The flagship El Nido experience. About 1,200-1,500 pesos including lunch.
Day 11: Island-hopping Tour C — Helicopter Island, Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Matinloc Shrine. Better snorkeling and fewer crowds than Tour A. Same price range.
Where to stay: El Nido town guesthouse (600-1,500 pesos/night). Book ahead in peak season.
Days 12-13: Nacpan Beach and Free Time
Day 12: Rent a motorbike and ride to Nacpan Beach (45 minutes north). Spend the day on one of the most beautiful open beaches in the Philippines. Lunch at one of the beach bars. Return to El Nido for sunset at Las Cabanas Beach.
Day 13: Flex day. Options: kayak in Bacuit Bay, do a third island-hopping tour (Tour B or D), get a massage, or just decompress on the beach. This is your buffer day — use it however your body and mood dictate. Pack for departure.
Where to stay: Same El Nido accommodation.
Day 14: Return to Manila
Option A: Van back to Puerto Princesa, fly to Manila. Long day but cheaper. Option B: Fly directly from Lio Airport (near El Nido) to Manila via AirSWIFT — more expensive but saves five hours of road travel. Choose based on your departure flight timing and budget.
Budget Breakdown (14 Days)
- Accommodation: ~8,000 pesos ($145 USD) — averaging 600 pesos/night
- Food: ~5,600 pesos ($100 USD) — averaging 400 pesos/day mixing local and tourist spots
- Transport (domestic flights, ferries, buses, vans): ~8,000-12,000 pesos ($145-218 USD)
- Activities (tours, entrance fees, snorkel gear): ~6,000-8,000 pesos ($109-145 USD)
- Miscellaneous (SIM card, water, laundry, tips): ~2,000 pesos ($36 USD)
- Total: approximately 30,000-36,000 pesos ($540-650 USD)
Itinerary Alternatives
Replace Moalboal with Siargao: Fly Cebu to Siargao for surfing and island hopping instead of canyoneering. Adds a flight cost but delivers a completely different experience.
Add Sagada/Banaue: Skip Bohol and take the overnight bus from Manila to Banaue/Sagada for a mountain-and-rice-terrace experience. Fly from Manila to Palawan afterward. Better for culture-focused travelers.
Extend to 3 weeks: Add Coron between Bohol and El Nido (ferry from Bohol to Cebu, fly Cebu to Coron, then ferry Coron to El Nido). This adds wreck diving and Kayangan Lake to the itinerary.
Packing Essentials
- Lightweight backpack (40-50L is plenty for two weeks)
- Quick-dry clothing — you’ll wash and re-wear
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard
- Dry bag (10-20L) for boat trips
- Universal power adapter (Philippines uses Type A/B outlets, same as US)
- Motion sickness medication (for buses and ferries)
- Snorkel mask (optional but worth bringing — rental quality varies)
Two weeks is enough to understand why the Philippines hooks people into returning. You’ll leave with a suntan, a phone full of photos that look edited but aren’t, and a mental list of places you need to come back for. That’s not a failure of planning — it’s the Philippines working exactly as intended.