Philippines

Seven thousand islands, two oceans, and a country best read by ferry rather than by road.

The Philippines is the archipelago that operates most clearly as a sea route — ferries are still the most common way to travel between the major islands, and the country’s personality changes from sea to sea. English is widely spoken, the food is a Spanish-Malay-Chinese-American hybrid, and the coastline is the longest in Southeast Asia. Most international flights land in Manila or Cebu; domestic flights then radiate out to the famous islands. Plan around typhoon season (June–November) and the Holy Week travel rush in the spring.

When to Go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The dry season is roughly December through May, with the cooler months (December–February) the marquee window. March, April, and May get progressively hotter; April and May are the months locals head for the beaches. The wet southwest monsoon brings the typhoon season from June to November, with September and October the highest-risk months for storms. The dry side of an island depends on which monsoon is active, so travelling between coasts can let you stay in good weather for longer than the calendar would suggest.

Cities & Regions

Luzon

Manila’s skyline, pine-forest hill towns, and the terraced north.

Manila — Intramuros walls at golden hourManilaSkyline bars, mega-malls, and bay sunset walks Tagaytay — Taal Volcano in the caldera lakeTagaytayRidge cafés above the Taal volcano lake Baguio — Burnham Park at dawnBaguioPine-cool mountain city of parks and cafés Sagada — Kiltepan sea of clouds at sunriseSagadaSea-of-clouds sunrises and deep cave adventures Banaue — Batad amphitheater rice terracesBanaue Rice TerracesAmphitheatre rice terraces carved into the clouds Vigan — Calle Crisologo at duskViganCobblestone streets by horse-drawn kalesa after dark Ilocos Norte — Bangui wind farm at sunsetIlocos NorteWind farms, sand dunes, and wave-carved coast Hundred Islands National Park, PangasinanHundred IslandsIsland-hopping playground of 124 green islets Mount Pinatubo — crater lake from the rimMount PinatuboTrek to a turquoise volcanic crater lake Bicol — Cagsawa Ruins with Mayon VolcanoBicol RegionPerfect-cone Mayon and whale-shark waters

Visayas

Ferry-hop islands of beaches, festivals, and reef runs.

Boracay — White Beach paraw at sunsetBoracayFour kilometres of powder-white sand and sunset paraws Bohol — Chocolate Hills at sunriseCebu & BoholChocolate Hills, sardine runs, and canyoneering falls Bacolod — MassKara Festival dancers at nightBacolod & IloiloMassKara festival colour and heritage sugar mansions Siquijor — Salagdoong cliff jump platformSiquijorCliff jumps, waterfalls, and firefly-lit shores

Palawan

The lagoon province regularly voted the world’s best island.

Palawan — El Nido Big LagoonPalawan (El Nido & Coron)Limestone lagoons and shipwreck reefs

Mindanao

Surf capital Siargao and the wilder deep south.

Siargao — Cloud 9 reef breakSiargaoCloud 9 surf, palm roads, and island lagoons Davao — Mount Apo at dawnDavaoMount Apo treks, durian markets, eagle country

Tourist Map

Philippines tourist mapIllustrated Philippines mapsBrowse the full hand-drawn collection — every city and island, offline-friendly.

Plan Your Trip