The Ultimate Philippines Itinerary: 10 Days in Paradise
Let's cut to the chase. You've seen the pictures: turquoise water, limestone cliffs, and perfect sand. Now you want to experience it. But planning a trip to the Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, can feel paralyzing. Where do you even start? Most generic itineraries just list places, forgetting the reality of ferry schedules, monsoon seasons, and your limited vacation days.
This isn't that. This is a battle-tested, 10-day blueprint that balances iconic sights with local rhythm. It focuses on three core areas: Palawan for raw beauty, Cebu for history and whales, and Bohol for quirky nature. We'll talk exact timings, transport hacks you won't find on booking sites, and where to splurge versus save. I've done this route three times, and each time I refine it based on what actually works on the ground, not just on a map.
Your Quick Travel Blueprint
Why This Specific 10-Day Plan Works
Most first-timers try to cram in too much. They want Coron, El Nido, Cebu, Bohol, and Siargao. The result? Exhaustion. You become a professional ferry passenger. This route connects logical hubs with efficient travel links, maximizing beach time and minimizing pointless backtracking.
The flow is key: Manila (entry) → Palawan (Puerto Princesa/El Nido) → Cebu City → Bohol → Cebu (exit). It uses Manila as a necessary transit hub, gets you to Palawan's wonders quickly, then leverages the short, frequent ferry connection between Cebu and Bohol. You end in Cebu, a major international airport, avoiding a costly and time-consuming return to Manila.
Your 10-Day Philippines Itinerary: Day-by-Day
Here’s the actionable plan. Times are estimates—always add a buffer.
Days 1-2: Arrival in Manila & Flight to Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Day 1: Land at Manila (MNL). Don't leave the airport. Book a connecting flight to Puerto Princesa (PPS) with at least a 3-4 hour layover. Trust me, immigration and terminal transfers eat time. Fly to PPS, check into a hotel near the airport or city center. I like Princesa Garden Island Resort & Spa for a quick pampering start, or Go Hotels Puerto Princesa for a clean, budget option right by the airport. Rest. Eat some chicken inasal at Ka Lui's (make a reservation, it's popular).
Day 2: Underground River Tour. Book this through your hotel or a local operator like Travel Village. The van picks you up early (around 7 AM). It's a 90-minute drive to Sabang. The boat ride through the UNESCO-listed cave is surreal. You'll be back in the city by 4 PM. Use the evening to book your van transfer to El Nido for tomorrow. Option: Rent a motorbike and visit the Mitra's Ranch and Baker's Hill for a quick, quirky afternoon.
Days 3-5: El Nido, Palawan - Island Hopping Heaven
Day 3: Van to El Nido. The shared van (book via Eulen Joy Express or your hotel) takes 5-6 hours. It's scenic but bumpy. Arrive in El Nido town, check into your accommodation. I recommend staying slightly outside the main hustle, like in Corong-Corong or Lio Beach. Spin Designer Hostel has great vibes, El Nido Bayview Hotel offers stellar views. Wander the beachfront, have dinner at Artcafe, and book your island tours for the next two days.
Day 4: El Nido Tour A (Lagoon Tour). The classic. Includes Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and 7 Commando Beach. Boats leave around 9 AM. It's crowded, yes, but the geography is undeniable. Pack a dry bag. Lunch is served on the boat. You'll finish around 4 PM. Sunset drinks at The Beach Shack are mandatory.
Day 5: El Nido Tour C (Hidden Beaches Tour). My personal favorite. Highlights are Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Tapiutan Strait, and Helicopter Island. The snorkeling is better here. Get a waterproof case for your phone. Evening flight back to Manila. Take the earliest van you can stomach (some leave at 4 AM) to catch an afternoon flight from PPS to Manila. Stay near Manila Airport (MNL). Savoy Hotel Manila is connected to the terminal.
Days 6-7: Cebu City & Oslob Whale Sharks
Day 6: Fly Manila to Cebu (CEB). It's a short 1.5-hour flight. Drop your bags at a hotel in Cebu City. Don't spend the night here. Immediately hire a private van (or join a very early tour) for the 3-4 hour drive south to Oslob. See the whale sharks. Controversial? Yes. A unique experience? Also yes. Follow the rules, don't touch them. After, continue 30 minutes to Moalboal. Check into a beachfront resort like Quo Vadis Dive Resort. In the late afternoon, walk just 20 meters offshore to the Moalboal Sardine Run. It's free and mind-blowing.
Day 7: Moalboal Adventures. Choose your own path:
- Dive or snorkel at Pescador Island (incredible coral walls).
- Visit Kawasan Falls (go early, like 7 AM, to beat the crowds). The canyoneering jump is a thrill.
- Relax on Panagsama Beach.
In the late afternoon, take a 2.5-hour van or bus ride back to Cebu City. Stay near the Pier 1 ferry terminal for an easy morning.
Days 8-9: Bohol's Chocolate Hills & Tarsiers
Day 8: Ferry to Bohol. Take an early OceanJet ferry from Cebu Pier 1 to Tagbilaran, Bohol (about 2 hours). Pre-book tickets online. Upon arrival, rent a car with driver for the day (around 2,500 PHP). Hit the highlights:
- Chocolate Hills Complex (entrance: 100 PHP). Go to the main viewing deck in Carmen.
- Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella (entrance: 120 PHP). The only ethical place to see them.
- Loboc River Cruise for lunch (550 PHP). Touristy but pleasant.
- Baclayon Church and Blood Compact Shrine.
End the day driving to Panglao Island. Check into your resort. Amorita Resort is luxury, Alona Vida Beach Resort is mid-range and perfectly located.
Day 9: Panglao Island Day. Relax on Alona Beach. Or, book an island-hopping tour to Balicasag Island for world-class snorkeling with turtles, and Virgin Island sandbar. It's more relaxed than El Nido. Have a farewell dinner at Luna Rossa for great Italian or Bougainvillea for Filipino food.
Day 10: Departure from Cebu
Take a direct ferry from Tagbilaran back to Cebu Pier (2 hours). Or, even better, fly out from Bohol's new Panglao International Airport (TAG). It has direct flights to Manila, Cebu, and Clark. This saves you the ferry ride back. Check flight schedules—this is a game-changer.
How to Customize This Itinerary
This framework is flexible. Here’s how to tweak it:
| If You Have... | Instead of... | Try This... | Why It's Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| More Time (14 Days) | Rushing through Palawan | Add 2 nights in Coron, Palawan (fly Manila-Coron, then ferry to El Nido). Add 1 night in Siquijor (ferry from Bohol). | Coron has the best wreck diving and Kayangan Lake. Siquijor is a mystical, laid-back island. |
| Less Time (7 Days) | Doing both Cebu & Bohol | Pick ONE: Palawan only (Fly into Puerto Princesa, out of El Nido) OR Cebu & Bohol only. | You avoid internal flights and enjoy deeper exploration without feeling rushed. |
| Focus on Diving | The standard tours | Base in Moalboal (Cebu) for 3 days, then go to Coron (Palawan) for 4 days of wreck diving. | You hit two of the country's top dive meccas without unnecessary stops. |
| Hate Crowds | El Nido & Oslob | From Puerto Princesa, go south to Port Barton instead of El Nido. Skip Oslob, see whale sharks in Donsol (Luzon) or responsibly in the wild. | Port Barton is El Nido 15 years ago—chill, cheap, and stunning. |
Realistic Budget & Pro Saving Tips
Let's talk numbers for a mid-range traveler (per person, sharing rooms):
- Accommodation: 1,500 - 3,500 PHP/night ($27-$65 USD)
- Island Hopping Tours: 1,200 - 1,800 PHP/tour ($22-$33 USD)
- Inter-island Flights: 2,500 - 6,000 PHP/leg ($45-$110 USD) – book early!
- Ferries: 800 - 1,200 PHP/route ($15-$22 USD)
- Private Van (day tour): 3,000 - 4,500 PHP/van ($55-$82 USD), split between 4.
- Food: 800 - 1,500 PHP/day ($15-$27 USD)
Saving Hacks: Eat at carinderias (local eateries) for authentic meals under 100 PHP. Book ferries directly on the operator's website (OceanJet, 2Go). For vans, ask your hotel to book—they often get local rates. Travel slightly off-peak (May-June, Sept-Oct) for lower prices and fewer people, but watch the weather.
5 Common Mistakes & How to Dodge Them
- Not Checking the Moon for Bioluminescent Tours: Want to see that magical blue glow in Coron or Puerto Princesa? Go during a new moon. A full moon drowns it out. Plan your dates accordingly.
- Packing Only Summer Clothes: Airports, ferries, and vans are aggressively air-conditioned. You will freeze. A lightweight hoodie and long pants are non-negotiable.
- Relying Solely on Card: Outside major hotels in Manila and Cebu, it's a cash economy. ATMs can run out. Withdraw enough in cities before heading to islands.
- Overlooking Terminal Fees: Some domestic airports and piers have separate terminal fees (50-200 PHP) not included in your ticket. Keep small bills handy.
- Underestimating the Sun & Sea: The sun is brutal. Reef-safe sunscreen, a rash guard, and a hat are for survival, not fashion. Dehydration is real; drink coconut water.
Leave A Comment